Disclaimer: Nothing in this story belongs to me. I'm merely acting as the translator of a SessKik fanfiction called 莲事 by 绯雪重楼 since I wish to share it with readers who cannot read or understand Chinese. If there are any issues relating to copyright from the author, then I'll remove this story without hassle at once.

Translator's Notes: Alright! This is the last chapter that depicts SessKik in more details. Much like the last chapter, it is not needed to comprehend the plot of this tale, though I do think it serves to amplify the feels (at least for me). Honestly, this has been a great project to work on. It was personally a lot of fun and I'm grateful for the readers who have been leaving their feedback and thus supporting this translation. Thank you so much for sticking with me until the very end!

fabelliot: Thank you for your unfailing support. Indeed, this tale is tragic, with fate playing a sick joke on Sesshomaru and Kikyo. Not only are they separated from each other, but Sesshomaru also loses the memories of all the precious time he shared with Kikyo… This chapter has one of these moments which I believe is endearing and sad at the same time.

8579: I'm glad that I was able to get this next and final chapter done so soon. I hope that you'll enjoy it and thank you for your support.

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Chapter 10 - SessKik: Memories of a Flower

"I'll take it."

With a tone that left no room for an argument, he took the basket of medicinal herbs from her and wrapped a part of his white boa around her body. The action prompted her to look up, a smile gracing her features as mahogany met golden orbs. "Thank you. Are you cold?"

He gave a haughty huff, "The cold cannot affect me."

She nodded and they continued their matched pace, walking side by side.

The winters of the northern regions were commonly known for their harsh blizzards and snowstorms. From as far as she could see, everything was a blanket of pure white. Not a ray of sunlight could bypass the dark clouds. Although if it could, then surely it would be a beautiful sight to witness.

It really was cold. For someone who had lived in Kaede's Village situated in the far southeast and never been up this north, Kikyo could feel the chills seeping into her bones through her layers of clothing.

"We should be near." She took in a deeper inhalation than usual, her breathing somewhat unbalanced from the low temperature. Coming from Kaede's Village, it shouldn't take them more than a month and a half to arrive at their destination. Based on that, she assumed that they would soon find a human settlement.

"Is it an illness?" Sesshomaru's elegant eyebrows curved downward by a barely discernable margin. Having recalled the man who traveled far to specifically request for Kikyo's aid, the daiyoukai felt an unpleasant tinge at the thought of a trap. Although most clients proved to be who they claimed, there was no denying that there were youkai who would stoop to the lowest of the low to have the powerful miko killed.

"Yes." Kikyo breathed out an answer. "I assume the cause is this extreme cold. Many of the villagers have succumbed to this illness."

"Then why are you going? Your mortal body is no more immune than they are," he commented, a touch of concern that was only reserved for very few flashing in his golden pools.

A gentle smile descended on her countenance as she shook her head. "Don't worry about me. As a healer, I have prevention prepared. I am confident."

"Concentrate on your objective but do not push past your limitations."

"That's fine." Her smile grew, brightening the fair features that radiated with tenderness. "Do you recall the herbs I told you before our departure?"

He nodded in response, which prompted her to continue. "I may have to trouble you with the errand if there are too many patients that require my attention, Sesshomaru."

Although he emitted a low snort to express his displeasure with her use of formalities, he didn't show any signs of rejecting her request. For a moment, he added nothing until something else crossed his mind. "Do you feel cold?"

"No," Kikyo said with an exasperated look. "That is the fourth time you have inquired."

"I ask because the human body is fragile," Sesshomaru uttered, unconsciously ensuring that his white boa was secured tightly around the woman so that not even the slightest bit of the cold wind could touch her.

When they arrived at the village, it was approaching noon. The vast expense of the sky stretched above them was a mixture of blue and greyish white and the sunlight that streamed down did not offer much warmth to the remote place.

Sesshomaru had taken no more than a step into the human village before he began to scrutinize the area, his sense of disgust being amplified. "I can smell the stench of death from within."

His companion's shoulders tensed momentarily before she let out a soft sigh. "The situation is far more severe than I had assumed."

He was silent for a few seconds and when he finally spoke, his tone had dropped even lower than what was expected. "The life of a human is truly fragile."

"Yes," Kikyo agreed, her head lowered to an angle that permitted her bangs to shield her eyes from the rest of the world.

The life of a human was like a drop of water in a vast ocean. So insignificant that it would disappear after a ripple. A demon on the other hand, had no need to fear for the diseases, injuries, and famine that would easily take away a human's life.

Yet, it just so happened that she was a human and he, a youkai.

As they walked closer towards the center of the village, the scent of decaying matter reached Kikyo's nose. Although unpleasant, it wasn't practically heavy… from the perspective of a human. In Sesshomaru's case however, she could only imagine how obnoxious it must be to his sensitive senses.

"Oh? Who may you two be?" one of the villagers asked, having noticed their arrival.

"I'm Kikyo, a miko from Kaede's Village."

As soon as she introduced herself, the man's eyes lit up with a blazing ray of hope that outshined the sun. "Miko-sama, are you the one our chief called for? You're here to save us, right?"

"Yes," Kikyo nodded, "I shall do everything within my ability for the people here."

Relief and excitement exploded from the man and he grabbed her by the hand with a joyful cry. "Yes! Yes! Thank goodness! I'm so relieved. So many have died in the past few days already. We all fear for the worst. Please, this—"

"Human." A cold voice descended, generating chills that pricked his skin like the tip of icicles. His eyes darted to the side, noticing the daiyoukai for the first time. Terrified as he was, he also couldn't help but be impressed by the majestic presence.

"Remove your hand." Once the man's full attention was on him, Sesshomaru pinned his gaze on the limb that was offending him.

The frozen smile rapidly disappeared from the man's face, his hand releasing Kikyo's as though he was electrocuted. "I-I'm sorry! I… I was too excited. I um didn't notice at all. I didn't mean to be rude."

Offering him a nod of understanding, Kikyo then turned to Sesshomaru with a mildly exasperated look. In response, the daiyoukai rotated his head to the side and emitted an apathetic huff.

"Um, so this illness began about two months ago." The silent exchange between the miko and the daiyoukai, not to mention their peculiar relationship, did not go unnoticed by the man. Nonetheless, he made no comment about it and instead moved on to the situation at hand. "This year's winter has proven to be extremely harsh. Though we're adapted to the cold, many of us have still fallen ill. At first, there were only three patients so our sole village doctor prepared a concoction for a cold. It proved to be effective and the three were cured. But then… two months later, the illness spread and became far more serious. The three patients suddenly became sick again and soon passed away from a high fever. Then more followed… and we're near giving up all hope. We realized that a more skillful doctor is our village's last chance so we organized someone to find you. It's so good for you to have come, miko-sama!"

"Good, you say?" Sesshomaru's harsh voice cut in. From the very beginning, he had never wanted Kikyo to make this trip. Now that the subject was brought up, it served to annoy him further, to the point that his eyes narrowed into slits as he spoke. "The stench of death is prominent in your village. Are you so ignorant that you fail to realize the importance of incinerating the corpses? Now, under the imminent threat of death, you intend to drag Kikyo into your predicament. Hmph, what self-centered fools."

A flash of fear mixed with horror appeared in the man's eyes. "We… we do not burn the dead. The act is frowned upon in this village. We follow the deity of the snow that lives in the mountains, who brings us blessings and eliminates all suffering through the purity of white."

"Then go beseech your god and leave what is mine untouched by your filth."

Despite realizing that Sesshomaru was speaking on behalf of her wellbeing, Kikyo felt the pressing need to intervene before either the man found the daringness to retort or before the daiyoukai decided to do some physical harm. The last thing she wanted was to stir a conflict when her purpose was to assist the villagers. "Sesshomaru, I appreciate your concern. However, we have come far. Allow me to examine my patients before we decide on our next course of action. Don't worry, I shall take caution."

There was a moment where the miko and the daiyoukai clashed with their gazes before the latter finally agreed. "Fine, I shall wait. Don't dawdle."

With that, Kikyo followed the man into the chief's house. Closing the door behind her, she immediately felt a little warmer with the frosty air blocked by the walls. Truly she would have to be wary if she was to avoid catching the illness as she wasn't used to the extreme weather in this region.

Finding a spot to sit in a seiza position next to the chief on the futon, it did not take long for her to give a diagnosis. A tiny frown marred her features after her examination and she exited the house to speak to her companion. "Sesshomaru, it seems the herbs I mentioned earlier are needed. If we begin our journey to the mountain now, then—"

"Speak no further, Kikyo. The path ahead is treacherous. Come, I shall take the lead." The concise but confident words were a part of the daiyoukai's style, summoning forth a surge of reassurance that filled the depths of Kikyo's heart. He took her by the hand in a familiar manner and pulled her close to his chest.

From previous experiences, she knew that with his speed they would arrive at their destination much faster than any means of transportation could. Nonetheless, she had to factor in the additional time that it would take for them to locate the herb in an environment where the snow was like an obscuring veil. With the chief and many patients growing weaker and weaker, she feared that the time she left them unattended would be fatal. For a patient, every second hang on the balance. Such was the fragility known as life; it was so fleeting.

"Kikyo?" In the second that Kikyo tensed her shoulders and placed a hand on his chest, Sesshomaru knew that there was something on her mind.

"Sesshomaru," the miko called out softly, her head arched up to regard the taller daiyoukai. "I cannot leave. These people are in a dire situation and I fear the worst if they are left unattended."

His golden pools met a pair of mahogany that shimmered with a resolve that promised the best for those who were suffering. Seeing this, he did not feel like refuting, even if he wanted her to distance herself from the awful plague as soon as possible.

Taking his silence as consent, a grateful smile descended on her lips. "I'm counting on you, Sesshomaru."

"I won't be long. Wait for me inside and keep yourself warm." With a firm nod, Sesshomaru released Kikyo and gathered his youki. Then with an invisible torrent of raw energy that rustled the miko's hair and clothing, he shot off into the sky faster than a blink of an eye.

When it came to efficiency, Sesshomaru was amongst the finest out of all Kikyo knew. Hence, it was concerning when the daiyoukai was nowhere in sight after three hours. Having done all that she could at present, she stood by a window and cast her sight on the mountain that she could just faintly see through the heavy layer of cold haze. Earlier, she noticed foreign demonic energy that congested the snowy mountain and it dawned on her that the swarm of native youkai must be the reason for the daiyoukai's delay. Ability wise, she knew no demon that was better than Sesshomaru. But if he did not return soon, she would have to venture out to search.

Fortunately, Sesshomaru returned before she could set out. Upon entering the house, the first thing that the miko noticed was how much whiter the daiyoukai was. Snow piled on top of his silver mane and shoulders, leaving traces of dampness as it melted. In his hand were several plants adorned with specks of yellow and black, uprooted from the frosty ground.

"Did something occur?" Examining the daiyoukai from head to feet confirmed that there were no noticeable injuries, though she made the inquiry just to be certain.

"No," he replied, passing her the herbs. While she promptly grinded it and mixed it with the medicine she was brewing, he settled in a corner to dust the snow away with his hand. Part of his kimono was soaked from the journey, though because of his immunity to the cold, he did not bother with it. So long as he stayed indoor and close to the fire that Kikyo was using to prepare the remedy, it wouldn't be long until his attire dried naturally.

"You were gone for a long time. Any longer would've prompted me to search for you." Her words weren't intended to be accusing. Rather, it was latched with barely masked worry.

What happened next was a rare sight even for Kikyo, for Sesshomaru's lips were pulled slightly upward to resemble a smile. "To understand my reason, you will accompany me to the summit once you are done here."

"The summit?" she repeated with a confused expression. "You are not one to express interest in the mundanities. What phenomenon is there to witness?"

Suspense must've been the atmosphere Sesshomaru was trying to create, for he merely continued to keep his eyes leveled with hers and uttered not another word. If she didn't know any better, she would've thought that he was thoroughly entertained from keeping her in the dark.

"Sesshomaru," she called out once she was convinced that he would not give her a straight answer.

He gave a low hum that granted her the acknowledgment to continue. "Thank you for accompanying me."

"Hmph." Formality was a thing of the past for them so the daiyoukai let out a disgruntled snort at her expression of gratitude. Believing that it was unnecessary, he rotated his head and added, "Stop uttering nonsense, woman."

At the next day, Sesshomaru entered the room that Kikyo was staying to rise her. Under normal circumstances, the miko was accustomed to waking up early. Nevertheless, the treatment for the villagers yesterday left her exhausted. So all it took was one glimpse at the window and the realization that it was still dark for her to relocate her head on the pillow.

Somewhat amused at the sight of the miko tossing her body sideways and falling back to sleep, Sesshomaru briefly contemplated on leaving her undisturbed before deciding that it was better having her up. "Kikyo, I thought you were curious to see the summit."

"It is far too early…" The gentle shake of the shoulder and his words dragged her away from sleep and brought her back to reality. With a quiet mumble, her eyelids fluttered open and she took in the sight of the daiyoukai's handsome features. Even in her muddled state, it was an image that she wanted to retain in her memory forever… if only that smirk wasn't there at her expense.

"We will be in time for sunrise," Sesshomaru said, tossing Kikyo's miko garment and some additional layers that he obtained from one of the villagers. With an accurate aim, the clothing all found home on top of the woman's head at the exact moment she sat up.

"Mmf?" A muffled noise escaped her throat before her brain could generate a coherent thought. Several seconds flew by before she finally caught on with what had happened and yanked the objects off her face, revealing a somewhat irritated glare. Not in the least intimidated, the daiyoukai returned a look that radiated with a semblance of amusement before leaving her alone to dress.

An ordinary woman might've taken her time fixing her appearance but Kikyo was not one for cosmetics. Once her face was washed and her hair was hanging behind her back in the usual fashion, she set off with Sesshomaru as the guide.

The mountain path was steep and narrow, its way up the top made all the more difficult by the ice and snow. For a daiyoukai, the passage did not pose any sort of a challenge, especially since he was familiar with the conditions from yesterday's events. In contrast, Kikyo found it difficult to keep up with her companion who made everything seem like it was a regular walk in a garden. With flying out of the option due to the lack of visibility from the mist surrounding the majority of the mountain, the miko was forced to rely on her own strength and Sesshomaru's guidance. Several times she nearly slipped, only to be caught by the silver-haired demon in a comforting embrace.

When they reached their destination, the sun was already slowly edging itself upward from the distant mountains. A glimmer of light penetrated through the white mist that was beginning to thin and cast a sheen on the ice surrounding them; it was a gentle ray, warm and not strong enough for the reflections to be glaring.

Born in a region with warm climate meant that Kikyo had no opportunity to see what kind of natural beauty the extreme cold could offer. Never in her imagination did she think that it was possible to see such magnificent scenery. Stretching into the horizon, for as far as she could see, was a pure whiteness of the occasional low hanging clouds and snow that shimmered with a golden tinge.

She took a deep exhale, a trail of misty breath escaping as she followed Sesshomaru.

"This way." Carefully, the daiyoukai brought the miko to the edge of the mountain, where it served as an observational deck for the fascinating view. "Is this to your liking?"

"Yes," she responded, shuffling her body closer towards him.

"Good," Sesshomaru smirked, his customary self-assurance apparent on his features.

Good? Indeed, it was so good that somewhere deep down, Kikyo wished that this moment could be eternal. Her and Sesshomaru together, enjoying the peacefulness without the prejudice and fear that reigned supreme in this blood-drenched world – a blissful eternity that could never become a reality due to their roles.

"What troubles you?" Sesshomaru asked, having detected her subtle change in mood.

"Sesshomaru…" There was a distant look in Kikyo's eyes as she pinned her gaze on a mountain that was far from reach. "You are not wrong to say that the human life is fragile. We have no control over life and death. From the minute we are born to the moment we die, it is all but fleeting decades to a demon."

With one hand being held by Sesshomaru, Kikyo's other free hand looped around the daiyoukai and embraced him. Her head leaned in and found the habitual spot at the crook of his neck, to which he responded by wrapping his arm around her. "You will continue to live long after I am dead… Sesshomaru, my request may sound selfish but I do not wish for my passing to become your shackles. Traverse far and wide to take in all the wonders of this world. Then, come find me in my next life and tell me the tales of your travels."

"…" Had it not been for the way her head was positioned, then surely she would've seen the melancholy that the daiyoukai failed to mask completely with his expressionless features.

"…Sesshomaru, will you do that?" His lack of response was disheartening though she persisted, tilting her head up to regard him with two composed pools of mahogany.

His golden orbs met her gaze and were locked in place. A flash of entangling conflict and foreign emotions went through and his mind processed numerous ways to reply. Yet, in the end, it was his heart that reacted first and supplied the answer that felt the most appropriate.

"I will." Just these simple two words carried a strong conviction that would never succumb to anything, not even the flow of time. Because it was something Sesshomaru promised, he would achieve it no matter what.

Hence, the confidence that projected from his voice was what delivered the smallest sense of relief while she was drawing her last breath a few years later. In the final moments of her life, she found her mind drift back to the time they spent on the summit and the steadfast promise he made. Captured by the recollections that she wholeheartedly wished was eternal, she continued to sink deeper and deeper until she crossed the threshold of no return…

Many, many years later in the path to the underworld was a wandering soul preparing to be reincarnated. Passing through the track that it could now recognize after its 108th cycle, it fleetingly looked at the figure in white who obviously did not belong here but was granted access to this world by the sword secured in his obi.

For the numerous times it floated through this area and towards the gateways of the underworld, the soul could recall having seen this figure sparing a glance at it and every other soul that hovered by, only to then dismiss them all with a scowl marring his attractive countenance.

Each time, the soul would be left to wonder what the figure was looking for, before ultimately deciding that it was none of its business and departed. With its priority set on being reincarnated and its new life, it never once paused to inform the figure that if he couldn't find the soul he was looking for after this immeasurable amount of time, then the soul was a lost cause, having dispersed into nothingness.

But judging from the conviction that it could sense radiating from the figure, it knew that even if it had told him, he would still continue with his search. Forever and ever, until one day he could fulfill the promise that he finally remembered…

"…Traverse far and wide to take in all the wonders of this world. Then, come find me in my next life and tell me the tales of your travels. Sesshomaru, will you do that?"

"I will."

[End]