Author's note- Hm... you all have been wondering who's the pretty-green-eyes that popped up in the last chapter... Don't worry, it's a good person... sorta... and that person'll show up in this chapter. Sorry about the wait. I've been busy with tons of stuff.

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Chapter 3


Conservation

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"Mistress, we watched the monk and the taiji-ya as you asked," Two youkai said to the shrouded figure. The Mistress smiled lightly, before showing a cold facade to the two. "What should we do now?"

"Wait until we receive word from Sesshoumaru-sama. Until then, continue to watch them," The Mistress replied, and walked away from the room they were in. The youkai watched her go, and once she was gone from their sights, they started to talk to each other.

"Kagura-sama has become quite interested in two boring human lives, ne?"

"Hai, she must have something up her sleeves."


*~*~*


Miroku left the village, after trying to say good-bye to the little girl he helped, found himself a partner in his journey. The girl, Takara, was very brilliant, although Miroku did not want to endanger the girl.

"Miroku-sama, if I were to stay in that village, I'd be in more danger than with you!" Takara told him.

And so, meet Takara, Miroku's new partner.


Miroku led the little girl towards a forest that was seemingly familiar to him. He was getting a strange feeling that something was amiss in Kaede's village, and so he was going to investigate.

"Where are we going?" Takara asked, as they went deeper into the forest. "Are we going to that village you tell me about? With the taiji-ya you wanted to marry?"

"Hai."

"Why?"

"Because I feel that something's wrong there."

"Why?"

"I do not know, Takara," Miroku sighed. Usually, Takara was quiet, but when it had to do with Miroku's past... she would do that "Why" thing that kids always do.

"Why?"

"I don't know, do you?"

"No, why?" Miroku sighed.

"Just come on," He encouraged, and the girl hurried up.


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"Kaede-sama, wake up! C'mon, you have to wake up!" Sango said, to the unconscious old woman on the floor. "Onegai, don't die! Please!" She placed a cool cloth against Kaede's forehead, as she Toramaru handed Sango Kaede's herbs.

"Here you go, Sango-san. I'm sorry about Kaede-sama," Toramaru said, as Sango sorted through the herbs.

"It's all right, Toramaru. Just... keep everyone safe, ne? Protect the village."

"Honto? I will, Sango-san! I'll do it," Toramaru said, and ran out of the hut. Sango had a small smile on her face as she shook her head.

"T-tried... to get... him out, ne?" She heard Kaede's weak voice. Sango looked at the old woman.

"Kaede! You're awake!"

"For not long," Kaede coughed. "I do not... think I will live for long."

"What? You will, Kaede-sama! I know you will!" Sango said. "Please don't give up."

"I've led a good life, Sango-sama. I've helped many people... helped Kagome find Inuyasha... helped you find Miroku... and my time here is up."

Sango felt tears spike her vision, and her chin quivered. Kaede noticed this.

"Don't be afraid for me... be proud of how long I lasted."

"I... don't want you to die," Sango whispered. Kaede smiled weakly.

"In some parts of me, I do not want to die either, but... I have to. Promise me something, Sango-sama."

"What? Anything."

"...Find that monk... and don't let him leave again..." Kaede said. "You two belong together."

"I.. I will. I'll find him as soon..."

"No. Leave now..."

"I don't want to leave you, you might die soon," Sango told her.

"I am dying, Sango. Go find him," Kaede instructed. She put a wry smile on her face, "Or I will haunt you if you don't." Sango smiled weakly as she hugged her mentor tightly.

"Arigatou gozaimasu, Kaede-sama," Sango whispered. "For everything."

"And thank you, Sango," Kaede said.

"For what?"

"For showing me how to believe in everything, including those that shouldn't be," Kaede whispered, before closing her eyes. Sango tested Kaede's pulse, and didn't feel any. She felt tears fall down her face, as she stood up.

"I will find him, Kaede."

*~*~*


"Miroku-sama, why are you going so fast?! I can't... keep up!" Takara yelled, as she ran up to follow Miroku.

"Something bad happened. I can't wait. I have to find out what."

"WAIT FOR ME!!" Takara said, trying to keep up.


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"Sesshoumaru-sama," A soft, feminine voice echoed through Sesshoumaru's fortress. "I have two of my servants observing the taiji-ya and the monk."

"Aa, Kagura," Sesshoumaru said to the wind youkai. "Rin has been wondering where you have been. She has been looking all over for you." His lips curved very slightly into the tiniest of smiles.

"Tell her I cannot meet her play date tomorrow," Kagura said. "I must meet up with two very old friends."

"You cannot possibly mean my brother."

"Iie. He hasn't returned to this time in a few months."

"Then, who?"

"Just a friend. If you do not trust my intentions, then follow. I do not mind, although she might," Kagura said.


"I may just do that."


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A/n- I hope you all liked this chapter. It seems that I'm allowing Sango & Miroku to return quite earlier... oh, please don't yell at me because Kaede died! She was, what, fifty, sixty (?) in the series, and in Betrayal, it was four years later, and in this one, it's 2 more, so yeah, in the Feudal Era, she's quite old, and it's uncommon for a human to live that long in that time.


Sayonara!


Review, onegai?