The two women don't say anything to each other for a while and simply drink their tea, both lost in their own thoughts.

Kagome's nerves sit right on the edge of a breakdown.

But finally, Mama looks up and offers a small smile. "I wasn't expecting this, but it's okay. The news just took me by surprise."

She nods then, understanding her mother's point of view on the matter. With a small smile of her own, Kagome offers a shrug. "I wasn't expecting it either." She swirled her tea. "Couldn't have predicted it in a million years."

"I suppose not."