It was not for lack of trying because they had tried to make their relationship work for three years after Kagome returned. The issue was that they kept trying, even too soon after they were reunited and romantically involved realizing there was no spark.
It was a devastating blow for both of them. After everything they had been through, all of the trials and tribulations. The pining and longing for one another when they were apart, it was devastatingly platonic.
This caused them to lash out at one another more than usual. Nasty words were spewed, items in their hut were thrown about, fingers were pointed until finally Kagome removed the enchanted beads from around Inuyashas neck.
They stared at one another in silence as pain etched between them. They had both tried so hard to love the other in an intimate way but it just was not meant to be.
"So, that's it?" Inuyasha asked softly rubbing at his neck absently. Kagome dropped the necklace to the ground.
"Yeah." She whispered out. She swallowed the lump down in her throat but still found another one forming in its place. "Inuyasha, we were always better at being friends than...lovers."
Inuyasha sniffled and looked away nodding his head in agreement. "Yeah. I think so too." He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. "I can't lose you."
"I'm not going anywhere." Kagome replied. "My place is here, in the village. What are you going to do?"
"I'll stick around for a while I guess." He shrugged. "Don't really have anywhere else to go. My life's here for now."
They let go of one another and that was it. Inuyasha moved out of the hut he had built for Kagome and lived on the outskirts of the village.
As sad as it had been they both felt lighter, as if a massive weight had been lifted. They were amicable towards one another, both still protective of the other, and perhaps some would say a bit overly friendly with each other but given their history those closest to them knew it to just be their way.
Five years passed in the blink of an eye it seemed. Kagome dug at her herb garden tossing weeds into one basket and herbs into another. Her dark hair pulled back with a simple paper tie and a large brimmed hat to shield her eyes from the sun.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" She heard Rin exclaim as the younger woman ran past her to meet him as he entered the village.
Rin chattered to him happily leading him to her hut where they visited when Kagome snagged her fingers on a broken piece of branch effectively slicing them in the process.
"Ouch." She hissed out recoiling her hand to inspect the damage. Rin stopped stooping down next to her.
"Kagome? Are you alright?" She asked.
"Yeah I'm fine, just in my own little world I guess." She stated. She wrapped her fingers in the apron she wore over her top and pants.
"I will go get you something to clean that with. I will be right back. Sorry my Lord." She said as she ran away.
"Really Rin it's okay...and she's gone." Kagome said as she glanced up from underneath her hat before standing. "Hello Sesshomaru."
"Kagome." He greeted. "Where is Inuyasha?"
"I don't know."
"Is he not your mate?"
"No. He is not my mate. Honestly we haven't lived together for the last five years." She said with a smirk. "You didn't notice that?"
"I concern myself with matters that pertain to this one." Sesshomaru replied.
"Right. Yeah, no, I don't know where he is." She said shrugging. Sesshomaru eyed her. She was such an odd female, even for a human. At least now she dressed decently and covered herself, not dallying around in less clothing than a common whore.
"Yeah, no?" He asked copying her way of speaking. "You contradict yourself."
"Look, I have a lot of work to do so it was nice talking with you." She said flatly. Before she could move Sesshomaru grabbed her hand. "Hey, what gives?"
He removed the cloth from her bloodied fingers and ran his hand over hers. She felt his aura spike slightly as his hand seemed to glow. A warmth spread across her digits and into the palm of her hand.
He let go just as quickly as he had grasped her and she pulled her hand back noting that the cut was gone. She flexed her previously injured fingers and rubbed the dried blood from them.
"Thanks." She said. As Sesshomaru simply nodded his head once in acknowledgement and walked towards Rins hut.
Her hand had continued to tingle for the rest of the day. It was that warmth that had seemed to creep into her, his energy. She rubbed at it and used her own spiritual energy to try to rid herself of it before resigning that eventually it would stop.
It was not an unwelcome feeling. She could still feel the way he had taken her hand, she had missed being touched. People generally did not hug or hold hands in a friendly way as they had in her time.
It was seen as too forward, something to be kept between two people, they were all just so prudish it was almost funny. Sure she still hugged Inuyasha but his presence as of late had been less and less in the village.
So all she was left with was a warmed hand by the last person who would ever want to ever hold hands with her.
"Oi, Kagome!" Inuyasha called from the tree line as he landed in front of her. She had been hanging her laundry up on the line when he approached.
"Hey Inuyasha. Where've you been?"
"I got something I have to tell you."
"Oh? Okay, what's up?"
"Not here." He grasped her wrist and pulled her into their, her she corrected, hut.
"Ooookay." She crossed her arms in front of herself. "So?"
"Don't get mad." He said swallowing hard. "But I've, I've met someone."
"Someone?" Kagome prodded raising a brow at him.
"Yeah, another half breed. We met a few months back. She wants me to travel with her." He said all in one breath.
"What's her name?"
"Yukime."
"That's different. What type of demon is she?"
"Oh a uh, like a woodland nymph I guess would be the best way to explain it."
"So you're going to go with her then?"
"I want to."
"So what's stopping you?"
"I need to know that you'll be okay if I go."
"Inuyasha, you're free to do whatever you want." Kagome stated.
"Kagome, I still care about you...a lot. I don't wanna leave and then find out that something bad happened to you."
"Inuyasha..."
"Especially after all of the effort I put into just keeping you alive. You know you're a klutz." He said with a smirk. Kagome smiled softly.
"Yeah, I know I am." She took his hands and hers giving him a genuine smile. "Go. Be happy Inuyasha. I'll be just fine."
"I'll be back to visit. Maybe I'll be able to convince Yukime to come with me. She's skittish around people."
"Hm, I remember someone like that." With that said Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her tightly and placed a light kiss against her cheek.
"Love you Kagome."
"I love you too Inuyasha."
And with that he was gone.
Kagome stood for some time uncertain of how to feel. It became harder to breathe. She felt her breath catch in her chest and her throat. A sob came and another. The tears followed shortly after.
She had to get away from here. From this place. Kagome ran towards the bone eaters well. She wanted to go home, she wanted to see her mother and have her hold her and tell her everything would be alright.
Out of force of habit she launched herself over the rickety wooden side of the dried up hole in the ground and connected with the bottom. She felt her bone, just above her ankle, hit first with full force.
The crack alarmed her at first before the searing pain set in. She sat in the dark well surrounded by slain demons bones and felt her leg. It was broken. She cried harder into her hands sobbing loudly.
"Stupid! Stupid Kagome!" She yelled at herself hitting her forehead with her hand.
"Kagome?" She tilted her head up quickly to the voice.
"Se-Sesshomaru."
"You're injured." He said his eyes raking over her as if examining her. Kagome bit her lip and lowered her head. "Grasp the moko-moko."
The fur that he wore dangled in front of her. She took a great shuddering breath before holding onto it. In one swift move Sesshomaru lifted her out, she screamed out in pain as he caught her easily in one arm and placed her on the ground.
Kagome placed her hands slightly behind her and leaned back. She felt her body jolt as Sesshomaru rolled the leg of her hakama up.
Her leg was already swollen and bruised. The pain was unlike anything she had ever felt before. She grit her teeth and cried.
"This injury is more serious than some bloodied fingers." Sesshomaru said kneeling next to her. "I will set the bone back in place."
"You can do that?"
"Yes." He placed both hands on the appendage and prodded at it to feel where the break was. Kagome threw herself back onto the ground and fisted her own hair.
As Sesshomaru moved the bones back into place she pulled on her hair nearly ripping it from the roots. Kagome bit down on her own tongue until she tasted blood. She felt him rip off her pant leg above the knee and watched as he tore it into strips.
Without a word he stood and grasped a thin but sturdy tree branch. He snapped it in half to make a splint.
"How, how do you know how to do this type of stuff?" She asked as he placed the wood on either side of her leg and tied the fabric tightly around it to keep it in place.
"Generally I heal quickly however there have been situations that have called for me to attend to my wounds."
"Like when Inuyasha cut your arm off?"
"Precisely." He tied off the last strip and examined his handy work making sure her leg was stable. "Come."
"I can't walk on this...oh." She winced as pain shot to her hip and radiated from her toes as he picked her up in his arms.
"This one is aware." He stated proceeding to carry her back to the village. If it weren't for the searing, mind numbing pain she was in, she would have been embarrassed.
She closed her eyes tightly biting her lip with each step he took. What was she going to tell everyone? Her friends, Sango and Miroku would undoubtedly grill her about what happened.
Luckily Shippō had gone away to kitsune school and wouldn't have to worry him over her. It wasn't like she'd have to worry about explaining things to Inuyasha...
"I'm such an idiot." Kagome whispered. "I knew the well closed, I know I can't go home but I still just did...god."
"You are no such thing." Sesshomaru said interjecting her. "It is a curious thing however that after so much time you would suddenly have a desire to leave."
"Inuyasha found a...mate." She said. "He told me today. They're going to travel together."
"Ah." Sesshomaru walked into the village as he normally did holding onto Kagome as he walked to her hut. She was grateful that not many people were out and about.
Once inside her home he gently set her down on the woven tatami mats. "This one will send Rin to you to assist for the time being."
"It's okay. I don't need help."
"You are not in a position Kagome to deny assistance. Certainly the demon slayer and monk will also help you."
Kagome remained silent. She stared at her battered leg and sighed. "Thank you Sesshomaru. Really, thanks."
With a slight nod he turned and walked out. Slowly and painfully Kagomes leg healed. It was hard to bare any weight on it and she eventually was able to hobble around with a cane.
She was extremely fortunate to have such wonderful support from her friends and all of the villagers. Even Sesshomaru had been around more often while she healed.
He would bring her fresh meat from time to time to cook along with the animals hide to use as a blanket or whatever else she may need.
"You don't have to keep bringing me all of these things Sesshomaru." She finally said one day.
"My brother failed to provide for you, so this one will." He stated sitting across from her.
"He did when we were together but we're not together anymore so he's off the hook."
"Off the hook?" He questioned. As of recent from time to time he would ask her what something meant that she said to further engage their conversation.
"It means that it isn't his responsibility anymore."
"That is where you are mistaken. Until you find a mate to provide for you, it is his responsibility. Since he has abandoned that it has fallen upon me. I, Sesshomaru, will correct where Inuyasha has grievously failed."
"Well, I appreciate it." Kagome said smiling softly at him.
"You are welcome."
A year passed, then two. Even after her leg had completely healed and Inuyasha did come back to visit with his mate Yukime several times, Sesshomaru continued to visit Kagome and make sure she was comfortable.
His gifts of food turned into kimonos, bathing oils, and different types of tea leaves for her to try. Kagome always felt bad accepting his gifts but didn't want to seem ungrateful.
"You do so much for me and I never seem to do anything for you." She said. He walked with her past the village towards the bridge that stretched over the river.
"You do Kagome. In your way." He replied.
"I have no idea what you're talking about." She exasperated. He stopped her reaching up to the tree branch above them. Spring had just brought its first blooms and the tree they were under was no exception.
Sesshomaru grasped the white blossom taking enough of the stem to secure behind her ear. Kagome felt her face heat into a blush as he simply smirked at her before they continued their walk.
It was then that war broke out between the western lands that Sesshomaru was lord over and the northern lands. Kagome wrought her hands together as he explained to her he would be gone for some time.
"If you so happen to come across Inuyasha please let him know that his assistance would be greatly appreciated." Sesshomaru stated.
"Right. Of course." Kagome agreed. "I'll let him know." Rin stood next to Kagome nearly pin straight and anxious.
"Good luck my lord." She bid as she had done many times before. Sesshomaru gave a nod and was gone in a flash leaving the two women to their village.
Kagome was lonely. She hadn't realized how much companionship Sesshomaru provided for her. She ran her hands down the soft furs that he had given her and inhaled deeply the rose oil he had brought her shortly before he left.
She missed him. There was no word sent to the small human village about a demonic war being played out, humans stayed out of those affairs. As his absence became longer Kagome began to wonder if what they had was simply a companionship or if it had become something more.
"You're being an idiot Kagome." She whispered into the flames of her hearth one night. "Sesshomaru doesn't like humans."
"This one very much does like certain humans." Kagome jumped at the sound of his voice. She stood quickly and ran to where he stood in the doorway. Avoiding his deadly armor she wound her arms around his torso tightly.
"Sesshomaru. I was so worried about you."
He let out a deep sigh as if he were releasing tension. "Kagome." She led him inside and sat him down. He did so slowly and seemed to be in some pain.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. If you would, assist with removing my armor."
"Yeah, sure." It was heavy, she never realized how heavy it all was. Once his chest and shoulder guards were removed he relinquished the chest plate and swords, Tenseiga and Bakusaiga, to her.
Carefully she placed them down in a neat pile and sat in front of him. "Would you like some tea? I can make an infusion to help with the pain."
"Just some rest will do."
"I'm so glad you're here. When I didn't hear anything I thought that something bad had happened to you."
"It was a hard fought battle but it's over. Both sides saw many casualties, there may be a chance for peace albeit temporarily."
"Here let me make you up a bed."
"This one will be fine sleeping against the wall."
"No you will not." She commanded. "You just came home from a war. I want you to lay down."
"Hm, home." He mused smirking to himself. Kagome felt her mouth drop slightly and took sharp intake of breath.
"Yeah, I mean, of course this is. You're my friend and I want you to feel comfortable here. So, this is your home." She prattled.
"Thank you Kagome."
"I'm just returning the favor." She said. "Besides, I missed you." Kagome made herself busy laying out the furs on the floor next to hers, but enough distance away, for him to lie down on.
She waited until the fire had died down some lighting the brazier that she kept as a sort of night light. Sesshomaru had long since fallen asleep. She laid down on her own bedroll and studied his face curiously.
He had never let his guard down so with her and it made her heart swell in a way that made her feel giddy. In his peaceful state she allowed her eyes to stare at the markings he had.
Slowly she reached out a hand and swept his long bangs aside grazing her thumb over the crescent moon on his forehead. She had been very tempted over the years to reach out and touch his face, her curiosity itching at her fingertips to do so, but had suppressed the urge.
It didn't feel any different from the rest of his skin. Softly she swiped the back of her hand down his cheek to his stripes, same. Sesshomaru hummed softly in his sleep causing her to inch away and drift off to sleep herself.
"The hell?"
Kagome's eyes fluttered open at the voice.
"What the hells he doing here?!" She sat up quickly as Inuyasha barked loudly as was his way.
"Inuyasha? What are you doing here?" She asked sleepily. Rubbing her eyes and turning towards him she saw that he held Yukime in his arms. "Hey, is she alright?"
"I don't know." He replied his eyes never leaving Sesshomaru. "She just seems tired all of the time. I can't wake her up."
"Inuyasha." Sesshomaru said. Kagome glanced over at him. "Do you make it a habit of walking into domiciles that do not belong to you?"
"I built this hut. I can come and go as I please, what makes you think that you have the right to..."
"I am not doing this right now!" Kagome said standing. "If you're going to argue then you can both go outside. Inuyasha..." She couldn't help but smirk slightly at the way his body tensed the way she said his name. "Leave Yukime."
"Yeah, sure." He said with a nod as relief flooded him. The beads had been removed and the enchantment broken however the fear still lingered.
Sesshomaru gathered his things securing his swords and armor to his person.
"I will fetch Rin to aid you with the female." He said exiting the hut.
"So what's that all about?" Inuyasha asked after some time had passed.
"What? Sesshomaru? Oh, we're friends." She replied cheerily.
"Just friends?" He asked.
"Yup. Besides, what's with the third degree? You have Yukime now."
"She's nice and all but, I don't know." He said his eyes falling on her sleeping form. "It's not the same as it was with you."
"Well, duh, of course it won't be." She retorted.
"I miss you Kagome." Inuyasha blurted out. "I think we made a mistake. I want you back." She stared at him blinking a few times.
"Inuyasha..." She managed to whisper out before he closed the gap between them and wrapped his arms around her waist. It was so familiar she leaned into him and allowed him to seize her lips in a kiss.
She wrapped her arms around his neck returning the kiss greedily. His hands wandered down her back, through her hair, and settled on her hips. Kagome broke the kiss breathless and panting.
Rin stood in the doorway with wide eyes.
"Oh, Rin!" She exclaimed practically pushing Inuyasha away from her.
"Lord Sesshomaru said that inuyasha's mate needed tending too." She stated in a tone that Kagome didn't recognize. Clearly embarrassed Inuyasha excused himself as he went past her.
Rin walked inside and remained silent. Kagome cleared her throat a few times as Rin examined Yukime. After some time had passed she sat back and sighed.
"I won't tell Lord Sesshomaru what I saw." She said softly. "Because it would hurt him." Kagome furrowed her brow at the younger woman.
"Why do you say that?"
"Kagome, don't you know?"
"I-I don't understand what you mean Rin."
"Lord Sesshomaru has been courting you for some time now."
"I didn't realize that." Kagome suddenly felt like an idiot. All of the gifts were not just because he wanted too, well of course he had wanted too but she didn't know there was a specific reason.
"Kagome, I believe that Inuyashas mate is pregnant." Rin said standing. "I just wanted you to know that going forward."
Kagome sat stiffly feeling her nerves bundle and go on edge. Sesshomaru had been...dating her? She swallowed hard. Why hadn't he said anything?
Kagome walked out her front door to see Inuyasha standing some distance away. He turned to meet her.
"Did Rin talk to you?"
"Yeah." The pair remained silent. "I'm sorry for, in there. I meant it. All of it."
"It would end up being a mistake." She replied. "We really are better friends."
"I know. I'm gonna go check on Yukime."
"Sure." Kagome said giving a small smile as he went past her. Kagome saw Rin walking towards the stream and she ran to catch up to her. "Hey Rin. Do you know where Sesshomaru went?"
"He left." She said not stopping. Was Rin giving her the cold shoulder?
"Why did he leave without saying good-bye?"
"I don't know, you tell me." Rin said glancing at Kagome.
"You told him?"
"No." She said coming to a halt. "I said that I wouldn't and I did not. Inuyasha did, right before I told him that his woman is with child. Good luck."
Kagome stood dumbfounded for a moment watching Rin walk off. "Can you at least tell me what direction he went in?"
"Home. His home." No sooner did she say it that Kagome got her bearings and ran in the direction of the west.
"Sesshomaru?" Kagome called out. "Sesshomaru?" Her eyes scanned as fast as she could. She knew that if he didn't want to be found then he would not allow her too.
She wasn't entirely sure where in the west he actually lived, if he even had an actual estate or home, but knew she had to find him.
"Kagome." She turned on her heel breathless putting a hand to her chest.
"Sesshomaru. I know what you are thinking..."
"Oh? Enlighten this one then." He moved closer to her. "What am I thinking?"
"Inuyasha and I...what happened today was a mistake." She explained. "It just happened. I'm sorry. I-I didn't understand why you've been around so much the last two years, all of the gifts but I, I do now."
"Tell me, did you come to that realization before or after you threw yourself at my brother."
"That isn't what happened. Sesshomaru..."
"Quiet." He commanded effectively causing her to stop talking. "This one understands that perhaps customs are different from your time or even between humans, I didn't mind waiting for you to accept what was being offered. This though, you are not over Inuyasha therefore you could never fully accept me."
"That isn't true! It's over, done, so done with him." She retorted. "And I do understand I just didn't think that you would be interested in me like that so the idea didn't really cross my mind. Well, okay, it did cross my mind a few times but I...sorry I'm rambling."
Sesshomaru remained silent and unmoving. He simply stared at her with no hint of emotion. Kagome knew better though. Rin had been right, he was hurt.
"You have been a wonderful friend to me and I hurt you. I can't take it back, I can't make it go away but I can promise you that it won't happen again."
Sesshomaru tilted his head back slightly taking a deep breath and closing his eyes.
"You are such an oddity." He said suddenly. "A curiosity really. That is what first drew me to you. A need to understand you. It was never my intention initially to develop an interest beyond that."
"And yet, here we are, wherever this is."
"A crossroads."
"I want to go with you. Whichever path you take, I want to too. If you want me to."
"Very much so." Sesshomaru extended his hand out to her and Kagome readily accepted.