Kaede was in the woods with a bow and a quiver of arrows. She was practicing her skills so she could keep up with her sister and so she would keep in the habit.

"I see your practicing your archery" a voice said from behind her.

"Sister Kikyo!" Kaede said happily turning to face her.

"Would you like some help?" Kikyo said kindly.

"No that's ok I was gonna finish anyway" Kaede said putting away her arrow and walking up to Kikyo.

Kikyo took her sister's hand and led her back to the village. She had been pleased that her sister was so dedicated to her studies yet at the same time was worried in case she was attacked by demons as she was so young.

In village

"Hey Kikyo" InuYasha said running up to her.

Kikyo turned and saw InuYasha running up to her "Yes?" she said smiling sweetly.

InuYasha blushed "Um...I kinda just wanted..." he said nervously.

"Yes?" Kikyo said peering up at him with her big brown eyes.

"T...To tell you that..." He said nervously scratching the back of his head.

"Just spit it out!" Kaede yelled crossly.

"Kagome needs your help collecting herbs" He burst out.

Kikyo smiled "Ok...I'll go now Kaede be good" She said kissing her sister's cheek.

Kaede sighed heavily as her sister left "You still LIKE her don't you" she said.

InuYasha sighed "I still care about her yeah but it's just coz she's pretty that I got embarrassed. I LOVE Kagome" he said firmly.

"Yeah I know" Kaede said smiling.

In field

Kagome was picking herbs and placing them in a basket "Geez this is hard work" she sighed crossly.

"Need help?" Kikyo said appearing behind her.

"Yeah thanks" Kagome said gratefully.

Kikyo began pulling weeds and placing them in a basket. She was pleased at how much Kagome had learned under her guidance and was sure she would become a good priestess one day.

"So I heard your gonna stay here" Kagome said pulling weeds.

Kikyo nodded "Just until Kaede is a teenager she is unable to protect the village herself yet" she said firmly.

Kagome smiled "You really care about her" she said gently.

Kikyo's eyes became sad "She was born when I was but a young girl and my mother died from childbirth stress then later our father died in the war so I was to play the parent role as we grew up" she explained.

Kagome was shocked at that age she was playing with kids her own age while Kikyo had been playing mum and dad. She began to feel guilty for saying such cruel things about her behind her back.

"You don't need to pity me so much Kagome thanks to that part of my life I became strong and learned to look out for myself and Kaede" she said smiling.

Kagome said nothing and continued picking herbs "How can Kikyo still smile after all she's been through?" she thought to herself. She used to think Kikyo was a harsh dictating woman but there was more to her than met the eye and she began to feel more respect towards her.

That evening

Kagome was standing at the boardwalk next to the lake as the sun began to set. The gentle breeze blew through her hair and she smiled gently.

"Hey Kagome sorry I'm late" InuYasha said leaping down from a tree.

"It's ok I just got here 5 minutes ago" Kagome smiling at him.

InuYasha walked up to her and took her hand gently and kissed her softly. He then turned to face the setting sun "Isn't it beautiful" he said gently.

Kagome leaned into him "Yeah but not as much as you" she said gently.

InuYasha turned to Kagome and tilted back her head smiling then leaned towards her kissing her lovingly. He may have once loved Kikyo and still cared for her but he could never imagine himself with another woman than Kagome.