Someone had left the refrigerator open, the heavy doors swinging on their hinges, as cool air bombarded the rest of the kitchen. Mrs. Higurashi moved to close it shut as she entered the house, placing her purse and keys on the counter top – she must tell Souta to be more careful – but looking inside, she noticed the culprit had also raided most of the contents; yes, the pickles were gone, not to mention the fresh watermelon slices that neighbor Mr. Ito had gifted yesterday.
Smiling, she closed the doors with a soft thunk, padding upstairs. From the doorway to her daughter's room, a yellow light emerged, spilling over into the darkened hallway. She knocked. "Kagome?"
"Yes, mama." So she had returned home, safe once again. The unexpected arrival: one of the most wonderful and nerve-wracking parts about having a time-traveling daughter.
She opened the door. Kagome was seated at her desk, head pouring over paperwork, a textbook before her perched upright. She was clicking a pen, the noise in sync with the alarm clock on her nightstand.
"Do you need anything?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.
Kagome shook her head. "No, thanks, Mama."
"I see Inuyasha's stopped by."
Kagome ceased her clicking. "Oh, did he make a mess downstairs? I told him to stop bothering Buyo and Gramps. I'll make sure–"
"Don't worry, darling." Mrs. Higurashi waved a hand. "He just took a few… supplies."
The corners of Kagome's mouth turned into a sheepish smile. She knew well of her companion's unending appetite and its consequences. "I'm sorry, Mama."
Mrs. Higurashi sat on the bed. The cat had wandered in, looking for pets, and he grazed against her legs. She indulged the creature, the back of her hand stroking his ears, and Buyo purred.
"Is that boy still here?" she asked. Inuyasha's visits were a treat to the Higurashi family; he brought with him another lifetime, the knowledge that the world was much bigger than anyone could ever grasp. And not to mention Mrs. Higurashi found those doggy ears adorable.
Kagome shook her head. "He told me to come back first thing tomorrow morning. I just came to have some quiet time to study."
"Ah, sorry to see you go so soon," Mrs. Higurashi said, smiling, but she felt her heart sink. Sometimes she missed her only daughter more than she could ever say, even when she was sitting right across from her.
Kagome had changed so much since she turned 15, maturing from "girl" to a young lady; she didn't need her mother like she once had: she didn't come to her with scraped knees and papercuts anymore. Where she once cried at the playground over games, she now pouted alone in her room alone over boys.
"I'll be back next week, I think," she said. "Unless there's something that comes up on the other side…"
"Of course, dear." She figured Kagome had always been reserved about the details of her travels to the past so as not to worry her, and maybe she should have been grateful – what mother wants her daughter traipsing off into a foreign land with a strange teenage boy? However, from the little bits she had pieced together over the last few months, Mrs. Higurashi knew this wasn't about herself, and it wasn't even about Kagome. Her daughter put everyone else first – she fought for the abused, the teased, the burned, even when she was young, and Mrs. Higurashi once found her in the principal's office, crying, because a classmate had been the target of bullies.
"I hope you're getting plenty of rest, eating well." Mrs. Higurashi stood, the cat shifting with a displeased mrow.
"Yes, Mama, I try my best." Kagome said, turning back to her work.
"I know," she said, reaching over to plant a kiss on her cheek.
She turned to leave. Kagome spoke up. "Mama?"
"Yes, dear?"
Kagome's bottom lip trembled. "I love you."
"I love you, too."
Kagome may not have needed her mother's helping hand as she once had, but Mrs. Higurashi knew – they would always need each other.
This story was inspired by author Aryndiel's work "Warmth" on FF dot net. Please check it out if you get the chance!
And your feedback is appreciated!
