A/N: I AM ALIVE STILL I PROMISE. So, I work at a store, that gets really busy for the holidays. I'm sorry guys, I really appreciate all of my reviewers and readers, you all are simply wonderful!
Disclaimer: If you own it, and can prove it, then it's obviously not mine.
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The smell surrounding the area was delicious, it was filled with the deep rich aroma of cooked meat, Kouga, Ginta, and Hakkaku had a hard time controlling their drooling. After much debate and a few arguments, they let Kagome cook the food they brought back. They did not regret their decision.
"There, it looks much more appealing now that it's cleaned and cooked, not like that bloody furry thing you were going to shove in your mouths." Kagome said, matter of factly while she signaled Ginta to pull the meat off of the fire.
"Now don't pick at it! It needs to rest and cool down a bit!" All three of the wolves faces fell.
"Say, Kagome, I didn't know you were such a good cook." Kouga said examining her handy work with the meat. "Not like I'm an expert, we usually eat our stuff raw."
"Yeah, sis, usually cooked meat looks dry and unappealing to us, but you did a nice job." Hakkaku praised with Kouga. Ginta just nodded in agreement while helping her move a pot of water onto their bootleg "stove" as Kagome called it.
"Thanks guys." Kagome smiled, she liked to feel appreciated, she felt so useless and down lately. She hummed quietly while placing the vegetables she cut up into the pot as the water began to heat up. She sat back on her heels, and stared off almost blankly into the pot of water.
She jumped slightly when she felt a warm arm slink around her, she smiled, it was just Kouga, she wondered who she thought it would be. She blushed slightly, of course she thought it would be him, not anyone else. Kagome sighed and leaned into Kouga.
"You know, no guy is worth letting yourself be down over. I promise you, there are more people who would love to see your beautiful smile, rather then seeing your tears over one man." Kouga spoke softly, he smiled down at her and she smiled back up at him. It felt good having a friend, she did feel bad over Sesshoumaru and she felt bad she hurt Inuyasha, and Kouga, and everyone else.
"Thanks." She whispered, she nuzzled her head into Kouga's shoulder. She never knew she would ever let herself be so close to the wolf, but she realized that he knew that he only held a spot for friendship in her heart.
-----101------
His pure golden eyes looked like they could pierce right through the very soul of the vicious dragon demon before them. The dragons talons no doubt would slash through human flesh like it was rice paper, the deadly liquid that secreted from it's fangs was putrid, and soon the floral and brush around started dying. All these small reminders of why he was taking on such a long and annoying task, he lifted up Tokijin and walked calmly towards the beast, he did not wince nor flinch once with it's vicious roar.
Soon there was a stomach curling splatter, followed by the sound of a sword being put back into it's sheath. The priestess who remained hidden behind Ah-un peeked out, to see the silver haired prince standing in a pool of crimson, just looking down.
"What are you waiting for?" his voice was cool, but held nothing in it, just like his stare. The elderly woman walked over to where Sesshoumaru had been standing and recovered another jewel fragment, they had been on this journey for quite awhile now. He would force people to give him information, he would hunt, he would kill, she would purify the shard, he would repeat the process.
"Lord Sesshoumaru." the elderly woman sat once more on the back of Ah-un. "I always ponder your intentions, a powerful demon like yourself with much honor and pride should not tamper into the affairs tied to the Shikon Jewel."
"You are paid to purify the jewel, you do not need to know my intentions." Sesshoumaru said, the elderly priestess was still curious, he was so cold and lifeless, but so very powerful, what did he need the jewel for.
"As it is, Lord." she finished, he ignored her and just continued onward, looking for a new village to try and gather some information.
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It was getting dark, Kagome threw some dried shurbs she found nearby onto the fire, Ginta and Hakkaku offered to clean her wares at a spring they saw not too far away, Kouga was the only one who remained.
"Kagome." Kouga looked at her, she was staring up at the sky, admiring the clash of purple and blue with yellow, pink and orange. She didn't look at him, but nodded her head to let him know she was listening.
"I am sorry for what I did to Sesshoumaru and you, I hope you have forgiven me. I just need to know why you are here, and why are you alone."
Kagome tensed up slightly she looked down at the fire, Kouga moved next to her and rubbed his hand lightly up and down her back, tears slowly fell from her eyes and she looked back up at the sky.
"He said he could not keep me as a pet anymore. I thought we shared something strong, maybe he got tired of me, bored. I always thought that I was too ordinary for this time." Kagome said, her voice didn't crack, but tears still traced her cheeks.
"You are definitely far from ordinary, Kagome." Kouga rubbed her shoulder with his hand, and she leaned her head against it. He couldn't help but notice the small smile that she allowed to grace her face. He knew silently she was thanking him for being there.
----T~T------
The sky was dark, nothing but stars littered it for what would be miles upon miles. He did not know why he took a sudden interest in the sky, he did not know what was stopping him. As unsure as he was he knew that his next move was going to take all of his strength.
"Damn her." he swore out loud, though no one was around to hear him. A sudden gust of wind blew his long silver hair around in wild lashes. His red kimono rustled in the wind, and he still stood there, like he was tied just to that one particular spot.
'Why should I go after her? Surrender all of my pride, do all of that for her just so she can still be in love with my brother? Even if she ended up with me, it would be because he did not want her.' Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest, lost deep in thought.
"But she's done it for me..." he recalled his earlier flashback and took in a deep breath, and like he predicted, with all of his power he took off into a sprint. His arms flared out on his sides, and the air hit his face. He would not stop until he found her.
----o.o.o.o.o-----
Kagoe was asleep now, but the wolf trio still remained awake, they sensed him coming closer. Although Kouga and Inuyasha did not ever manager to get along, even though both of them would never find themselves with Kagome, he traced his fingers down the sleeping girls face and smiled.
"Thanks Kagome. For everything, good luck." he whispered, and soon, Ginta, Hakkaku, and he left the area. Just barely missing the appearance of Inuyasha.
He stood at the campsite, he could smell that mangy wolf and his companions all over the place. He was just thankful that he did not have to encounter him, it would make this task a lot more complicated then it already was. He saw here there, her chest was rising and falling in an even pattern – surely she was alseep.
"Stupid girl." He simply said as he grabbed her pack and threw it over his shoulder, soon he picked her up, sleeping bag and all, and left the area. They would meet with the other definitely by morning. He looked down at her face, she looked calm, but she had been crying, it was apparent. He smiled softly, she still had a firm grip on his heart.
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A/N: I would like to thank everyone for reading this story, I had felt bad for not updating in awhile so I managed to squeeze together this chapter. I know many want to know if Sesshoumaru and Kagome will be back together, you'll just have to wait and read the next few chapters to find out. :)
This story is far from over – for those who are questioning. Now I'd like to take the time to thank some of my reviewers.
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Thank you. Thank you also to my new watchers and people who have added me to their favorites.
I will update soon! If anyone here is reading Mourning Glory, I will also update that by Monday!
Happy Holidays everyone!!!!!!!