AFM

by: 88whitedragon

Chapter 10: Upcoming Plans

Back in Kagome's present time, Kagome's mother Kun-Loon sat in a local café waiting for a person she had not seen for sometime now. 'I wonder when would it be a good time to tell them. Should it be when we come back from summer break? or would it be better before or the beginning of the new school year?' she wondered when she look up at an older woman in her mid thirties coming toward her. Getting up from her seat she had been occupying for twenty minutes she welcomed her friend with a warm hug. Her friend appeared to be happy as well as healthier since three years ago when she miraculously recovered from her sudden illness. In her arms held a small child with short brown hair and brown eyes who is no more than a two and half years old.

"Shiori, how good to see you. Is this your two year old daughter Shina I heard so much about on the phone. She is so adorable, how's your new family? Well I hope," as Kun-Loon cooed at the little girl, reminding her how much she wanted grandchildren just as much as Shiori does. Kun-Loon, Grandpa Higurashi, Kagome, and Sota had went attend Shiori's wedding three years ago although their children didn't stay very long or more like Shiori's eldest son couldn't stay long as he had been called to work from an emergency. But at least her cousin did came to celebrate their old childhood friend along with her mother who came with a new addition to the shrine to help her take care of it. She and her daughter Kagome hit it off quite well and became quite close friends so much that Sota and even Shuiichi, Shiori's stepson, gain another sister figure other than Kagome in a short amount of time.

"Kun-Loon is good to see you as well. Yes, this is my little girl Shina which I have with my second husband, Regi. Shuiichi and my son Shuichi seemed to get along well with one another, but I'm still afraid that Shuichi is getting into fights or something. He doesn't think that I noticed the blood stains on his uniform or the absents of several of them even few of his casual clothes as well. He sometimes goes missing for a long period of time, Regi thinks it's because he's a growing boy but we both know is something else entirely. Now where is Atsuko? I would think that she would had accompanied you since both of you are cousin's after all," as Shiori sat down once she placed Shina in the baby seat that the café provided for them.

"Now Shiori, you know that I have problems dealing with that trouble making delinquent son of mine. At least your son has the decency of keeping his grades up, study and get to school on time," as another woman came from behind Shiori as Kun-Loon was distracted in helping Shina to her seat.

"My goodness Atsuko couldn't get this old woman a word of warning when you come up from behind me. This is my little girl Shina, she's two years old and will become three in the upcoming spring next year. But it is good to have the three of us together again like the old days," Shiori commented as they all began to order for lunch.

"Hey we're not that old you know, all of us are still in our thirties and quite beautifully young. But it's still good to hang out again like old times when we were in school, funny how my son seems to be hanging around your eldest Shiori. I just hope some of your son's good qualities would at least rub off on Yusuke, that boy is becoming more hopeless to change no matter what I do," Atsuko sighted, 'but then again I don't think our sons know that we knew each other."

"Ha ha ha, Yusuke still giving you trouble Atsuko. But at least you know that he means well though I still worry for Kagome's well being,' Kun-Loon sighted into her herbal tea as she took a sip as she look around for her mother. Sometimes she wonder how her mother got along with her father but after the divorce they both remain good friends only with different views on how to deal with demons and all. Sometimes she wonders if it was fate that would lead her children expose to the world of demons and supernatural because of the whole jewel quest with Kagome and her husband coming from the islands where the nine tail demon beast dwell.

"Is she still going in her 'trips'? Kun-Loon, sometimes I'm surprise how you handle this whole incident of the jewel and dangers your daughter is in. If it were me I would go into a panic with worry and try to forbid my sons to get into such dangers,' Shiori exclaimed as she wipes Shina's face of cookie crumbs. Yes all three women discuss of Kagome's untimely adventures in the Feudal Era. They were so close to one another and they supported each other through every crisis in their lives even if some events weren't exactly normal to any other human. Being such close friendship in their youth even in their adult lives they trustingly told one another their secrets as they kept in contact with another over the years.

"If it were Yusuke, he'll would get a kick out of this. He probably use this to get out of school but at least that niece of mine is putting much effort to attend school and pick up her grades and school work," Atsuko said as slung an arm around her cousin's shoulder to hug for support.

"I know what you mean, it is not like that I don't worry for her but there are some things that is out of our control. Remember what happen twelve years ago at the shrine Shiori of how that we are to discuss our children's future when that bear came out of nowhere attack the shrine. I felt my heart stop when I couldn't find Kagome anywhere until going back to shrine grounds only to find her unconscious with her clothes bloody with that orange color fox beside her"

"Ah yes, I remember running to you when I saw a swarm of people running out of the shrine grounds and how police, ambulances, news reporters, firefighters and animal control came parking outside the shrine grounds looking over the people who were injured when they were running for safety. You were crying hysterically of how you couldn't find Kagome anywhere when I was holding Shuichi's hand until my first husband, Terra, told your husband Yuki once he came what happen, Kami rest their souls. I have never seen those two ran up the shrine steps so quickly looking for the girl when I was trying to comfort you."

"I remember watching the news when they reported of a bear attack. I ran with Yusuke with me to the shrine once I heard it was your shrine they were reporting about. Yet this is not the place for us to discuss this so openly until we go somewhere more secluded. Now what should we discuss about until that aunt of mine comes," Atsuko commented.

"Well perhaps we should discuss of Kagome's and Shuichi's coming engagement. I was wondering when exactly should we tell them the news. I don't seem to recall both of them official meeting one another in person, even in the same room they always manage to miss one another," Kun-Loon said.

"This is what I wanted to speak to you about Kun-Loon of the whole engagement plans, I was wondering to tell them news before school is over for the year and that they could use the summer vacation to get to know one another. Kagome told me that she had the feeling that their quest is almost over when I saw her at the park earlier this week," Shiori said.

"But wouldn't it be a problem, Cousin, didn't you told me that you were going to visit some relatives in your husband side? Shuichi and Kagome won't be able to see each other to get to know very well. If only I can get Yusuke to use his summer to study for the next school year. He's hanging by a thread and I can barely manage to keep him in school, I can't tell you how many times he was almost expelled for his grades and or his skipping class or his hostility toward the teachers and students. I know you have the same problems cousin only yours is with those 'illnesses' uncle is coming up with for Kagome's absences," she sighted as both Shiori and Kun-Loon patted her shoulder as a silent agreement and support.

"How about this we could tell our children of their engagement but they would fully meet with one another in school. Since Shuichi is already knows and is friends with Yusuke he can try tutor the boy and Kagome to start a new as she transfers into their school. That way he and Kagome can get to one another better in daily bases as well as help Yusuke in his studies if she says her quest is practically over. But may I ask a favor of you Kun-Loon?' Shiori look up at her friend.

"That is a great idea. Don't you think so? Atsuko. What is your favor ?Shiori I would gladly help you any way I can," Kun-Loon happily exclaimed as both cousins look at Shiori with adoration for solving their dilemma in one fell swoop.

"If its no trouble to take Shuiichi with you to your trip. I know I maybe asking too much I was wondering if your daughter is willing to take up another student. With this day and age I want him to know some self defense because he doesn't want to depend on his stepbrother or of Sota for protection from the bullies in school. Recently these group of school bullies were picking on him to get his money that at the time Sota was with him. He almost got himself and Sota hurt though your son manage to protect himself and Shuiichi quite well with only a few injuries. He told me that he didn't want his best friends to protect him if he may get hurt badly if he was to worry for his well being. Thought there is one other thing but like Atsuko said this is not the place to discuss these matters so openly."

"Alright, I don't think Kagome would mind much. In fact I bet both boys will be ecstatic of learning with one another. And I see that my mother has finally showed up, I wonder what exactly did she wanted to discuss with us about your sons," Kun-Loon said and they stood up to greet her.

"Hello mother, how have you been?" Kun-loon said warmly as she hug and kiss her mother's cheek.

"Hello, child. I'm quite well or fine as it going to get with that idiot student of mine is slacking off on his training," the small elder woman sighted. Just thinking of that dimwit was giving her a headache.

"Hello Genkai, happy you made it. This is my daughter Shina. I'm surprise your thirty minutes late, that's not like you. Has the Great Martial Arts Master is getting her years caching up to her?," Shiori amusingly teased as the elder woman's eyes narrowed at her in anger.

"Hello Aunty, how's your ward doing? Has her emotion constipated midget of a half brother of hers, Hiei, told her he is her long lost brother? That firefly should tell her already," Atsuko ask as bend to kiss her aunt's cheek, seemly to save her friend from her Aunt's wrath.

"How did you know that? I didn't think she knew that Hiei is her brother? I thought she didn't know who was her brother was? How exactly did you know that she had a brother?" Genkai ask.

"Kagome," all three women said in union, as Genkai stared at them wide eyes as the name of her granddaughter fell through their lips.

"You know that Yukina has gotten close to Kagome in a short amount of time since Shiori's wedding and those two girls hit it off quite well," Atsuko said.

"And Sota and Shuiichi look at her as a sister like they do with Kagome. All four have been hanging out recently, quite a family picture they make don't you agree?" Kun-Loon ask as the two other women nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Shuiichi will have Kagome as a sister later in the future, if Yukina were to be with your son Yusuke then she will be part of the family as well. Now what is it that you wanted to speak to us about?" Shiori ask as they sat down to talk with one another. Genkai shaking her head on the woman's comments of her granddaughter's upcoming wedding, and having the ice apparition to have a romantic relationship with her student/ great nephew seems farfetch with him dating Keiko at the moment and Kuwabara going after her ward romantically.

"Why don't we take my conversation to your house Kun-loon. I'm sure the house is secluded for anyone else to hear, and Yukina is watching over my shrine," the elderly woman exclaimed.

"But why can't we discuss this or have met up in your shrine? Aunty," Atsuko ask as they began their walk toward her cousin's house.

"Because what I have to discuss is something you have the right to know. But if we were to discuss this at my home, someone specifically someone's mainly Yukina's twin brother Hiei, your son's, and Spirit Ruler would not want you to know anything about demons at all. But to my understanding that you know about demons because of Kagome in the first place so you are a few human individuals such as my self who has the liberty to know more on what this world is ignorant from finding out the truth. Besides at least you won't have to worry too much on what your children are up to behind your backs. Funny that Yusuke doesn't have a clue that we are related nor that children know that the three of you have knowledge over demons," Genkai chuckled as they climb the shrine stairs only to find someone a vixen more like it stumbled out of the well house clothes torn and in bloody heap. The women ran to her side as she collapse at the bottom of the stairs, her tears ran down her cheeks.

"Why did they... Why did they betrayed me? Why did they turn against me?" the silver gold vixens shuddered as her sorrowful cries were shed. Her silver sapphire eyes showed so much pain, grief and betrayal that shook her to the core. Kun-Loon held her close as she look up at her family and friends faces as what had happened to put the young vixen in such a state.