They eventually said their goodbyes, Kagome glaring at her sister's smug look.
Hojo had been thoroughly disappointed when Kagome had refused his invitation, finally looking to Kagura for help. He'd offered to take them both, but Kagome had interrupted, adamant that their chores needed to be completed before darkness fell.
"I never pegged you for a heartbreaker," Kagura said, ducking as Kagome threw a stick at her, huffing as she returned to filling their buckets.
"Like I said, if you think he's so interesting, you go look at flowers with him." She threw another stick to emphasize her point, this one landing in the river with a distinct plop.
"It's the fact that he's so uninteresting that makes it worthwhile," Kagura said, sitting down beside her, their bare feet dangling in the water. "Might be a nice change from everything else."
Kagome shook her head even as a sigh escaped her lips. "I'm not looking for normal. I'm not looking for anything right now."
"Liar." Kagura's tone was quiet but firm. "You look for him every time you open your eyes. Every time you open the door. You're better this year, but what about next year? Or the year after that? I won't let you waste away—"
Kagome wrapped her arms around her sister, hugging her fiercely as tears pricked her eyes. "I'm sorry." She felt Kagura tense then sigh, returning the embrace.
"You're not the one who should be apologizing, stupid." They sat like that for a while, toes eventually going numb as they watched the sun set, golden rays reflecting off the water as it filtered downstream.