Many thanks to my beautiful, wonderful beta! Stella darling, I need you in my life!

"Oh, Kagome… you're drenched! Quickly, come inside before you catch your death of a cold." Her mother spoke in an urgent tone, her arms outstretched to the dripping girl.

"Yes, mama." Kagome obliged the woman, as she rubbed her freezing arms with her hands in slow motions, trying to gain some warmth.

"I swear, Kagome. You're always doing such reckless things… I can't help but worry about you when you're not here." Her mother responded after shutting the door and slipping into a pair of house shoes, directing her sopping child to a pair of her own. Kagome followed her mother, discarding her soaked shoes for the dry, flat slippers.

"I'm sorry, mama. I don't mean to worry you." Kagome replied, hanging her head in embarrassment as her mother continued to scold her. She was hoping her mother would be more loving to her. She had hoped that she would bring her into warm, caring arms as she ran her fingers through her stringy tresses, cooing into her ear.

Her mother had ushered her to the kitchen, sitting her down as she bustled around, preparing a hot drink for her daughter while talking animatedly about random things.

"How is Inuyasha? I haven't talked to him in quite some time." Her mother asked, unaware of the current divorce process that was working its way through the legal system. Kagome did not want to answer, as she did not want to be reminded of the hanyou nor of his older brother.

"Things have… been better," she admitted, neither lying or telling the complete truth. Her mother raised a brow, noticing her daughter's uneasiness. The sound of footsteps brought both the women's eyes to the staircase, where the youngest Higurashi child was descending rather rapidly.

"Well, that's good to hear. Bring him around more often, Kagome! I hardly ever see you two together." Her mother replied, the tone of her voice hinting that she wanted to talk more about this later on.

"I will, mama." Kagome sighed, her heart beat quickening in her chest at the thought of having to explain her current situation to her mother. She didn't have a moment to think further as her brother, once noticing it was her who was sitting at the table, ran to her side and enveloped her into a warm embrace.

"Sis! How long have you been here?!" He exclaimed, rather excited to see his sister. It had been quite some time since they had last been in each other's company, and Kagome was quite relieved to see such a friendly and familiar face.

"She's just arrived," her mother supplied, sitting herself at the dining table and bringing a cup to her lips, closing her eyes as she drank the bitter tea.

"I've missed you, Kagome! How have things been? I'm in High School now, ya know!" Souta beamed, clearly proud that he had aged in her absence. Kagome chuckled, tightening her arms around the boy as she took in his scent. He looked older, she noticed. No longer was he the little boy who played with action figures in the tub. Now he was the young man who brushed the hearts of girls from his shoulders while learning how to correctly shave for the first time.

"So I see! You've gotten taller, Souta! I might have to wear heels around you so that I don't feel like I'm the younger sibling!" Kagome joked, her heart feeling a bit lighter now that she was in the comfort of her own home, and around people who actually cared for her.

"No way! You look pretty old to me, sis. Look!" He exclaimed, pulling away from her as he buried a hand into her dampened tresses, grinning as he did, "I think I see some gray hair!"

"Souta! You're so full of it!" Kagome giggled, swatting away her younger brother's hand as he laughed deeply. Kagome's ears relished the sound, taking in how his voice was now much deeper than it was the last time she had seen him.

Kagome's mother held a hand to her lips as she tried not to laugh aloud at the children's antics, but let out a soft chuckle at the two.

"Are you staying long, Kagome?" Her mother asked, putting down her cup as she looked from her daughter to her son, who looked back to his sister with a hopeful expression.

"If it's alright, mama. Things have been pretty… difficult," she admitted, not quite ready to divulge to her mother the full details of her situation.

Her mother seemed to understand, and turned her head to her son, who was perusing his sister in evident curiosity.

"Souta, would you prepare a hot bath for your sister? She'll catch a cold if she doesn't warm up." Her mother instructed, sitting up from the table. He nodded to his mother in agreement, and leaned towards his sister, planting a kiss to her cheek.

"Let's talk tomorrow, okay?" He said in a soft whisper as he pulled away from his sister. She nodded her head towards him, understanding his tone and agreeing to speak to him in the morning.

He hurried up the stairs, quietly as to not wake their grandfather. The sound of the taps from the bath-tub squeaking as they were turned were heard, followed by the rush of water hitting cold porcelain.

"He's grown up a lot," Kagome spoke after what seemed like an eternity of silence.

"He definitely takes after his father though, I must admit that he looks up to his sister more than she realizes." Her mother replied, shuffling quietly to stand before her daughter.

Kagome understood the full weight of her mother's words, nodding her head meekly to her mother. She gazed into the older woman's eyes, seeking the warmth and comfort they provided.

She couldn't retain the façade any longer, and finally broke down, crashing into her mother's arms as a fit of violent sobs erupted from her hoarse throat.

"Oh, mama!" She cried, wailing into the crook of her neck. Her mother's eyes watered slightly from the misery of her daughter, and she found herself bringing her arms around the shaken girl.

"Oh, Kagome…" her mother spoke softly, lifting a hand to her matted tresses as she cooed her daughter gently, assuring her that she would be just fine.

Just like a mother was supposed to do.

So no Sesshomaru, Inuyasha or Kikyo in this chapter. Kagome just needed some mommy time.

THINGS WILL BE BETTER SOON, SO PLEASE DON'T MURDER ME WITH SHARPENED SHOES! D: