"Mama," Michi said one day, stepping down in front of his home to sit next to his mother as she folded a basket of laundry, keeping a watchful eye on Michi's baby sister as the child crawled around the soft short grass.

"Yes, dear?"

"Daddy told me that Izzy was named after his mom."

"That's true."

"He also said that...that I was named after your dad."

Kagome's gaze softened. "Yes," she said fondly, a small smile forming on her lips. "Dr. Michio Higurashi."

"I've never met him though, even though I've met Grandma Higurashi." The questioning tone in his otherwise blunt statement was subtle, but clear. Kagome sighed lightly, putting an arm around her son.

"I know, sweetie. You see, like Miss Izayoi for whom your sister was named, my father died long before you were born. I wasn't much older than Kikyo is now when it happened..." her voice trailed off for a moment, distracted by memories of her father coming to pick her up after her very first days of school, of him playing with her and her then-baby brother, of him adopting a little calico kitten he called Buyo.

Michi was quiet for a moment, absorbing this new information. Then

"Can...can you tell me about him?"

Kagome smiled.

"He was a very intelligent man, I remember. A scientist, in fact. He took his work very seriously, and was good at it. But even so..." Her eyes became distant again, swimming in old, old memories. "Even so, he always had time for fun. He knew how to make us laugh, me and your Uncle Souta. Yes, he was smart and serious at work, but he was also kind. So very kind."

"How...did he die?"

Kagome's brow furrowed as the first painful memories resurfaced, times of confusion and sadness.

"It was...nobody's fault," she said carefully, remembering the words her mother had repeated to her when she was young. "These kinds of things...sometimes they just happen. He was driving home one day. It was raining, so the roads were slippery and it was hard to see, and, well...there was an accident. A crash. He...didn't make it." She paused a moment before continuing, "I'm afraid I don't remember much more than that."

Michi nodded somewhat numbly. The conversation dulled for a while, neither mother nor son speaking as they sat together in the warm afternoon light.

"...you said he was a good man." Michi said at last.

"One of the best."

"Do you think I could ever be like that?"

Kagome laughed lightly, heart lifting again.

"Oh, Michi," she said lovingly, giving her son a light kiss on the top of his head, right between his two pointed puppy's ears. "I know you can."