The group was now traveling to a destination. Where? None of them knew, except Inuyasha, since he was leading. Kagome walked beside him, Sango, Miroku, and Shippou followed behind those two, Mesu was bringing up the rear, with Kilala by her side. She looked as if she were deeply depressed. Glancing back at Mesu, Inuyasha sighed. He had become very worried about her, she hadn't spoken to anyone for the two weeks since the new moon, and she had taken up wearing her mask again. Kagome looked up at Inuyasha as he turned his head from Mesu. "So where exactly are we going?" Kagome asked, trying to distract his thoughts. He glanced back at Mesu again, then at Kagome. "We're going to visit mine and Mesu's old village." he replied. "Why?" she inquired. Inuyasha looked back at Mesu again. "Because I'm really worried about Mesu. She's been so distant lately. So I thought a visit home would cheer her up." he answered. "Oh. That's understandable. You're just worried about your best friend." Kagome smiled. "Yeah....Best friend." he laughed weakly. He had been questioning his relationship with Mesu. Was she still just a friend or was she something more? His thoughts left him as they reached a field, covered in lavender blossoms. This was his sign that they had arrived. Mesu stared intently at the field in front of her; she knew exactly where she was. She began to tremble and walked into the middle of the field. She then fell to her knees, grasping at the blossoms and inhaling deeply. Laughing softly, she plopped down onto her stomach, not noticing the little girl in front of her. Mesu picked her head up and smiled at the little girl. The little one stared at Mesu for the longest time; then she noticed Mesu's ears. Gently, the little girl grasped Mesu's ears and rubbed them. She squealed in delight and ran to the other side of the field, crying out "Grandmother! Grandmother! There's a girl in the lavender...and she has puppy dog ears!" Mesu stood abruptly as the little girl's approached her, with her granddaughter beside her. "Well bless my heart and soul. Mesu, is that you?" the elderly woman asked. Mesu ear twitched at the sound of her voice. Getting closer to the old one, Mesu inhaled her scent deeply. "Holy shit! Yujin?" Mesu exclaimed. "It has been a long time my friend." Yujin smiled. The two embraced, holding tight to each other until a small hand pulled on Yujin's kimono. "Grandmother?" the child questioned. "Oh! Mesu, this is my granddaughter, Hana. Hana, this is my oldest and dearest friend, Mesuken." Hana smiled up at Mesu. "She's cute. Reminds me of you when you were that little." Mesu mused, looking back at Inuyasha. Mesu motioned for them to join the three of them. Inuyasha lead the rest of them to the middle of the field. "By the gods, Inuyasha too." Yujin said, pulling him into a hug. "Knock it off Yujin. You're embarrassing Me." he said, pulling out of her grasp. She just laughed. "Come. You all must be tired after your journey. We will go to the village, feast, and then rest." Yujin said, walking towards the village. Mesu scooped up Hana, earning a delightful squeak from the child, and followed Yujin. The rest followed after Mesu. Inuyasha smiled at Mesu as he caught up to her. She smiled back. He was happy to see her smiling again. And they both were happy to be home.

After they ate a hardy meal, Yujin escorted Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou to a cozy little hut for the night. Inuyasha stayed in his favorite tree, and Mesu went to her hut with Kilala. As Kilala slept peacefully, Mesu rummaged through the dusty remains of her former life in the village. She stopped when she found a particular memento. It was a necklace, childishly woven from now dried lavender. It was a gift from Inuyasha when they were children. Tear welled in her eyes as she remembered the moment he gave it to her.

Flashback

"Mesu!" a young Inuyasha cried out. Mesu watched curiously from her hiding spot as Inuyasha tried desperately to find her. "Come on Mesu. I have something I want to give you." Intrigued, Mesu jumped down from the branch she was hiding on, landing behind Inuyasha. She then tapped on his shoulder. "There you are!" he exclaimed, turning to her. "What do you want to give me?" she inquired. "Close your eyes." he instructed. Sighing heavily she closed her eyes. "No peeking." he said, slipping the necklace over her head. "It smells like lavender. Can I look now?" she asked. "Yes. You can open your eyes now." he answered. She opened her eyes and looked at the blossoms around her neck. "Thank you." she smiled. "This must've taken a long time to do.....But why are you giving it to me?" He beamed as he replied. "Because I love you Mesuken! And when we get older I'm gonna make you my mate!" he yelled out at the top of his lungs. She smiled and laughed at him. "You're silly." she giggled. "So. My mama told me boys do silly things when they're in love." he retorted. "And that's different from the way you normally act how?" she inquired, running from him. "Hey! That's not funny!" he yelled, running after her.

End Flashback

"Lost in your sea of memories?" Yujin asked, entering the little hut, interrupting Mesu's thoughts. "I suppose I was." Mesu chuckled in response. Yujin smiled when she saw the necklace in Mesu's hands. "You were thinking about when Inuyasha told you he'd make you his mate, weren't you?" Yujin inquired. "He was so young and it was so long ago, he probably doesn't even remember. Not that it matters anyway." she said tossing the necklace aside. "You still haven't told him, have you?" Yujin asked. "No. I haven't." Mesu replied. "And I don't think I will." "Why not?" Yujin wondered. "Because he's heart belongs to another. I don't want to interfere with his happiness." she said softly. Mesu's eyes shifted from Yujin to the floor. "My dear, dear friend." Yujin said kneeling beside Mesu. "How you must be suffering." Yujin wrapped her arms around Mesu's shoulders. "Sometimes I wish I was human. So that he would fall in love with me." Mesu whispered. Yujin just held her close, comforting her in her sorrow.

Outside, an agent of Naraku was listening to Mesu's wish and noticing her sorrow. Smiling to itself, it disappeared to report to Naraku.

Voila! Chapter seven. These chapters are getting done faster than I expected. And thus the plot thickens. If any of you are getting bored, just stick with it. It gets better, I promise. Enjoy 