A/N: Hii minna! Back again, and I'm quite shocked at the popularity my story has been getting! I didn't really think people would like it because it's almost a history lesson in the making! *sweatdrops* Not really…but anyway, for you, Misao, I am going to start listing websites that I've found with some info on things that you have questions on! Like, the ever so popular, Language of the fan! Also because I just realized I could get in some serious trouble here if I don't, aheh ^.^; And all of the responses to reviews are down there too so..yeah! On with the story!
I've also found a couple of websites with pictures of dresses that I've described (mostly just the style and DEFINITELY not the colour, some of them are reaaaaally bad *shudders*)
Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha and Co. Major props go to Rumiko Takahashi and the authors of the websites I used information from.
Chapter 3: Kagome remembers her mother
"Miss Kagome…" A soft, familiar voice said.
Kagome was instantly awake. Her heart beat fast as Ayako ran her bath. She couldn't wait to see Rin's little face light up as she came through the door. As she relaxed into the hot water her mind began to wander and recall the other day's activities. She remembered how flustered she had been while Inuyasha had grudgingly walked her home. He was just so arrogant and hostile! Not a good gentleman at all! She blushed a little when she saw herself fanning her flustered face and arguing with him. How loud they had been! People had even stopped and looked, she remembered their faces of annoyance and shock, some turned up in pure distaste. But then the cruel faces and gestures turned into looks of admiration, understanding, and even in some, glee. They would nod and go about their business as if nothing happened at all. If only she had known what was really going on! She would have put a stop to her behavior at once!
Suddenly she sat up straight in the bathtub, causing a small amount of water to spill over the porcelain side and splash onto the floor like a small puddle. A large bubble ebbed its way to the middle of the puddle and a rainbow of colours swirled around its surface. Kagome had a shocked look on her face. Realization had slapped her like a horse kicking.
She grinned. "He doesn't understand…" Kagome said slowly and softly to herself. "He…he doesn't!" Immediately she fell into a pile of giggles as she lay back onto the smooth end of the bathtub. She lifted a leg out of the water and into the air and continued to giggle as she watched steam billow off of her slender leg and disappear through teary eyes. "He doesn't understand the language of the fan!" She spilled into another fit of giggles.
It felt so deliciously good to laugh this way, since it was forbidden to do so. But the sweet taste in Kagome's mouth was not only from getting a chance to be free, but, she found something she could also use against him, in public.
Her joyous moment was immediately ruined by her mother's entrance. Kagome quickly turned her giggles into coughs. Her mother looked down at her with her fierce eyes. They stood there, well Kagome sat and her mother stood, in silence for a while, until her mother's fierce look softened. Kagome held her breath.
"Kagome dear…" Her mother said. "I know that I didn't just hear my darling daughter giggling to herself in her bathtub."
Kagome swallowed guiltily but refused to breathe. That was the effect her mother had on her. She hoped her anxiety didn't show.
Her mother laughed light and short. "I am very excited for you Kagome." She said smiling. "A whole new experience for you! Thankfully I had the best person to teach you when you were young. You are a picture perfect example of etiquette my dear Kagome. You will remember everything Miss Kaede taught you won't you?"
"Y-Yes Mother." Kagome breathed out. Her mother gave her a quizzing look before dismissing it.
"Now come and get dressed, you've been in long enough. I took the liberty of picking out your clothes today just to give little Ayako a rest." She said, turning and closing the door.
Kagome closed her eyes and sighed, lying back onto the bathtub again. Her mother shocked her with the way she burst into the bathroom. She shuddered at the thought of what her mother had laying out for her.
Whenever Mother picks something out, it's always horrible and something she bought for me. Kagome thought a tad bitterly. Her mother had a sense of style, but when it came to Kagome…it seemed as though she were dressing Buyo! She never got the right colours or patterns. Sizing she was good at, but everything else went downhill from there.
Kagome pulled the stopper from the bottom of the tub and climbed out, wrapping a towel around her body and another around her head. Opening the door to her room, she saw her mother seated at her vanity, getting the curling iron ready. Her eyebrow twitched slightly. Her mother was going to do her hair!
What hell is she going to put upon my head today? She thought in dismay as she dried herself off. The last time her mother did her hair it took Ayako days to fix it up to looking right again. Apparently her mother had seen some women walking around with hairstyles that reached the heavens with mountains of curls and imitating the style she liked best on her daughter seemed like a good idea at the time. Until they both discovered, to Kagome's horror and her mother's embarrassment, Mother didn't know what she was doing. By the time this had been figured out, (her mother couldn't even really remember the style clearly) poor Kagome looked like who did it, what for, and why.
Maybe she'll do something reasonable this time. Kagome thought as she slipped into her underclothes.
* * *
Soon Kagome was dressed and seated at her vanity, her mother behind her. She was dressed in a v-neck day dress with a lace neck cover the colour of ivory. The three-flounced skirt was hemmed in blue lace in a flowery pattern. The dress itself was of a goldish-yellow colour. The sleeves were also hemmed in the same blue lace pattern from the elbows down. A blue satin shawl, her white gloves, and a bonnet; complete with blue ribbons and a white lace neck cover, sat on the edge of her vanity table. She wore the same boots as yesterday, thankfully her mother didn't notice.
"Now we shall get to work on your hair," her mother said as Kagome sat down. "then you shall have a short breakfast, maybe just tea to get you going on your way, and your carriage should be here shortly after that."
Kagome swallowed and gave a small incline of her head forward, like a quick nod without bending the neck too far. That was the closest thing to a nod that her mother would accept.
"Well, lets begin!" Mrs. Higurashi said happily, picking up the brush. "Tell me Kagome, what was Mr. Sesshoumaru's house like when you saw it yesterday?"
"It was exquisite Mother," Kagome replied with a shine in her eyes. "everything was just, neat, clean and perfect! The house was just so big and everything smelled so nice." She remembered to keep everything short and sweet, not only did her mother not like rambling, but it also was not lady-like to do so.
"Wonderful darling." Mrs. Higurashi said. "And what was he like?"
"Well, he was very courteous, nice, and spoke in a very gentlemanly manner." Kagome said slowly, even though just those few words didn't give Sesshoumaru justice.
Mrs. Higurashi smiled. "Was he handsome?"
Kagome blushed a little. "Mother!" She exclaimed.
"It's just a simple question Kagome," her Mother replied, her smile growing bigger. "he was either handsome or he wasn't, and I would like to know."
Kagome's blushed deepened. "Well…yes, he was quite handsome. He has something, that no other man does."
Mrs. Higurashi started, thinking that her daughter had done something quite vulgar, but didn't know for sure. She decided to wait and see if Kagome would continue.
"Oh wait, there is someone else who shares a…a feature that Mr. Sesshoumaru has…" Kagome said, trailing off a little.
Mrs. Higurashi relaxed silently scolding herself for thinking such a thing of her daughter. "And what would that be?" She said.
"Well," Kagome said, turning her head a little. "it's so strange Mother. He has a little brother, named Inuyasha." She looked in the mirror for some kind of reaction from her mother and when she didn't see one she continued. "He's around my age, I believe, but what I was trying to say was that their hair is pure white!"
"Hmm yes, I do believe I noticed that before." Mrs. Higurashi said, concentrating on a chunk of Kagome's hair that rebelled against her futile attempts at curling it. "It is most peculiar, but he is practically the richest man in the entire city, so I believe that none would pick at the colour of his hair."
"Not to mention the length!" Kagome exclaimed, remembering both Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's long snowy locks. "There is none other man in town with such a length of hair!"
"Yes it is a wonder where they come from isn't it." Her mother replied.
"Oh, they come from Japan Mother, just as us!" Kagome said, remembering what Sesshoumaru had said. "Mr. Sesshoumaru had said something about Inuyasha being angry with him for making him leave Japan and moving here."
Mrs. Higurashi looked up from Kagome's hair and at Kagome's reflection in the mirror. She had almost a girlish look to her now as a smile crossed her face. "Well, now isn't that just a coincidence! I wonder what reason they had to move here from Japan!"
Kagome's mouth went agape in surprise as well did her eyes widen. Her mother, of all people, was acting like a schoolgirl or something trying to get the latest gossip! Suddenly Kagome felt a bond between her mother and herself that she hadn't felt in a very long time. Her heart swelled with love as she felt that her old mother had come back, the mother that used to let her run free as a child and be a child, not some stuffy old woman stuck in a younger woman's body. She missed the old days where her Mother would…Mother her. Her mind began to go off and dream of the old days.
*~Flashback*~
A younger Kagome and Souta were playing in the backyard. It was a warm summer day and the sky was the prettiest blue, the clouds were at their highest, and the sun shone happier than anything Kagome in her short life. Buyo lay under a tree with a lazy, sleepy face on as usual. Soon Kagome was lying on the ground next to Buyo on her back, her hands behind her head. She closed her eyes and listened to the birds singing above her and the light wind rustling the leaves softly. Soon a shadow stopped in front of her and she felt eyes upon her. Her eyes fluttered open and she saw the smiling face of her mother.
"Mama!" Little Kagome cried sitting up. Buyo yawned.
"I was wondering if you wanted something to drink," Mrs. Higurashi said, and held up a small glass of lemonade. Souta was already downing his glass of the sweet drink. Kagome nodded enthusiastically and took the glass gently from her mother's long fingers. Once the glass had been emptied, she smiled lovingly up at her mother and Mrs. Higurashi returned the smile and sat down beside her daughter.
"Isn't today beautiful Kagome?" Mrs. Higurashi said setting an arm around Kagome's shoulders and pulling her close.
Kagome nodded in agreement. "I don't think there has ever been anything prettier."
"Hey! Quit hogging Mama!" A smaller voice cried. It was Souta of course, his jealousy overwhelming his desire to play in mere seconds.
"Oh come here you!" Mrs. Higurashi said as Souta came over, a pout set across his face. She wrapped her arms around both Souta and Kagome and smiled happily. "There's no other place I would love to be but right here with you two."
Kagome looked up at her mother curiously. "Really?" She said quietly.
Mrs. Higurashi nodded, smiling. "Mmhmm." She replied.
Kagome thought for a second and looked up at her mother again. "You mean, you'd rather be here with me and Souta, and not with Papa?"
Mrs. Higurashi's eyes opened suddenly and she sighed sadly, suddenly looking older and tired as her smile faded slowly. But she nodded and looked down at Kagome. "Yes, I would rather be here with you and Souta, because who would take care of you if I weren't here?"
"Granpa!" Souta cried throwing his hands into the air and laughing.
Mrs. Higurashi sweatdropped at the thought. "Well…at least you would get to learn about the history of every single thing that did anything on this earth." She said thoughtfully.
Kagome stuck her tongue out at the thought. "I would die of boredom!" She cried.
Souta stood up and did his best Grandpa impression. "Now you see Kagome," He looked around on the ground for something. Picking up a blade of grass and looking it over for a second he continued. "This blade of grass here wasn't a blade of grass long ago! This is the legend of the…the…ever changing evil big sister eating monster blade of grass!"
Mrs. Higurashi laughed and clapped at Souta took a bow. Kagome scowled and stuck her tongue out at Souta.
"No no no Souta!" A voice cried out from behind them. "You've got it all wrong! You see, this blade of grass is actually-
"GAH!" Everyone cried, jumping up. Kagome and Souta instantly bolted while Mrs. Higurashi stood her ground. Grandpa came from behind the tree holding up a blade of grass and looked as if he was examining it as though it were an expensive artifact.
"This blade of grass-
"Oh no you don't!" Mrs. Higurashi cried, and took off running after Kagome and Souta. "Wait Kagome! Souta! Don't leave your poor mother behind to die of boredom!"
This instantly brought the two out from their hiding places and they grabbed onto Mrs. Higurashi's hands and took off through the yard, Grandpa hot on their heels.
~*End Flashback~*
Kagome's eyes unclouded and she blinked. She remembered that day well. It had ended with them all sitting outside happily watching the sunset later on. She looked at the mirror to her mother's reflection. Apparently she had been talking and also had been thinking that Kagome was paying attention. She looked so different from the picture in her mind of what her mother used to look like.
What happened to you Mother? Kagome thought sadly as she frowned and her eyebrows furrowed. I miss the real you, why did you bottle her up inside? Why do you wear a mask and hide the person you really are? Why cant you be my mother…and not…what you are now?!
Mrs. Higurashi stopped what she was doing and frowned at Kagome's sad reflection. "Kagome, are you alright? Is there something wrong dear?" She asked worriedly.
Something in Kagome's mind snapped and her eyes widened suddenly. She gaped at her mother's face in the mirror and she felt her heart race. Was her mother finally opening up? Was she turning back to normal? Kagome was about to open her mouth and say something when-
Mrs. Higurashi cleared her throat. "I mean…you shouldn't make faces that way Kagome," She said returning to her prim self. "you might get wrinkles."
Kagome's shoulders drooped slightly. How could I have thought she would have changed so quickly..
"I am finished." Mrs. Higurashi said, dropping her hands to her sides. She turned and walked to the door and stopped looking back at Kagome. Kagome slowly looked up from the table sadly at her mother. A flicker crossed Mrs. Higurashi's face and her hard expression started to soften. "D..Don't be late for breakfast Kagome…" She said quietly and stepped out of the room.
Kagome sighed to herself as she heard the clicking of her mother's heels on the hard floor start to fade. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was set up in a ponytail with her ends curled in the simple ringlet style. Not too bad.
"Well…I…mustn't dwell on the past." Kagome said standing up. She walked out of her room and closed the door, slowly making her way to the stairs and to breakfast, where the shadow of her mother awaited.
Maybe some day...things will change..
*~
Alrighty! So what did you think of this chapter?? Sorry it took so long to update, but ff.net was being mean so you know how that goes! Don't worry Sess fans; we'll be getting to him in the next chapter! Thanks for reading, and for the sake of it all REVIEW please! Oh yeah! And here are some links to websites that I used to brush up on some things, and to learn a few things also!
Here is the link to see the dress that Kagome is wearing in today's chapter; you'll recognize it as soon as you see it! (I hope!) its kinda scary looking to me lol
http://dept.kent.edu/museum/costume/bonc/3timesearch/tsnineteenth/1840-1859/1840-1859.html
And for those of you who would like to see some Victorian Etiquette rules, here's a good place:
http://www.logicmgmt.com/1876/etiquette/etiquette.htm
Responses to reviews:
Laura-chan: Thanks a lot! I really like to hear that once and awhile from readers! It lets me know that not only do I not suck (to some people) and that I should continue what I'm doing! ^.^
Misao CG: Ah, loyal Misao! I have a present for you! Go here and I think all of your questions shall be answered! ^.^
http://www.ideco.com/fans/language.htm
Cassandra Sisenta: Well I got some of it off the Internet, and there's a couple of links right up there that you could use, and some of it came from my somewhat empty head! I'll have more links of good spots to check out later okies? Yes yes, Inuyasha's foul mouth will bring smiles to all of us but it makes our mother's blood curdle! Thanks for reading! ^.^
Chris-san: Thanks! It just came to me one day while I was sitting and doing..well..nothing! Glad you like it! ^.^
Invisible Cheese Girl: I'll send you a pair of scissors ASAP! Express Mail! I will do my best to show that women can outsmart evil, conniving men! *holds fist into the air triumphantly* ^.^
The Rouge Peach: Hmm..looks like I'm gonna have to look up that book then! It sounds very interesting! ^.^
Amulak: Don't worry! I wont quit now! That would be…*lightning flashes* evil… ^.^
Embyr: Yeah I know! I think I'd probably be giving everyone mixed signals because I wouldn't be able to remember which way to fan or anything! ^.^
Jessicalu: Thank you for coming back! Heres some I like to use! O.o, o.o, ^.^;, o.O, ;.;, @.@,-.-, -.-; o.o;;,^.^'
Silence: Hey! I read your fic! Hope you got my review! Everyone seems to like TLOTF a lot, there will definitely be more of it in this story! ^.^
Maeve: Hey thanks for the advice it helps out a lot! Kouga? Oh my dear Maeve, you could not have an Inuyasha/Kagome love story without him! He will be coming up soon so don't worry your pretty little head! As for Myouga, he was coming up also, and I have just begun to think of something to do with Jaken! In fact, he was going to be in the next chapter! You read my mind! And yes, Sesshoumaru is a hottie…in..that…scary..kind of way! ^.^
Jurei-chan and Jerry-kun: You guys are overwhelming me here! So much to say! I'm happy you reviewed though! You put a smile on my face (not that everyone else didn't, I practically died when I saw how many reviews I had!) and I'm glad you like the length, it's just long enough to get the point across, but left off a little to the next chapter to make you want to read more! That's the idea right? ^.^
Rainy angel: Another language of the fan lover! Maybe there should be a club! Lol ^.^
Lady Pyro: Yes, I do believe we will have to come up with a club! Soon I'll be coming up with some fan techniques of my own to insert! In fact, if anyone has any ideas, why don't you submit them in your reviews! ^.^
Kawai Fox: Oh yes, a living hell it shall be! Of course Inuyasha is too dense to figure out what's going on (until its too late!) thanks for reviewin! ^.^
Rhiannon: Thanks for reviewing; I'm really glad you liked it! Of course Inuyasha's thick skull will take in whats going on with the fan flapping around and people laughing at him or something sooner or later right? ^.^