Chapter 16: Interim (2)


She looked over at me.

"So. Care to tell me how you're back to normal?"

"I am not sure. It is not something that is permanent. I do not know how long will be like this. I was in my small form right before I caught you."

She looked up at the ceiling. "That doesn't make any sense."

"I agree."

She looked back at me. "Wait, what happened to Tsubaki that night? Why did you let her get away?"

"I chose you," I said.

She looked at me strangely. "What do you mean, you chose me?"

"She conjured another demon and sent it after you. Sesshomaru did not see it. He was preoccupied with the large ogre demon. It was either I go after her and let you die. Or, go after the demon that she sent after you, and let her get away. I chose you."

Her eyes glossed over. "Do not cry. It was my decision to make. So, do not blame yourself."

She turned away from me. Most likely to try and hide the fact that she was crying. I did not know why. She was obviously failing.

"I shouldn't have gone alone." She whispered.

"No. Sesshomaru should not have let you go alone. He is to blame not you. Despite the fact that you asked him to stay behind. He should not have listened. I would not have."

She turned back to me. I wiped her tears away. "Stop crying. It will age you."

She laughed. "Ow, dammit."

"The reason you are in more pain right now. Now that is your fault."

"Yeah, yeah I know but I had to top them from fighting. They would have torn the entire castle apart."

"Yes, and you along with it. They should have known better and should not have fought at all. Common sense must not run in the family."

She smiled. "Those two are not your favorite people are they?"

"I am not fond of fools, so no."

"Oh c'mon. They're not that bad. They grow on you, eventually."

I looked down at her. "Somehow I doubt that Kagome. I have no need for those two lovesick idiots."

Oh, I hadn't meant for that to slip out.

"Yeah, that they are."

I raised a brow. She hadn't asked me about what I had meant.

"You know?"

"Well yeah. How could I not? They are not very good at hiding it. You've seen Inuyasha. As for Sesshomaru, he is so indifferent toward me. He goes the extra mile for me. I pretend not to know about his feelings because I would rather not deal with them… it makes me sound like a jerk I know, but I do not want to. Not now, and not ever. It would only complicate things. It may be seen as cruel to some, but I think I am doing him a kindness. I'm not sure his pride would be able to take rejection."

So, she is not so oblivious after all.

"He thinks that you are unaware of his feelings."

"Well, that is a good thing I suppose."

"Indeed."

Why did I agree?

"Besides, how am I supposed to run off with some man and leave you behind? You would be lonely and get jealous." she joked.

"There would be no reason for me to be jealous. You made me a promise that is all. Now, rest."


I had spent another three weeks by her side, taking care of her. The slayer woman named Sango lent a hand as well. The half-breed and the monk had left in search of more jewel shards. As well as any other sign for that white which Tsubaki. Sesshomaru showed his face here and there. Coming only when she was sleeping. Hopefully, he was ashamed of his childish behavior. Kagome had used her powers to heal herself. It had taken a toll on her. Her splints had been removed since she no longer needed them. She had been asleep a week now. I could not bring myself to leave her side. To travel far to get the plant I needed to replenish her stamina. I had not reverted to my smaller form in all this time. I still could not figure out why. I did not want to waste any more time here, but she needed to heal herself completely. The door slid open, and Sesshomaru walked in.

"The doctor told me she has been asleep for a week now."

I stayed silent. He knew it was true. He did not need me to confirm anything for him. He stood at her feet. He held his hand over her, and I watch as he did. I knew the fool would not do anything to directly hurt her. He closed his eyes, releasing his yokai over her. I could see it wrapping around her. He did that for quite some time. The yokai seemed to be flowing into her. He reigned in his power, seemingly pale as he did. He went over to the door, looking over her shoulder.

"Tell her to stop using the power before she kills herself. Fifty. Tell her that number. I will not be here when she awakens. There will be supplies in my study for your travels."

With that, he left, sliding the door closed behind him.

"Finally doing something helpful for once. Fifty?"

I watched her for the next few minutes, as she stirred from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open and they settled on me.

"I feel more refreshed than usual."

"You should," I said. " You slept for a week."

"Still. I feel better than usual. I should have been asleep for more than a week."

"Sesshomaru came as you slept. I am not sure what he did. He did leave you a message."

"Well? What did he say?"

"That you should stop using that power before you kill yourself. As well as, fifty."

Her eyes went wide. "Fifty?" she whispered. "Are you sure?"

I nodded.

"Is he still here?"

"He is not. He made it clear that he would not be here once you woke."

She buried her face into her hands. "That idiot."

"Care to tell me what fifty means?"

She rested her head on her knees. "Fifty years." She said.

"Fifty years?" I repeated.

"He gave me fifty of his years."

"Oh, is that all?"

She looked at me as if I was crazy. "Is that all!? Are you crazy!? That is a big deal Shippo."

"Maybe for you humans and your halfbreed companion, but for full-blooded demons such as ourselves. Fifty years means nothing. A demon of his stature with life for thousands of years. He will not miss fifty. Now, begs the question why did he feel the need to give you fifty years? Surely not out of love."

She avoided my gaze and said nothing.

"Kagome. Answer me."

"Using my healing power on myself is nothing, but when I use it on others…"

"Go on."

"When I use it on others they don't just heal out of nowhere. It's… my life I am giving them."

I blinked. Not sure if I heard right. She looked at me.

"Are you dense!?"

I was unsure as to why I was so angry.

"Shippo-"

"How many years have you given away?" I interjected angrily.

"Just-"

"HOW MANY?"

She swallowed. Hard. "Ten." She whispered.