A/N: Heh, it's been a while. Just thought I'd make some attempt to get back into the swing of things and all that good stuff.


Small Town Musings

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The quaint little bell above the shop door rang cheerfully and jolted him from his brooding, a habit that had become all too frequent in the past few months.

There she was, appearing in the small-town pharmacy as if by magic in response to his tumultuous thoughts.

Kagome.

He ducked into the aisle closest to him, wary of getting caught. No, that would be all too unfortunate, especially considering his current situation. He really shouldn't have followed her here, but his need had overcome his brain's cautionings. He knew, of course, but he hadn't really believed it until now...and it hit him like a kick in the gut.

He had no right anymore.

He had to brace himself on the shelf against the sudden, rolling nausea at the thought.

Here he was, the most successful businessman in the country, though it hadn't always been that way. Hah. Once upon a time, he too had been just another of the millions of college students, struggling desperately just to get by, both financially and educationally. That's when he met her, and everything changed.

For her. Everything he had done, accomplished, worked so hard for had been for her.

Not that it made any difference anymore.

He watched her browse, drifting through the store with a contented smile on that beautiful face he knew so well. He should, since it was the same one that haunted him constantly, both waking and dreaming.

Why, Kagome? Didn't I give you everything? Didn't I risk it all for you?

His eyes slid closed with pain as he remembered, relived their life together in a matter of seconds. Why did it have to hurt so damned much?

He opened his eyes and blinked. Where was she? She had been right there! He fought a surge of panic as his eyes frantically searched the aisles, then calmed as his gaze fell on her once again.

He watched as she picked up a small white box, comparing it to another in her hand, and he slowly began to understand.

No. Anything but that...you couldn't be that cruel, Kagome...

She shrugged and smiled to herself carrying both boxes over to the register. The old cashier smiled kindly at her.

"Will that be all for you today, miss?" he asked as she slid them onto the worn counter.

Maybe you could...

His heart constricted painfully in his chest, the heart that more than a few in his life had said didn't exist. Well he sure as hell felt it now.

"Yes sir," she replied cheerfully. The old man handed her the small paper bag and her receipt.

"If you don't mind my asking, miss, but are you hoping for a girl or a boy?"

"A boy. I'll have a baby boy."

"How do you know?" Kagome smiled serenely at the kindly old man.

"A mother just knows these things." And with that, she made her way to the door.

That cheap, annoying bell clanged loudly as she left, and Sesshoumaru watched the woman of his dreams walk out of his life for the second time, the old unspoken words still hanging in the air.

Kagome...I'm sorry...


A/N: Alright, that's it, people. Of course, this presents me with the opportunity to add on, maybe a prequel, or both. Dunno, just depends. Many apologies for my prolonged absence, and I'll get around to updating FBN, no worries.