Author's Note: Passage of Time is collection of short dabbles between Kagome and Hiei and other members of the Higurashi family that takes place after "Realize". I don't want to go so far as to call it a sequel to "Realize" but it is tied to the "Curiosity" series.

Either way I hope you enjoy and please review!

….

Mama dragged me to her small kitchen in her apartment.

"Kagome, now that you have a man living it at the Shrine it time you learned to cook." Her tone was firm as she reached for a tattered book on top of the refrigerator.

I couldn't help but blush at her words. "Mama! I know how to cook just not on the stove."

It had been two weeks since Hiei had started coming into the house on a regular basics and Mama had decided it was time for her and Souta to return to their apartment.

"I know you can make a wonderful roasted rabbit over an open campfire but you'll need more than that," she replied with a sly smile as turned to face me, the tattered book hugged to her chest.

It was true. Being in the Past had given me wonderful cooking skills over a campfire while limiting my skills on the stovetop. Granted, I could make the basics but my cooking never seemed as good as Mama's.

She glanced at old book with a fond look before extending the book to me. I took it with a questioning look. The book was old and the wording had faded on the cover, but I recognized it now. It was a cook book… Mama's cook book.

"My mother gave this too me when I meant your father. It's been passed down from mother to daughter for several generations," she gave a soft chuckle. "You'll even find old campfire recipes in there."

Her eyes were watery when I looked up from the book. "Mama, what's wrong?"

She gave a proud smile before wrapping her arms around me. "Nothing's wrong. I'm just realizing my baby girl is all grown up now."

"Oh, Mama," I whispered while hugging her back.

We stay like that for a few minutes before she pulled away. Her tears had dried and she had a serious expression. "Now, when do I get grandbabies?"

My jaw dropped and I felt my face heat up. I stuttered trying to come up with some sort of response as my mother laughed softly.

"MAMA!"