"Why have you called me," He asked once transformed into human form.

She began to walk around him "A little bird is no longer caged."

He eyed her as she walked around him and up to a cliff to look out over it "She's getting married."

She was met with silence, and so she glanced at him "She will marry my brother."

He looked at her but said nothing and gave nothing away. She turned to him "Do you have nothing to say?"

"The Miko is not my concern at this moment."

Naoko's face set hard, she was torn between duty and friendship. She closed her eyes and inhaled "Very well, but tell me will the West being going?"

He turned away from her "You may go if you wish, I have no need to be there."

She bit her lip with one fang, damn her brother, damn his.

But she bowed all the same "Then I shall go, I will return soon."

He said nothing but looked away. The wind blew his hair as he stood in stone silence.

"My Lord" She spoke,

"Hn?"

"Where did you go?" She asked. He didn't reply.

"Was it far?"

"Yes" Was his simple answer. She bowed and took her leave; she would go back to her friends and brother. Many would be relieved to see her alone, but one she knew for should would be sad, even if she was angry too.

"Far away" Sesshomaru spoke to no one.

"My son."

Sesshomaru closed his eyes.

"Where has your female gone?"

He saw her face flash in his mind's eye. Her black hair, her defiant face, her tears. Air rushed out of his nose as he pushed her away "She has returned to the human village."

"Are you not going after her?"

Sesshomaru eyed his father "No" He knew his father was talking about Kagome and not Naoko, but either way the answer was the same.

His father sighed as Sesshomaru began to walk away "Was it true?"

Sesshomaru paused and glanced back at his father "What do you speak of?"

"Did she carry your child?"

Though no one would ever see it, his jaw clenched. His father noticed, however.

"It matters not, whats done is done" Sesshomaru took his leave.

His father's heart hurt "Perhaps I have hurt my son."

It was there, pain. "That is why you left isn't it my son."

He left horrible now, not only was his son in pain, but he knew she was. He cleared his throat and then followed after his son "Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru paused.

"You are not the only one in pain."

The cold Lord said nothing,

"She lost a child too."

Sesshomaru stayed for a moment before vanishing behind a locked door.

Of course, he wasn't the only one.

Kagome had seen Naoko coming from a mile away, and he wasn't with her. She was torn. Her anger subsided after a few days, and the hurt and sadness pressed down on her. Waiting for Naoko to come back was hard. Part of her wanted him to come, part of her didn't.

But when Naoko appeared without him, Kagome locked herself in her room. She didn't want anyone to see her tears, for it was in the last moments that the truth comes to light. Though she was mad at him, she wanted him to care, to be there, to hurt with her.

But he wasn't.

"Kagome" Naoko knocked "I'm back."

Kagome leaned on the door "He isn't coming, is he"

Naoko looked down "No."

Kagome tried her face "It's ok, I'm glad your here" Kagome quickly unlocked the door "I'm sorry Naoko."

"You could go to him."

Kagome shook her head, and they grabbed each other's hands "I'll be brave and strong like you" Kagome spoke, "I think I know my place now."

"Kagome" Naoko whispered and squeezed her hands, though your name may mean it, you are not a caged bird."

Their eyes met, and for the first time, Kagome saw mist in Naoko's eyes.

Naoko was crying for Kagome and Kagome was crying for Naoko.

"Kagome, this is your last chance, while my choice is forever you are not promised tomorrow."

"Doesn't that mean your choices means more?" Kagome asked, "Please Naoko, you once said it would be an honor to mate him, don't feel hesitant because of me."

Naoko shook her head "Kagome" She scolded "You know what I mean."

Kagome half smiled "Naoko, I have the jewel rememberer."

Naoko's eyes widen, it hadn't even dawned her.

"I'll never die."

"Please, go to him, he did return!"

Kagome let go of her hands "To you, not to me."

Kagome turned away from her "Your brother; he is sweet and kind and good."

Naoko's eyes were filling with tears, where did Kagome go, the one with the fire within her, did it die along with her child?