"Kagome…" I wailed silently. My soul screamed in agony, tearing me apart. It was unlike any demon's blow which could but only pierce one's skin; this pain was beyond measure.
Once again, I found myself standing against the Goshinboku, one hand clenched and the other stuck fast within the god tree, yet not so deep as to not being able to easily pull them out.
I gasped for air, inhaling deeply.
Did I really see her?
I slumped to the bottom of the tree where its roots lay under me. "Hmm? My …?" My hands… The stinging had been relieved as well as the wound, leaving a faint scar. Faint yet there none the less. More importantly was what my hands held within them: the Shikon no Tama…?
Okay, let's say she was here… Did she hear me?
"I don't know…" I shrugged. And I don't think I really wanted her to hear it; not then. I thought to myself, remembering all the good times I had with Kagome, how we first met, and how after that we met the others, and how this whole crazy quest to find the Shikon no Tama started…
Shikon no Tama? Shikon no Tama, that's right! I am holding that blasted jewel in my very hands… whole once again… I can use it to bring her back, to bring back Kagome! "That's it!"
I paused. The voices of the forest spoke, rattling their branches, whispering in the wind. I paid no attention to their beckons of the magical bead that I now had in my possession.
No, I could never, I realized. Then Kagome would be just like Kikyou, a wandering dead soul trying to live among the living. Look how much it has hurt Kikyou… I could never do that to Kagome…
This shiny ball is so… so… Damn, I can't even find the words for it! I want to cradle it for its beauty and power, but then I want to smash it into a hundred shitty pieces for all the trouble it's put me through! All the trouble it's put Kagome through…
This stupid marble, it gave me Kagome, but then it took her away. This jewel… it's a lot like me.
"This… this pebble, it took away yet gave. It is something when in contact with another yet nothing alone… I took away millions of lives, but I did give some people a second chance at living, some." I am something with Kagome, yet nothing without her alive and right next to me. "There is no more need for this stupid marble…"_Without Kagome…_"in this already chaotic world"_ … I'm _ "just as there is no more need"_ not whole_ "for me."
I held up the completed Shikon no Tama, whole once again. Soon I shall be, too.
"Kagome," I whispered as I looked into the intense glow of the jewel, "I don't know if you can hear me or if I'm crazy, but I just wanna let you know… I … I can't keep this. I honestly don't know what to do with it now. The Shikon no Tama is not safe with anyone hence it is useless, yet it is too precious to be destroyed."
Looking around at the minute clearing, I noticed the scarring I had done to the Goshinboku. Sap did not flow underneath it but was instead replaced by a strange glow. How come I never noticed this before? Hmm? Its aura… it glows the same color as the jewel?
I sighed. "Forgive me, Goshinboku, for using you as my scratch post, but please, I would like to ask you to take this Shikon no Tama. Keep it safe from all, friend or foe." Wow, I chuckled; I'm talking to a tree. I must really be losin' it. Gently, I pushed the Shikon no Tama into the sacred god tree. "Never again shall the Shikon no Tama be used by another, be it ningen, youkai… or hanyou…"
Pushing my back against the opening of the Goshinboku, I inhaled deeply, savoring my final breaths. Giving a small grin, I rested my hand upon the hilt of my katana. Looks like I do need Tetsusaiga. Heh, for once you're right, Kagome.
"…and I shall seal it!" This is for you, Kagome, I laughed silently to myself. "I'm coming."
In one swift motion, Tetsusaiga was released from its sheath and guided to its new, permanent home.
