Chapter 27 - Release

Night fell over the weary travellers and their feet became heavy. They'd been travelling all day non-stop at a fast pace. The humans dragged their feet behind the eager hanyou leading the way.

"Inu Yasha! Stop! We're all tired! I know you want to get to Kagome as soon as possible but we won't be able to fight if we continue like this," Miroku pleaded.

Inu Yasha scowled angrily and whirled around forcing everyone to skid to a halt. His eyes were the epitome of anger and desperation, "Fine! Go to sleep!" he screamed before stalking off.

"We'll set up camp. Kayo, you should go," Sango said worriedly. The group was used to this by now; it was becoming a nightly ritual.

Kayo looked around at the group before she hurried after the upset half-demon. Seeing a fiery blue emotion near the ground, she approached carefully. Kayo kneeled in front of Inu Yasha and waited patiently for him to acknowledge her presence. When he didn't look up, Kayo gently lifted his chin and brushed her fingers against his cheek. "Inu Yasha… we need to sleep. We're not all as powerful as you. I promise that tomorrow we'll all get up extra early… just for you."

He finally looked at her and Kayo could see his aura change. His anger and sadness dulled and his confusion grew. "It'll be okay," she whispered softly.

Inu Yasha was lost. He couldn't differentiate between reality and his imagination. Vivid images of Kikyo and Kagome were flashing before his eyes where the miko sat in front of him. He didn't even see her face. Making up his mind, Inu Yasha chose the more logical of the two, 'Kagome…' His eyes glazed over and Kikyo's facial features faded away; Kagome's warm, smiling face remained. Her clear brown eyes were large with worry.

Scowling, Inu Yasha grabbed her and pulled her closer to him, pressing his lips fiercely to hers. His hand held the back of her head in place while his other hand snaked around her back.

Shocked, Kayo's eyes widened slightly. What was he doing? Before she could help it, her eyes sank shut contentedly, a fluttery feeling grew within her and she could feel her heart speed up. 'Inu Yasha…'

Before he ran out of breath, Inu Yasha pulled away. Keeping his eyes shut, Inu Yasha rested his forehead against the girl's and held her. "Don't ever leave me again Kagome."

The butterflies in her stomach died and Kayo felt sick. She went cold as realization settled over her. The kiss hadn't been meant for her, it had been meant for Kagome. Of course, she should've known. Why would he be kissing her anyways?

Inu Yasha felt the girl in his arms go rigid and he opened his eyes. Kagome was looking at him with a hurt expression gracing her soft features. 'What did I do now?' he thought with horror. "Wh…What's wrong Kagome?" he was almost afraid to hear the answer. He didn't want to lose her; not again.

Her fingers cold, Kayo pulled away from him. "Nothing," she said shakily. She gently pried his fingers off of her body and stood. Tears accumulated in her unseeing eyes and without another thought, she sprinted off into the woods; away from him and everyone else.

Inu Yasha blinked confusedly and got up. Why was she running? What had he done? Inu Yasha ran after her; he wouldn't lose her again.

Kayo tripped and stumbled as she ran but she didn't let that stop her. Tears obscured her already altered vision and she before long, she ran into something. Whatever it was held onto her fast and didn't let her go. She struggled, kicking and screaming. Finally she was free. She backed away before opening her eyes to see what kind of creature had held her. The aura was familiar… it was Inu Yasha. Shaking her head no, she stumbled backwards until her back rested firmly against a tree. Tears escaped her eyes as she stared at the approaching hanyou.

Inu Yasha stopped a few steps away stared at Kagome wondering what had gotten into her. 'Wait a second…' A frown spread over Inu Yasha's face. 'Her scent… it's different…' Blinking and shaking his head he looked at her again. The image of Kagome in her school uniform faded into Kayo in miko's garb. He was shocked to say the least, "Kayo… Kayo… I'm so sorry! I… I…" he lapsed into silence and his gaze fell to the ground before his feet. How could he even begin to explain to her the extent of his love for Kagome? How could he possibly explain to her that she wasn't the one he'd seen… that it'd been Kagome?

Kayo saw shock, confusion, regret and sadness radiating off of the hanyou.

Inu Yasha finally looked up at her forlornly and murmured, "Please… please don't leave me… You're all I have left."

Kayo thought about all that the hanyou had been through; everyone that had hurt him. He had never known a father, his brother hated him and his mother had died a long time ago. His first love; Kikyo had fallen prey to Naraku and had ended up pinning him to a tree. Fifty years later, Kagome had come along and together, they'd fallen in love. Just as they were realizing this, Kikyo and Inu Yasha's brother just had to step in and ruin things for them. Deciding that he needed her and it wasn't his fault; Kayo stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his torso. She pressed her head against his strong shoulder and whispered, "It's okay… I understand."

Sango looked at Miroku across the campfire, "They've been gone awhile…"

"Don't worry, they'll be okay," Miroku said solemnly.

Yue looked between the two and smirked inwardly, there was definitely something between them, "He's right you know, there's nothing to worry about."

Sango gazed at her sadly and shivered a little.

Yue frowned exaggeratedly, "Sango-san! You look cold," she looked pointedly at Miroku.

Miroku saw this and smiled a little in thanks, "I can fix that." Miroku circled the fire and sat down beside Sango. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. "Better?" he asked with a mischievous glint in his smile.

"Hey!" Sango yelped, blushing.

Yue grinned devilishly and said, "Boy look at the time! My brother and I should get going. To… um… train!" with a huge grin, Yue grabbed her brother and ran off into the woods.

Hao gave her a look and muttered dryly, "Smooth."

Sango watched the pair run off suspiciously. Feeling the arm around her tighten, she turned her attention back to the monk. "What do you think you're doing?"

Miroku smiled warmly, "Warming you up."

Sango's cheeks warmed up, "I don't need your help."

Miroku just smiled and hugged her closer.

She blinked; she'd expected him to say something witty back, not silence. He was staring at the stars thoughtfully.

Sango leaned into his shoulder and gazed up at the night sky. "What are we going to do?" she asked quietly.

"Whatever we have to."

Jin peered into the miko's room as she walked by. She smiled to find the girl slumbering peacefully on her large bed. She was exhausted from a long day of training; she deserved to sleep well. Closing the door, Jin continued down the hallway.

She stopped in front of Sesshomaru's office. Jin took a deep breath and raised her fist to knock on the door. Before her knuckles made contact with the wood, the door swung open and there stood Sesshomaru.

"Hello Jin," he greeted.

Jin blinked and then forced a large smile, "Hey!"

Sesshomaru sensed that something was on her mind, so he moved out of the way and invited her into his office.

Jin glided into the large chamber and stood with her back facing him.

The Western Lord closed the door and eyed the female, "I sense there is something bothering you." It was more of a statement than a question.

"…Yes Sesshomaru… there is." Jin turned and gasped when she found him less than a handbreadth away.

"What is it?"

Jin pulled her gaze away from his enchanting golden eyes, "It's about… us."

Sesshomaru tensed immediately; thoughts of their last moments together muddling his thoughts.

Flashback

Bright, grey eyes opened before his.

Jin smiled breathlessly, "That gets me every time."

Sesshomaru smirked, "I know." Sesshomaru scanned his surroundings for guards before moving. "It's clear." Grabbing Jin's hand, the pair sprinted out of the castle and out into the courtyard.

Sesshomaru's ears twitched at the sound of a giggle. His eyes widened and he turned to the source. "Jin! What do you think you're doing?"

Seeing the look on his face made her laugh even louder.

"Who's there?" a voice demanded.

Sesshomaru's eyes widened and he lifted the demoness, holding her close; before tearing across the grounds. Once outside of the palace shield, Sesshomaru stopped. He looked at the female in his arms and sighed; they were sure to find out now. "Jin! You can stop now," he said, slightly annoyed.

Jin's laughter finally died out and she gazed up at her lover's distressed face innocently. "What?"

Sesshomaru looked exasperated, "Nothing." He'd just have to deal with the court's whims later. A smile unfurled on his face, "Now that we're out… is there anything you wanted to do?"

Jin smirked and lifted herself in his arms so that her face was level with his. "Let's play a game." She stared at his lips and slowly inched her face closer to his. She could feel the anticipation building inside his powerful body. She paused a hairbreadth away. Her eyes closed briefly and she pressed her lips to his in a chaste kiss before pulling away. She whispered, "Tag. You're it," and was gone.

Sesshomaru growled inwardly; this was not a game he liked. Catching a whiff of her scent, Sesshomaru was off. Within no time he spotted her sitting in a tree looking bored.

"What took you so long Sessho-kun?" she asked with a sly smile gracing her features. "I thought for sure the future lord of the Western Lands would be faster than a lowly pauper—" She found herself pressed against the tree trunk with soft lips sealed against her own. Her eyes closed and she smiled into the kiss.

Sesshomaru pulled away and smiled at her, "I gave you a head start." Seeing her pout, he laughed and as she opened her mouth to respond, he pressed his lips to hers in a warm kiss. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her closer.

Jin's fingers tangled in his silvery hair and she pressed herself against his strong chest. Her lips pressed against his passionately and her fingers moved down to tug gently at his haori.

"Sesshomaru!"

The couple froze and their eyes snapped open. Sesshomaru closed his eyes and disentangled himself from her. "Yes father?" he asked, turning his head in the demon lord's way.

Jin lowered her head in shame and kept quiet.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"I can explain father—"

Sesshomaru's father's fiery eyes narrowed, "How foolish can you be son?"

"Father—"

"I'm sorry sir," a small voice interrupted.

The Western Lord sighed and his angry façade dropped, "Children, children, you must be more careful when you meet. You cannot leave your scents all over the palace. Sesshomaru! Do you have any idea of what would happen if the court discovered Lady Jin's scent all over your chambers; our floors; our walls? You could lose your right to the throne!"

Sesshomaru looked shamefully at his feet while Jin looked shocked.

"I'm so sorry sir! I won't ever return," she promised fearfully.

Sesshomaru's head whipped in her direction, "Jin!"

The Lord laughed, "My dear girl… such a sacrifice is not necessary. The servants have been instructed to get rid of your scent. All I ask is that next time you are more careful." He smiled and gave the couple a lingering glance before disappearing into the night.

Jin jumped down from the tree away from the heir only to bump into him as she took a step forward. She looked up at him and shook her head sorrowfully, "I'm sorry Sesshomaru-sama," she bowed her head respectfully; "I will never set foot on your grounds again."

"JIN! What're you saying?"

"Sesshomaru! Don't you see? You can lose your throne because of me! I can't let that happen. If you lost your birth right because of some lowly demon like me then I would hate myself for it."

"But my father isn't angry with you!"

Jin's voice softened, "Sesshomaru-sama… don't you see? We were never meant to be together. We can't. Not with you being so high-ranked and me not having any rank at all. It's politically impossible. It's better that we stop seeing each other now; before…"

"Before what?" Sesshomaru growled angrily.

"Before it's impossible for us to be apart."

"Jin I don't care about the court OR being Western Lord," his voice softened and his fingers clamped softly around her hand, "I care about you."

Tears dripped off the demoness' chin, "… Sesshomaru… I love you… I really do." She pulled her hand free and pressed herself against him tightly. Pressing her lips against his one last time she whispered, "And that's why I can't stay with you."

The pressure lifted from his lips.

She was gone.

End Flashback

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed, "There's nothing to talk about."

Jin looked up at him and smiled sadly, "… I had no choice. I had to go. Your throne was at stake. I didn't want you to lose—"

"That wasn't your decision to make," he stated coldly.

"But I couldn't make you choose between me and your throne. What kind of a person would do that?"

"…I would've chosen you."

Jin paused but decided to ignore his comment and continued, "Your father said it himself."

Sesshomaru scowled and he grabbed her shoulders, "He never told you to leave! You and you alone made that decision! Don't bring my father into this!"

Jin's eyes were wide with fear and Sesshomaru had to force himself to release her.

"I loved you Sesshomaru-sama. I really did."

"As did I… I never understood why you left… I don't think I ever will… unless there was someone else." Sesshomaru voiced the thoughts that had plagued his young mind after Jin had left him.

Jin looked shocked, an angry expression coloured her face and her hand met his cheek furiously, "How could you even say such a thing? There wasn't anyone else. There was never anyone else. It was always you. How could I ever get over you? I returned every night…knowing I couldn't talk to you; couldn't be with you. Just the sight of you would ease my mind. Everyday I looked forward to those moments when I would be able to see you. Even pretending everything was alright didn't make the pain go away."

"So why didn't you come talk to me?" he demanded.

"I couldn't…" she faltered, "but your father knew."

"Knew what?"

"That I came back. I was careful; just as he'd asked me to be. He asked me once… if I was ever going to talk to you… I told him I couldn't… and he understood."

Sesshomaru turned his back on the female that had caused him so much heartache years ago.

"…Sessho-kun…"

Sesshomaru's eyes closed and images of happier times with the demoness flashed in his mind. Shaking his head, he began walking away. Her voice stopped him.

"What you have with Kagome… It's just like what you and I had… true… innocent… Trust her… Let her in…" Jin paused.

The Western Lord turned around and gazed at the slight frame of the female.

"I'm sorry…" Jin looked down at her feet. "I… I was young… and naïve…"

Sesshomaru walked back up to her and lifted her chin with his finger. She looked so hurt… so broken. His gaze softened as he looked at her. "I forgive you," he murmured. He pulled her into him and wrapped his strong arms around her; just like old times. His chin rested on the top of her head and he closed his eyes. "I forgive you," he repeated softly.

"Thank you," she whispered into his chest. She pulled out of the embrace and looked up into his familiar golden eyes. She wiped her eyes and smiled at him gratefully before disappearing.

Sesshomaru felt an ancient weight lift off him.

He gazed out at the stars and the tinkling laugh that had irked him ever since that fateful night faded away.

She was gone.