Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters, nor do I make any money from this. I am simply a fan writing a new plot.
A/N: There are always many casualties in any war. Not all are deaths or physical wounds. Too often there are emotional wounds that run just as deep if not deeper. Enjoy the final part. :)
XOXOXO:
It was an overcast day as the closed wooden caskets lay in a nice neat line in front of the massive crowd. A large black marble stone toward into the sky with the names of the fallen soldiers intricately carved in gold near the bottom. Several Marines stood in their dress blues with white berets and saluted the plaque as somber music filled the air.
A priest stood in a navy blue suit clutching the podium. "Heavenly father, today we have gathered before you to honor our fallen brethren. We commend their souls into your almighty hands, that they may know eternal peace." He bowed his head and silence fell over the massive crowd who were all dressed in black formals.
All of the surviving soldiers and the family members of the fallen soldiers stood in attendance as the twenty-one gun salute was fired. The flag, which symbolized everything they had died fighting for, waved at half mass in tribute to the fallen soldiers.
Kagome stood at the front of the crowd with the other soldiers families, holding the hand of a young child. Tears streamed down both of their cheeks. The child wrapped its arms around it's mother's leg and sobbed.
Kagome's hand lightly squeezed her child's as tears continued to fall. She couldn't believe that he was gone. He'd been so determined to go out and make the world a better place. He'd always seemed so invincible and now… he was lost to her forever. Her free hand lay over her heart which was silently breaking.
After the guns ceased firing Brent walked over holding out the folded flag with three shell casings wrapped in it. "Major Bankotsu requested that in the even anything should happen to him, that this would be given to you to hold on to until the little one grows up. He wanted the kiddo to keep this and remember him for the hero he was."
Her chin quivered as she reached out for the flag with a shaky hand and held it to her chest. She nodded unable to speak and then ducked her head allowing her tears to soak into the cloth.
"Mommy, why did daddy have to leave?" The child stared up at her with big, innocent eyes.
Her heart constricted in her chest as a fresh wave of tears washed down her face.
Brent knelt down in front of the child and smiled. "Your daddy was a brave man. He saved many lives in the field."
"Wow, really?" The kid's watery smile was almost her undoing.
Brent smiled. "Do you see Mateo over there?" He pointed to a soldier sitting in a wheel chair with a woman standing behind him. Her hand rested on his shoulder.
The kid nodded.
Brent stared into the child's eyes. "Your daddy is the reason that man was able to come home to his pregnant wife. It was your daddy who rescued that man and the two standing over there by the guns. He made sure that all of them were okay and then stayed behind to fight the bad guys so that we could get to safety."
The kid smiled and their eyes widened with awe. The little chest puffed out and tears trailed down the kid's cheek. "My daddy really was a hero."
Brent nodded. "One of the best. Because of him the rest of our group made it home to our families and many other innocent lives were spared as well." He ruffled the kid's hair. "A part of him will always live on inside of you."
The child's eyes widened. "Really?"
Brent smiled. "His memory will live on in the hearts of every person he's ever touched. And trust me kid, that is a whole lot of people."
The kid smiled with tears in their eyes. "I love my daddy and I miss him so much."
Brent nodded. "Your daddy loved you very much. You were one of his greatest gifts." He cuffed the kid on the chin. "Always remember that."
The kid nodded. "I will." The kid latched on to its mother's leg and cried with a mixture of sadness and happiness.
Kagome stared at Brent still unable to speak. She smiled at him and mouthed two words. "Thank you."
Brent saluted her and the kid and then returned to his place at the head of the memorial.
The president walked up to the podium and cleared his throat. "Many good men were lost. But their sacrifices were not in vain. These men put everything on the line to protect their country and its people. This plaque is to remind us of every man who has given his all in the line of duty. Not one of them will ever be forgotten. Brave men like these are what truly make America a free country where we can live in peace."
Kagome held the flag to her chest and sobbed uncontrollably as the coffins were lifted and prepared to lower into the ground. Sure, they'd had their differences, but they would be tied together forever through their child. She was going to make certain their child never forgot him.
Brent saluted the coffins and tears pricked his eyes. He was sorry that so many good men had been lost. 'At least they died fighting for a cause that they believed in.' He took off his beret and bowed his head, as did the rest of the soldiers. 'I hope that when my time comes, my death will mean something as well.'
In unison the front line of Marines placed a small bouquet of red, white and blue roses onto each of the coffins and then returned to their spots. Each man saluted the coffins as they were lowered into the ground while the somber music continued to play. As the music finished the sky opened up with a light drizzle almost as if it were weeping for the fallen men as well.
XOXOXO:
A/N: Many soldiers die every day and unfortunately not many of them are honored as was written in this story. Let's keep them and their families in our prayers. I hope that you enjoyed this fic. I'd love to hear your opinions about it. XD
