Chapter 10: Fate just wouldn't let me be.

I'd finally made my way out of the apartment building, which had taken forever. The building was insanely high, and living on the top floor didn't help much. It was a warm summer day. Demons and humans alike walked the streets with one another. Some even holding hands. The two species finally coexisting peacefully. It warmed my heart. I don't remember ever coming to this part of Tokyo. I wasn't sure how to get to the shrine from here. I took the pack off of my back. Zipping it open, there was a wallet inside. With a sticky note that read 'For Kagome'. I guess Myoga knew me better than I'd thought he did. I tore off the note, opening the wallet. It was filled with credit cards.

"I guess money won't be a problem."

I spotted a flower shop at the end of the block. I took out a card, putting the wallet back in the bag. I jogged to the end of the block. Reaching the flower shop. I pushed the glass door open. A ding going off as I did.

"May I help you, ma'am"

"Hojo?"

"Not to be rude, but do I know you?"

I mentally slapped myself. I was wearing the ring Myoga had given me. He wouldn't recognize me.

"Sorry, a friend of mine would talk about you often. She'd show me her class photos. I was just surprised to run into someone she went to high school with. I didn't know this was your shop."

"Who might your friend be?"

"Kagome Higurashi."

He grinned from ear to ear, but the look in his eyes held so much sadness. "I see, It's been so long since I last saw her."

"How long has it been?"

He shoved his hands in his pockets. "I would say about three years."

"Do you mind if I ask why?"

"Well, ever since I found out about her accident. I used to visit her every day after school. For fours years. I never missed a day. Even when her mother would say I didn't need to. I just couldn't stay away. I would talk to her, hold her hand, and even play her favorite songs. Anything that I thought would help her to wake up, but I just couldn't keep doing it. It hurt to see her laying there. The thought of here never waking up again was too much for me."

"Why? Why would you do that for her?" I whispered.

He gave a sad smile. "Wouldn't go above and beyond for the person you love?"

Why was I so oblivious? Why didn't I realize his feelings sooner? All those times he'd bring me gifts for my fake illnesses. I was such an idiot. I felt a tear slip down my cheek. I quickly wiped it away. He laughed, but it sounded so sad.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you sad."

"No, it's quite alright. It's just that, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

"I'm glad someone thinks so. I just wish I could see her again."

"Well, maybe you could."

He laughed, but it was strained. "Seeing that she is in a coma I don't think I could."

I had to give him this closure. I owed him that much. For all those years of not paying closer attention.

"She's awake Hojo."

He's stopped, looking at me. Eyes wide and face plastered with astonishment.

"W-when?"

I could see the relief wash over him, practically feel it. It gave me a little piece of mind.

"Yesterday. I could tell her that you would like to see her."

He grabbed my hands and bowed. "Yes! Thank you so much."

He rushed over to his counter. Grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. He scribbled something down on it and handed it to me. It was his name and number.

I smiled. "I promise that she'll get this."

"Please, if you ever need anything, let me know if there is anything I could do for you."

"Actually there is, could I have two dozen spider lilies?"

He nodded, fetching the flowers. He tied the stems with red ribbons. Gently wrapping them in the paper. Then the plastic next, holding them out to me.

"Please take these as a token of my appreciation.

"Oh no, I couldn't. Please let me pay for them. I have the money."

He only shook his head and continued to hold them out to me. I smiled, knowing that he wasn't going to change his mind. I took them from him bowing as well.

"Thank you, Hojo."

"No, thank you. I'm sorry what was your name?"

I paused, giving it some thought. "Sango. My name is Sango, and Kagome will stop by soon. I promise."

I left the shop. Happy with the fact that I had made someone happy. Even if it was only one person. So far, that was a start. I flagged down a cab, getting in.

"Where to ma'am?"

"Higurashi Shrine please."

**N**

I had climbed the neverending stairs to the shrine, but I had been standing in the same spot for about ten minutes. Reveling in all the memories I'd made here over the years. I learned how to ride a bike here. My first birthday party was here. The well that connected me to my friends was here. I walked towards the Goshinboku, placing my hand on its bark. I sighed placing the flowers at the base of the tree. I said a prayer for him, apologizing as well. For everything that I had done. Whether it was not listening to him when he asked. For what I'd done with Sesshomaru and most Importantly, for not being there for him when he needed someone the most. He wasn't perfect but I had loved him; He was my friend. I tried my best to hold back my tears but no avail. They came rushing down my face like waterfalls. My heart ached; I had left them, I had left him. He must have been so scared, so lonely. I dropped to my knees, wishing that there was something I could have done for him. He must have hated me for leaving him. I couldn't blame him, but it had to be done, but it didn't make it hurt any less.

"WHERE IS SHE!?"

I swore my heart had stopped at that moment. I knew that voice. I turned my head slowly, making eye contact with amber orbs. I peered through my bangs. Staring at him. The wild look on his face, and eyes that were usually void of emotion. Were now full of life, so frantic looking. He stood slightly hunched over. Sweat covered his body. His hair spilled wildly over his shoulders. I tried so hard to get away from him. Yet, here he stood before me. His yokai surrounded us. It was overwhelming, almost stifling me. His power had only grown these past few centuries. There was no doubt in my mind that if I was to fight him now, I would surely lose.

"I SAID WHERE IS SHE!?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Trying to calm my beating heart.

"There is no one here but me." I all but whispered.

"LIES! I CAN FEEL HER! SHE IS HERE SOMEWHERE!"

He ran up to the house kicking the front door in. I could hear him tearing apart the inside of the house. I stood, getting ready to run.

"YOU!"

I stopped dead in my tracks. Fear running throughout me. I heard his footsteps coming towards me. I could feel my heart rate picking up. I could feel his breath on the nape of my neck. I swallowed the lump in my throat. Slowly turning around, not daring to look him in the eyes. He was so close. I could smell the sweat on him.

"I am going to ask you this once wench. You best not lie."

I nodded.

"Did a woman come this? She would've had dark hair, brown eyes, mid-twenties." His breathing so raggedly.

"I'm sorry, but I have not seen a woman here with that description."

He sniffed the air. Trying to scent a lie no doubt. I hoped it would work since I had technically tole the truth. He pulled away from me. Clenching his fists. I watched as the blood dripped from his hands.

"Another dead end." I heard him say.

This was so foreign to me. This wasn't the bloodthirsty demon that I remember. I watched as he became undone before my very eyes. He slumped against a tree, sliding to the ground, resting his head on his forearms. What was this I was feeling? I couldn't feel bad for him. Whatever he was going through he undoubtedly deserved it, because he was a monster. Wasn't he? I quietly walked around him, heading towards the shrine steps.

"When will it end?"

I stopped, looking over my shoulder. I knew who that was. I turned around quickly walking towards him. I kneeled in front of him.

"Are you alright?"

He looked up at me, but I wasn't met with those familiar amber orbs. Instead, I saw glossy eyes flooded with red.

"I will never find her," he whispered.

His beast like voice sent shivers down my spine.

"My mate," he whispered. "I'll never find her." He said hanging his head low once more.

He was unconscious. I shot up to my feet. I had to go. I turned on my heel heading for the stairs. Not looking back this time. Unfortunately, something managed to get in my way once again.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?"

Fate just wouldn't let me be.