Here it is. Hope you didn't suffer long. Many of you were pretty shocked that I destroyed the well. Sorry :3 But it was my intention from the beginning.
Chapter 41: Looming Sunset
The well was gone. It was gone. Gone. The words kept repeating in her head.
She was crying. She could feel the heated tears fall down her face. Her chest tighten after every sob.
They were speaking to her, but she couldn't hear them. Not like it mattered. Nothing they could say at this moment could make the pain go away. It couldn't- wouldn't reverse the reality she was in.
The well was gone. Her way home was gone. She was gone. It was all gone. Just... Gone.
She could vaguely feel a hand on her shoulder as another pair of arms took the pup from her. She let them as she slouched over and sobbed more. The hand at her shoulder wrapped around her. She let it be. Until she felt it lift her away. Away from the shattered well.
"NO!" She yelled, practically jumping out of the arms and back to the ground. Now they were pulling at her, talking to her, trying to get her away. "NO!" She yelled again, struggling until she felt a strong hand on her wrist. It pulled her forward and she crashed into someone's chest. They held her close and whispered to her. Their voice was firm but gentle. "No" she whispered back. "No."
Inuyasha watched helplessly as his friend knelt to the ground. Seeing her cry was breaking him. Looking around he saw everyone felt the same. Sango was the first to move trying to comfort Kagome anyway she could, but the younger miko wasn't responding. She ignored them all, including Rin and Shippo. Inuyasha felt bad for the children. To see their mother figure break down like this must be hard to bear.
He walked over to her, glancing slightly at his half brother. The inu stood to the side looking at the miko. Inuyasha turned away, immediately recognizing the look in his brother eye's to be confliction. Why he looked that way was beyond his understanding. The inu's slip of emotion was not meant to be noticed, of that he was sure.
Kneeling next to the crying woman he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome." He shook her gently but she continued crying, never once turning his way. Inuyasha sighed and stared at Sango. "Hey, take Mizuki from her. I'll carry her back to the village."
"O-okay," the taijiya nodded. She placed her arms around the pup and gently lifted her from her mother's arms. Surprisingly Kagome let her take the little inu. "Okay I have her." Sango tells Inuyasha as she stand up. She wanted to cry as she saw the young girl slouch over.
Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into him. Glad she was allowing him to carry her, he got up and started to walk away. He didn't expect her to yell in his ear, nor jump out of his arms. He winced as she hit the ground. He grabbed her immediately. "Kagome!" He struggled to pull her away, trying not to hurt her. "Kagome, please. You can't stay here. Let's go back."
"NO!" She yelled out again, trying to pry herself from him.
Sesshomaru watched as the young miko fell to the ground and started to cry. He watched as her friends tried to comfort her. He watched, conflicted on what he should do. He had seen her cry before but this was different. This was hard. He felt a sense of urgency to console her but his pride prevented him from doing so. He watched as Inuyasha approached her, and held her. What place did he have to hold her? When he saw her yell, saw her fall and try to crawl back to the well he had enough. He wasn't going to watch her break apart anymore.
As she yelled a second time, fighting off the hanyou, he grabbed her wrist. He ignored the looks given to him. This was no time for his pride. The girl's wellbeing was the most important thing at the moment. He tugged her towards him, almost too hard as she fell against his chest. He released her wrist but closely held her to him by her waist.
"Miko. Enough." He said firmly, although his voice was soft. "You have to calm down. Staying here isn't good for you."
"No," she whispered to him, her sobs becoming shallow breaths. "No."
Sesshomaru frowned at the hoarse whisper from the girl. "Kagome." He held her closer, resisting a sigh. Briefly he took note of their companions, ignoring the looks of disbelief. He really had no intention of them witnessing his odd actions. Staring back at the girl, he whispered to her. "If I stay with you, will you return to the village before nightfall?"
Kagome looked up at him. Her eyes red and puffy, large tear streaks running down her cheeks. His question confused her but if it meant she could stay outside just a bit longer- She nodded. "Yes."
The inu led her to a patch of grass and sat down, pulling her into his lap.
"S-sorry," she hiccupped before hiding her face into his fur pelt and crying softly. He held her for a few minutes in silence before addressing the others. "I will stay here until sundown. You should head back to the village."
Inuyasha hands twitched momentarily as he saw the inuyoukai hold his dear friend. When he told them to head back, a part of him wanted to refuse. But staring at Kagome and the way she clung to him made him agree. "Alright. Just... just take care of her."
The inu gave him a simple nod before turning back to the young girl in his arm. He turned back when he heard a small voice call him. Shippo and Rin both stood there, their teary eyes full of worry. "Go on and rest. She just needs a little time."
The younglings nodded and each hugged the miko goodbye before running back to the others.
They were left alone in silence. Kagome's light crying died down, and she started to drift to sleep. "I'm sorry." She mumbled quietly.
"For what reason are you apologizing?" Sesshomaru questioned, shifting a little so mokomoko would lay across the young woman.
"For... acting this way. For having you do this."
"You are grieving. Your actions are adequate." He responded, unconsciously pulling her closer to him.
Smiling sadly, Kagome briefly enjoyed the little comfort the inu was giving her. She closed her eyes, releasing a shaky breath. "It's not fair."
The inu lord, not sure what to say, rubbed small circles where his hand rested on her waist. He listened to the short deep breaths she made as she fell asleep. They stayed that way for hours and he watched almost apprehensively as the sun slowly dipped in the sky. The beautiful splash of orange across the sky didn't faze him as he dreaded waking the young girl in his care. He could just take her in while she still slept but the uncertainty of her reaction dissuade him. Frowning slightly he held her shoulder and gently shook her.
"Kagome."
She moved a bit and made a sound of protest.
Trying again, he shook her a bit harder. "Kagome, wake up."
"Hmm," Kagome opened her eyes slowly, staring up at the inu.
"It's sunset miko." Sesshomaru said quietly.
Kagome looked at the dark orange sky bitterly. "Oh. Can't we stay just a little longer?"
"You've already fallen asleep. Staying out any longer would result in a cold."
"Please?"
Sesshomaru sighed. "I understand you are upset-"
"How can you understand?" Kagome asked harshly. She regretted it immediately after she felt him tense. But she couldn't apologize. The words were stuck and her eyes watered.
"I promised you until sunset." Was the only response she received. Without any further words of persuasion, the inu stood with then girl in his arm.
"Sesshomaru, please wait." Although she begged him to stop she wasn't struggling against him.
"No miko. I won't watch you fall apart and neglect your health. Don't make this any harder. You companions are worried for you or do you not care?"
"Of course I do. But this was my family! I lost my home!" She uttered crying once more. "Don't you get it?"
Sesshomaru stopped as he processed her words. He didn't know why but it was near painful hearing her speak. "So this place means nothing to you?" He muttered unexpectedly. Her shocked gasp made him realize the mistake of his choice of words.
"How dare you?" Kagome shuttered. "Let me go." When the inu showed no sign of putting her down, Kagome forcibly pushed him away. He released his hold on her but manage to catch her fall. Standing straight she yanked her arm away from him.
"Miko."
"Leave me alone." She took a step back from him before turning away. "Just stay away." She said once more before heading back to the village.
Sesshomaru watched her leave, never taking his eyes off her back until he couldn't see her any longer and way after the sky turned black. He made his way to the grand old tree and sat beneath it's branches. He stared at the night sky, expressionless and realized for the first time in a long while... he felt cold.
Is this their first fight? I believe it is. Sorry if Kagome seems a little bratty but guys please realise she's in pain. Anywho again sorry for all of you hoping Kagome and possibly Sesshomaru would go through the well but I felt that has been so much. I love the concept but I wanted to add a twist and I thought 'what would be the saddest thing to do?' Anyway thanks for the support and the fact you're still reading this. I love writing it and I apologize for not updating as much. Hope I didn't break your heart.
BTW Can anyone guess why I chose sunset as a theme and for the chapter title?