bloodsong1 | I am SO hitting this market!

"Unagi," Reiki droned, staring lustfully at the coils of fresh eels laid out at Yamasho's stall. Kagome hid a smile behind her hand.

"The pups like eel," She informed the widow. Reiki's eyes gleamed and she carefully counted on her fingers.

"I will take six eels, please. The ones with the green highlights." Yamasho chuckled as he uncoiled the eels and bagged them.

"Anything else, Lady Reiki?"

"Um, yes. I'll take those two snappers, a half kilo of the sardines and..." She trailed off, staring raptly at the neat rows of fish gleaming on ice, as well as trays of octopi and squid. "two medium sized fish of your choice." Yamasho bowed and chose two sea breams, with bright eyes. Reiki nodded, looking very pleased.

"May I recommend this squid, my lady? It is very good," Yamasho pointed to a tray of pearly white squid.

"How would I cook it? I'm a novice when it comes to seafood."

"Ah. I like it stir fried with ginger, soy sauce and mirin. It is light and very tasty," The fishmonger suggested.

"That sounds delicious. I will take three."

"Enjoying yourself?" Kagome asked after Reiki paid for the seafood. The widow had flinched at the total, but it was a small flinch, and she remembered to ask for the delivery service.

"I just keep reminding myself it's for the wolves."

"You wouldn't shop like this just for your family?"

"That's who the sardines and snappers are for!" Reiki grinned. Kagome smiled back. It was good to see Reiki smile, even a little one.

"So! What next?"

"I'm going to need more rice and I would like to get some vegetables. You stocked the kitchen well with the basics and I'm very grateful, but I'm addicted to local produce."

"As am I," Kagome said, patting Reiki's shoulder. Reiki gave her a strange look.

"You keep touching me. Why?"

"Oh! I'm sorry. Am I embarrassing you?" Kagome asked, flushing slightly.

"No. I appreciate the contact. I'm only surprised, considering how sacred personal space is here."

"Ah," Kagome walked along thoughtfully while subtly guiding Reiki to Chuo Beikoku, the best rice shop at the market. "Well, I've developed the habit of touching people to soothe or encourage them. It stems from my miko and healing training. I have to touch a person to read their aura correctly and diagnose the problem and the power of touch is remarkable. I also know that you're someone who needs that physical contact, to reassure you."

"Bloody observant mikos," Reiki grumbled with a smile. "Oh wow. Talk about serious rice!" Chuo Beikoku displayed its rice under glass and there were several women critically eyeballing the selection. Reiki threw Kagome a wink and dived into the crowd, asking several different women, and the shopkeepers, about various brands and qualities. Kagome wandered over to Uchida, a pickle store further down, and bought her favorite pickles. Inuyasha often complained about her "pickle perversion", mostly because the smell could send him reeling. A black sesame seed coated onigiri appeared under her nose. She blinked and turned. Reiki waved the snack in front of her. The widow was carrying a small box of onigiri and two bags of local premium rice.

"Thank you!" Kagome took the coated rice ball and happily bit into it. Reiki fished out a grilled one from the box and gestured with the arm carrying the rice.

"I'm going to deliver this to Futaokami and I'll be back. Those housewives were really informative!"

"Do you want me to come with you?" Kagome asked. Reiki shook her head.

"I need to do this on my own. I'll scream if something stupid happens. Where do you want to meet?"

"Konnamonja. It's the tofu doughnut shop and it's not far from the entrance. Then we can go to Yamadashiya. It's the best tea shop here."

"Right! See you there!" Reiki stuffed her rice ball into her mouth and scurried off. Kagome chuckled, asked for pickle delivery, which was agreed to with a smile, and headed back to Konnamonja. Tofu doughnuts sounded really good.

Gods, I'm getting hungry!