Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Flowers for Kikyo
Kaede had agreed to teach Suriya about herbs, but she wasn't sure how to start. "Um, do I start now?"
Suriya smiled. "Are there any herbs that need to be collected? Or, maybe you just point out herbs as we go to the creek, and explain what they are and what they're used for?"
The girl nodded. "And how to tell them apart," she added. "There's lots of plants that look alike, and you can get into trouble if you're not careful."
"Really? See? Something learned already?" Suriya laughed. "Lead on, Kaede-chan."
It was neither the best time or year or time of day for most herbs, but there were seeds and roots that could be gathered. Kaede dithered, but decided not to try gathering. She wasn't ready to guess what herbs Amaya, the old herbalist, would want to have.
So, they wandered at no particular speed towards the closest trickle of water, Kaede keeping alert. Twice, she stopped, once to gather a seed head, and once to pick two plants that one first appearance, were very similar. As they approached the water, her eye was caught by a patch of blue and purple.
She froze in sudden memory.
"Kaede?"
"It's—it's been about a year," she whispered. "I-I was looking for bellflowers, when a centipede demon tried to kidnap me. He saved me…"
"He?"
"Inuyasha." It hurt, remembering. He'd looked so heroic, but acted so oddly.
"Those are Kikyo's namesakes, aren't they?"
She nodded, trembling. No, she wouldn't cry!
A hand touched her shoulder. "Shall we pick some, and take them to Kikyo's grave?"
She'd been avoiding the grave, not wanting to remember. But, she felt shame at that; to be neglectful of her sister's spirit…"
"O-okay."
Author's Note: This piece was written for the "Inuyasha's Unsung Heroes" community on LiveJournal, for the prompt "Teach." It was originally posted on December 31st, 2011. It took first place. (2/25/2012)