"Lord Sesshomaru." Ikkoku's gruff voice sounded behind him. Sesshomaru turned, his face an emotionless mask as he looked down at Ikkoku, who was on his knees. "I...I'm sorry. For everything." he shook his head and continued. "I don't know why I did what I did, and why I did all of this to you. I was angry, and alone. I wanted someone else to feel my pain, and you were the easiest target. The heir to the Western Lands was a mere child, one who could be easily manipulated. I wanted you to experience how it felt to have your heart utterly filled with warmth, and then plunged into the dark yet again. Kagome was perfect for it. Abandoned, injured, and alone. I didn't want to bring many people into this, and I thought using a half-demon wouldn't be doing much harm, until I saw her. Shivering, frightened, unscathed from the destruction I had convinced their father to create. I had forgotten in an instant everything that had caused me to hurt. But as I walked towards her, she flinched, and my anger flooded back. I grabbed her and she screamed. Then, a girl who looked exactly like her, yet different in every way stumbled in front of me, blocking my path. "Let her go." She said calmly. But I could tell, I could see it in her eyes how determined she was, how willing she was to lay down her life for her sister, her twin. Instantly I had this plan to use her against you, and in return I wouldn't harm her twin, Rin. But my plan went horribly wrong. I had begun to fall in love with Rin, and Kagome had actually begun to grow close to you. I thought about abandoning the whole thing, but my anger still festered within me, and you were its release. So in a last ditch effort, I ordered Kagome to bring you here to kill you. When she initially refused, I cut her across the face, telling her that the scar that would be left when it healed would forever be a reminder of the deeds she had committed. I told her that she had already betrayed your trust and that there was no way for her to return to you. And the look in her eyes...I could not say that it was the innocence fleeing from them, no, I do not believe she ever had innocence. It was more like...life. Her only hope fading, the life in her eyes dying. I was..am horrible. I lost the only one who kept me company, and I have forever torn the Heir to the Western Lands and his only friend apart. Can you...can you ever forgive me?" Ikkoku stared deeply into Sesshomaru's blank eyes, pleading. "You are a royal. Stand. You look pitiful." he stated simply, as he turned and walked out of the gates.

"Welcome home Sesshomaru-sama!" the castle guards bowed as he silently marched through the gates into his home. "Sesshomaru!" his mother yelled as she ran and hugged him. He stood motionless as she embraced him tightly, his father caught up and stopped a few feet away, noticing something was wrong. Sesshomaru met his father's worried, yet silent gaze with his own emotionless one. The smile melted from Inutaisho's face. Ikukimi pulled away and held Sesshomaru at arm's length, worry evident on her porcelain face as well. "Sesshomaru?" He pulled away, his long hair covering his eyes as he bowed his head. "Hello, Mother. Father." he nodded and tried to pass them. "Son?" his father asked, grabbing him by the shoulder. "She's gone." he said over his shoulder, as he continued walking. It's true. She is gone. She died protecting me. This was her chance to get her sister back, and she threw herself in front of a sword to protect me.

Sesshomaru sat shirtless in the lone cherry tree, his white hair billowing on the gentle breeze. The full moon shined on the precious item he held in his hand, the last part of Kagome he could cling to. "I've had it for awhile...you know..the Lost Lady wasn't lost...just...lonely." I keep replaying this in my mind...Her voice, sweet, even to her last moment. She didn't want to worry me, she had wanted to see me smile...but...how can I smile when she's gone?! He punched the tree repeatedly, his knuckles beginning to bleed. He tried catching his breath, but he found no point in breathing if Kagome weren't there to enjoy the scent of the cherries with him. I'll keep going. Make these lands better for humans, demons, and half-demons alike. Maybe then...maybe then I would be worthy to keep Kagome's memory with me. Maybe then, my heart can be free...