Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
Mending A Broken Heart
Chapter 12
Kagome stopped at the edge of the forest to look upon the village. She was here to take the rest of her belongings back to the castle since it was now her home, but she also wished to speak to Keade about Kikyo. Sesshomaru stopped beside her with A-Un right behind him.
"Putting off speaking to her will not make it any easier, love."
"I know, but I am basically asking for her permission to end her sister's life."
Over the past couple of weeks since she and Sesshomaru had mated, they had discussed the possible problem of Kikyo and their shared soul. Now, the Kagome was carrying a demon child, Sesshomaru felt she would be better served to have her entire soul to help her through the pregnancy and to defeat Naraku.
"Remember, Sesshomaru, I must do this on my own. Keade is still does not trust you." Kagome insisted, knowing Sesshomaru did not want to leave her side.
"I will be back for you at nightfall." He responded reluctantly. "Protect yourself and our pup, especially if the hanyou makes an appearance."
"Yes, my love." Kagome said obediently and kissed him on the cheek. "Now, go before Keade comes out here with her bow drawn." Sesshomaru quickly kissed her and then disappeared into the forest.
Keade was in her herb garden when Kagome approached the village. A-Un stayed in the field next to the village under Kagome's command until she would call for him.
"Hello, child. How do thee fare?"
"I am well, Kaede. I wish to speak with you if you can spare the time."
"Of course, child. I will brew some tea and we shall talk. It seems you have much to tell me."
"Yes, I do." Kagome agreed as she followed Kaede to her hut.
"So where shall I start?" Kagome asked after Kaede finished pouring their tea.
"How about at the beginning?"
"All right." So Kagome told her of the events that had transpired over the past few weeks up to the mating. She didn't mention her pregnancy yet. "Besides the gathering of my belongings, I do have another reason for coming here today."
"I suspected as much. You seem troubled." Kaede replied. "Is it your union with Lord Sesshomaru?"
"No! I am very happy with him. In fact, we are expecting our first pup together."
"Yes, my child, I can sense that. It will be a powerful being."
"Yes, I know." Kagome looked down at her hands folded in her lap.
"That doesn't please you?" Kaede asked. Kagome's head snapped up.
"Oh, I'm not worried about the child being powerful. It pleases me greatly that I will be able to give Sesshomaru a powerful heir."
"Then what is it, child, that has you so distressed?"
"My concern is that this child will most likely be a full youkai and I am not sure if I will be strong enough to carry it to term."
"Kagome, child, you are the Shikon Miko. You will be able to carry this child just fine."
"With only half of my soul?"
"Ah, I see."
"Kaede, I came here today to ask your permission to..." Kagome's voice trailed off when she couldn't get past the lump in her throat. She didn't like to kill anything and she was asking permission to do just that.
"Kagome, child, my dear sister has lived her life. She is long dead and deserves her peace. She may love Inuyasha, but I can feel her restlessness when she passes through here. You may believe that she hasn't taken the rest of her soul from you only because she is afraid of hurting Inuyasha, but I believe it is because she has no desire to. Her time on this Earth is over. You are strong enough to finish the task she never could. You don't need my permission to end her existence and take your soul and rightful place as the Shikon Miko. I believe you would be just fine with your pup even with only part of your soul, but it's time for Kikyo to rest in peace and it's time for Inuyasha to stop living in the past." Kaede said, trying to ease Kagome's mind.
"She is right, Kagome." Kikyo said from the doorway. Kaede and Kagome turned to her in surprise. "I love Inuyasha, but my time here ended long ago."
"Are you saying you want me to kill you?" Kagome asked on horror.
"I am saying that it is time for me to go. I am not going to put you in that position and have Inuyasha hate you for something that should have been done long ago. All I ask is you give me a few days to say my goodbyes and to find a way to end my life without anyone taking the blame."
"How will you...?" Kagome began to ask.
"Perhaps in battle." Kikyo repiled. "Good luck, Kagome. Live for both of us and help Inuyasha find someone that will make him happy. Kaede, my dear sister, take care of yourself and I will see you again some day."
"I will, Kikyo. Are you sure this is what you want?" Kagome asked. "As much as I would like my soul back, I don't like the idea of you sacrificing youself just for me."
"And what have you been doing all of this time?" Kikyo countered. "You have been living with only half your soul and power just so I could survive."
"I guess so, when you put it that way." Kagome shrugged. "I always felt that you were more powerful than me and so I never thought of it in that way. I won't stop you if you wish to be at peace. And if it weren't for the well being of my child, I wouldn't even be considering this. Sesshomaru insists on it and I can't find a good enough reason to argue with him, even though I have no desire to kill you."
"I know, Kagome. In the past, there have been times that I would have liked to have my whole soul back, but not anymore. It's your turn to live."
"Thank you, Kikyo." Kagome wiped away tears from her eyes.
"Goodbye, sister. Rest in peace." Kaede smiled at her older sister.
"Thank you, Kaede, I believe I finally will."
Kagome was waiting for Sesshomaru when he arrived to collect her.
"How did your discussion with Kaede go?"
"Better than expected."
"Where shall we begin our search for the preistess?" Sesshomaru questioned.
"That won't be needed."
"What do you mean?"
"I will explain when we reach the castle." Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her vague reply.
"Why can't you explain now?"
"Because the forest has ears everywhere."
"All right, love. Let's head home."
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