He had planned for Kagome and himself to explore outside of the castle. He thought it would be better than her being in her room all the time. So he had to somewhat force her from her room and out the main gate. Fortunately after he had done that she ended up wandering around so he didn't have to do much work. It had been a week since that night in the gardens and every day he had taken her out of the castle grounds. Every day her eyes seemed to gain more and more light back.
Today he had shown her a vast flower field not far from the castle. For a while she just sat beneath a tree as she gazed at the land. Then at some point began to pick flowers as if she built a bouquet.
They were both startled when they heard an ear piercing scream coming from the other side of the hill. Quickly he ran and unsheathed his sword as he crossed the top and ran with amazing speed to the man below.
Kagome was not far behind him as she kind of stumbled more than ran down the hill.
He looked at the man as he was holding a small girl. She wore a worn yellow and orange summer kimono and had short black hair pulled up into a ponytail on one side. He looked to the man as he spoke with a stoic face and serious voice.
"What business do you have with the child?" he asked as Kagome pulled the girl from the mans hands.
"She is an orphan and has stolen from our village. I am simply going to punish her for her actions." He stated
"That is not your decision to make. Only the king of this land is allowed to sentence those in the wrong." He informed the man
"The king never sees us so now the villages punish there own criminals." He told him
"And what would her punishment be?" he asked
"Her hand would be cut off most likely." He replied not flinching
"So you would punish and orphan because she has nobody to offer her food or help her?"
"She stole from my village." He said angrily
"She is but a child trying to survive on her own. Do you not see it from her perspective? In any case by the kings orders you shall be punished for her crime. Kagome take the child to the palace. I will be along shortly." He said and turned to her to make sure she understood.
Kagome picked up the child and ran as fast as she could.
Sesshoumaru waited for her to be out of sight before looking at the man.
"I will be merciful this time and only take five of your fingers. The next time you do not come to me for the punishment of those in the wrong you will pay for your life. And anyone who disobeys my wishes will also meet an end. So I expect you to inform the villages." He told him
The man finally realizing he spoke to the King started to cower in fear.
Sesshoumaru sheathed his sword and pulled out his dagger. He grabbed the mans hand forcefully and one by one sliced off each finger and threw it on the ground. When he finished he used the man shirt to clean his blade and left not saying a word or looking back. All he heard was the man screaming in agony as he left him there.
When he got back to the castle he found Kagome playing with the girl. They both looked up as he entered the room they were in. The little girl jumped up and ran to him tightly hugging his leg as she peered up at him and gave him a gapped tooth smile. Although his face remained cold his eyes held smiles. So he patted her on the head and she ran back to play with Kagome.
He watched them for a while and left to his study to work some before lunch. He was interrupted by a knock at the door. He invited the visitor in and found Kaede standing in front of him. He sat at his desk waiting for her to speak.
"I suggest you stay in the castle. Soon every room will be full." She said jokingly as she smiled warmly at him.
"Have you come to pester me Kaede or do you need something?" he asked her
"I was wondering where you wish to put the child?" she asked
"Have Jaken ready a room next to Kagome's. That way she will be close." He replied
"Yes milord." She said bowing
"And find her some nice kimono's and make sure she bathes in time for lunch." He added
"As you wish." She answered leaving quickly
Kaede walked into the now designated playroom and walked to Kagome and the child. Kagome and the girl looked up at her as she stood next to them.
"Lord Sesshoumaru has asked that the child bathes while I fetch her a new kimono." She explained to Kagome more than the little girl.
Kagome nodded in acknowledgment and stood up. The little girl followed her example and grabbed Kagome's hand as she held it out and they both headed for the bathhouse.
When they got to the spring they walked in. Kagome helped the little girl undress and followed suit laying their clothes in a pile in the sitting room. When she opened the door letting the child see the room she watched as her eyes lit up in what seemed to be happiness and enjoyment. The next thing Kagome knew the girl had ran and jumped into it splashing her in the process. So she walked over and got in as the girl swam to her. She started to wash the child and spoke while they bathed.
"What's your name? My name is Kagome." she asked the girl
"Rin." She simply answered
"That is a pretty name for a pretty girl." She said earning a big smile from her. "So what do you like to do Rin?"
"Rin likes flowers and games." She replied happily
"How about after lunch we play some learning games?"
"YEAH!" she squealed excitedly
They kept talking as they finished up their baths. She grabbed two towels for each of them. One for their hair and the other for their body. She walked Rin into the sitting room as they began to dry off. Once they finished drying their bodies she helped Rin dress in her new kimono that Kaede left for her and got dressed in her own. She sat her down in front of the vanity and brushed her hair and proceeded to do hers as well. When they were finished she and Rin walked back and met the others in the dining room.
Upon entering the room Rin let go a she darted for Sesshoumaru giving him a tight hug as she squealed his name in happiness.
"Lord Sesshoumaru!"
Once again patting her he told her to sit next to Kagome as they began to eat lunch.
Lunch was a little different from normal now that a small child sat at the table with them. So while Shippou talked with Sesshoumaru, Kagome and Rin chatted about flowers with an occasional squeal from Rin.
After lunch Shippou and Kilala entertained Rin in the gardens as she spoke with Sesshoumaru. They sat in a small tea room not speaking for a moment before Kagome spoke up.
"Her name is Rin." She informed him
He sat there sipping his tea as he looked somewhat thoughtful. When he finished his thoughts he looked to her and studied her for a minute.
"She will be staying with us unless I say otherwise. In the meantime I have put her in the room next to yours. If you wish you may show her, her room. And make sure she knows of the connecting doors incase she needs it. If you wish to you may use the library and if you need something ask Kaede of Sango." He told her
"Can I bring her to pick flowers tomorrow after breakfast?" she asked
"If you wish, but I shall join you." He added
So she nodded and left the room in search of Rin. When she opened the door to the gardens she smiled at the sight before her. Shippou was being chased by Rin as Kilala helped but what was so unusual was the fact Kilala was in her larger form with Rin on her back. She held no fear of either of them. She watched Rin grab a hold of Shippou's tail and tackle him to he ground only for him too turn around and tickle her. She giggled at them for a minute then walked out letting her presence be know to the small girl.
"Lady Kagome!" she yelled running to her knocking her down as she hugged her.
"Hello Rin. I have a suprise for you. Come on and let go see. Okay?" she said sweetly
She nodded and started to walk only to stop. "Can we play later you guys?" she asked the two demons.
"Of course Rin." He answered with a smile
She smiled brightly and turned around to continue her journey towards her suprise. After a few minutes of walking they stopped in front of a door.
"Go ahead, open it." She said giving her a little push
Rin opened the door and walked in. Her eyes lit up with joy and she ran around looking at the books, and toys and the doll on her bed. After looking at every little thing for about ten minutes she asked Kagome about something she was in her room.
"What's behind the door Lady Kagome?"
"That's my room. In case of any nightmares or you just need me you can walk through this door in to my room." She told her
"Can I see?" she asked
"Sure." She spoke with amusement in her voice
"Wow. I like your room Lady Kagome." She told her as she looked around.
"Just call me Kagome okay Rin?" her voice filled with kindness as she spoke
"Okay. But what's behind that door Kagome?" she questioned as she pointed to Sesshoumaru's room.
"That's Sesshoumaru's room." She simply answered.
"Can I sleep with you tonight Kagome?" she asked all of the sudden
"For tonight but after that you must sleep in your own room."
"Okay!" she shouted jumping up and down excitedly
"Dinner will be ready soon so why don't we go to the library and I'll teach you to write. Okay?" she told the child
"Yeah!" she yelled as they walked to the library
After dinner was done Kagome took Rin and went to bed. Rin begged her to tell her a story before she went to bed so she couldn't refuse.
Sesshoumaru went to his room to turn in for the night. When he got there he heard two voices come from Kagome's room. Becoming curious he walked to the door and opened it just a tad bit. He heard Rin beg Kagome to tell her a bedtime story and Kagome happily began.
"This is a love story. Once a long, long time ago there was a beautiful women who roamed the lands. One day she met a demon prince only to later fall in love with him. He loved her too but his heart was so clouded he would not admit it." She stopped there noticing Rin had already fallen asleep. So tucking her in and getting up so she could ready herself for bed.
"What happened to the two lovers?" Sesshoumaru asked letting himself be known.
Kagome became flustered and embarrassed when realizing he had been listening to her story.
"Actually I don't know. I don't remember it that much." She replied with a finger covering her mouth in an embarrassed gesture.
"Would you like to know?" he asked her
"Sure." She replied not really quite sure
"The prince left for battle never to return again." He told her
"That's so sad. My heart would break she were me." She spoke with deep sadness
"Her heart did break, and soon after she disappeared forever. Never to be seen again." He added with sadness in his eyes
He brought his hand to her cheek only for her to shy away from it. Looking to the side he took that as a statement and took his leave and retreating to his bedroom. She slowly walked to a drawer and pulled out her night yukata and crawled into bed with Rin quickly falling to sleep.
Kagome's DreamShe stood there on the same field standing next to the same man she could not see. After a few minutes of silence the man began to speak to her.
"I must leave for battle tomorrow. My lands are in danger and evil is approaching. We will never truly be together until the evil is destroyed." He spoke with an emotionless voice
"What if you die? I could not stand it. Please don't leave me here alone." She said hugging him as she cried into his chiseled chest.
"If I do not go all my people will die and eventually so will we. I will return to you. That I promise. Will you wait for my return?" he asked her
"Forever." She simply replied
Her surroundings all went black and then she came to what seemed very familiar. It was a castle. She had been there before but could not remember when. She was sitting in a bedroom when a knock came at the door. Inviting the person in her gaze never leaving the window. She was waiting for something and would not take her eyes off it for fear she would miss it.
"I'm sorry Lady Kagome." A males voice rang in her ear. "We have been sent the Lord has died in battle. However he was successful in defeating the evil demon Naraku once and for all." He tried adding the later to avert her mind.
He waited for her to answer back but she never did. All he caught were her tears as they fell to the ground. He couldn't see her eyes because her ebony hair shaded her face from view. So he quietly left the room leaving the saddened woman alone.
"SESSHOUMARU!" she cried out in agonizing pain as she was woken from her sleep.
End Dream
She sprung up straight as she woke from her dream startling the little girl next to her. Rin rubbed her eyes and looked up at Kagome to make sure she was alright.
"Shh, it's okay Rin go back to sleep." She commanded the child
Sesshoumaru was in his bed but not asleep. His thoughts had drifted to Kagome and her story. She seemed to really not know that she spoke of herself. He was yanked from his thoughts when he heard the woman of his recent thoughts yell his name. Jumping up faster than he ever thought possible with sword in hand he barged through the door looking for the culprit. Not finding anyone of other then Kagome and Rin he eased his sword down relaxing his grip. He looked to Kagome and saw her inky ebony locks shaded her pale face. He did, however se her tears as they hit the floor. Walking to her he cupped his hand under her chin lifting her face so he could see her. He was knocked back from such intense emotions that she held in her eyes. Such deep painful sadness like from one whose heart was broken into a million pieces. He was shocked when she jumped up hugging him tight and started to cry into his chest.
His muscles tightened by the contact and loosened as he dropped his sword and enveloped her in his arms for comfort. She eventually fell asleep in his arms. So he picked her up and placed her back on her bed tucking her in before grabbing his sword and returning to his room.
Sesshoumaru's Dream
He looked at a field that was littered with what seemed to be dead demons.
Looking to the left a demon that was had a human body from the waist up as his lower half was nothing but multiple tentacles. He watched as they wildly flew through the air as if he was trying to shield himself from something or someone. That's when he noticed it.
To the right of where he watched a tall man walk to the edge of the field. His long ankle length silver hair blew in the breeze as hit gently caressed each strand. Two red striped adorned each cheek and wrist of the man as a blue crescent moon sat upon his brow. He wore three swords at his side one looking familiar to him. He had what seemed to be claws and pointy ears. That was what made him realize he was a demon. But that wasn't what threw him into shock. It was the demons eyes. They were a deep golden color like his. This man was him, it had to be. They looked almost the same except for the hair and markings. He remained there gawking until he saw the silver haired man speak.
"Your life and threats end here Naraku. You will no longer threaten my lands." He spat to the monstrosity across from him.
"So you have finally decided to fight your highness." He replied with hate. "Once I kill you I will enjoy taking your mate over and over again. I will make her my only concubine. Unless I have company." She added
The silver haired man said nothing he just attacked. After her what could have been many hours of battle he saw each side had deadly wounds. The silver haired man only had minor but the man called Naraku had fatal ones.
Dealing Naraku the final blow to end the battle the silver haired man turn to leave thinking the monster had died. Because of his assumption he watched as a tentacle flew straight for him. He screamed to the man but his pleas went unheard. He could only watch in horror as it plunged straight through his heart as he caught the look of surprise on the demons face as the appendage was ripped from his body falling lifeless onto the floor.
"Kagome.." the man said before his body plummeted to the ground.
When he heard her name he felt pain in his chest and looked down. He began to gawk at the gaping hole where his heart should be. He watched the essence of his life flow out of his body covering the ground below. Holding his hands in front of his face and staring as if to confirm his belief. The next thing he saw was complete darkness as he whispered a single name.
"Kagome.."
End Dream
Kagome woke up looking to confirm it was night by the darkness of her room. She had an eerie feeling. She looked to the small form next to her seeing she was unharmed. She looked to the door that led to Sesshoumaru's room as she felt immense pain. Rising from her bed she slowly walked to the door. As she became closer the feeling of pain and death also became stronger. As soon as she opened the door her nose was hit by the smell of blood.Not even stopping to check for danger she immediately ran to him and started to cry as she yelled for help. While she waited for someone to come she pulled him to her lap as she rocked back and forth crying and repeating herself over and over again. That was when Shippou, Kilala, Rin, Kaede and Sango came into the room. It was the first thing they saw as they stood there in horror.
"No again. You can't leave me alone. Not when you promised not to leave me. Why? Why did you have to fight? Why didn't you just stay with me? You didn't have to go. You could have stayed with me but instead you left. Was I not good enough? Did you truly not love me? Was it I that did something wrong? Tell me. Why?" she shouted as her tears seemed to never end.
Kaede and Sango made to move towards their master and friend but were abruptly stopped by Shippou and Kilala. When the received evil stares he spoke.
"Watch." Was his simple reply as they all looked to the grieve stricken woman in front of them.
They became confused as she continued talking to what was obviously a corpse of their old master.
"You promised. I have no one. You left me alone and my heart slowly disappeared as I wondered the lands as an empty shell. You can't die on me again. You fought alone last time as did I. But know we fight together. Please don't leave me my love. Fight. Fight the memories." She paused sobbing. "Please I need you here with me. I could not bear to loose you again. I have waited many years to be with you again. Please live." She said the last part as a whisper.
She continued to cry still rocking back and forth with him in her arms. Her eyes were closed tightly afraid to see the gaping hole and the blood that covered them both.
Unbelieving to everyone but the two demons in the room they gawked in complete shock from a light the emanated from the Kagome's body as it began to engulf her making her levitate from the bed.
When the light died down Sesshoumaru's cold body still lay upon the bed but where Kagome once was now stood a beautiful goddess. She looked like an older version of Kagome. She had blue under dress with a white gown over top. Her black hair trailed behind her on the ground as she walked towards the bystanders. Three small blue circles sat above her nose for markings. She walked with ageless grace and held great wisdom in here eyes. As she approached Shippou and Kilala both kneeled to her and bowed their heads.
"Shippou, Kilala. It has been many centuries since I last saw you. Neither of you have changed. I thank you for staying with me until I reawakened again. You have always been such wonderful friends." She said smiling
"It is good to see you as well Kagome. I'm glad you have come back to us." Replied Shippou
"I don't understand? If you were Kagome then why do you appear different?" Sango asked
"There is so much to explain. When Kagome and Sesshoumaru wake they can tell you. Or Shippou can as well." She answered back
"But milady, Sesshoumaru is no longer with us." Kaede said speaking up
"You have to die to be reborn. Do you not? He will remain the same. The only thing that will change will be his appearance. He has remembered and so has Kagome. Things however do not get easier here though. They will have to find themselves and each other again." With that said the Kagome-woman disappeared as the bright light filled the room.
When they looked towards the bed they saw two figures holding each other lovingly. Shippou asked everyone to leave saying he would have time to explain in the morning and something about them sleeping for two days.
After leaving Sesshoumaru's room they entered Kagome's as they put Rin back to bed and left for their own rooms. They would discuss the events of that night in the morning. In the meantime they all rested for what was to come.