Authoress' Notes: After much internal agony and mental distress, I've decided to combine the previous chapters 11 & 13.
As stated in the previous chapter 13, this song is fitting of Yoh's perspective: watch?v=ghFq2i_wCI8 (P.S: It is Youtube)
His Fears, Her Tears
Her Fears, His Tears
Yoh was the type of person who took life as it came, without worrying about the future. He by no means had the answers to everything, but him being completely floored was a rare occurrence. He was able to smile, even in the face of uncertainty, when Kagome or Manta questioned his sanity or logic. But as he stood in front of Kagome's bedroom door, he was unsure of what to say or what to do in this singularity.
It wasn't that he thought that Kagome was an open-book or simple and carefree. No. From day one, Yoh saw himself in her—he saw the aftermath of solitude in her eyes that day. But rather, ever since they became friends, Kagome never spoke about the ghosts of the past. Instead, she basked in the joys of the present. Like Manta, she liked to tease Yoh about being too laid back. But Kagome herself was more like him than she knew. She'd rather live in the present than be consumed by the pains of the past.
That was why Yoh was caught off guard by Kagome's revelation.
The Asakura couldn't completely wrap his head around what she was telling him. But he knew that the pensive smile on her lips had no place on her face. Yoh couldn't bring himself to provide her with his signature uplifting grin. It was a smile reserved for reminding his loved ones that there was a clear solution in sight. So if he gave her that smile while he was this lost, it would be like lying to her.
"What do you mean, they were stolen from you?" Yoh finally asked after unpursing his lips.
"When I was younger, I used to be the biggest crybaby. It didn't matter what it was—anything from melted ice cream, to scraping my knee, to missing my favorite show. My solution was always crying…" Kagome's chuckle was weak and dry, a miserable attempt at masking her shame. "Honestly, it felt like people only noticed me when I was crying...so it was my go-to. So one night, someone precious to me cast a spell to take my tears away. And I never cried ever since."
"A spell, huh…? Hmmm..." Yoh brought his hand to his mouth and his eyes squinted as he racked his brains for information. He tried to recall everything that his grandfather taught him about the shamanist arts. He wondered if any techniques could change a person's physiology.
Kagome raised her gaze from her lap and peered up at Yoh's face; it was unusually hardened with concentration. 'There he goes again… trying to look after me,' Her heart swelled with warmth at the sentiment. "Don't worry about it too much. There's nothing we can do it about now~" She smiled and waved her hand dismissively.
The sight of Kagome's face made his lips curve upwards. Yoh replied, "I won't know until I try."
"Oh, Yoh~," the priestess's sigh was soft before she shook her head with faux exasperation. With her eyes briefly closed, she didn't catch Yoh's subtle stiffening and pale blush on his cheeks. "What am I supposed to do with you~?" When she opened her eyes again, Kagome blinked when she saw him looking oddly bashful. "Eh? What's with you?"
The brunette scratched the back of his head, wearing a coy smile, "...Y-Yoh…" he answered.
"Ah," Kagome clapped her hands together and beamed. "I decided to say it on a whim~" She admitted, her usual flowery tone returning to her voice. "Is it okay if I drop the honorific, Yoh~?"
'S-So cute!' Asakura visibly twitched as his blush deepened. There was a hopeful glimmer in Kagome's doe eyes coupled with that radiant smile. Who could say "no" to a face like that? 'So unfair!' He complained inwardly as he smiled sheepishly, "Well, Anna is the only girl who calls me Yoh, so it's actually kinda embarrassing."
The priestess was taken aback by the response. "Wait a minute!" She protested as she got to her feet and made her way to Yoh. She huffed and poked him in the chest. "I just realized something!" Yoh gulped and realized that he was in trouble by the slants of her eyebrows and the poutiness of her lips. "I'm the only one who you use an honorific on! What's up with that, Mister?" She emphasized her question with two extra pokes timed with "Mister".
A bead of sweat rolled down Yoh's forehead as he tried to maintain an innocent smile. Kagome stepped forward and he was literally backed into a wall. His hands rose in surrender, but not because he was intimidated by the petite priestess. But rather, she had a knack for enhancing her charm when she wanted to. Whether it was her bowed head behind her hands in prayer position or if it was her pretty eyelashes being batted while asking for a (usually dessert or chore related) favor, Kagome had an aptitude for getting what she wanted—or at least, that's how it felt to Yoh. He was unaware of how weak he was for her.
"Well, uh…" How exactly was he supposed to explain that something felt different about calling her by her name like that? How did he tell one of his best friends that just the thought of it made his belly light and fluttery? 'I'll never hear the end of it…' His inner voice whined at the thought of Kagome being offended by the small distance he set between them. But before his internal gears had the chance to further his anxiety with fabricated scenarios, Kagome's sour expression suddenly returned to a mild one.
The priestess, who stood on her tippy-toes, relaxed her posture and retreated to her normal height. When Kagome finally allowed him a bit of space, Yoh breathed a heavy sigh of relief with his palm covering his pounding heart. Meanwhile, she noticed her friend's discomfort and immediately decided to cease her pestering. Her shoulders lightly shrugged as she conceded, "Oh well~ What can ya do?" 'Somehow, the honorific makes things feel a little distant. Oh well, it would have been nice to hear it from him, just once.'
Yoh examined the girl with wide, suspect eyes. Something was definitely up with her, but he couldn't quite figure out what it was yet.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome spent well over an hour packing her backpack for her travels and training. The first items that she stored were weeks worth of folded clothing. Next came towels and personal care products. The girl had no experience traveling alone so she was stumped after packing the items that she deemed as "the essentials". She poked around the Internet on her phone for a while to fish for ideas on useful items that she already owned. "Oh, right," she said to herself as her eyes skimmed an online survival checklist. "I don't have any bug spray, let alone camping gear." 'Guess I'll have to do a bit of shopping later,' she figured.
The priestess then padded through the halls and towards the upstairs bathroom. Her initial plan was to shower early to save time for her upcoming departure. But as soon as the steaming water pelted her bare skin, Kagome found her muscles relaxing and her mind becoming lost. 'I have to get stronger,' her mind echoed. She allowed water to collect in her cupped hands then gently splashed her face. 'But to do that, I have to go my own way.' Words of self-encouragement played on repeat as she basked in the heat surrounding her body.
Usually, a hot shower and a bath were the priestess's optimal transition to bed. A warm, refreshed body and soothed muscles typically made her drowsy and long for her bed. But tonight, Kagome was wide awake for hours on end. Hundreds of thoughts raced across her mind and prevented her from getting rest. A maelstrom of anticipation and anxiety stirred up her heart. Some thoughts were particularly powerful, resulting in gripped sheets. She decided that she was going to put her faith in Sesshomaru from now on. But that didn't stop her from feeling like she was standing at the edge of a cliff. 'I know what I have to do to push myself… I know that I have to be my own motivation…' is what she told herself.
'But I'm afraid…'
It seemed like Ryu had only just returned home. It felt like home just became complete again. She encouraged Ryu to come back because she missed living with all of her friends. But here she was, about to embark on a solitary training mission for over a month.
Hours of darkness flew by within a blink of an eye. "Jeez…" Kagome whispered groggily to herself as she rubbed her eyes. They were on the drier side after being open all night. Her time was coming, and she didn't receive a wink of sleep. "The sun always rises too soon…" she whispered words that Yoh whined to her when she was waking him up once. She yawned and thought crabbily, 'Of course I'd get sleepy now of all times.' The priestess's eyes began to droop, even when she sensed her partner's presence manifesting nearby.
'Sesshomaru…' Kagome's hazy mind thought. 'We can leave after a quick nap…' After a few futile attempts of her widening her eyes, the girl gave in to her mortal needs and allowed her lids to meet.
"Priestess." Kagome snapped awake at the sound of her partner's voice. "It's time."
"R-Right…" the girl answered weakly. She was jolted awake, but her heart wasn't swayed. But Kagome ignored those feelings as she changed out of her pajamas and into a simple outfit. She shouldered her yellow backpack then peered out of her door. She looked left and right before stepping out into the hall.
All of the halls were clear and silent. Not even Yoh, who began training bright and early, was awake at this hour. Kagome sighed and gripped the shoulder straps of her bag harder, as if they were supportive hands. She was careful not to squeak any of the floorboards, as to not disturb anyone. She was not thrilled about leaving, but the last thing that she wanted was to explain that—.
A thought struck her like a lightning bolt.
"Wait—. I can't just leave without telling everyone," Kagome realized with a slack jaw. She felt so foolish! She was so consumed with preparing to leave that she failed to remember something so simple. "They'd be so worried!"
"Do as you please," the demon told her apathetically. "Just don't waste time." He floated ahead.
Yoh's room was on the opposite end of the hall. Just standing in her own doorway placed her in front of his door. She considered waking him up to tell him that she would be leaving for a while. But was there an easy way to say something like that? Was there a quick method? 'I'm going now. See you in a month' didn't seem adequate. Kagome shook her head. She didn't have the time to linger on figuring it out.
"…You're right," Kagome conceded softly before proceeding to walk down the hall. "...saying goodbye would be too sad." As the priestess resigned to trudge onwards, her legs felt like sandbags. Each step down the hall, past each of her friends' rooms, was extraordinarily heavy. Several paces later, she cleared the upstairs hallway and was standing at the base of the stairs. Kagome closed her eyes and sighed deeply. She hadn't left yet and she was already tired of this. She was homesick before leaving home. How tempting it was to turn around and climb back into bed. 'Be strong, Kagome. This is for the best.'
After silently encouraging herself, Kagome opened her eyes again. To her surprise, Anna was standing in her doorway, sporting her sleeping yukata and her hair in a low ponytail. The blonde was leaning coolly against the wall, arms crossed over her chest, and eyes closed.
"I already know of your little training camp," Anna told her bluntly. "And no, I didn't come out to stop you. Whether you stay or not isn't a concern of mine."
Kagome almost rolled her eyes at the itako's usual demeanor. But instead, she smiled and shook her head, "And a good morning to you too, Anna-chan. If you didn't come to stop me, then what do you want?"
"Just keep something in mind," the itako demanded sharply, she finally opened her eyes to dissect the priestess with her gaze. "Yoh is the future Asakura heir. He has plenty of possessions in this world." Her arms fell to her side, her hands squeezing into fists. "But friends aren't one of them."
For a moment, the priestess lingered and let that information sink in. It was difficult to imagine someone as kind and accepting as Yoh as having few friends. But thinking back to her own past, Kagome was inclined to believe it. She smiled appreciatively at Anna as she responded, "Thank you, Anna-chan. I'll keep that in mind."
With those words, the itako gave the priestess a nod. Kagome made her way down the stairs and towards the foyer, where her outdoor shoes waited at the shoe rack. She slipped on walking shoes then slid the front door open. She shied away from the rush of morning light but smiled when her eyes adjusted. 'One more thing…' Kagome told herself as she pulled her cellphone out of her pocket.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Yoh's eyelids fluttered as he awoke slowly. He sat up robotically with a dazed, blank expression on his face. He turned his head to the right to look at his alarm clock, which usually went off at 6:00 A.M. so that he and Kagome could begin their daily training. It read 9:01 A.M. Yoh blinked twice, unsure if he was seeing clearly or not. He rubbed his eyes and read the time again. It was 9:02 A.M.
The young shaman's mouth gaped wide as he released a loud, drawn-out yawn. He groaned as he stretched his limbs just right. Yoh smiled, feeling completely refreshed and well-rested. He didn't remember the last time he slept in so late. He had grown accustomed to being forced out of bed by his fiancée or best friends.
Anna would burst through his door and kick him out of the bed if he was even a minute late. Manta would initially try a gentle approach of shaking him while coaxing him with a "Yoh-kun, it's time to wake up". But Yoh would often snooze through such methods and Manta would lose patience and end up startling the shaman awake with screaming. Kagome's methods were by far the least loud and violent. Her first approach would be similar to Manta's: shaking and verbal commands to get up. But the priestess would often shrug and sigh with an "Alright, I guess I'll have to get Anna-chan…" or "Oh well, I guess I'll eat your breakfast for you." Manta was surprised how well Kagome's methods worked.
But he received none of that today. 'That's odd…' Yoh rubbed his chin while looking towards the ceiling. 'There's no way Anna would just give me the day off…' He told himself. His eyes widened, his skin paling as a dreadful thought struck him, 'What if…? What if she has something even eviler planned?!' The image of Anna's silhouette with red horns and a spiked tail appeared in his mind. The devilish itako chuckled deviously while cracking a whip on the ground.
'But wait!' Yoh had an epiphany, 'Kagome-chan would warn me ahead of time!' The mental image of Devil! Anna scowled as an angelic Kagome appeared, waving and beaming brilliantly. He nodded to himself and was comforted by that thought. Between his active imagination and Amidamaru appearing at his bedside, Yoh didn't pay the phone on his nightstand any mind.
"Good morning to you, Yoh-dono," the samurai greeted as he usually did. "Did you sleep well?"
"Ah~ Morning, Amidamaru," Yoh returned the greeting. He smiled over his shoulder at his guardian spirit after climbing out of bed and half-heartedly making it. "Honestly, this is the best sleep that I've gotten in a while. I feel so refreshed." Somewhat in his own world, the shaman didn't notice the troubled expression on his partner's face. "I get the feeling today is going to be the start of something new."
Amidamaru was tight-lipped as he nodded numbly. His Lord's gut instincts were more precise than he wished. "Yoh-dono…" He didn't know how he would react to the news that the house would short one member again. Gentle, curious eyes met Amidamaru's, prompting the samurai to anxiously run his hand through his hair. "Breakfast is waiting for you downstairs."
"Gotcha," Yoh nodded as he climbed out of his sleeping yukata and into training gear. With a quick "Thanks, Amidamaru" and a wave, he headed out into the hallway and down the stairs.
"…Yoh-dono…" Amidamaru whispered, "Do not thank a coward like me…"
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"Ah, Yoh-kun," Manta blinked as the shaman joined the breakfast table. "Good morning."
"Morning, Manta," Yoh smiled cheerfully. He took a spot next to Anna, who was already partaking in the dishes spread across the table.
HoroHoro sat directly across from Yoh. His hands were clenched fists on the table. His head, which he normally wore high, was lower than normal. "...Yoh…"
Yoh easily detected the edge in his friend's voice and immediately stopped marveling at the delectable-looking breakfast on the table. "What's wrong, HoroHoro?" He gave HoroHoro a few moments to answer, but all the blunette could manage was a deepening frown before glaring at the adjacent wall. The Asakura looked around the breakfast table from the indifferent Anna to his crestfallen friends.
"Uwah," Yoh flinched, his face scrunching up. "What a gloomy atmosphere." But there was a solution for everything. "I bet Kagome-chan will lighten the mood." Just as quickly as he sat down, the Asakura was up again.
"That's the thing, Yoh-kun…" Manta spoke up as he met Yoh's eyes.
The brunette waved his hand, "No worries. I'll bring her down, easy."
Manta, HoroHoro, and Ryu exchanged worried glances as Yoh headed for the stairs.
Anna sipped her tea as the three zoomed past her to chase after Yoh. "…Idiots," She commented to herself, but did not budge from her spot.
"Y-Yoh-kun, wait!" Manta called as he attempted to race up the stairway. The haste of squeezing between and around the equally rushed Ryu and HoroHoro made the narrow area a tight fit. "What I was trying to tell you was—!"
But it was too late, Yoh was already twisting the door handle and stepping forward.
The panicked trio simultaneously leaped into action, only to crash into each other and land in a heap on the hall floor. Manta, the unfortunate soul to land on the bottom, gasped for air as Ryu and HoroHoro crushed him. His shut eyes opened to find Yoh frozen in Kagome's doorway.
The Asakura was speechless as he beheld the sight before him: a space almost as empty as the day he moved in. It was as lackluster and bland as a hospital room. Kagome's bed was missing its pastel blue bedding set. The framed family photograph and digital clock on her nightstand were nowhere in sight. As if in disbelief, he robotically marched to the dresser against the wall.
Yoh pulled on the top drawer and was unbothered by the rush of air. His mouth was pencil straight as he stared down at the emptiness of the wooden box. "Yoh…" HoroHoro's eyebrows furrowed as the brunette proceeded to pull out of the remaining five drawers. Each one was bare as the last.
"About Kagome-chan…" Manta sounded reluctant to mention her, though the topic was unavoidable. "You should check your phone…" He found it difficult to watch as Yoh placed his hand on Kagome's mattress. He was searching for warmth in a cold place.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome sighed softly and tried to minimize the volume of her panting. Feelings of pride or shame prompted wanting to hide her winded state. The girl didn't catch a break since the moment she had left the Asakura residence, but still, she didn't want to appear tired. She walked to the closest convenience store, purchased a few supplies that she didn't own, and then trudged to the outskirts of Tokyo. The icing on the cake was skipping all the way to the top of the stairs that led to Higurashi Shrine. The ascension first appeared to be a daunting task that Kagome didn't want to undertake when she first arrived at the bottom.
But Sesshomaru not speaking a word to her spurred her forward. Kagome was determined to prove her perseverance, not only to him, but to herself. She had to believe that she could go the extra mile for herself. Those thoughts alone were enough to push her forward with a rush of adrenaline. But that adrenaline exhausted itself as soon as her home came into view.
The priestess looked to the demon lord, who was silently watching, as he always did. A smile spread across her face as she cupped her hands together, "I know that my special training begins today, but cut me a break this once and let me see my family for a while~" She initially returned to tell her family the news in person, but a feeling of homesickness washed over her as she stared at the Higurashi home. Sesshomaru's response made her eyes sparkle and her smile widened.
"...the life at auction is yours, Priestess."
That was the closest answer to an ordinary "yes" that she was going to receive, that much she knew. And knowing that it was Sesshomaru that she was dealing with, Kagome wouldn't have it any other way.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Yoh's friends were still watching him worriedly as he promptly marched out of Kagome's room into his own. He grabbed the cellphone on his nightstand. The device usually went unused and unnoticed ever since Kagome began staying in his home. Without any desire for privacy, his screen immediately lit up when his finger made contact with its sensor.
Yoh was scarily silent as he stared down at his screen. No one expected him to take the development well, but at the same time, no one could predict how he'd react. It was like he was teetering between denial and misery.
Meanwhile, Yoh could almost hear Kagome's voice, he could almost see her face as he read the text message that she left behind for him and Manta.
[ 'Hey, everyone. I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly, and for not saying goodbye in person. I could make up plenty of excuses, but it would all boil down to me being a coward.' ]
Yoh would be lying if he said that he cared what manner she chose to say goodbye in. What mattered the most was that she was saying goodbye at all. 'Coward…' He couldn't help but disagree with that sentiment. The girl who had the guts to jump into a burning building and the nerve to slap two Tao's was anything but a coward in his eyes.
[ 'The thing is, I need to get stronger, fast. Just doing what I've been doing here isn't enough for me to reach my goals.']
There was also a small feeling of guilt. Yoh was aware that he was a slacker who cut corners in training whenever he could. But that was because it's the way he wanted to live: taking the easiest route possible. Part of him wondered if he dragged Kagome, his dear friend with less shaman experience than him, down with him. He filled her head with aspirations of becoming Shaman King, all while encouraging her not to push herself and take it easy.
[ 'So I'll be gone on a training trip until the Shaman Fights start. It might seem like a long time, but don't worry, I'll definitely come home someday~ Feel free to text or call me, okay~?' ]
For a moment, Yoh closed his eyes, his hand unconsciously squeezing his phone. He then shook his head and released a breath, his posture finally relaxing. There was no use dwelling on the past and things that couldn't be changed, he told himself that. But after remembering their conversation from last night, Yoh knew there was at least one thing that he could do.
With Yoh's laidback attitude, it was difficult to genuinely worry about him. It was only in dire situations that Manta truly felt concerned for his friend. While he used to think that Yoh was just born lucky and everything just seemed to fall in place for him, Manta learned that was far from the truth. Yoh was just the type to take action when it mattered, and not dread the consequences when it didn't. So staring at Yoh's motionless back as the shaman stared down at his phone unsettled Manta's stomach.
The blond teen's throat was gripped by a burning reluctance.
Manta didn't need words to know that his best friend's world came shattering down around him. But Manta did need words to comfort him—to tell him that he wasn't alone and that they felt the same way that he did.
They were just as shocked.
And no one wanted Kagome to leave them.
She was right when she likened their ragtag group to a family.
The bond of their friendship was a mysterious thing. There was a force stronger than red strings that drew them together. They were like opposing magnets: so different but still attracted to each other, never wanting to be apart. And for Manta, he knew that it was because he wasn't whole before he met Kagome and Yoh. But when they were around, he could be his true self, and the traits that he lacked were fulfilled by their presence.
While Manta was easily stressed, Yoh was cool as a sea breeze.
While Manta was so quick-witted that he only saw things on the surface level, Kagome dared to dive deeper.
Yoh and Kagome were truly everything that Manta was not.
So watching Yoh, the guy who always rose to a challenge, stand as still as a statue was uncomfortable. 'Y-Yoh-kun…?' Manta couldn't find his voice, even the one in his head was regrettably weak and shaky. The blond teen's trepidation was faintly alleviated when the brunette finally turned around.
If Manta didn't know him better, he would have believed the convincing smile on Yoh's face. But the deliberate pull at the corners of his mouth didn't go over Manta's head. For the first time, Asakura Yoh was truly hurting. Behind the flickering flames of his resolve were accents of something more bitter—regret?
"You guys…" Yoh's voice was just above a whisper. "We have to find her."
Yoh's heart had never been stirred like this before. Normally, his inner mind was like a perfectly balanced and managed aquarium. The placidity of his thoughts and feelings was clearly visible from behind the glass. All of his thoughts and feelings coexisted with no hiccups.
But along came Higurashi Kagome, one of his best friends. Yoh wasn't sure where or when but somewhere along the line, she captivated him. She became an integral part of his life: someone at his side, always. It was only after she walked away from him that he realized that she became a part of him. That was the reason why he felt empty, right…?
"So what are you waiting for?" Anna quipped impatiently from the hallway.
"An...na…" Yoh was surprised by the itako's response. Ever since her arrival to Tokyo, she was deadset on preparing him for the Shaman Fights to make their dreams come true. For her to set aside her ambitions to support his personal endeavor was incredibly sweet: a side that to Anna that only Yoh knew. The Asakura smiled her sake and nodded, "Thank you."
HoroHoro was revitalized by the change in atmosphere. "Let's not waste any more time, guys!"
Manta nodded as he raised a finger, "Knowing Kagome-chan, she'll probably go see her family."
Ryu's hand formed a fist, "Yeah! The best way to see her off is with no regrets!"
'No...regrets…' those words resonated with Yoh. There had never been any words truer than those. He absolutely had to speak to Kagome before she left, and when he did, he needed to make things right.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome's family had a way of turning a gloomy occasion into a celebration. Instead of discouraging her or questioning her decision, her mother and grandmother immediately gave her their blessings. The protest from her grandfather was interrupted by an elbow to the ribs by his wife. And the disappointed whine from Souta transformed into an ecstatic grin after Kagome introduced him to Sesshomaru and told him that he was going to be her personal trainer.
After a busy yet uneventful day, the shaman trainee was famished. And leave it to her mother to treat her to her favorite comfort food: oden. Some people would consider it out of season, but to Kagome, oden was always in season, even in the dog days of summer. Granted, they did have to open the windows and waft themselves with paper fans after the house filled with an insufferable amount of heat. But it was a small price to pay for oden.
Time truly did fly by when you're having fun, as the time for Kagome's departure arrived once again. Her family saw her off to the doorway. "I know this was last minute, but thanks for everything~" She beamed at her family. Souta's excited fists and sparkling eyes filled her chest with vigor.
"'Member when Botan said you'll become super strong?" The boy asked, then suggested, "Maybe this is when that happens!" His arms were thrown in the air, unable to contain his excitement.
Kagome squatted down in front of Souta and smiled, "You're right. Your big sister is going to come back as the strongest shaman in the world~" The siblings embraced.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Even as they commuted to Higurashi Shrine and openly spoke about their plans to find Kagome before her departure, Yoh's mind was filled with nothing but memories of her. Manta's suggestions were muted by the ghosts of Kagome's voice and face.
Yoh remembered when the girl who he thought was soft caught him off guard with the roughest love tap.
[ Kagome smiled and suddenly slapped Yoh on the back, laughing merrily, "You did a good job with Amidamaru-sama, Asakura-kun!" She blinked when Yoh's shoulders trembled. "Eh—What's the matter?" ]
He could envision the raw desperation in her eyes when he volunteered to jump into a deadly fire,
[ "Yoh-kun, you can't!" Kagome protested as she grabbed onto his soaked sleeve. ]
There was how undeniably adorable she could be when she was excited about something.
[ "I got these for a bargain—. No, you might as well have called it a steal!" She then pulled out three very girly cell phones and exclaimed excitedly, "Ta-Dah!" ]
It was equally endearing to discover that ray of sunshine was equally a fireball.
[ "Kagome glared up at the Tao, her blue-gray orbs were narrowed with anger. "...That's quite enough..." she whispered harshly. "Don't you dare try to harm him any further!" ]
They'd made so many memories already. It felt like Kagome had been his friend for ages. Her being by his side felt as natural as the sun rising from the east. That's why her sudden disappearance was so stunning. He had become so used to Kagome's presence that it felt like a given. Having meals together, training together, sneaking in breaks together, stargazing together: they all occurred like clockwork—until today.
Kagome's flustering request from the night before should have been an indicator, a sign that the status quo would soon change. In hindsight, Yoh felt foolish for making a mountain out of a molehill. Kagome was his friend, and just as dear as everyone else. And yet, part of him felt compelled to keep a small distance between them. He allowed the tiny bit of reluctance to control him and put him in the predicament that he was in now: a desperate attempt at finding Kagome and making amends. Or more accurately, making good of the last request that she had given him and fulfill her desire to feel closer to him before they had to part.
The trek to Higurashi shrine that was nestled on the outskirts of Tokyo passed in a flash for Yoh as he was lost in thought. Even when the logical part of his mind told him that he was only this troubled because he was parting with a friend, he genuinely couldn't make sense of the depths of his emotional response. She promised to return, and yet… A small voice, almost an instinct, screamed for him to stay alert and to not let her go. Or was that an uncharacteristic selfishness arising from a part of his heart that he never knew existed?
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Higurashi-san's spirits were elevated, even as she swept stray garbage that was carried onto the shrine grounds by the wind. Today turned out to be even better than she could have imagined. First, she won a small lottery of a thousand yen at the grocery store, then her daughter had stopped by for a visit, and the summer sun was bathing the area in the most spectacular warming light.
"Higurashi-san!" A familiar voice suddenly snapped her from her thoughts.
"Ah~ What a pleasant surprise," the woman smiled to herself before setting her broom against the trunk of the great tree that rested in the courtyard of the shrine. She sauntered up to the entrance of the shrine and met two familiar young faces among a group. "Yoh-dear, Manta-kun, it's good to see you again. And you brought more friends?"
Manta smiled pleasantly at his friend's mother and stated, "Yeah, it's been a while, huh? And these are our friends: Anna-san, Ryu, and HoroHoro," he gestured to each individual respectively as he listed their names.
"Well, it is truly a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Higurashi-san greeted them politely while bowing at her waist. "I'm Kagome's mother."
Yoh stood on his tip-toes to peer around the shrine grounds. "Excuse me, Higurashi-san," he cut in before. "But is Kagome-chan here by any chance?"
The woman blinked. But she immediately realized it wasn't a coincidence that Kagome's friends stopped by today, "You just missed her. She left around ten minutes ago."
"Higurashi-san, do you know where she's headed next?" Manta inquired curiously.
"Hm…" the woman whispered while tapping her chin as she wracked her memories of everything that Kagome had said today. While she was resting, her daughter told her family many things as she brought them up to speed on her training. "Ah! I remember now, Kagome mentioned that she needed a few more things from her house in the inner city."
HoroHoro dramatically pointed towards inner Tokyo and commanded, "Onward, troops! If we give it our all, we can catch up to her!"
"Yes, sir!" Ryu and Manta chorused as they stood at attention and saluted HoroHoro. The trio then dashed back down the grand staircase, unknowingly eliciting a chuckle from Higurashi-san with their youthful antics.
Anna ran her hand through her hair and flipped it. "Hmph." She trailed after the three at a more unhurried pace. She descended a few steps. Then she paused and half-turned to look at her fiance. "Don't take long and lose your chance, Yoh."
Yoh couldn't stop his smile from spreading. He nodded wordlessly to Anna, a signal for her to not wait up for him. She silently complied.
Seeing the remaining teenager next to her, Higurashi-san cupped her cheek and almost cooed, "Oh, Yoh-dear, are you staying for an afternoon snack?"
"Actually, I wanted to ask some things about Kagome-chan, if you don't mind," He answered.
"About Kagome, huh…?" The woman didn't take long to mull over it. She readily agreed while gesturing towards a bench seated beneath the branches of the Goshinboku. "How about we sit over there~?" Yoh answered her with an affirmative hum before he followed after her.
"I must say, it's been a long time since a boy has asked me about my Kagome~" Higurashi-san admitted with a tinge of warm and growing excitement. "So, where shall we begin~?"
"Mm…" The shaman scratched his head as he absently wondered the best way to present his inquiry.
Higurashi-san took notice of Yoh's fleeting moment of hesitance. She recognized that despite his laidback attitude, he was a caring soul who knew when to be delicate. It was incredibly sweet and reassuring to know that Kagome finally had friends to fall back on when she fell. And anyone who Kagome loved, Higurashi-san automatically loved and welcomed wholeheartedly.
"Are you going to ask if she has a boyfriend~?" The woman teased. Yoh's face instantly was shocked and reddened at the inquiry. She almost chortled at his youthful, innocent reaction.
Yoh scratched his cheek, feeling embarrassed when he realized that Higurashi-san was only messing with him. "Erm… Higurashi-san…"
The woman's hand rose and waved lightly, "Don't mind me. I'm just having a little fun~ So, what's on your mind, Yoh-dear?"
"Actually, Kagome-chan told me something strange last night." The shaman jumped aboard the opportunity to change the subject, from both embarrassment and his time crunch. His blush faded as his expression became serious. "Do you know anything about her tears being stolen years ago?"
The woman's eyes widened for a moment. The question was left-field, but obviously of importance. Higurashi-san sighed softly. "It's a tale that Kagome's imagination made up years ago." She then leaned back into the bench and looked up at the leaves above. "Years ago, I had a husband and another daughter," her voice chilled with a lonely solemnity. "But one night, my husband just...got up and left, and he took my other daughter with him." Her fingers curled into light fists in her lap. "And they never came back."
Yoh recalled when he and Manta first visited Higurashi Shrine. Manta convinced him not to speak with the spirits that lingered around the property so he didn't have the chance to confirm if they were Kagome's father and sister yet. But now, he at least had some idea about why the Higurashi family was missing two members that appeared in their old photographs.
"…I see…" Yoh whispered as he continued to piece the puzzle together. "Higurashi-san," his eyes narrowed as their eyes met. "Do you truly believe Kagome-chan made up that story, or is it possible that there's some truth behind it?"
"I honestly don't know what to believe," Higurashi-san admitted guiltily. Her usually sunny face was now troubled and conflicted. "My daughters inherited powers that I could never make sense of. And apparently, Kagome's older sister, Kikyo, was a prodigy. Even before she could talk and toddle around, she displayed an extraordinary spiritual control… She caught the attention of the entire Higurashi family, and other Shinto clans."
The woman's eyes stared vacantly ahead as she became lost in her memories. "And my poor Kagome's spiritual power apparently paled in comparison to Kikyo's. Back then, she wasn't able to put her feelings into words, but I know that she could feel the difference between how she and Kikyo were treated…" Higurashi-san's voice gradually became rawer as she continued her recollection. "Kikyo was praised by all who witnessed her power, leaving Kagome in her shadows. She was only a child, so she often did what she knew would get her attention…" Her voice cracked as she chuckled. "She cried, a lot. And one day…"
"Kikyo disappeared after taking her tears away…" Yoh filled in the blanks. "That's what she told me."
Higurashi-san nodded and explained, "You see, I'm aware that there are many mysteries that I'll never solve or come to understand." She then smiled and added, "But I can't dismiss the possibility that it's a story that Kagome made up to cope with the trauma of losing her father and sister."
Yoh ran Higurashi-san's story through his head once more. Without more evidence, he couldn't determine if Kagome was truly bewitched or not yet. But he did know that he was running out of time. It was time to set aside his curiosities and act.
"Makes sense," The shaman replied with a gentle smile. He promptly stood up and gave Higurashi-san a curt head bow. "Well, I have to get going now."
Higurashi-san recognized that sparkle in Yoh's eyes. She smiled, "Thank you, Yoh-dear. Do your best."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
"Priestess," there was a hint of mild vexation in Sesshomaru's voice as he turned and eyed her like a hawk. "We've lost enough daylight."
Kagome remained rooted in the middle of the sidewalk. She rocked on the ball of her feet to relieve the pressure that was building up. She looked like she wanted to complain, but instead, she gave her spirit an embarrassed smile, "Eheh, just a second. My feet are killing me."
Sesshomaru's gaze pierced through her facade, promptly the priestess to drop her smile and avert her eyes innocently. She almost added a suspiciously innocuous whistle but refrained. After last night, Kagome knew that her spirit could see right through her. To him, it was crystal clear that Kagome wasn't only delaying their plan because of mild pain. He could sense her friends' auras closing in just as easily as she could.
Unbeknownst to the priestess, she was not the only one who wondered why he bothered agreeing to be her partner at times. Whether it was because of obligation to fate or curiosity about the possibilities was a mystery even to Sesshomaru.
Kagome bowed her head behind clapped hands in a pleading position, "I'll give my training 200% effort, just give me a bit more time." Earlier, she was too afraid to say goodbye to her friends in person. But visiting her family instilled newfound confidence that empowered her to face her friends head-on.
Besides...how could she deny them when they went out of their way to find her…? It was the least that she could, right…?
Before the girl could fall further into introspection, she was almost knocked off balance by a familiar weight and pair of arms. "Ka-go-me-chaaaaaaan~" HoroHoro cheered with a teary-eyed grin. "Found ya!"
"HoroHoro-kun~" Kagome almost melted into the embrace. But knowing that there were teasing eyes around, she pulled away instead. "So you did~" she giggled before taking the time to acknowledge each of her friends with her eyes. "Thanks for coming."
Manta shook his head, "You don't have to thank us. We wanted to see you off properly." His words unknowingly struck a chord within the girl.
'Just like...my family…'
Ryu then stepped forward. The regret on his face was fleeting. The older teen put on a smile for Kagome as he admitted, "Honestly, I wish I had time to make you an obento for your travels, but we were desperate to see you."
Kagome was quick to raise her hands, "Don't feel bad, Ryu-san! It's my fault for taking off with no warning!"
Anna suddenly spoke up, "You've got that right. You went out of your way to be obnoxious." She crossed her arms and stated, "It would have been much simpler to just come out and say it in the first place."
The priestess knew that she couldn't argue, nor did she want to. "You're right," she conceded. "I'm sorry." She performed a quick scan of the group and tilted her head a bit, "Yoh-kun didn't come…?" A note of disappointment slipped through.
Ryu, Manta, and HoroHoro exchanged looks of uncertainty for a moment.
Manta was the first to speak up, "Yoh-kun came with us to your family shrine, but he stayed behind for some reason."
When Kagome did not immediately inflate from Manta's explanation, Ryu acted next, "I'm sure Master Yoh has a good reason for not being here right now!" He raised a finger and proposed, "Maybe he needed to take a nap!"
Everyone froze at the suggestion.
A second later, Kagome was giggling as she, Manta, and Anna watched HoroHoro facepalm at Ryu, who looked like part of him died from his own stupidity. The blunette questioned incredulously, "What makes you think that would make her feel any better?!"
Ryu bristled and shook a fist at HoroHoro as he retorted, "I tried! How about you try cheering up your girlfriend, Romeo?!"
Kagome ignored the implication. She was too entertained by Manta's plight as he tried to mediate the spat between HoroHoro and Ryu.
'Yoh…' The priestess thought to herself. 'Wherever you are, it's okay. I'll be okay…'
From the corner of his eye, Manta caught onto how Kagome's amused smile was thinning. Her thoughts were surely on their missing friend. 'Yoh-kun, hurry. Kagome-chan wants to see you.'
Meanwhile, Yoh was running as fast as his legs could carry him. 'Kagome, hold on, just a little while longer!' He had put quite the distance between Kagome and himself after he finished speaking to Higurashi-san. Initially, he attempted to contact the spirits that lingered around the Higurashi shrine, but he received no answer. He cursed himself for telling Anna to go on without him.
The shaman's next course of action was a quick scan of the Higurashi storage house. He rummaged through the dusty shelves for scrolls and books. Faster and more focused than he ever was on literature, Yoh skimmed through everything that he could get his hands on. But to no avail: he found countless, interesting rituals and ceremonies but no spells on taking tears away.
Thus, in an act of desperation, Yoh headed towards the closest library. After Amidamaru noticed that his Lord was headed in the opposite direction from Kagome's home, he asked about their destination and his intentions. Between light pants, Yoh answered, "I need to find a way to…" another pant, "to break the curse." He ignored the whispers and judgmental tongue clicks of onlookers as he hastily grabbed books, flipped through pages, and haphazardly replaced them.
"A spell that takes away tears… A spell that takes away tears…" Was Yoh's manta as he searched and searched through text after text. All the way, he could envision Kagome's and Higurashi-san's faces as they told their stories. Kagome claimed that her sister took her tears away, while her mother believed her mind fabricated the story.
Finally, a thought struck the young shaman.
It was a hunch, but with time running out, it was a gamble that Yoh was willing to make. He promptly slammed his current tome closed and rushed out of the library, leaving the fictional section in disarray. The mother and daughter's separate stories converged into the only conclusion that Yoh could draw from all of the oddities. 'Kagome, wait for me…!'
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome sighed at the sound of her Sesshomaru beckoning at her back, "Priestess." That was all that he needed to say for her to know that her time and his patience had run out. Time flew by as she was subjected to an onslaught of questions about her training from her friends. But alas, the girl could feel the advent of night's chill nipping at her exposed forearms.
Guilt and sympathy were written all over Manta's face as he looked up at her. "Erm…" He shuffled his feet, "I...I can try to find Yoh-kun and ask him where he is."
Kagome shook her head and reassured, "Don't worry about it, Manta-kun. I'll be fine. I did want to see Yoh-kun again, but it's not a big deal." She picked up the yellow bag sitting by her ankle and smiled at her friends, "It's not like we're never going to see each other again, you know."
HoroHoro and Ryu, who had been clowning around and bickering all in the name of Kagome's smile, finally caved. Their fire and expressions dropped into more somber levels. "Kagome-chan…" HoroHoro was conflicted. He wasn't sure if he was more frustrated with Kagome or Yoh at this point.
"It's fine," The girl reiterated. "It's been a long day for all of us, hasn't it?" She asked. "Anna-chan left a while ago so I'm sure she's going to be hangry and impatient by the time you get back."
Again, the trio exchanged looks with each other. Each one searching for the answer and a consensus in each other's eyes. But all of them reflected nothing but hesitance—hesitance to just let Kagome on. But she did have a point. It was in everyone's best interest that they moved on and went about their way.
HoroHoro was the first to uplift himself. He grinned widely before stepping into Kagome's space as he often did. He pulled the girl into a tight hug. It was strangely satisfying to feel her return it for once. He pulled back and commanded, "If you change your mind at any moment, just come home, okay?"
Kagome stifled a chuckle, "You shouldn't encourage me to give up on this, silly~" But she smiled nonetheless, "Thank you though. I'll keep that in mind."
Manta took the moment to raise excited fists, "Kagome-chan, do your best out there! Make sure you catch up to Yoh-kun, and fast!"
Ryu nodded and piped in, "If you don't, then even I will end up surpassing you."
"Like that'll happen~" The priestess quipped, her words reducing Ryu to a defeated heap on the ground.
With that, the teens bade Kagome goodbye one last time before they turned and went their separate ways. Despite their feet being on different paths, all of their thoughts went in the same direction: straight to Asakura Yoh.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Yoh knew that he only had one shot—a slim window of opportunity to meet his ends. Kagome's aura was gradually creating more distance between them. His lungs burned and his face was dripping with sweat, but he pressed forward. If he could twenty run laps to train for Shaman Fights, then he could run fifty for Kagome.
Amidamaru easily matched his place as he flew alongside his partner. "Yoh-dono, are you sure this will work?" He inquired curiously.
"I don't know, but…" Yoh skidded around a corner. Down the street, on the opposite end of the block, was Kagome. Even in the distance, Yoh could recognize the familiar drape of her dark hair and the petite frame of her body. He had his solution gripped tightly in his right hand. All he needed to do was deliver it to her. 'But...'
The only thing that Yoh was certain of was how much Kagome meant to him.
He realized that tiny things, the minute acts of kindness and affection that Kagome showered him in every day, weren't to be taken for granted.
Slowly but surely, small gestures accumulated like piles of snow in the dead of night.
Yoh remembered one of his most grueling days of training. He collapsed onto a park bench after a weighted run under a sweltering summer sun. His body was drenched in sweat, and his throat was uncomfortably dry. He panted heavily, completely out of breath.
"T-That Anna...will be the death of me..." he whined as he gasped for air.
"Not if I have anything to do with it," a familiar voice suddenly said as a shadow hovered over him and created a tiny spread of shade from the sun.
"K-Kagome-chan...?!" He shot up, startled to find her there so suddenly. Today was an independent training day, one with the idea that they wouldn't be able to distract each other if they trained apart. "What are you doing he—?" Yoh paled at his next thought. "Did Anna send you to spy on me and report back to her?!"
Kagome rolled her eyes then smiled widely, "Don't be an idiot, Yoh-kun!" She placed a chilled bottle of water against his cheek, earning a curt wince from the sudden temperature change. A moment later, Yoh relaxed against the welcoming, cool sensation. "I came to check up on you, dummy."
"Eh? Why?" Yoh blinked as he pushed himself into a sitting position. He accepted the bottle and twisted the cap off. "The training is rough, but I'm still strong," he stated matter-of-factly before proceeding to chug the cool refreshment.
"Yeah," Kagome admitted with no hesitation, "But someone has to," she added with a small smile as she took a seat next to him on the bench.
Yoh returned her smile with an appreciative one of his own, "thank y—" His gratitude was cut off when he suddenly felt Kagome's weight leaning against him. Despite the heart, the priestess moved as close as possible and laid her head against his shoulder. "Kagome-chan?" he asked blinked. He looked down at her face. Her eyes were closed and her lips curved upwards into a tiny, content smile.
"This is the part where you slack off and take a nap during training, right~?" Kagome asked.
"Y-Yeah..." Yoh blushed softly. Had she come all of this way just to get into trouble with him?
[ "I know what she means to me." ]
The shaman willed himself to stop panting as his eyes focused on her back. Yoh then opened his mouth wide and took a long inhale, filling his lungs to their maximum capacity. His body braced itself as he roared with all his might, "Kagomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" His voice was carried on the wind until it resounded in Kagome's ears. Yoh was grateful when the girl abruptly stopped.
She turned around slowly, as if she couldn't believe her ears. "Yoh…he came…" She was rooted in place and the grip on her bag relinquished as his figure grew larger and his features more and more clear. His exposed chest was heaving. He was exhausted, but determined. The world around her seemed to disappear as Kagome watched Yoh close in.
When he finally caught up, Yoh gave in to his body and Kagome was brought back to reality. He hunched over, supporting himself with his hands on his knees as he gasped for air.
"Yoh…" Kagome felt an odd burst of energy. Her heart thudded heavily as excess blood seeped to her cheeks. Her fingers ended up fiddling with a trail of hair that rested over her shoulder. "You...called me Kagome…" There was a sweet euphoria mixed with her disbelief.
Yoh was flushed as he straightened up and scratched his head, "Well, I realized it's not really a big deal." He was embarrassed as he clarified, "You're right, I should treat you like everyone else."
The priestess shook her head, "Don't feel pressured to. I was being a brat." She then admitted, "Honestly, I didn't think that you'd make it. But I'm glad you did."
"Well, I couldn't let you go without a going-away gift," Yoh answered as he hid his hands behind his back. He couldn't control his smile after seeing Kagome's face light up. "Hold out your hands."
Kagome complied. She extended her arms and cupped her hands together. The transaction was voiceless. Yoh's movements were fluid and gentle as he placed an object inside Kagome's hands. Her palms perfectly balanced the gift.
The priestess blinked, bewildered at the present. Sitting in the center of her hands was a miniature, glass vial. Its mouth was plugged with a cork that prevented spilling of the clear liquid contained inside of its body. It was evident that she hadn't the slightest clue as to what to make of the bottle. When her puzzled eyes lifted from the gift to Yoh's face, his cheeks flushed.
"Well, I tried, but I couldn't find a spell that could reverse what your sister did to you back then…" His smile became sheepish but earnest as explained, "You wanted to give me your tears, right? Because you wanted to show how much you care about me…"
Kagome merely nodded in response, as her tongue felt heavy in her mouth. The moment that Yoh pegged her feelings, her hands encased the vial and brought it to her pounding chest. "I feel the same way, Kagome. I want you to know that I care about you too." The priestess was dazzled, almost blinded by Yoh. No matter how hard she tried to resist and focus on the world around her, herself, and her goals, Kagome felt herself being drawn to Yoh's face, clinging to his words.
"So, I'm giving you my tears," Yoh's smile was as warm and gentle as it usually was.
But there was something about Yoh today that made Kagome suddenly feel weak. The priestess opened her mouth to speak and winced when her voice bubbled and gurgled. The hands holding her gift to her chest were trembling. "Y-Yoh…" Her words were just as shaky as her shoulders.
"Mm," Yoh's relieved sigh was inaudible. "Looks like I was right, you're capable of crying after all." Kagome lifted one hand and touched beneath her eyelid. She glanced down at the droplet of water on her fingertip before sniffing. The shaman wanted to tell her more, but was interrupted by the priestess slamming herself into his chest.
"Hah...I-I'm sorry…!" Kagome's voice was muffled as she wept. Her tears mixed with Yoh's sweat and rolled down his chest. One hand gripped his shirt and the one held tightly to his tears. "I can't stop crying…! I don't even want to right now, but...b-but…!"
One of Yoh's hands found the back of her head. "It's alright… It's been a long time, huh?" He closed his eyes as he stroked her hair. He was only answered by the sound of Kagome's sobs and soft apologies'. He only held her tighter, "It's okay, really. You can cry as much as you want to."
And she did. Yoh cleared the flood gates to be opened once again. And more importantly, he didn't run in fear of drowning. Kagome's heart was a typhoon, all wind, and heavy rain. As humans did, most people were content to stand in the eye of the storm: safe and dry with sunny skies. But Yoh was not most people, he willing stepped out of the light to brave the eyewall and embrace the storm.
Minutes in Yoh's arms were as fleeting as seconds. Kagome wished that she could stop time and stay there longer. When he held her, she couldn't feel the chill of sunset. She couldn't hear the bustle of the city. The steadiness of Yoh's heart was mesmerizing and lulled her tears to stop flowing. Her eyes closed as she tried to hone in on the sound even more.
But Yoh's voice brought her back to the moment. "Feel better?" He asked after her weeping died off.
Blood rushed to Kagome's cheeks. 'What am I doing?!' The priestess was quick to pull away and avert her gaze for a moment. 'I'm supposed to be focused on training!' She mentally admonished herself, unaware of the quizzical looks that Yoh and Amidamaru gave her.
While the samurai was somewhat puzzled by Kagome's sudden flustered state, Yoh was more in silent awe of her face. Her eyes were a bit red and puffy. Her cheeks were flushed and her lips pouty and pink. 'Was Kagome always this pretty?' he absently wondered.
"Yeah, I feel a lot better actually~" Kagome answered as she wiped at her moist eyes. Her cheeks were still warm as she looked up at Yoh.
"Good!" The shaman beamed down at her. "I'm glad it worked out~!"
"Yoh, you know," Kagome's eyes softened as she looked down at the vial in her hand. Her next statement caught him off guard and made him blush. "You look really good in this lighting~" She smiled, and she meant it. There was something about the reflection of warm light off of Yoh's skin that made her feel so secure. "Anyway, I have to get going on now. There's not much time till the Shaman Fights begin, right?"
Yoh changed gears just as quickly. He grinned as he offered, pointing at himself with his thumb, "Kagome, you can just stay here. I can help get you up to speed." His joking tone and cheeky grin didn't reflect the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. 'I said it...'
"Sesshomaru thinks you're a bad influence," Kagome answered bluntly.
The shaman laughed and admitted shamelessly, "He's a wise man."
"And also," Kagome added while mimicking Yoh's signature grins. "This is something that I really want to do now. It's a decision I made for myself."
Yoh then ruffled Kagome's hair and laughed, "Aww, that's so cute! Kagome is becoming so mature!" he teased.
He closed his eyes and forced his lips to stay grinning.
There was no avoiding this then...
Kagome swatted his hand away and placed her hands on her hips while smiling proudly, "It's about time you noticed! And I'm going to become a lot stronger while I'm gone too! That way when I come back, you can be the damsel in distress and I'll be the one to save you!"
Yoh frowned at the idea, "I don't really like the way that sounds for some reason…"
Kagome merely giggled and picked her bag off the ground.
"Well, I'll see you around, Yoh~" Kagome stated with the smile that he had grown so accustomed to before turning around once again. Her hair whipped behind her so angelically that Yoh was left speechless as he watched her back truly disappear from his sight.
While Amidamaru watched with moved, teary eyes, Sesshomaru's stare was more analytical. Where the samurai saw beauty and true friendship, the demon lord saw confirmations of a hypothesis. It was a secret to all but Sesshomaru and Asakura Yoh himself: his unspoken fears.
The image of her retreating form walking against the sunset seemed so surreal.
But no, this was reality.
This was Yoh's reality.
His painful reality.
She was still leaving.
Yoh thought he'd have no regrets at the end of the day, and yet, an unnamed emotion left him unsated by the outcome.
Was this not enough closure for him?
Yoh slapped his hand over his mouth as he fell to his knees. He muffled the sounds of his cries and his screams.
"Kagome, please don't go away!"