A/N: This update is brought to you by Evil Illusions, who reminded me that Mocha Latte could really use a bit of love :)


Mocha Latte

-Kitty

Chapter 8: Soft Goodbye


"I still can't believe he fell asleep!"

"Shhh!"

His climb back to consciousness was slow and hazy. And despite his usual suspicion of nearby presences, he felt oddly comforted by their nearness. His lungs expanded wide in an exaggerated breathe, collapsing slowly in a drawn out sigh. The scents of nutmeg and vanilla still lingered in the air, combining with a woody dampness that reminded him of calm, peaceful places. A densely wooded thicket, a springy, mossy carpet on a dark forest floor. He could almost taste the sweetness of that air.

"Right, right, let 'im sleep. You coming in this week?"

"Yeah, see you tomorrow."

The voice was soft and smooth from somewhere beside him and he felt something surge inside, shifting as if trying to be closer. A warmth rustled beneath his shoulder and though a part of his consciousness sought to identify it, another, sleepier part only appreciated the heat. It wasn't until the sound of the door clicking shut snipped through his dreamy state like a pair of scissors that he blinked his golden eyes open.

He grunted and abruptly attempted to sit up right.

"Welcome back, sleepy head," her voice reached him and sounded cheerful and bright. He blinked, turning to glance around in a daze.

"Oh, careful!" She said, bringing a hand to brace his, "Don't drop them!"

He jumped at the contact when he felt her hands touch his. Then memory returned and he carefully cradled the precious bundle in his hands. The wetness he smelled wafted in from the open window and outside he heard the damp sounds of tires brushing against the drenched pavement.

The rain had ended.

His eyes were magnetically drawn to the delicate, breathing shapes still cradled in his hands and for a brief moment, he was entranced by the soft, grey fur trembling as the rabbits' little hearts pitter-pattered within their tiny bodies. He sighed, feeling almost heady with contentment, idly observing the gaudy red sweatpants adorning his legs, and then he gradually came away that the gentle presence nearby was watching him, waiting for his attention to turn her way.

He turned toward her slowly, almost bashful, and more than a little disbelieving that he had actually slept so deeply beside her on the couch. Her smile was warm when their eyes met.

"Hi," she said simply.

He glanced away in discomfort. He wasn't used to holding eye contact with such a soft, welcoming gaze.

"I was thinking," she said gently, "now that the rain had stopped, we could go lay the rabbit that didn't survive to rest."

The sun fought valiantly against the heavy, passing storm clouds and the light around them remained diffused and grey. They didn't go far, around the block and down the street. The same little park where he'd watched her dance with joy in the early spring shower. The barren, skeletal oak tree, with its empty branches stood guard over the empty, sodden playground and the cold, grey dampness of the wooden structures seemed to seep moisture into his own clothes as he stepped onto the springy wood chips.

The air had a crisp, lively brightness to it and when he inhaled, he felt energized, despite their solemn mission. The woman walked beside him silently, subtly guiding him with her nearness like the moon pushed and pulled the tides. She gradually took the lead, cradling the still, cold shape in her hands until she stood before the tall, proud oak. Tenderly, she stroked the stiff, downy body, arranging the baby rabbit in a curled, serene pose. She didn't say a word as she carefully laid the small tuft of fur down in between the protective roots of the tree, just pressed her hand over the body one final time before straightening. Though the space around them was filled with the sounds of remaining raindrops dripping from the trees, the cars that passed by the abandoned park, for him, there was a calm, pervading silence in his memory of the informal funeral ceremony. Upright once more, he watched the girl place a slender, caressing hand against the bark of the sturdy oak, her eyes closed with a soft smile playing at her lips. Within the layers of wooden fiber, he swore he could sense the oak tree spirit respond to her.

The crows circled ominously overhead and without thinking, his lips pulled up over his canines and a soft growl began to vibrate in his throat.

"They are allowed to take their share," a quiet voice beside him said, softly, but assertively. Kagome wasn't looking at him, her gaze calmly, serenely, directed down at the little grey tuft of fur.

"Life will die and beget new life. There's no need to guard the body, it will go back to the earth and return in another form." At this point, she turned to him, her dark, brown eyes boring holes into his soul. It would be far too easy to fall into them, as they seemed to ask him to, to let go of all the harshness his life had been and to find comfort in what she offered.

"You cared," she said, "You cared to try to save it. You cared to say goodbye. Your intention, your acknowledgement, that's more than enough for this one young life."

They stood there for some time, gazing solemnly down at the small, still lump of grey fur nestled comfortably between the roots of the great tree. The tiny, baby rabbit looked as if it were sleeping, and any trick of the light gave him the impression that it still breathed. He couldn't entirely pinpoint what it was about that tiny, lost life that touched him so deeply. Him, calloused and hardened as he was. The perfection in the tiny shape's little round paws, the minuteness of the loss of life. There was a finality to the little creature's death that was matched with a powerful bloom of the possibilities of life. How quietly this little rabbit will pass from existence, without acknowledgement save for himself and the girl beside him. And yet he keenly felt its impact, small and humble though it was. His scowl was deep as he stared down at the dead creature, his breath shallow, feeling as though he were dancing at the edge of some epiphany.

"Are you ready to go home?"

Her voice was soft and clear, melodic and bright. It cut through the grey, confused clouds in his mind but it was quiet in the way it demanded his attention. She took his hand in hers and a thrill danced up his arm at the contact.

Something was changing. It burned inside him like a glowing ember and he felt that heat seeping through his veins and invading even his outermost regions. He stared dumbly down at their connected hands, a strange conflicted dilemma tossing inside his mind. And then, she gave him a squeeze, and a gentle tug, and then he was moving, smoothly, easily, following her like it was the most natural thing to do. And then they were back inside and a relief like nothing he'd ever felt before washed over him to be back in that quiet, cozy, comforting place.


A/N: Thanks for encouraging me to come back to this fic, Evil Illusions! This story is very meditative for me and it's nice to be reminded to slow down and take time to appreciate small things. Work has been amping up so I may have trouble finding the time to write at all for a bit but will definitely try to keep a reasonably steady stream coming in the upcoming months.

A bit of a bluer chapter than I had originally intended but I hope you guys liked it!

Thanks for reading! Till next time!