Summary

In wake of the circumstances, it was only natural that he panicked... just a little.

A/N: Ahahaha! I have returned! The next chapter is now upon us. I know you guys wanna strangle me, so I'll cut my ranting short and just let you get to the reading!

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The group around Kagome were in varying states of shock at Midoriko's blunt statement, the thought that their friend would disappear in just a few short minutes tearing down the happy high they had just been on.

"Forever?" Sango whimpered, letting her tears fall. Kohaku was in much the same condition as she turned and hugged the boy close.

"I can't see any way to fix it. There's nothing left of Kagome's soul that isn't damaged," the older priestess ground out, a glimmer of sadness still in her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Kagome."

Kagome shook her head slowly and smiled at her. "It's not your fault. I counteracted the alchemic spell, so I'll eventually be reborn. Maybe then, I'll be able to live a normal life like I wanted to."

"That's not fair! You broke the seal!" Rukia retorted hotly, violet eyes flashing in fury. Turning to her brother, she grasped his sleeve and tugged. "Isn't there anything we can do, Nii-sama?"

Byakuya didn't answer. He was busy going through everything that everyone had said just now. There had to be a loophole! Something he could just try!

"Unless she has a piece of her soul roaming around somewhere that can fix it, there's nothing," Midoriko countered just as emotionally. "And that would be impossible considering when Kikyo died the second time, her soul was reabsorbed back into Kagome's! I would have sensed something by now. Her entire soul is here!"

It hit him in the next second. He knew that what he was about to do was risky, but he damn well couldn't just sit here and watch her slip from his grasp!

"It's okay, Rukia," Kagome blurted out, placing her hands on the small shinigami's shoulders. She smiled, her lower lip trembling as tears gathered in her eyes. "Maybe it's just better this way. My existence here is so screwed up, it might be nice to have a fresh start." The tears spilled over, dripping down her face for the first time in ten years. It didn't matter now that they were seeing them. "Who knows, I might even get lucky and be able to see or sense you guys."

The older noble grit his teeth as his hands shook. Kagome had never cried in front of them. As far as he knew, she never cried period. To see those tears now, though, it made him panic.

The fading priestess turned to him finally, a smile wobbling onto her face. She didn't even bother to wipe away the trails of water flowing down her cheeks. He knew she was going to try to give him some ridiculous last minute advice.

"Take care of yourself, Captain. Don't stress yourself out so much about work. And try to enjoy life a little. All work and no play makes Captain Kuchiki kinda dull, right?" She let out a watery laugh that made his heart clench. She became completely serious in the next heartbeat. "I know it might be stupid of me to ask, but make sure to check in on Miroku and Sango from time to time. They need the reassurance. And tell Captain Zaraki that I'm not going to be able to take him up on a fight."

He couldn't let her leave. Not like this.

"You are not going anywhere, Higurashi. I will make certain of that." His tone was firm and left no room for argument.

Kagome swallowed heavily when Byakuya withdrew the blade at his side and gripped it tightly in his hand. The entire time, he never let his gaze waver from the woman fading away before his eyes.

"W-What are you... What exactly do you mean?" the former school girl asked tenatively.

"I have a theory," the noble explainend, taking a step closer to her. Rukia gave her brother a confused look at his actions. She knew he was upset, but this was... odd. Even for him. Was he out of his mind?!

"A theory?"

"Yes. She," he cast a swift glacial glare to Midoriko, "says that your soul is not longer stable enough to contain your powers. That is the reason you're losing your form now. And that an undamaged piece of your soul was needed."

"Y-Yeah. So..."

"So your soul must be re-stabalized." With swift movements, he grabbed one of Kagome's arms and thrust the blade straight through her. Everyone gasped at the action as the priestess choked in shock, feeling the biting steel pierce completely through her... But...

'It doesn't hurt?'

Byakuya slowly let go of her arm and gently placed his hand behind her head to guide it to rest against his shoulder. "I am truly selfish, but I cannot lose you now."

"W-Why-"

"Kagome!"

"What the hell are you doing?!" Sango screamed, reaching for her own blade. She stumbled to a stop when Kohaku grabbed her arm.

"Nee-san... Look..."

Miroku froze in his place when he noted the way the blade was becoming more transparant while Kagome was becoming more solid again. "How is that... possible..."

Kagome glanced down at the hilt protruding from her chest and sucked in a breath when she realized she recognized the guard on it.

"Hotarubi..." Her gaze slid back up to meet understanding gray as Byakuya carefully monitored the pulse of her soul that was steadily growing beneath his fingers. Slowly he released the death grip he had on the smaller shinigami's Zanpakuto. "I see... now..."

"It has a connection to your soul. A piece of your own to give the rest of you the boost it needs."

"How clever, Capatain Kuchiki..." Kagome murmured, letting her tired eyes slide shut as that small piece of herself worked to restore the damage done to the rest of her. She was so tired. Exhausted even. She didn't notice the way her white clothing bled to black, her shihakusho pouring back over her, nor Midoriko's hands and powers gently probing her to monitor her progress. All that mattered to her at that moment was that she felt real and whole again. The warmth emanating from her Captain registered faintly and she smiled slightly.

'He's always taking care of me. I should really find a way to pay him back soon.' It was her last thought before she slipped into unconsciousness and collapsed into Byakuya's waiting arms.

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The group of people waiting outside the infirmary room was by no means large, but there were certainly more visitors than was considered normal for one patient. Inside the room was another matter entirely. Two Captain class shinigami, one Lieutenant, one eighth seat, one civilian, one unseated officer, and one former priestess listened closely to the analysis that was being given for Kagome's current condition.

Retsu sighed quietly as she nodded to her Lieutenant, and the tall woman withdrew her reishi from the unconscious priestess. "Higurashi-san is currently in a coma. Due to the extreme amount of damage that was done to her soul, it may be quite some time before she'll wake again."

"How long would you say?" Miroku murmured, gently pushing his oldest friend's bangs aside absently. He wondered if the girl knew just how many people were worried about her.

"I cannot say because I do not know. These things are not always accurate. It could be tomorrow, a week, a month, even years from now. The only one who has the control to decide when is Kagome herself," Lieutenant Kotetsu sighed, feeling sorry for the civilian man. Sure, he was incredibly perverted, and had asked her to have his child, but this was a close friend of his that he was worried about.

"Then, all we can do is wait?" Sango asked, feeling frustrated at the lack of activity. Surely there was something she could do?

"Unfortunately, yes," The Captain of Squad 4 answered, giving everyone a tired smile, "But, just because she's in a coma does not mean there is no activity going on. I recommend regular visits to let her know what is going on from day to day. It might encourage her to heal faster."

Murmurs of agreement swept throughout the room, promises made for visits that wouldn't cross others. Byakuya merely stared at the sleeping woman and vowed to come see her as often as he could. He wasn't sure if it would be every day, and he felt a little awkward about just the idea of talking to her while she slept, but he was willing to make an effort.

But once she woke up, he was going to put some kind of a tracker on her and keep her close at all times. He never even considered the what ifs, because if he did, he would never be able to pull himself out of the despair they caused.

'You will get better, Kagome, because we have much to discuss. Whatever this is between us, it is not over, and I refuse to let it go.'

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A/N: YAYZ! Aren't you guys so proud of me?! I actually finished another chapter super quick! I'm on a roll here, so I'm going to keep working, because I'm afraid if I stop, I'll get stuck again. Oh! And for those of you that followed Hot For Teacher, I just wanted to let you all know that I'll be reworking the plot so I can repost on here! I'm super excited about that!

Hope you guys enjoyed and please feel free to leave a review!