Chapter 2: The Jewel Shard

(one week later)

Inuyasha sat by the well, staring into its dark depths. Every now and then, he would tilt his head down to his lap where his hands played with the shards of the Shikon Jewel that he had taken from around Kagome's neck after he had taken her back to her time… for the last time.

'This is a dream,' Inuyasha thought listlessly. 'One day I'll wake up and it will all be gone… one day.' In his heart, he knew that even if he did wake up, it would be the same nightmare again… and again… and again. A tear formed in his amber eye but he refused to let it fall. Crying made him feel so helpless.

From the trees, Miroku and Sango watched him. They had volunteered themselves as his guardians, to be sure that he wouldn't harm himself.

Sango turned and buried her face in Miroku's robe. "This is awful," she said, her voice slightly muffled. "He's been here for days. How much longer can we all stand this?"

Miroku shook his head. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He didn't know how to respond. Finally, he said, "It will pass." He sighed, wondering if what he said was true.

Sango looked up at him. He gazed at her and noticed the shape of her face, the high, pale, cheekbones stained with tears. 'She is so beautiful,' he thought wistfully, almost reaching out to touch her raven hair. 'I wish… but no. Now is not the time for love affairs. We have so many things to attend to.'

"Miroku, I'm so scared," Sango whispered, her voice barely audible. "Inuyasha is in a deep depression and Naraku…" She closed her eyes.

Miroku stroked her cheek tenderly, comfortingly. "What about Naraku?" he asked.

Sango opened her eyes and finally voiced the thought that had been tearing at her mind for some time. "With Inuyasha like this, Naraku might see it as a perfect time to attack," she said. "So many things could happen."

"I know," Miroku said. "The Shikon Jewel is very near completion. I believe the last pieces are the ones Naraku has. It won't be long before he makes a move. But, in this state, Inuyasha might be valuable. If something does happen, he may just fight without regard for life." He paused.

In the silence, Sango understood what the monk was trying to say. "No regard for Naraku's life… or his own," she finished.

Miroku stared into Sango's deep brown eyes and, without really knowing what he was going to do, leaned forward into her. Sango drew back. They remained in that position for a moment and then, with a strangled sort of sound, Sango plunged forward and pressed her lips against Miroku's. They kissed deeply, passionately, until they both pulled away, emotion running through their eyes.

"Oh, Sango," Miroku breathed, feeling the longing burst from him in the three words he had wanted to say for some time. "I love you."

Sango's eyes filled with tears at the sound of those words. She buried herself in his arms, feeding her cold soul from his warmth. "I love you too," she sobbed, unsure whether she was feeling exquisite joy or exquisite pain. She finally decided that it was a bit of both.

Remembering their assignment, the two turned back to see that Inuyasha was gone.

"Oh no!" Sango said. "What happened to him?"

Inuyasha tore through the forest. He had smelled the emotions that hung over Sango and Miroku. It reeked of love. He needed to get away from that.

'Bad enough they have to follow me, but they have to be in love while they do it,' Inuyasha thought bitterly. 'Kagome and I never got that chance.'

"Brother."

Inuyasha stopped short. The voice was cold, the friendly word spoken with harsh tones. He turned around and beheld his brother behind him. As always, Sesshoumaru's attire was perfectly placed, with a few corners fluttering regally in the wind. Strands of his long white hair floated around his stern face, undecided as to where to place themselves.

'This is the last thing I need,' Inuyasha thought. Out loud, he asked, "What do you want?"

"Relax," Sesshoumaru said. "I'm not here to fight with you. I want to offer my… sympathies… for Kagome."

Inuyasha stared at him. "What?" he said.

Sesshoumaru shifted position slightly, as if he were uncomfortable. "My sympathies," he repeated. "For Kagome. I know she was special to you."

'He's being nice,' Inuyasha thought warily. 'That can't be a good sign.'

Sesshoumaru blinked. "I… guess I'm done here," he said awkwardly.

As the demon turned to leave, Inuyasha muttered, "Thanks."

Sesshoumaru turned back to face him. "What did you say?" he asked, not angrily, just questioningly.

"Thanks," Inuyasha said, louder. "I… appreciate it." His ears flattened slightly and he cast his eyes down. "I really do," he said finally. The tenseness went out of him and he seemed to sag slightly.

For the first time, Sesshoumaru felt something not unlike love towards his half-breed brother. "You know," he said, taking a step forward. "The Shikon Jewel is almost completed, so I hear." He wasn't all that much interested in the Jewel, just in the chaos that surrounded it.

Inuyasha nodded. He felt that he should say something but he wasn't quite sure how to begin. This was the first decent conversation he had had with his brother.

"What I mean is," Sesshoumaru continued. "there is still hope for you to become a full demon." He wondered briefly why he was saying this, then dismissed the thought. It had been said.

"Yes," Inuyasha agreed. "I know."

Sesshoumaru thought about the Shikon Jewel shard that he had gotten from Naraku. It had been some sort of deal… he couldn't quite remember. He felt through his pocket to the small piece hidden inside. Not knowing what he was doing, he brought it out and held it up so that Inuyasha could see it.

Inuyasha stared at the glinting piece of the Jewel that his brother held. "What… how…," he sputtered.

Sesshoumaru took Inuyasha's hand and pressed the shard into it. "A gift," he said formally. "I received it from Naraku some time ago. I'm sure you can use it more than I could." He smiled. It was a small upturning of his pale lips. Now that he had done what he had come to do, he left.

Staring at the shard in his hand, Inuyasha wondered why his brother had given it to him. Full of confusion, he made his way back to Kaede's hut. Miroku and Sango were sitting outside. When he came into sight, they both stood with worried looks on their faces.

Inuyasha swept past them silently and entered the hut. He found the small bag where they kept the shards and dropped the new one in. He stared at them for a moment, and then went back outside.

Miroku and Sango were still standing. "Inuyasha, are you all right?" Sango asked.

Inuyasha looked at her, as if regarding her for the first time. Sango almost took a step backwards; it was so intense. Finally, he replied, "Yes. I'm fine. I need to find Naraku."

"Uh… of course," Miroku said. "Then again, there may be some slight problem. We aren't exactly sure where he is."

"I'll find him," Inuyasha said. Sango began to get worried. Inuyasha sounded so determined that she suddenly wondered if this time, he really would.

Miroku only nodded. There was silence. No one was sure of what to say. Inuyasha looked down at the Tetsusiega strapped around his waist. He silently took it off and threw it on the ground nearby. Sango and Miroku could only stare at him in numb surprise.

"I won't be needing that," Inuyasha offered by way of explanation.

"Inuyasha, you know what will happen-" Miroku began.

"Yes!" the hanyou interrupted. "I know. That's the reason. I'll fight him on his own terms."

Sango shook her head. "Inuyash-" she started.

"I don't care anymore!" he yelled.

Now it was all out in the open. He stared at them brokenly and repeated, "I don't care." Muttering that phrase under his breath, he turned and ran from their sight.