Kaede was tending to her small garden in front of her hut when she heard calls coming from inside. The young girl has awakened and was distressed. Kaede let out a big sigh before placing her basket of crops on the floor and making her way to her hut.

The young girl burst through her doorway and called out her lord's name over and over again.

"Rest your lungs for more productive things child," Kaede advised. The girl jumped in surprise and looked over to her.

"Where's Lord Sesshomaru?" she asked.

"Gone, he left you in my care for the time being. I'm sure you'll love-" Kaede began but was cut off when the girl shook her head.

"No, he can't leave. He promised we'd be together forever, he promised!" she exclaimed.

"Maybe as a child he did, but since ye are growing up it's become complicated," Kaede tried to explain but the girl would have none of it. Her eyes welled up with tears and she quickly wiped them with her sleeve.

"You're lieing!" she cried.

"Stop this childish arguing girl! You're going to be a grown woman soon, you need to understand that Lord Sesshomaru could no longer care for you and move on," Kaede argued back but bit her lip, she hadn't meant to be so harsh. The girl let out a small sob before she whirled around and ran back into the hut.

"Nice going Kaede, she barely knows you for five minutes and she already hates you," Kaede murmured to herself before heading back to grab her basket of crops. She couldn't let it affect her; though she never bore any children of her own she knew that only being tough would get things done. She had dealt with enough children in her village to understand that. Heaving a sigh she placed the large basket against her left hip for support and moved towards the village. Her hut stood a good distance above the village, and while it wasn't a problem when she was younger she definitely hated the fact in old age.

"Having trouble old hag?" a man's voice asked from somewhere above her, Kaede closed her eyes in displeasure to the adjective used to signify her but held in her temper.

"I'm doing just fine Inuyasha. Thanks for your concern," she answered and turned her head upward to spot the half demon crouched on a tree branch staring back at her. A bell chimed not too far down the road and Kaede spotted Kagome waving up at her on her transportation device that she brought with her sometimes from the future. Kaede believed she called it a bike. When the woman was in speaking distance Inuyasha jumped down from the tree and grabbed Kaede's basket of crops.

"I'll help you with that Lady Kaede," Inuyasha stated suddenly, but Kaede understood what the half-demon was scheming and by Kagome's beaming eyes she knew he was succeeding.

"Thank you," Kaede said and the group walked in unison on their way to the village. Kagome was pushing her bike along when she asked,

"Lady Kaede, I know it's getting harder and harder for you to manage to take care of us-"

"Bah! I'm fine," Kaede replied annoyed that Kagome would even doubt her strength, "I'm still the priestess of this village and I protect everyone just fine,"

"I know that Kaede, it's just that I don't want you being overwhelmed with what I have to ask you," Kagome stated her eyebrows pulled together in worry.

"What do you need?" she asked.

"Shippo was really injured after a demon attack last night. Since he is a teenager now all his demonic powers are increasing and hitting him at once and he's loses control at times. He did last night. His body couldn't really handle all the power that he used to fight off the demons and he can barely stand up, I'm really worried about him," Kagome explained then turned her eyes to the ground, "I really hope it isn't any trouble, I tried healing him myself from what I learned from you, but nothing is working,"

Kaede's tough exterior melted away at the anguish in the woman's eyes. She knew Kagome saw Shippo as her child, and not being able to help him hurt Kagome deeply inside.

"Have him brought to me as soon as possible after I drop off these crops to the village. I need to make as much money as I can, especially with three mouths to feed now," Kaede stated.

"Three?" Kagome asked.

"I'm watching over Lord Sesshomaru's ward as well, but she isn't in the best of states right now. The child is heartbroken," Kaede answered.

"Why are you doing favors for him?" Inuyasha asked in complete disgust. Even though the war with Naraku had ended years ago the grudge between the two brothers had never faltered.

"I could tell he had no choice in the matter, and he is never known to ask for help from anyone. I suppose my emotions got the better of me in that judgment," Kaede replied.

"Oh I see, poor Rin. Sesshomaru's the only life she's ever known," Kagome murmured her eyes still down casted.

"I still don't see why you'd help someone like him. What are you going to get out of it?" Inuyasha huffed.

"The satisfaction that I did something for the girl, and that she just might have a better life here than she would on her own," Kaede answered. Kagome gave her a small smile and Inuyasha kept his nose in the air but she saw the understanding in his eyes even if he didn't want to take his brother's side.

"Kaede, let us take the crops to the village. We'll sell them for you and bring back the profit. I'll have Shippo brought over right after," Kagome offered.

"Why?" she asked in reply.

"Because we'll get it done faster," Inuyasha replied and flinched when Kagome stomped on his foot.

"Because you can go back and make sure Rin is alright and watch after her. You can also get your energy together for when you heal Shippo," Kagome replied.

"If you two insist, it would be much quicker," Inuyasha stuck his tongue out mockingly at Kagome, "and maybe I can get the girl to warm up to me," Kaede added.

"We'll be back soon Kaede, thanks for being willing to care for Shippo," Kagome thanked her before hopping on her bike and the two took off in a rush towards the village.

"Well that's one less chore to worry about," Kaede murmured before slowly heading back towards her hut. Now all that was left was to face Sesshomaru's ward.