He'd first caught her scent so drenched in despair, he almost didn't recognize it. She was soaked to the bone, crying under the tree of ages in the rain.
The priestess, he thought.
He'd long since abandoned calling her his brother's wench. She proved herself to be more useful that he originally assumed. That, and the former priestess was no longer of this world.
Kagome, he had to remind himself. Her name is Kagome Higurashi. He'd only heard it screamed across battlefields by his half wit, half breed, half brother about a million times. He wanted to roll his eyes at the memory. The stench of her depression kept him from doing so.
He was aware of her other worldly origins. He figured in time he'd come across her younger self, and perhaps he had and not realized it, or perhaps time itself prevented him from seeing her until her permanent return to the modern world. Either way, they were here now.
She sobbed with small hiccups into her knees, the grey sweater dress she wore darkened by the rain clinging to her small frame. He always saw her fiercely firing arrows from a distance, or lunging into harm's way when she saw no other option. He never realized he admired her passion for battle. Here, now, she looked so weak and pitiful.
Did she not remember her departure? She wished for this. She could have wished for anything. Longevity, to remain with his brother, for unending access to her well portal, or even demonic heritage. The jewel was at her disposal, and yet, she wished for it's disappearance. Thus resulting in, well, this.
Her sobs could be heard over the downfall, and he wondered how long she had been there, and whether or not her voice would give out, or if her eyes would run dry. Was this concern? No, he corrected himself. It's curiosity. She was always strange, had always piqued his interest, and for that he chose to always keep his distance. However, Inuyasha was no longer there to interfere. Maybe he would make himself known to her.
But not now. Now, she needed to mourn. Time he would grant her, and then, answers.