III. The End

"You're a lucky orphan to have the village take you in but you must not steal fish from the preserve," one man holding a torch spoke.

"Never do it again, you understand?" another barked, slapping the little girl he was holding by the collar of her kimono. He then dropped her to the ground and she walked away, staggering. She would have collapsed, had she not been caught by someone. Looking up, the little girl was greeted by a pair of forest green eyes.

"Dear me, what has happened to you, child?" the green-eyed woman asked in a tender voice. The girl just whimpered. The woman smiled. "My name is Wakayo-chan." The girl never said a word. Wakayo pouted. "All right. You might be scared of me. It's completely normal." Wakayo slowly took the girl's hand and walked alongside her. "You look a little bit like Kaede," the demon whispered. Soon enough, the girl got used to her new companion.

Wakayo let herself be led. The girl must have sensed Wakayo's kindness for she took the demon to a small hut by the river. Wakayo understood that it was the girl's home and felt somehow flattered that she had been trusted. Unwillingly, she collapsed on the floor, exhausted. The lethal wounds from fifty years ago had mostly healed—leaving behind some scars—but her body had been weakened. She couldn't travel during the night anymore.

"I'm sorry, little girl, but I need to sleep. I really do. I wish I could help you more…" The girl was kneeling by Wakayo's head and the demon had stretched out her hand to caress the girl's bruised cheeks. Her lids were suddenly very heavy and she fell asleep instantly.

Sleeping soundly, Wakayo didn't even sense when dawn broke nor did she notice the little girl's absence. Only after she woke up and realized where she actually was, did she remember how she had got there. "Little girl!" Wakayo called. She stood up and rushed outside. She saw a familiar figure trot along the river. Sighing relieved, Wakayo followed the girl silently.

She entered the forest, carrying something in her hands. Wakayo was confused as to what her little host was doing. And was genuinely shocked when the girl approached a lying figure—Sesshoumaru.

"No, thanks," he murmured after he opened his eyes. He was injured and had been resting. The girl wasn't discouraged by his negative answer; she ran up to him, falling on her knees. "I told you I don't need anything from you." Wakayo concluded that they had met before—he was probably the reason why the poor girl was stealing fish. She was saddened by his determined rejection.

"Where did you get those bruises?" he asked, not once facing her. Receiving no answer, he added: "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She smiled happily. Sesshoumaru was bewildered. "What are you smiling about? I simply asked a question. I don't care, I'm just curious." Wakayo was also smiling; her heart was fluttering like the wings of a humming bird. For a second, Sesshoumaru glanced in her direction from the corner of his eye. His countenance didn't betray any emotions.

The girl hopped all the way back to the village and as soon as she was out of sight, Wakayo stepped forward. "She was beaten up last night by the villagers because she had stolen fish." Sesshoumaru seemed displeased—either by Wakayo's showing up, either by the fact that he had been the indirect cause of the little girl's bruises. "I have never seen you in such a ragged state. You must have faced a strong enemy." She knelt next to him and waited for a response.

"What do you want? I am still capable of killing you in a matter of seconds," said he.

"You wouldn't," she stated calmly.

"What makes you think that?" She took his hand—although he tried to resist it, he just couldn't forcefully snatch it from hers—and brought it to her cheek. Warm tears of happiness rolled down her face. He stared at her astounded; he was disarmed.

"You need some to mend your clothes and tend your wounds." She brushed the hair out of his eyes, a few drops of her tears falling on his face in the process. She then gently removed the top of his attire and began sewing it, using on of her fighting needles and hair. Afterwards, she washed his chest with a wet cloth before dressing him back up. "There. Does it not feel better?"

He didn't answer. He just gazed at her incessantly. "You should have understood that you do not belong with me. If you wish to die so badly, you should have told me earlier. I would have put you out of your misery long ago." Unexpectedly, it hurt her. He just admitted that he didn't care whether she was dead or alive.

"I see…," she murmured. "I…" She burst in laughter all of a sudden. "You are uniqueness in flesh and bones."

"What are you laughing about?" He sat up, looking strangely at her.

"You. And me. Mostly me. You have caused me so much damage and I still attempt to grasp your true self when I don't even know my own anymore!" She locked her gaze on the ground and did not raise her head for a while.

"You are such an irritating creature," he broke the awkward silence. Before she knew it, she was dragged to her feet and pinned against a tree. "Do not bother me again." Wakayo threw her arms around his neck and kissed him forcefully but he pulled away as quickly as he could. He then left while Wakayo slumped disappointed at the base of the tree.

She sat there, on the ground, looking aimlessly at the sky. There were no tears; only frustration and anger. Her eyes darkened, becoming a bluish shade of black. The world suddenly became more agitated. It was as though she could sense the movement of the smallest bug or leaf. She frowned, focusing on a distant noise that was rapidly approaching her. Getting to her feet, she rushed in that direction. She spotted the body of a child lying in a pool of blood.

"Oh, no," Wakayo murmured, realizing it was the little girl. "No, please, don't be dead!" Her knowledge and efforts were futile. The girl had already passed away. Saddened, Wakayo lay next to her little friend, caressing her black hair. She felt guilty. If she hadn't wasted her time with Sesshoumaru, she could have helped the girl, preventing a tragedy.

"What is that?" a scrawny voice brought Wakayo back to reality. Propping herself on her elbow, she saw Sesshoumaru and his little servant. Neither of them seemed to acknowledge her presence, though. "She's a goner, that's for sure," Jaken stated, coming closer to the girl's body, "She must have been attacked by wolves. Look at the teeth markings. Do you recognise this pathetic human?" he asked Sesshoumaru. Wakayo grabbed Jaken's throat as she stood up.

"You are the only pathetic being around," she growled, throwing him down. He didn't have time for a witty remark because he noticed Sesshoumaru was taking out his sword.

"What? What are you doing, sire?" Wakayo stood dumbfounded. The girl was already dead. What was he thinking?

"Interesting," he whispered to himself. Wakayo sensed the odd pulse of the sword. "On to another test, I'll use the Tenseiga."

"Another test?" Jaken gasped, surprised. "What are you doing, sire? What are you doing?"

Sesshoumaru raised his hand. Wakayo couldn't stand to see how he chopped her friend up so she closed her eyes. When she opened them, he was holding the girl on his arm, waiting for a reaction. She unexpectedly opened her eyes. Wakayo was ecstatic.

"She came back to life," Jaken noted. "Lord Sesshoumaru, you resurrected a human girl with the power of the Tenseiga?" Sesshoumaru didn't answer. Instead, he got up and left. Wakayo followed suit, leaving the other two behind.

"That was very nice of you," Wakayo tried to get Sesshoumaru to speak, "I never imagined you saving a human life." She sighed then stepped in front of him, causing him to stop.

"It was a mere test. Now get out of my way."

"If you want to get rid of me, you will have to kill me. In a fair fight," Wakayo retorted. Sesshoumaru closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them, he arched his fingers in some sort of claw.

"If that is your wish, then you may have it your way." Wakayo grinned happily,

"Catch me if you can." Her dark brown and extremely long hair waved behind her for one second before she vanished with the wind. Sesshoumaru frowned. Her presence was erased, her scent lingered all around him.

"That's very cowardly of you, Wakayo." She giggled, giving away her location. He looked above him. She disappeared again before he could react. One of her needles whizzed past his ear and landed in a tree.

"I'm telling you again, I could kill you in an instant." With that, he whipped around charging towards another tree. It was a matter of miliseconds; Wakayo found herself strangled by Sesshoumaru's hand. Her eyes widened in astonishment as she struggled to cath her breath.

"You're a worthless demon and a shame to our kind. You do not deserve to live as you do. You've been killed by humans once. How embarrassing is that?" Wakayo couldn't protest even if she wanted to. "You should feel flattered that I am wasting my time on you."

Both Jaken and the girl were witnessing this harsh moment. She couldn't stay still and ran to Sesshoumaru, clinging to his leg. "No, no, no! Wakayo-chan—" The girl looked in Sesshoumaru's cold eyes, begging him to stop and spare Wakayo's life. Oddly enough, he let go. Wakayo fell on the grass and Sesshoumaru walked away.

"Wakayo-chan! I'm Rin!" the girl introduced herself cheerfully. Wakayo smiled sweetly at Rin, although a little forced because she still had some trouble breathing, then rushed to her feet, in an attempt to catch up with Sesshoumaru. She collapsed again, though, and simply called him.

"Sesshoumaru! Wait, please! Just a moment…" He halted. Rin helped Wakayo stand up. She stepped carefully towards him, while holding Rin's hand. When she got close enough, she motioned Rin to go away. Sesshoumaru gazed at her coldly.

"I…have one last question. Who managed…to cause you such harm?" Sesshoumaru frowned displeased and almost hit her again. She stretched out her hand but he jerked his shoulder away. "Your left arm…," she murmured, astounded. "Did you lose it in the war against the panther demons?" She was genuinely concerned for him. "Sesshoumaru, please speak to me," she muttered, using her last ounce of strength.

She was emotionally ruined. Shutting her eyes unwillingly, she stumbled forward and landed with her nose in Sesshoumaru's chest. He brought his arm to her back and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her smell changed. "Wakayo, wake up," he demanded. She distanced herself from him and looked into his eyes. Her emerald irises were replaced by night coloured ones.

"Is that really you, Wakayo?" Sesshoumaru asked himself aloud. She covered her face with her hands, shaking her head slowly.

"I am good…good…Jaken, did you just say Inuyasha?" She recovered instantly and spun on her heels, hearing, faintly, the small demon's voice while in her over-sensitive state. "Did you just say 'Lord Sesshoumaru can't tell her the truth about his fight with Inuyasha'?" She crouched in front of Jaken and held him up in her hands.

"How could you hear that?" he burst, afraid of what his master might do to him.

"Sesshoumaru, is that right? Did you fight Inuyasha?" She found it strange that Inuyasha had been somehow released and gained so much strength.

Although Sesshoumaru never approved, Wakayo could tell from his glare that it was right. Without wasting another second, she dashed across the meadow, yelling over her shoulder, "Don't be too happy, I'll be back!"

It took her a couple of days to reach Kaede's village but when she did, she was more than shocked to find her old friend accompanied by the half-demon. She refrained her excitement as she walked up to them, ignoring Inuyasha who seemed to be troubled by something.

"I would love to say you haven't changed at all, Kaede. But I would be lying." The priestess looked up from her plants, startled.

"Wakayo-chan!" Hearing the name, Inuyasha turned around, jumping off the fence he had been sitting on.

"Wakayo!" he greeted her. Wakayo couldn't quite believe her eyes and stretched out her hand reluctantly. She touched Inuyasha's ears with unnecessary caution then pulled him in a hug. Given their situation, he sniffed her hair without really meaning to, "Gah, you reek of Sesshoumaru! When'd you guys meet?"

Wakayo cocked her head to the side as Inuyasha pushed her away. She waved her hand dismissively, "I've known him long before you were even born. But it is not why I am here today."

"I think I may know the real reason," Kaede intervened. "Sit down and I will tell you the entire story." Wakayo folded her legs and arms, listening. Inuyasha didn't stick around to hear the story of his life.

At the end of Kaede's narration, Wakayo gasped awestruck. "Dear me, Kikyo's reincarnation travels through time? That is…unbelievable! But then again, you have Jewel shards spread across the country and a free Inuyasha." She got to her feet, shaking her head. "'Tis more impressive that Kikyo has been revived— I knew Onigumo was a bad man. I knew it from the first time I met him," she addeed after a short pause and shuddered. "Where is this Kagome now?"

"She has had a fight with Inuyasha and went home," Kaede replied.

"Back in the future?" The old priestess nodded. "And you say that the ancient well in the meadow is the passageway?"

"Indeed."

"I shall go see it."

The sun had already set and the two had gone to Kaede's cottage. Wakayo walked calmly through the village, recollecting the many good times she had had there, with little Kaede and the nice villagers. Kikyo had always been cold and reserved, although Wakayo had tried to befriend her—she was too caught up in her duty as the Jewel's guardian.

"Well, hello there, doggy," Wakayo greeted Inuyasha as soon as she arrived to the well. He was sitting there, arms and legs crossed. Wakayo sighed. Resting her hands on the edge of the well, she looked down. It was dark outside so she couldn't make out the bottom of it. "It's like an endless abyss…Inuyasha," she called, sitting next to him.

"What?"

"This Kagome girl…she sounds like a nice person. Maybe you should be less stubborn." Inuyasha hmph-ed, ignoring Wakayo's comment. "I want to meet her! So you'd better go get her," she added, playfully hitting his shoulder.

"Ow! Wakayo, man…you've become stronger," Inuyasha muttered, rubbing his upper arm.

"Maybe you are weaker."

"Nay! I'm much stronger than before, I even have a sword. The old man wanted me to have it." Wakayo smiled sympathetically.

"My bad. You have been strong enough to cut Sesshoumaru's arm off and even cause him some serious damage." Inuyasha grinned.

"That bastard! Tetsusaiga is mine, he'll never be able to get it." Wakayo smacked him upside the head. "What the heck? Whose side are you on?" he yelled, frustrated. Wakayo pouted, hugging her knees. "H-Hey…Wakayo…"

"I'm fine."

"Don't tell me…Has he done anything to you?" She shook her head but she wasn't convincing. "I knew it! I should have killed the bastard." She chuckled.

"Maybe you should have." Inuyasha looked at her with a sad expression on his face. He was clueless as to what had happened but he felt sorry for her. "Can I hug you?" she asked sheepishly.

"S-Sure…" Wakayo moved closer to him and rested her head on his chest. Inuyasha put his arm around her back as an attempt to comfort her.

"Thank you," she murmured, half-asleep.

"Yeah. You're welcome." He watched the night sky somehow remembering of the times spent with Kikyo, although Wakayo never mentioned her. Maybe his sixth sense had improved as well in the last fifty years and he was able to relate to Wakayo's feelings.

Noticing she fell asleep, he stood up carrying her like a bride. He brought her to Kaede's cottage, coming across his traveling friends. A monk, a demon slayer and a little fox demon had gathered around Kaede, possibly asking about the strange appearance of this female. The three had been watching Inuyasha at the well, unbeknownst to the half-demon.

A couple of days later, Kagome actually came back. Kaede took Wakayo to the place where she was. There, Inuyasha was chasing around his friends and a girl—extremely similar to Kikyo—stood and watched them run from side to side.

"You must forgive him," Kaede spoke, the human girl turned around. "Kagome, he is just happy that you came back." Wakayo nodded approvingly. Kagome smiled.

"Um, yeah, I think he is."

"Oh, trust me, he surely is!" Wakayo emphasized, earning all of Kagome's attention.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Wakayo-chan!" the demon introduced herself. Kagome looked confused.

"She is an old friend," Kaede explained, but Wakayo prevented her from mentioning Kikyo.

"And I'm a very curious old friend! Do you mind if I ask you a couple of questions?" Kagome was hesitant with her answer but Kaede's assuring smile convinced her to agree. Wakayo linked arms with the human teenager and they walked like that, arm in arm, towards Kaede's cottage.

After a few hours of chatting, the two felt as though they have known each other for ages. Miroku, the monk, once tried to feel Wakayo up but Sango, the demon slayer, promptly stopped him. It was dusk when she finally decided to leave. She was part of Inuyasha's past—a part that reminded him of Kikyo. He had been given the opportunity to start a new life and she did not want to ruin it. It was enough that a dead Kikyo was walking around, capable of bewitching poor Inuyasha at any time. They made a mutual promise to meet again, though, and Wakayo was sure to honour it someday.

Somewhere far away from Kaede's village, Sesshoumaru allowed little Rin to follow him. He figured he'd just ignore her, for she didn't go away after Wakayo left. She kept asking questions about the green-eyed demon and seeing that Sesshoumaru refused to answer, she switched her attetion to Jaken. It was difficult to get Wakayo out of his head, considering he heard her name at least five times a day.

Sesshoumaru thought about their relationship. He has asked Wakayo what he meant to her but he never wondered what she meant to him. Physical attraction. That thought was soon overwhelmed by feelings which told him it was an understatement.

Instincts. Lust. Longing.

Was there anything else to it? He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but there was.

"Ah, Wakayo-chan! Wakayo-chan has come back!" Rin cheered all of a sudden and ran off. Sesshoumaru interrupted his reverie to see it for himself. Wakayo lifted Rin in her arms and spun her once, laughing. She then put the girl down and went over to him.

"We need to talk," she told him on a serious tone as they stood face to face. "Jaken, take care of Rin," she ordered and walked off, followed by Sesshoumaru.

"What do you want?" he asked as soon they were out of sight. She sighed, fidgeting.

"It's been fifty long years, Sesshoumaru," she began, smiling sweetly at him. "We've known each other for so long, yet…I haven't had the time to figure you out." She paused, to breathe in, then continued, "You have completed my knowledge and although I am certain the future holds many undiscovered curiosities, at the moment, I feel…almost…accomplished."

She stopped for a second, searching for the best words. "I am well aware that you are a difficult person, with a very cold and confident character and that you might consider me foolish but…" She struggled to voice her thoughts coherently. "Five decades ago, when you asked me what 'you are to me' I couldn't answer. I had a word. But I could not…say it. I have had time to think it through while I was recovering." She inhaled deeply, locking gazes with him.

"Sesshoumaru, I…I love you. I have spent so much time with you, you saved my life when I was unable to, spared it when you could have killed me! You…I—" Who would've thought that speaking could prove to be so difficult?

And when words just can't do the job anymore, it's time for body language. Closing her eyes, Wakayo threw herself at Sesshoumaru and kissed him with passion. Her hands rested on his chest while his arm reached to her lower back, caressing it tenderly. She cupped his face and bit on his lip. He purred, pleased, yet annoyed that he wasn't in charge. That had to change. He pressed her against the closest tree—oh, the lovely trees!—and assaulted her neck. Why would he ever want to kill her? He regretted even considering that option and was glad he stopped in time.

They stuck together afterwards. He never admitted that she was more than a means of spending a good time or of relieving his bottled up emotions; nor did he ever profess his feelings. But she didn't mind. She loved him and although she occasionally found some faults in him which she disapproved of, she accepted them.

Whenever she had the time, Wakayo would also teach Rin a couple of things, like reading and writing. The little girl became her best friend. She did meet with Inuyasha and his friends again, in unpleasant circumstances. She was forced to fight alongside them and Sesshoumaru against the thief Onigumo—also known as the cruel devil Naraku. She came across Kikyo once, too. They didn't exchange a word. Her life became hectic at some point and she feared so many times for Sesshoumaru's safety. But he would always emerge victorious, returning to her unscathed and never rejecting her warm welcome.

Wakayo felt accomplished.

†The Final Act†

(Mini~Epilogue)

"Hey, Sesshoumaru! Where do you think you're going so fast?" Wakayo yelled at the flying Sesshoumaru. She focused all her strength in her leg muscles and sprang on Sesshoumaru, forcing him to land. She grabbed his hand and held him near her—the left hand he had finally recovered through a miracle. "Wow! Look, it's Kagome!" she exclaimed happily and ran up to the human.

Kagome let herself be hugged by the cheerful demon. "It's been three years…three long years. Poor Inuyasha. He—" Inuyasha cut her off before she could say something embarrassing,

"He's leaving."

"Who's leaving?" Wakayo whipped around, seeing Sesshoumaru walk away. "Oh, no, you don't!"

She caught up with him quickly and dragged him back to the viallge. "Wakayo."

"Shut up, I want to see the children!"

Kagome and Inuyasha both followed Wakayo to Miroku's and Sango's cottage. The two spouses were spending some time together with their twin little girls and baby boy. Wakayo was immediately charmed by the newest member of the family and was granted permission to hold him in her arms.

"Sesshoumaru, look, isn't he irresistibly cute?" He ignored her remark and intended to depart. But she wouldn't let him. When he refused to come and take a closer look at the baby, she approached him. "Are you afriad of this minuscule creature? Really?" she teased her lover, entwining her fingers with his.

Sesshoumaru was not quite comfortable being seen next to Wakayo in such a manner. "Let's go," he urged her. But she was too preoccupied with the baby that she couldn't be bothered.

"I want another one of these!" she announced out of the blue. Everybody froze, including Sesshoumaru, until Rin broke the awkward silence—

"Sesshoumaru-sama and Wakayo-chan are going to have a baby!" making it, if possible, even more awkward.

Sesshoumaru didn't stay to witness the aftershocks of when somebody would catch on the unnoticed word 'another'—he picked up Wakayo, throwing her over his shoulder, and fled. Luckily, Rin caught the baby before it hit the ground then waved the two good-bye.

"Why are you so stingy, Sesshoumaru? They are family. Inuyasha is your brother after all," Wakayo complained. Sesshoumaru snorted, unwilling to argue. "Why are you so irritated about this? You know only the fun part of making a baby."

She jumped off his shoulder, heading towards their shelter by foot. She still arrived first, though. "Ah, mother! How has Akifumi been?"

Wakako smiled, pleased to see her daughther and eager to inform her about Akifumi's doings, "He is a lovely boy! I'm telling you, he must have inherited your wit. He slew two demons today." Wakayo nodded.

"I believe that is good to hear. But do not let him hurt humans. Akifumi!" she called. The little boy could pass for a five or six years old human but he was, in fact, a two years old blue-blooded demon.

"Mamma!" He hugged his mother lovingly and as soon as his grandmamma's presence vanished, his papa also showed up.

"Akifumi, would you like to have a baby sister?" Wakayo asked for her son's opinion. She hoped she would have an ally. The boy pondered his answer for a while. Then nodded, smiling widely.

"It would be cute!" Wakayo grinned. Although he was an exact copy of Sesshoumaru—down to the markings on his face—Akifumi had his mother's mind. Which she was very proud of.

"Then," Sesshoumaru interferred, smelling his mother's approach, "why don't you go greet your grandmother while I make sure you will have one by the end of the year?" In spite of it being a very suggestive remark, Sesshoumaru didn't even flinch once. After he gave his father a peck on the cheek, Akifumi took off towards the West, leaving his parents alone.

Neither of them wasted time with gallantries. In no time, Wakayo found herself glued to the nearest tree. "How should we name her?" she asked in-between languid kisses.

"Mikiko," Sesshoumaru's answer came promptly as if he'd been preparing that name for quite some time—

Mikiko means child of the tree trunk.

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