rating: PG/K+
genre: angst/romance
pairing: Sesshoumaru/Kagome/Inuyasha/Kikyou
summary: Happiness is wonderful for some, even while it causes pain for others.
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They watched silently from the shadows.
Wishful...
Desirous...
Envious.
Concealed by the darkness of night, hidden in the shadows of the forest, they were invisible to the the two figures situated side by side in the small grassy clearing illuminated by the light streaming from the dim half moon suspended above. It highlighted them as if shining its approval down upon the obvious emotions that flowed between them, feelings so strong that they radiated outwards and beyond, unknowingly touching those that watched them from the dark.
Those feelings were beautiful...
Warmth and light...
Happiness and peace...
Loving...
Horrible.
To the two watchers, the tableau was a painful reminder mocking them with what once was and what might have been. A chance that was had, chance that was lost, a chance that was longed for...
A chance forever now beyond reach.
The sight of the two - leaning against one another, hands entwined, soft kisses exchanged, the joy each took in the other...they were like an arrow through the heart, sharp and piercing. They whispered and teased with hazy promises of an ephemeral dream, a possible future, of paths not taken that should have been...
Of feelings not realized until too late.
And now was much, much too late.
The figures moved, deepening the intense attention that had never left them since they had arrived. They watched as one, pale hair turned silver by the moonlight, rose and stood tall, strength radiating in his lean form as he reached out with clawed hand with an offer that was clear.
"Kagome," was all he said.
Just a word, a name, spoken softly in tone so low it was almost a whisper. Such a small thing, but it made her smile, illuminating her features with emotions that all who bore witness to it could plainly see. Unhesitatingly, she reached out in an easy motion that bespoke familiarity and trust.
And love.
"Thank you, Inuyasha."
Her voice was just as soft, mirroring his, vibrating with the intensity of her emotions as he pulled her up and into his arms. The embrace was brief, but no less intense than all else that lay between them. Into one another's eyes they gazed, silent messages passing between them that only they knew. And in unspoken assent, they drew away in a motion that was perfect in its harmony, separating farther apart yet still so near.
Hand in hand, they walked in tandem into the future that they had made, promised to each other. They walked back to the home that they had built together and left the clearing and its shadows behind.
And in the shadows, a miko sighed...
And golden eyes of a Taiyoukai glinted with regret...