Chapter 66
Touga sat in the chair of his study, letting out a sigh. It felt different now. It didn't feel like it belonged to him. He had died in the war, and by law, that meant the title of lord was no longer his. However, everyone in the room was staring at him, expecting him to take the new title he was going to be given.
"Are you sure, Kouga?" Touga looked at the wolf, Nona standing by his side. Kouga had told Touga that he was going to give up the East. He didn't want the responsibility of being a lord anymore. He just wanted to enjoy himself with Ayame and his daughter.
"Yea." Kouga nodded, his eyes haunted. They were all adjusting, accepting that they had all died. Not a single one of them had been strong enough to fight to the end of the war. If it hadn't been for Kagome, none of them would be here anymore. "I just want… I want peace. I want to go home to my mate, and never leave her side again."
Touga nodded in understanding. Flicking his eyes to Izayoi, his heart constricted, remembering the pain he felt at seeing her broken body. Naoshi had killed her, brought her body to Touga, then left her, and two of their children dead in Touga's arms. Despite them being alive again, Touga wouldn't be getting that image out of his head for a very long time. "If you are sure, I accept the East. You have free reign to come and go as you please. If you should need anything, call on me."
"I will remember that. If you don't mind, I am going to head home. I need… I need my family." Kouga bowed to Touga, then turned, saying his goodbyes to everyone. He hugged Kagome tightly, and she hugged him back, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
When he and Nona left, Touga looked at Kagome. "Kagome, my beautiful daughter. You were the last standing. You ended this war. Japan is yours. Naraku and Naoshi are no more, meaning the South and North have no rulers. The East has now been handed over, and the West lost their lord during the war as well. It is all yours. Japan is yours, and who better to have it than life itself."
"I'm just Kagome." A tear ran down Kagome's cheek, and she wiped it away. Sesshomaru placed a hand on her back, a soothing touch. She could feel his support in their bond, knew he would leave the decision up to her. He was happy as long as they were together. "I am not… a queen or an empress. I am just me. I want to be in my meadow, with Sesshomaru, and our twins. I don't want…more."
"Okay. Then with your permission, I will take the title." Touga leaned back in his chair, feeling home once more. This was what he spent his life doing. He knew how to run his lands, now Japan, and it was what he was going to continue to do. With Kagome's nod, he knew he would be busy taking over the East, North, and South in the next coming months.
"I have a question." Miroku lifted his hand, calling on his reiki. He still had his reiki, but it wasn't as strong as it was before. It was a fraction of what it was. He was going to have to relearn how to be strong, because as he was now, he was at a disadvantage. "Our life spans. We are human, Kagome. When we died, you took back your reiki. Does that mean we will age like before again?"
"No." Kagome raised her own hand, her power forming a ball in her palm. It was bright and pure, white with wispy pink tendrils rolling off of it. It was like nothing they had ever seen before. "When I resurrected everyone, I took away their aging. Their agelessness will also breed into their offspring, and in just a few generations, there will be no more short human lifespans."
"You changed the world." Sesshomaru couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had never thought it was possible that humans and demons could eventually live side by side with no differences. But that is what Kagome did. Humans would live as long as demons, blurring that line between their species.
"I changed Japan." Kagome lowered her hand, her power dissipating. "Like Kouga said. I want peace. I have this… new power. I am… life, as much as I hate to admit it. With that power, I have the ability to achieve the peace that every one of us wants."
A white orb shimmered through the wall then, causing them all to look at it. A second followed behind it, heading straight for Kagome. It should startle them, but they were getting used to it. Ever since Naoshi had been killed, the souls of the deceased came to Kagome.
She reached out, brushing her fingers against the soul tenderly. "A child." Her face was grim, but she sighed, flicking it away. The next soul, she also pressed her fingers against, reading it. Narrowing her eyes, she clutched the soul, crushing it in her hand. "So dark."
Everyone in the room watched her, worried. Kagome was life, but she was also having to play the role of death. After losing her entire family, she now had new powers and two new roles. Her entire life was changing, and at the moment, they weren't sure she had fully processed it. They knew though, that she was strong. If anyone could handle what fate had given them, it would be Kagome.
"I am life, but I am also death. At least until life births death." Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru, and his eyes narrowed in understanding. Kagome would need to give birth to death. It was the only way they could ensure another Naoshi wasn't born. The child would be raised in a loving family, and they would learn how to be responsible with their power of death. They would be compassionate and loving, exactly like their mother.
"Whenever you are ready." Sesshomaru kissed her temple, accepting the role he had just agreed to. Father of death, mate of life. He would have to help nurture their child to ensure they grew to be a loving adult. It was a role he would gladly take on. He would love any of his children.
"For now, let us celebrate." Touga held out his arms to Izayoi, and she rushed into them. With a purr, he held her, wishing the children were there with them. They had just arrived less than an hour before. The march home after the war had been tense and quiet.
Now he just wanted to spend time with his family. He wanted them all gathered around, to enjoy the time Kagome had given them. He knew none of them would waste a second again. "Tomorrow, we will feast. We will celebrate winning the war. For tonight, perhaps a picnic in the gardens? For all of us?"
…
Kagome looked up at the sky, listening to Sesshomaru playing his flute. They were all gathered in the garden's, letting his music sooth them after the ordeal they had all gone through. Her family had died. Her son and daughter had been killed. Her mate had lost his life. She had lost so much, but somehow, she had brought them back.
Currently, Kazu was suckling at her breast, Miyuki in her father's lap as he played. Touga and Izayoi were playing with InuYasha, Yona wrapped protectively in Touga's arms. Botan was there with them, laughing right along with InuYasha. Sango and Miroku were holding up Sakura by her arms, letting her bounce on her legs. Satori and Hiroshi were watching, taking everything in as Satori leaned against Hiroshi's chest.
All of this happened because of her, because of the power she could feel lurking beneath the surface of her skin. It was foreign, but at the same time felt right. It was as if her body had been missing something all this time and she never realized it, not until she felt what she was missing.
She never wanted power. She never wanted to be anything more than what she was. She hated being used for the power she had, hated being considered more than just a normal woman. However, this power, the very thing thrumming in her body was hers. She couldn't help but to accept it. It felt as if it was a part of her, and she was glad it was there.
Closing her eyes, she breathed in deeply, focusing on the light flowing through her veins. She was getting to know it, to understand it, and control it. It was very different from the reiki she had before. It was more wholesome, more holy, more… everything.
When the music stopped, Kagome opened her eyes, looking up at Sesshomaru. She could see her reflection in his eyes and realized she was glowing. Looking down at herself, she saw her body alight with her power. Kazu's eyes were open, staring at her skin with fascination. He had stopped suckling, entranced with her light. Pulling in her power, she chuckled softly, rubbing Kazu's head. "Sorry, Baby."
"You're beautiful." Sesshomaru leaned over, setting his flute to the side. The rest of the family was still doing their thing. They had noticed Kagome glowing, but knew things like that were going to happen now. They would have to get used to it. Kagome was practically a goddess.
"Am I?" Kagome looked up at him, and he pressed his lips against hers as an answer. It was tender, and all consuming. Their bond sprung to life, both of them pushing their love onto the other. Kagome reached up, cupping his face, and he purred against her mouth.
"Tonight." Kagome whispered against his lips. "I don't think the tea will work on me again. I have control over my own fertility." She backed away, looking at him. "Tonight, I want you to get me pregnant again."
With a growl, he cupped the back of her neck, pulling her forward until he could claim her lips. This time it was forceful, his hunger evident. There was always going to be something primal about impregnating the woman he loved. This time the pregnancy would be planned, and Sesshomaru was going to do everything he could to get his little mate pregnant.
"I said, tonight, Sesshomaru, not here." She chuckled, pulling back as Kazu released her breast. Sesshomaru nipped her lip but backed away. He helped her with Kazu, placing him over his shoulder so he could be burped. When Kagome covered herself, she turned so she was facing the others.
Touga sat down on the ground, completing the circle. InuYasha and Izayoi sat beside him, panting from their exertion. Izayoi hugged InuYasha tight, kissing the top of his head. Normally he would try to push her away, but after everything that happened, he let her do what she wanted.
Thundering hooves were heard coming near, and they all looked out past the gardens. Alastar was in the lead, Nakoa at his side with Hana trailing behind him. Yumi and Calthal followed, then Toshiro and Koharu. The entire herd of horses galloped past, throwing their heads up with a whinny of greeting as they continued their run. They were happy to be back, happy to form the herd that they had become. They were a family just as much as everybody else was.
Touga cleared his throat, lifting up a plate of Sake. "To Kagome. Because without her, we wouldn't be here."
"To Kagome!" The other's all shouted, and she blushed, looking down. She knew she was the one who brought them back, but she didn't want all of the attention. She just wanted to be with her family.
Lifting her head, she gave a beaming smile. "To family. Because that is what is important."
"To Family!"
...
There is only one chapter left after this. Just an epilogue. I will post that soon. When I do post it, I will also post the first chapter of my new story. So keep an eye out for that. It has been a long journey for Severed Bonds, and I can't believe it is almost come to an end. Thank you to everyone who stuck with me.
