Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters in this fan fiction are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. The original characters and plot are the property of Chiaztolite, who is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Summary of Previous Chapter: Some backstory on Sesshōmaru's parents. Tōga and Yōhime had a lengthy conversation about their son, in which they each shared what they had learned.

Thank you so much to my amazing beta reader: Shiroi Kiba no Kyohi-ka for making sure everything in this chapter is on point!

Without further ado... Enjoy!

The Way to Elysium

Chapter 17: Where the Water Lilies Bloomed

Izayoi's Elysium: the Palace in the Sky

Now

Sesshōmaru did not chase after Kagome following her escape from the four seasons garden that morning. He left her be. She deserved some time to sort out her feelings alone. Obviously, she had run because it was getting too intense for her. It had been intense for him as well — except he did not have an option to run away.

He spent the afternoon exploring the sights he remembered from his youth, the places where he had ventured to during one of his rare visits to the palace. There was a lake he had gone to often, filled with so many lily pads that the water surface was nearly covered with them. A wooden pavilion stood by the water; a sheltered look-out point for anyone who wanted to admire the beauty of the lake a little more, whether in solitude or with company. There was also a boardwalk that formed a meandering path over the water, , for those who wanted to feel as though they were floating above the lake.

When he reached his destination, he saw his father had already occupied the pavilion at the edge of the water. He contemplated turning around, but it felt cowardly to do so. Not to mention a few steps in the wrong direction, especially after standing his ground during their conversation the night before.

"My son," Tōga greeted as soon as Sesshōmaru entered the pavilion. Never one to mince words, he went straight to the point: "I went to your mother's last night."

"You are able to do such a thing even though you are dead?" Sesshōmaru was unable to keep his surprise out of his voice.

His father nodded. "Because of the exchanging of the souls, the bond between yōkai mates transcends death. Your mother and I can still communicate and feel each other's thoughts. Not perfectly, not like while we were both still alive, but we are able to maintain our connection. I am also able to materialize in the living realm as long as she is also present in the same place. However — the frequency of visits to the living world is limited. The dead cannot cross over as many times as they want, unfortunately."

That was… interesting. So — as his father had indicated previously, his parents did speak to each other and maintain contact even after his death. He supposed, because of the rift between him and his parents, he never learned much about their dynamics, or about yōkai mating and customs. He had heard about the exchanging of souls from elsewhere, though not in details. Since he had no plans to take a mate anytime soon, he never paid it any mind.

Until recently.

They both descended into silence, staring at the blooming water lilies as though they were the most fascinating objects in this realm. Sesshōmaru noticed, however, that his father fidgeted. The small cue was out of the ordinary, as Inu no Taisho was a confident male, and not one prone to fidget.

He waited for the awkward conversation that was sure to come. After a few more seconds, finally, his father spoke.

"My son. Your mother told me something that disturbed me greatly," Tōga said, turning to look at Sesshōmaru in the eyes. "She shared with me… the circumstances around your escape, and the fate of the one who helped you. Do you remember the Queen?"

Sesshōmaru stared at his father for a long time. Inutaisho was right to fidget. The circumstances around his escape, is it?

Then, he spoke calmly: "Can I be trusted to remember the person who prevented me from being raped? Yes, I think so."

His father visibly flinched at that choice word. He returned his attention back to the water lilies.

"I am sorry," Sesshōmaru said, unable — and perhaps unwilling — to keep the sarcasm out of his ton from bleeding into his tone. "Was that harsh?"

Tōga drew a deep breath, forehead creasing as though he was nursing a deep wound. "Not harsh," he eventually said. "It was merely the truth. And often times, truth is… painful."

He turned away from the water lilies to face Sesshōmaru. "Your mother said the Queen had not been treated well since she sent you away. I do not know the details, but it sounded quite severe. Enough that someone from the palace contacted your mother secretly to help with the Queen's escape. Thankfully, your mother was able to manage it."

So, even the Queen could not escape Zetsubōmaru's brutality. Sesshōmaru had often wondered what her fate was after he left the Southern Isles. Now he knew. At least she was alive. And now, in a safer place.

"May I see her?" Sesshōmaru asked. Back then, everything had happened so fast. He never had the chance to thank her.

"You will have to ask your mother," Tōga replied. "Later, after your return to the living realm. I asked her to not share the Queen's location with me, and for good reasons."

Sesshōmaru nodded. If his mother had indeed stolen the Queen away from the palace, Zetsubōmaru was bound to be looking for his mate. In that case, it would be prudent to ensure only select few knew her whereabouts.

He would ask his mother the next time he saw her.

He turned his attention back towards the lake with its calm water and the beautiful water lilies. This place too, just like the four seasons garden where he had brought the miko, seemed so magical. The lily pads were all blooming at the same time as though by design. It was not natural, but quite an impressive sight nevertheless.

"It never occurred to me that you and Mother maintain an amicable relationship," Sesshōmaru said. He saw his father's eyebrows arched at the word.

"Amicable?" Tōga repeated, as though he found it a funny word. When Sesshōmaru nodded, he smiled a little at his son. "And why does it surprise you so, Sesshōmaru?"

"Because—" Sesshōmaru paused, suddenly feeling uncertain. He shifted his weight to his other foot and placed a hand on the railing of the pavilion. "Did you not embark on an affair with Izayoi while still mated to Mother? I would have expected such a betrayal to wreck one's relationship with one's mate."

"Ah, Izayoi," Tōga sighed, then smiled. His father's cryptic demeanour and smiles began to grate on Sesshōmaru's nerves. His claws tightened around the wood in within his grasp.

"Just as I never expected your chosen realm to be Mother's palace. I have always thought it would be your stronghold in the western lands, or —" He narrowed a look at his father. "— Izayoi's mansion."

His father looked bemused. "You thought correctly," he said. "My Elysium is the western lands stronghold. That fortress is nowhere as plush and comfortable as your mother's palace, but it is the place I cherish most. I spent most of my time there while I was alive."

Sesshōmaru's eyes narrowed. "I do not understand. Then, why—"

"My son. This is not my realm," Inutaisho said gently. He paused for a moment. "This is Izayoi's."

Sesshōmaru did not speak as he endeavoured to understand what his father was trying to tell him. His frown deepened. "Why would Inuyasha's mother have my mother's home as her Elysium?"

"Can you think of why?" Tōga nudged gently, and waited.

His first born was highly intelligent and intuitive. Tōga had no doubt Sesshōmaru would come to realize quickly. As he expected, within seconds, realization dawned on him. It was in those eyes, the way they widened just slightly. The way the honeyed amber colour deepened just a touch as one of his brows arched mildly.

"I think you have figured it out," Tōga said.

Sesshōmaru tilted his head to the side, looking at his father with something that looked like a newfound interest. "I have never… considered it a possibility before."

Tōga nodded. "Most have not. Of course, the simplest and most plausible explanation is that I have left your mother and taken a human lover. But, Sesshōmaru. In all seriousness, can you see your mother — the Princess Yōhime of the Southern Isles — as a cuckquean? She is a daiyōkai in her own right. She is my true mate in every way. Those things aside – imagine what your grandfather would have done. Dead or alive, he would have come to demand honour for the humiliation his daughter suffered. That honour would have come in the form of my decapitated head."

Sesshōmaru could not see fault with his father's logic. The King would not have let the slight pass without retribution. Now it made sense why he had done nothing. It was because it had been his own daughter who initiated the arrangement.

"All three of us suffered consequences one way or another," his father continued. "Your mother was a laughingstock for a great many years, being considered the only female yōkai whose mate had abandoned in favour of a human woman. Though on the surface it might appear I had all the benefits, I was not above reproach. No one dared to slight me publicly, but it was still heavily frowned upon for a mated yōkai to take on a lover. As for Izayoi… Well. Although she still resided in her mansion, she was ostracized from good society and called all kinds of names: demon's pet, shameless harlot, filthy whore. You can imagine the rest."

"Such inconvenient consequences for what essentially are fleeting pleasures. Was it all worth it?" Sesshōmaru asked.

Tōga smiled. "Izayoi is a very important person to your mother. The same is true the other way around. If you saw them together, you would have agreed. And after so many years, Izayoi has come to be an important person to me as well. So — yes, I think all three of us concur it was all worth it."

"Listen to me, Sesshōmaru," Tōga said. "One day – if not already, you may find that one person you want to bond with. Know that the bond between mates is extremely special. Once souls are exchanged, the bond is unbreakable, irreversible. It outlasts death. It is not something you can sever because you changed your mind, or you found someone else you like better. The change of heart is unlikely anyway, because when a yōkai decides to take a mate, all three parts of him – or her – must decide on the same person: the heart, the soul, and the beast. It is a rare occurrence. Only when all three are in sync for both parties, can a true bond be established. And only a true bond between two yōkai can produce offspring. Did you know that?"

Sesshōmaru shook his head. No, he did not know that.

"The bond between your mother and I is true. Your existence is the proof of it. It is true for every yōkai who had ever produced a child with a mate. I have never once betrayed your mother, in thoughts or in deeds. It is the same for your mother. But you see – while you have only one soul to give, and your beast is possessive and selfish to a fault, the heart… The heart can be generous. It is like a spacious house with many rooms in it. This is what happened with Izayoi. After your mother met her, the moment she sensed their friendship had taken a different turn, she came to me. We made the decision together to take Izayoi into our folds, and to love her. Together."

Sesshomaru released the rail he had been gripping to pace around the pavilion. As much as he loathed to admit, his father's confession did put a different spin on things. It was much easier to despise him when he had committed a dishonour. Though Sesshōmaru was not close to his mother, he still felt indignant on her behalf, thinking his father had betrayed her.

"That night, when you rushed to Izayoi's mansion to rescue her," Sesshōmaru said. "Was it also for Mother's sake, so she did not lose another loved one in addition to yourself?"

Tōga inclined his head and smiled. "Sometimes, your sharp intuition sends chills down my spine," he said. "During my battle with Ryukotsusei, I was gravely injured. I knew death was imminent, and that I would die whether I went to Izayoi's mansion or not. Your mother wanted to go, but there was no way I could have let her go to Izayoi's side. What if the unthinkable happened to her? You would have been orphaned. It seemed prudent that I was the one to go."

Sesshōmaru let it be unsaid that he felt like an orphan most of his life anyway, so what did it matter? Such thought felt unnecessarily bitter. He did go to his mother when he needed some questions answered. Twice. And, his mother did bring Rin back to life that time.

"My son. This explanation is not meant to make you more inclined to forgive us," Tōga said. "I just want you to know what was at stake that night. It was not only for Izayoi and Inuyasha's sake, but your mother's as well, who would have been left with no partner at all had I not rushed to rescue Izayoi. And I believe—" He paused before he proceeded cautiously. "— you understand the crippling grief someone feels when losing two loved ones on the same day."

Sesshōmaru would not argue with that. His grief over his grandfather and Chikatani's death — on the same day, as his father had pointed out, had been debilitating.

"You were correct. I do not wish that for Mother," Sesshōmaru murmured. He stared at his father.

"Now, I do wonder," he said. "What would have happened that night on the beach if, instead of going our separate ways, I followed you and lent you aid? When you died, with your blood in my veins, I would have been able to use Tenseiga to revive you. What would life had been like then, for all of us?"

Tōga lowered his head and let out a soft laugh. "Perhaps, had I told you everything I held back from you, I would have given you a reason to help me that night. But sadly, I did not. Well, thinking about it… We would have made one big, incredibly peculiar family, no doubt about that." He chuckled softly and looked at Sesshōmaru, still smiling. "My son. Nowadays, I do not desire much. As beautiful as that dream may be, just this— Just being able to talk to you like this, it is already a gift."

He paused and looked towards the direction of the main house. "Now, I see your miko coming this way. I believe she is not fond of me. With good reasons, of course. So, I will take my leave for now, my son."

"Wait," Sesshōmaru said, lifting a hand to stop his father from leaving. He knew the miko did not want to ask his father for anything, but he would – if it would help her soul to return to her physical body. "We came here to ask if you could open a portal to the living realm with So'unga, which would allow her soul to return to the world of the living. Is that possible?"

"It is… possible," Tōga said. "But, my son, that is not how you would want her to return to the living realm. To pass through the portal that So'unga opened, it would render her soul black, and turn her into a vengeful spirit. That is not what you would want for her, I presume?"

"No, certainly not," Sesshōmaru said, thoughtfully. "This leaves us with no choice but to face the Death God directly."

Tōga nodded. "When one has passed through to the three realms of the afterlife, the only way to leave is with his blessing." He sighed. "Plead your case to him, my son. He is known to be merciful, sometimes. It is possible that he will allow your miko to return to the world above. After all, what is one soul to a God who rules over all the souls in the underworld?"

Sesshōmaru did not answer. He had an uneasy feeling it would not be so simple. A premonition of sort. The scent of Zetsubōmaru's subjugation potion he dug out of his memory was now fresh in his mind, and he had no doubt it was the same scent he detected in the miko's chest wound.

There was no mistake that someone wanted them in the underworld. Some unexplainable incidents — too uncanny to be coincidences — had happened to them along the way. Would it be the Death God's doing? Why? Was he in collaboration with Zetsubōmaru? And— what did the miko have anything to do with any of this?

There were so many questions, his head was reeling with them, and he hardly noticed his father had left the pavilion because the miko was coming this way.

He shook his head to rid himself of any excess thoughts and waited for her.

… …

Kagome held back until Inutaisho had left the pavilion before she proceeded, giving the older daiyōkai a brisk nod in return for him inclining his head in greeting.

It had taken her nearly the entire day to recover from their… date — dare she call it a date? — in the four seasons garden this morning. She had surely embarrassed herself, squealing like that when he bit the tip of her ear. She hoped he was tactful enough to not bring up the incident.

But, merely thinking about it made her knees weak all over again…

She took a deep breath to centre herself and approached the pavilion. He sensed her, of course. He had turned to watch her step into the beautifully carved wooden structure, undoubtedly designed and constructed to allow visitors to admire the beauty of the lake beyond. His neutral expression gave her no indication if he was thinking about — or even remembered — the events from this morning.

Sesshōmaru gave her a rather clinical observation from head to toe. "Miko, you have not fed in over three days. Are you certain you are not hungry?"

She shook her head. "I'm not sure why, but I feel fine. I can still feel your energy inside me from the last time I fed from you. Perhaps, since we have not exerted ourselves as much as we did before, the energy lasts longer?"

"Perhaps," he replied. "Well. You know to ask if you feel even the slightest pang of hunger."

Kagome nodded. "Thank you."

His forehead creased slightly. "What for?"

"For always taking care of me."

He gave her an odd look before he turned away.

"Since you are here," he said, as he stared at the water lilies instead of her person. "Would you like to go for another stroll?"

After this morning, the offer seemed… dangerous now. Not that she thought he was going to harm her in any way. She was more afraid of what she might do — or what she might feel. It was becoming more and more clear to her that she was only able to withstand his allure a little at a time before she lost herself in his magnetism.

She was drawn to him, that much was certain. As though he was the sun — a star sitting in the centre of her solar system, and she was one of his moons, helpless to do anything but to orbit around him.

Dangerous.

Yet, she could not stop herself.

"I'd like that," she said. And it was the truth.

It was already sunset when they left the pavilion and started walking along the floating boardwalk that took them over the lake covered with blooming lily pads. The sky was bright orange with a few streaks of magenta and fuchsia, as if a god had taken a giant brush and painted a few strokes of bold colours to create the most magnificent sunset she had ever seen. It was beautiful beyond belief. Strolling over the boardwalk, she felt like she was floating over the water, levitating between the water lilies.

"Did you have a good chat with your father?" She asked.

"We are learning new things about each other everyday. I find it… interesting."

"Hmm. Does this new information change how you feel about him?"

He rubbed his forehead, right where his crescent moon insignia was. "Some parts remain the same while others are altered. Truthfully, it is no longer so clean cut."

She sensed he had more to say, so she kept on walking and waited for him to continue.

He sighed. "My father informed me that my mother and Izayoi had been… intimately acquainted before he and Izayoi became lovers. This nugget of knowledge altered my perspectives a bit. As you can imagine."

She could not help but gape at him. "Truly? Your mother and Inuyasha's mother?"

He nodded. "In fact, this realm is Izayoi's Elysium all along, not my father's."

That, in itself, was very interesting, as it proved how much Izayoi cherished Sesshōmaru's mother. Enough to make the palace in the sky her home for eternity.

"How do you feel about it?" She asked cautiously. "About your mother and… Izayoi?"

He lifted a shoulder in a shrug. "What they do behind closed doors is nobody else's concern but their own," he simply said.

Kagome doubted anyone could have predicted it had been Sesshōmaru's mother who started the romance with Izayoi and brought the human woman into her relationship with her mate. It was much easier to believe that Inu no Taisho, like many men in his era who were in the position of power, had taken a concubine.

They kept on walking. Sesshōmaru had his head lowered for a long time now, not speaking. She was peering at him when she saw his shoulders began to shake as he let out a low, quiet, and truthfully — quite creepy laughter.

"Uhhh… Sesshōmaru?"

At her call, he stopped laughing that strange, eerie laugh and straightened himself.

"Pardon me," he said, wiping his face as though to erase any traces of smile, and failing miserably. He pressed his knuckles against his lips. "I was just… imagining Inuyasha's facial expression when he finds out."

"Your sadistic streak came out, huh," Kagome said, though she was also powerless to stop her own smile at the mental image of Inuyasha: fiery-cheeked, flat-eared, completely scandalized at the knowledge that Sesshōmaru's mother and his own were lovers. "Are you going to tell him?"

"Don't know. It depends."

"Depends on…?"

He smirked. "On how much he vexes me."

She arched her brow at him. Oh, he certainly could be wicked when he wanted to. That part still had not changed. The darker, more perverse part of her felt giddy to know it was so. Although — she did hope Inuyasha would not take the news too badly.

They started walking again, in sober silence this time. It was as though the mere mention of Inuyasha had thrust him right in between them, like a spectre. There was only the sounds of their footsteps over the wood planks, and the occasional splash and plop of a fish leaping into the air and dropping back into the water.

"On the subject of Inuyasha," he said quietly as he looked at her sideways. "Are you… longing to see him again?"

Perhaps the question should have surprised her. It was the first time he had asked about her feelings towards Inuyasha, after all. But, somehow, it did not. It was as if deep down, she had known all along that he would ask her.

She drew a deep breath.

"Not as much as I should," she replied, and chuckled ruefully. "Which sounds terrible."

"Miko. The question was not designed to make you feel guilty. You are free to feel however you feel. Nothing more, nothing less."

The truth was… yes, she missed Inuyasha, but not in the way she thought she would be, or should be. She did not miss him romantically. She missed him as a friend. She missed talking to him, telling him all the things she had seen and experienced — both the wonderful and the grotesque. She even wished she could tell him about Sesshōmaru. About her growing, blossoming feelings for the daiyōkai, as strange and horrible as it sounded.

She and Inuyasha had been friends long before they turned lovers. Was it odd that, now, so far away from him, she missed their friendship more than she missed… their romantic entanglements?

She knew what she did not miss. Arguing with Inuyasha, bickering back and forth about every stupid little things that did not matter. She did not miss punishing him with those subjugation beads, telling him to "sit" every time he did not perform the way she wanted him to.

She did not miss the deep-rooted insecurities she had revolving around his past relationship with Kikyō. As much as she tried to be confident in herself and in her bond with Inuyasha, sometimes, when she saw him staring into space and lost in thought, she could not help but wonder: are you thinking about her?

Kagome thought back to the three years she spent in the modern era, banned from the Sengoku Jidai because the bone-eater's well refused to give her passage. What was she missing back then, and why did she wish to return to the feudal era?

Did she go back merely because she knew Inuyasha was waiting?

Did she go back for her friend, or for a person she hopelessly, helplessly, absolutely in love with?

Did she consent to marry him because it had seemed like the natural step to take? After all, what were her options? The well had closed again and she had no way of returning to her natural time.

And— what if the place in her heart that should have been Inuyasha's by right, was now occupied by… someone else?

Inuyasha needed you. This was all too late. You had promised him that you would be with him.

She tried to swallow the lump that clogged her throat. She felt herself divided: half of her wanted to do the right thing. The other half — it wanted to do what her heart desired. But, there was no way to reconcile the two.

What a terrible person she was.

… …

They had gradually stopped walking. Now, they were both standing still on the boardwalk in the middle of the lake, surrounded by the blooming pink and blue water lilies. Dusk turned into night, plunging them into darkness for just a moment before yōki torches gradually illuminated the path along the boardwalk. Glowing lanterns emerged, floating on the surface of the water.

Sesshōmaru did not need the soft glow from the fires and the lanterns to see her face, but they did cast some lovely lights and shadows onto her features. He watched her in silence. She was quiet, but full of thoughts.

"On the subject of Inuyasha," he had said earlier, as he watched her eyes widening as though she knew where the conversation was going. "Are you… longing to see him again?"

Have you made room in your heart for me, at all?

When she answered: 'not as much as I should', he had felt… hopeful.

He knew his question about Inuyasha would bring out some feelings in her. Unresolved feelings. But he knew without a shade of doubt: if he were to move forward with his suit, this part was inevitable. She would have to choose eventually. Unlike his father, he would not share. Ever. Perhaps it would be better all around if he encouraged her to start examining her own feelings sooner than later.

It did not escape his attention that he was coming into her life uninvited and messing up the plans she had carefully built for herself. He understood this would not be easy for her. He was a yōkai. If he wanted something, he would simply take it. After all, she and Inuyasha had not yet mated. Even if she had become Inuyasha's wife, marriage was human's convention, and held no sway in his world.

But, for her, the matter was nowhere as simple. She was not someone with loose morals, and she was not prone to infidelity. She was someone who loved wholeheartedly, who never desired to inflict pain on others. Even if she chose him in the end, it might be some time before she could come to terms with it.

But — if ever she gave him any indications that she wished to be with him, he would take her away — married or not.

When he scented her tears, his heart stuttered. He had made her weep. Again. She had her head lowered, tears hidden, as though she was trying to conceal them from him.

He tucked his forefinger under her chin and coaxed her to look up and meet his gaze. The lights from the lanterns and the torches were reflected in her limpid eyes, bringing out the flecks of gold in those fawn depths. As he suspected, tears brimmed there, spiking her lashes.

"I did not intend to make you sad with my question," he said, touching her cheek gently. "Forgive me."

She shook her head. "The question did not make me sad," she said, choking back a sob.

"Then, why are you weeping, miko?"

Her eyes glittered with those tears as she continued to look up at him. Her emotions were overflowing as though her heart was an overfilled cup. He felt her sorrowful gaze like an arrow shaft to the heart.

"I just wish that…" She whispered, chin quivering. "… it didn't take me dying… to know you like this. I wish that… I have always known you like this."

… …

Kagome closed her eyes and let her tears fall freely.

Because then, I would have loved you from the beginning.

Because then, my happiness would not be built on top of someone else's misery.

It was a foolish wish, not to mention selfish. Because in the end, all she wanted was to avoid this gut-wrenching guilt that was now ravaging her from within. In the end, all she wanted was to be unburdened, to ride off into the sunset — in someone else's arms — with her conscience free and clear.

Foolish. Life was never so perfect. As it turned out, neither was death.

"Is there anything I could do to dry your tears, miko?"

She nearly chuckled. He had asked her what he could do to dry her tears as he was actively wiping her tears away with his thumb.

But she understood: he had meant to address the root of her sadness. No one could fix that but herself.

With a shuddering breath, she opened her eyes. She nearly gasped. There were hundreds of fireflies around them, each glittering like dancing stars with their emerald glow. And he — the apple of her eye — he was watching her with softened gaze the colour of warm, liquid honey. There was a slight crease on his forehead, and the way he looked at her made her think he was in deep pain too.

She leaned into his touch. As though he knew exactly what she needed, he caressed her cheek with the palm of his hand.

This hand that had supposedly slayed so many. This hand that supposedly belonged to a demon who was cold, cruel, and heartless.

If those were true, then, how come — How come she always felt so cherished and treasured under his touch?

"Just lend me your arms, and your shoulder to cry on," she whispered, lowering her head until it touched his shoulder.

He wrapped himself around her straightaway, cocooning her in his warmth, his strength, and everything — everything that was bad and terrible seemed to melt away.

There, on that boardwalk in the middle of the vast lake where the water lilies bloomed, where the fires and the lanterns illuminated their embracing bodies, where the twinkling green fireflies came out to play, there were only her and him.

She closed her eyes and wished.

Let it stay like this.

Author's Note:
The last few chapters have been heavy with conversations. This chapter is no exception. The conversation between Sesshōmaru and his father is important, as Tōga finally reveals the true nature of his relationship with Izayoi. He also explains some information about yōkai mating ritual, which, Sesshōmaru -being as focused and single-minded as he is towards his goals- most likely is not aware.

Then, there is conversation between Sesshōmaru and Kagome, in which he brought up the topic of Inuyasha. This is the first time we see Kagome's inner struggle, how torn she is when it comes to her duty vs her heart's desire. I'm glad I'm able to address the issue of Inuyasha a bit. Of course, more on that later.

Thank you so much for reading! Your support means so much to me! I've received so many encouraging words especially with regards to Tōga-Yōhime-Izayoi dynamics. I'm glad you are liking the direction.

We will be going back to a more action-based chapter next, as our two main characters prepare themselves to go back out to Asphodel Meadows in search for the Death God. It will be quite satisfying and will end with quite a bang, I can promise you ;)

As always, your reviews/comments are more than welcomed. They are crucial to the development of this fic, so please drop me a line if you have an opportunity 😊
Until next time!

P.S. I'm sorry if I have not responded to your comments yet. I will for sure do it without fail (probably right after this).

Here are my responses to Guest's comments:

Raymoon: Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it :)

Guest: Making/keeping the characters real, three-dimensional, and complex is one of the top priorities for me, so I am glad you think it is done well so far!