Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, or any of its characters.
Summary: Sometimes the choices we make lead us down a path we don't expect. She chose to leave his side, and he closed off his heart to the world. Now she is back, and he is the only one that can save her. Can he move past his pain to help her? Or will the consequences of their choices prove to be too much to bear?
Rating: T for language and alcoholism.
*Note, in response to a review: This story was previously posted on Dokuga under the same penname.
Kagome's death took to the media like wildfire. The darling of the country dying at such an early age rocked the people, and even spread overseas. Her picture was everywhere for weeks after she passed, and Sesshomaru could not escape. He hid himself away in the condo, secluding himself from the outside world. Even Inuyasha could not reach his brother, the door never unlocking.
Sesshomaru was so far gone in his grief that he consumed more alcohol than ever before. There was seldom a waking moment that he did not drown himself in the comforting liquid, seeking to eradicate every trace of pain with the amber substance. And like always, it was never enough. Her smile haunted his dreams, her memory driving him to insanity when awake. He could never escape it.
On more than one occasion, he stood at the edge of his balcony, his lucid mind wishing nothing more than to end his suffering. But then her sweet face would frown, and he would dissolve to a whimpering child, unable to commit an act he knew she would hate him for. He was so pathetic, so utterly and completely pathetic. So he burrowed farther and farther, depression, anger, and grief consuming him.
He was not sure what made that day different. No matter how many times he analyzed it, he couldn't find a clear answer. He had woken in a normal way, passed out on the bathroom floor, an empty bottle still clutched in his hand. From that moment on, everything had changed.
He grumbled as he stood, ignoring the scratchy feel of his beard as he rubbed the drool off his face. He ignored his reflection, a habit he had made. His liquor cabinet was empty, and he grabbed his coat and shoes, preparing to head to the store. Once his purchase had been made, he stopped at the park just below his condo. He could not explain it, but sitting outside in the cold seemed like a good idea.
The morning was early, and the park was dotted with runners. Most avoided him, or cast pitiful glances his way. He ignored them, and glared at any he felt got to close.
As he lifted his drink to take a swig, something caught his eye. Half in the bushes before him was a half-starved dog. It's fur was patchy, and clearly had never once been given a bath. It watched him with a curious expression. It was skinny, its ribs visible and it's body shaking. Even from a distance, he swore he could see tiny black dots moving over the flesh.
"Don't you think it's cute?" Her voice floated over his senses, and his heart thudded painfully. He looked up sharply, and there she stood, dressed in his oversized university sweatshirt, her long wavy dark hair dancing in the wind. She looked just as she had that day, the day they found Hector.
"You can't be serious." He muttered, the same words he had spoken that day. Was he hallucinating? Kagome moved forward, and to his surprise the dog's eyes followed her movement. She reached down, and placed her hand upon it's head. Just barely, he could see a tail wagging in the bushes. She turned and looked at Sesshomaru then, a sad smile on her face.
"He may not be the traditional cute, but he is his own cute." Kagome stood, and the dog followed as she made her way to Sesshomaru.
"Sometimes, a hard life only needs a single chance to change. Don't you think, Sesshomaru?" She said, her ethereal voice breaking the script.
"Kagome," He whispered, reaching for her. She smiled softly, and took his hand. Though what he felt was not solid, it was warm. She led his hand to rest on the dog's head, her eyes never leaving his.
"Can we keep it?" It was a rush of emotion that welled within him, and he looked down at the mutt sitting at his feet. He was just as ragged as he first suspected, and the stench rolling off him was overpowering. Still, as he moved his hand over the dogs head, gently petting him, a small smile broke over his face.
"Yes, we can."
Sesshomaru sat patiently in a small, cramped office. He was uncomfortable, and it was fairly obvious. The animal beside him stirred anxiously, sensing it's master's unease.
"It has been a long time, Sesshomaru." Hojo gave him a welcoming smile.
"Indeed." Sesshomaru agreed.
"I am glad that you," Hojo began, but trailed off. Sesshomaru wanted to chuckle, but thought better of it. What could the man say? I am glad you are no longer a drunken idiot? On that, he could agree. He had not touched a drop of alcohol since the day he met Chance, the now fully fed and furry dog beside him.
"I have heard you re-joined the hospital. That, that makes me happier than I can mention." Hojo continued. "Kagome, she…" Hojo paused again, fighting his own feelings. "She always knew that was your calling."
"Indeed. She has been rooting for me, since always." Sesshomaru said gently. If the other man was surprised at his openness, he did not show it.
"Anyways, I invited you here to give you this." He said, lifting a box and pushing it across the table. Sesshomaru furrowed his brows and leaned forward. "I think she would have wanted you to have it."
Sesshomaru lifted the top of the box, his eyes widening. Inside was photographs, tokens, and gifts, article clippings and papers, and a host of other objects from their life together, and after.
"This was the box I told you about. This… this really belongs to you. I know I should've given it to you sooner…"
"Thank you." Sesshomaru said in a rush, his jaw tense. His heart was pounding, and the familiar pang of loss throbbed. But it was so much more than that. Joy floated to the surface, an intense feeling of happiness that she had kept it all, and now he could keep it as well. "I cannot thank you enough." This man had given him too much. He had given him the final moments with Kagome, even though he had loved her too. He could never thank him enough.
Hojo smiled at the other man. "Don't thank me. Not like that. Do what you do, Sesshomaru. Live up to her expectations. If you can do that, then it was worth it." Sesshomaru stood as Hojo did, and grasped his hand in a firm handshake.
"I will." He promised.
And he did. Sesshomaru went on to devote himself to research, and to his patients. He became the man Kagome had always known he would be, and did it not just for her, but for himself as well. He lived on, moving past the pain of losing her in order to change the world, just as she said he would. And true to his promise, he never forgot her, and never stopped loving her.
The End.
Love, Caleesci