It was four months since the first time that Kagome had come over for dinner at Sesshomaru’s. This time however things were different. Sango and Miroku had declined this invitation. The two had finally started going out and today was their one-month anniversary. Thus, it had technically left three at the table. However, a shy Rin had asked her brother if she could invite someone over. The young man, she explained, was Kohaku. She had met him at school and they were in the same homeroom together. Kohaku was also Sango’s cousin. Sesshomaru was obviously annoyed by the shift in dynamic. The man liked to relax on his day off but today he wasn’t allowed that. Instead, he was now fretting over this boy that Rin was brining over for dinner. Currently, Rin was at school still- she and Kohaku (and a few other students) were busy setting up for the School Festival that upcoming weekend. Kagome had just come in and sighed seeing his agitated state.
“Look, Kohaku is just a friend. Why are you so worried?” She finally asked unable to stand his agitation.
“You don’t know Rin Kagome. She doesn’t just bring people to meet family- she only brings special people. I don’t know what to do about the fact that she’s obviously bringing him here as potential boyfriend material.” Kagome paled as she realized just what Rin had conned the two of them into.
“Oh, well what do you know so far about this boy?” Sesshomaru ran a frustrated hand through his hair as he pulled out pasta and began to boil it. Kagome had learned that this was his go to food when he was frustrated and didn’t have anything nearby to calm him down. With pasta, he explained, he could do whatever he wanted as long as it was made with a good and tasty sauce. It allowed him to think, to create, and to just let go.
“All I know is that he is in Rin’s homeroom, that he and Rin are in the same committee for the school festival, and that she respects him. What do I do Kagome? Am I supposed to quiz the boy?” And it was then that Kagome realized Sesshomaru finally understood that his sister had grown up.
“Oh, well I suppose you can. When I first brought a boyfriend home, Souta asked him a lot of questions. He asked the poor guy what his intentions were, what he wanted to do after high school, where he lived, what family he came from, etc. Does that help you any?” Sesshomaru sighed as he ran a frustrated hand through his hair before frowning. What he had just done was a big no no in his kitchen; he quickly turned on the faucet and washed his hands.
“I will ask him those questions then. Should I question his school activities?” Sesshomaru asked checking the pasta.
“That works. What are you making?” Sesshomaru eyed her cautiously before replying.
“A pasta with curry powder seasoned vegetables in a curry powder yogurt dressing. What do you think?” Kagome knew that curry powder was a lovely tool to have in a kitchen. She also knew that most professional cooks hated to use it with anything but Indian yogurt. And Indian yogurt wasn’t exactly good dressing material.
“Be careful with the yogurt.” She finally answered watching as he pulled out green peppers, onions, carrots, peas, and tomatoes from his refrigerator. He handed a few of them to her and she took them with a confused expression on her face. In all the time she had known Sesshomaru he had never let her touch anything or let her do anything in the kitchen. Was she allowed to finally do something in his untouchable kitchen?
“Do you mind chopping some vegetables? I’ll do the onions and tomatoes- you could do the green pepper and the carrots.” Kagome blinked at him before squealing and taking the vegetables he offered.
“I will! I promise to do good! How do you want them cut?” He gave her instructions and the two worked side by side while pasta finished cooking to al-dente. Once the pasta was ready, Sesshomaru drained it and left it to the side so that if could rest for a bit. He oiled a pan and added the vegetables letting them brown a bit before he added salt and some curry powder. He also added another spice and Kagome being ever curious asked what it was.
“Is that chili powder?” She asked curiously.
“No, it’s Paprika. Indian food uses a brand of chili powder that is hard to find. I find however that combining some basic curry powder with paprika resembles the taste just a little.”
“Ooh! Now I really want to try it!” Sesshomaru laughed but let her watch. When the vegetables were thoroughly coated in the curry powder, salt, and paprika mixture he added the pasta from earlier and let everything finish cooking for a minute. Finally, he turned to the dressing.
“Do you mind if I actually say no to the dressing? I find that it seems to be unneeded. Kagome shook her head- she personally was glad that there was no pasta dressing, the dish frankly didn’t need it. Nodding, Sesshomaru began to prepare the endive salad he had made the first time he was here. It was soon after he finished preparing the salad that the door opened and Rin walked in flushed from the cold February wind. Behind her walked a teenage boy. He would probably be one of the cute guys in school Kagome realized looking at him; he had short hair that was cut in the style most school boys had with a light fringe falling across his face. He was tall and skinny but had an athletic background she realized noting the tennis racket hung over his shoulder.
“Kagome!” Rin greeted hoping that her friend would be able to ease the awkwardness soon to be present. “This is Kohaku. Kohaku, this is Kagome.” Kohaku nodded greeting her and soon the three found themselves at the table where Sesshomaru was waiting with dinner.
“Sesshomaru, this is Kohaku!” Rin announced seeing her brother. “Kohaku, this is my older brother Sesshomaru.” Kohaku was obviously flustered seeing Sesshomaru but he nonetheless greeted the older man and prayed that everything would turn out fine.
Everything did turn out fine. Sesshomaru was miffed but had to admit that Kohaku seemed to genuinely care for Rin and that Rin cared for him in turn. He would give his consent whenever it was asked. Kohaku was also a young man who had an ambitious life goal. He wanted to become a lawyer like his late Uncle- Sango’s father. He wanted to help out with the criminal justice system wherever he could and since he wasn’t as skilled in athletics as he wanted to be, he decided to go for law- he was after all captain of the debate team. And just to make things even better Kohaku was apparently also a member of the tennis team as well. It seemed the boy was all around perfect.
“So what did you think?” Kagome asked when they were finally alone. Kohaku had already left after thanking them for dinner and Rin had gone into her room to change and start her homework.
“I like him and I shall give them their consent.” Kagome giggled and squeezed his arm briefly.
“There, now don’t you feel better.” He scoffed but had to admit she was partially right.
* * * * *
A/N: My family is Indian and I have to admit now that I'm cooking on my own it is hard to find that Indian Chili Powder. I DO NOT KNOW if the Paprika/Curry Powder things works- I made that part up and have yet to experiment with mixing the two spices in my kitchen. I don't know if it'll replicate any tastes whatsoever!
Prompt: Paprika