The Old Woman Left Behind
Hey everyone! This is the Captain. You know, I was just thinking, "Kaede-baba is always left behind. Wonder how she feels how about that?" Well, this is the result.
Kaede's POV:
I got used to it after a while. After all, I am an old woman and chances are I wouldn't be able to keep up with everyone. But it still hurts.
I am called many things: miko-sama, Kaede-sama, Kaede-baba. A few other adjectives I don't like to remember. Even then, I still don't mind. I can be all of those things. And I know I've lived long enough to realize that, and to realize that I'm not in my prime anymore, no matter what I'd like to say. But it still hurts.
These people who come back to me every now and then have become more children for me to take care of. But they're not children. Nonetheless, they've become my family. What can I say? I may be the priestess of this village, but I can be an old softie. An old hag, as Inuyasha so affectionately refers to me.
Inuyasha: how that boy has affected my life! I can hardly disagree with Kagome about her decision to love him-how is it possible for an exotic young lady to resist falling for another exotic being? Just like Kikyou-neechan. She was always different, aloof, even to her own sister sometimes. But she never tried to leave me behind like so much baggage. I know these young people can't help it. But it still hurts.
"Kaede-sama?" Houshi-sama came up behind me. "We're going to have to leave for a while. Will you be alright?"
Rearranging my wrinkles to a slight grin, I turn to face him. "Of course. I'm not as much as an old hag as that dog-boy thinks I am."
"What was that?!?!" Inuyasha's voice called from outside. "Did you call me something, baba?!"
"Baka," I mutter under my breath. Seeing Houshi-sama conceal a grin makes me feel a little bit better. At least I can still make people smile. "Get going, or dog-boy will have a temper tantrum."
"Of course, Kaede-sama." Waving goodbye, Sango-san followed after. Cute couple, those two. Of course, they would never admit it unless they were really desperate.
"Bye-bye, Kaede-bachan!" Shippo-that little fox cub was always wearing a grin. I almost forgot myself long enough to smile at him as I waved. But it still hurt.
I always say that I don't mind waiting for everyone. And I really don't...for the most part. But there are times, like now, when I can't help but want to go with them. Of course they won't need me to help them-they have Kagome-chan. But it still hurts.
But suddenly-is my eye deceiving me?-Inuyasha came back. He had the oddest expression flit across his face. Was ? No-dog-boy can't possibly respect me that much.
"Well, are you coming?"
"N-nani?"
He crossed his arms and crouched down into his favorite squatting position. (A/N: no dirty minds here!!! You know what I mean!!!) "Feh! I couldn't stand everyone whining about how hard it was gonna be without Kaede-baba there. I'm all they need, but of course they had to send me back to get you. Old hag. Geez, why am I bothering to come and get you at all?"
Scowling at him, I say "Let me get my bow." Turning inside my hut (A/N: hut? Temple?), I let the scowl turn into a smile. There are times when even I can't glare my way through everything. That's when it doesn't hurt as much.
You like? You despise? Tell me!!! (Pretty please?) Sorry if they were a little OOC, but author's license lets me do that. (What? You mean you didn't get that memo? So sorry...) Ja ne!
