Chapter 49: A. Mess.

AN: Whew. Wow. I would just like to say what a great ride this has been with you all. As well as a huge thanks to HHimori and all of you for sticking with me so long. Only two chapters left, and I hope I can give you all the ending you deserve.

I looked down at her sleeping form. Peacefully slumming in my arms, bringing her close to me. Resting my hand over her womb, silently praying that she would not be asleep for long this time. I released my aura over her once more; letting it mingle with her own. I looked at both of our mothers; they had both lost the man they had loved today. The scent of melancholy and blood was in the air; thick and pungent. I could hear the young boy's heart banging away in his chest, and it hadn't slowed since the moment his sister had awoken. I looked down at his lifeless body, as his blood pooled around him. I let out a deep sigh. I would be lying if I said that I wasn't pleased with the demise of the flea. I held them closely, my eyes glancing over to our mothers. Both silently cried into one another. Only they could understand what the other was going through. One man had made such a mess. Ruined a family, trust; broken hearts. One man had done all of this. I sighed looking back down at his body. This was a moment I would never forget... none of us would. I stood, cradling her against my chest carrying her into the house. Making my way to another bedroom. I gingerly laid her down, brushing the stray hairs away from her face. I laid beside her, burying my nose in her disheveled hair. I could feel lids becoming heavier with each passing second.

"It is finally over."

"Hn."

"This will be a nuisance to clean up."

"Indeed it will..."

I stood in the shower. Standing there as the scalding water hit my skin. Washing the dried blood from my tired body and tangled tresses. I watched as the blood mixed in with the water. I ran my fingers over my newly healed wound. Three inches... he was three inches off. Any closer and it would have been my heart. No doubt the old fool had missed on purpose. I laughed... it was bitter and dry. The old bat was still softer than he had let on. It made me wonder if there was any chance that he could have been saved. I sunk to the floor, the cold tiles pressing up against me. I brought my knees to my chest continuing to laugh. Quickly covering my mouth. I could feel my bitter laughs turning into sobs. I made sure my hand was clamped over my mouth tightly. So, my sobs could not slip past my lips. My heart ached in my chest. A piece of me would be gone forever. I could still see his blood on my hands; the smell of the red liquid still assaulted my senses. His heart dropping to the floor as I ripped it from his chest. A cowardly thing I had done... attacking from behind like that. There was no honor in that kill, but I just couldn't do it. Look him in the eyes as I took his life. Watch the light fade from his eyes... see him breathe his last breath. I wished things could have gone differently. I prayed they could have, but I knew... no, we both knew that that would have never been possible. He had made his choice and had made mine. Parents who just wanted their children safe... or at least I was. I removed my hand from my mouth, biting my lip. I stared at my hands, trying to steady their shaking. I let out a deep sigh. Resting my forehead on my knees. The demon council would be here soon enough ... all of this was going to be a hell of a mess to clean up.

I stared at my wedding ring. Tears welling up in my eyes as I did. My mind imploded, and I could do nothing to stop it. Memories... they had all come rushing in at once. As if a dam had just broken, and the waters had been set free. Free to wreak havoc on whatever was in its path. My sanity the broken dam, the rushing water my unwanted memories and me. Just standing there in the middle waiting to be washed away. Countless dinners, breakfasts, laughs, kisses, first times... last times. They all flashed before my eyes, whether I wanted them to or not. I tore the ring off, nearly taking my finger off with it; launching it across the room. I gripped my shirt, my breathing hastened, the room began to spin, I sank to the floor. Wallowing in my self-pity. How could I have been such a fool? I banged my hands against the sides of my temples. I opened my mouth to scream. To let go of whatever it was that was inside me that was yearning to come out. The pain, the loathing... all of it, yet nothing came. I just sat there, my mouth hanging open; tears flowing freely and face twisted in agony. I placed my head on the floor, silently sobbing to myself gripping the shag carpeting between my fingers.

"Fool, fool, fool."

I repeated the word over and over to myself. Such a fool and an idiot I had been. I should have opened my eyes sooner. Maybe if I had this wouldn't have happened. I wouldn't be here weeping. Breaking my own heart over a man who didn't deserve it. Yet I could not deny the weight that had been lifted off of my shoulder, once he'd died. He was gone and Kagome was safe... that is all that mattered. I slowly sat upward, staring at the ceiling. Gods ... all of this was such a mess.

I'd splashed some cold water onto my face. Staring back at myself in the mirror. Everyone had broken off on their own. No doubt trying to run from what was outside. His body was still lying there... Sesshomaru's mother said we shouldn't touch it. That she was the one who killed him and she was the one who would have to answer to the authorities. Explain to them what exactly had gone on here. Explaining how it all started, was a different story. I sighed taking a seat on the toilet. It's obvious that they would only question her, and just let the rest of us waltz on out of here. My mother was a mess. She had gone into a room, locked herself in it, and hadn't come out. The same with Sesshomaru's mother. Sesshomaru himself had carried my sister away into the west wing of the house, and here I was... locked away in the bathroom hiding. We were all hiding. Hiding from the mess that was out there, as well as the mess to come. Not to forget once that was over there was still the mess of wether Kagome will be asleep forever. I ran my hand across my face.

"I should have stayed at school."

I just wanted a peaceful reunion with my family. Instead, I happened to walk in on all of this chaos. I walked over to the window, looking up at the moon. What a mess all of this was.