Start Time: 5:00 PM, February 10, 2008
Kaede and Kagome headed into Inuyasha forest, each with a basket in hopes of getting herbs, sense Kagome had come back with a child instead of the desired plants.
"So, what here do you know?" Kaede asked when they reached the place were Kaede gathered her herbs.
Kagome nodded and proceeded to point at what she knew. "Well, that can be used to help clear sinuses, when added to that herb. But that one is poisonous if mixed with that. This one makes a good cream for cuts." Kagome continued to name more and what they did.
Kaede was impressed. Kagome had learned a lot. "Very good. Ye know well. But did ye know that if you used the leaves of potatoes with this herb, it will help relieve headaches?"
Kagome looked surprised. "But aren't potato leave poisonous?"
"Aye, which is why ye must mix it carefully," Kaede nodded. "I will teach ye the proper way, of course. Now, let us hurry and collect the herbs, so we can get back before Aiko awakes."
"Yeah," Kagome nodded in agreement. "I don't want her to think we just left her. She's been through so much already." Kagome was kneeling, gathering herbs, when she said this, so she didn't see Kaede's frown. It wasn't a sad frown, but a thoughtful frown. Kagome cared to much for other. She put everyone else before her own needs. She never thought twice about what the wolves could do to her last night as she saved Aiko. This was not a bad thing, no, but it would prove difficult in battle. If she put her feelings before the fight, she could end up getting killed again.
"Kagome, we need to talk," Kaede sighed. "'Tis important that we do so before we start ye training."
"Ok Kaede," Kagome agreed, stand up now that her basket was full.
Kaede started walking and Kagome followed. It was a moment of silence, neither miko speaking, the younger miko not knowing what to say and the older miko not sure how to word what she wanted to say.
"Kagome... we must talk about your heart," Kaede finally spoke as they exited the forest, Kaede's hut coming into view. "Ye heart is big, this we have already stated, but ye must not let ye heart get in the way of battle. It could mean death to ye again. It was be like last time, all over again." the older miko paused, seeming to think, then continued. "Just what did happen last time?"
"That's just it, Kaede. I don't remember what happened. I can remember everything up until the battle, then I remember everything waking from the battle, but I don't remember the battle itself," Kagome sighed, looking down. Then the thought came into her head and she snapped her head up and looked at Kaede. "and what do you mean I have to 'not let ye heart get in the way of battle?'"
"Exactly what I said, Child," Kaede said as she stepped inside her hut, followed by Kagome. Aiko was sitting up when they'd entered, and upon hearing them she whipped around, a giant grin on her face.
"Kagome!" Aiko cried and ran to Kagome, throwing her small arms around Kagome's legs. "I thought you'd left me, like Mommy and Daddy had."
Kagome smiled warmly and set her basket down, then picked up Aiko. "Never. We were just collecting herbs." Kagome's face got serious and she sat down on Kaede's wooden platform, Aiko in her lap. "Aiko, we will never leave you. Though we may be gone for a some time, it is not because we abandoned you. We are merely helping others, or ourselves, but remember, we will always return to you in the end. Always."
Aiko looked up at Kagome, her dark green eyes sullen as she thought over what was said. A light slowly seemed to come on in those dark orbs as she thought more about it. A slow smile appeared on her face. "I understand, okaa-san."
Kagome looked down at Aiko in surprise. Mother? She'd called her mother. Kagome's shocked expression turned to one of love and she hugged Aiko. "Aijou(1)."
Kaede chuckled. "And what does that make me?"
Aiko looked over at her. "You can be baa-chan(2)!" Aiko detached herself from Kagome and gave Kaede a hug as well.
Kaede returned the hug with one arm, as her other still held the basket. "Go play, Aiko. I need to talk to your okaa-san." Aiko nodded and left out the door to enjoy the sunshine. "Now, Kagome, as I was saying, ye need to learn how to control your emotions. There is a time and a place to express them and battle is not the place. Yer emotions control ye. But ye must not let them, not all the time."
"Kaede..." Kagome looked up at the priestess "I wasn't completely honest with you. I remember some of the battle, but not the actual battle itself. I remember Naraku's tentacle coming for me, and I remember the arrow shining blue, and Inuyasha. Inuyasha... he... he was yelling out Kikyou's name. I don't know why, but that was the last thing I heard. I also can't remember if it was me or Kikyou who shot the arrow."
"Hmm... mayhaps in time, ye memories will return. And then ye will be able to tell me more of the battle. Or mayhaps, when Inuyasha returns, I can get him to talk about it," Kaede said as she started to empty her basket.
Kagome knelt beside her and emptied hers as well. "I doubt Inuyasha will tell the story, but maybe Miroku or Sango will. I know Shippou will chip in."
"Aye, that he will," Kaede nodded. "But that is for later. First ye shall learn more herbs. Then we will focus on control of ye emotions and meditation will help in that. Last we shall practice ye fighting. Ye aim it true, this I know, but we shall still practice."
"Kaede... I want more then that. I also want to learn how to use my miko power. I used it before, like when I first came here. When Mistress Centipede attacked. I was clinging to Inuyasha and she came to attack. I got scared and... held my hand out in front of myself for protection and yelled. A light made the centipede's arms fall off. You remember, don't you?"
"Kaede nodded. "Aye, Child. I remember."
"I want to learn to do that... on command. Not when we are just in danger. Because..." Kagome paused and gulped back tears. "because one time, I might be to late."
Kaede looked at Kagome, her eyes knowing. "Aye. I will teach ye power, but most of it, ye will learn on ye own."
Kagome nodded and the rest of the day will filled herb teachings and a few breaking which involved Aiko wanting to play.
End Time: 2: 54PM, February 17, 2008
Well, this chapter sucked... I'm sorry you read it. Oh, just so y'all know, I know nothing about herbs, so everything was made up. The only real thing is tha potato leaves are posionus. You can thank my cooking teacher for that information. Oh and 1. Aijou means 'my beloved daughter'... I hope it means that anyway. My friend found out for me, so yeah. And 2. baa-chan is what children sometimes call their grandma, instead of saying O-baa-san.