Her first day on the job was going pretty well, she had to admit. She spent most of the morning being shown around by Sakura. The storage rooms and receiving rooms, as well as the offices and small cafeteria. She had met a few other fellow employees and hoped that she could remember their names. Her stomach was beginning to feel hungry and she realized that it was lunchtime. She went to the cafeteria to eat the lunch that her mother had packed for her. Apparently the cafeteria wasn't the favorite hang out around here, because she was the only one there. Since she had an hour for break, Kagome decided to walk around and check out the exhibits. She soon found herself standing in front of the haunting image of Sesshomaru. He looked so regal. Portrayed forever as the noble warrior from an ancient world, fully armored, glaring at his enemy.
She decided to sit on the small bench across from the exhibit. "Konnichiwa Sesshomaru, I never expected to see you here," she giggled out quietly. "What did you say? Oh come now, I'll bet you say that to all the girls," she couldn't help laughing out at her own humor. 'What would he say if he were really standing there,' she pondered. Hmm something like, "Do not disgrace me with your vile human scent! Remove yourself or I will have your life." Her best Sesshomaru voice sent her into a burst of laughter, that she hoped no one else had heard. She found that she was able to relax a bit from the stress of the day. Kagome crossed her legs and leaned back, slowly allowing her eyes to take in the features of the demon lord. In the weeks ahead she will find herself sitting in this same position many times.
Another week passed since her first day at the museum, and things were going smoothly. She made a great deal of progress toward developing a more efficient organizational system for the museum. She was pleased with herself. Kagome grabbed her lunch and went to her usual spot to meditate away some of the stress that had developed from this morning. "Konnichiwa Sesshomaru," she cheerfully said as she rounded the corner. The ever-present pillar of white simply stared at her in silence. She took her seat and relaxed. She had to admit that there was something calming about being next to it. She had thought on that very subject many times and decided that it had to be because he was Inuyasha's brother. It was simply the closest thing that she could come to.
Once the Shikon No Tama had been gathered, and Nuraku destroyed during the great battle, she was forced to say goodbye to her friends. The pain and loss was terrible for a very long time. She had finally pushed them to the back of her mind. It was better that way. Nuraku had taken so much, from so many, that the completion of her mission could not be looked on sadly. The foul demon had almost killed poor Kouga when he ripped the shards from his legs. Then there was Kohaku and Sango. Oh Kami, she could still hear the scream from her dear friend as the shard was stripped from her brother's back. Kohaku fell lifeless to the ground as Sango leapt to cover his dead body. What a wretched sound it was. The battle was fierce, and there was nothing anyone could do.
The combined efforts of the group were what finally sent that bastard to Hell. The jewel was fused back together in Nuraku's vile body. Kagome could remember the power that radiated from the orb as she picked it up. Inuyasha had been the real hero, when the purified stone was placed in his hands. His wish was not to become a full-fledged demon, but for Kohaku to be alive, for Sango. It was the most unselfish act she had ever witnessed. As the glowing light of the stone dimmed, Kohaku took his first real breath. The light of the jewel went out and the jewel was no more.
Kagome could remember the moment as if it were yesterday. It was joy and pain. They all knew what it meant for the jewel to no longer exist. It meant that the jewel would no longer endanger innocent lives with it's potential to draw evil. It also meant that Kagome would not be able to travel between time through the well, anymore. She had been torn between leaving her world and family behind forever, or leaving her dear friends. She had talked to Kaede many times. The old miko had given her the advice from her heart, but in the end it was Kagome's decision. The next day, she went home, never to return to the fairytale world she loved so much. She knew that despite her heartache, she had done what was right. She was not meant to be there. It was not her time, and by staying in feudal Japan, she could throw the balance of history off. Her modern ways had drawn the attention of many people in their travels, and the young girls were greatly influenced with her forward and sassy behavior. Besides, how could she leave her mom, brother and grandpa? Her mom would have been devastated and worried for the rest of her life. She couldn't do that to her.
She had said her tearful good-byes. The worst was Inuyasha. He acted angry at first. Like he didn't care, but in the end the passionate embrace he held her in, proved his undying love. Kagome felt the tear running down her cheek. She cursed herself silently for allowing the memories to come forth in her mind. She had gotten so good at pushing them away the last eight years. 'Damn,' here I go again.
She decided to quite dwelling on it and stood up. As she took her leave, she stopped and done something on a whim. She stepped up next to the statue. Sesshomaru's steel gaze staring right through her. She moved very close and gently she ran her fingers down his cheek. The stone was cold and smooth under her fingers. She looked into his eyes and whispered "Arigato Sesshomaru." She was crying again, so she decided it was time to shake it off and get back to work. She stepped down to the floor and disappeared around the corner.