Chirp Chirp!

The whimsical chirping of birds outside her open window awakened a sleeping Kagome Higurashi. She slowly blinked her big brown eyes open, observing her billowing white curtains in the warm summer breeze. Her slim pale arms stretched high over her head and she smiled. She could smell her mother's cooking downstairs, mixed with the pungent scent of coffee. So far, the first morning at their new home in California was going perfectly. Sitting up, she smoothed the folds in her pale pink nightgown and undid her hair bun, allowing long ink-colored locks to cascade over her narrow shoulders. Without warning, she felt a slobbery tongue lick her painted toenails causing the sixteen year old girl to giggle cutely.

"Oi! Mai, what are you doin cutie pie?"

She leaned forward picking up her fluffy white husky pup. Mai squirmed with delight and tried to lick Kagome's face, yipping with obvious frustration as she pulled her face away.

"No no no! You know I don't like puppy kisses to the face."

She tucked the pup under her arm and began to head downstairs careful for boxes and other items that hadn't been put away yet. Her mother was making some homemade Belgian waffles in the kitchen with the help of Sota, Kagome's 11 year old brother. Her grandfather was poised at the kitchen table, a cup of coffee in one hand and an opened newspaper in the other. Kagome smiled at her family and sat Mai down: the pup scurried off to sniff her new territory with a gleeful bark. Kagome waltzed around the kitchen placing a kiss on her mother's cheek and grandfathers. She ruffled Sota's hair playfully.

"Morning everyone, thank you for the waffles mama! It smells delicious."

Ms. Higurashi smiled at her daughter.

"Good morning sweetheart, I promised you and Sota I'd make them…How did you sleep?"

Kagome leaned against the counter and glanced out the sun filled bay window. She could see the ocean and the white sand along the shore. There were a few people wandering along the shore: couples holding hands, dog walkers, and teenagers with surf boards. Kagome felt peaceful looking out the window at the beautiful environment: her new home.

"I slept well Mama….It's so beautiful out here. I feel like this will be a good place for us."

Her mother smiled gently.

"It's quite beautiful, but it will take some getting used to."

Kagome nodded and took her plate: she put some freshly cut strawberries on her waffle before sitting down beside her grandfather. She could see the ocean from where she sat, and the peaceful lull of the waves soothed her heart to the core. Chewing thoughtfully, she wondered what her new school would be like. She wondered if there would be many demons at this school, or maybe even a half-demon. For some unknown reason, Kagome was always fascinated by half demons. She knew they were extremely rare to find, even in this time. Sadly, it was still looked down upon to mix blood.

She finished up her waffle and took a swig of orange juice. By this time, her little white puppy had returned and was looking up at her happily, tongue dangling and eyes sparkling. Kagome smiled down at the pup before reaching down to pet her silky fur.

"Hey Mai, let me get dressed and then I'll take you for a walk!"

The puppy wagged her tail back and forth yipping with delight. She knew what walk meant, and this new area had many new smells. The pup was overjoyed. Kagome stood up and walked to the sink, Mai following at her heals. She rinsed off the crumbs and placed the plate in the dishwasher before turning to her mother.

"Mama, do you need me to run any errands while I'm out walking Mai?"

Her mother bit her bottom lip subtly and tapped the table, thinking over her request. Finally, she shook her head,

"No, not exactly errands. However, I was thinking you could stop by the bakery downtown and bring us back some treats?" Ms. Higurashi reached into her pocket pulling out a twenty dollar bill and smiling at Kagome, "Have fun, make some new friends!" Kagome giggled and shook her head, thankfully taking the twenty and heading upstairs to get ready.

When she entered the bathroom attached to her room she stripped down to nothing and stepped into the shower, rinsing her pale skin with cold water. She washed her hair with a fruity smelling shampoo, and a matching conditioner. After a good ten minutes of showering, she turned off the water and stepped out; she felt refreshed. She decided to let her waist length hair air dry and carefully spread a sweet smelling lotion on her skin to moisturize. Then she did her makeup, but only a little: she put on a light powder, she curled her long lashes, and finished up with a sheer lip gloss. Afterwards, she stepped into her bright room and went to her closet, pulling out a pretty floral sundress.

After dressing, she went downstairs. Mai was already by the door, her tail was flipping to and fro at an abnormal speed and she was shaking with excitement to get outside. Kagome laughed at the pup and adjusted a small purse on her shoulder before slipping on her shoes and hooking Mai to her leash,

"Common girl, let's go exploring."