I do not own any characters of Rumiko Takahashi.
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The archives of the House of the Moon tell of a holy miko, shining with a powerful light unlike the Feudal Era had ever seen before. Though not of noble blood, her compassion could thaw the hearts of both man and demon. As a child truly blessed by the heavens, The Demon Priestess, fighting alongside the gods and demons in the Battle of the Western Lands, ushered a new age of peace among man and demon alike.
…Book of The House of the Moon…
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Kagome Higurashi realized that peace could not reign over the Feudal Era for long. She'd thought that with the destruction of the jewel, she'd actually gained her happy ending by returning to Inuyasha's side. She'd found love, another family, and found her true place as a Miko in Kaede's village.
But she'd only been staving off the inevitable. Bloodshed, war, and death were a reality in this world—and it really was as far removed from the Modern Era world as her mind could accept. Her fragile reality shatters one spring day, when she'd been returning from a neighboring village with Inuyasha. They'd dealt with a few average monkey demons that had been tormenting the local businesses, scaring them off for what Inuyasha had estimated would be several decades. Then, while they'd walked down the path, Inuyasha had suddenly stiffened and fallen to one knee, clutching at his heart.
Poison had felled the hanyou that had helped defeat Naraku. They'd lived in bliss for five years, and a simple fever, so seemingly mortal and torturous, had destroyed it all in a matter of days. Inuyasha had collapsed for good as soon as they'd reached Kaede's village, his body consumed with a heat that pervaded every cranny of their hut. Kagome had tucked him under blankets, expecting him to sweat it off with his demon immune system, but it soon became apparent that he was not healing. Kagome had used the last of her medicine from her era, but the fever didn't abate. She'd considered dragging Inuyasha to the Bone Eater's Well and taking him to a hospital, but everyone had dissuaded her of that idea—it hadn't been active since she'd come back for the last time. Sango had ridden Kirara to find Jinenji, but in the end, she'd been too late. Inuyasha, the most powerful hanyou, burned up in the night, with Kagome by his side.
Kagome had howled then, one of the most mournful sounds that had ever left her mouth. She'd screamed and yelled for as long as her throat had allowed. She was aware that she was saying "no" almost breathlessly, and her stomach felt hollow. She'd grasped at Inuyasha's red robe- the robe of the fire rat that had protected and clothed her on more than one occasion, an article of clothing that was so easily identifiable as Inuyasha's. She'd curled over him, her mouth to his neck, and stayed there for nearly three days before Sango had removed her slack body from his side.
Inuyasha's death shocked them all, for no matter how often they'd faced life-threatening danger together, they'd never truly believed that Inuyasha would leave them.
Miroku lead the funeral rites, but Kagome hardly remembered it at all. She'd replayedher memories of the rash hanyou, from the first moment that his golden eyes had pierced hers in the forest. Some beautiful words were shared from friends, and then Inuyasha's body was burned, since Rin had informed them that the Tenseiga's period of effectiveness had passed. Kagome had spoken only to remind them that his robe would have to be removed for the ceremony, or the fire would be useless. Inuyasha had been dressed in white instead of red. The embers burned for nearly a week. During that time, Kagome had not been the only one to suffer—Sango had suffered a miscarriage a few days later from the sorrow. The two women had mourned together, yet separately, for their lost loved ones—Kagome, who'd held an immortal vision of Inuyasha in her heart, and Sango, who'd never held her fourth child in her arms.
Kagome had thrown herself down into the Bone Eater's well, ignoring how she'd jarred her ankles, and wept. She'd clawed and beat the damp, hard earth with her fingers until all her energy was spent. If only the well had opened up one more time, Inuyasha would still be alive. If only the jewel hadn't disappeared. If only she'd been strong enough to force her way back home.
If only she'd never come to the Feudal Era to begin with.
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The idea of having a youkai clan being referred to as the "House of the Moon" was inspired by the story "Tales From the House of the Moon" by Resmiranda, so you should go give it a read!
