⌠Please momma! I▓ll take care of it and walk it everyday. I▓ll feed it and water it and make sure it has a clean habitat. Please?■ Shippo asked her with big watery eyes.
Kagome eyes the ferrets wearily. ⌠But honey, you▓re too young for a pet that requires that much care. Can▓t we just get a goldfish? You only have to feed it and change the water once a week.■
Shippo▓s bottom lip began to quiver and Kagome▓s last defenses crumbled. ⌠Fine. But you have to take care of it.■
Shippo bounced up and down and hugged her tightly. ⌠I will momma, I promise! I want the black and white one.■
She smiled at him. Kagome loved to see such joy on his face. ⌠Lets go and find the lady and we▓ll pick up the habitat and some food and stuff. And Shippo?■
⌠Yes?■ He looked up at her.
⌠We had better get two. That way I can have one and your ferret wont be lonely.■ Kagome had a pet ferret called Yuri when she was a kid. It had died when she was thirteen.
Kagome located the pet store assistant rather quickly and purchased the two ferrets, a habitat, some straw and food. As she was loading it up into the car she looked at Shippo. ⌠What are you going to name your new pet baby?■
He looked long and hard at the ferret. ⌠Shimi.■
⌠Why ▒Shimi▓?■ She asked.
⌠Because.■ He said in all his six-year-old wisdom. ⌠He has a spot on his back. What about you momma?■
Kagome smiled at him, then looked at the snowy white ferret before placing the pet carrier in the car. ⌠I think I▓ll call her Ukime.■
⌠Why?■ Shippo asked as they walked back into the mall. It was just hitting the winter months and was getting cooler.
⌠Because she reminds me of my childhood pet, Yuri. It hurt when Yuri died so I▓m calling her Ukime in memoriam.■ Kagome replied. ⌠Where do you want to go for lunch Shippo?■
⌠Can we go to that burger place you brought me to just after you picked me up from the orphanage?■ He asked. ⌠I liked it there.■
Kagome smiled softly. ⌠Of course baby, wherever you want to go. This is your day remember?■
The two began their walk to Burger King.
XOX
Kurama sighed and wondered for the tenth time how he▓d gotten himself into this. He was currently babysitting his younger brother for his mother. His stepbrother Shuiichi was out with his friends so looking after ten year old Hiroshi. To put it bluntly, Kurama had a headache.
⌠Aniki, I want burgers for lunch. Can we go to Burger King please?■ Hiroshi smiled.
Kurama sighed. ⌠Sure. Just please don▓t get it everywhere.■
The two brothers made their way to the burger place in the centre of the mall, occasionally stopping to look in a few store windows. Kurama led Hiroshi to a table and made his way to the line. He paid for their lunch and went back to the table. He placed the tray on the table and got up for napkins. He walked past a few people but one stood out to him.
⌠Kagome?■ He asked the brunette just stepping out of the line.
She turned around and smiled. ⌠Hey Kurama. How are you?■
Kurama smiled. ⌠Great actually. What are you doing here?■
⌠Shopping for a pet with Shippo. It▓s my only day off so its my day with him. What are you doing here?■ She replied.
⌠Babysitting my little brother. Do you want to join us?■ He asked, smiling.
Kagome sent him a beaming one right back. ⌠We▓d love too. Just let me locate my boy.■ Kagome looked to the table where she left him moments ago to find him talking to another boy. ⌠Shippo, come here please.■
⌠No need, that▓s my brother Hiroshi.■ He took her tray and motioned her to follow.
Kagome walked over to where the two boys were sitting, talking about some cartoon or another. She sat down beside Shippo and smiled at Kurama. ⌠This is my son, Shippo. Shippo, this is Kurama and his brother.■
⌠Nice to meet you Kurama. Do you like my momma?■ Shippo asked innocently.
Hiroshi began laughing. ⌠My brother doesn▓t like girls!■
Kurama blushed beet red and smiled weakly. ⌠No, I▓m just picky. I live with a girl remember?■
⌠Yeah, but you▓ve been friends since college so she don▓t count. What▓s your name lady?■ Hiroshi asked.
Kagome giggled. ⌠Kagome. It▓s nice to meet you Hiroshi.■
Hiroshi dangled a fry in his fingers. ⌠So how do you know my brother?■
⌠I▓m his massage therapist.■ Kagome replied. ⌠Shippo, don▓t play with your food.■
⌠Oh so your that Kagome!■ Hiroshi exclaimed. ⌠Aniki was telling my mum about you. He said you was really pretty and that √⌠
Kurama slapped a hand over his brothers mouth. ⌠Forgive his manners Kagome. He really needs to learn when to shut up.■
Shippo was laughing. ⌠So you do like my momma! I knew it! She was telling my grandma about the cute red head that came in to the spa on Thursday when we went to see her last night.■
One thought passed through the blushing heads of Kurama and Kagome. ▒This will be a long lunch.▓
XOX