A/N: okay i lied here's one more before i go to bed, i felt kind of bad what with leaving it at such a sad part in the story so i decided to whip this one out and get it up for you. I know it might be kind of confusing but it seriously made sense in my head when i wrote it out. If you have any questions let me know but i can guarantee you they're going to all be answered later on. Once again R+R please and thanks much!

Chapter Twenty

The whole of Sesshomaru's household turned out to cheer their victory as they walked through the gates; but when they saw the body that was being accorded full honors, a hush fell over the crowd and everyone bowed in recognition.

Death had chosen to walk behind the soldiers carrying the stretcher they'd made to transport the monk's body; her expression was stony, and her eyes were vacant. As for the others; well they'd managed to curb their tears for the time being; but even though they didn't cry, sorrow was writ on each of their features.

I can't imagine its easy being Death. Miroku had said to her while they walked.

It's the hardest job in the world. She had replied.

I can see why they would choose you for such a task though.

What do you mean? She had asked while turning to look up at him.

In all my years, I've never met someone who wears her heart on her sleeve in the way that you do. He had said with a gentle smile. You are the most compassionate person I ever had the pleasure of knowing Kagome; and I'm sure each and every one of your charges has benefitted from that compassion.

To be honest she'd never really thought about it like that; sure she'd spoken to every soul she'd ferried, and she offered them comfort. It was just the way she was, she never really stopped to think that she was doing anything good by it.

But after the talk with Miroku she resolved to try harder to make each soul feel comfort; and now that her task was done and the spell would be ended, she could now turn her full attention to the souls that called out to her.

The living hated her for what she was, what she resembled. And after her conversation with Miroku she decided that that was okay; because once their time came and she answered their call, she could do her job. And when they understood, they would be grateful and not hate her anymore.

A part of her still felt as if it wasn't enough, but she shoved that little voice into the deepest recesses of her mind and told herself that it was more than enough. Besides, another piece of her heart had been broken off and the pain of it was still raw and all consuming.

The soldiers that had survived the battle were given leave to return to their homes for the time being; and the residents of the shiro began funeral preparations while the weary warriors slipped off to get cleaned up.

Death stood watch over all the preparations while they did so; she wanted to make sure that he received the best they had to offer, and with being occupied she didn't have to face the anger of the living.

Kikyou was the only one who thought she understood and did not blame her for it; but Inuyasha and Sango were furious, she didn't doubt that once they told Shippo of the monk's demise that he would be livid and hate her to.

The preparations were finished and everyone gathered in the gardens to say farewell; she had been correct in her assumption concerning the fox demon when he didn't bother to hide the hatred that burned in his eyes when he looked at her.

She took the brunt of it without batting an eyelash; after all she was Death, and Death was not supposed to be swayed by the emotions of the living. But in reality, it was killing her.

As the pyre burned, its flames dancing high into the sky, Sango wailed and let all of her grief out. Inuyasha, Kikyou, and Shippo held onto her; sharing her pain as they tried to console her while Death bore witness to it all.

It was only after a time that she realized that Rin and Kohaku were nowhere to be seen; she glanced around then settled her eyes on Sesshomaru to find that he was watching her.

"Where are they?" She whispered only loud enough for him to hear.

"Rin has given birth." He murmured.

Death blinked in surprise then turned her gaze back to the pyre. Even as life is lost, there is new life to replace it; a never ending cycle that no one save for the Kami has control of.

The pyre continued to burn, the sun began to set and many of the shiro's occupants had retreated inside. And even after the sun had set and the pyre was fully reduced to ash; Death stood watch while Sango rocked back and forth, her gaze locked on the remains of her husband.

They were the only two left and Death knew it would be this way; she knew Sango had something to say to her, and so she waited until the living woman gathered herself.

"He told me not to hate you." She finally said; her voice rough from crying. "Even though it's your fault, he told me not to hate you."

"Place the blame at my feet if it'll make you feel better." Death murmured. "It makes no difference to me."

"And why not?" She demanded as she leapt to her feet and stalked over to her until they were face to face. "Why doesn't it matter to you hm?"

"Because I understand things you don't." She said softly. "And in the end, he understood to."

"Bullshit."

"We've already had this conversation Sango." She sighed. "I told you once before that you wouldn't understand until your time came when you asked me the reason I took your daughter."

"Explain it to me again."

"If the mirror hadn't removed his soul from his body, Sesshomaru would've been able to resurrect him. You will never understand how much I wish that had been the case; I would have gladly let Sesshomaru cheat me of his soul." She said. "But once removed from the body it is impossible to force it back in; and if I hadn't claimed him, he would've been lost to the mirror."

Sango narrowed her eyes. "Kanna's mirror didn't work like that in the past."

"Tsubaki changed its nature." She said. "I don't know how, but she turned it into a weapon as well as a container for souls. Yes the souls were freed when it was cracked in the past, but this time it was already fractured and its properties changed. I may have incredible power, but not even I can undo something like that."

"Why not? Aren't you supposed to be all powerful?" She spat.

"My power is intended for a different purpose." She said.

"He told me not to hate you." She said after a moment of running her words through her head.

"But you still do."

"Someone has to take the blame."

"Then blame the one who forced my hand. Blame human nature; I told you it was an unpredictable element." She said. "I am Death Sango, not the arbitrator to the world of the living."

"Well then why don't you just go back to being Death then?" She said. "We don't need you hanging out around here anymore, you've done your duty- as shitty of a job as it was- and I'm sick of seeing you."

"Don't worry, after this night you won't see me until your time comes." She promised. "Perhaps then you will understand."

"I highly doubt it." She ground out before spinning on her heel and stalking towards the shiro.

Death watched her go with sorrow filled eyes; every one of her words had been like a slap across the face, and she bore it all without complaint. One day you will understand, whether you want to or not.

She glanced down at the ashes once more and said a silent farewell before retreating into the shiro; there was one last thing she had to do before she asked Sesshomaru to undo the spell binding her to this world, and that was say goodbye to the new parents.

She knew they were awake as she approached the screen to their room, either because the baby woke them up or because they were waiting for her. Either way she felt it safe to knock.

"Come in." Kohaku called out.

She attempted to settle her features into something slightly pleasant before sliding the screen open and stepping into the room; she'd just opened her mouth to say something when the aura of the babe resting in his mother's arms caught her attention, and all she could do was gape.

"Do you want to hold him?" Rin asked with a tired smile.

This is why he was called to the afterlife? Only to be reborn as Rin and Kohaku's son? She thought dumbly as she absently shut the screen and rested her scythe against the wall before closing the distance between them. But why would they do such a thing? I don't understand.

"His name is Sora." Kohaku grinned.

"It's a fine name." She managed to get out as she slid to her knees.

"Would you like to hold him nee-chan?" Rin asked again.

Death blinked up at her before returning her gaze to the baby. "Yes please."

Kohaku beamed as Rin handed the baby to their nee-chan; and once he was settled in her arms, she gently lifted one of his hands to study it.

"He's so small." She murmured as she gazed at the bundle in her arms with wonder. "When was he born?"

"Three nights ago."

A full day after he passed. She thought distantly as she watched the baby blink sleepy eyes open to peer up at her; and the moment he saw her face he broke out in a grin.

"Oh that's so cute." Rin cooed. "He likes you nee-chan."

He knows who I am. She realized as she brushed gentle fingers over his forehead. He won't remember when he gets older, but his soul is still settling into this body and so he knows.

"There was something we wanted to talk to you about." Kohaku said after a moment.

"What is it?" She asked as she tore her eyes away from Sora to look at the two.

"Well we've been doing some talking, and we decided that since we've both been reborn so to speak we'd like to change our surname." He said as Rin squeezed his hand.

"I don't see anything wrong with that." She said as she looked from one to the other. "But I don't understand why you're bringing it up with me."

"It's because of the surname we want to adopt." Rin said shyly.

"Okay… and?"

"We were wondering if it was alright if we adopted the surname you had in life." Kohaku finally asked. "We want to be known as the Higurashi's."

And suddenly it all made sense to her. This is destiny, and they needed someone with spiritual powers so that when I'm born in the future I'll have my Miko powers. She realized. Kami… that means they're my ancestors.

"Are you alright, you look like you've seen a ghost." Rin asked softly.

"I'm-" She blinked and shook her head. "I'm fine, sorry about that I guess I just wasn't expecting that."

"Is it alright?" Kohaku asked hopefully.

"Yes." She said, knowing that it was impossible to say no, after all this had already happened in a way. And to change history would only cause more problems.

Kami first I'm born with a too big soul so that I can bring Kikyou back to life and continue to exist, and now I'm holding Miroku in a new body and his parents are Rin and Kohaku and they are my ancestors. It was confusing and she wasn't sure she had it all straight, but it suddenly put everything into perspective for her. The only thing is; what's going to happen to me when I get to my original time? Will my task end before I'm born so that I can be born to do it all over again?

To many questions and not enough answers; it was enough to give anyone a headache, even Death.

~*~