Previously:
She closed her eyes and breathed as sigh of relief as she felt it break down and dissipate throughout her body, clinging to both the pure and dark energy she held within. When she opened her mocha eyes to look at her friends, they stared back at her incredulously.
"Kagome, what the hell…"
She shook her head at Inuyasha and smiled. "Let's just go home."
Everyone glanced at one another before looking back at her, deciding that was a great idea.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Peace
Inuyasha stared at the cackling fire with a deeply troubled expression. He opened his mouth, but seemed to rethink his words and closed it again. His brow furrowed more as he continued to concentrate. Finally he sighed. "So let me get this straight… You and Kagome had that whole thing planned from the beginning? To distract Naraku?"
The demon nodded in silence with his eyes closed, leaning against a tree. The cut on his wrist that he'd used to drench his shirt with his blood had healed long ago.
"But how did you know where to throw your sword to hit the Shikon Jewel?"
"She pointed at it."
The hanyou dimly remembered her raging words as she declared that Naraku could keep the jewel. Come to think of it, she did point directly at his bulging body exactly where Sesshomaru's sword had hit. "But if she was…" Inuyasha trailed off, searching for the right word, "…'possessed,' how did she remember to do that?"
Sesshomaru shifted to get more comfortable. "She wasn't possessed; she let the shadows consume her. She was still conscious of what she was doing."
Inuyasha glanced at the sleeping form of the girl through the flickering embers. Almost as soon as the group started heading out of the battlefield, she'd passed out, all energy completely drained. Sesshomaru had her on his back before he even had a chance to react. He would've argued, but he and everyone else was exhausted, so he just let it go. Without any verbal decision, Sango and Miroku started making camp not far from Naraku's abandoned village. As soon as the fire was started, the two disappeared. Shippo and Kirara curled up and passed out near the warmth. Kagura listened from the other end of the camp as the two brothers discussed the battle.
Kagome's cold black eyes haunted Inuyasha's memories. "But… she attacked me…"
"Out of hatred, she attacked everything. She was unleashing all of her pent up anger, which kept her from even really caring what she hit, just as long as she hit something." The demon opened his eyes to glance at the sleeping girl. He had begun to doubt their plan for a moment when she seemed to really be getting caught up in her rant. But in the end, she knew what she was doing. He could sense she was about to lose it though. If it hadn't been for Inuyasha…
"How did you snap her out of it the first time?" Inuyasha asked, eyeing his brother seriously.
Still caught up in his thoughts, the demon said, "Kagome put a lot of trust in you. She knew she didn't really have full control of that dark energy. She counted on you to pull her out of it. And without her miko powers, my sword wouldn't have done much."
Inuyasha widened his eyes in realization before looking back at the girl. Her raven hair fell around her face as she cuddled into her blanket. From her peaceful expression, no could even guess how pained and angry she'd been only hours before. He'd never seen that side of her. In fact, he was certain no one had. She'd hid it well over the years.
The hanyou finally understood why she left in the first place. He'd practically made her life hell, and she didn't deserve it. Everything she said about him was true. He hadn't realized it, but he did attribute the hatred he had for Kikyou's betrayal to her. Anytime something went wrong, he felt it was somehow her fault. And he hadn't realized he loved her until she was no longer there. He was the reason she let the darkness consume her. He'd pushed her that far that she wanted to be surrounded by shadows instead of light.
Still, amidst his guilt, he felt a nagging in the back of his mind. Sesshomaru had trained Kagome, which he knew. But there was something about the way his half-brother gazed at her sleeping form now that bothered him. His emotionless mask was no longer in place as something blazed in his eyes. And since when did he actually use her name?
Just when he was about to demand an explanation, he felt a soft wind blow across his face. He glanced at Kagura, who stood and motioned for him to follow her into the surrounding forest. Reluctantly, he grabbed his sword and went with her. They walked for a ways in silence until Kagura stopped and leaned against a tree.
"Don't make this harder on her," she said calmly.
"What are you talking about woman?"
"Kagome," she said seriously. "Whether you like it or not, she's not the same person she was before."
Inuyasha scoffed. "What would you know?" He turned his back and started walking away.
Kagura shrugged. "Maybe I know nothing. But you should consider what she wants and needs before you do something stupid."
He stopped walking. "What do you mean?" he asked without turning around.
Kagura pushed herself off the tree. "Well, you may want to be with her now that you two have cleared the air between each other, or whatever. But like I said, she's obviously not the same person. You may not be what she needs now." He didn't respond. "So if you really love her, you'll let her decide and not make it harder on her." She shrugged. "Not to mention that fact that you may find that she isn't what you need anymore either."
Inuyasha turned to look at her. "Why are you saying this?" he asked. But he wasn't annoyed, just very tired.
She shrugged. "I'm no longer tied to Naraku. I do and say what I want now. And even though I was forced into seeing all of you as enemies before, I've decided for myself that I like you guys. The sense of friendship you all share is something I've never had, but always wanted."
As she gazed into the night sky, the moonlight reflecting off her pale skin, she reached up and untied her hair. The black strands fell around her face and stopped just short of her shoulders. As she tucked it behind her pointed ears, Inuyasha couldn't help but realize he liked it better that way. Inuyasha studied her face for a moment before looking up at the stars. Now that the jewel was completed and safe, he wasn't sure what he'd do. After a few moments of silence, he asked, "What will you do now?"
A serene smile spread across her face. "Live," she replied as she closed her ruby eyes. He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but smile too.
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"Miroku, where are we going?" Sango asked as she let him lead her through the forest. The monk didn't answer for a moment until he finally stopped. Sango looked around in the moonlit clearing at the yellow daises and tall grass before looking back at him. "Miroku, what—"
He silenced her with a swift kiss and wrapped his arms around her. Before she really had the chance to do anything, he pulled away just as fast. He fell back onto the flower bed laughing. "It's finally over," he said breathlessly.
A blush still warming her face, Sango laid back with him and smiled. "You're right." She was silent for a moment before gasping. "Let me see it," she exclaimed.
Miroku unwrapped his prayer beads and let the cloth fall away from his hand. All that was left of his Wind Tunnel was pinched skin that formed a circle on his palm. Miroku trailed a finger around it. "I could feel something different as soon as Naraku was gone. But I wanted it to be just you and me when I checked."
Sango let her gaze shift from his hand to his face and immediately blushed when she was met with Miroku's crystal clear eyes, free of worry and caution, filled with excitement and joy. She looked back at his palm and traced the circle with a finger. Miroku closed his hand around hers and used the other hand to lift her chin to look at him.
"Sango, before, I'd wanted to start a family because I feared there would be no one to hunt Naraku down after me for what he did to my blood line. But now I'm free." He interlocked their fingers and kissed her hand. "I can finally live a life free of worries. And if you'll have me, all I want is to live that life with you."
Her tears sparkled down her cheeks. Miroku wiped them away and pulled her close. In answer to his proposition, Sango closed the distance between their lips and kissed just as passionately as he did.
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Sango, Miroku, Shippo, and Inuyasha stared at her, contentment in their eyes and smiles on their faces. They all nodded slightly and widened their grins, as if to say, "I'm proud of you. You did it."
Her four friends began to circle around her. In front of her Inuyasha stood, his aura glittering a fiery red, tangible sparks crackling in the air, with a look of determination set in his eyes. With a glance behind her, she saw Miroku who studied her with wise eyes, his aura shining blue, like sunlight reflecting off of crystal clear water. Next to her, Sango's green aura fluttered, like leaves falling from tall oaks, sisterly love glistening in her eyes. Shippo's yellow aura gleamed from the other side, twisting and curling like wind in the air, as he smiled at her with complete trust visible in his irises. Kagome stood in the middle, a glue to them all, as her aura flickered white one moment and black another. She turned in the circle they'd created, smiling at each one of them.
Suddenly, they looked toward the vast darkness above them at the same time, their aura's shrinking into a tiny sphere. The four orbs shot off in different directions, leaving her friends colorless. Kagome's smile disappeared as she stared into the shells of her friends. Their eyes empty, and their faces blank, she knew something was horribly wrong.
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Kagome's eyes flew open as her body sat up. A stricken expression plastered on her face, she struggled to focus on her surroundings. Embers still glowed from the fire, slightly illuminating the camp clearing. Sango and Miroku cuddled together sharing a blanket as Shippo and Kirara snored slightly, still in the same place they were since they first passed out. Inuyasha leaned against a tree, his head drooping as he breathed slowly, giving into his exhaustion.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she realized everyone was safe. It was just a dream, she told herself as she laid back down. Just a dream. She stared at the dim embers for what seemed like ages before she gave up. With a stretch, she stood and rolled up her sleeping mat and folded her blanket. The sky was just beginning to turn navy blue as the sun came closer to emerging from the horizon.
A morning run will clear my head, she thought as she took off through the forest. Two miles later, the girl finally stopped, studying the camp from a hill as she forced her breathing to return to normal. No one had stirred yet. She'd picked up on Kagura's aura during her run, but it was distant. Sesshomaru on the other hand…
"You don't have to follow me, you know," Kagome said into the air as a shadow emerge from the tree lining. "I'm pretty sure I can handle any demons left over from Naraku's entourage."
"Of course," the demon replied. "I have no concern of them; they are afraid of you anyway."
Naraku's insignificant helpers witnessed their master die in a matter of seconds. Of course they wouldn't want to bother the priestess who caused his death. But Kagome just continued to stare down at the camp, a distant expression on her face. She pondered over the meaning of her dream. Did her mind know she and her friends would become distant, even before it happened?
"You are distracted," Sesshomaru stated from her side as he glanced down at her.
Kagome gave her head a little shake. "I'm fine," she said with a smile. "Just wondering what they will do now."
"They are loyal friends."
"I know," Kagome said softly.
The two stood in silence as the sun finally peeked through the valley. Finally, Sesshomaru cleared his throat and asked the question that had been burning in his mind since Naraku's demise. "What will you do?"
Kagome turned to face him, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Go with you, of course," she answered. "Aren't I to be your officer now?"
The demon looked away. "The choice is yours to make. I will not force you into anything."
Kagome chuckled slightly and looked back to the camp. "What else would I do? Aside from visiting my family, I won't be going back to my time. My friends and I have completed our mission, and the Shikon Jewel is safe. They'll likely get on with their lives now. Just like I will." She watched as her friends began to awaken, aware of Sesshomaru's steady gaze focused on her. Just as he was about to say something, she smiled at him and said, "We should get a move on. We're a long ways off from your castle and the Meeting of the Lords is soon."
"Tomorrow," Sesshomaru clarified as he followed her down the slope toward the camp.
Kagome grinned in excitement. Her new life would start as soon as Sesshomaru announced her rank at the Meeting. She was ready and willing to take on any who challenged her.
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The hanyou paced the wooden floor, head bowed in contemplation. His eyes darted toward the crackling fire as wood crumbled in the heat before focusing on his clawed feet again. How did they expect him to sleep? Sure, they'd had an extremely long day of traveling, but it was made longer by the fact that Sesshomaru and Kagome coupled together on his cloud while he ran alone along the forest floor, casting envious glances at his half-brother. Not to mention he was under the roof of the Castle of the Western Lands. Oh, and Kagome was to be named an Officer of the region the very next day.
While his friends slept soundlessly in the Delsa tower his brother allowed them to use, Inuyasha was wide awake. He buried his claws into his silver hair, attempting to keep his mind from exploding. This was too much. Finally, the hanyou quietly slipped though his room door and climbed the stairs to the top of the tower. The balcony overlooked the three other towers along with the Taisho Dome. He leaned against the cold stone railing, gazing up at the moon.
She's not the same person she was before. Kagura's words unexpectedly bumped into his thought train.
I know, he thought. But I still love her.
If you really love her, you'll let her decide, Kagura's words answered.
He sighed. He hated to admit it, but the wind witch was right. Kagome had a new path and life ahead of her. He couldn't have expected her to stay with him, hunting jewels shards for the rest of her life. She knew what she wanted, and she was doing it. Otherwise, why would they all be here?
The only question that remained was where did that leave him?
"Beautiful, isn't it?" a voice said from above him.
He took his eyes from the glittering moon to see Kagura floating on her feather. Her hair was still down and her ruby eyes sparkled as they drank in the moon's light. "Yeah," he said quietly as he looked away. "It is."
She jumped and landed gracefully beside him. Inuyasha glanced at her before saying, "You smell weird."
She narrowed her eyes and lifted her chin angrily. "You have no reason to talk, wet dog."
The hanyou glared at her. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant you don't smell like you used to." She let some of the fight die out of her eyes. "You don't have Naraku's stench attached to your scent anymore."
She blinked at him and looked away. Silence filled the air as the two realized again that he really was gone this time.
"I don't know what I'm going to do now," Inuyasha said suddenly, surprising himself. Of all people, he was opening up to Kagura.
"You could always see what Sesshomaru has to offer in the Ranks," Kagura suggested.
Inuyasha scoffed. "Don't even go there," he growled.
She shrugged innocently. "You never know, I could come back to steal the Shikon Jewel from Kagome. You'd be here to protect her, just like old times." He glared at her. She laughed and said, "Kidding. Believe me, that life is behind me."
He grew quiet. "She doesn't need my protection anymore."
Kagura glanced at him. "Maybe not," she said quietly. "But I'm willing to bet she still needs your friendship."
"You don't know that," Inuyasha growled angrily, his stubbornness bubbling to the surface. "You don't know anything about her, or friendships for that matter."
She wasn't fazed by his attitude. "You're right, I don't. But tomorrow will be a big step in her life. Without her friends' support, however, it'll mean nothing to her. I can tell that much just by seeing how she treats you all with such care and complete trust."
"Feh," Inuyasha huffed as he looked away with nothing better to say.
"And anyway," Kagura continued, "we were looking at what you were going to do, not her." She tilted her head as she looked at him. "So, what are you gonna do?"
"Tell you to go away," he mumbled.
She laughed and looked across the sky again.
Inuyasha glanced at her surreptitiously. That was the second time she laughed like that. It wasn't filled with malice like usual back when she was trying to lead him and his gang into another of Naraku's traps. It was carefree and happy. How could she be like that? She was like a completely different person, from evil to… Well, he wasn't quite sure what she was now. But he had a feeling he'd find out eventually since it seemed she'd be lingering around them whether he liked it or not.
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What does a person wear to a Meeting of the Lords? Kagome pondered over this as she searched through the wardrobe provided for her. With a sigh, she settled for red hakama pants and a white pinned shirt. She tied her sheathed sword to her waist with a black cloth.
The girl wandered to the fire pit and sat in the bed of furs near it. As she studied the ashes, her heart began to pick up pace. Today was the first day of her new life. Instead of searching the country for jewel shards, she'd be a peacekeeper of the Western Lands. Instead of fearing a deranged hanyou bent on wishing on the Shikon Jewel, she'd be the Jewel's protector, strong enough to keep any other being from taking it from her. And she was young. She had a long, exciting life ahead of her.
A soft knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts. "Come in," she called.
Tami's smiling face emerged from the door frame. "Good morning Milady," she said with a polite bow. "Lord Sesshomaru would like to inform you that the Meeting will be starting soon."
"The other lords are already here?" Kagome asked in mild surprise, noticing that the sun had only just emerged from the shadows.
Tami smiled. "They arrived yesterday. I set them up in the Charsa tower while Lord Sesshomaru was away."
Kagome nodded and took a deep breath as she stood up. With a nod, she followed Tami down the stairs.
"Your friends are awake and downstairs as well, but they will not be allowed into the Meeting. Only those in the ranks are permitted access. Normally officers don't attend either since they tend to the land while the lords and generals are away."
"How often do these Meetings happen?" Kagome asked out of curiosity.
"Unless there is a dispute that includes more than two regions, there is one about every three years."
Kagome nodded in understanding as they emerged from the stairs onto the marble floor. Her friends conversed lightheartedly until they saw their friend. Sango was the first to approach her. With an affectionate hug, she said, "I'm so proud of you."
As she pulled away, Miroku stepped up and took her into her arms. "You'll make a fine officer," he said with a smile as he pulled away. Shippo threw himself into her arms as Kirara jumped to her shoulder, head butting her affectionately.
After Shippo backed away with Kirara settling on his shoulder, she finally rested her eyes on Inuyasha. He stood quietly as her friends offered her support. He knew what her eyes begged for as her cocoa irises focused on him. He pursed his lips and looked away, catching Kagura's eyes as she stood aside, politely accepting that she wasn't necessarily a part of this moment. She nodded toward the waiting girl, eyeing him expectantly. With a sigh, he turned back to the miko and embraced her.
"I'll always be there for you," he said quietly, "whenever and if ever you need me."
"We all will," Sango spoke up as Inuyasha released her. Kagome smiled widely as she looked at her circle of friends who all returned the smile wholeheartedly, even Inuyasha. Her friends were loyal and every one accepted and supported this decision.
Kagura took this time to approach her. She nodded respectfully before saying, "I know we were enemies in the past. But you and your friends have freed me from the cage Naraku had me locked in. For that reason, you have an ally in me." She extended her hand in truce.
Kagome looked at her hand then turned to her face. With a smile, she gave the woman a friendly hug instead and said, "You are welcome in our company any time."
Despite her surprise, Kagura returned the hug and the smile. Kagura knew this was a good start for her new free life.
Taking one last confident look at her friends, Kagome ascended the stairs of the Taisho Dome. She took several deep breaths in an attempt to calm her racing heart beat. She was bubbling with excitement and anticipation, but she didn't want the other Lords to mistake it as fear.
She felt a brisk touch on her arm and looked up to see Sesshomaru. He gave her the tiniest smile for her eyes only and encouraged her with the faith in his amber irises. She smiled and nodded with a final deep breath as he disappeared into the room. She followed, her head held high, ready for her new life to start.
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And there you have it. This is the last chapter. Well, I'm gonna write an epilogue, but it depends on you, the fans. If you'd like a sequel, I'll swing the epilogue in that direction. But if not, I'll just tie up the loose ends of this fanfiction and check it off as finished. Lemme know what you think is best.
Anyway, what'd you think? I'm not particularly impressed with it, as usual. I hate being predictable, but as the last chapter, it was almost unavoidable. It's not too bad though. It ends on a good note, but I feel like there's still a bit more to explain. Which would be in an epilogue... I dunno, I'll figure it out.
Anyway, reviews and suggestions are welcome as always. Till next time!
Hikoboshi18