Chapter Two

Memories and Suprises

"How long do you plan on not telling him?" The baritone voice of her younger brother filled Kagome's ears as she bent over and scrubbed the dish in her hand.

"How long did you plan on not telling me that you were failing your math class?" Kagome turned around and looked towards her younger brother. His honey eyes hardened when they met her own.

His hands slid into his blue jean pockets as he rocked on the balls of his feet. He at least had the decency to look a little ashamed.

Kagome sighed deeply as she turned around and began to scrub the small cup again. The small cup, made so beautifully of bone was a deep pomegranate engraved with white plum leaves.

The smells of sweet Gyokuro and charcoal filled her nose as she closed her eyes from the memories. The nectarous yet bitter taste of both the thick and light tea's made her mouth water.

Kagome recalled the last sado she preformed. Her mothers midnight blue and plum kimono felt like silk beneath her fingers as she preformed the way of tea. She cleansed all of the hand made utensils for the ceremony. The dried grassy leaves steeped in the tea pot that had been handed down through the generations. The warm tea swirled in her cup as it warmed her hands from the cold winter's breeze.

"You worry too much." Sota leaned his head on her shoulder as she came out of her thoughts. He ruffled her hair and smiled as she wiped her wet hands on his shirt.

"I'll probably be at the store whenever you get home. Do you want anything?" the now smiling woman asked.

"Sake. Lots of sake! And some rice wine!" The boy hid a smirk as he caught the dish towel Kagome threw at him. "Oh maybe some beer! Beer is always nice."

"Out! Go to school," Kagome glared as she saw him stick out his tongue at her before he went out the door.

She looked to the small shed and groaned as she finished what was left of the dishes. Drying her hands off she pulled a few old dish towels out of the linen closet. Determined to rid the shrine of all dust and dirt she grabbed the broom and headed towards the dust bunny central.

"I should of never started this," she grunted an hour later. She was now covered head to toe in dust. She began sweeping the dust away from the shrine. A loud maniacal laugh was heard from her as she attacked the grime and dirt with fervor.

"I shall get your my pretty! And your little dog too!" the woman exclaimed while chasing after a rouge dust bunny. Kagome stopped and looked down to at her clothing and grimaced.

Her blue jeans were not a dark shade of gray and her green shirt was now covered in brown spots. Even her face had spots of stuck on dirt. She sneered at the thought of washing her hair.

Perhaps she should put everything away and shower.

It took Kagome ten minutes to put everything away while avoiding touching anything in the house. She took care in going up the stairs. Make sure she closed the door quietly she sighed in contentment as she felt the heated water hit her once in the shower.

Soon the bathroom filled with steam. The non-scent empty shampoo bottle was thrown in the trash when she emerged from the bathroom in towel. The pristine traditional miko garbs that sat on her bed filled her mind with more memories from the past. Kagome smiled at the thought of a brash, beautiful hanyo and the amazing world full of magic and wonders only found in the ancient legends told through out the scrolls of history.

She looked towards her old bedroom as she heard the sounds of water running. It was strange how she never felt hole until he came into her life. After her mother died he filled the void of emptiness and agony. His small hands took hold of her heart and kept it safe.

Kagome didn't realize she was moving until she ran into the side table by the couch down stairs and the small laughter that came with her actions. She looked back at the small child who barely stood to her hip. His long sterling hair came to his elbows when not put back. His cute ears swiveled like his father's did. Revealing to those around him his true emotions.

"Now that you are up you can help me finish the house work." She laughed at the scrunched face he made. His nose wrinkled with distaste as he crossed his arms. Kagome went over to him and picked the child up and twirled him around. Receiving the childish giggle and smile she wanted she went outside and placed him on the ground.

"Now, what do you want to do first? Would you rather do your studies, do some house work or meditate and tell me the guide for Shinto followers?"

"Why do I have to do the last one? I'm a hanyo not a priest." She walked over to the small child and sat on her knees. Kagome looked into his beautiful blue eyes that shimmered like the palest blue sapphires. But yet, his eyes held flecks of gold.

"You might be a hanyo, but you also have miko blood in you."

"Like you do?" he asked with such softness.

She brought her lips to his forehead and nodded. "Just like me. Now you little hooligan choose one!"

"Now do you remember what I told you yesterday?" He untangled himself from her and brought two tatami mats and placed them together facing the west. As he plopped himself down she walked over and sat on the mat next to him. She looked at him expectantly and he looked down at his small claws.

"One should be grateful for the blessings of Kami and the benefits of the ancestors. And to be diligent when observing the rites. And apply yourself to them with sincerity, brightness and purity of the heart."

He looked toward Kagome who smiled at him to continue.

"Um. You must be helpful to others in the world at large thought deeds of service with out thoughts of reward. And you should seek to further the world as one whose life meditates the will of Kami. Because people are weak and won't do it themselves," he nodded as if he was agreeing with himself.

Kagome shook her head and looked at the small boy, his face held a look of concentration.

"And the last one, with out the peanut gallery's opinion please."

He glared at the woman sitting next to him. His small hand reached for the sleeve of her miko garb. The white cloth felt smooth under his fingertips. She always wore this outside. Her long red pants that almost covered her feet was met with the white pure shirt with long flowing sleeves. He let go of the cloth and began again.

"And you should bind yourself with others in harmoonius acknowledgement."

"Har-mo-ne-us," she corrected him. He rolled his eyes and continued.

"And you should bind yourself with others in harmonious acknowledgement of the will of the emperor. Which is me," Kagome snorted, trying to cover up her laughter. "One should pray that the country may flourish and others may live in peace and prosperity."

Kagome smiled at the child as he laid on his back. The deep sounds of laughter were heard as she reached over and began tickling the child.

"Stop!" the small child cried out in between fits of laughter and trying to intake oxygen. She laid on her back next to him and smiled as he turned to face her.

"Miko," A deep voice pulled Kagome away from the child next to her and towards the tall figure of Sesshoumaru. His eyes full of rage and confusion. She stood up quickly and brushed the dirt off of her garbs.

"Who is that Mama?" the small boy whispered as he tugged on her sleeve. His hand slipped in hers as he moved behind her arm, letting her shirt cover most of him. Kagome's high tightened around his hand as she felt his fear and nervousness pour out of him. She looked down at him and smiled softly easing the child's fear slightly. Her eyes met Sesshoumaru's.

"Sesshoumaru, this is my son Mikado."

A/N: Gyokuro is a sencha (roasted dry tea) green tea from Japan, as opposed to the traditional powered teas for this tradition. It is one of the finest green teas that they offer. And is only drank on certain occasions. The 'way of tea' is a long standing custom and the principals are to bring together harmony, respect, purity and tranquility. Both thick and thin tea's are served during the function after a light meal. This ceremony can last about four or five hours at least. It really is a beautiful ceremony.

Mikado is the Japanese word for emperor. If there any typo's I missed, sorry. My cat decided he wanted to be the writer tonight. Enjoy!