This is for Sesshoumaru/Kagura fans. Hopefully, I've satisfied as much of your fangirl (and fanboy) desires as I can as an author. Enjoy.
ENDING TWO: BREEZE (Kagura/Sesshoumaru)
Sesshoumaru glanced back as he neared the edge of the clearing. "Kagura, I'll be at camp." Sesshoumaru couldn't help but prompt. He noticed with increasing irritation that she was still facing the wolf and hadn't turned away from the obvious lesser of the two opponents. He didn't expect her to be instantly at his side but she should have least started to shun the weakling.
Kouga looked up weakly at the woman before him. From his vantage point, he could see her face clearly. Only resolve shone staunchly across her face.
"Kouga, I have my answer." Kagura stated.
"There are in some contests that one cannot win. No matter how strong and powerful you are. Love is one of those contests."
It was first thing in the morning. Sesshoumaru could still remember seeing his father standing there in the garden, staring down at a frozen koi pond. He was silhouetted by the blinding morning sunshine and the snow covered ground. His hair hung loose and his once strong frame slightly bent from the weight he put on the crutch he held in his right arm, while his other hand clutched at his bandaged side and the wound that should have already healed.
At that very instant, Sesshoumaru realized how much his father had become an utter fool.
He had always idolized his father, the mighty Western Lord, since as far back as he could remember, until he shamed them all by taking Inuyasha's mother as a mate. That random comment was only one of many moments of sentimentality that Sesshoumaru felt led to his father's downfall.
But now that comment came ringing back to Sesshoumaru. He absently wondered what was wrong with him, before insisting that a random memory of his late father didn't mean anything.
He could see several trails of smoke from in the middle of the woods. Earlier, Sesshoumaru had noticed traces of large campsites fairly recently in the area. Only bandits, youkai or human, would be going through the countryside this time of year. Maybe "accidentally" happening on them would relieve the feeling of irritation he was experiencing.
A distinct scent alerted Sesshoumaru that Kagura had returned to camp. Sesshoumaru couldn't exactly explain why he had left before Kagura had announced her "answer" to the wolf. It was her decision and he knew he couldn't force her to side with him.
But now Kagura was giving him her answer. "Sesshoumaru, I talked everything out with Kouga. I'm ready to go," she said simply.
"Then go," Sesshoumaru stated flatly, refusing to look back at her one last time. He absently wondered how he had expected this to end. He had told her that she could leave whenever she wanted. She was leaving. He didn't own her.
The whole campsite was silent save for the sounds of Kagura packing. When she stopped, only the faint sounds of the living forest were heard.
After a while, Rin was the one that broke the silence. "Aren't you coming, Sesshoumaru-sama?"
"Yeah, we're wasting time," Kagura commented.
"Sesshoumaru-sama can take as much time as he wants!" Jaken squawked, slamming down the butt of his staff against the ground. How dare those females question his lord's actions?
Sesshoumaru glanced up, realizing exactly what Kagura's decision was as she stood by Ah-Uh, examining her nails with an expression of bored impatience. No further words of explanation were needed. He liked that.
He got to his feet and walked forward. He nonchalantly grasped Kagura's hand then started down the path, the others following in step behind them. Everything was as it should be.
Kagura looked up at Sesshoumaru just as he turned his head to glance down at her. Crimson met gold as their gazes held for a confusing, long moment. Then Kagura had to comment in order to dispell the tension, "By the way, Sesshoumaru, you've got a smudge on your cheek."
She licked her thumb and before Sesshoumaru could pull away to protest the indignity of it, she was rubbing the dirt away as if he were a child.
After a moment, her touch became something different as her fingertips traced the purplish markings on his face. Sesshoumaru looked down at the woman, his breath catching slightly at the entranced expression on her face.
He covered her soft fingers resting on his skin with his own hand. Testing the waters so to speak. Her eyes lifted to meet his, slightly widening in surprise. She didn't pull away and even leaned a bit closer. Kagura's hand slid down from his cheek to rest on his chest, being mindful of the spikes on his armor.
Sesshoumaru never was one to hesitate once he made a decision on a course of action. He leaned over, inclined his head towards hers, meeting her lips softly. With this simple action came the momentous realization that this was but one step on a road they had started together a long time ago. This was the beginning of something more.
"Jaken-sama, why are you covering my eyes?" Rin complained.
Jaken just sighed. "Sesshoumaru-sama has no timing."
The End
Omakes and Random Epilogue in one week. That is, if your lovely reviews
motivate me.
For a non-romantic ending go back to Ending 1 or if you want to see the Kouga/Kagura ending go to Ending 3.
