It had been a week since their return to the village they use to call home. They didn't feel comfortable here anymore. Kagome wasn't here and they had no idea what happened to her. With the presence of Kikyo in the village the four hardly ever went to Kaede's unless they knew she was alone. Inuyasha still hadn't told them what had happened and why the priestess was here. They had decided to go visit Kaede after they found out Inuyasha and Kikyo were not there.
They entered the small home seeing Kaede in her normal spot as she cooked lunch. They all greeted her and took seats on each sides. They wanted to know what had happened to their dear friend and they knew the old woman would know.
"I thought ye might come so I cooked us all lunch. Inuyasha and Kikyo will be gone for a while." She said informing them
"Thank you Kaede. I am sorry we have not visited in a while." Miroku said speaking up
"I understand why ye have not. I also know what ye seek." She explained
"Then please Kaede tell us what is going on and why the dead still walks." Sango asked
Everyone's eyes rested on the old woman's form as they waited for her to speak.
"Inuyasha had arrived the day before you all had. He carried my sister in his arms. I soon realized she was alive. Her skin holding warmth and color. Her eyes when she had awoken held softness that they had not before. I also noticed Kagome was not with him. He seemed somewhat confused and really didn't know how to answer my questions on the subject. So I approached the subject differently. I asked him what happened after the battle." She said handing them soup before she continued, "He told me that he had heard Kagome say something before they were engulfed in a bright pink light. He didn't see her after she spoke and after the light he found himself and Kikyo in front of the god tree." She stopped and was going to continue before she was beaten to the punch
"So she made a wish on the jewel for Kikyo to live again so Inuyasha could continue his lost life with her. But the part that saddens me from the situation is Kikyo would have her soul back." he was quickly cut off by Sango speaking up
"So she has no soul in her body. People can't live without a soul." She said realizing what had become of her dearest friend.
Shippou ran to Kaede crying from a somewhat understanding of what happened to his mother. Miroku held Sango as she cried into his chest. Their worst fears had happened and they didn't even know until now. What would they do now that she was gone. Kagome had been the one to bring them all together and give them hope. All of them had lost their families and their homes. But when Kagome came along she gave them a new family and a new home. Now she was gone they felt lost and alone again.
Sango looked to Miroku in and understanding of what they had to do next. They would not say much and would leave immediately. They had also decided Shippou would stay with Kaede to be safe.
"We should be leaving soon then. We will return in a few days." Sango said looking to Shippou, "Will you stay here and guard the village while we're gone. I know Kagome is not here to do it and if she were she would ask you." She asked him trying to take his mind off the situation.
"I will do it for Kagome!" he responded puffing up his chest in pride.
Miroku looked to Kaede as he spoke, "We will return soon."
"Ye two be careful." She said nodding to him to inform him off her knowing.
Miroku and Sango nodded to her as they called Kilala and quickly left bringing any supplies needed for their journey.
She knew what they were headed off to do. It was only proper that they give her a proper burial. After all she deserved more then that.
She had been here a week and a half and the only time she would see him was for dinner. He spent a lot of time in his study or patrolling his lands. She figured he did that to try and stay away from her. She wondered why she would be here if he didn't want her hear. She in the end concluded it was because of his desire to own his brothers sword.
She had met Rin the first night she had dinner with him. She would often go into the gardens and watch the child pick flowers and give them to her. She also picked some for Sesshoumaru as well. She adored the small girl. She was so energetic and happy. She reminded her of her brother. But the thought of family often brought her sadness. She felt and knew she would never see them again and it killed her to think of them. She couldn't go to the well because she wasn't allowed. And she being a human would never live to see her own time. These thoughts she had were often thought wall she sat in the gardens watching Rin always made her depressed.
So she sat once again in the gardens depressed from her daily thoughts. Rin would bring her flowers to cheer her up. So she tried to place a smile on her face so the child did not worry for her well being. She didn't want anybody to worry.
Sumi came out shortly after Rin had brought her flowers to announce lunch was ready. Rin ran to Kagome as she always did with her big smile on her face as she grabbed her hand.
"Come on Lady Kagome. I'm hungry and you should be too." She said dragging her along
So Kagome and Rin followed behind Sumi as they made their way to the dining hall. When they came to the large doors they stopped to open them and continued on their way.
Kagome had her eyes downcast at the floor as they walked to when they entered she didn't notice the other person sitting at the table to Rin screamed running off.
"Lord Sesshoumaru, I'm so glad you are going to eat with us." She said hugging his leg before taking her normal place
At hearing this Kagome jerked her head up as she followed Rin to the table. She took her seat and quietly waited for lunch to arrive.
Sesshoumaru had noticed how she had been constantly upset lately. He didn't know why for she never spoke of it. This of course suprised him. She usually told people when something bothered her. At least that's what Sumi had said whenever she reported the girls health to him. That was his reason for joining them for lunch today.
When the food came out he saw she only took a few bites and stopped eating. He didn't know why she wouldn't finish her meal. He knew she had to be hungry. Humans ate a lot so she should as well.
She excused herself and left the room to go who knows where. He would finish eating and wait for Rin to do the same before talking with her.
Sumi had been waiting outside the dining hall for Kagome to leave. Sesshoumaru had told her what he wanted done today and she figured she'd do it now.
"Kagome?" she questioned the girl
"Yes."
"I have arranged a new room for you since you will be here for a while. Please, follow me." She explained as she made her way down the main hallway
They walked down the hallway make the same left she always made. It was the same wing she was already in. She realized that she was only moved to the next room. Sumi stopped in front if the room and waited for Kagome.
"This will be your permanent room. You may go in and look around if you'd like." She told her
"Actually I think I am going to rest for a while I feel tired. Thank you Sumi." She spoke with mock sleepiness that didn't go unnoticed by the servant woman
Sumi just nodded to her and headed the way she had come leaving Kagome to her room. She looked around the room and saw that it was the exact same as the room she had the past week but it was done in reds instead of purples and the paintings were different. She looked towards the window seeing there was a door that lead to a balcony. She looked out it seeing the gardens and woods beyond them. She looked to the bed and realized it was different from the other. Where the other was just wood this one had gold leafing down on the headboard and foot board. Flowers were etched into like the ones on the crimson kimono she had worn. She also noticed that drapes hung at all four-corners of the bed. She was able to pull them all shut as she climbed into bed to sleep. It took her a few minutes but she was able to fall asleep.
She woke up in a pleasantly bright forest. Not like the miasma and death covered one she had been in earlier. She stood gazing around with a smile on her face. She walked to where she thought a clearing might be. She stopped looking up for a moment to see the God Tree touching the clouds as it stood in all it's glory. She smiled even bigger as she began to run towards it knowing her friends would be there waiting for her.
When she finally arrived at the clearing she stopped on the spot as a frown took the place of the once bright smile. She didn't understand. She couldn't understand. She would never understand why.
Was she not good enough? Was she not smart enough? Not kind enough? Was she not caring or loving enough? Not strong enough? Was she just not enough?
She felt herself fall to her knees as she wrapped her arms around her body and started to silently cry to herself.
Was it because of that? Because she cried to much? Yelled to much? Was angry to much? Left for home to much? Needed to be protected to much? Was she just to much?
She peeked out from her ebony drapes as waterfalls flowed from her eyes. She watched them as they all sat there underneath the wise tree. She watched as they all laughed and smiled together. She couldn't hear anything. There was no sound as she watched them smile and act as if it were her. They were all so happy. They seemed even happier without her there. Didn't they miss her? Remember or worry about her?
Sango was beating Miroku for his hands on approach as Shippou just sat and rolled his eyes at the two. Kilala was laying beside him ignoring the two completely as she tried to sleep peacefully.
Inuyasha and Kikyo were leaning on each other as Inuyasha just laughed his head off and Kikyo had but a smile on her face.
'That should be me!' she screamed to herself as she started to shake.
"Why? Why am I not good enough? Can she really replace me so easily?" she whispered painfully
She covered her face with her convulsing hands as she stood once more and turned around and just ran. She wasn't worried about where she was going or which direction. At that moment she stopped caring.
She stopped when she ran into something and waited for her body to connect with the ground. Instead strong arms wrapped around her in a comforting way. She didn't look up to see the person face but she knew it to be a man from their build. She just buried herself in the mans chest. And continued her sobs as she wrapped her arms around the mans waist.
End Dream
He had finished lunch and went to her room. Sumi told him she was in her room. So he listened by her door until he noted she was sleeping. Quietly he entered unable to see her because she had closed the curtains around her bed. He could smell saltiness in the air along with deep sadness. He walked closer to her bed and looked through the drapes seeing her tossing and turning again. He took a seat next to her and like he did the first time gently rubbed her head. And like before she calmed again.
After she had calmed he waited a few more minutes before leaving. He would talk with her later. For now he would let her rest. So he left the same way he had came.
After leaving her room he went to hers. As soon as the door opened he was hit by her scent as it poured from the room. It was every where. It seemed to have seeped into everything. The only option of ridding the room of her smell was to cover it with his own. He walked to the bed and laid down finding it was stronger there then anywhere. He wasn't tired but for some reason he had fallen asleep without realizing it.
They had traveled three days until they had finally come to the spot were the battle had been. Bones from the demons they killed still covered the field and some of the mist still covered the forest. They had split up to cover more ground. Her body was not seen in the field so they all went to search the forest.
Sango and Kilala were walking around in what seemed like circles. They had yet to find anything in this death covered forest. Everything looked the same which made it harder to figure out if they were actually going in circles. After hours of searching they decided to look for Miroku. It was getting dark and then it would be useless to look. Nothing would be able to be found in the dark.
Miroku was having no luck either. He also started to head back. He was in the same predicament when it had started to get dark. He had come up empty too. He didn't know what to think as he walked back to meet Sango.
When he finally met up with Sango he found her empty handed as well. Which meant she found nothing either. It made him uneasy to know Kagome's body was not found. He wasn't sure what to think about the whole situation. They left from the forest to find a more comfortable place to camp for the night.
They sat in front of the small fire thinking of the day they had. They both wondered if some demon had eaten her body or maybe something worse. They feared someone destroying her body. It also upset them knowing they would not find her body. It saddened them to know they couldn't properly bury her body.
"What do you think we should do now?" Sango asked
"We will head back tomorrow morning. She will still have a burial. I cannot rest until we bury her. She will have a grave even if there will be no body. It is what she deserves." Miroku answered
"I agree. I just wish there was more we could do for her. She deserves more than a burial." She spoke with deep sadness in her voice
"So she does. We will build a small shrine for her then. I do not think the villagers will refuse the idea." He added
Shortly after they had talked they fell asleep to rest for their journey back.
She woke up from the dream that had haunted her for the past week. She hated having it every time she slept. She wished it would stop. She would wake up sweating and dried tears on her face. It just added to her already present sadness of not seeing her family.
She opened the drapes and got out of bed looking to the window. She saw it was starting too get dark. Dinner would be served soon. She had slept the hole afternoon away. She walked to the armoire opening it. She gasped seeing the different colored kimono's in it.
There were different shades of reds, blues, greens, purples, yellows and even oranges. One had matching slippers to go with them. She found one to her liking and picked it up. It was a light shade of pink with red roses embroidered into it. She looked down and quickly found the slippers to match. She left the room to head to the hots-springs for a quick bath before dinner.
He had been awaken by her door shutting. He sat up and looked up noticing it was close to dinner time. He couldn't believe he had fallen asleep. Taking in a deep breath inhaling her scent. That's when it hit him. Her scent had completely relaxed him, which caused him to fall asleep. This made him extremely perturbed for the fact that a mere human was able to do this to him without knowing it.
He rose from bed and left in search for the girl as he followed her pleasing scent. He found himself in front of the doors to the bath house. He smirked before entering knowing that this would be entertaining.
He figured he could use a bath so he walked in undressing before going through the second set of doors.
When he walked in he didn't see her. He figured she was on the other side behind the waterfall. So he got in and slowly made his way to her.
She was sitting next to the waterfall with her eyes closed and so completely relaxed she was almost asleep again. She didn't notice the person staring at her.
He had found her leaned against a rock with her eyes closed in what appeared to be a semi-conscious state. He took advantage to study her more closely. So he walked closer sitting across from her. He watched her seeing her face for any apparent emotions. Her mouth was creased in a frown while her brows were scrunched together. She had a small nose that sat in the middle of her face. She had a plain face. It was nothing spectacular or in any way different from most humans.
At that moment she chose to open her eyes. He didn't know if she had sensed him or not. She just sat there unmoving staring at him. She didn't seem surprised or embarrassed either which also surprised him.
She opened her eyes to see Sesshoumaru sitting in front of her. She had looked because she felt someone studying her but wasn't quite sure. She was embarrassed or upset either. She didn't care. She stopped caring a while ago. She did wonder why he was here staring at her. She seemed to think he put up with her because he had too. After all she was a human. She didn't want to be here anymore. She didn't want to see him. He obviously wanted to talk but she didn't. So she stood and walked away to get dressed.
He sat there not moving from his spot as she walked away. For some reason he couldn't move. He looked into her eyes and was frozen to his spot. He tried to stop her but couldn't talk. So he tried to move but was only able to get around the corner before he was stuck to the spot. That's when he realized that she had done it. It was amazing she could have such power. Many priestess' have tried to use their powers including his brothers wench. None were able to do so though. So how was she able too. He watched as she stepped out and turned to look at him once more. With the steam surrounding her along with the greenery and the light reflected off the water she looked like a goddess. Her face appeared saddened though. She still looked like a goddess but a sad one. One who had found her people no longer believed in her. He gasped at the look on her face and the strong emotions in her eyes.
She quickly turned and walked through the double doors getting dressed and heading for the dining hall.
Shortly after he sensed she exited into the hall she released the spell allowing him to move and talk again. With his demon speed he got out of the water and dressed himself. He had easily caught up to her right before she reached the door.
He grabbed her by the neck and held her above him against the wall. He sneered at her from anger of her binding spell.
"How dare you bind me wench!" he spat
She just hung there. She didn't try to remove his hand or get out of his hold. He knew she could do so easily. She may be human but she was also a priestess and had purifying powers. But why didn't she try. Instead of fighting she just hung there staring back at him not even glaring. No defiance in her eyes. It made him uneasy and somewhat scared. With the degree of power she had she could destroy any demon easily. Especially if she had defeated Naraku on her own. He knew of course she had because the stench of her blood covered her companions. He could barely smell theirs even that of his brothers.
"Don't tell me what to do." She responded calmly as she looked him in the eyes.
"You should not command me human. I could easily kill you right now." He stated
"Then do it." Was her reply
He began to crush windpipe and still she gave no response to him. No pain on her face and not struggle to get free. He didn't like the way she was acting. All the times before when he had seen her she held such fire in her eyes. She was so spirited and held so much life in her. Now she was emotionless like himself and cared for nothing. This really made him scared. So he dropped her and entered the dining hall not saying a word as he sat down at the table.
They rode Kilala's back as they passed over the trees and lakes. They had been traveling a day and a half and would soon come to the small village. They guessed they would arrive by the next afternoon.
Sango stiffened when she felt Miroku's hand on her butt. Her face reddened with embarrassment and anger as she turned and slapped him.
"Pervert! This is not the time." She yelled at him
"But not only was it worth it but I was simply trying to lighten the mood." He replied
"Well don't try to next time." She said as she gritted her teeth
At that moment Kilala took a sharp turn and started to descend to the ground.
"What is it Kilala?" Sango asked curiously
She landed on the ground transforming back after they had gotten off. She ran into the woods with Sango and Miroku on her heels. They saw her stopped in front of a familiar body causing them both to gasp. Sango started to cry as she ran even faster to the body.
When she came to the unconscious form she fell to the ground as her body convulsed as she held the body tight.
Miroku was saddened as well. He knew it hurt her deeply and he wanted to comfort her but wasn't quite sure how. So he walked up to her and kneeling behind her wrapping his arms around her.
She stopped when he held her. That's when she realized it.
"He's alive!" She said astonished
Miroku jumped up and ran in front of the boys form. He was barely breathing. In fact you could hardly tell. So they laid him on his back as they checked him for wounds. The only present one was the ones in his back. Miroku ripped off part of his robes and bandaged him up to try and slow the bleeding. They quickly gathered him and put him on a now transformed Kilala and got on heading back to the village. Kilala went faster sensing the urgency of the situation.
They would make it back by middle night. Hopefully Kaede would be able to help him. She now cried tears but unlike that sad ones before they were ones of happiness. She hoped he would survive. He didn't deserve to die. He was to young too and needed to live his life like he and every person deserved.
A month had passed and not much in her demeanor had changed. She was still depressed all the time and wore an emotionless mask. She barely ate and as time went on she stayed in her room more and more. Every time she slept he watched her have the same dream she had since she arrived. He began to think her dreams are what saddened her. He wanted to know what she dreamt of and would find a way. He walked towards his study and stopped Sumi on his way there.
"Yes milord?" she said bowing
"Please summon Jaken to my study." He said
"Yes milord, right away." She answered as she bowed and headed to get Jaken
He entered his study and took a seat at his desk looking at the paperwork. He saw a letter that was unopened on his desk. He opened and began to read.
Lord Sesshoumaru,
I am writing to inform of a gathering to be held in honor of the death of Naraku. After discussing it with the other Lords we have all come to this decision that this should be done now the nuisance that plagued all the lands has been destroyed it would be right to celebrate such a wonderful day. So we will see you in a few weeks.
Lord Goru
He rubbed his temples from a sudden headache. He was annoyed that they had decided to through such a grand celebration and at his house at that only to tell him a few weeks prior to the actually day of the event. He could refuse but that would cause war with the other lords. He knew he could easily destroy them but after Naraku his lands and people deserved a rest.
Jaken chose that moment to come in.
"Milord, you have called for me." He squawked
"Go find a spell or potion that will allow me to enter another's dreams. Make sure it is powerful." He simply said
"Yes milord." He said hastily as he ran to do his job
At that moment he got an idea for the gathering. Quickly getting up he headed down the hall towards his room.
She sat in her room on her bead. She wasn't thinking about anything. She was looking out the window zoned out to the real world. She was snapped back to reality when she felt Sesshoumaru nearing her room. But still she didn't move or turn to the door when he opened it and walked in.
"What do you want Sesshoumaru?" she said staring out the window
He watched her as she looked towards the greenery through the glass. Her face held the normal saddened expression it has for the past month. Her hair pulled behind her ears as her eyes were dull.
"I have a task for you." He told her
"Tell me what might this task be." She commanded
He decided to let her commanding him slide and just tell her.
"It is a project and Rin will explain when she comes later. I assume you will be dining with us tonight." Was all he said
She was going to reply but when she jerked her head to look at him he was already gone. She stared at the spot he had been standing just seconds ago until she was knocked from her shock when someone knocked on the door.
She knew it was Rin outside her room. She was the only one that actually came to her room between meals.
"Come in." She answered
"Lady Kagome!" she shouted as she launched her self onto the bed
"Hello Rin. How are you today?" she asked the small child
"I'm good. I didn't get to pick you any flower today though. I'm sorry." She said as she started to look sad
"That's okay Rin. Maybe tomorrow you could make me a bigger bouquet then." She smiled warmly at the girl
"Yeah, that's what I'll do!" she squealed from joy, "So how are you feeling today Lady Kagome? Will you be coming to dinner tonight? Lord Sesshoumaru is sad when you don't eat with us." She informed her
"Yes I will be. Let me get dressed and then we will go." She said smiling as she rose from the bed to get a kimono from her armoire.
Shortly after she had gotten dressed she and Rin left for the dining hall. Rin holding her hand and telling Kagome about what she did all day.