"..." Normal chat.
ABC Thought.
Author's note: Thank you so much for your supports! They give me lots of strength to go through tough times and be able to finish this chapter! I hope you all will like it!
Chapter 52
Some time later.
"Wow, this sure is luxurious. How nice to be rich."
First time being inside a building that is built specifically for first class patients, Hana's awed by the high-class facilities around her.
"Well, this is her family's hospital after all."
Walking beside her through the long hallway, Kasumi sighs. Not being as surprised as she is when knowing know the Sogo has secured a place for their daughter in this kind of place.
"We're here."
Once reaching to Shiomi's room, Kagome informs them and gently slides the door open. Stepping inside, they see Mrs. Sogo is sitting by Shiomi's bedside and seems to be reading a book to her.
"Good morning. We are here to visit Sogo-senpai."
They greet her and she nods back, smiling.
"You two must be Kagome's friends. Thank you so much for coming."
The image of Kagome in her high school attire, appearing by the door with a fresh bouquet in her hands has become familiar to her. As she has been coming to visit quite frequently ever since Shiomi's appointed to stay here for her treatment.
"Come, have a sit."
As Shiomi's mom lead her friends to the sofa nearby to have a small chat. Kagome approaches the drawer next to Shiomi's bed and picks up the vase to clean it. Then replacing the old flowers with the new ones she has just brought earlier. Once done, she returns to her friends at the sofa and join in their conversation.
Time flies and before they know, it's already 7 p.m.
"See you tomorrow, Kagome."
Her friends bids her goodbye. And Shiomi's mother takes her leaves as well, saying that she wants to fetch another book to read for Shiomi. Since this one has already ended.
"I will look after her."
Kagome assures Mrs. Sogo as she looks at her daughter one last time before leaving. Soon, everything turns quiet again and Kagome returns to her seat next to Shiomi's bed, continues watching her.
"How are you feeling today?"
That question once again raises, yet there's still no reply.
"It's been a year, hasn't it?"
Everything remains the same, except for Shiomi's hair, which is now gotten longer and way passes her shoulder.
"Please don't worry. Everyone here is trying their best to save you."
They're told that proper treatment is still on progress. And that they need to be patient and keep on waiting.
"It doesn't matter how long it takes. We will always be here for you."
Holding Shiomi's hand tight, Kagome closes her eyes and prays. That one day, she will wakes up and they can return to those peaceful days once again.
Please! Shiomi-senpai. Come back to us!
The moment Kagome opens her eyes again, Shiomi's body is flaring up with an orange colored aura.
"What is going on?! Senpai! Senpai!"
She's terrified, watching the light gets brighter without knowing a way to stop it.
Then all of sudden within Shiomi's body bursts out a wave of energy, knocking Kagome a few feet away from her bed and also causing a power outage. Turning everything into pitch black within a mere second.
"Ouch... That hurts."
Kagome groans due to landing on her butt.
What the heck just happened?
Looking at Shiomi's bed, she notices that strange aura is gone.
Once the power returns, Shiomi's still laying stiff on her bed. However her eyes are no longer closed.
"Senpai! You are-!"
Cannot believe what is happening, Kagome rushes to Shiomi's bedside to check whether any of this is real. However she stops and becomes alerted upon recognizing those terrifying eyes.
Don't tell me... Is this Sora?
However her doubts get washed away once hearing Shiomi speaks her name.
"Kagome...?"
Even after a whole year has passed, Kagome remembers clearly that voice calling for her from back then. And now Shiomi is looking at her. She actually recognizes her.
"Senpai! You really are awake!"
Holding her hands and feeling that familiar warmth, Kagome sobs.
"Where... am I?"
Glancing around, confused she asks. That red ruby eyes slowly turns back into normal brownish color.
"Hold on! I will call everyone real quick!"
Kagome hits the red button hanging on the wall next to her bed to alert the others. Within seconds, nurses and doctors rush into the room to check their patient. While Kagome and her family members waiting for her by the door.
After going through several tests, they receive a good news that Shiomi's recovered from her coma and everyone's allowed to visit. Finally having their long-awaited and tearful reunion.
The next morning.
"Kagome-chan! Good morning!"
Shiomi greets enthusiastically the moment seeing Kagome standing by the door. Such simple and endearing moment like this never ceases to put a smile on her face.
"How are you feeling today?"
Leaving the fresh flowers onto the drawer next to her bed, Kagome asks.
"Better than ever!"
Cheerfully she replies, even trying to stand up to prove her stamina but Kagome stops her before she can.
"Yet the doctor says that it still going to take awhile for me to be able to discharge."
Remember being told having to stay here for another half a year. Shiomi whines, getting tired of being stuck in one place, doing nothing but eating and sleeping.
"I think that since we have a lot of free time. Why not starting to plan what you will do after being discharged?"
Therefore Kagome suggests, as there must be a lot of things for her to prepare to get back on her daily life. Especially having to catch up at school since Shiomi's been absent for way too long.
"Right. First thing is to have my hair cut. I'm really not used to having it grow this much."
One year plus six months in here and probably spending another six months at home. It's going to take her two years to finally recover back to normal.
"Now that you mention it. When I'm able to return to school again, won't we be at the same grade?"
During their chat about Shiomi's future plans however, Kagome notices that she's looking out the windows from time to time, seems to be anticipating for someone's arrival.
"Senpai, are you perhaps... Looking for Sesshomaru?"
The moment waking up from the depth of that cursed soul realm, I was shocked, terrified and bewildered. Not knowing for how long had I been out or how I got back home and lying on the hospital bed.
Is this the real world? Have I made it outside?!
Thankfully, none of these were dreams when I found myself surrounded by everyone's embraces. My family and friends, who had always been here for me and never gave up on me.
Mom, dad, Megumi, Kagome, Hana, Kasumi and...
However I soon realized something was missing. It was that light I'd been yearning for ever since being trapped alone inside the soul realm.
Sesshomaru? Where is he?
I couldn't find a single trace of you, anywhere. No matter how hard I searched.
Why isn't he here? When I want to see him the most?
Then I felt my heart ached.
"Will Sesshomaru still be there for you after waiting for so long?"
As if having waited for this moment, Sora's final words started ringing inside my head.
It will be fine. I'm sure he will get here soon.
Not going to let that discouraging me so easily. I kept convincing myself that you was having an urgent matter to attend out there. That was why you couldn't be around.
"Senpai, are you perhaps... Looking for Sesshomaru?"
Seemed to know what was running inside my head, Kagome spoke up.
"Y-Yeah, I'm sure he must be worried sick. Can you inform him for me after this?"
Therefore I ask for her help to send my messages to Sesshomaru, since I'm not in a good state to go there myself. After listening to my request however, Kagome falls silent.
The air around us changes, and I know something must have gone wrong.
"Did something happen?"
Deep down I'm afraid to know the truth, yet I can't stop myself from asking her.
"The Bone-Eater's Well stopped working a year ago..."
Only then Kagome confesses everything to me, how they had defeated Sora to free me, killing Naraku as well as destroying the Shikon no tama, then only to have The Bone-Eater's Well losing its magical ability right after.
While recalling to the past, Kagome's expression turns painful and she's about to cry.
"Inuyasha and Sesshomaru... We can't see them anymore."
Sesshomaru, it seems that I won't be able to keep our promises, after all...
"Sesshomaru."
Doesn't have to look back to figure out who has called him, Sesshomaru remains standing by the old well. Silently waiting for what he has to say.
Usually it's be either one of them leaving first whenever catching each other's scent. However, this time Inuyasha's willingly to confront him instead of waiting for the spot to be free.
"For how long are you intending to keep doing this."
Since they both are sharing same situation, Inuyasha's somewhat curious about what his brother's actually thinking. Though it takes him quite a while to be able to open up.
And Sesshomaru turns around to face him for a bit before looking up into the sky.
"As long as I have to."
Shortly after answering his question, Sesshomaru flies away. Leaving Inuyasha behind alone with the Bone-Eater's Well, completely lost for words.
Due to moment like this, Inuyasha has to admit that they're different yet so alike in many strange ways.
Kagome's house.
"Here, these are from my mom."
Accepting my mom presents, which were mostly clothes and a few accessories, Kagome smiled and thanked me. At first she didn't have the heart to take any since it was too much, however after witnessing my mom's great determination and her family's powerful support, she had no choice but to go along.
"Please have a sit. I will go get some tea."
"Okay."
It had been a year since then. Slowly and painfully, I had to learn to accept that this was how things were suppose to be. That the clear blue sky was no more and Sesshomaru would never be by my side. Holding my hand and calling for my name.
"It feels as if that world cuts ties with us once our roles are finished."
While I couldn't help but being bitter by how fate was treating us. Kagome remained silent. It seemed like she knew the real reason behind this but couldn't say it out loud.
In the end, there was nothing more we could do but to move forward. When I was trying my best to put away those memories from back then to cope with the harsh reality, Kagome, on the other hand, was still holding to her own. Having no intention of letting go even for a single day.
Another year passes.
Both Shiomi and Kagome graduate in the same year. While Shiomi's going to attend to the University of Tokyo in business major for the upcoming semester, Kagome desires to stay at home and continues helping her parents taking care of the old shrine.
Hirugashi's shrine.
"Shiomi-chan, did you come to see Kagome?"
Seeing Shiomi nods, she leads her toward to The Bone-Eater's shrine. There, they see Kagome is standing alone in front of the old well. Curious of what she is looking at, they both approach to check.
"Kagome, what's wrong?"
Soon Mrs. Higurashi notices that the other world has opened up once again. Having made up her mind, Kagome gives her mother one final hug to say goodbye.
Been standing close by watching them from the start however, Shiomi looks nervous. She doesn't seem to be happy as Kagome is when the magical well is offering them one last chance to go through. And her abnormal expressions catches Kagome's attention instantly.
"Can you see it, senpai? The blue sky that we have been waiting for?"
Hearing Kagome ask, Shiomi flinches then shakes her head in response. Much to their shock.
"I-It's okay. I'm glad that you're able to, at least."
Since this is going to be their final moment. Shiomi requests their final hug and Kagome complies. Though within her warm embrace, she notices that Shiomi's trembling.
"Goodbye, Kagome-chan."
Kagome feels her eyes getting teary as she nods. After looking at Shiomi and her mother for once last time, she jumps down the well and disappears into thin air. Finally be able to reunite with Inuyasha on the other side.
Inisde Kaede's hut.
Immediately after catching Kagome's scent from miles away, Sesshomaru appears by Kaede's doorstep and finds Kagome is sitting in the middle of the hut, together with Rin and the other members of her group.
Still, Shiomi is nowhere in sight.
"Sesshomaru!"
The moment seeing him, Kagome stands up from her seat.
"Sesshomaru-sama... onee-chan is...!"
Rin approaches him and sobs. Not going to let Sesshomaru wait, Kagome starts telling him Shiomi's well beings and how she's doing back home. While he's still being calm and patient.
"Shiomi-senpai awakened around two years ago."
Throughout her long story, Sesshomaru's anticipated and somewhat nervous. Though he's able to hold it all in and acting relaxed. Until Kagome recalls to those last words that Shiomi whispers into her ears before leaving.
"But Shiomi-senpai couldn't come with me, after all... Also, she asked me to tell you that she was sorry..."
Sesshomaru's shocked down to his core, and to add more salt to his injury. Shippou comments.
"So... Does that mean she's left him?"
"Shhhh!"
Quickly, Miroku shuts Shippou up and drags him, along with his children, out of the hut to avoid the lord's wrath. Though soon after, they see Sesshomaru rushes outside as well. Fuming with anger and flying off without looking back.
From below, Rin is hugging Kagome's tightly and has not once stopped crying. Patting Rin's head to comfort her, Kagome sighs as she watches Sesshomaru's figure disappear into the white clouds high above.
Shiomi-senpai, if only you are here to see how much they love you...
"Can you see it, senpai? The blue sky that we have been waiting for?"
It had been a few days since then, but Kagome's words had not once leaving my mind.
The truth was, I could see it as well. But I couldn't bring myself to follow Kagome right away, when knowing that was an one-way ticket.
Because I had yet to ready to say farewell to my home, my family. Forever.
Why now, so suddenly? Why are we only allowed to pick one?
In the end, I was not strong enough to make a choice and shook my head. Pretending that nothing was there.
Sesshomaru, right now he must have felt betrayed and upset.
What I wanted to ask from you was not your forgiveness. But for your understanding. So that you would let me go and move on with your life, without tormenting yourself any longer.
"Shiomi... Shiomi!"
Megumi's calls snapped me back into reality and I turned around, seeing my sister had already standing right beside me. Judging from her expression, one could say that she was clearly annoyed.
"What the heck? You've been spacing out a lot lately. Are you alright?"
I couldn't answer, since I was not even sure about that myself.
"Are you still feeling unwell? Want me to call the doctor?"
Concerned, she asked when I approached for a hug.
Would I truly be okay? Living on like this?
My family and friends, not only because they had gone through so much because of me. But also deep down inside, I did not want to be apart from them. That's why... the thought of not being able to see them ever again was truly haunting me.
Later that day.
"Mom, can I sleep with you?"
Since dad is away for his business trip, I ask to stay with her tonight and mom happily welcomes me into her arms. While feeling her stroking my hair, I take a deep breath to clear my mind and open up.
"Mom, if I say that I want to go somewhere far away. Will you let me go?"
Her hand stops for a moment, then she chuckles.
"Will I be able to stop you?"
Confused by her answer, I look up to know more and she explains.
"Ever since coming back home. I can feel that your mind has been elsewhere. Are you missing someone?"
Turns out, mom has seen through my soul and known everything from the beginning. Now having me asking this kind of question is only making it even more obvious.
Seriously, have I always been that easy to read?
In one morning.
Not long after we have our breakfast, Megumi suggests us going sightseeing.
"Hey, about that weird well you've spoken of. I want to go there to see it."
"Huh? You mean right now?"
Just like that, Megumi drags me toward to the Higurashi's shrine so now here we are, standing inside The Bone-Eater's shrine and right in front of that infamous well.
"Is this suppose to be a magical well? It doesn't look that special to me."
While checking around, Megumi comments.
Letting out a sigh, I approach the old well and lean against it to wait for her to finish. Bored, I look into the well in hope to find anything interesting to chat about.
"Huh?! This is...!"
Much to my shock, the sky is still there. As if it's waiting for me all this time.
"So... Once you go through, you'll never be able to return?"
Seems to have noticed the strange view as well, Megumi asks me and I nod.
"And your weird boyfriend is out there, too."
Then her head tilts in thinking, and few seconds later she asks me again.
"Do you still love him?"
Without hesitation I nod again. And just as Megumi's about to open her lips to say something more, I stop her. Knowing exactly what is running inside her head.
"I'm not leaving you, mom and dad."
Despite acting strong and willing to stay true to my words, I just can't bring myself to look into her eyes. And I'm sure that Megumi realizes it as well. The uncertainty which I've been trying to hide deep within me.
"Let's go back. It's almost lunch time."
Can't bear staying within this conversation and this place any longer, I take my leave as a way to escape. Just as I'm about to slide the door open, Megumi calls for me.
"Hey, Shiomi. What's that over there?"
Somehow deep inside the well, Megumi spots something odd and signals me to come closer. However I hesitate and not going back in, until she shows her annoyed face.
"Just look at this before we go. Not like it's going to kill you!"
And I have to comply with her request, since I don't want to hear her nagging for the rest of the day.
"What is it? I don't see any-"
Standing by the well, I lean forward to see where she is actually pointing at. Then all of sudden I feel a light tap on my back and the next thing I know, I'm doing a free falling down the hole.
"Megumi?! What the hell are you doing?!"
"I did this because you was being such a coward to make decisions. Don't worry, I will tell mom and dad that I've married you off!"
Within seconds, I reach the bottom with my face. After cursing and groaning in pain, I look up again, only to see the old wooden roof has been replaced with the clear blue sky, while Megumi's mischievous laughs just now have turned into the sound of birds chirping and leaves rustling.
Quickly I climb outside and jump back in to go home. But it's not working no matter how many times I've tried...
Defeated, I slouch down next to the old well. Internally screaming.
Oh my god! Are you for real?! First it was Sora who pushed me and now my own sister?!