Oblivious

Chapter 3: Presents and Oden

By: Eartha

I exhaled a long breath of relief when no flashing lights followed my exiting of the well. Inuyasha had been known to follow even after I returned to my own time. Smiling at my good fortune, I skipped happily down the path to my home. I really, really needed a good night's sleep. I mean, do you know how hard the ground really is? I think I have permanent back damage from all the time I've spent down there!!

Opening the door to my house, I sighed as the deliciously fragrant smell of oden reached my nose. That was another great thing about my time. No more ramen. Mom, (God bless her) made sure that I had nice, filling, home-made meals when I got home.

Slipping off my shoes, I ran towards the kitchen, determined to get a taste of dinner. Unfortunately my mom had heard my entrance and was standing in front of the treasured food with wooden spoon in hand ready to defend the meal.

She stared.

I pouted.

She stared.

I started the puppy eyes and pouted.

Still she stared.

Well, drastic times call for drastic measures. So I pulled out the big guns...I whined.

"MOOOOOOMMMM, I'm soooo hungry! I haven't had anything decent to eat since I was here last Friday!! Pwetty Pwease? Mommy?" ::teary eyes::

Still she stared. Wow, she's really toughened up. Oh well, I guess I'll just wait till dinner. Slumping my shoulders in defeat, I turned to walk away.

Then I heard a rustling sound...actually more of a shaking sound, and was that giggling? Wha...?

I turned around just in time to see my mother hold her stomach in mirth. She was laughing at me? HOW COULD SHE? That's so...mean, and un-motherly. I turned around in a huff, maddened by my mother's insensitivity. Couldn't she see that I was starving?!

Just as I was about to leave the kitchen, she spoke.

"Kagome...wait. ::giggle:: I was just playing with you...and then you got so desperate and starting pulling that stuff you used to do when you where five ::laugh:: I just couldn't help it!!"

She smiled softly as I turned around and looked at her wearily. However, I quickly forgot my grudge against when she offered me the wooden spoon with a healthy helping of the beloved Oden in it.

Savoring the flavor, I poignantly ignored her when she started laughing at me again for my behavior.

She just shook her head at me and started to leave, still laughing. However, just as she reached the door she seemed to remember something. Reaching deep within her apron pockets she brought out a small white box. Curious as to what it was, I walked towards her, spoon still in my mouth. She held out the box for me to take. Looking up with questioning eyes, I took the proffered gift.

"Jean came by today." As if that explained anything...who the hell is Jean? I meant to ask her the question, but the spoon was still in my mouth...and well the flavor still hadn't left it! I wasn't going to take it out of my mouth when a simple expression could say it all!

My mother quirked her eyebrow at my confusion...and my antics, "Jean...as in Hojo's sister..." I shook my head...still nothing. Wait...Hojo has a sister?

At my continued silence, my mother continued, "Jean is Hojo's elder sister. She's come by quite a few times to check on you when Hojo can't. Really sweet girl...but then I guess it runs in the family. And what a lovely family it is. Did you know that your father taught Jean when she was in middle school...(I started tuning out right about here) blah, blah. Blah blah blah...mother really nice...blah blah...father a doctor...blach blah...gave me that present to give to you."

My ears perked up at the mention of the present. I always liked presents, but...if it was from Hojo then it was likely to more medicine and I don't really consider that a present. ::sigh:: That guy really needs to learn what to buy for a girl...

"blah, blah blah...Isn't that nice?"

I nodded my head 'yes', having absolutely no clue as to what my mother was talking about. Hey, the spoon still hadn't lost its flavor. Like I would remove it for such a trivial answer!!

She just smiled at me with that look that all mothers have that says they know everything their children are thinking about. Oh hell...she knows I wasn't listening.

"I'd be careful Kagome, keep telling little fibs and that wooden nose of yours might just get a bit longer." She smiled again and left the kitchen leaving a very perplexed daughter behind.

Did she just say I have a long nose? Confusion scrunched my face until I saw my profile in the mirror through the corner of my eye. I startled fearing my nose really had turned wooden and long, until I realized that the image was merely reflecting the wooden spoon in my mouth.

Phew!! That was a close one. Realizing that I still had the white box in my hand, I slowly opened the box. Experience had taught me never the underestimate Hojo's love of weird folk remedies. Usually they were harmless enough...bamboo shoots and herb scented candles (it was a sweet thought until I realized just how RANK the stench of the herbs was)...but one time he gave me leeches. Now, that was a surprise I would like to forget. Poor Souta...

Anyway, back to the present. Weary of what may be inside, I tensed. Taking off the lid, I pointed the box away from me. I waited a few seconds...nothing happened. Well, that's good. I slowly turned the box towards me...

Wow

That was all I could think as I stood there stunned. Hojo had done the unthinkable. He had given me a real gift...and a pretty one at that! I just love tigers!!

I spent the rest of the evening in stunned silence, staring at the impossibility of the gift...totally oblivious to the outside world.

That is until I finally heard the clicking of chopsticks and the scraping of empty bowls.

Hey!!!! They ate MY ODEN!!!

NOOOOOOOOO!! HOW COULD THEY!!

A/N Alright guys. I gave you three chapters. If you kept reading this long, then it means you must be interested. That said, if you wanna find out what happens, you gotta review.

Love ya'll

Eartha