Chapter 22

Kagome trotted down the stairs and smelled the home cooked breakfast her mother had prepared. She walked into the kitchen and smiled when her mother presented her with a plate full of pancakes, eggs, and homemade sausage. She took the plate eagerly and her stomach growled its anticipation.

"Kagome, I heard Inuyasha outside last night. Is everything alright?" her mother asked concerned.

Kagome sighed but nodded her head. "He realized what he did wrong, and he's trying to make up for it. I sent him back through the well on his own," she explained stuffing her mouth with pancake.

Her mother furrowed her brows and took a seat next to her, holding her hand tightly. "Kagome, I…" she dropped her head, then picked it up smiling. "I'm not sure where destiny is planning on taking my beautiful daughter, but I know you are meant to do great things. I've always known. You have you're father's spirit and that same twinkle that made me fall in love with him," she said getting teary. Kagome put down her fork and looked at her mother, trying very hard not to cry. She knows.

"You are a very easy person to fall in love with. You are kind, selfless and intelligent. I won't sit here and tell you that love won't hurt you. But make sure that the one that you give your heart is worth your tears," she said embracing her daughter. If she was going to say goodbye to her daughter, she would make sure she gave her a lifelong piece of advice.

"Mom," Kagome said wiping away her mother's tears, only to have her own come crashing down. They two women embraced and tried to hold on to that wonderful moment for as long as they could, wishing neither of them had to let go.

When Mrs. Higurashi heard footsteps coming down the stairs, she moved away from her daughter and wiped her tears. "Now then, how about some sparkling cider?" she asked joyfully as she pulled a bottle from the fridge. Sesshomaru had heard Kagome and her mother talk, and listened to when they had finished saying goodbye to come down.

He was about to walk into the kitchen when suddenly a small boy jumped in front of him…and shot a suction dart straight to his forehead. Sesshomaru stared at it, cross eyed, and then eyed the boy carefully.

"Souta!" Kagome yelled from the kitchen. He ran away from her laughing and jumped onto the sofa.

"Gotcha! I am demon hunter! Here me roar!" he said giving a mock growl. Sesshomaru watched the color drain from the priestesses face, and the humor written on her mother's. He pulled the dart from his forehead and felt the giant red dot that was marked there. He crouched low and playfully growled at the boy.

"Boy, you think you can best this Sesshomaru?" he said snapping his sharp teeth. Souta saw that he was willing to play, and quickly assumed his role.

"Demon! You are no challenge for the great Souta! I will smite thee!" he said pointing his gun at him again.

"We shall see, demon hunter!" Sesshomaru growled and tackled Souta off the couch.

Kagome watched as they wrestled on the floor, and rubbed her eyes. "Mom, you didn't spike my food with anything did you?" she asked in all seriousness. Her mother only laughed harder as Souta shot another dart straight into Sesshomaru's neck. Several darts later, and a very amused Daiyoukai later, Sesshomaru stood up, pretending to be shaky on his feet. Souta jumped back and watched with victory as Sesshomaru mockingly fell to the floor and died.

"Ha ha ha! No demon is a match for me!" Souta said victoriously. Then Shippo decided to join and began using foxfire on Souta.

"You may have defeated the Great Sesshomaru, but you are no match for me!"

Sesshomaru stood and left the boys to play as he walked into the kitchen. He peeled the darts from his skin and rubbed the marks they left behind. Kagome stood in the doorway, smiling, and watched Sesshomaru as he said good morning to her mother.

He really could be a wonderful father, she said to herself sadly.

She joined him at the table and they ate breakfast together, talking with her mother about things past, and their plans in the future.

When they had finished eating, Kagome gathered all the plates to wash them. Sesshomaru stood with her in the kitchen, simply enjoying their company. Her mother went upstairs to wake Gramps, leaving them alone.

He watched her as she washed the dishes. He saw the way her hair fell in loose waves over her shoulders, the way her nose would scrunch up when there was something hard to scrub off the plate. She could feel him staring, but she didn't meet his gaze.

"So, did you discuss with Miyuki when she would be coming?" she asked, breaking the silence.

"I told her at daybreak," he answered looking away.

"She should be here soon then. Go ahead and change, we should be leaving within the hour. She doesn't live too far from my house," she said putting the last dish down. She then turned to him and saw something in his eyes.

"Kagome," he whispered walking up to her. She stood still by the sink, still wearing the washing gloves. He stopped when he was only hairs away from her, trying to peer into her soul. She moved her eyes away, not wanting to look at him, but he grabbed her chin and forced her to.

"What?" she asked with a quiver in her voice. He was torturing her all the more. She couldn't have him, but how could she deny her soul's cry for him when he was this close?

He said nothing, only leaned down and lightly grazed his lips over hers. It wasn't a passionate kiss. It wasn't sensual. It was apologetic. I'm sorry, his lips said as they danced over hers. I know, her own answered back.

They pulled away and Kagome turned her back to him, not wanting him to see the pain etched in her face. But he felt it in her aura. Then he felt Miyuki speed up the shrine steps and Kagome glanced to them. She walked away, going upstairs to get dressed.

Sesshomaru sighed and walked outside to greet Miyuki. She was beaming at him, but her face fell when she saw the look of distress on him. She put down her bag and caressed his cheek.

"Life gives us difficult choices. They are in no way fair and they are cruel, but we must make the best out of what we can," she advised. He took her hand, holding it in his own, searching in her emerald eyes. He did love her. Just as the day he asked for her hand. Giving up, he slumped his strong shoulders and bent his head forward. She moved closer to him and hugged him closely, not wanting him to feel pain. He halfheartedly returned her hug, then turned away from her.

"We leave shortly. I am going to go get prepared," he said as he walked back in the house, leaving her out by herself. She watched him walk inside, her heart bleeding with each one of his heavy steps. She didn't like it, but it was what was meant to be.

She sighed and turned to face the sun, allowing herself to bask in its warmth, pushing away the winter chill. She purred to herself and smiled. There wasn't much to smile about, but she smiled nonetheless. Her heart was broken for her mate, and for her friend, but she smiled nonetheless. Life was cruel. But it was still worth living.

In his upstairs bedroom, Sesshomaru dressed himself robotically, lost in his thoughts.

Miyuki will make a fine mate.

Indeed, he replied. It was true, but something didn't feel right.

Then what still troubles you?

I'm not sure, he told it honestly.

Then all I have to say is, when the time comes, trust in your heart's reflexes, it told him.

What is that supposed to mean?

You will see.

His beast disappeared back into his mind and left him to himself. He sighed and glanced at his armor, remembering how the miko struggled to get it off. He smiled to himself and strapped it on.

You cryptic mutt. Please, don't be so candid with me, he told it sarcastically. He heard his beast's laughter and turned to walk out the door.

Kagome was already outside, chatting with Miyuki. Sesshomaru stepped out of the house in all his lordly glory, with his usual haori and hakama, armor and swords at his hip. He was a wonderful sight to behold. Both Kagome and Miyuki turned to him, smiling softly at his appearance. The sight of the two most beautiful women he had ever seen standing before him broke his heart further, so he turned his back to them and stood facing the shrine.

"Ready?" he asked. Kagome looked around and ran inside to fetch Shippo. She came out with him cradled in her hands and she nodded to him. Miyuki nodded as well and Kagome lead them in.

"Remember, you all have to be touching me in order for this to work," she reminded them. Miyuki seemed a bit nervous, and glanced down the darkness of the well, feeling its strong magic deep within its belly.

"You are sure this is safe?" she asked unsure. Kagome nodded to her firmly and smiled.

"I know it's strange, but trust me, I've passed through hundreds of times," she told her. Miyuki nodded and sighed.

Sesshomaru turned to her and said, "Miyuki, climb onto my back." She did what he told her to do and hopped onto him easily. He turned to Kagome and looked at her steadily. "Ready?" he asked.

She nodded and grabbed onto Shippo tightly. He leaned down to her and scooped her up in his strong arms. Kagome reached over with one hand and grabbed onto Miyuki's arm, to make sure there was contact. When everything was set, Sesshomaru leapt into the well, and they were enveloped in a deep blue light.

Back at the house…Kagome's mother watched the shrine sparkle with blue light for the last time as tears rolled down her face. Her father watched over her shoulder, and placed his hand over hers. She turned to face him and smiled sadly.

"Your daughter is a woman now. And her fate is summoning her. You should be proud she is fulfilling her destiny," he said wisely.

"I am, so very much. I just can't help but feel selfish and wish for her to be back in my arms," she admitted with more tears running down her face.

"Such is the heart of a good mother," he said smiling. They turned away from the window and they carried on with their humble lives at the shrine.