Start Time: 8:47PM, April 13, 2008

"Now remember, consintrate on what it is ye are wishing to know more about," Kaede instucted. "I wish I could stay for this one, but I am needed in the village. You stay here and work upon that meditation."

"Alright Kaede. I can do that," Kagome nodded, allowing the older miko to see she agreed with what was instructed. Kagome watched as Kaede left, the bamboo door closing behind her. Kagome sighed and turned to Aiko. "What do you want to do, Aiko?"

"I was wonderin' if I could go and play with the other children again?" Aiko asked it softly, almost as if she would be hit for asking or as if she thought Kagome would say no.

Kagome walked over to the little girl and wrapped her in a hug. "Of course you may go and play Aiko. You don't have to ask us permission, but you do need to tell us when you leave, so we can be sure of where you are. We don't want you to get hurt and not have us know about it."

Aiko smiled and returned Kagome's hug quickly before breaking away to run outside and play. "Thank you, Mama!" Aiko called as she, too, left.

Kagome smiled, though it was a smile that was both sad and happy at the same time. Aiko calling her Mama feeled her with a joy, the joy that she felt now that she knew she could fill someone elses life with joy, just by simply being there. She hadn't felt that way before. She could never just be there for Inuyasha. She had to be something. She couldn't just... be. She had to be a shard detector, or a priestess, or just the annoying girl from the future. She was never just... there for him. Just because he wanted her by his side. She always had a reason. But that was only part of her sadness. When Aiko called her Mama, it made her think of her Mama, Gramps, Souta, her friends, and even Houjo. She missed all of them, a lot actually. More than she wanted to admit.

"Aiko... my beloved child," Kagome smiled, and in saying this, it made her think of Shippou. Though Shippou had never actually called her Mama, nor had she called him son, there was still a bond there, a love that was not for friends or lovers, but the love of a mother and her child, which when far deeper than any other love, in a status of understandment. Though never had actually taken it upon themselves to state this love outloud with the words mama and son, it was there and they had both felt it. Kagome felt this same feeling for Aiko. And while thinking these things, it made her wonder. 'Will I feel this feeling for my birth children... or will they be stronger?' Kagome wasn't exactly intent on answering her question anytime soon, but ti did make her wonder about what was to come in the future. There was no way to tell what the future would hold.

Kagome laughed at the last thought. Everyone knew one thing that the future held and that was Kagome. Eventually, to this world, she would be born again, 500 years into the future. What was to become of all of this? What would happen to all the demons? None existed in her time, that she knew of anyway, and she wasn't exactly sure on how you would track down a demon. No one in her time seemed to believe in them, heck, even she hadn't believed until she was pulled through the well to this time. So, did the demons go into hiding, or did they simply... vanish.

"Bad Kagome. Focus," Kagome scolded herself for letting her mind wonder and she knelled, getting ready to meditate. She had to focus. Focus on the dream that haunted her and on finding its meaning. She had tapped into her unconscious mind once befor and she could do it again! Kagome evened out her breathing to the count of seven, allowing the air to flow freely around her. She thought, yet emptied her mind at the same time. She neede to be clear of all thought, but at the same time, she had to focus all of her thoughts upon that dream. That horrible, horrible dream that haunted her.

Try and try as she might, Kagome couldn't tap into the power. All she was managing to do was calm herself and give herself a major headache at the same time. Nothing was coming, no matter how much she focused on the blood and the scream and the laughter, and worst of all, the crying mother. Kagome wanted, needed, to know who was crying and what for. But nothing would come.

"Maybe a nice walk, to calm myself," Kagome whispered outloud as she stood. That was what she would do. She would take a nice walk, to calm out everything and give her mind a time to wonder so she could focus better. Sighing, Kagome was finally the one to exit the hut, enjoying the feeling of the warm sun upon her face and neck. She would have enjoyed it upon her legs and arms, too, if she didn't have to wear a kimono and could wear her school uniform instead.

"Once I'm stronger, things can go back to normal. Only, with Aiko added to the mix," Kagome smiled as she found herself thinking as she walked, her feet moving on there own. Kagome's mind covered so many topics, from school in her time, to shards in this time. So many different topics that she didn't realize where she was until her feet stopped moving.

"The God Tree..." Kagome breathed it out rather than actually saying it. It seemed so very long ago that Kagome had first come upon this tree and Inuyasha pinned to it. So long ago that a friendship was sparked from a hate that Kagome hadn't even caused. Lifting a hand, Kagome ran it along the bark of the ancient tree. This was Inuyasha's tree. This was her tree. This was... a tree that overcame time. It was more than just another peice of nature. To Kagome, it was part of her life and one that would never leave. One that she never wanted to leave.

"Inuyasha... I'll return to you, soon. I just... I need more time. I hope you can understand that. I need to be stronger, so no one will have to lose me again. Not even myself. I need... to be honest, I don't know what I need," Kagome looked up to the giant tree, as if it would hold the answers to her questions. But the tree was silent, except for the rustle of leaves as the wind blew through the forest lightly, Kagome's hair gently moving. A smile came to her lips. Maybe... not all of lifes questions could be answered, including the one of her dream, but that didn't matter at the moment.

Kagome sat down below the God Tree and leaned against it, allowing her to take her back, so she could move forward.

End Time: 9:41PM, April 14, 2008

So I finished this chapter sooner than I thought I would. It's not as long as the last, but it's more of a break chapter, for Kagome to ponder. Just so you all know, life might not be easy this week. I found out today that this week is Hell Week, which in theater means, "HOLY FUCK!! ONLY THREE MORE REHERSALS AND THEN WE HAVE TO PREFORM LIVE!!" and I'm in this play, so that means practise right after school until 8. Yes, 8. That means I don't get to eat, AT ALL until 8. I am so freakin' hungry!! The reason I don't eat is I don't wake up soon enough for breakfast and no money for lunch. And sense practise is right after school, no time to go home and eat. Oh, and here's an update on my life for all of those who gave advice about my friend. I found out today, from someone else, not my friend, that she's not even mad at ME, she's mad at my OTHER BEST FRIEND!! And because I hang out with my other best friends, Alisha, my friend who has the issues has decided I'm no longer worthy of her time. Nice, ne? Oh, and I have also been diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder. The type? Adjustment Disorder With Depression and Anxiety. Wonderful... ask if you want to know more.