Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha (Rumiko Takahashi-san and Viz media do), if I did, Kagura would not be dead.

A/N: I have obviously skipped the Yashahime day (kind of waiting to watch that as a reward for finishing Inuvember, actually). In the Author's Note for Ch. 14, I requested suggestions for the FREE DAY, and Alannada was the only responder, so this one is for you! A (mostly) canon Sesshōmaru/Kagura ship, which was far easier to write than the last two ship days. It is set in the same timeline as Ch 8, "Free to Rejoice".

While writing this, I listened to a koto music playlist on Spotify, so I would like to present three pieces that really fit it (type these into YouTube or wherever): " 'Solo Shakuhachi Flute Music 5' Chinese and Japanese koto harp and shakuhachi flute music various artists" (2:38), "Nagare stream/flow" by Satomi Saeki (4:14), and "Komoro Bushi" by Clive Bell (4:30). The first piece was like a peaceful wind and holding one's breath at the same time. The second had such beautiful, rapid plucking, like the dance and exchange between two hearts. And the third was like the free wind, but strong and peaceful. Obviously not necessary to listen to this music while reading, but I wanted to share it!

Without further ado, please enjoy (or let me know if you don't)!

DAY 21

FREE DAY

Sesshōmaru/Kagura: Free to Love

Sesshōmaru walked through the forest, enjoying the quiet peace of the woods. The village had grown in the past few years since he had left Rin in Kaede's care. A handful of human families had settled there after the destruction of their own villages. A few hanyō, some with their human parents, had come there as well, looking for a place to belong. It was truly a unique place, accepting of not only a visiting daiyōkai, but also various hanyō children and the union between a miko and his half-brother. And they were all too damned happy!

The monk was free from his curse and had married the taijiya - they now had four children. He got his wish and she was happy. The younger brother was alive and well and spending far too much time around Rin for Sesshōmaru's liking. His own brother and the miko were expecting their first child. He never believed that would happen - a hanyō finding that level of love and acceptance. Even the elderly miko, Kaede, was content. Sesshōmaru was alone.

The wind danced through the trees and played with his hair. Kagura was the wind, the free wind. Kagura left after the final battle with only the vague statement that she was off to enjoy her freedom. This wasn't her wind - she was probably flying high above some far away land. The wind returned, as if it heard his doubts, and ruffled through Sesshōmaru's mokomoko-sama before caressing his face.

She materialized before him. "Neat trick, yeah?"

"Kagura." I missed you. She was back. She was here. He breathed her name and felt his dormant soul ignite.

"I'm back," she stated the obvious.

"Indeed, you are." Sesshōmaru regained his composure. "This one is pleased with your presence."

Kagura laughed at him - actually laughed in the face of the great Lord of the Western Lands! He would let such insolence slide in her case - he would never tolerate this behavior from a subordinate, but Kagura had never been his subordinate and never would be. He didn't mind so much when she laughed at him. It was musical and sharp like her movements - like the wind.

" 'This one is pleased with your presence'?!" she repeated his words back at him, trying to stifle her laughter. "I see you're just as stiff as ever!"

"Does the lady have objections to this Lord Sesshōmaru's manner of address?" he asked innocently, teasing her.

"Objections, my Lord Sesshōmaru? The Lady Kagura only wonders if such language is a direct result of having a stick up one's ass, or if it is merely coincidental?" she fired back at him.

A rare smile - more of a small smirk, really - crossed Sesshōmaru's lips. She won this round. "I am glad you are back, Kagura," he confessed.

"It's good to be back." To see you again.

"Did you tire of freedom?"

"Never. I flew across the sea and saw the continent. I met a lot of people and saw so many wonderful things, but there was one person I didn't see and I missed him," she confessed.

"Oh? And who might this lucky man be?" Did she miss me as dearly as I missed her?

"No one in particular. He's a bit of an asshole, actually." She unfolded her fan and waved it idly. "He's the quiet, brooding type - doesn't really know how to smile, you see. Not very good at expressing his emotions either. Likes to pretend he's tough, but is actually a big softie. Long, silver hair," she listed.

"If you're attempting to describe my younger brother, first of all, I personally would not classify him as quiet. Second, I thought the monk was more your type. Unfortunately, both of them are already married."

"Ah, that's where you're wrong, Sesshōmaru - the monk? Totally not my type. And the guy I've been missing? He's not married - unless you've neglected to mention something important, Sesshōmaru."

"I can say with a certainty that your mystery man is not married. I was not not aware that you missed him in such a manner that his marital status would matter, Kagura."

"You think I would resort to breaking up a marriage or becoming a mistress? Neither option is palatable to me," she snapped. Trying to lighten the intensity of her previous words, she teased him. "Precisely what kind of woman do you take me for?" She wanted to keep their conversation playful and easy, for now at least. Until she knew his heart, she would not let him hold hers.

'What kind of woman do you take me for?' "Mine," the word escaped his lips unbidden, without permission.

"What?" Yours?

"What? I didn't say anything," he smoothly denied. How could I have said that out loud?

"Hmm, must have been the wind," she quipped. "I didn't know the wind had desires."

"The wind desires only to be free," he countered.

"The wind is free - free to go and free to stay. Free to love who she wants." Free to be with you. This was it, he was also free - free to accept or to reject her heart.

"And who is this man she is free to love?" He took a step closer to her.

"I thought you already knew."

"I want you to say it."

"It's you," she whispered and closed the distance between them.

He pulled her against him.

"I waited for you to return," he whispered, "to return to me. I often wondered how long you would make me wait. I've wanted you for a long time."

"For how long?" she asked.

"I am not sure. Perhaps since the day at the river. Or perhaps the first time you challenged me."

"So you either get off on fighting or you fell for me because I look good with fewer clothes on?" She smiled at him and poked his chest in a teasing manner.

"How you amuse me, Kagura. While I was always drawn to your fighting spirit, I dispute the first claim. And while I'd have to take another look to verify the truth of your second claim in good conscience, what I recall admiring that day was your determination to be free of Naraku."

"Ah, how gallant of you. I shall always remember the day you did not look at me." She rolled her eyes at him.

"That aside, I have something of a more serious matter to ask. Now that you are free to love me, I want to return that love tenfold. Kagura, will you rule the Western Lands at my side?"

"Yes."

He was no longer lonely, for the wind had returned and danced around them. And she would always be free.

A/N 2: The episode I referenced (the day at the river) is Episode 166. Thanks for reading!