Cling On

"Kagome! It's raining! Come inside or you're going to catch a cold!"

Pausing in the midst of puddle-jumping, she turned to where Mama hovered on the stoop of their small house. "Just a couple more minutes?"

Her mother shook her head in resignation and disappeared inside. The young girl drooped. Maybe I should go in. She made one last swish in the murky puddle with her boot, stopping short when something croaked with displeasure.

"What was that for, kid?"

Kagome danced awkwardly on one foot, eyes popping open wide at the spotty frog that clung to her and was glaring impressively. "Y-You're… talking!" she gasped.