It's midnight when Sesshoumaru gets home, and as he enters his apartment, he doesn't bother turning on the lights.

Her scream plays in his head on repeat.

Squeezing his eyes shut, he lifts his hands to his teeth and rips the bandages away. They're healed but stiff, and he opens and closes his fists, working life back into them.

Life…

His shoulders slump forward. Tiredly, sluggishly, he heads for his room, peeling off his clothes and leaving them to trail behind him on the way.

Kagome.

Sucking in a pained breath, Sesshoumaru closes his eyes.

He can't do this again.