AN: We're down to the wire folks. Please put up with us one last time!
Act Eleven: Scene One
The sky was gray on the day they laid Sesshomaru and Rin to rest. Rin, encased in her glass casket, like a perfect little flower, and Sesshomaru burned on a pyre, the blaze giving more light than the sun. People wept, some shook their heads, and others simply said they were sorry for Kagome's loss.
But Kagome did nothing. She did not cry, she did not even answer the condolences of the other mourners. She only watched as Sesshomaru's body was consumed by the flames. And she knew that she was truly, now, alone. No daughter. No husband. Not even the one love she'd ever truly had. Inu-yasha hadn't bothered to come to the funeral. He hadn't even replied to the letter she'd sent.
"I suppose now, you'll return to Kyoto," Songo said as she escorted her back to the palace.
"I can't stand that place," Kagome said. "It's empty of people, and filled with memories that break my heart. It's haunted to me. I'm never going back."
"You must go back," Songo said. "If only to get your things, or to give it back to Inu-yasha. I think he'd want his brother's estate. And, maybe to hear from you, in person."
"He doesn't want to hear from me," Kagome said as they entered the palace, and hung their cloaks and scarves up by the door. "I killed his brother. Or just as good as killed him. All the me who love me die."
"That's not true," Songo said, "Hojo loves you. You've been his best friend ever since you were children. I'm not even that close."
"Just be thankful he was never in love with me," Kagome said harshly to her. "Even when I wished he was. Now I know that his loving you more has saved his life."
"Enough of this, Kagome," Songo said. But as they passed Yuka's room, they heard Kagome's sisters talking.
"Heaven help the men who love her," Yuka said.
"She'll never mean anything but misery to any man that falls in love with her," Ayumi said. "Look what it did to my poor Myroku."
"I never said anything," Yuka told her, "Buit I had always hoped that I would have married Kouga. But Kagome's Curse got him first."
"My… curse…" Kagome said, making them aware of her presence. Their heads turned towards the door, not a tear in their eyes for her loss. Only scowling.
"Don't you ever get tired of poking your nose into other people's business?" Yuka asked her angrily.
Kagome stared at her sisters. She closed here eyes, and let the tears of the day fall at last, as she screamed in rage, "GET OUT! Get out of MY HOUSE! Both of you! I've had it up to here with you two jealous, petty brats! I've fed you, clothed you, I gave you a home, nearly killing myself for your happiness! And THIS is what you give me in return? Not even an ounce of grief for my loss. JUST YOUR SCORN AND RIDICULE!! OUT!!! OUT!!!! OUT!!!!!" she bellowed as the girls grabbed atwo bags and fled in panic and fear. Kagome ran to the window, and started flinging their possessions out the window on top of them. The girls stopped briefly to pick them up.
"I don't care what happens to you anymore!" Kagome yelled as the girls gathered their belongings from the muddy ground. "I've repaid Mother and Grandpa for their sacrifice! Now get out of here, and never, EVER come back!!!!" The girls didn't even bother with horses or a carriage. They picked up their skirts and ran up the road and out of sight, never to be heard from again.
It was then, that Kagome dropped to the floor, and wept openly, with only Songo, the only true friend she'd ever had, who was more a sister than her own flesh and blood, there to comfort her.
Later, as Kagome dried her face, and blinked her dry, red eyes, Songo suggested that she tie up the lose ends in Kyoto. This time, Kagome agreed. She would get her belongings from that empty palace, give the deed to Inu-yasha, and come back to Edo, where she would live out the rest of her sad, lonely existence in self inflicted exile.
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Act Eleven: Scene Two
"Isn't there anything you can do for her, Doctor Totosai?" Inu-yasha asked. The old man closed up his bag, and prepared to leave the bordello.
"No," Totosai shook his head, "No there's nothing. The pneumonia has set in. She was never strong enough to bear children. She hid her weakness well, though. I'm sorry. You're gong to lose them both." Inu-yash was silent as he escorted Totosai out. But before the old man left, he said, "You know that sister in law of yours is back, closing up that house or your brother's."
"Closing it up?" Inu-yasha asked. "You mean, their moving back to Edo for good?"
"You mean who haven't heard?" Totosai asked. "Impossible. Kagome sent you a letter."
"Yeah, well, I haven't had time to check the mail. I've been kinda busy with my child's dying mother," Inu-yasha said, sarcastically.
"Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this, especially now, but your brother and niece are dead."
"Dead?" Inu-yasha asked. He couldn't believe it. "What do you mean they're dead? Tell me what happened!"
"Poor little Rin broke her neck in a riding accident," Totosai explained. "Your brother, mad with grief, took his own life. Their funerals were only a few days ago. That's why I couldn't come to you sooner. I was busy with that affair."
"But… But what about Kagome?" Inu-yasha asked. "What happened to her?"
"Poor thing," Totosai said, "She's giving it all away. She's giving the palace here to you, and exiling herself to Edo. I fear she may go mad with this. It's all too much, even for a woman as strong as her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other dying patients to tend you. There's too much death in this world, Inu-yasha, even for a man like me. I wish I had another profession. Like making swords, or something that lasts, instead of bringing finite lives into this world, and then ushering them out again." Then, the doctor took his leave.
Inu-yasha returned to Kikyo's room, where he took up his chair beside her bed. She opened her dim, yellowy eyes and looked up at him. She smiled weakly at him, and said, "Is it that bad?"
"Yes," Inu-yasha said. "And worse. Sesshoamru and Rin are dead."
"A shame," Kikyo said, then breaking into a fit of coughs, "I rather liked that little girl."
"Yeah." Inu-yasha said looking a this hands.
"You're worried about her, aren't you?" Kikyo asked. "You're worried about Kagome."
"Yes," Inu-yasha answered.
"You have been good to me, my sweet Inu-yasha," Kikyo said. "You have never left my side, since I became ill… Inu-yasha, I know that even had I been able to have this child, I would never have won your heart."
"What?" Inu-yasha asked, looking at her.
"I know your heart, my love… I know it better than you yourself did. I know you love Kagome, and will always love her. There has never been room for me. Now, promise me that you will go to Kagome, and end this foolishness and heartbreak."
"But… but what about you?" Inu-yasha asked.
Kikyo laughed sadly. "Still so loyal. Never mind me. I go now, to face my destiny… and accept my fate." she said, her voice giving out. She half-closed her eyes, her long eyelashes resting on her cheek. Inu-yash took her hand… it was cold and limp. Kikyo was gone. He dropped the lifeless hand, and got up from his chair. He was thinking of going to Totosai, to tell him that Kikyo was now dead. But then Inu-yash remembered her last words. To find Kagome. He grabbed his cloak, and headed out into the new rainstorm. He would find Kagome, now, before anything else happened, before any more tragedy bell them.
"And she'd better not marry anybody else before I get there," Inu-yasha said to himself as he ran through the streets, getting soaked to the bone.
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Act Eleven: Scene Three
Kagome watched Shippo and Eri take out the trunks of clothes and jewelry and old knick-knacks out to the large cart. She didn't care that it was raining, she wanted to get everything out of this house today. She wanted nothing more to do with Kyoto. She went up to Rin's old room, and locked the door, and did the same to Sesshomaru's rooms. She'd give the keys to Inu-yasha when she'd see him. She'd head over tot Kikyo's before she'd go home. Maybe their child would enjoy Rins old toys. Maybe Kikyo would her old rooms. Then, for outside, Kagome heard Shippo yelling coarsely at someone.
"You can't go in there!" Shippo cried.
"The h#&& I can't!" came Inu-yasha's angry voice yelled, "This is my house now!" He threw open the door, and looked about all the bottom rooms, yelling, "Kagome! Kagome where are you?"
She hurried down stairs, and stood at the bottom, watching Inu-yasha come from the billiard room, and stand in front of here, breathing hard from his running, and dripping allover the carpet. She hadn't expected him to care so much fore this stupid house, but then again, he'd obviously moved on.
"Here," she said, handing him the keys and the deed. "It's your house. Like you said."
"Shut up and put those stupid things away!" Inu-yasha yelled, smacking the paper and keys away to the floor. Kagome flinched back.
"What? But I thought-"
"Shut up for once," Inu-yasha yelled. He grabbed her shoulders, and looked her in the eye. "I've missed out on being with you time and time again by only the hair of a second. This time, I'm not waiting… I can't wait!"
"But," Kagome said, getting scared, "But Kikyo 's having-"
"She's dead," Inu-yashja said. "I've lost everything. Everything but you. I couldn' bear to lose you Kagome." He tried to hug her, but she panicked and squirmed away.
"No no no no NO!" Kagome said, backing away from him. "I kill every man who loves me. If you don't want to die, then stay away from me!"
"Are you that stupid?!" Inu-yasha asked her. "Do you hate me that much!?"
"No, I don't!" Kagome said, crying. "I love you Inu-yasha! That's why we can't be together! If you marry me, you'll die! I've killed three of them so far! I couldn't bear to lose you, too!" She covered her face with her hands as she started to cry harder. Inu-yasha stared for a minute, then he got an idea!
"Then we won't get married," Inu-yasha said, his gold eyes filling with hope. As Kagome registered what he said, he crossed over to her and took her in his arms again.
"What… what do you mean 'we won't get married'?" she asked him.
"We just won't get married," Inu-yasha explained. "We'll live together! I'll sell this dump, we'll move back to Edo, and we'll live just the way we've always wanted to live. Together, with noone else coming between us!"
"But.." Kagome objected, "What will people say?"
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a D#%&" Inu-yasha said. Then, he lifted her chin, and kissed her.
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Finally
Inu-yasha and Kagome stood on the hillside before the palace of Edo, arm in arm, the sun setting behind them, casting an array of colors and shadows on the land. Kagome looked up at Inu-yasha, and said to him, "My Grandpa once said that land is all that matters, because it's the only thing that lasts. But he was wrong."
"No," Inu-yasha said, "In some ways, he was right. This land of Edo has outlasted everything. From war, to famine, husbands… It'll even outlast you and me."
"Nothing will outlast our love," she said. "But I don't want to think about the past. The past was yesterday. I want to think about tomorrow. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?" Inu-yasha asked her.
"Because," Kagome said, "Tomorrow is another day."
The End
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The curtains open, with a backdrop painting of Edo on the back wall. The cast comes out, each oin pairs, taking a bow. The first to bow are little Rin and Souta. Next,. Come Hiten and Manten, Eri and Shippo, Yuka and Ayumi, Totosai and Keade, Kagura and Kohaku, Sesshomaru and Kikyo, Kouga and Jaken, Mrs. Higurashi and Gramps, Miroku and Songo. Last to bow are Inu-yasha and Kagome. As Hojo comes out with roses for Kagome, Inu-yasha bumps her out of the way, and keeps bowing, smiling and nodding to everyone in the audience. Kagome, her face red with rage, comes up and pushes him head first into the orchestra pit, his body half swallowed up by a large tuba.
"Get me out of here!!!" his muffled cry bellows as his legs kick and thrash about.
"Oops," Kagome says, smiling innocently as she accepts the bouquet of roses, "Clumsy me."
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AN: Yeah, we know this isn't how it ends but… We never liked that ending anyway! Besides, I promised that Inu-yasha would fall of the stage and into a tuba, and I always keep my word!
Act Eleven: Scene One
The sky was gray on the day they laid Sesshomaru and Rin to rest. Rin, encased in her glass casket, like a perfect little flower, and Sesshomaru burned on a pyre, the blaze giving more light than the sun. People wept, some shook their heads, and others simply said they were sorry for Kagome's loss.
But Kagome did nothing. She did not cry, she did not even answer the condolences of the other mourners. She only watched as Sesshomaru's body was consumed by the flames. And she knew that she was truly, now, alone. No daughter. No husband. Not even the one love she'd ever truly had. Inu-yasha hadn't bothered to come to the funeral. He hadn't even replied to the letter she'd sent.
"I suppose now, you'll return to Kyoto," Songo said as she escorted her back to the palace.
"I can't stand that place," Kagome said. "It's empty of people, and filled with memories that break my heart. It's haunted to me. I'm never going back."
"You must go back," Songo said. "If only to get your things, or to give it back to Inu-yasha. I think he'd want his brother's estate. And, maybe to hear from you, in person."
"He doesn't want to hear from me," Kagome said as they entered the palace, and hung their cloaks and scarves up by the door. "I killed his brother. Or just as good as killed him. All the me who love me die."
"That's not true," Songo said, "Hojo loves you. You've been his best friend ever since you were children. I'm not even that close."
"Just be thankful he was never in love with me," Kagome said harshly to her. "Even when I wished he was. Now I know that his loving you more has saved his life."
"Enough of this, Kagome," Songo said. But as they passed Yuka's room, they heard Kagome's sisters talking.
"Heaven help the men who love her," Yuka said.
"She'll never mean anything but misery to any man that falls in love with her," Ayumi said. "Look what it did to my poor Myroku."
"I never said anything," Yuka told her, "Buit I had always hoped that I would have married Kouga. But Kagome's Curse got him first."
"My… curse…" Kagome said, making them aware of her presence. Their heads turned towards the door, not a tear in their eyes for her loss. Only scowling.
"Don't you ever get tired of poking your nose into other people's business?" Yuka asked her angrily.
Kagome stared at her sisters. She closed here eyes, and let the tears of the day fall at last, as she screamed in rage, "GET OUT! Get out of MY HOUSE! Both of you! I've had it up to here with you two jealous, petty brats! I've fed you, clothed you, I gave you a home, nearly killing myself for your happiness! And THIS is what you give me in return? Not even an ounce of grief for my loss. JUST YOUR SCORN AND RIDICULE!! OUT!!! OUT!!!! OUT!!!!!" she bellowed as the girls grabbed atwo bags and fled in panic and fear. Kagome ran to the window, and started flinging their possessions out the window on top of them. The girls stopped briefly to pick them up.
"I don't care what happens to you anymore!" Kagome yelled as the girls gathered their belongings from the muddy ground. "I've repaid Mother and Grandpa for their sacrifice! Now get out of here, and never, EVER come back!!!!" The girls didn't even bother with horses or a carriage. They picked up their skirts and ran up the road and out of sight, never to be heard from again.
It was then, that Kagome dropped to the floor, and wept openly, with only Songo, the only true friend she'd ever had, who was more a sister than her own flesh and blood, there to comfort her.
Later, as Kagome dried her face, and blinked her dry, red eyes, Songo suggested that she tie up the lose ends in Kyoto. This time, Kagome agreed. She would get her belongings from that empty palace, give the deed to Inu-yasha, and come back to Edo, where she would live out the rest of her sad, lonely existence in self inflicted exile.
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Act Eleven: Scene Two
"Isn't there anything you can do for her, Doctor Totosai?" Inu-yasha asked. The old man closed up his bag, and prepared to leave the bordello.
"No," Totosai shook his head, "No there's nothing. The pneumonia has set in. She was never strong enough to bear children. She hid her weakness well, though. I'm sorry. You're gong to lose them both." Inu-yash was silent as he escorted Totosai out. But before the old man left, he said, "You know that sister in law of yours is back, closing up that house or your brother's."
"Closing it up?" Inu-yasha asked. "You mean, their moving back to Edo for good?"
"You mean who haven't heard?" Totosai asked. "Impossible. Kagome sent you a letter."
"Yeah, well, I haven't had time to check the mail. I've been kinda busy with my child's dying mother," Inu-yasha said, sarcastically.
"Well, I hate to be the one to tell you this, especially now, but your brother and niece are dead."
"Dead?" Inu-yasha asked. He couldn't believe it. "What do you mean they're dead? Tell me what happened!"
"Poor little Rin broke her neck in a riding accident," Totosai explained. "Your brother, mad with grief, took his own life. Their funerals were only a few days ago. That's why I couldn't come to you sooner. I was busy with that affair."
"But… But what about Kagome?" Inu-yasha asked. "What happened to her?"
"Poor thing," Totosai said, "She's giving it all away. She's giving the palace here to you, and exiling herself to Edo. I fear she may go mad with this. It's all too much, even for a woman as strong as her. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other dying patients to tend you. There's too much death in this world, Inu-yasha, even for a man like me. I wish I had another profession. Like making swords, or something that lasts, instead of bringing finite lives into this world, and then ushering them out again." Then, the doctor took his leave.
Inu-yasha returned to Kikyo's room, where he took up his chair beside her bed. She opened her dim, yellowy eyes and looked up at him. She smiled weakly at him, and said, "Is it that bad?"
"Yes," Inu-yasha said. "And worse. Sesshoamru and Rin are dead."
"A shame," Kikyo said, then breaking into a fit of coughs, "I rather liked that little girl."
"Yeah." Inu-yasha said looking a this hands.
"You're worried about her, aren't you?" Kikyo asked. "You're worried about Kagome."
"Yes," Inu-yasha answered.
"You have been good to me, my sweet Inu-yasha," Kikyo said. "You have never left my side, since I became ill… Inu-yasha, I know that even had I been able to have this child, I would never have won your heart."
"What?" Inu-yasha asked, looking at her.
"I know your heart, my love… I know it better than you yourself did. I know you love Kagome, and will always love her. There has never been room for me. Now, promise me that you will go to Kagome, and end this foolishness and heartbreak."
"But… but what about you?" Inu-yasha asked.
Kikyo laughed sadly. "Still so loyal. Never mind me. I go now, to face my destiny… and accept my fate." she said, her voice giving out. She half-closed her eyes, her long eyelashes resting on her cheek. Inu-yash took her hand… it was cold and limp. Kikyo was gone. He dropped the lifeless hand, and got up from his chair. He was thinking of going to Totosai, to tell him that Kikyo was now dead. But then Inu-yash remembered her last words. To find Kagome. He grabbed his cloak, and headed out into the new rainstorm. He would find Kagome, now, before anything else happened, before any more tragedy bell them.
"And she'd better not marry anybody else before I get there," Inu-yasha said to himself as he ran through the streets, getting soaked to the bone.
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Act Eleven: Scene Three
Kagome watched Shippo and Eri take out the trunks of clothes and jewelry and old knick-knacks out to the large cart. She didn't care that it was raining, she wanted to get everything out of this house today. She wanted nothing more to do with Kyoto. She went up to Rin's old room, and locked the door, and did the same to Sesshomaru's rooms. She'd give the keys to Inu-yasha when she'd see him. She'd head over tot Kikyo's before she'd go home. Maybe their child would enjoy Rins old toys. Maybe Kikyo would her old rooms. Then, for outside, Kagome heard Shippo yelling coarsely at someone.
"You can't go in there!" Shippo cried.
"The h#&& I can't!" came Inu-yasha's angry voice yelled, "This is my house now!" He threw open the door, and looked about all the bottom rooms, yelling, "Kagome! Kagome where are you?"
She hurried down stairs, and stood at the bottom, watching Inu-yasha come from the billiard room, and stand in front of here, breathing hard from his running, and dripping allover the carpet. She hadn't expected him to care so much fore this stupid house, but then again, he'd obviously moved on.
"Here," she said, handing him the keys and the deed. "It's your house. Like you said."
"Shut up and put those stupid things away!" Inu-yasha yelled, smacking the paper and keys away to the floor. Kagome flinched back.
"What? But I thought-"
"Shut up for once," Inu-yasha yelled. He grabbed her shoulders, and looked her in the eye. "I've missed out on being with you time and time again by only the hair of a second. This time, I'm not waiting… I can't wait!"
"But," Kagome said, getting scared, "But Kikyo 's having-"
"She's dead," Inu-yashja said. "I've lost everything. Everything but you. I couldn' bear to lose you Kagome." He tried to hug her, but she panicked and squirmed away.
"No no no no NO!" Kagome said, backing away from him. "I kill every man who loves me. If you don't want to die, then stay away from me!"
"Are you that stupid?!" Inu-yasha asked her. "Do you hate me that much!?"
"No, I don't!" Kagome said, crying. "I love you Inu-yasha! That's why we can't be together! If you marry me, you'll die! I've killed three of them so far! I couldn't bear to lose you, too!" She covered her face with her hands as she started to cry harder. Inu-yasha stared for a minute, then he got an idea!
"Then we won't get married," Inu-yasha said, his gold eyes filling with hope. As Kagome registered what he said, he crossed over to her and took her in his arms again.
"What… what do you mean 'we won't get married'?" she asked him.
"We just won't get married," Inu-yasha explained. "We'll live together! I'll sell this dump, we'll move back to Edo, and we'll live just the way we've always wanted to live. Together, with noone else coming between us!"
"But.." Kagome objected, "What will people say?"
"Frankly, my dear, I don't give a D#%&" Inu-yasha said. Then, he lifted her chin, and kissed her.
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Finally
Inu-yasha and Kagome stood on the hillside before the palace of Edo, arm in arm, the sun setting behind them, casting an array of colors and shadows on the land. Kagome looked up at Inu-yasha, and said to him, "My Grandpa once said that land is all that matters, because it's the only thing that lasts. But he was wrong."
"No," Inu-yasha said, "In some ways, he was right. This land of Edo has outlasted everything. From war, to famine, husbands… It'll even outlast you and me."
"Nothing will outlast our love," she said. "But I don't want to think about the past. The past was yesterday. I want to think about tomorrow. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow."
"Why tomorrow?" Inu-yasha asked her.
"Because," Kagome said, "Tomorrow is another day."
The End
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The curtains open, with a backdrop painting of Edo on the back wall. The cast comes out, each oin pairs, taking a bow. The first to bow are little Rin and Souta. Next,. Come Hiten and Manten, Eri and Shippo, Yuka and Ayumi, Totosai and Keade, Kagura and Kohaku, Sesshomaru and Kikyo, Kouga and Jaken, Mrs. Higurashi and Gramps, Miroku and Songo. Last to bow are Inu-yasha and Kagome. As Hojo comes out with roses for Kagome, Inu-yasha bumps her out of the way, and keeps bowing, smiling and nodding to everyone in the audience. Kagome, her face red with rage, comes up and pushes him head first into the orchestra pit, his body half swallowed up by a large tuba.
"Get me out of here!!!" his muffled cry bellows as his legs kick and thrash about.
"Oops," Kagome says, smiling innocently as she accepts the bouquet of roses, "Clumsy me."
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AN: Yeah, we know this isn't how it ends but… We never liked that ending anyway! Besides, I promised that Inu-yasha would fall of the stage and into a tuba, and I always keep my word!