Chapter 7 - Talking Things Over

Kiara led Kagome to the gardens. The human's eyebrows rose slightly at the vast expanse of land, but she didn't comment. Kiara's bright red eyes swept over the acres and acres of land, there were large patches of carefully plotted flowers with the occasional clusters of trees to provide shade. Her gaze lingered on a wide lake that shimmered in the sunlight.

Eying an ancient tree that overlooked the lake, Kiara walked over to it. The two settled in the grass beneath the towering branches, relishing the significantly cooler temperature in the shade. Kagome rested her head against the thick trunk and stared up at the azure sky.

"Kagome…" Kiara paused until she felt the miko's gaze shift to her. Staring straight out at the water, the redhead struggled to word her inquiry as sensitively as possible, "What happened that night? Why did Sesshomaru-sama bring you here?" Kiara finally brought herself to look at the miko and noticed her glistening orbs.

Kagome blinked, her mind replaying the events of that night. She averted her gaze and finally murmured, "Inu Yasha betrayed me."

Sensing that she had more to say, Kiara remained quiet.

Praying that her voice wouldn't quaver, Kagome continued, "So I ran away from it all… and Sesshomaru found me." Kagome sniffed and wiped her eyes. Forcing a smile she met Kiara's gaze. "And that's pretty much all I remember."

Kiara frowned inwardly, had she been knocked out? Was that why she didn't remember how she got here? Pulling the miko into a hug, Kiara's thoughts raced. 'He betrayed her…?'

Kagome's eyes widened and she pulled out of the hug, "Where's Rin?" Her eyes scanned the grassy hills and found that they were empty. She looked back at Kiara to find the girl in a similar panic. They were about to get up and start looking when a smooth voice stopped them short.

"Looking for something?"

Looking up simultaneously the girls beamed to see Kiome holding Rin's hand. Kagome released a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

Rin yawned and releasing Kiome's hand, sat cross-legged in the grass next to Kagome. The miko reclined against the tree and allowed Rin to lean similarly against her.

Kiara focussed her attention on the returning demoness, she looked tired and she was covered in dirt. Her bright red hair was tied back and filled with dirt and twigs, she was dressed in a black, skin-tight combat suit. Swords were strapped to her waist, a bow and quiver to her back and Kiome knew there were several smaller compartments hidden on the suit; used to house smaller weapons. The suit was muddy and her face sported several dark smudges of dirt. Despite her appearance though, Kiome's eyes were bright.

"Where did you go?" Kiara questioned.

"I just went to take care of a demon that was causing trouble."

"It took that long?"

"Actually it was at the far end of the western lands, so it took a while to get there and back."

"I see."

The girls quieted and glanced at the humans. They both had started to doze off.

Quietly, Kiome stated, "She was crying."

"Hnn… she was telling me what happened. Or at least what she remembered."

"And?"

"She doesn't remember much. She told me that Inu Yasha betrayed her and she ran… and then Sesshomaru-sama found her."

"That's it?"

"That's it."

Kiome stared at the human troubled, "Well, I'm going to tell Sesshomaru-sama that I'm back."

"Does that mean I go back to being guestless?"

Kiome cracked a smile before disappearing, "No, I'll request that the both of us be able to watch over Kagome."

Kiara nodded and gazed out at sky. A single cloud had appeared in the distance.

'What happened Kagome?'

"Lady Kaede!" Sango called excitedly, racing toward the old woman in the village.

"Calm down, child, you might hurt somebody," Kaede advised.

"I know a way to speed up Inu Yasha's recovery!"

Kaede sighed, "I told you already; that is something that cannot be rushed."

"No, this will actually work."

"You must give Inu Yasha time," the aged miko snapped impatiently.

Having enough of the women's bickering, Miroku stepped in, "Kaede-sama, listen to what we have to say before you say no. You can say whatever you want after you have listened to our idea."

Kaede eyed the monk before nodding, "If I say that this plan will not work, then you must forget about it and leave Inu Yasha alone," she warned.

Sango felt the woman's eyes resting expectantly on her and she grudgingly nodded her agreement.

"Very well, let's go to my hut and discuss things."

Soon the three were seated in Kaede's hut.

"Now, what is your plan?"

"We plan on moving Inu Yasha," Miroku answered immediately.

"Why would you do that? How do you think that that will help?" Kaede questioned skeptically.

"Well, it would help, because this area holds too many memories of Kagome. Like the well for example, Kagome wouldn't have even come through and met Inu Yasha," Sango rationalized.

"And Goshinboku, that is where Kagome actually met Inu Yasha for the first time," Miroku added.

"Even Inu Yasha's Forest, it also contains numerous memories of Kagome," Sango finished, wishing that her best friend—her sister would come back to her.

Kaede paused a moment, considering what had just been said. Finally, she spoke, "Hai, you have a point, but where and how will we get Inu Yasha to move?"

"…We were kind of hoping that you would know the answer to that," Miroku said sheepishly.

"That will require some thought," Kaede mumbled, already deep in thought.

Just then, Kirara sauntered in and meowed lazily.

"That's it!" Sango cried, "It's perfect!"

A/N) somehow as the chapters go on it's taking me longer and longer to rewrite them. This one took me an entire day and i didn't even post it 'til the next day.. :/

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