Alright… so it took a little longer than I had presumed to update, give me a break. It was my best friend's 18th yesterday and I had to take her to the bar… so stow it.
Disclaimer: … what?
Grievous Partings
Sucking in a breath, having forgotten to breathe momentarily, Kagome gazed in horror and sorrow at the four, neat burial sites before her. Her friends… her second family, they were gone.
"Four graves, only two bodies," Kaede commented grievously.
Not bothering to hide the tears that coursed down her face, Kagome asked shakily, "What happened?"
Frowning, the elder told her, sadness lacing her voice, "Sango's body was brought back to me by Miroku, Kirara's was recovered later. She died while in battle, after having finally freed her brother. Kagura was responsible. The monk informed me that she paid the ultimate price for her crime."
Kagome sobbed as she gazed down at her best friend's grave, her eyes skimming across the curved edge of Hiraikotsui, which was propped against the memorial. She had died in the heat of battle, just as she had said she one day would. Sango… her sister… gone. She never thought it possible that such a proud, strong woman would have passed. Though the possibility was always there, she had never actually expected it to happen. No. It wasn't how things were supposed to have happened. They were supposed to defeat Naraku, all of them. Then, the slayer and monk were to be married and lived happily ever after. Wincing, Kagome recalled that this was no fairytale she was living. It was life, and at times, life was a bitch.
"Two years after ye left," Kaede continued, "the wind tunnel in Miroku's hand grew too large to control."
Kagome snarled at that. Such was not what she had expected. No… such an ending seemed too low for the noble houshi. It wasn't fair.
"Shippou…"
Kagome sobbed loudly at that name. He was so young, too young… far too young to have fallen during the perils of war.
"His body was never found. During the same battle in which Miroku gave his life to save a village from the oni that ravaged it, Shippou went missing. No trace of him has come up. I'm so very sorry child."
Kaede turned and motioned to yet another grave; its grey, monotonous silhouette painted against the otherwise clear sky. Vines wove their way up the sides, small pink flowers speckling the stone with color. "This was your grave, child, since we believed ye too were dead."
Kagome failed to hear the old priestess's final words, shock and horror still rocking her frame. It couldn't be true. No. Her two best friends, the faithful fire neko that often rode on her shoulder, her son… they were dead.
Guilt, bitter and mocking, burrowed into her subconscious, the taunting, cruel voice echoing in her head as it told her that their deaths had been her fault. Because she had not returned first, they had gone on thinking her dead. Had she been there, she could have done something to stop it. It was her fault… her fault.
Hardening her gaze, she turned to face Kaede, wiping the tears from her eyes as she stated, "I must go. I have shards to collect and a jewel to finish. I will not allow it to fall into the wrong hands. For the sake of all who have sacrificed themselves I will be triumphant."
With that, she turned and left, her heart crying out for the lives of those she had loved and lost. Sango and Miroku… they could be together now. Shippou was reunited with his family. They were all in a better place. She had lost loved ones before… she would not let this stray her off course. Once the jewel was whole, then she could mourn properly, but for now, she had a job to do.
It's short, I know, but hey, I do what I want. Besides, the next chapter will be up in a few seconds, so shut up.
Anyways… review.