Strange Bedfellows

Epilogue

Rin was in the field gathering flowers when the wind rushed above her. She looked to the clouds expectantly, and, seeing nothing, returned to humming a sweet tune.

"What are you doing here?"

Rin looked up to see Kohaku sitting on the edge of a rock.

"Waiting for Lord Sesshomaru," she said matter-of-factly. "He should be here any day now. He had to go fight some demons in the North."

"Oh," was all Kohaku said.

"What are you doing here?" Rin asked. The boy shrugged. "That's OK," she smiled. "You can help me!"

Kaede was walking back to her hut when the wind surprised her. "Back again?" she asked, turning to face Kagura.

"Where is the girl?"

Kaede ignored the rude, bored tone. "In yonder field, picking flowers." She paused and eyed the Sorceress. "I trust your mission was successful?"

"Naraku didn't accomplish his goal, if that is what you mean," she said with a careless shrug.

"Then that is the best we can ask for," Kaede turned to go back to her hut.

"Hey,-" Kagura called after her.

The priestess turned.

"It worked. Thanks."

Kaede nodded and smiled.

"And these ones are my favorite," Rin brandished a bright flower excitedly. Kohaku was calmly gathering the ones she brought him into small bundles. A familiar whining sound drifted across the field, and Rin's ears pricked up. Her smile became bright and dazzling as she looked to the horizon where Ah-Un were being lead by Jaken.

"Lord Sesshomaru!" she called out, running towards him. "I knew you would come for me!"

The aristocratic assassin looked down to the child with what might have been no more than bored indifference. "You are well?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Oh yes – Kaede took good care of me. Where have you been?"

Sesshomaru saw Kohaku in the field and nodded. "Let's go." He turned to leave, and Rin rushed back to get her flowers.

"Here," she pressed a large white one in Kohaku's hand before running off to join her Master.

They had not gone far when Sesshomaru stopped. "I see you have returned safely as well?" Kagura stepped out from behind a tree and bowed her head. "See that Naraku stays out of my way.. Until I can kill him.

Without another word, he continued on. Kagura took to the sky while Kohaku sat staring at the flower from Rin, as if remembering another place – another time. Kagura lifted her face to the sun. Her memory of the mountains was fading, but today – just today – she felt… Free…..

Naraku was sitting in the bowls of his castle. He had no memory of Kagura's treachery. He remembered the battle – he knew a mystic being had prevented his victory. "Not worth pursuing," he said to himself.

"We won't return to the northern lands?" Kana asked in her tiny voice.

"No," Naraku said with a bored, insolent tone that mirrored Kagura's. "There is nothing there we can use. We shall focus, instead, on the remaining shards." Already insidious plots were forming and flowing over one another in his mind dancing like sinuous snakes.

"Triumph will simply have to come another day." Naraku grinned wickedly.

Kirara was curled at Sango's feet. She had missed the larger battle in the garden, having been reassigned to protect the levels of the fortress containing the women, children, and wounded. Sango stroked her gently, and leaned against the wall of Kaede's hut. Obasan had seen to their quick return after a few nights at the fortress to recover. Inuyasha actually insisted for once that Kagome go home. In fact, he took her. Miroku entered the hut, bringing more firewood. The red handprint on his face was fading, and Sango bit her lip to keep from laughing.

"This should get us through the night," he said apologetically. Kaede looked up to the amorous monk.

"I agree," she said sagely. "Sleep well, young monk and demon slayer – I am pleased you have returned safely."

"Night Kaede," Sango yawned and slipped into her bedroll. Miroku looked to her longingly, and then, with a heavy sigh consented to sleep in his own bedding. He turned over to see Sango looking towards him with an enigmatic look.

"Sango?" he asked quietly. When she did not answer, he went to her side, and gently touched her shoulder.

She shook her head and appeared to just now see him there.

"I… I was just thinking –"

"Kaede said she saw Kohaku, and that he was safe," Miroku interrupted her, but not unkindly.

"I know.. I just…" she looked up to him the words swimming in her eyes but unable to find purchase in her mouth.

"I know," he said kindly. He wrapped an arm around her, and was pleasantly surprised when she did not object. A few moments passed before he glanced to the enticing sleeping form.

"Don't even think about it," she sighed in her sleep, and he smiled nervously.

"No – I wouldn't….!" And though he cursed himself silently, he was resigned to enjoy this brief bit of contact with the one girl he truly valued above all others.

"I told you, I'm fine," Kagome yawned, too tired to be frustrated any longer.

"Get some sleep," was all he would say.

"How can I if you are staring at me," she muttered crossly. "At least sit somewhere instead of hovering."

She felt the bed indent and looked up to see Inuyasha stubbornly cross-armed and keeping vigil on her bed.

"I give up," she rolled her eyes and turned over.

Inuyasha looked to her sharply. "What do you mean?" he asked as noncommittally as possible.

Kagome rolled over in frustration, but saw what was beneath his scornful tone.

"I mean I give up on trying to get you to change your mind … but I'm glad you care enough to stay."

"Whatever," he blushed and looked away. "Huh?"

Her small hand rested on his leg as she fell asleep. He stared at it for quite a while before covering it with his own.

Under the watchful presence of the God Tree, two souls, bound across time, found harmony in the company of one another and for at least one night, found peace.

-Fin-