Time passes.
Or maybe it doesn't.
Kagome loses her ability to tell.
Kagome loses a lot of things.
So what are a few more things?
Her legs give out, too weak under the weight of facing a reality she thought to be distant. Kagome lands on the ground, crushing a tree sapling under her weight.
She knows, of course, that they could be dead. Dreaded the possibility during every waking hour during their travels.
But hadn't they defeated Naraku? Hadn't they earned their happily ever after?
They'd been fine, she was sure of it. Kagome's mind raced through her memories, flicking through them at an impatient pace. They were fine, when she last saw them. She made sure of that.
…She made sure of that.
("Oh, Kagome.")
…She made sure…
("I'm a terribly spiteful man.")
…She…she…
("But you'll forgive me for this too, won't you?")