Mistress Phoenix: If you're wondering about the title, then this chapter will probably enlighten you a little as to why I called it this :P And there is something else in the future but we aren't there yet, are we?
Yush, I have it all planned out :B I'm so organizedly evil.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own the series InuYasha or any of its characters. Unfortunately.
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Feudal Era
Miroku's deep blue eyes glanced up at the tall, sacred tree before him, a look of sorrow lingering in openly within them.
Next to him on his left side, Sango gently placed two single flowers at the base of the everlasting tree, uttering a soft prayer shortly after. The flowers were a beautiful pink and blue species, and their steams were long and bright green. Their leaves were perfectly curved into ovals and untouched by insects or disease.
How incredibly beautiful those flowers were. They were still young and growing, as InuYasha had been... but now they would die because of their lack of needed resources. Just like InuYasha. In fact, the rare flower closely represented that half demon creature.
The monk then stood, bowing his head slightly in respect for the new grave.
Eight days had passed since that ghastly day of the final battle. InuYasha was buried under the sacred God Tree, making the tree not only a sacred life form, but now also the peaceful resting place for a loved individual.
The tree's long, strong branches seemed to curve inwards vaguely in a shielding and protective way, keeping the soulless being now beneath it safe from harmful intruders. His name was painted onto the Tree's trunk with great care, along with a small prayer for a well afterlife.
"Miroku, do you think Kagome will return soon?"
Sango asked softly, looking up at the monk that she knew she loved.
Kagome had not returned once since that day of InuYasha's death. She'd run off with the powerful sword and returned to her time, and that was the very last time they saw her. They had truly thought Kagome would have returned by now, and so they waited to finally bury InuYasha's lifeless body.
But she did not return.
Her friends could not longer wait and, though it created a dreadful knot in their hearts to do so, had put InuYasha to rest without the one who had loved him so dearly even anywhere nearby.
Now, a total of eight long, agonizing days had passed and the distraught teen had still not come back.
"Kagome probably just needs more time to be alone, and then she will return."
Miroku answered Sango's question, though there was doubt in his voice. But eight days was enough, surely... wasn't it? She had loved InuYasha, wouldn't she have at least been present until they buried him? Perhaps this was too much for her to handle. Perhaps she really wasn't coming back this time.
Worry for her friend was clear through Sango's eyes. Never had Kagome left for so long.
But then, so many good things had happened with Naraku's defeat, why was she so distressed by Kagome's eight-day absence? That anguish was almost as strong as the anguish she held for InuYasha's death.
Because Naraku had been killed, many positive occurrences had taken place. For one, Sango's little brother Kohaku had returned to normal, and he was once again free, able to do as he pleased. Kagura was also free from Naraku's shameful control, and lived in immense debt to InuYasha and his friends for her freedom.
Miroku's wind void had finally disappeared for good, and he was finally able to live without the protection of prayer beads. Many creatures who had been affected by Naraku's evil doing had felt they were at last retaliated. But there was one important thing that happened.
The Shikon no Tama was finally restored.
After Naraku's defeat, his half of the jewel was taken and pieced together with Kagome's half, completing the jewel.
They decided that it be best that they bury the jewel with InuYasha, for it only seemed appropriate. InuYasha had always wanted to use the jewel to become a full demon and so now he finally had the jewel to do so. Even if he did not wish to become a full demon anymore, the hanyou's soul would still be able to make one wish. One final wish.
He deserved at least that.
The jewel was now protected by an everlasting spell that concealed its scent and presence. No one, demon or no, would ever be able to find the jewel by scenting it out. Never. It was eternally protected now.
Kikyou had purified the evil Shikon jewel that Naraku had had in his possession, seeing as Kagome was absent. Normally, the undead miko wouldn't even think of doing anything to help them in any way, but she knew InuYasha would finally able to with her in the afterlife, in hell.
Kikyou had then fallen back into hell, where she knew she would finally be with the one she loved. InuYasha had finally died, and now Kikyou knew she would decide to return to where she had come from. Finally, she had felt truly happy.
Sango then stood, picking up her giant boomerang. She sighed and started to head back to Kaede's village, not looking back at Miroku though she did speak to him once more.
"I'm still worrying, Miroku."
Miroku sighed and uttered a few soft words to InuYasha before walked after the youkai exterminator, looking back at the tree and now his friend's grave over his shoulder one last time.
Present Day Japan
Eight days.
That was how long Kagome had avoided the feudal era now. It was how long ago Kagome had cried so hysterically in her room. It was how long ago InuYasha had died.
The powerful sword dubbed Tetsuigia had been tightly wrapped up in InuYasha's old robe, though the fire rat coat was terribly torn and tattered. The bundled up sword was quietly sitting in Kagome's closet, the door to it tightly closed as if it were home to a horrifying monster in a child's room and imagination.
But to Kagome, the sword was a nightmare.
The teenager was currently alone at home, her brother being at a soccer practice and the rest of her family out to the stores to pick up a few items. Kagome had always wanted to finally be alone, to be able to let loose for a bit, and so she was grateful for this time alone.
The young girl then walked from her own kitchen to her yard, the slight chill in the air making a minor shiver run down her spine. She hugged her warm deep green sweater closer to her body, appreciating the warmth it gave her. Kagome then glanced to her right, her brown gaze resting upon the little shrine which held that faithful portal.
She didn't want to go to it.
Kagome's will wanted for her to turn away and completely forget about that dreadful era, but her traitorous mind screamed for her to go to it, even if only for a moment. Two tugs on her heart pulled in opposite directions.
But the fifteen-year-old soon gave in to her conscience, finding herself walking towards the familiar place on her land.
Kagome's cold hand lightly ran over the door to the shrine for only an instant, but to her it seemed as though it was eternity. Pushing her hesitant movements and thoughts away, she opened the sliding door completely in a matter of seconds.
Tears burned the backs of her eyes, but they were unable to completely make their way out of Kagome's auburn eyes.
Slowly descending the few stairs there were, Kagome kept her arms tightly around her slightly cold body and her gaze never left the well.
"InuYasha.."
The beloved name was whispered yet again by the heartbroken girl as she leaned over the well. She stared down the dark well, only vaguely picking out the bottom of it. To the side, Kagome also noticed the rope ladder in which she had always used when returning to her own time era.
This was what forced the tears out of her eyes.
"InuYasha... I loved you. I do love you. And I miss you so much.."
Her words were but a hoarse whisper, and a few silent tears rolled off her cheeks and fell down into the well, Kagome unable to see them hit the ground, though the dull and only slightly audible echo told her that they had reached the ground.
Suddenly, the young miko abruptly tore the rope ladder from the well's side and let it fall to the ground within the dry well, her flow of tears now slowing.
"I cant go back. Never again."
With those last words, Kagome ran out of the shrine, slamming the door sadistically behind her.
Feudal Era
Six more days had passed now, creating a grand total of fourteen days without Kagome's presence.
Two weeks, two whole weeks. Such a long time.
Miroku peered down the well, as if expecting Kagome to suddenly appear once again. He worried for her. Sango and Shippo also stood by the well, watching it intently. Even Kirara was concerned for the teenaged ningen.
"She's not coming back... is she?"
Shippo asked, his voice and tone deeply saddened. He looked up at Miroku and Sango, the ones who had been caring for him since Kagome had left, waiting and wanting for them to answer him.
"Shippo.."
Sango didn't want to hurt the poor child even more than he was already, but she knew he was right. Kagome was not coming back. Not ever again.
"Yes Shippo, I do believe Kagome had chosen to stay in her own time era for good."
Miroku said, feeling as though he must tell the child the bitter truth. Shippo then frowned in sadness, his sorrow shown clearly through his eyes, the small tears also proving his unhappiness. Even though Sango was not a child as Shippo was, she was still greatly distressed by this news. Unable to stop herself anymore, she threw her arms around Miroku in a tight hug, crying into his shoulder.
She'd lost her best friend, and she felt so hurt and alone because of it.
Miroku blinked, taken aback but Sango's sudden hug and open sorrow. But his eyes soon softened and her hugged Sango in a comforting way. His 'perverted' side was shunned.
"I shouldn't cry."
Sango said, pulling away slightly after a moment of crying into the monk's shoulder. But before Miroku or Shippo could say anything to the youkai exterminator, Sango smiled and said something more to her friends.
"Kagome's made her choice. I hope she'll be happy now."
Sango said, gazing at the well. Miroku looked over at the Bone Eater's Well and hesitated before answering the young woman in some way.
"You're right Sango. I hope she'll be happy with her life now as well. She no longer has a burden upon her shoulders."
Sango then walked over to the kitsune child and gently picked him up, Shippo greatly appreciating the comfort, hugging his new guardian tightly.
"We'll care for you, Shippo."
With that, she and Miroku walked away from the well to start a new life, Kirara at their heels. And from a stranger's point of view, the four would have looked like a close-knit and long-lived family.
---- FIVE YEARS LATER ----
Present Day Japan
A twenty year old woman looked up at a large, tall tree, brown eyes showing a soft emotion. The wind blew her short black hair about lightly and it tickled her nose, though the young woman did not sneeze or try to brush the stray hair away.
The woman's name was Kagome Higurashi and the young lady was currently in her own yard, staring intently at the large tree on her property.
Now twenty, Kagome was a grown young woman. She was educated and she had a well-paying job, and she was very attractive. But with her good looks, anyone would have thought she was taken, maybe even married, or at least have had an old boyfriend of some sort.
But she didn't. Kagome Higurashi was, and had been single ever since she was fifteen.
No one but her and her family knew the reason. Kagome could never get over Inuyasha's death. She loved him, loved him beyond belief. She could not love any other man, never. Not after what happened.
Even if she tried to find a man for herself, she would feel the sense of great betrayal. The young woman just knew that she could never be with another man.
But she wanted a family now, oh how greatly she wanted a family of her own. Her beloved grandfather had silently and peacefully passed away just two years ago, and only last month did her mother and brother move to the other side of town, leaving Kagome with the house. She was so lonely now, only Buyo was around to keep her company.
And the horrible memories.
Every time she looked at the old shrine, she would feel a terrible ripping feeling in her heart. The feeling had bothered her so much, pained her so much, that she violently boarded it up with many boards of plywood, not wanting herself or anyone to ever be inside it ever again.
The twenty year old then retreated back into her home, the autumn chill making her shiver and realize that the temperature had dropped. She walked into her kitchen and got herself a warm cup of coffee, soon reading through the day's newspaper.
She wasn't paying much attention to what the articles were actually saying, and her eyes were simply moving down the page, searching for something of interest. A small advertisement in the bottom right corner of this page caught her attention in seconds.
It read: "Sunny Orphanage, where every child needs a loving home!"
The whole advertisement was quite cheesy sounding, but Kagome didn't care. She had always wanted a child of her own, though did not want to be with another man. Perhaps this is what she was looking for; maybe fate had finally taken pity upon her.
Reading the phone number, Kagome reached for the phone and began to dial the number. She paused at the fourth number, wondering if this is really what she wanted.
Am I ready for this?
She bit her lip nervously, doubting herself. After a few minutes of hesitation, Kagome then hung up the phone and re-dialed the number completely this time, making up her mind that she could and wanted to adopt a child.
"Sunny Orphanage, how may I help you?"
Kagome almost forgot what to say when the overly-cheery lady answered the phone, her excitement now controlling her.
"Yes, I would like to adopt a child; can I make an appointment for sometime tomorrow?"
"Oh yes, dear! What is your name?"
"Ms. Kagome Higurashi."
Kagome could hear the woman typing away on her computer, obviously filling out an appointment. She asked a few more basic questions, and Kagome answered them without hesitation.
The moment she had hung up the phone, the twenty year old slipped into a coat and ran to her car, going out to buy what she needed for a new arrival.
After nearly five hours of shopping for baby items, Kagome had returned home with diapers, baby food, baby clothing and even a brand new cradle and high chair for the new child. She chose for her infant to live in her little brother's old room, so set up everything in there, filling the toy chest with toys of all kinds, whether they be new or passed down.
By the end of the day, the cozy little room was ready for a new inhabitant.
Pleased with her work, Kagome stood in the doorway and admired the room, smiling brightly the whole time. Just the sight of the child's room made her excitement and happiness increase greatly. She then reached to her right and gently switched the light off, walking over to her room next-door.
Kagome slept soundly this night, and the only dreams she had were ones that made her feel incredibly happy.
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Mistresss Phoenix: How did you like this chapter? Review and tell me! And I deeply apologize to you tragedy-lovers for having such a joyful ending in this chapter, but don't worry, more tragedy'll come soon enough :P