Kagome observed her mother perform another service. The girl seemed to be inflicted by a demonic presence and it was scary. But her mom was powerful and cast little sprinkles of salt to cleanse the girl after purifying the room again with smoking herbs. Kagome watched a dark and frightening shadow form around inside the room, kept at bay in the salt circle, twisting and becoming wisps of darkness. It seemed to hiss and mutter as her mother started chanting.
A white aura began forming in the air around her mother, becoming brighter and seemingly stronger. Kagome stared curiously; she had never seen this before. It was frightening and amazing at the same time. The shadowy mist began dissipating and leaving the woman, her mother chanting on powerfully. Then with a screech, the shadow was obliterated into nothing and the light began filling the room.
It was silent. Kagome's mother exhaled to blow out any lingering shadows and rose placing her hand on the woman's shoulder, smiling gently. Kagome slipped back outside and sat down to clear her mind. A butterfly flittered by fluttering its pearly wings and danced from flower to flower. Keeping her gaze on it, she saw it begin to glow slightly.
"Kagome," her mother interrupted her silence and the butterfly flew off.
"Yes, mom?" Kagome quickly rose to greet her mother.
"I'm finished now," she said as they walked out back to the main house. "I'll be taking a cleansing bath. Do give Miss Kiyoko the purifying incense dear. And afterwards, you can go play. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, mom," she smiled.
"Good," she patted her on the head. "Say hello to Izayoi for me."
"I will," and they parted ways. Kagome went to the prayer house to grab the tiny pouch of freshly ground herbs tied together with white string and bounded out the door.
She quickly went down the road to the village to deliver her small package and passed by the children frolicking in the fields with their various kites and balls. She passed by all the vendors and stalls selling their fresh produce and candies. She paused to take a breath at a street corner then continued at a brisk pace to drop off her package. At the end of the field lay the small home of Miss Kiyoko, a young woman who sold flowers for a living as well as selling fruits from outlandish places. She was also known for her wise words. Kagome hurried to the door and knocked.