Times Change

                                                                 Chapter 3

            "Kagome, you're here again." Her mother brought in a basket of laundry and set it down
on the kitchen table.

            "I was just checking on Grandpa." She pulled out a box of green tea, then closed the
cabinet above the stove. "He said he wanted some tea."

            "Well let me do that." She took the tea from her and stood watch over the tea kettle on
the stove. Kagome took a seat at the table and began folding laundry. "You really don't have to
come by as much as you do."

            "I know, Mom. I just like to check up on you guys."

            Her mother smiled at her. "So, how are things?" she asked. "Your classes, your friends?
Eri's wedding isn't too far off, is it?"

            "It's right after finals' week," she said.

            "Is she excited?" she asked.

            "Seems to be," she nodded. "It's pretty much down to the wire now. All the
arrangements have been made; now, we just have to wait for everyone and everything to show
up."

            "You'll have to thank her for my invitation."

            Kagome nodded.

            "Is there anything wrong, dear? You seem a little dispirited."

            She shook her head with a smile. "It's nothing I can't handle."

            "So you're all right?" she asked.

            "Well . . ."

            Her mother smiled. "Kagome, you know there's nothing you can't tell me. If there's
something I can do to help . . ."

            She shook her head again. "It's my problem," she said.

            "Families share their problems," her mother reminded her.

            She sighed heavily.

            Her mother took a seat across from her at the table. "Kagome . . ."

            "School's a lot harder this year than it was last year."

            "Is that all?" she asked. "You always worry about your grades, then you come home with
an almost perfect report."

            She smiled at her encouraging words.

            "You're a good student, Kagome. And you always try your best. I'm sure you're
worrying about nothing."

            "Maybe," she said.

            "And I've never been prouder of you, Kagome. Going to school, working full time,
providing for you and InuYasha, and STILL finding time to check in on us. Not everyone could
put up with that kind of strain. You're the best daughter a mother could ask for."

            She smiled to herself.

            "And whatever problems you think you're having, I'm sure they'll work themselves out."

            She wasn't sure about the last bit. But everything else sounded comforting.

            The tea kettle sounded. Her mother rose and removed it from the stove.

            "Mom?"

            "Yes, dear?" She pulled a cup and saucer down from the cabinet.

            "Was it hard for you while Dad was in med school? I mean, did you ever miss him
because he had to spend so much time studying and in class?"

            "Of course I did," she said. "But I realized he was doing it so he could support our
family and because he had a natural knack for medicine and a strong will to help those in need."

            "But didn't you need him, too?" she asked. "I mean, I have a few memories of Dad, and
aside a from a few birthday parties and festivals, it seems like he was always on his way out the
door. Like he was barely here at all."

            Her mother gave her an odd expression. "He was always here when he was needed," she
said.

            "But what defines need?" she asked. "Don't you always need the one you love to be
around?"

            Another odd expression. "If he couldn't be there in body, he was there in spirit. Your
father was a very good man, Kagome."

            "Good to whom?" she asked more to herself than out loud.

            "What?"

            She waved her away. "Nothing . . . I just have a lot on my mind. I'm just talking out
loud."

            Her mother turned her attention back to her grandfather's tea. "Your father was a good
man," she repeated. "He didn't have the easiest of lives, and neither did we." She dumped the
tea into the cup and poured in the scalding hot water. "But we made it through," she said. "All
of us together."

            Kagome pushed herself up from the table. "I've gotta go, Mom." She glanced down at
her watch. "I've gotta work in an hour."

            "Remember, Kagome. Whatever your problems, they'll work themselves out."

            "Yeah, Mom, I know." She pushed her chair back beneath the table and waved goodbye.
"I'll see you later."

            "Take care of yourself," she called after her.

            On her way out, she ran into her little brother, Sota. He was in middle school now. "Sis,
visiting again?"

            "Actually, I'm on my way to work, now."

            He glanced over her shoulder and around her back.

            "What? What're you looking for?"

            "Isn't InuYasha with you?" he asked.

            She shook her head. "Not today. I came up right after class. I didn't have time to stop
by the flat."

            "Well, maybe next time you come up you'll bring him, too."

            "Maybe," she nodded.

            "We can all have dinner together like we used to."

            She nodded again. "That'd be fun."

            "Well, I guess I have to let you be off to work." He stepped aside and let her pass
through the door.

            "Thanks, Sota," she mussed his hair.

            "Ack! I'm too old for that," he insisted.

            "I know," she said. "And the next time, I'll be sure to bring InuYasha." She slipped on
her shoes and made her way down the steps to the bus stop.