Project Shikon

Chapter 11

Kagome found that she actually really enjoyed picnics. A picnic was just eating outside, sitting on a blanket, but it was still fun. Alfred had packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, apple slices, string cheese, and pudding for dessert. She watched Dick and Jason bicker back and forth as Damian threw in a sarcastic remark every now and then. They were about halfway through their meal when Mr. Bruce came over to check in on them. He talked to Dick for a bit before starting to leave. She glanced to the side just in time to see the brief frown on Damian's face. Did he want Mr. Bruce to stay?

"Why don't you join us B?" Dick asked casually, though he had also caught Damian's disappointed frown.

"There are things I have to get done, maybe next time boys," Bruce said as he started walking away.

She hesitated for a moment, fear of approaching an adult she wasn't sure about yet building up in her, but she steeled her nerves as she got up. She jogged over to him and grabbed the bottom of his shirt before he could get too far away. Mr. Bruce stopped and looked down at her. She sent a pleading look up to him, trying to convey her thoughts through looks alone, 'please stay'. If Damian wanted him to stay, she would try and help him. She wasn't sure why he didn't just ask him himself, but she would try her best. Besides Jason, Damian was her favorite so far. Damian was being really nice to her, he play-fought with her, let her watch him draw, and helped her through her fear of Titus. She wanted to repay him as well.

Bruce looked down in surprise; for one he had barely heard her move, secondly, he was shocked she approached him at all. She had been keeping her distance from him as much as she could sense he had gotten home last night. The look on her face clearly wanted him to stay, but why? Was it because Dick had asked him and she was just trying to please? He glanced over at his three boys, Dick looked amused; Damian had a slightly surprised look on his face. Jason however was glaring at him, daring him to deny the girl. He let out a sigh of defeat; there were things he had to do, but he supposed they could wait until later. It was pretty good progress for the traumatized kid and he didn't want to be the one to slow that progress down.

"Very well, a few minutes I suppose." He relented.

A smile overtook her face as she pulled him back to the blanket. She strategically placed him between Dick and Damian before re-taking her spot between Damian and Jason. They spend the next half-hour simply enjoying some time together.

Eventually, Jason stood up and stretched. He grabbed her and started heading back towards the house, "Alright, we're done. See you, idiots, later." By now Alfred should be back and Shi could finally change into something that actually fits her. Plus, they should probably change her bandages. He had more than enough 'bonding' time with his family. Maybe he would just read a book to her or something for a while. He could always steal some of the demon brats drawing equipment and let her go to town on that. Whatever it was he needed a break from these people.

As he got back to the house, he set Shi back down on the ground. Alfred was waiting for them at the door, "I have put a selection of different clothing up in your room for Miss Shi. I suggest you get her changed into something more appropriate." He turned his attention to the newest and youngest member of the household, "After you are changed Miss Shi if you would like to join me in the kitchen for a cup of tea."

Shi smiled up at him and nodded. She liked making tea with Alfred. She felt Jason grab her hand and start pulling her along. She followed without complaint.

Jason took her back to his room and started looking through what Alfred had bought. He had gotten a good bit of everything. All of the pants that Alfred had bought he had already altered to fit her tail through. He really had no idea how Alfred worked so quickly.