Last Dance

2021

Joey Sharkbait

[Soundtrack: "Circadian Rhythm (Last Dance)" by Silversun Pickups]

And her kiss is still like fireworks.

As beautifully explosive and colorful as the ones overhead.

"Happy New Year, Kagura."

"Happy New Year, Sango."

The wind demon kissed me once again. I held her so close I could feel her heart beating against mine.

We were so lucky.

I was so lucky.

I never thought I'd be here. Never in a hundred years.

The past six months have been rough. Undoubtably the most horrific and confusing times of my life, only comparable to the day I lost everything and I entered the secret war against evil incarnate. Six months ago, I didn't think I would survive. Six months ago, I planned and prayed to end my life.

The nightmares still came. At least once or twice per week. Still better than every day, though. I will gladly count my blessings on that. And at least I have some friends… a family. They were right: everything is turning out ok. Everything is going to be alright. Recovery is not linear, I have learned.

"It's the new year!" Shippo's cry of excitement broke me out of my thoughts. Kagura and I turned to see the kitsune proudly and loudly setting off some sort of miniature 'child safe' firework that Kagome brought back for him to play with. With a small 'pop!', confetti flew everywhere, mostly aimed at Inuyasha.

"Make good choices, Shippo!" The half demon shot his own confetti firework at the fox, causing mild retaliation from the latter and ultimately ending in a chase.

Kagura and I laughed at their nonsense and smiled at one another. She looked so gorgeous. Her ethereal beauty was akin to that of a goddess. We had both decided to dress up for the New Year celebration. I was initially hesitant but ultimately found it hard to pass up Kagome's offers for the night. Our priestess friend was kind enough to bring us each back some white and gold kimonos that somewhat matched her own chosen for the night. Kagome even brought Kagura a beautiful white and gold fan to go with her new outfit.

For the boys, Kagome brought lots of fireworks and food. With the food, also came a few bottles of alcohol from Kagome's time—bubbly wine called champagne. She brought three bottles total and when questioned about how she was able to procure them, given the age restrictions on alcohol in her time, all she told me was 'ask Inuyasha'.

I did. As it would turn out, while Kagome's mother was helping with packing up food, clothes, and more… wholesome… New Year's favors, Kagome's grandfather had decided to send Inuyasha home with some alcohol and explosives. I was personally fine with both, as was Kagura. Kohaku, Shippo, and Inuyasha had the most fun with the fireworks, needless to say. And Miroku managed to finish one of the three bottles of champagne all by himself.

We went to the village celebration first, then ended up back at Kaede's hut on the outskirts of town for our own, more private 'family' celebration. A fire was going and Kagome turned on a music producing device from her time. It was all very nice.

Inuyasha finally stopped chasing Shippo, partially due to Kagome's interference in the form of defiantly standing in his way. When he went to yell at her for interrupting his chase, all she did was tell him to shut up and grabbed his face. She finally kissed him.

I was so proud!

"About time!" commented Kagura.

"Awwww, would you look at that?!" Miroku slurred from behind us. The monk was leaning against the hut and watching all the shenanigans unfold. He was super drunk at this point. Kohaku sat next to him, smiling. I noticed he glanced at the champagne bottle in between him and Miroku. Kirara sat peacefully next to my brother, in her small form.

"Kohaku…" I crouched down beside him.

"I haven't drank any!" Kohaku defended himself.

I smiled and shook my head. "I wasn't accusing you, little brother…"

"Ah, let him have a drink or two!" Miroku grinned at me.

"Better him than you," said Kagura. "You certainly don't need any more booze, monk."

"I feel fine!"

"You drank a whole bottle by yourself!" Kagura argued.

"And?"

"Save some for the rest of us!" Kagura bent down and plucked the bottle off the ground. She popped off the cork and took a rather large swig straight from the bottle. Miroku's jaw dropped. Kagura then handed the bottle to me and raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, alright…" I took a small sip. This is actually pretty good. Carbonated and sweet. Not as bitter as regular wine. I took another, larger swig of the alcohol and hesitated before handing the bottle back to my girlfriend.

Girlfriend…

That was still weird to think about. Or say aloud.

But it was nice.

My younger brother stared up at me, a curious look on his face. …Do I let him…? Ah, what could it hurt?

"Kohaku", I handed him the bottle.

"Sister!" Kohaku held the bottle in his hands like it was made of gold. "Are you sure?"

I laughed. "Yes. You're old enough, I suppose. I mean, you've fought plenty of demons and who knows what else? What could a little alcohol hurt?" I crouched down next to him and put my hand on his shoulder. "In all seriousness, though… don't overdo it. Make good choices."

"Yes, ma'am!" Kohaku saluted me and I stood up. I watched my brother smell the alcohol before cautiously taking his first sip.

"What the hell is this?!" He almost spit it out.

"It gets better the more you drink as you drink more of it!" Miroku slurred and slapped Kohaku's back, obviously proud to be around for what was [hopefully] his first taste of alcohol.

Kagura and I cracked up and walked back toward the fire to sit by Inuyasha and Kagome.

"Hey, Sango! Kagura!" Kagome cheerily greeted us.

"Hey!" I sat next to her with Kagura on my other side. I instinctually grabbed Kagura's hand. Still felt butterflies with that.

"You sure about letting Kohaku drink?" asked Kagome.

"He'll be fine. He's been through worse." Kagura's blunt responses never failed to amuse me.

"He'll be alright," I agreed. "And if not… well, he'll learn early."

"And that problem will solve itself," Inuyasha chimed in. "How are you two doing? Enjoying the celebrations?"

"Yes. And the two of you?" I was happier than I could put into words. Everything felt peaceful finally… life was starting to feel like a calm body of water instead of a hurricane.

I knew it wouldn't last.

"We're pretty good, I think!" Inuyasha answered. I noticed he put his arm around Kagome. He was a little awkward, but I would never call him on it. I was just happy my friends were happy.

We watched the fire and still-going fireworks until the next song came on.

"Hey! This is a good one!" Kagome cried out. She stood up and held out her hand to Inuyasha. "Dance with me?"

"Wha-? I don't dance, Kagome!" Inuyasha looked petrified and hesitantly reached for Kagome's hand.

She pulled him to his feet anyway. "Well, you do now! There's a first time for everything!" The miko dragged the unwilling hanyou some feet away, to where they were still within range of the music and fire but away from the Shippo/Kaede firework chaos and Miroku/Kohaku drinking shenanigans.

The music picked up a little. I liked the rhythm, still calm enough yet upbeat. Some musical group from Kagome's time.

"Care to dance?" I asked Kagura. I stood up and extended my hand to her. Somehow, I was still a little nervous.

"With you? Of course." Kagura smirked and allowed me to help her up. I bowed to her, still holding her hand. I placed a gentle kiss on the top of her hand, not breaking eye contact. I was shocked at my own ability to portray myself as so suave and confident. For once. I led Kagura over to where our friends were already dancing.

This will not last forever.

The peace, that is.

And that's ok.