{Disclaimer: See chapter one big baby! ^.^}
Chapter Ten: The Gift
Sesshoumaru stood by the stairs in front of the crowd, waiting patiently for them to be quiet. Kagome, Miroku and Shippou stood in the front of the crowd. Shippou whispered to Miroku his concern over Kagome's pale appearance, but Miroku told him not to be worried and pay attention. Inuyasha came off the balcony to see what was going on, taking a position in the back of the room. Sango stood beside Sesshoumaru as he glimpsed over the crowd. She, like everyone else in the room, wanted to know what was coming next. Sesshoumaru cleared his throat, gaining the stragglers attention.
"Thank you for coming, everyone. It pleases my mate to see so many people here to celebrate this union. In completing this union, I have a small gift for her. Come down."
Sango followed his outstretched hand to the top of the stairs and gasped. Kohaku stood at the top of the stairs, dressed in a formal gi. {SF: I'm not Japanese, so I haven't a clue as to what to put him in. Sue me, or, if you feel like it, send me the right thing to put him in and I'll do it. See, I can be reasonable, contrary to popular opinion.} He ran down the entire flight to his sister's arms and cried.
"Sango!"
"Kohaku!"
The siblings cried against each other. Sesshoumaru waited patiently for them to finish.
"Are you ok?" Sango asked.
"Sesshoumaru told me about Naraku's influence on me, and that all the terrible things weren't my fault." His face darkened. "I still can't believe I killed so many."
Sango held him closer to her. "No, you didn't. Naraku did. You couldn't control what you did. Please don't blame yourself." Sango held him close as she gazed at Sesshoumaru. Everything she felt in that moment shone in her eyes. Sesshoumaru nodded his head at her silent thanks. Kohaku stepped away from her and shook his head.
"I'm hungry, nee-chan. I've got to eat!"
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SF: Forgive the lack of fluff for this chapter. It's because of the massive headache I received from work. Anyway, on with the show!
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Sango giggled after him as he disappeared into the banquet hall. She turned to Sesshoumaru and did something she saw Kagome do every time Inuyasha did something remarkable. She leaped into Sesshoumaru's arms, her arms draped around his neck as she cried against his neck.
"Thank you, Sesshoumaru."
"Anytime."
Someone cleared their throat behind them. Sango peered around Sesshoumaru's neck at the source of the noise. Kagome stood beside them, a small smile on her face.
"I'm so happy for you, Sango," she whispered. Sesshoumaru let her down and Sango hugged Kagome tightly.
"Thank you so much, Kagome!"
Kagome patted her arms and tugged gently from her grasp. "You're welcome. By the way, I haven't given you your gift."
Sango tipped her head to the side. "You haven't?"
"No. Here you go."
Sango stared at her for a moment before looking down. 'Why does Kagome sound so false, like she's trying to be happy? What's wrong?' The questions were quickly forgotten when she saw what was in Kagome's hand. It was a small paper envelope. Sango reached for it. Before the little envelope exchanged hands, Kagome grabbed Sango's wrist.
"What happens next, if anything, is not your fault."
She let go and Sango pulled the envelope out of her hands.
Kagome started to disappear.
Shippou squeaked as Kagome faded slowly. She waved to the little kitsune.
"I want you to know I love you. All of you. You will always be in my heart. And Sesshoumaru," she turned to him, his eyes belying the sorrow that was in his own heart at seeing her go.
"Don't ever let Sango doubt your love for her. Don't play games with her. You'll never believe how much it'll hurt her if you do."
He nodded sagely at her wise words. Kagome gave them all one last smile as Inuyasha shoved his way to her through the crowd.
"Kagome! Kagome, wait!"
"Goodbye."
Her voice faded to a whisper as she disappeared. Inuyasha stopped, grasping the only thing he could before she faded completely. It was a small ribbon, the one she used to tie up her hair before the ceremony. She untied it during the celebration to let Rin play in it. Inuyasha hung his head as Shippou and the others pounced on him.
"What did you say, Inuyasha? What did you say to make her leave?" Shippou demanded, whacking the top of his head. Miroku lifted the sobbing child off him as Sango and Sesshoumaru settled beside him.
"What did you say?"
"I didn't say anything."
"Kagome was crying a little before you called us, Sesshoumaru. She said something about Inuyasha blaming her for Kikyou."
Inuyasha scowled at him. "I never said that!"
"But did you tell her you didn't want to touch her? That you didn't want to be near her?"
"She doesn't want to be near me!"
"Did she say that?" Sango asked. Inuyasha stopped a moment, before shaking his head.
"Then you jumped to conclusions."
Sesshoumaru stood up, helping Sango to her feet. "Go and get her, Inuyasha."
Shippou stared at them as they ascended the spiral staircase.
"Where are you two going?"
Sesshoumaru smiled wickedly. "To finish the mating ceremony."
Shippou blushed and returned his attention back to Inuyasha. "He's right, the pervert. Just go to the well and get her."
"I don't think that will work this time, Shippou."
"Why not?"
Inuyasha sighed and grasped the rosary beads around his neck. With one smooth move, he lifted the subduing charm from his neck to his hand. Miroku and Shippou gasped.
"Maybe that's because you're full demon now."
"No. I felt the power leave it."
Miroku shook his head sadly. "I don't understand. Why would she think you wanted her to leave?"
Inuyasha spun around. "What was that?" Miroku gulped. Inuyasha shook him, regaining the attention of the dispersing crowd. "Don't make me ask you twice."
Miroku cleared his throat as Inuyasha set him down. Sakura ran up to them, tears in her eyes. "My lord, is it true? Is Lady Kagome gone?"
Inuyasha nodded. Sakura started to weep, resting her head in Miroku's robes. "Oh, my lord, why did you send her away? Why did you tell her to leave?"
Inuyasha glared at her. "You think I told her to leave too, huh? Why is that?"
Sakura peered up at him, tears staining her face. "My lord, she told us. The monk and I, as we stood in the hallway. She told us you said for her to leave you."
Inuyasha paled as his knees gave way. Sakura and the others helped him back to his feet.
"It is my fault, isn't it?" he whispered.
Sakura gazed at him. "My lord, isn't that what you said?"
"That's what I said, but it isn't what I meant. I told her to leave me alone for the moment, because she doesn't know I'm a full demon now. She doesn't know its her blood that changed me." He shrugged out of their grasp and retreated to his room in the castle, leaving the others to stare behind him.
"How can one be so incredibly unlucky?" Miroku whispered as Shippou and Sakura started to cry.
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SF: See, I'm trying to do better with this story. I'm actually finishing this story next week. Oh, and the preview and the responses are at the bottom.
Chapter Eleven: The Declaration
One look at the balled up girl sent him running to her side. He picked her up gently and used the toe of his shoe to open the back door, thankful it was unlocked. He called for her mother, then realized no one was home. 'Why would they leave her alone like this,' he wondered as he sat Kagome down on the couch. He marveled at the kimono she wore, and the odd flower in her hair as she cried against his shoulder. He patted her back gingerly, not really sure what he should do. Kagome raised her head to look at him.
Responses:
Sugarhighs:P: Don't worry about it. I needed that cry. I was wrong. And that Right Said Fred thing was right on the dough. I thought about that and was like 'Woah, she's right.' I started laughing, Moms thought i was nuts...you know the rest. Thanks for the giggle.
badgerwolf: Because both Inu-chan and Kagome in the anime are this stupid. I don't know why, but they are. I'm always hollering 'Duh!' at the TV.
Suzuko: {::clocks Inu-chan upside the head::} Inu-chan: HEY!!! SF: Just doing what the lady ordered.
Sailor Mini Venus: Yup, everything will be OK. Promise. But not in this book. The next one is where everything becomes green again.
Tranador: I'm so sorry to do this to you, but don't worry! Inu-chan and Kagome aren't through yet! One more chapter, then it's on to 'Redemption'!
Sunkistchick: Wow! Long time no holler for real! Good to see you!
Nightfall2525: The Sango/Sesshoumaru relationship in this fic was written to see if I could do it. I don't believe I've done a very good job with them, so I don't think I'll do another. I'm kinda scared to do the Kouga/Kagome one I said I would do. I don't want to screw it up.
Jetflash: {::cringing behind the podium::} Look, don't hurt me ok? I'm sorry for the angst, it wasn't planned. I'm fixing it right now, but it won't appear until the last part of the series.
LadyoftheDragons1: I'm going to fix it, just not in this fic. Don't worry, b/c all will go right in the world when I post 'Redemption'.
Tenshi no Yami: Yeah, well I know you're not happy with me today. I know, it sucks, but Redemption will be so much better. Plus its the last book, so everyone will be happy as clams about that.
fruitloopsandorangejuice: I'm coming with more soon.