Title: Contemplation
Genre: Drama
Universe: Canon
Rating: T
Warnings: A touch of angst
Word Count: 349
Summary: Kagome finally learns what happened to Rin.
.xxxxx.
Sesshoumaru knelt by the stone marker, tracing the inscription upon it with one claw. This place was so quiet…he was easily taken back to the last time he'd seen her – her innocent laughter ringing in his ears once again, the love and shy longing in her gaze as she raised her eyes to his…
"My darling," she whispered, a blush rising to her cheeks as she looked up at him…
He closed his eyes against the assault of memories, but the anticipated wave of regret did not wash through him. Instead, a blanket of cautious calmness permeated the air…and he realized he was no longer alone.
"How did you find me?" he asked dully, his eyes still trained on the marker.
"I followed you," Kagome replied, coming to a halt just behind him. "I was worried."
"Hm." If that was true, then he was satisfied that she kept the greater part of her concern to herself. Even though his youki had won the war against her blood some time ago, thereby shielding him from the acute sensations that accompanied her constantly shifting emotions, those feelings still affected him more than he cared to admit.
He stood swiftly when he heard the soft brush of her hakama against the grass, bowing his head and allowing his hair to fall over his face. She moved to his side, her eyes sweeping over the small statue that marked Rin's grave.
"She died in childbirth?" Kagome questioned, unable to temper her surprise.
He felt her gaze rise to his face, piercing through the shielding curtain of his hair.
He drew his mouth into a thin, grim line. "It wasn't mine," he informed her tightly, turning away.
"But she wanted it to be?" she mused, picking up on some hint in his tone. He made to leave, but she latched onto his arm, ceasing his movements.
He glanced back at her, eyes narrowing when he felt the cool clasp of her hand on his sleeve, only to immediately regret the action, as he saw her eyes light with new understanding.
"Or maybe you did?"
