Author's note: I just had the urge to redo everything all over again. It's a tad bit different from the original epilogue but I prefer this one over old one. This is dedicated to everybody who's trying to nurse a broken heart.

" " – talking out loud/conversations

' ' – thoughts

italicized– written in paper

bold – answering machine or phone conversations

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, and probably never will.           

Moonless Dark

By: mars'mallows

Epilogue

Sara Kazuki

672-7863

It was a simple mistake to have come across a slip of paper in her fiancé's coat pocket. But if such a thing was the reason for his detachment, she had every right to doubt. Kagome Higurashi wasn't a jealous woman by nature since her soon to be husband had given her no room for it. His coldness and rude attitude towards others had made her feel that she was the only special woma- no, the only special PERSON in his world and that made her trust him completely. Whatever her lover said would be the truth because he was known to be a man of his word, only now, it didn't seem like it.

Several months ago their relationship seemed perfectly fine. A few fights here and there were common for a couple, right? But something changed and she was sure that it was not her, it was him. He had, in some twisted way, moved way beyond her reach. He had become just as cold to her as he was with everyone else and that hurt more than anything. When did several years of love go? And now, the answer was literally in her hands. It was with a woman that wasn't her.

The thought was sickening that the man she had loved since forever, the man she had given her everything to was being unfaithful right under her nose. The short kisses, the lack of warmth in his voice, in his attitude, in his everything had been sure signs that she had failed to notice. She was still willing to think that the number was just a mistake. That he had been doing everything that he told her. That he just forgot to throw the number away or he had not noticed that someone slipped it inside his pocket. She snorted to herself. That was impossible since the paper looked like it was shoved inside the pocket, HIS pocket, more than a couple of times.

She hastily wiped the tears that had been so insistent on falling and had started to fold his clothes neatly. There was no use crying over something she had yet to prove. But deep in her heart she knew the truth. He wasn't faithful and that was that. But nobody could blame her for trying to deny it. She had heard a rumor about it before but had tried to shrug it off and she felt stupid for not believing her friends; her friends who had been with her even before she dated Sesshoumaru Taisho. And she remembered how she snapped at them and told them to never speak ill of her fiancé again, hurting them in the process.

It was past 11:00 pm already and there was no use waiting for him to come to their apartment and eat dinner. With that she walked slowly towards the dining area, taking every step as if she had some heavy thing on top of her shoulders. Tonight was supposed to be special. She had cooked roast beef (his favorite dish), caramelize asparagus, baked potatoes with sour cream and had bought a bottle of red wine to go with it. She had used the best china and the best silverware they had. She even lit candles and had some rose petals scattered all over table for a more romantic homey feel. It didn't matter anymore though, none of it mattered, he wasn't coming and she was sure of that.

A surge of anger overcame her and for a split second she lost herself to grief, disbelief, hatred and disgust. She had not noticed the broken glass; she did not pay attention to anything as she smashed some of the dishes and the crystal vase that had once carried the remaining roses she bought and most of all she did not notice the blood that flowed freely from her hand. She was blinded by the turmoil of emotions she was experiencing at THAT moment. She cried and laughed.

She could care less.

It took a while before the occurrence registered. Her blue eyes grew wide with fear, fear for what was happening to her when she had never been this destructive before. She stared at the dinner she had prepared that was now scattered across the floor. But after a few minutes, she had rushed to clean everything up. What if he came home and saw the mess she made? If he had any love left for her then, he wouldn't have any now. She went on her knees and picked up everything and threw it inside the trashcan, she then took some dishwashing liquid and peroxide to remove the stains from the carpet. She had pondered about what to do with the broken china and had decided to order new ones of the same kind tomorrow.

'He wouldn't even notice, he's not home most of the time anyway…' She thought bitterly.

Once she was sure that she would leave no trace of her little tantrum she got up and went to the bathroom. The clock read 2:35 am already and still, he was not home. She removed all her clothes and put her robe on. While waiting for the tub to fill with hot water, she decided to clean the cuts adorning both of her hands and after doing so decided to wrap a few bandages around them after she took her bath. It was difficult since it stung but it was nothing compared to the pain inside her heart. She took her dirty clothes, a simple black halter dress and a silver bolero top, and put it in the washer. Now that everything was settled, she put her hair up in a bun, a few strands of her rich black hair falling, and submerged herself completely in the tub. Thinking that maybe in doing so, she would forget how to breathe and just die. If ever that did happen, she wouldn't have to face him and his stupid lies anymore. Anything would have been better than that.

She snapped out of her underwater trance when she heard the phone ring and the answering machine start.

"Hello, It seems that Sesshoumaru and I are either busy, away or asleep so just leave a message after the beep and we will return your call as soon as we can… beep"

"Kagome, if you are still awake, it seems that this Sesshoumaru has been delayed in his office once again and was not able to call earlier because of business matters. I am on my way home now and will be there in 10 minutes." His voice, a rich smooth baritone could be heard echoing all over their apartment.

After hearing that, she instinctively grabbed her towel and tried to dry herself off quick. There was no way she would ever let him see her in this state. Forgetting to wrap some bandages around her hands, she closed all the lights in their apartment and rushed towards the bed to feign sleep. She waited for a couple of minutes to hear the sound of door opening and closing before closing her eyes shut. She heard his footsteps walking towards their bedroom and also heard him taking off his clothes before slipping into bed with her. Back then he would wrap his arms around her and pull her closer but he did not do anything like so far. A fresh set of tears began to fall from her eyes and she willed for them to go away.

For a second it seemed that he suddenly tensed, but it was only for a second. She then felt it; his arms wrapping around her small frame and pulling her closer to him, but it seemed awkward. It seemed… foreign. She tried not to sigh, she tried not to squirm, she tried her very best to not feel uncomfortable with him but it wasn't the same. Things would never be the same, it hadn't been for quite some time now and she was sure that tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow would not be able to give her the same love they once have shared.

He knew that she wasn't really asleep but decided to not comment on it. He wanted to apologize for not being there for dinner and she had been so excited about that for the whole week. Something tugged in his heart but he refused to acknowledge it or at least to find out what it was. Something was nagging him at the back of his head and a sense of foreboding was slowly creeping up to him no matter how many times he would try to ignore it. Things were getting out of hand but he was too stubborn to admit it.

"Happy Anniversary Sesshoumaru…" She whispered softly, a few teardrops served on the side.

Indeed it was a happy one.

a/n: I am full of angst but I'm not emo. Reviews and constructive criticisms are welcome but take note that no amount of begging will ever make me create a happy ending for this piece. You are capable of influencing the story though. I'm undecided if I should include demons here or not, what do you guys think?