Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this playful misadventure... especially for the wise one. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.
Chapter 14: Something in the Air
Kaede had returned home to many strange sights, especially in the four years since Kagome had come into her life; however, this was the first time she'd ever found quite so much hair lying about the place. Miroku had warned her about her guest as she'd taken her leave after checking on Sango, whose time was drawing near, but as usual, the monk had left out several pertinent points. His sense of humor was taxing at times. "Would ye be Jaken-sama?" she inquired with brusque courtesy.
The altered imp sat with his legs pulled up so he could hold his feet, the three fingers of each hand fitting neatly around the two toes on each foot. "Yes," he replied sulkily.
"Welcome." The elderly miko moved to inspect her protege's preparations for the evening meal. For more than a year now, Kaede had been tutoring her in all the skills needed for tending a village such as theirs. Kagome tended to make spectacular mistakes, but so far, the meal looked palatable enough, so she nodded approvingly.
Choosing a seat from which she could watch their guest wallow in unhappiness, Kaede would have dismissed him out of hand... except for the odor. Subtle and alluring, the pleasant scent worked on her, but she was wise to the ways of demons. Struggling back to her feet, she selected a few bundles of herbs from the rack in the corner as an excuse and said, "If ye will excuse me... I will not be long."
Frowning deeply, Kaede made her way back to Sango, who looked up from her own dinner preparations with surprise. The old woman waved aside her concerns, announcing, "I need thy knowledge, taijiya."
"Certainly," Sango agreed, her brown eyes kindling with interest.
"What can ye tell me about... imps."
End Note: This chapter was written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for June 2011—Tutorial. Posted on June 16, 2011. 300 words.