New Endings

Chapter 7

It took a few miles before her scent was on the wind, a scent that no longer carried a comforting smell. Kuronue was quietly feeling his mood start to boil. These months without Kagome had been hard on him, especially since he began to detest his best friend. Youko has a problem with sharing and being possessive, it is because of this that he won't let her go even though he neglects her. On the wind they could smell her blood and the poison, but not death, not yet at least. They still had to go several miles before they will come across the sight.

Almost like a mock to her imagination, Youko came out of the forest from the other side of the clearing, his robes the same pristine white as he approached her. She would almost say he looked like he had a sudden hesitance but his strides kept coming, his gold eyes fixed on the spear before they moved away, the calculating gaze she expected had swept over her form before settling on her face. "Kagome," he whispered, and instead of a cold gaze she could see emotions flashing across his face. "How long have you been like this?" The way the question came out she couldn't tell if it was aimed towards her just spoken thought. He studied her hard after nothing was said, after she did nothing but silently watch him, her gaze just looking worn out. He watched and then he could see the pleading look in them as tears came to her eyes but no sobs, just silent tears. Through the mating mark he could feel she felt it to be hopeless, he could feel that she hoped he would be merciful and give her a swift death.

Kuronue watched from above, giving them time as it looked like maybe she is going to accept help this time. He dropped down after a few minutes, looking at Youko for any suggestions or directions. He looked to Kagome, her eyes turning to him when she noticed him. "She is paralyzed," Youko informed him. He reached to his hair and pulled out a seed, growing it to be a smooth leaf. "I'm sorry Kagome," he apologized even though she most likely feel what he is about to do. His clawed fingers went into the hole being healed around the spear, he coated his fingers with her poisoned blood, pulling them out and smearing it on a leaf. Her eyes watched him and the leaf, something she had never seen him do before.

The green leaf steadily soaked up the blood and turned white. He seemed to nod his head, almost like it was the reaction he expected. "Kuronue, could you get water with this this?" He grew another leaf, the leaf curled up under his urging and he handed it to his partner. While he was gone he put his hand against the tree, she could sense him using the plants to find something, when Kuronue came back he stopped, looking irked that he didn't find something. He crushed the white leaf, rubbing it briskly as it turned to powder and sifted into the water Kuronue held. He stirred it around before finally grabbing it and setting it down out of the way as it set. "While it sets I need your help getting her off this. I will hold the spear steady if you can take hold of her and cut it." They did everything with no hesitation. Kuronue held her still in his arms after he cut it from the rest of the spear. Youko then gestured to the rest of it, letting him know he will be removing it. With the wound reopened by the pole pulling against it, it would then allow for her body to heal. Youko grab the mixture and coated the bloody hole in her chest, applying it generously. After he was done he got up, looked down at them with some unreadable emotion before informing them, "I will be back in a while," then disappearing in a whirl.

With the mating mark not being blocked on either side they could both feel the others emotions. She could feel that he removed himself for her sake, putting full blame on his own actions in the last few years. She pushed to convey her wish to pass on and he push back saying he refused, it wasn't in him because for all of his anger, jealousy, and neglect; he still cared and became determined to do something right. He then pulled away from the mark's abilities, giving them privacy in their minds. Kuronue sat there holding her, had her lying across his lap, resting her head on his left arm while his right one caressed her face. Their eyes remained locked; he softly talked to her, admitting his love for her for all of these years. She already knew but he had never spoken it aloud and with the last time that she might be alone with him he put it all out there.

His words became detailed and passionate as he painted a picture of their lives had it been them who mated, not the bitter feelings they now hold. He told her of his desires to sit and take turns reading by the fire, ending it with passion as they let their bodies do the talking. Days spent outside watching the clouds go by or even soaring in them. The kids they would have and how beautiful they would have been with their mixed features and dark looks. Most of all he described all of his emotions towards everything, even guilt for falling in love with his friend's mate. He rambled on, filling the silence with every thought that came to mind and even every time he wished he could kiss her right now, instead he would brush a finger over them in a caress, even kiss his thumb and press it to her lips, dragging his thumb over them. His heart was laid out there in full, nothing hidden, an openness usually only acquired through the use of a mating mark but he filled it because he wanted her to see what it would have and could have been had he been able to have her and paint a lovely picture with his romantic way, something he had only become good at through his love for her, not having a way to convey it all without crossing the line any further.

It hurt but he did it all and choked back what could have turned into a sob. He really wasn't sure if she will survive this one and Youko never explained what he did, he could only come to conclusions and he wished to look but fought against it for every second could be her last, he had no idea just what will happen. He confessed to her that if she doesn't survive, he will leave Youko and everything behind. Knowing she will not ever grace the halls or library with him would forever haunt him and blamed himself and Youko for all of this. If she lived, he still might not stay, he will leave with her if she goes but he promised, no matter the route he will not stand aside and let her suffer, consequences be damned, he will show his love and remain.