Title: And When Everything's Gone
Theme: Inuyasha; Set #1 Theme #9- Locust
Genre: Horror, Angst
Characters: Inuyasha
Word Count: 250
Rating: K+
Summary: You never become completely desensitized.
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'It kills me sometimes, the way people die.' -The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak
The group walked through the ravaged village, the tree limbs bare of anything living and green. Kagome picked her way though the wreckage gingerly, the unshed tears in her eyes sparkling in the dim morning light. The hanyou snorted and kicked some of the insect casings out of the way, ignoring their scratching on his bare feet. The locusts had apparently swept through the tiny village several days ago, feeding off the new, tender foliage that was just coming forth in the warm spring weather.
Wearily, they fell into an all-too-familiar routine as the cleaning up process began, with Inuyasha and Kagome scouting around for what might have caused the infestation, or even if one was in possession of a jewel shard. Eventually, however, they gave up their search as futile, and headed back toward where the others were finishing covering the graves.
It took them some time, but eventually the remains of the villagers had been granted an honourable resting place. As they continued on their travels, Inuyasha noticed that Kagome lagged behind, standing on the top of a crest with a view of the village.
"Hey, wench? Keep up, would ya?"
After a long moment, she turned back to him, a tired look on her face. "Inuyasha?"
"Hn?"
"Doesn't it end?"
He had no answer for her then. Silent, she walked over and took his hand, curling her small fingers inside his large, calloused ones.
A few seconds later, he grasped her hand tightly as well.