A/N: I hated, truly hated myself when I wrote this chapter, and halfway through I was bawling to the point where I could barely see what I was typing. I took myself to a very dark and angsty place to get this out and it took me awhile to get out of it when I was done. So it's alright if you hate me for it, but it HAD to be done. This story is drawing to a close and there's only about five or six chapters left, with the last one being the VERY LONG Epilogue to make up for all the hurt and sorrow I've caused. I'm also doing it like that because I want you, my readers, to feel like it was worth reading all the sadness once this is over. I started this story with no real idea where it was going to go, and if i had put more thought into it, I probably would've done it somewhat differently. Over all I am pleased, however, so it's going to stay the way it is.
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha and Co.
Chapter Forty-Nine
He was incredibly displeased with the way things were turning out. 'All of my hard work wasted!' He raged in his mind. 'That foolish girl attempts to thwart me at every turn and I have had enough! It is because of us that she ever drew breath to begin with, she should be happy to serve us in what ever way we wish!'
Everything had been going exactly as planned before he'd been called to tend to other matters, for she wasn't the only being they had to worry about. When he left, he'd been certain things would continue on as they had been so wasted little thought on it. But, the moment he returned to discover that all had not gone according to plan, he demanded to know what had happened.
"It's quite simple really, we helped her to get back to where she belongs." Forest had told him frostily. "And do not think we will not be watching over this situation closely from here on out."
"You fools, everything was perfect just the way it was! How do you expect her to perform her duty now?" He'd roared.
"In the same way that she's been doing it all this time." Water had said pointedly. "She has never once sidestepped her duty nor does she intend to, so just leave her be. Everything will work out exactly how we want it to. It's already on the right track and the more you meddle, the higher the chances of throwing it all off balance are."
He had retreated after that to vent, all the while thinking of a way to get everything back to the way it was before the other Kami had begun sticking their bothersome noses in it. But never once did he stop to think that in all the time she'd been at her post, had she ever attempted to shirk her duty and that the times she had been given a reprieve had been by the grace of his peers.
So consumed with his beliefs, he'd managed to convince himself that it would all fall apart if he didn't have a hand in the proceedings and so he continued to plot and plan.
…
Two years after she'd returned to the West, the first signs of trouble began to stir. It seemed that the human lords had taken to feuding over certain bits of land and they would not be content until they had them. Before anyone knew it, armies were forming that consisted of both human and youkai.
While many humans still had issue with the youkai, the lords were not so stupid to think they wouldn't make great additions to their forces, and sought to get as many on their sides as they could. In response, several of the youkai lords were driven to put a tighter leash on their own armies to keep them from running off, while ensuring their borders were well guarded to protect what belonged to them.
And, because Kagome had such an uneasy feeling about it, Sesshomaru took care to assure their lands were safe. He'd even gone so far as to invite his brother's and the Slayer and Monk's families to guarantee they would be protected. It was a huge relief for his mate because she wouldn't have to worry about them in the scheme of things.
But when the fighting began, they'd been forced to concoct an illness for her, having to hide the fact that she was being called away regularly to tend to the hundreds of souls that were lost. So great were the numbers, the imps simply couldn't handle it.
Since she'd apparently suffered from an illness when Sesshomaru 'met' her, the others believed it and left her be. Kazuki even went so far as to spend a great deal of time in their room, just to make them think he was visiting her.
"Come on Sesshomaru, why can't we go out to make sure everything's alright?" Shippo huffed.
"I made a promise to keep you away from the fighting." He shrugged. "And I will not go back on it."
"A promise to whom?" He frowned.
"The first time I made the promise, it was to Kagome by way of Death." He smirked at the kitsune's surprise. "The second time I made it, was to my own mate, who seems to have developed a fondness for you and would suffer should something happen to you."
"Feh, it's not like she's got anything to worry about. I know how to protect myself." He muttered while shuffling from foot to foot.
"Nevertheless, I refuse to go back on my word no matter the subject. You will remain here to ensure the protection of the shiro."
Knowing he'd catch hell for disobeying, Shippo returned to his duties, all the while mulling over the whole thing. He was unhappy about it, to say the least. But since Kagome had obviously gone to such great lengths to make sure he stayed away from the fighting, there wasn't much he could do about it.
'She'd be so pissed at me if I got myself killed.' He mused then sighed. 'Even if it meant I'd get to see her again.'
But the temptation was just too great. Lucky for him, Death appeared to ream him up one side and down the other before he got the chance to do something stupid.
"Do you have any idea whatsoever, as to what could happen if you go out there?" She exclaimed. "Those fools have gotten themselves so worked up over a few measly scraps of land that they have completely lost their reasoning and are simply out for blood. You are trained but untried, and not even the battles you took part in when you were a kit will be enough to prepare you for the bloodbath you will find yourself in."
"I just hate feeling so helpless!" He exclaimed. "Everyone's doing their part, so why can't I?!"
"Sesshomaru trusts you to guard the beings in his home, Shippo." She said pointedly. "That is your part in this, and you know it is not easy for him to trust people with the care of those he has claimed as his."
"I guess your right." He mumbled after a few moments of thinking that over.
"Of course I am right." She rolled her eyes. "Now I have to go and tend to those stupid enough to fall while being caught up in this, and if I so much as hear a whisper concerning you leaving the shiro, I will return and give you the trouncing of your life. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes ma'am." He ground out.
"Good." With that she vanished.
He tried harder to curb the desire to rush off to partake in the fight but two weeks later there was nothing for it because one of the battles had spilled onto Sesshomaru's lands and everyone was needed to push them back. On that first day of battle, Shippo began to understand just what Death had meant when she said he wasn't ready to face this.
Something in him broke that day, but there would be no chance to try and fix it. For the moment Sesshomaru retreated to assure the occupants of his shiro stayed well, they were hit with a surprise attack. And with the fearsome inu being absent, they had no chance to defend against the onslaught that rushed headlong for them.
Shippo fought as bravely as any seasoned soldier, but there were just too many and he was already exhausted from fighting to keep the enemy forces at bay for the last three days. After the first day, his dreams had been haunted by the most gruesome of things, so what sleep he got was fitful.
As the sword he'd failed to deflect broke through his guard to implant itself in his chest, he could do nothing more than gape at the smirking bear youkai that held it. As he pulled it out, he felt his lifeblood pour out too quickly for his youki to handle properly.
'I guess I'll be seeing you sooner than I thought nee-chan.' He thought absently as his knees buckled. Just before the world faded completely, a scream filled with heart wrenching pain and sorrow reached his ears.
By the time he hit the ground he was dead, and with Sesshomaru at the shiro there was no hope of his resurrection. Thanks to the outcry that managed to reach even the farthest reaches of the fight, the opponents had stilled in their attacks, looking around to seek out its source.
For the first time in a long time, Death made herself visible and while her blazing eyes darted around to take in the sight of those around her, her anger and rage boiled forth.
"You will pay for what you have done." She hissed, bringing her scythe up. "But first I must attend to his soul."
With that she brought it down and as her power arced outward, time seemed to slow until it was standing completely still. It was a technique she'd only recently learned and had yet to put it to good use, simply because she had no reason to freeze the whole of Japan and its occupants.
But she used it freely now. Once she was certain they would not be able to escape her wrath, she dismissed them from her mind and turned her attention to the crumpled body of the boy she'd always considered to be a brother.
"Oh Shippo." She sobbed mournfully as her scythe vanished so she could roll him over to take in his sightless turquoise eyes. "Why are you here? I told you not to join the fighting, what happened that you disobeyed me?"
As she had yet to pull his soul free, he had no answer to give her, and when the thought of carrying him to Sesshomaru so he might resurrect him crossed her mind, she felt hope well up within her. But it was quickly dashed by the voices of the Kami as they told her that it was his time, and she must perform her duty.
"Very well." She said brokenly, before climbing to her feet so she might pull his soul free. "Come to me."
Once the orb of his soul was in her palm, she took to the sky to put as much distance between herself and the battle as she could. And as soon as she landed in a clearing, she willed her power into giving him shape.
She watched as he blinked in surprise before frowning.
"Kagome, is that you?"
"Yes Shippo, it has always been me." She smiled sorrowfully.
He reeled back at that, then threw his arms around her shoulders. "Oh Kami, I'm so sorry! If I had known I never would've joined the fighting."
"Why did you?" She sobbed. "I told you not to."
"Sesshomaru needed every sword he could get, and after three days of fighting they pulled back so he went to go check on the shiro." He told her. "We didn't expect to be attacked so quickly after we'd pushed them back."
She bit her lip and nodded. "I understand, you were doing what you could to keep the others safe."
"But I don't understand Kagome, why are you Death and why didn't you tell us?" He pulled back to look down at her.
She couldn't help but laugh weakly at that. "It's a long story."
"It's been ages since I've heard one of your stories." He smiled lopsidedly.
"I will tell you. Come, let us walk." She took his arm and began walking while telling him her tragic tale. Once she finished, they fell into silence as he mulled it all over.
"You know, sometimes I couldn't help but think the other Kagome was really you all along." He finally said. "She has a lot of your quirks."
"Some of them have been hard to subdue." She admitted. "But I wanted to use the opportunity my second life offered to get to know all of you again. And you will never know how badly I wanted to tell you, but I was forbidden."
"It's alright, I understand now why you had to keep it a secret." He said.
"I am glad then." She smiled up at him, even as a sigh passed her lips. "I feel pain in you Shippo, pain that was not there before you went into battle."
"I-" He stopped short and bowed his head. "You were right, it wasn't like I thought it would be."
"It rarely ever is." She murmured, cupping his chin to lift his head so he would look at her. "But fear not, that pain will subside when you go to the afterlife."
"Couldn't I stay with you?" He asked wistfully.
"I am sorry Shippo, but my journey is not yet done and you are needed elsewhere." She replied apologetically.
"Will I ever see you again?" He choked.
"Yes, you will." She told him firmly as she pulled him into a hug. "Not a day goes by that I do not think about all of you. When I was alive the first time, I always considered you to be like a little brother to me."
"I've missed you so much." He mumbled.
"And I you." She said shakily as her tears broke free.
"So what happens now?"
"Now you go to the other side." She released him and stepped back to form the portal. "No doubt the others are waiting for you."
"All of them?" He asked in surprise.
"All save for Miroku and Kaede." She smiled faintly. "They were required for other tasks, but you will see them again."
He nodded in understanding then turned to gaze into the portal. "It's so warm."
She smiled tremulously and gave him a small shove to get him walking. "Go and enjoy it."
He stopped before crossing over and turned back to peer at her. "I'll never forget you, no matter what happens."
Kagome smiled and as he completed his trek to the afterlife, sucking in a deep breath that was not needed. Then, allowed her anger and rage to boil to the surface once more. 'They will pay.' Her mind seethed.
Her grip on her scythe was so tight that her knuckles turned white as the portal closed. And once it had, she took off to lay waste to those that were foolish enough to kill someone she loved. 'And for no other reason than to own more land… the cretins.'
…
Sky watched the events unfold with barely contained glee. 'Yes it is all going to plan and the others don't suspect a thing!' He cackled gleefully in his mind. 'That's right girl, slay them all and seal your fate.'
…
By the time she was finished, she was the only thing standing within a three mile radius. Not only had she done away with the bear youkai that had killed her Shippo, she'd killed them all. Even Sesshomaru's forces, something she immediately regretted once she had realized it. After the rage faded, she felt immense pain for her actions.
"What have I done?" She asked, bringing her hands up to stare at them.
…
Sesshomaru had just finished meeting with his generals and dismissed them, when he felt an unfamiliar presence join him. When he turned, he couldn't help but eye the newcomer warily. "Who are you and what do you think you are doing?"
"I am here to exact recompense for a grave mistake made by our charge." He intoned.
Sesshomaru quirked a brow then took in the robes to find that like the Kami of the Forest, these were depicted to resemble the sky. "So you are the Kami that has been meddling in things he has no business with."
"You are the one who meddles mortal!" He hissed. "And I will do whatever it takes to ensure our pawn is put back where she belongs."
Knowing this was one battle he would not be able to walk away from, Sesshomaru faced his opponent with every shred of dignity while he began to call to his mate with every fiber of his being.
"Go ahead and call for her, she will be too late." He grinned wickedly then darted forward to seal the inu's fate.
…
Death had barely managed to finish ferrying the souls when she was hit abruptly with that frantic call. She never even realized she was flying through the air like an arrow loosed at its target. 'Please let him be okay. Please dear Kami do not take him from me for what I have done. Please punish me instead.' Were her only thoughts.
The smell of blood that had not been spilt in so long reached her nose long before she reached its origin. And the moment her eyes landed on the torn, sanguinary mess that was once her mate and Lord of the West, she felt something snap.
"Do you think this punishment too harsh for what you have done child?" Sky asked so gently she would've thought he was offering his condolences for what he had just done.
"Why would you do this?" She asked numbly as Sesshomaru's soul began calling to her in another way.
"It is no less than you deserve for wiping out an entire army."
"He was not the one responsible!" She thundered so viciously he involuntarily stepped back. "You had no right to chastise him for my transgression, now bring him back to life and punish me instead!"
"I'm afraid I cannot do that." He shook his head, smirking. "And trust me, this is more than enough punishment for you."
She reeled back, and clenched her fists at her sides. "You have pulled my strings for the last time." She told him, dark intent glowing in her eyes. "Now let us see how you feel being on the receiving end of the duty you so heartlessly foisted upon my shoulders."
His eyes widened as she brought a hand up, and for a moment, he was terrified at the prospect of her being able to rip his soul free of his body.
"Come to me." She hissed.
"No!" He exclaimed while backpedaling.
"I will have it one way or another, so you might as well just give in." She ground out as her scythe appeared in her free hand. "Now come to me, you wasteful excuse of a Kami."
"Halt." A third voice called out.
Both turned to watch as none other than Amaterasu appeared before their very eyes.
"What do you do here child?" She asked a vengeful Death curiously.
"His soul is mine." She growled.
"Actually, it is mine to do with as I see fit." She arched an eyebrow. "Now explain what is going on here."
It was almost impossible to rein in her fury and grief, but she managed to pull the majority of it back before letting everything that had been happening in the Goddesses absence burst forth. Amaterasu listened carefully to everything that was said and once she had finished, she turned her attention to Sky.
"You have disobeyed every single one of my orders. Now tell me why I should not let her take your soul, as she seems so intent upon doing." She demanded.
"My Lady, I simply did what I thought was best." He demurred. "There were too many risks to let her continue as she was, and the whole of the youkai race depends on her actions for survival."
"The way I see it, she was doing just fine with that before you decided to go above your station to intervene in things you had no business with. Because of you, the humans are at each others throats and if something is not done to rectify this, they could very well turn against the very beings we are trying to protect." She snapped. "You are not worthy of your post."
Death watched as she held out a hand to recall the power bestowed upon him when he accepted the position as Kami of the Sky. Once he was bereft of his power, a vicious storm began to build overhead.
"I think the lowest level of hell is deep enough for him, do you not agree?" Amaterasu arched an eyebrow at her.
"My Lady, there is no level abysmal enough for the likes of him." She inclined her head. "But as there is no such thing, I suppose it will have to do."
"Then by all means."
"My Lady please!" He quailed.
"Silence! This is the very least that you deserve for what you have done!" She roared.
He could do nothing more as Death approached him with her namesake gleaming in her eyes, nor could he stop her from slapping a hand to his chest.
"Come to me." She whispered.
"No-" He gasped, then went still and as she removed her hand to pull the glowing orb free, his body crumpled to the floor in a lifeless heap.
"May you burn in hell for the rest of eternity." She murmured as the portal to the underworld opened. She cast his soul into the chasm without a second glance. Once it was done, she turned a broken gaze onto her Goddess. "Is there nothing you can do?"
"As he is not one of my creations, I cannot right this wrong." The immortal replied apologetically.
"I see." Her shoulders slumped and she couldn't help but wish Amaterasu would release her so she could join him in the afterlife.
"Tend to your mate's soul Kagome. And when you return, we will talk to see what might be done about the rest."
She nodded in understanding, then bit her lip as she held a hand over his ravaged body. When she spoke, her normally strong voice cracked. "Come to me."
Amaterasu watched as the orb broke free of its shell and floated up to rest in her palm. Death gently closed her hand around it and brought it to her heart.
"I will return." She said before disappearing.
Death didn't know how long she walked before she finally found a suitable place to give his soul shape and form, and the moment their eyes locked she crumpled and began sobbing uncontrollably. As he wrapped his arms around her, rumbling soothingly, she could do nothing more than cry harder while clutching onto him.
"Oh why did it have to end up like this?" She managed to get out. "It was not supposed to be this way."
"Do you not always say plans are subject to change?" He asked pointedly.
"But this- Sesshomaru you are dead and you were not supposed to die for a very long time." She sobbed. "How can I go on without you?"
"By remembering that our son needs at least one of his parents to support him."
"Oh no, he has no idea." She groaned. "How am I going to tell him?"
"If I could be there to help you, know that I would." He ran his hand along her hair. "I did not expect things would happen this way either, but when the Kami of the Sky appeared I knew my end was at hand."
"He killed you to punish me."
"He told me as much, but he did not give me the reason as to why he was punishing you."
She sighed and wiped at her eyes before telling him everything that happened up to the point where she released his soul from his body.
"You have exacted justice on my behalf, and I thank you for that." He said with approval.
"It is a small consolation all things considered." She pulled herself up to gaze into his eyes, cupping his face in her hands. "I am not ready to let you go."
"I am not ready to be let go of. But we have the bond and as I said, not even death can end it." He said with a smirk. "However, please refrain from attempting to split your soul or doing something else that could cause damage to it. For I will be able to feel you even in the afterlife."
"I wish I could feel you like that."
"Perhaps your goddess might be able to do something about that?" He suggested.
"Maybe." She agreed. "But what am I supposed to do now? Kazuki is not old enough to rule and without you things could very well fall apart."
"You must take my place until he is old enough." He sighed. "Though there is much he needs to learn that you cannot teach him, and I doubt Inuyasha knows much of it, if any at all."
"Well… he is a necromancer so maybe I could work something out with Amaterasu so he can summon you to teach him." She dropped her gaze to try and get it all worked out in her head. "I can easily teach him the rest, but that would be the best way for him to learn."
"Then ask your goddess, for I am more than willing to return." He smiled, and for once it was the true smile that rarely ever graced his features.
"I love you so much." She said shakily as her tears began to fall once more. "And my end cannot come fast enough so I might be with you again."
"For the sake of our son, I hope it does not come too quickly." He reached out to gently wipe her tears away. "And I have loved you for far longer than I ever led you to believe that I did."
"Somehow that fails to surprise me." She smiled sadly.
"Pity." He teased, then sobered. "I cannot remain much longer, for the balance could shift."
"I know but first, what about your swords?" She asked.
"I would have you hold onto them until Kazuki is strong enough to wield them."
"Alright, and I will be sure to take good care of them."
"I never doubted you would." He cupped her face and watched as her eyes fluttered while she nuzzled his hand. "Time is almost up."
"You cannot leave yet."
"Why?"
"You have to kiss me first."
He smiled again then caught her lips in a gentle kiss and clutched onto her just as tightly as she to him. 'We were supposed to have centuries and dozens of pups to go along with them. But at least she has Kazuki and should her goddess agree, then we will be able to steal moments from time to time.'
Finally they parted, albeit reluctantly, and he helped her climb to her feet so she could open the portal to the afterlife. They both gazed beyond the entrance to find that there were two figures waiting for him, and neither could hide their surprise when they realized one was none other than the great Inu no Taisho.
"Well it looks like you will get to have that talk with him after all." She murmured.
"So it would seem." He mused before glancing at Rin, only to find a sympathetic look on her face. Finally he shook himself and turned to peer down at her. "Go to our son."
She bit her lip and nodded then pulled him down to steal one last kiss before nudging him. "Run along now and try to stay out of trouble."
"Will you come to the afterlife to punish me if I refuse?"
"I am not permitted to enter that part of the afterlife." She said regretfully. "It is not yet time."
"Very well then, I will endeavor to behave myself." He sighed.
"See that you do."
"I love you. You and no other until the end of time."
"And I love you, until the end of time and beyond." Her voice wavered.
He nodded once then turned on his heel to take his place amongst the heavens, leaving her to watch until he was safely across.
"Goodbye." She whispered as the portal winked out of existence.
…
It took some time for her to gather the strength needed to return to the shiro where Amaterasu had patiently waited for her. Luckily, her goddess was more than sympathetic to the situation and listened intently as her charge relayed her ideas.
"I would be more than happy to open the bond on your end. And I am quite certain I can make arrangements for your son to be able to call upon his father so he might teach him what he needs to know." She smiled.
"Thank you." She couldn't help but sigh in relief.
"I have also decided that you will take up your living personae from now on, save for when is it time for your friends to go to the other side." She said. "I would spare you from that as well, but I know it helps you to have one last conversation when they know who you are, and you can speak freely."
"You are correct, and thank you."
"From now on you will be the ruler until your son is ready to take up his post, and I will see to it the Kami aid you in any way they can. Combined, I believe we will be able to set things right while ensuring the treaty remains intact so my goals can be realized."
"I understand."
"Come now, let us see about opening the bond so you may feel your mate in the way that he feels you, and do not worry I will make certain it can never be broken again."
"You have no idea how grateful I am for this." She said fervently while bowing.
"Do not worry child, I am very well aware." Amaterasu winked, then rested a finger on her charge's forehead.
Once the task was finished, Death gasped when she felt Sesshomaru's presence for the first time. And the moment he discovered she was able to feel him, he sent his love through it until she felt like he was there and holding her in his arms.
She wiped at her watering eyes and smiled gratefully at her goddess.
"I will let you speak to your son now, and once you are finished I would have you come to the realm of the Kami so we might see what we can do about aiding him in summoning his father." She said, then held up a finger. "However I feel I must warn you that there will be stipulations involved, as we do not want to upset the balance."
"I understand." She nodded, steeling herself for the conversation she was about to have with her son.
"Perhaps it might be best if you revert beforehand, so he knows that he still has a living parent." The goddess suggested.
"Good idea." Once she'd transformed, she reverently removed the swords secured in Sesshomaru's obi to tuck them into her own.
"Run along, and do not worry about the bodies. I will tend to them, with the utmost care for your mates."
"Thank you." She smiled, vanishing to return to her room then moved into the bedroom so she might speak to her son. "Kazuki, are you awake?"
"Yes." He sat up and blinked at her. "How are things going?"
"Oh, Kazuki!" She couldn't help but burst into tears once more, effectively startling her son.
"Mama, what's wrong?" He darted over to her and rested his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm so sorry to have to tell you this." She sobbed. "Your father is gone."
"Gone? Where did he go?" He asked as panic overtook his features.
"He- he's dead Kazuki."
"But... how? I don't understand. What happened?" He demanded as his own eyes filled up with tears.
The moment she saw them, she pulled him into her lap though he was getting to be much to big for it. That mattered little however, in light of the current situation. And as she rocked him, she told him everything that happened.
"He wanted you to know that he loves you very much and will miss you terribly." She sniffled. "And Amaterasu-sama is going to work something out with the Kami so you'll be able to summon him so he can train you periodically."
"So I'll get to see him again?" He perked up.
"Yes, at least until you're fully trained." She smiled weakly.
"I understand." He replied, hugging her. "Don't worry, you can sit in on my training sessions so you can see him too."
"Thank you." She returned the hug, then pulled back to look at him. "As much as I hate to leave you alone right now, I really need to get to the realm of the Kami so we can get this figured out."
"That's alright." He said with a brave smile. "I'll wait here until you get back."
She nodded and kissed his cheek, then climbed to her feet and set him down. "I'll return as quickly as I can."
With that, she reverted to her Deathly personae and headed for the realm of the Kami to discover if they'd come up with a way for her son to be able to summon his father. Luckily, they had. Kazuki would be able to summon his father twice a month, but for no more than an hour each time to ensure the balance remained intact.
It was better than she had hoped for, and her son was just as relieved.
The first time he summoned his father's spirit, she was in attendance and they used the whole hour to spend time together, as permitted by the Kami. It also gave them the opportunity to get his lessons worked out and when the hour was up, Sesshomaru was forced to leave. Though this time, it wasn't as heartbreaking as his initial departure had been.
And since they could send and receive their emotions through the bond, Kagome came to feel like he was always there. It took her a bit of time to get his emotions figured out however, and she couldn't help but be curious as to the reason why he would become disgruntled or irritated so often. That is until Forest told her that his father spent a great deal of time riling him up.
"They keep it up and the whole of the afterlife will be destroyed thanks to their machinations." She'd said teasingly.
"Well, you be sure to tell them that I am keeping track and when I get there, I will exact revenge on behalf of all those other souls forced to put up with them." She'd grinned wickedly.
Forest promised to do just that, then finished filling her in on everything that had been going on with the rest of Japan. It had taken some time to get things sorted out, since Sky had managed to muck a great many things up before he was disposed of. Not only that, but the youkai in the West ended up having a hard time dealing with the loss of their lord. But Kagome exhibited a strength they'd never known she had, and before long they followed her just as willingly as they had Sesshomaru.
Inuyasha had taken the news of his brothers death just as hard as she had, and it was then they gained a friendship much like the one she'd had with him in the past. It helped to know that he missed his brother, even if it was not as much as she did.
Within a year things had settled down and the treaty remained intact, much to the pleasure of all involved in attempting to keep it that way. But if there was one thing time could not do for Kagome, it was lessen the pain of the loss of her mate.
Perhaps it was because she had never really been affected by its passing to begin with, so unlike others living in the mortal realm the hurt she felt remained just as strong and fresh as it had the first day she'd been afflicted with it. When she thought about it though, she discovered that she really didn't mind, and that it wasn't so bad to miss him.
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