InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Kagome's Realization ❯ Chapter 11 ( Chapter 14 )

Author's Note: We don't know too much about Mrs. Higarashi so I am just going to assume the woman has a job. I can't believe she could make enough money selling her shrine trinkets to support her two children and her father. So in my story she works at a pet store. Kind of like Adrienne but she sure wouldn't have any problems smiling at Rocky, but my pet store is much nicer.

Mrs. Higarashi loving stroked the puppy behind his ear coming forward to stroke his cheek and very gently wrapped her fingers around his snout pulling his face up towards hers as she leaned in and said in her voice she used only for her animals: "Where is your mommy? Huh, where is your mommy? Where did you leave her last?" She smiled down at the little lost puppy that came across her from behind a restaurant dumpster as she made her way to work. He had been digging for food if the stray noodles on his paws were any indication. "Well, come with me. Come on." She said, standing and patting her knees with her hands. "Lets go." And the puppy followed her as she continued her way to work, checking now and then to make sure he followed.

"Today just might be your day, little fellow. For I am taking you to my pet shop where you will more than likely have a good home before the day is done." Reaching their destination Mrs. Higarashi opened the door and ushered the puppy into the pet shop. Instantly birds and dogs and cats started squawking and barking and meowing and making all sorts of noises pouncing around in theirs cages. Thinking the puppy would be startled or bark back she looked down and saw the puppy looking to her to make their next move. "Oswari over there." She said pointing to a dog basket in the corner and to her surprise he did.

"Lay down." She commanded sweetly, testing him and he did. "So obedient already, huh? Good boy, give me a minute and I'll give you a treat." The puppy wagged his tail at her as she left to put her things away.

"Good morning." She said cheerfully to her boss and friend as she put her light jacket and sweater away. "I've found another lost puppy on my way to work. This one's different though, didn't even bark or get excited like the others when we came in."

"Really?" Said Sonya interested, glancing up from her writing. "Thank goodness, Kanya, that last dog you found nearly tore the place apart sniffing all the cages and everything in site. Where is it?" She said turning her attention back to her paperwork

"Lying in the dog basket. He's very obedient. If no one takes him home today I might just him to Sota." She said as she smiled at her friend and was making her way back to the front when she heard called after. "A change in our daily routine, huh?"

Yes, Mrs. Higarashi thought, laughing out loud, today has definitely been different. I even woke up different for a change, and as she moved here and there feeding and tending to all the animals she considered her day so far.

She woke up to a scream penetrating her room. What was that, she thought, lying there listening for any further noise? She then heard the shuffling of furniture and gasps and giggles that sounded like Kagome, coming from the kitchen. When she heard a male voice say "Don't" and more noises and more laughter from Kagome she sat up in bed. Is that Inuyasha? She wondered, deciding that if the two of them were in her kitchen making such noises mischief must be at hand. Passing Buyo, who was lying on the end of her bed, she put on her robe and slippers and with a `come Buyo' she was out her door and walking towards the kitchen. The sight before her stopped her in her tracks just inside the kitchen doorway.

She watched Kagome, who stood behind the door of the refrigerator, threw what was obviously another good egg, for her kitchen seemed covered with eggs, bread, butter, flour, milk, and some other things that she wasn't sure of, and stood amazed as Inuyasha batted it back at her with a large serving plate he found to use as a shield. Buyo, who had jumped on the counter to have some of the breakfast, was hit by some of the shattered egg.

"What is going on here?" She said, trying not to laugh at the looks of surprise that came onto their faces.

Inuyasha quickly put down his shield and went over to where Kagome stood closing the door of the refrigerator, almost as if he were in fear of what she might do. Looking at them, a smile broke through to her lips, and there they stood, both covered in egg and butter, Inuyasha looked scared, where Kagome looked like she was trying to keep herself from laughing.

"She started it." Inuyasha accused, pointing his finger at Kagome.

"I did not." She said in a laugh.

"You threw the egg at me first."

"NNOO, I told you that it was an accident and I apologized."

"You were laughing, Kagome."

"I couldn't help myself." She said, laughing again.

And back and forth the bickering went until finally Mrs. Higarashi said, "Enough. I don't care who started it all I know is you're both cleaning up the mess in here. But first, give me your clothes. Kagome, go upstairs and put on your cleaning clothes and bring me what you have. And, Inuyasha, I think I have a pair of jeans that might fit you and a shirt to go with it. You can change in the bathroom. Then I want you both in here cleaning this mess up so I can make breakfast for your brother." Turning on her heal and making her way back to her room she heard them fighting some more.

"Now you got us in trouble." Said Inuyasha.

"Me! You were the one who threw the egg back at me."

"Yeah and we were even."

"We weren't because I didn't throw the first egg."

"Fine, maybe not the first egg but your mom saw you throw the last one."

"Oh yeah, well I wish she seen the look on your face when I threw that butter."

"I said enough, Kagome." Mrs. Higarashi shouted as she made her way back to the closet in her room and then heard nothing but the sounds of footsteps. She smiled and laughed again as she turned on the closet light and step inside. Going to the back right corner she moved her clothes out of the way and pulled out the large container that had her husband's old clothes in it. Her smile turned sweet yet sad as she remembered when she was young and in love. Pushing any sad thoughts aside, she dug around till she found what it was she was looking for then pushed the container back to it's original spot and left in search of Inuyasha.

She found him standing in the front room staring out the window. "Here we are." She told him and held out the clothes. "If you give me your outfit I will wash it and you can put it back on by the time you're done cleaning." She motioned him towards the bathroom and went up to Kagome's room and said through the door. "When you're done changing bring me the clothes and I'll wash them." When she heard an affirmative she left to go and wake up Sota.

Sota was a heavy sleeper, and though she dearly loved to watch and admire him when he was sleeping, she found him hard to wake up in the mornings. So she pulled his covers off the bed completely and putting her hands on either side of him she started shaking the bed and singing:

"Wake up, wake up, sleepy head. It's past time to get out of bed. Don't cry me no tears and don't sing me no sighs for its another beautiful morning."

Standing back up she watched amused, as Sota started moving about in his bed, seeking his lost covers, groaning and whimpering. Deciding he was awake she went back gather the clothes from Kagome. She found her in the front from laughing at Inuyasha who looked completely miserable wearing his new clothes.

"You look great, Inuyasha." Kagome said.

"Then why are you laughing?" He said, flatly.

"I'm waiting for you to join me."

"We'll I'm not going to so stop it already."

"Inuyasha, you look fine. Give me the clothes so I can wash them and go and clean the kitchen. I'm going to put these on to wash and get dressed for work." Mrs. Higarashi chimed in, ending the rest of the discussion.

And so the morning carried on with clothes on the wash, an annoyed Inuyasha and a surprisingly content Kagome cleaning up the mess they made, Sota in his room whimpering as he tried to get the umph to get out of bed, and Mrs. Higarashi finally carrying out her ritual of getting ready for work. After a show and putting on clean clothes for work she went to check on the progress of her kitchen. Which was now clean yet empty. She found Kagome and Inuyasha sitting in the laundry room, Kagome now in her school uniform and Inuyasha still looking miserable without his usual attire.

"The clothes are in the dryer now, mom." Said Kagome.

"Good, I am going to make breakfast for your brother now. Are there any eggs left, Kagome?" She said smiling her usual sweet smile.

"Yes enough for breakfast but I'm afraid we're going to be out after that." Kagome said with an apologetic look.

"I'll pick some up on the way home. Are either of you still hungry?" She questioned looking at her daughter who was looking at Inuyasha.

"I'm not. What about you? Inuyasha?"

"Feh, I've had enough eggs for one morning but thanks anyway." Inuyasha said sarcastically yet subtlety Smiling she walked away from them towards the kitchen.

Any further thoughts that Mrs. Higarashi might have had about the rest of her morning where put to an abrupt end as a parrot she was feeding pecked her on the hand. Focusing on her work and not day dreaming Mrs. Higarashi went about her daily routine at work. And so the day progressed for her, much the same as any other, and it was 3:30 before she knew it when Sonya came to get her.

"Its Kagome and I think that she is crying." Her boss said clearly worried. Handing here the cordless phone. Sonya waited patiently to see if she could understand the one sided conversation.

"Kagome?!?" She said, "Are you all right? Are you hurt?"

A pause. Kanya's brow furrowed and she sighed to herself.

"Oh no, where is Buyo now. Is he? Good he likes Buyo. There not still in the street, I hope? Oh goodness, poor baby. Okay you know where I keep your emergency credit card right? Yes, get it and take Buyo to the vet. Call me and let me know what's going on okay? Okay, bye." With a shaky hand Mrs. Higarashi hung up the phone.

"Is Buyo okay?" Sonya asked stepping forward and taking the phone.

"He's been hit by a car." Tears filled her eyes as Sonya gasped.

"Poor thing. Did she say how badly he might be hurt?" Replied her boss and friend as she came over to stand next to her offering what comfort she could.

"She said that he tried to stand but his back legs wouldn't move. Oh, Sonya, that cat means so much to us. I hope…" But her sad thoughts were interrupted.

"Don't think that way. Cats have nine loves, remember?"

"But we've had him for ten years who knows how many he really has left." She said waving her arms and hands around for emphasis.

"Hey, I know Buyo and he is a tough old cat. If anyone can pull through this it'll be him. You'll see. Would it make you feel better if you go down there?" Sonya offered.

"No! I don't want to see him suffering. And it'll just make me worry more. I'll stay here." And she moved away from Sonya to pet her lost puppy. "And I guess your coming home with me. Yes. Come on lets take you for a walk. Okay, Sonya?" Mrs. Higarashi said looking over to her boss to just nodded. Putting a collar and leash on him they were off.

BACK TO INUYASHA AND KAGOME.

Kagome raced down the steps as quick as she could and coming back around the corner saw Inuyasha sitting next to Buyo Indian style petting him tenderly.

"Wear this." Kagome said, taking the baseball cap that was her fathers and putting it on for him. "Now, again carefully pick him up and lie him in the carrier." Kagome put the case on the ground and popped off the lid. Inuyasha did his best not to hurt the cat but it seemed almost impossible if his legs where hurt for he had to lift him there as well.

"MMEEEOOOWWW" Screamed Buyo.

Kagome felt tears sting her eyes as she placed the lid back on. She stood and was about to pick up the case when Inuyasha stopped her.

"I'll carry him." He said. "You lead the way." Inuyasha bent at the knees and literally carried the case.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha thankfully and with a shaky intake of breath turned to walk in the direction of the vet. It was only a ten-minute walk, which considering they were on foot wasn't that bad, but it seemed like an eternity as they listened to the pathetic cries coming from inside the carrier.

"It's okay buddy, we're taking you to get help." Inuyasha said, peeking into the case through the side slits to see Buyo pawing the side of the case.

Kagome was thankful to have Inuyasha with her. If he hadn't decided to come a get her would have had to deal with this alone. Come to see me, she corrected. He said that he didn't come to fetch me back, he came to see me. The thought made Kagome feel even better about the fact that she had Inuyasha to help her.

"Here it is." Kagome said, stopping in front of two glass doors, exactly ten minutes later.

Kagome walked in first with Inuyasha right behind her. With an automatic glance around the waiting room. Kagome found it empty. Good, she thought.

"Kagome." The at the reception desk said. "Is everything alright?"

"No, Buyo's been hit by a car. Is the doctor in?" Kagome said while she motioned for Inuyasha to put the case on the desk.

The recepitionist/vets assistant opened the cage door and took a pick a Buyo, who meowed loudly when he saw her. Reaching in she looked to be examing him.

"His tongue is still pink. That's a good sign." Relief filled Kagome at these words and watched with keen interest as the woman closed the cage and handed her some paperwork. "Fill this out for me, Kagome, and I'm going to take Buyo in the back so he can be check out. We'll come get you in a few minutes, okay." And shook took Buyo to the back.

Kagome slowly turned and picked a seat next to the fish tank. While Inuyasha watched with interest as the woman walked into the back, his ears perking at the sounds of other animals. He then turned his attention back to the desk the woman had been sitting behind. What's this white box with the bright lights coming from it, he wondered as he tried to get a better look.

"Come sit down, Inuyasha." Kagome said, realizing that Inuyasha hadn't sat down like she did.

Inuyasha looked like a child caught as he made his way to where Kagome was sitting, his attention now caught by the fish tank. And so they waited. Kagome finished her paper work updating Buyo's information and placed it back on the desk. Looking depressed she sat back down with a thump.

"It'll be okay, Kagome, you'll see." Inuyasha said sitting in the next to her. Wanting to offer her comfort but not knowing how.

Kagome sobbed softly looking to Inuyasha with hopeful eyes. "Do you really think so?"

"Of course." Inuyasha said nodding his head at her.

"I hope so, my mother will be just devastated if anything happens to him." Kagome said, laying her head on his shoulder.

Inuyasha flushed red and fought the instinct to jump at the close contact but didn't want to further upset Kagome or hurt her feelings. So he did his best to try and relax to such a show of affection and thought maybe talking would help ease his tension.

"Why would your mom be devastated?" Inuyasha asked into her hair.

"Buyo is more than our family pet he is part of the family. He's been around since before Sota was born. Mom was pregnant with him actually. You see, he was my dad's cat and after he died mom saw him as her last connection to him. Buyo was still just a kitten and Sota wasn't even born yet when he died in a plane crash. I remember that she was eight months pregnant and she went into labor early. They had to keep her sedated for almost a week to give Sota a better chance before they took him from her. He was so tiny but he gave our mother the strength that she needed. She knew that we needed her and she had to be strong. I remember that, for the longest time, at night she would cry with little Buyo sleeping next to her in her bed. I don't think that she knows that I saw her do that a few times." Kagome said, turning her face into Inuyasha's shoulder, her hot tears falling onto his shirt.

"You think it'll make her miss her husband?" Inuyasha said, uncomfortable with Kagome crying, but what could he say. Stop crying, that would sound coldhearted.

"Yeah." Kagome said, starting to weep at the thought of losing Buyo causing such painful memories for her mother.

"Kagome." A voice came from across the room. "Dr. Santono will see you now." The receptionist said, giving them a thoughtful look.

"Can my friend come with me?" Kagome said, sitting up and wiping away her tears.

"Of course." She said, taking a good look at Inuyasha in his red clothes and blue baseball cap on. What an odd pair, she thought. But let all other thoughts drop as she led them to the room that had Buyo in it. "He'll be in here in just a minute. He gave Buyo something for the pain so that he could take some X-rays so Buyo is asleep in his box, okay?"

"Okay." Whispered Kagome, not taking her eyes off the carrying case. When the nurse left, Kagome went over and popped off the lid so she could get a look at him. If it weren't for the fact that she saw the accident with her own two eyes she would have thought that he was only sleeping. Gently stroking the top of his head Kagome smiled down at his sleeping form with all the love that she had in her heart for the butterball kitty. Leaning in and down Kagome started placing light kisses on his forward and started whispering words of comfort that Inuyasha heard only because he was part demon.

"It'll be okay, darling, you'll see. We'll take real good care of you and we'll love you even better than before. You know mommy is going to pamper you even more after all this drama. Your going to be even fatter than you are now, if that's possible so you just make sure you take advantage, huh?" And Kagome continued her show of affections not caring that Inuyasha was watching the whole seen silence.

Several minutes later the exam room door opened again and a short plump man carrying x-rays in his hand came in.

"Hello, Dr. Santono. How is Buyo? Is he going to be alright?" Kagome asked excitedly, she was praying for good news.

"He's not going to die, Kagome. He's a very lucky cat." The Dr said as Inuyasha watched him flip a switch on something hanging on the wall and watched, amazed, as the thing lit up and he put the black picture up against it and it turned out not to be black after all. "But I am afraid that it will take some time for him to heal. He fractured his hip and his ankle. He should be able to heal on his own but he might have a limp as a side effect." The whole time the doctor pointed the certain sections of the picture that Inuyasha didn't understand but Kagome seemed to for she nodded her head at what was said.

"So.." Kagome said trying not to cry at how hurt her cat was. "he'll be okay though?"

"I think so, you'll need to keep him in that box for a few days to restrict his movements and I'll give you some medicine to give him so he won't be in pain. We already gave him some antibiotics so that should help keep him from getting any type of infection. The only thing I couldn't see, because to move him into a better position hurt the cat even though he was under sedation, was if his bladder was damaged or detached but you should know that if there is any blood when he goes to the bathroom. If there are any complications I want you to call me on my after hours line, okay?" The doctor smiling comfortingly at Kagome and added when he saw a few stray tears fall. "I won't let anything happen to him, Kagome. Not if I can help. I know how important he is to your sweet mother. So if you need anything or have any questions call me. Buyo is free to go whenever you are ready. I'll have his medicine up front waiting for you." And without a look at Inuyasha the doctor left them alone.

"He's gonna be okay." Kagome said, happily as she went over to Inuyasha, and without warning threw her arms around him and embraced him in a fierce hug. "I was so worried, I don't feel any better knowing how badly hurt he is, but I'm so relieved that he isn't going to die." And she moved her head to rest it better on Inuyasha's shoulder.

Inuyasha felt unable to move. He had often wondered what it would be like to hold Kagome but he never thought he would actually get the chance. Sure he carried her on his back when they traveled but it was nothing like this. What should I do with my hands? He thought as he slowly brought them up and hesitantly patted her on the back.

Kagome came to her senses when she felt Inuyasha light patting of her back. This is a bit much, even if we have taken another step in our relationship, she thought pulling away from him.

"Sorry." She said, and trying to sound a little like him added, "Enough mushy stuff, lets get Buyo and get out of here. Oh but first I need to call my mother." Kagome reattached the lid to the carrying case and Inuyasha picked him up. They left the exam room and made there way back to the front.

"Can I use the phone, Tamara-dono, so I can call my mom and let her know about Buyo?" Kagome asked.

"There's one in the waiting room." Was her reply, Tamara didn't even look up as she went over the paper work before her.

"Is that my bill?" Questioned Kagome who had started to walk away.

"Yes."

"Here, you can handle this." Kagome said to Inuyasha.

"Me?" He questioned surprised.

"Yes, when she asks how your going to pay, just hand this to her." Kagome whispered slipping him her credit card. "I'll be back to sign it in a minute." And she walked away.

Swallowing loudly Inuyasha turned his attention back to the woman. Who looked up and smiled at him.

"Been seeing Kagome long?" She asked.

"Yeah, I've seen her everyday for a long while now." Inuyasha answered, wondering at the question.

"That's so sweet. Can't bare to be apart huh?" Tamara said, giving him a knowing smile. And taking the credit card from his hand. "I'll take this."

"uh." Was all a shocked Inuyasha could manage. She thinks we're a couple?? He thought. And jumped slightly as a small machine starting making a scratching sound and spit out a piece of paper.

"Here's your card back. Do you attend the same school as Kagome?" She asked, handing back the card to Inuyasha who made no move to take it.

"No." Kagome said, taking the card and reaching for a pen to sign the slip. "He goes to a school in another district. Is this everything, Tamara? Mother is anxious to see Buyo." Kagome handed the original back and pocked the yellow, she hoped her anxiety about getting Inuyasha out of there obvious.

"One last thing. Here is the medicine for Buyo and a syringe to use to administer it. And if you have any questions, call. Okay?" She handed Kagome a brown paper sack.

"Thanks, we will." Kagome said snatching the bag and pulling at Inuyasha's sleeve. Inuyasha immediately picked up Buyo and they were out of there.

BACK AT THE SHRINE

Mrs. Higarashi patiently waited for Kagome and Inuyasha to make the ten-minute walk back to the house. She had busied herself in the kitchen, ever since she got home, and was making steaks and potatoes for dinner, seeing as Inuyasha was joining them. Actually she had made several dishes, Odon among them. She had wanted to stay at work but when she put cat food in the parrot's food dish Sonya promptly sent her home. She even had to be reminded to take the puppy she found with her, which at this moment Sota

was trying to see how many tricks he could do.

So busy as a little bee Mrs. Higarashi moved as if she were a robot, by automation. In her mind she struggled with all the memories that came with Buyo, the cat. Like the first night her husband brought him home. They had a heated argument that night because it was well known that a pregnant woman couldn't be around cats but Mr. Higarashi had been adamant about the fact that he couldn't leave the cat starving on the street. And he was right, of course, for Buyo was such a little thing, barely two months old. So he stayed and Kagome and her father swore up and down that the cat wouldn't be a hazard to her. Her memories fast-forwarded to three months later. Sota was a month old and only Buyo was with her when she got word that her husband's plan had crashed. Her only comfort was the loves from her cat who watched with alertness as his mommy cried. Buyo tried to stop her crying, even to the point of putting his butt in her face, and that was the last time she laughed for nearly a year.

"We're home." Cried Kagome.

Mrs. Higarashi nearly dropped the plate of steaks she was putting on the table when she heard Kagome's voice.

Hurrying into the front room she said. "How is he? Did he have any problems with the walk back to the house? Here, I'll take him, Inuyasha." Inuyasha quietly gave handed the cat over, though he liked Buyo he still couldn't help not being to fond of cats.

"He'll be fine mother." Kagome said walking over to her mother and helping her take off the lid. Kagome's fear seemed to be a reality. Her mother was truly upset over the thought of losing Buyo. "The doctor said that he'll need to keep him restricted for a couple of days, and I say keep him in the house for at least two weeks, and he should recover fine."

With a shake release of breath and a shaky hand Mrs. Higarashi lovingly stroked her beloved cat. "He looks knocked out." She stated upon observation.

"He should be, they gave him a sedative. And I read the directions on the pain medicine saying we should give it to him every 4 hours and the doctor left a note saying to give him a dose at 7 tonight." Kagome told her mother, handing her the medicine bag.

"I understand. He'll be just fine, and I plan to pamper him as much as I can." She said, talking to herself, lost in her thoughts.

"Is that possible?" Said Sota coming into the living room, his puppy in tow.

"It is and what is a puppy doing here?" Kagome said, smiling and patting her knees for the puppy to come to her, which he did with a mile a minute wagging tail.

"Mom brought him home. She found him on the way to work this morning." Sota said smiling proudly.

"Nothing new there, but why did she bring this one home? Yes, where's your momma?" Kagome said, imitating the voice her mother used.

"Because he is special that's why. Just watch." And a show of sit, lay, roll over, beg, play dead, watch it, and shake hands took place.

"So, he's whipped." Inuyasha said, disgusted with the whole idea of teaching such useless `tricks'.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome said, standing with her hands on her hips.

"Dinner's ready." Mrs. Higarashi said, ignoring everything but Buyo. "Let's eat."

LATER THAT NIGHT.

Lighting illuminated Kagome's bedroom as it followed thunder. Inuyasha, only then, could be seen sitting beside Kagome's desk, sword resting next to him, head dipped. Kagome lying motionless on her bed. Inuyasha ears twitched again and another sigh escaped his lips without his knowledge. I hate it when girls cry, he was thinking, but it complete tears me up to hear a woman cry. Inuyasha willed his ears not to pick up the cries he could faintly hear from Mrs. Higarashi. I wish the storm would worsen then it would drown it out all the way, he thought looking at the window with annoyance.

"What is it?" Kagome said, rolling onto her side, propping her head up with her arm.

"That has to be the hundredth time you've sighed."

"I thought you were asleep?" Inuyasha said, startled out of his thoughts by the sound of Kagome's voice.

"No, I was just lying here listening to the storm and your sighs. What's wrong?" She asked again.

"Your mothers crying." He said softly.

"Is she?" Kagome said just as softly. "For a long time?"

"A little while." He answered.

"It's been a long time since I've heard her cry. She's usually smiles and chipperness." Kagome said, curling her pillow under her head.

"She's always been like that? Smiling all the time, I mean?" Inuyasha said interested, he never knew anyone like Kagome's mom. Despite their first meeting, which was of him barging on their family dinner calling Kagome a bitch and dragging her out of the room resisting, her first instinct was a pinch his ears. If he had been her he would have clobbered himself.

"No. When my dad was alive she was down to earth. Had a good heart but she wasn't candy sweet like she is now. I would have settled for candy sweet the first year after my father died." Kagome said, shuddering at the memories of her mother locking herself in her room with only Buyo for company, or all the long days she spent walking aimlessly around the shrine.

"What happened after your father died?" Inuyasha said, he always wondered how Kagome felt about her father being dead. He felt a sort of bond to her pain, understanding the loss of a beloved parent.

"She became recluse. She never smiled or laughed for a little over a year. Then one day she just wasn't anymore and she's been how she is now ever since. It drives me nuts sometimes. One minute she barely spoke at dinner and the next it was as if she was never sad. She never stops smiling. Though I can't imagine how hard this must be on her, it's good that she's having a good cry over daddy." Kagome said, a single tear falling down her cheek.

"Why? Why is it important for her to have a good cry?"

"Because tears can release pint up emotions and that's what she's been doing for years now. Keeping all the emotions bottled up inside and concealed behind a smile. I think the thought of losing Buyo, her last connection to my father, is making her remember the loss of my father. And she's sad, and it's okay for her to feel that way and release it through tears." Silence took over the room as each pondered their thoughts on the matter.

Kagome's words struck deep with Inuyasha. He remembered, though vaguely now, how different his mother was after his own father had passed away. But unlike Kagome's mom, his mother never snapped out of her sadness and because of her weakened spirit died from sickness, leaving him on his own.

"You should be grateful, Kagome." Inuyasha said at last.

Kagome was so surprised by his words she sat up on her elbow. "Go on."

"My mother died from a broken heart leaving me motherless and fatherless and shunned by everyone. Your mother stopped considering only her feelings but yours as well by becoming the mother you deserve." If Kagome could have seen the thoughtful look on his face, for the storm was letting up, she would have been even more touched at his words.

"Did you mother cry a lot?" Kagome asked, taking her chances at him answering.

"I don't remember. It's been so long, what about a hundred years, since she passed. I just remember her always being so sad." Inuyasha sighed again.

"How long ago was it that your mother passed away?" Kagome said, sitting up all the way. Surely she heard wrong.

"Little over a hundred years. Why?" Inuyasha said, missing the point.

"My gods, how old are you Inuyasha? You were a child when she died right? So that makes you at least a hundred and five years old." Kagome figured that he had to have been at least five when his mother died since he remembered her but she hadn't given it much thought as to how old Inuyasha was.

"Hundred and twelve." He said as if there wasn't anything to be impressed about.

"Inuyasha-jiji." She said laughing heartedly. "How old is Sesshomaru then?"

"A hundred and eighty I believe. I'm not sure though, I've never thought about it really. It's the demon blood in us, Kagome." Inuyasha couldn't care less how old his brother was all he cared about was that Kagome seemed to think it was funny that he was over a hundred years old. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'll say it's the demon blood in you. And I am laughing at the thought of how I've never considered you to be my elder. You seem more like a teenager than an adult." Kagome said, choosing her words carefully, she didn't want to insult him and say: You sure are immature and naive for someone so old.

"Technically we are about the same age. Unlike normal, cough dogs cough, we age one year for every seven. So I'm sixteen, young for a demon. Manten and his brother couldn't have been much older than me." Inuyasha said, hating that he compared his aging to that of weak dogs.

That explains it, thought Kagome. "Is my mother still crying?" Kagome asked suddenly changing the subject much to Inuyasha's liking.

"No." He said after a moments pause.

"That's good. I don't want her depressed from all this." Kagome said, remembering all the nights that she had lain awake listening to her cry when she was a child.

"So, are we going back tomorrow?" Inuyasha said hopefully. Despite that in Kagome's world there were less prying eyes he just felt much better having her in his natural environment.

"Umm." Was all Kagome had to say.

"You said five days Kagome and they are up tomorrow, are they not?" Inuyasha said, trying hard not to sound hurt and disappointed.

"I know but I would like to spend the weekend with my mother and maybe even go to school on Monday. Three days, that's all Inuyasha." When she felt that Inuyasha was shaking his head no at her she put on her sweet voice. "PPPLLLEEAASE. Then we can do some major Naraku and shard hunting when I get back."

Inuyasha really really didn't want to cave in and agree but what could he say when she promised him her complete attention afterwards. "Just three more days."

"HEHE." Kagome said, lying down on her back and huge yawn escaping.

"You're happy? Good, now go to sleep before you sleep your first day away." Inuyasha said, bowing his head.

"Yes, Inuyasha-jiji." Kagome said, rolling over and burying her face in her pillow to keep her laughter as quite as it would allow.

"Shut up." Inuyasha said with a laugh.

Saturday and Sunday were pretty much the same. Kagome got up to find her mother pampering Buyo, which Buyo didn't seem to mind seeing as his purring could be heard clearly if you were anywhere in the room with them. Together, they spent time in the garden, with Buyo of course, Kagome shared with her mother all the interesting things that she was learning about herbs from Keade. Kagome even talked her mother into giving her a cooking lesson, seeing as Kagome wasn't very good at it. Inuyasha, meanwhile, had gone back through the well after deciding it would be best to leave Kagome alone with her family.

It was Monday before Kagome knew it and with it came the excitement of getting her paper results. Before she left class the Friday before the teacher told everyone that he would more than likely have them back by Monday. Kagome tried to patiently wait all day see what she had made. Had her honesty paid off? Was the question burning her mind.

When Mr. Sagomoto handed Kagome back her paper face down there was a soft look in his eyes. Did that mean he liked it? She wondered. The class bell rang, announcing the end of the school day, when Kagome flipped over her paper to read her grade, and nearly jumped for joy when she saw her 100. Grabbing her things she raced out the door, anxious to return to the other world like she promised. So Kagome rushed home, and raced to her room, tossing her backpack and her paper on her bed. It was then that Kagome noticed the writing on the bottom of the page. It read:

Higarashi,

One of the finest and most honest papers I have read in a long time. I hope to be honored again with such candor and true understanding of music appreciation.

Kagome smiled proudly to herself, while safely tucking away her report. Completely satisfied with herself Kagome turned full attention to her new challenge, making sure she didn't forget anything when she went back to Inuyasha.

"Mom, did you buy all the Ramen like I asked?" Kagome said, thinking how mad Inuyasha would be if she forgot. Inuyasha, Kagome thought, her smile broadening, as she made her way out of her room in search of her mother.