A/N: So... I know a lot of you aren't happy about Sesshomaru dying, but it had to happen. I've no doubt that I've been put on his hit list because of it, but oh well. With that said, I only have a couple more chapters written that are currently with my beta with a few more to write before this is finished. Not only that real life has decided it's time for me to say goodbye to a friend who's end is rapidly approaching, so I'm warning you now that updates may be sporadic depending on how things go. It's an unavoidable thing and it sucks, but it is what it is and if I've learned anything writing this story, its that death is something that's out of our hands and there's nothing we can do but accept it. Still doesn't mean it doesn't hurt, but I know she'll be in a better place and she won't be hurting anymore.

With that said, I dedicate this chapter to my very dear friend, Nita. May your afterlife be filled with happiness and joy and I know I'll see you again one day.

Disclaimer: Still don't own.

Chapter Fifty

In the decade that followed after Shippo and Sesshomaru's deaths, Kagome strove to ensure the treaty remained in place while doing her best to foster friendship between the two races. It wasn't easy, and more often than not she would fall into bed completely exhausted yet unable to sleep without her mate by her side.

It always took several nudges through the bond for Sesshomaru to get her to fall asleep, but he never minded. In fact, he spent most of his time concentrating on her instead of partaking in frivolities the afterlife had to offer. Not that she was aware of that, but he was just fine with that as well.

Aside from trying to keep the treaty intact, Kagome also used the time to get to know Kouga and Ayame once again. She'd kept an eye on them as well while she'd been ferrying souls, but since she'd gained her second life the opportunity to get to know them again had always failed to present itself.

However, when they learned of Shippo's death, they sent word that they would be coming to visit. It ended up taking them a good four years to do so. But, after they'd arrived and Inuyasha had chewed Kouga out for making them wait so damn long, they discovered that Ayame had been pregnant at the time and had given birth to triplets.

Kagome had barely managed to contain herself for she'd never thought she'd see the day when Kouga matured enough to become a father. And while he still exhibited some of the roguish traits he had in the past, he'd done a great deal of growing up over the years. Ayame still possessed her sass as well and she did a very good job keeping her mate and cubs in line, even though the eldest of the three did his best to drive her crazy.

Mikio was a chip off the old block and acted much like his father had in his younger days. He had proved it quite spectacularly just shortly after they'd arrived.

Inuyasha had finished introducing them to the 'new' Kagome and she'd smiled, inclining her head before turning her attention to the boy as he strode right up to her.

"Hello there, which one are you?" She had asked while crouching down to bring herself to his level.

"I'm Mikio." He'd given her a fang filled grin, puffed out his chest, and planted his fists on his hips all at once. "You're pretty and I think I'll make you my woman when I get older."

Kagome had been so surprised that she reeled back and promptly tumbled over. When she glanced around, she noticed that everyone who knew about Kouga's interest in the old Kagome were all giving him equal looks of shock and surprise.

"Oi! What the hell are you teaching your cubs you mangy wolf?!" Inuyasha had exclaimed.

"Shut up Inu-trasha, and don't you tell me how to raise my kids!" He had glared, then turned sheepish while rubbing the back of his neck. "Besides, I didn't teach him that."

Needless to say, their visit had been interesting and throughout it all, Mikio maintained that she was going to be his woman. It was incredibly amusing for her while the others had been slightly uncomfortable. But, luckily they managed to get over it.

After that, the wolves made it a point to visit regularly and Kagome so enjoyed having everyone present at the shiro. Without them, she only had Kazuki and his twice a month lessons with his father to look forward to. Otherwise, she was alone and she realized it was much harder to deal with when she wore the guise of a living being. But without having a valid reason, she couldn't just revert as a means to escape her sorrow.

In those years, Kazuki did a lot of growing up as well. Before she knew it, he was as tall as she was and it wouldn't be long before he reached the impressive height his father had. They were spitting images of each other, save for the small flecks of blue in her sons eyes. But the more he came to look like his father, the more she missed him.

They spent a great deal of practicing with one another in secret, as there was no way to explain her skill with weapons. But when it got to the point that she was no longer able to keep up with him in her human form, she'd gained the blessing of the Kami to revert so she could continue to train him.

Those lessons provided a reprieve from her sorrow and she relished in being able to use her abilities to the fullest. Kazuki had been less than impressed however, because it meant he was once more the weaker instead of the stronger.

"Do not feel bad son, I was stronger and faster than your father too." She grinned as they exchanged a fury of blows. "Of course he never cared for that either, but he learned to live with it. Besides you may very well beat me one day and then you can boast that you faced off against Death herself, and won."

"Now that would give me the bragging rights of the millennia, now wouldn't it?" He mused.

"That it would. So come on then, let us see if you can claim it." Her eyes glittered.

Shortly after, it was time for Kazuki's lesson with his father, so Death became Kagome once more to attend with eager anticipation.

"And what trouble have you gotten yourselves into this time?" Sesshomaru arched an eyebrow as he glanced at one then the other.

"As mother can no longer keep up with me, Death has agreed to further my skill with the sword." He grinned lopsidedly.

"Is that so?" He turned to eye his mate.

"It's only fair if you think about it. She has more skill than I, therefore more to teach." She said pointedly then grinned. "Besides it'll give him something special to show off, and if he can manage to defeat her than no one will ever want to risk facing his wrath."

"You think you will one day defeat Death?" He asked incredulously.

"Well, it does have a certain appeal to it." He smirked.

"Ridiculous." He huffed and narrowed his eyes at his mate. "Death never sparred against me."

"And for good reason too, because we both know your pride wouldn't be able to handle such a defeat." She winked.

"Hn." He grunted. "Kazuki, it is time we begin your lesson. We do not have long."

Kagome bit her lip to repress the giggle that wanted out, simply because she knew her mate was opting to pretend she hadn't said what she had. He never had been able to get over the fact that he wasn't the strongest and fastest being to grace the mortal realm. He just did his best to ignore anything that stated otherwise.

'And not even death can change his views on that.' She mused, watching as he explained something or other to their son. During these times, she never really listened to what he was actually saying. She was simply content to hear his voice as she watched him.

As always, the hour was over before she was ready for it to be and after they'd touched fingertips while conveying their feelings through their bond, he returned to the afterlife

...

About thirty years after Shippo and Sesshomaru's deaths had occurred, the other lords began to ask for her hand in the hopes that they could come to rule the West. She never agreed, always stating that Kazuki would soon be ready to rule and she had not yet been able to get over the loss of her mate.

That sparked some dissension in the ranks and it even came to blows a time or two, with Kazuki taking his fathers place to defend her. Each time he was proclaimed the victor and she was ridiculously proud of him. Though after the first time it happened and they'd told Sesshomaru, they agreed to never speak of it to him again. He'd lost it and attempted to leave so he might put the fools in their proper place.

It had taken the entire hour to get him calmed down while Kagome assured him she was his and would never love another male besides her son.

"Do not think I will not seek an audience with the Kami about this." He rumbled.

"They're only going to tell you no." She said pointedly. "But go ahead and give it a shot because I know your going to anyway."

Of course he did and of course they said no, which had him in a tizzy for some time. He finally managed to come to grips with it, and before long things went back to normal.

But sixty years after their deaths, Kagome was called to don the mantle of Death once more. It had been an accident, but Kouga and Ayame still lost their lives.

"Are you alright?" Kazuki asked once she emerged in her Shinigami gear.

"Not right now, but I will be." She smiled faintly and brushed her fingers along his cheek. "I knew it would happen sooner or later, and at least they were not killed in some stupid war like Shippo was."

"But still, an avalanche?"

"Well it is winter and though they are youkai, even they have their limits." She replied. "I must go."

"I will be here when you return."

She smiled and nodded, then took to the sky to tend to their souls.

Being as they had died together, she claimed their souls at the same time and opted to hold her last conversation simultaneously. And like their friends before them, they were both surprised and saddened to discover just what had become of her.

"Do not be sorry for me, I made my choice and have never regretted it." She said.

"But it's just… this isn't you Kagome." Ayame gestured sorrowfully.

"I have not been the Kagome you knew for over a century now." She smiled wryly. "I am Death now."

"But what about the other you that is Sesshomaru's mate?" Kouga frowned.

"It is a long story as to how I ended up with a second life." She responded.

"Will you tell us?" Ayame asked.

"Of course." And so she told them everything that had brought her to this point in her existence. "It never much bothered me before Sesshomaru was killed, but now I find myself growing ever more ready to be done with my duty."

"So how long until you're done?" Kouga asked.

"I must remain at my post until the last of my family in the future passes into the next life." She sighed. "Only after that will I be able to set my scythe aside and join everyone in the afterlife. However I do intend to return when it is time for my son to join us."

"I'm guessing he doesn't know that?" Ayame hazarded.

"You are correct. He would not want me to, but it is something I must do." She smiled faintly. "Now it is almost time and I have not yet conveyed how grateful I am to have been given the chance to know you once more in this second life of mine."

"You know, I feel I have to admit that we always wondered if you weren't a reincarnation of yourself." Ayame grinned sheepishly. "Especially since Mikio tried to claim you as his woman."

"I do not doubt that the others felt the same way." She mused then shook her head. "It would seem your mate's blood carries some inherent trait that makes them claim women named Kagome whether they are willing or no."

"Hey it's not like we made that decision lightly." Kouga huffed indignantly. "Or well, at least I didn't when I first claimed you. And you have to know by now that later on it became more of a joke than anything to get under Inuyasha's skin."

"Oh I was quite aware of that, though he still has yet to figure it out." She smirked.

"Go figure." He snorted.

"And besides, you have found an excellent mate in Ayame who gave you three beautiful cubs." She held up a finger. "And do not worry for them because I will see to it they are well cared for."

"Thank you, that means a lot to us." Ayame said softly.

"I have always taken the time to watch out for you and yours. I do not tell you this because I expect your gratitude, but because I want you to know that you always held a special place in my heart."

"We want you to know that we thought about you from time to time too." Kouga murmured.

"Thank you." She inclined her head.

After that there was nothing more to say, so she sent them through the portal and watched after them until it closed. 'How much longer will it be before I am called to this post once more to ferry one of my friends?' She wondered as she turned to make her way back to the shiro. 'The sooner it is done, the sooner I can go to my mate. But the sooner it is done, the sooner they will die and I could never wish for that.'

She was stuck in a conundrum of epic proportions just then, until she felt her mate through their bond once more and the decision was easy to make. She could wait however long it took until the Kami chose to call them, because she knew Sesshomaru was willing to wait with her.

…Death's POV...

Time… I have spoken of it often throughout this tale of mine. And yet, I have only spoken on how quickly it can pass. How quickly things can change, and how quickly it snatches away your loved ones. But I do not yet think I have spoken on how slowly it can move if given the chance.

While Sesshomaru was alive I relished every second we were given, and yet those seconds compounded much to quickly for me. Now, he has been gone for over a hundred years. I can tell you each of those years seemed to last for an eternity, no matter what I did to occupy myself.

Though even with the days moving so slowly for me, it has not done so for the rest of the world. Industry has been brought to our lands and things are changing far too quickly for my liking. Yet, the races are moving forward to greet it, side by side.

To be honest there have been several instances when I thought this plan of Amaterasu-sama's would never come to fruition, though I am glad I was wrong. The outsiders were shocked and amazed to discover that Japan was home to many beings who are so unlike the rest of humanity, and there were wars fought over it. But the humans of Japan united with their youkai brethren to push their enemies back, until treaties were signed to ensure their survival.

For just as the youkai have come to depend on their human counterparts, so have the humans come to depend on the youkai. And I have been witness to it all. A rock amidst the ever running current of the temporal river.

My son is a man now, and you will never know just how proud I am of him. He dove into the river of change with an intense fervor and has brought greatness to his father's people. I only recently gave him his inheritance as his father bid me to, and when he accepted them he was not ashamed to let the tears of sorrow and loss drip from his eyes.

He has taken over the rule of our people now, which gives me even more time to myself. Time I have no use for, because I already have more than enough to wallow in. I feel as though I am drowning, though I do not need air, and no matter how hard I try to break the surface, the river continually beats me back.

This is the second time since the death of Shippo and my mate that I have been called to take another friend to the afterlife. She died protecting my ancestors from some humans not borne of this land. And while their punishment has already been meted out at Inuyasha's hands, I still feel the anger boiling just under the surface.

Kirara was as brave and noble as any companion I have ever come across. She is survived by her many kits, but they are spread over the whole of Japan. They will not come to mourn her passing, and her mate was taken to the afterlife a handful of years prior to this.

No word was sent of her passing, as they already assumed I would come for her. While Inuyasha does not know me, he knows as well as his mate that I will be the one to come. He has never been able to figure out my identity, yet I cannot help but think that deep down he really knows it has been me all along. He is just to afraid to believe it.

Kikyou is the first to see me as I approach and after she nods her head, she tells her mate I am there. For a single instance, my eyes lock with his and I am once more convinced he can see me, until they slide effortlessly past and he declares he still cannot see me.

"Won't you reveal yourself?" Kikyou asks.

"There are too many humans here not of this land for me to do so." I say apologetically. "Revealing myself would only cause mass panic, and you have enough to deal with."

"I understand." She says before relaying my words to her mate.

"Keh, it'd be better off if they just went back to where they came from." He muttered while shoving his hands in the sleeves of his red fire rat. "And who cares? Shit, you revealed yourself to all of us when Rin died."

"That is because there was no one there who did not know of my existence." Death said pointedly.

"Keh, whatever."

It is then I realize that out of all of the people I had known in my first life, he is the only one to not be mentally changed by time. True, he has gained some maturity over the years but he very rarely lets it out, and instead behaves just as he did when I was alive the first time.

"It will only get worse, and you of all people should know that as you have been to the future."

After Kikyou relays my words, he stiffens then slumps.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Do you want me to show you where we buried her?" Kikyou asks as her sorrow makes itself known once more.

"There is no need. She is calling to me." I respond gently.

She nods in understanding, then waves her goodbye and I incline my head. I then begin to make my way to their backyard to collect yet another soul belonging to one of my friends.

Death found they put her to rest at the base of a beautiful tree that looked nothing like the Goshinboku. She was glad for that, because in her opinion there were only two people who had the right to be buried beneath its magnificent boughs. As it was, they were the last two of her friends that remained among the living.

She knew Kikyou had moved to watch her, but paid the woman no mind as she held her hand out. "Come to me."

And once she had the small orb in her hand, she turned on her heel and retreated into the foliage so she might hold their last conversation in private.

When Kirara's soul had taken shape and form, it only took her a moment to realize who she was, before she was leaping into her arms purring.

"I have missed you too, old friend." Death murmured, running a hand along her fur. "And I thank you for looking out for my ancestors. I know it has also meant a great deal to Kohaku that you took it upon yourself to look out for his children and their descendants."

The neko meowed then butted her head against the underside of her jaw.

"It is a long story as to how I came to be in this position, and as each year passes it grows even longer in the telling." She sighed. "But I will tell you just as I have told the others."

Kirara nodded, and waited for her to take a seat so she might curl up in her lap while giving Death her full attention. And like she said, the tale was very long, but the feline made sure to remember every word. She did not doubt the others would wish to know how she was doing on the other side.

"…Inuyasha and Kikyou are the only two that remain of the original Inu Tachi." She finished. "But even when they go, I will remain at my post until the time comes that my family passes into the other life."

Kirara meowed sadly, then nudged her hand.

"Do not pity me, it is alright." She smiled faintly. "Come now, it is your turn to tell me of your life. I have done my best to check up on you, but have not always been able to watch the events of your life as they unfolded."

Kirara nodded and began meowing as she told her friend her tale. Though they were different species and she had never been able to understand her when she was alive, she had no troubles now.

Kirara and her mate had thirty-two kits before they decided they'd had enough, and her mate's life ended thanks to some unknown illness. And Death wasn't surprised to find he'd been buried under the same tree as she had.

"I am glad you have had a fulfilling life." Death smiled. "And now it is time for you to go. I have no doubt that Sango and Kohaku are anxious to see you. And now that I think about it, Sora has been dead for many years as well, so I am certain Miroku is also there and waiting for you."

Kirara nodded then hopped out of her lap to prance around as Death climbed to her feet to open the gate. And sure enough, there were four beings waiting to greet her on the other side.

Death smiled faintly and inclined her head when she caught their waves, then turned her attention to the neko. "Run along now and give everyone my love."

Kirara nodded, rubbed against her leg once and trotted towards the portal. In no time at all she was being scooped into loving arms while the other three greeted her warmly.

Death watched the happy reunion a moment, then turned to walk away even before the portal had a chance to close. One day she would be allowed to cross through that doorway and the closer that time came, the harder it was for her to watch what took place beyond it.

A few years after Kirara had passed, Ah-Un died of old age and Jaken followed not long after, as there was no one left to give him a reason to remain. Kagome had never been able to get him to warm up to her, and so she left him be, knowing that once the two-headed dragon had passed, he would not be long in following.

She'd gotten consent from the Kami to ferry their souls and was glad that she had, for while their last conversations were short, they were still meaningful. Not only that, but her mate and Rin had been waiting to greet the dragon when he crossed so she got to see him for at least a moment.

She also got to see him again when she ferried Jaken's soul to the afterlife and was not surprised to see the dragon waiting with them. Other than that, she only got to see him a few more times before Sesshomaru declared he had nothing left to teach his son.

The last lesson hadn't even been a lesson. Instead the time was spent together as a family. One last hour. Though halfway through, Kazuki had excused himself so they might have some time to themselves.

"I don't know what I'm going to do now." Kagome sighed morosely. "Time seems to be moving at a snails pace for me and while I am not anxious to ferry anymore souls, I am anxious for this to be over and done with."

"You must be patient. I know you have the strength to endure this." Sesshomaru said. "And once it is done, you will be glad to have experienced it all. You should know better than anyone that the afterlife knows no bounds, nor does it have a limit. When you join us we will be able to have a happiness we never could have known in this world."

"Eternal happiness and peace." She mused. "Well when you put it like that, I think I can kick it around here awhile longer."

"Of course you can, you are the mate of the Western Lord." He sniffed and she couldn't help but laugh.

However in no time at all, the laughter was joined by her tears and she clung to his corporeal form as she cried all her pain and heartache out. He held onto her just as tightly, knowing that nothing he said would make her feel any better.

When she managed to pull herself together, she leaned back to peer up at him with eyes made brighter by the unshed tears she tried to hold in. "You have to go soon."

"I know." He released her to wipe her cheeks free of moisture.

"Kiss me please." She all but begged.

He was only too happy to oblige her and as he did so, they closed their eyes to avoid seeing the moment when he was pulled back to the afterlife. Being she was who she was, she felt the stirrings at the same time he did. And even though she was holding onto him, the power at work was much stronger. And so he was pulled away and returned to where he now belonged ,while she was left with nothing more than the memory of that last moment together.