"I'm sorry!"
"I know Master didn't mean to. It's just that I..."
Hearing Yae Sakura's explanation, Kaede's pent-up anger immediately deflated. She had not truly been angry with her master; too many things had happened, and she often found herself thinking that none of it would have occurred if Yae Sakura had been there.
"It's all right. It's my fault for coming back so late. What exactly happened to Kikyo?"
Yae Sakura stroked Kaede's head. Though it was not her fault, she did not dwell on it and simply apologized softly.
"Big Sister... She's all right now. She was recovering with Lord Shiranui on Kyushu Island before going to the Western Lands... It seems she's heading toward Kyoto now!"
She rubbed her eyes with her little hands, only to wet them with tears. Though many things had happened, thankfully they had all passed. Still, Kaede was somewhat disappointed that Yae Sakura had not arrived when her sister was in the greatest danger.
"Can you tell me the details?"
Though Kaede said it was all right now, something serious must have happened before. For instance, in Kagome's memories, Kikyo had nearly fallen and become a demon.
Whether the matter had truly been resolved was still uncertain.
"I can! But it's a long story, and this isn't a convenient place. Let's go back to the village first!"
Kaede nodded. Though she was disappointed that Yae Sakura had not come when her sister was in the greatest danger, she was still very happy that Sister Sakura had returned.
"All right, we'll do as Kaede says."
The little tagalong who had once followed Kikyo around had now grown into a shrine maiden with ideas of her own.
"But, Sister Sakura, who is she? Why does she look exactly like Big Sister?!" Kaede looked again