AN: Here is my first ONE SHOT. I hope you'll like it. I had a lot of fun writing it.
Happy Ending.
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. She was beautiful in her wedding dress. Lace covered her shoulder, meeting with the rest of the dress low of her back. The garment was a western style mermaid dress, tight around her body until the fabric reached her knees, letting her walk easily. Her waist was ornated with a white belt made of pearls and gems, giving an elegant look. Her hair was put in a bun at the base of her skull, decorated with a single white rose. Light make-up on her face to enhance her feature without hiding any of her beauty.
Today was to be the happiest day of her life; but she was not. She was sad. The past few years have been hard on her since the magic well stopped working, trapping her on the wrong side of it. For years she tried to go back to the man she really loved but the damn thing refused to let her through. She cried all the tears of her body and for years she looked at the building harboring the well with sadness.
But the years had past and she had accepted her fate. She finished her schooling and moved on with her life. She started dating Hojo-kun, went to university with him. He became a doctor, like most the men in his family, keeping his family tradition. One day he would inherit his family hospital. Kagome went along with him and became a nurse. She always liked helping people and her years in the other world, treating Inu Yasha's wounds, made her excellent at her job. She was kind, all the years past did not change that.
Now she was betrothed to her high school sweetheart and was to marry him on this day.
She went to her family Shrine and prayed hard for the gods to give her a sign. She was unsure of her future. Her life with Hojo-kun was a comfortable one, an easy one. They had their routines and over the years she grew to longue for the excitement she had when she travelled with her friends in the other world. She needed the unexpected, the danger she once lived.
That is why, on the morning her fate would have been sealed with vows to love and cherish the one she had been living for the last five year of her life; she sat on the edge of the familiar wooded well at her mother's house. If the well would reject her, she would take it as the sign she was waiting for. Leaving her rose bouquet on the edge where she was sitting, she closed her eye and jumped down.
The familiar glow of blue and pink light surrounded her. She opened her eyes to see stars dancing around her and she felt the familiar weightlessness of time travel. Tears pooled down her cheeks. Tears of happiness. Her prayers had been answered, she was on the way to see the one she longed for.
She fell on the bottom of the well delicately. Tilting her head up she smelled the pure air around her. She was back, back to where she belonged. The sun was shining, birds were singing. It was like she never left.
She tried to get out of the well without ruining her white dress as she wanted to look perfect for when she was to be reunited with Inu Yasha. Once out, she wiped her hands on some soft moss and started to head down for the village. Passing in front of the tree where she first met the one she loved, Kagome smiled, thanking the gods for answering her prayers.
People in the village staired at her. She was used to it and on this day it did not bother her, she was way too happy to have them ruin her day. She entered the familiar hut of Kaede. Announcing she was home. The old miko chocked on her tea as she recognized the voice of the person who just entered her home. Tears fell down the harden miko's eyes. She truly could not believe her eyes and started to think her old aging mind was playing tricks on her.
- Kagome, is it really you? She said, letting her cup fall to the ground. It is really you. The old woman took Kagome in her arms, crying loudly.
- Kaede, I've missed you.
The two women stayed in each other's arms for a moment until Kaede ran outside.
- Well follow me, Sango will be thrilled to see you.
Kagome did as she was told and followed the old woman thru the small village. They stopped in front of a small house at the outskirt of the town, children were playing outside. They were two of them, none of them older than five.
- You, go get your mom. Tell her she has a visitor. Kaede said to the oldest of them.
The little kid went in the house and came back a minute later holding Sango's hand. Sango looked… well she looked very pregnant. Her belly was so huge she had trouble walking around. Her eyes were tired and her hair in disarray. Her voice was sleepy; Kagome guessed she was taking a nap when they arrived at her house.
- Sango, look. Look who came back to us. Kaede said, excitement in her voice.
- Kagome? Kagome-chan?
Sango cried and hugged Kagome tightly as if she was about to leave her again. Seeing her best friend cry for her sake made Kagome tear up as well. They had lived so much together, it was hard for Kagome to fight the feelings in her chest. Finally she was where she was meant to be.
- Come, come inside. Miroku should be back any minute now. Sango said, leading Kagome in the little house behind them. Kaede followed them, not wanting to let Kagome out of her sight just in case she was actually dreaming this. The three women sat down by the fire and Kaede started to make tea.
- Kagome, what happened? And what are you wearing, you look like a Goddess.
- Well... you remember that when we defeated Naraku I went home to say goodbye to my family and planed on living here with you, right. Well, for some reason the portal stopped working and trapped me on the other side. I tried, I swear I tried to come back to you. I tried… for years I tried. She said, pleading for their forgiveness
Kagome started to cry again. She was very emotional, she felt happy and sad at the same time. Relieved to be back and guilty for leaving in the first place. Overall she felt like a mess.
- Then I had to resign myself and start living again. I finished my studies and became a healer. I became… involved with a guy from my school. His name is Hojo. He is a doctor. And a couple months ago, he asked to marry him.
She paused her story, letting the two women assimilate all she said. She knew it would be a shock, so much had happened to her while they were separated.
- I said yes, but my heart never left this place. That is why… this morning I tried one last time to come back here and well here I am.
- Are you going to stay here now? Sango asked taking Kagome's hand.
- Yes, I will. I never planned on living in the future. My true family is here. Now, tell me Sango… tell me everything, where is Inu Yasha?
The room felt silence and Sango looked down at her feet. Kaede avoided her gaze as well concentrated on her tea cup as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.
- He… he died last year. Sango said. He thought you were never coming back, so he killed himself.
Shock went through Kagome's body. Her mind began to spin around what she just heard. Her heart was aching, her lungs went empty and she started to hyperventilated. She could not believe it. She was back, she came back for him and he was gone. She was too late. She… was to late and he was gone because of her. She started to yell but no sound came out of her months. Heavy tears were flowing out of her eyes and she did nothing to stop them. Her vision became dark, black spots were replacing Sango's face and as she forgot how to breath, Kagome passed out of the floor.
Kagome woke up in Sango's bed alone. The sun was high in the sky, when was unconscious only for a few hours. She could hear voices coming out of the next room and after debating whether or not she should join them she decided that she could not hide in Sango's bed forever.
Opening the door slowly, all conversation stopped. Miroku was sitting next to Sango one of the children on his lap. In front of his was a man with silver hair. Her heart jumped in her chest, reach out to the silver water fall as fast as she could. Inu Yasha you are here. She thought, only to be face to face with the emotionless inu that was Sesshomaru.
- Oh, sorry… I thought… I thought you were someone else. She said weakly.
As she stood here in front of him, his eyes looked at her up and down. She was beautiful even after crying and he had to admit it. He smiled at her kindly and as she looked shocked from seeing him having a peaceful conversation with the monk he chuckled, finding her amusing. She still wore her wedding dress, her hair got a bit loose from her bun and some of her locks were resting on her shoulders. At her sight, Sesshomaru got his breath taken away. She looked nothing like the young teen that was travelling around the countryside many years ago. She had grown into a beautiful woman.
-Sango-chan, can I borrow some clothes? I don't want to stay in that dress.
- Why? You look so beautiful in it, Sesshomaru said.
She was still blushing when Sango closed her bedroom door behind her. Kagome expected a comment like this from Miroku but absolutely not from Sesshomaru.
- Sango-chan, what is going on? Since when Sesshomaru is friendly towards humans? Why is he here?
- Oh yes, I guess you don't know. A couple years ago he left Rin in the village, he wanted her to have a more normal life. We took her in, since then he comes by to check on her. Shippo and her have been dating for quite a while now, so he is kind of like family. He really warmed up to us. He's changed you'll see.
- Shippo is here? She asked while changing into Sango old clothes, her sadness slowly fading away at the thought of seeing her adoptive son.
- Yes, he is outside playing with my daughter. He did not want to wake you up. Ill go get him for you. I'm sure he will be happy to see you.
Sango left the room, giving Kagome some privacy. When Kagome was ready to return in the main room she listen quietly to the conversation that the two men were having.
- What about you Sesshomaru-sama, said Miroku, how long before we see your pups running around?
- I haven't found a woman that would put up with me, said the daiyokai.
In a second, the door in front of her opened and she was found crouching in front of Sesshomaru, caught in the act of spying on their conversation. She blushed an even deeper shade of red and fell backward on her but. Sesshomaru had a loud laugh at the side of once the most powerful miko in his land falling on her back. He held his hand of her and pulled her up to her feet only to be struck down by a smaller person.
Shippo was crying in her arms, thanking the gods to have brought back his mother to him. He had grown so much since she last saw him. He was taller than Kirara in her demon form. He still held his childish feature but his body had nothing of a child; he was strong and muscular.
- Shippo, look at you. You look like a man. Kagome said tearing up.
- I have been training. Sesshomaru said I needed to be strong to protect Rin. He helped me with my training.
Looking at Sesshomaru she could see he was bombing his chest; showing his proud.
- Shippo, don't run like that. Wait for Rin.
Looking at the door, Kagome saw the young brown hair girl entering the house, followed by Jaken the toad demon. She little girl was not a girl anymore but a young teen now. She was out of breath and holding the side of the door. At the sight of Kagome, Rin ran up to her and joined the family hug. Kagome never felt happier, her family was there with her.
- I want to see Inu Yasha's grave. Kagome said, still the fought of her love being gone hasn't fully sinked in. She needed to see it for herself.
- I'll escort you, said Sesshomaru.
The two awkwardly got out of the house and walk in the direction of the forest were Inu Yasha's remains were buried. Sesshomaru sensed her unease and decided to be the one to break the silence.
- I never said it to anyone but when Inu Yasha was a baby I was actually fond of him. Sesshomaru said. I even considered asking him to live in the Western palace, but my mother talked me out of it. She said he would be happier with his mother and in the human world. I think she just did not want to see him around; he was after all the proof of my father's infidelity.
Kagome said nothing, not knowing what to respond to that. She let him go on with his story. They arrived at a small clearing. The grass was greener than and thing see ever saw; red and yellow flowers growing everywhere her eyes could see. Only a big stone was standing taller than the grass. On it, black letters said "Inu Yasha, loved by his friends and his brother", the purple beads necklace she used to make him sit was decorating the tombstone.
- Loved by his brother? She looked at Sesshomaru with questioning eyes.
- We kinda made up. He taught me the value of friendship. I always thought I was stronger being alone; but every time he and I fought he always managed to get stronger because you were there. I never understood it, but you were his strength Kagome. I started to understand when I found Rin. He chuckled for a moment. He was the one that convinced me to let her live a normal life at the village. With me coming and going we got to talk and eventually we became kinda close. He told me all about you, where you come from and funny stories about your adventures. he paused, looking at the blue sky, pain in his eyes. I was the one who found him. I found his dead body by your well.
She sat down of the ground, her leg unable to support her anymore and he sat next to her. Seeing that she was nearly crying he decided to tell her stories of his adventures with Inu Yasha. She rested her head on his shoulder, listening to every word he said, crying silently. They sat there together until the middle of the night.
A few months had passed since Kagome returned to the Edo period and she was amazed about how all her friends made it easy for her to forget about her pain. Maybe it was because she had already forgotten her love for Inu Yasha once before, maybe it was because fate willed it that way. She was able to laugh freely. She had gained so much since returning, she got her adoptive son, two adorable nieces, her friends. She even gained a new friend in Sesshomaru who spent a few days at the time in Miroku and Sango's house to check on Rin and to play with their children. She liked to talk to him, teasing him about his recent change of behaviour and he liked to tease her about how she on the other hand haven't changed a bit. Even her friends noticed how well they got together. In private the two of them had long discussion about Sesshomaru's childhood and Kagome world. The future was one of Sesshomaru's favorite subject.
The wind was getting cold in the month of October, and she shivered. She had spent more than reasonable time at Kaede and Sango's house even though they assured her she was welcome to stay. She wanted to find her own house and find someone to share it with her. She sighed, sitting on a bench outside Kaede's house to watch the sunset.
Sesshomaru informed the group of friends that he was leaving for a while. A war was brewing in the East and he needed to go defend his land. The fought of losing him made her heart brake. She grew very fond of him and started to care for him deeply. She did not want to call it love as she was not ready to let herself fall for someone just yet, but she was not indifferent to his charms. She knew he was not indifferent to her as well. She caught him several times looking in her direction smiling and as soon as she did he would quickly turn around as if he wasn't if fact looking at her.
- Care to go for a walk? Sesshomaru asked her, holding his arm for her to take.
She took it and together they walked around the village. Deep in her thoughts she did not realize she walked instinctively to her well. A reminder of every thing she already lost over the years. She could not bear to look at it anymore.
- You deserve happiness Kagome, Sesshomaru said. Inu Yasha would want you to be happy.
- I don't know where my happiness is anymore. It is not where I'm from and it is not here anymore. I don't know what to do. Sesshomaru, where should I go?
Sesshomaru grabbed her arm and pulled him closer to him, holding her tight. It was the first time he openly showed affection towards her. She blushed a deep red.
- You will find love again, no one is meant to be alone forever. He said softly in her ear.
She tilted her head back to look at his face. He looked so different from what she remembered. His eyes were full of compassion, his face relaxed and his hands softly pressed on her back. He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. She did not fight back and let him embrace her in his kind arms.
- Maybe you're right. Maybe there is a place for me here.
Sesshomaru pushed her closer to him, smelling her soft hair.
- Sesshomaru? Can I ask you a favour? She asked.
- Anything for you koi. He answered.
- Can you destroy the well?
- Are you sure?
She nodded. Without letting her go, he raised one hand and summoned his demonic whip. Crashing down against the wooden structure, the well collapsed on itself. Kagome reached out to Sesshomaru's face and pulled him into a long kiss, her hand playing in his soft hair. She was thanking him her own way. She broke up the kiss way too soon for his liking, wanting to spend more time in her arms.
- Let's go home, Sesshomaru.
On the day of her daughters wedding, Kagome's mom found a rose bouquet on the edge of her shrine well. Tears of happiness rolling down her cheeks she closes the door of the well's building, knowing very well that her daughter would be happier wherever she was now.
She went to her study and wrote a letter to Hojo-kun letting him know that Kagome disappeared and was not coming back. She knew he would be devastated but she only cared about her daughters happiness. Sota ran down the stairs, dressed in a nice suit he came to his mother noticing her tears.
- Mama, are you okay? Where is Kagome?
- She is gone Sota. She went to get her happy ending.