A/N: This one's a little longer than normal because I just couldn't stop anywhere.
Chapter 6
It had been an easy going week with no new missions and Kagome decided it was time she go and visit her favorite twins. She dressed in casual clothing and rummaged through her cupboards to grab snacks for the boys while she called them just in case.
"Lena?"
"Hello? Kagome?"
"Yup, mind if I come over?"
"Of course not! I was about to call you anyway, the boys have been begging."
Kagome grinned with a pleased smile and laughed softly into the telephone, "Were they now? See, I told you they loved me more." She knew Lena must have rolled her eyes.
"Whatever, just get over here." Lena laughed back. Kagome could hear the boys in the background, "hurry before I die of whiney children."
"Righteo, I'll be over in a jiffy, see ya."
"See ya."
Kagome couldn't help the gentle, delighted smile that graced her lips. It just wouldn't go away. This is what she'd been missing, this easy camaraderie and bonding time. It'd been a long time since she'd actually felt part of a family. Giddy with her newfound revelation, she rushed into her car and drove off.
"Hio Shizuka." It was a whisper on the wind, yet it was enough for the pink-eyed woman to hear and raise her head. Her gaze landed on the youthful figure of the next head of vampires and she blinked in reaction to the surprise visit.
"To what do I owe this visit, Kaname-sama?" Her voice was somber, sorrowful, strictly controlled.
Kaname steadily stared at her for moments before speaking, "I… have a proposition for you." He caught the surprise in her eyes and a flash of satisfaction filled him, "I will release you."
There was no trust in her eyes but she inclined her head in thanks, rising from her relaxed position. The cage clicked open and Shizuka stopped just outside of it. "A pity Kaname-sama, to be the next head." Another moment passed and his eyes said it all.
"And what will you have me do now that I am free, Kaname-sama?" The sentence hung in the air as a flurry of sakura petals carried the Mad Blooming Princess away.
He turned, watching the petals wither and fade as the power that sustained them dissipated, "… Nothing…" and he burst into shadowed bats.
Lena stood in the kitchen chopping vegetables and Kagome stood over a pot of beef stew, stirring every once in a while so nothing stuck to the bottom. Zero stood beside Kagome on his tip toes, trying to get a better look into the boiling pot. His mother chuckled in amusement and nudged him aside so she could place the just chopped veggies into the stew.
"Zero, why don't you go hang out with your dad and Ichiru while Kagome and I finish up here?"
He looked up at her and pouted, his silver bangs obscuring his lilac eyes. "Uh uh, I want to watch Kagome cook."
"Zero…" she said, tone slightly chiding.
"Oh come on Lena, let 'im help. It'll be good if he knows how to make his own food. Not to mention he'll attract a lot of girls too." Kagome's playful wink caused Lena to chuckle and she sighed giving in.
"Alright fine, but be careful. I don't want you getting burned."
He acquiesced with a nod and she left to check up on her husband and younger son. It had become way too quiet.
Zero tugged on her shirt, "Can I see?"
Kagome blinked and giggled. "Of course, of course!" She lifted him and set him on the counter next to her. He leaned over and peered into the brownish liquid. Floating in it was: beef, onions, mushrooms (Zero made a face), carrots, and celery. "These are all the ingredients, of course there are the ingredients that you don't see, like salt or black pepper."
The boy nodded, completely engrossed with the explanation. Kagome couldn't help the smile that ran across her face. He was just so cute. She tapped him on the shoulder and he looked up at her as the she handed him the recipe and his eyes grew wide.
"This is the recipe, so if you ever want to make it without me, you can." Kagome could practically see him bursting with excitement.
"Thanks Kagome!" Zero cheered as he threw his little arms around her neck. Kagome laughed and wrapped her arms around his small frame, rocking them back and forth.
"No problem kiddo."
As Zero busied himself with looking over the recipe, Kagome wandered over to the fridge and grabbed out a tomato. She rinsed it and was about to drop it in before Zero gasped and shooed her hand away.
"wha-what's the matter?" She quirked a brow at him.
"No Kagome, it says tomato paste, not a whole tomato!" His frown was adorable and Kagome ruffled his hair.
"Yes it does, but this is my secret ingredient. Instead of adding paste, I add a whole tomato, that way when we cut it open after it's soft enough, the flavors are stronger." It was endearing how amazed Zero could get.
A/N: Soooo, I kind of figured I wouldn't get the 10 reviews because, who wants to review to a whiney author? but you guys just needed seven more and you would have gotten two. Anyway, I'm going to MN this weekend so I may or may not get around to posting more chapters. If I'm feeling nice I'll go ahead and post a second chapter later today.
XXkagomeX: Well... yeah, you read the A/N right?
