I Am Me; No One Else

Chapter 20: Kaede's Village and Entry to the Western Lands

The group had travelled for less than two weeks before they reached the border of the village near Inuyasha forest. Kagome had wondered why the trip had seemed shorter this time and Midoriko's spirit told her it was because she had been taken on the longer route to the temple so she knew where it was as the shorter one while quicker was definitely much more dangerous due to the amount of demon activity there and how closed off it was.

There was second short version of the path, but it only led out from the temple, so this was the one she had used and was why it seemed shorter on-route back to the village she had started her journey from.

Kagome had understood and shared the information with the group; which had garnered some level of odd looks considering how much Kagome endured on the path. However, the miko herself told them then that if she had gone on that way; it was more likely she and Sesshoumaru would be rotting corpses than living beings by now.

The silence then had permeated among them for the next hour as they walked while Shippou had ignored the intended mention of his adoptive mom and dad being dead for some reasoning.

--

Upon the approach of the village, the people there gathered at the entrance and questioned Sango and Miroku of the new people there. Sango merely informed them that they had important news for Kaede and she should not be kept waiting.

The villagers quieted and parted for them; though hesitantly, and watched as they proceeded to the elder miko's hut in the back of the small village.

Kaede was out in her herb garden gathering herbs from it when she felt the two massive auras approaching and stood slowly to see who came to her home. Her eyes widened as she recognized Kagome now, but was saddened to see Inuyasha was not with her though his elder brother was.

She approached them softly, "Come inside and have some tea after a long travel. I seem to think ye all will need it." She said

Kagome bowed in respect to her and she entered the home with the others. Kaede had Sango fix tea with her before they sat down and Kaede eyed the group in wonder.

"Kagome, you have changed greatly since I last have set these old eyes on ye in the last two years. It is good to see you fair well, as much as it is a relief to know Sango, Miroku, and Shippou are alive and well due to the perilous times we live in."

"I also note you have brought Lord Sesshoumaru here with you, but that Inuyasha is absent from your company?" She queried

Kagome bowed her head in sadness, "Kaede-sama, it is my utmost sorrow to tell you that Kikyo has been laid to final rest as has Inuyasha. I had to kill Kikyo to retrieve the portion of my soul that she stole from me. Inuyasha's demon blood went out of control and while Sesshoumaru tried to make him see reason; Inuyasha was too far gone after I ended Kikiyo's life. To prevent him from becoming a monster to even himself; Sesshoumaru was forced to kill him and end his suffering."

"Midoriko-dono told me this might have to happen, and she was correct for he turned on me and tried to kill me even when he knew what I had done was to safeguard the jewel." She said softly

Kaede bowed her head, "I see. At least my sister knows no further suffering and pain from the form she had before and Inuyasha now has a chance to be with her as he wanted to in their next life."

"He protected this village for Kikiyo when she was called away on miko errands to nearby towns and villages and maintained safe roads for people to travel on here. He will be missed and while I loved my sister; I know she would be more upset if I mourned too hard for her and the life she had been forced to live. The real her would not wish this, and the clay version of her will not count as it was no more than a bad imitation of her."