It was the last battle between their group and Naraku, Kagome had managed to get Lord Ice Prick to actually care. He had been traveling with them for a while, Rin and Shippo stayed with Kaede to be out of harm's way. Things were planned out as best as could be expected, Sango, Miroku, Koga, and his brothers were taking down the Naraku threw out at them. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, Kagome, and Kikyo fought Naraku, Kikyo was closer to Inuyasha and Kagome was closer to Sesshomaru. Sesshomaru knew Inuyasha already picked the dead whore, so he had vowed to protect Kagome, only he would never admit it to anyone but himself. They had given their final blow and Naraku was turning to ash but at the last minute Naraku shot out his tentacle into Kagome's stomach and slamming her into a tree. Sesshomaru nor anyone else expected it to happen. Everyone was supposed to meet back at Kaede's hut after the fight was over, Kikyo and Inuyasha saw Kagome leaning against the tree,
"Come on Inuyasha, lets get you back to the hut, your hurt," Kikyo pulling on his arm,
"I've gotta get to Kagome, she needs our…" Inuyasha stunned to see Sesshomaru racing over to her.
"Kagome," Inuyasha whispered,
"Come on, leave them alone," Kikyo whispered to Inuyasha,
"Yeah," Inuyasha steaming mad as they walked away. Sesshomaru had made his way over to Kagome with his demon speed, the tentacle had already turned to ash but she was dying very slowly. Sesshomaru moved her and sat against the tree and held her up against his chest.
"Miko, this Sesshomaru has the jewel," Sesshomaru slipping it into her palm, he curled her fingers over it and held his hand over her balled fist.
"Koga and Kohaku keep their shards, that's what I want," Kagome's breathing labored.
"Try to relax, this Sesshomaru will bring you back," Sesshomaru whispered,
"You cant… I've done what I was meant to do, burn my body and dig a hole, find a young witch to curse the jewel so it can never be used for its power again, put it in the hole and cover it good, it's the only way," Kagome coughing up blood.
"This Sesshomaru will honor your request," Sesshomaru whispered,
"Thank you Sesshomaru, I guess you weren't quick enough," Kagome closing her eyes and leaning her head back against his shoulder.
"What do you mean miko?" Sesshomaru brushing her hair out of her face,
"Please, call me by my name, its Kagome, I saw the look you gave me, you promised yourself you would protect me, because Inuyasha chose Kikyo, I am not her, I'm just me, Kagome Higurashi," Kagome swallowing hard.
"I know, Kagome, this Sesshomaru apologizes that he couldn't protect you," Sesshomaru lowly.
"I'm just a weak human, nothing more, but at least we got him, together, make sure those ashes are hidden well so he cant be used again," Kagome seriously.
"This Sesshomaru has plans to do it, you are much more than you realize Kagome, you will be known throughout history, this Sesshomaru vows to you," Sesshomaru explained.
"All I want is someone to watch over them and make it right with your half brother, he's had a rough life, he needs you as much as you need him, he is your only family you have left, tell Rin and Shippo I'll be their guardian angel for the rest of their life, it will help them process better, help my friends through this time," Kagome softly.
"This Sesshomaru gives you his word," Sesshomaru not knowing how she was still alive, she was losing a lot of blood and turning pale.
"It hurts, I'm trying to be strong in your presence but it hurts, please, end it," Kagome whispered into his neck, Sesshomaru's jaw twitched, he knew it would be so easy to thrust his sword into her or just prick her with his claws and let the poison take over. He wanted to take her pain away, but he had already vowed to protect her and even though he had failed to do so she was still alive and he would still protect her even if it were from himself,
"I have vowed to protect your life, you will not die by my hand, I am sorry," Sesshomaru explained.
"No, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked you, Sesshomaru I do not want you to blame yourself for this or anyone else to blame themselves, can I ask one last request?" Kagome softly.
"Yes Kagome," Sesshomaru lowly,
"Can you kiss me? I know you probably don't know what it is but…" Kagome being interrupted, Sesshomaru had turned her gently in his arm,
"Thank you for staying with me," Kagome coughing up blood again,
"This Sesshomaru wouldn't leave you behind," Sesshomaru wiping away the blood, gently he pressed his lips to hers, he even went as far as French kissing her. While they were kissing a dull pink hue surrounded them, after a few minutes Kagome's body fell limp in his arm, he could smell it now, she was fading away from the living and was greeting death at the door. He stared down at her,
"You were my friend," Kagome's words slipping from her mouth as she lost her connection to the land of the living.
"You were this Sesshomaru's only friend," Sesshomaru laying her on the ground, he stood up and took his sword that usually vibrated right out of its sheath and was ready to bring her back once he saw the little demons that were supposed to chain and take her soul to the afterlife. The little demons came but his sword did not sing or vibrate, he tried to cut the little demons down but his sword didn't work and the little demons chained her soul and took her away.
"Do not blame yourself, everything is as it should be," Kagome's words floating in the wind. Sesshomaru fell to his knees, never in his life had he felt so helpless, he had stood there just watching them take her soul away and he couldn't save her. He leaned back against the tree and pulled her body into his lap with his new arm she had given him back in her last moments and held her close as he stared up at the crescent moon shinning down on them, a tear graced his stoic cheek as he cried like a pup, he noticed her hand was still balled into a relaxed fist, he gently took her hand and uncurled her fingers to find a pure bright shiny half jewel.
"You did well Kagome Higurashi," Sesshomaru smirking, he ripped a piece of her clothing and took the jewel and the shards in her necklace and laid them close together on the cloth, the pieces fitted themselves into one almost whole jewel. Sesshomaru tied the cloth up with the jewel inside and stuck it in his sleeve.
"Time to take you home Lady Kagome," Sesshomaru standing with her in his arms, he slowly made his way to Kaede's village.