It was unusually dark in the clearing by the Bone-Eaters Well. The complete Shikon No Tama glow wrapped Kagome in soft pink light. She looked up to see she was surrounded by her claimed family, each waiting for her to make the final wish. She closed her deep blue eyes and pulled her clasped hands tightly to her chest.
'I wish for the Shikon No Tama to no longer exist.'
A bright flash of white filled the meadow; once it faded, it became clear that the blinding light source came from Kagome. She illuminated her surroundings and friends as her body shimmered in the darkness. Kagome opened her eyes and smiled brightly at each one of her companions. It was done, it was finally over, and they could all move on and live happy lives together.
Sango and Miroku were the first to break the spell holding them all in place. They intertwined their hands, and the couple slowly turned their backs to Kagome and walked into the darkness, followed by Kiara. Confused, the priestess opened her mouth to call out, but her voice failed her. Trying to take a step to chase after the slayer and monk, she found she couldn't move her feet either. More movement caught her eye as she watched Shippo turn and dash off after them into the abyss. Unable to do anything but furrow her brow, Kagome looked over at Inuyasha. His vacant stare sent a chill down her spine, and then, just like the others, he turned away and disappeared into the dark.
She began to panic, and tears were forming in her midnight blue eyes. The rapid rise and fall of her chest were the only movements she could manage while trying to breathe. Why did they all leave her? She fixed it! Everything would be better now!
What felt like an invisible weight pushed Kagome down to her knees. Trying to find someone, anyone, her eyes scanned the clearing. Behind her and next to the Well was Rin; she stood by Jaken and Ah-Un, watching her with hazelnut eyes. Before the priestess could open her mouth again, Rin was already sitting on top of the dragon as they shuffled away with Jaken close behind.
Kagome was now alone in Inuyasha's forest. The light she had been admitting was beginning to dim as shadows started to circle her. It hadn't been enough; she wasn't enough. The feeling returned to her body as she lowered her face to her hands, trying to hide from the emptiness around her. The priestess never made a sound as tears ran through her fingers and down her arms into the sleeves of her school uniform. This had to be her punishment for bringing the jewel back here, for breaking it apart, for allowing so many to suffer and die. As more destructive thoughts flowed through Kagome's mind, her light faded to a mere flicker in the dark. Folding in on herself, she sank lower to the ground until the hands covering her face touched the grass.
The sound of heavy footfalls reached her ears, and the priestess bolted upright, hoping Inuyasha had come back for her, had kept his promise to always be by her side, to love her. But the golden eyes and ashen hair belonged to another.
Sesshoumaru was there, looming over her crumbled body with his usual impassive stare. She wasn't alone anymore; someone came back for her! Hope bloomed in her chest, causing her halo of light to burn brighter and encase them both in its glow. The silent demon lord tilted his head slightly to the side as if he wished to ask why she was crying into the forest floor. The action made the priestess smile and slowly lift her right hand to touch him, to ensure he was real. As her fingers were about to graze his sleeve, Sesshoumaru turned away like her friends had.
"No… Please stay!" Kagome's voice came back with such force her quiet plea turned into a desperate outcry. This time, she scrambles back on her feet and chases after the demon lord.
"Don't leave me alone, please!" She could only make out the white of Sesshoumaru's back in the nothingness around them as he moved further and further away. Stumbling and panting, Kagome kept running. Tears once again ran down her cheeks, causing her vision to blur. She was almost there, maybe five meters ahead, as he slowed.
Leaping forward, Kagome lifted her arms to encircle a strong back and armor plates before everything went black.
Kagome shot up in bed, hyperventilating and wiping tears from her face. She hadn't had that nightmare since Rin was brought to her doorstep more than three years ago. Her dream used to end with her being alone by the Bone-Eaters Well, but this time, Sesshoumaru was there.
She ran a hand down her face again before leaving her futon. Spring had arrived, but a winter chill was still in the air that night. She quietly stepped into the sitting room so as not to wake Rin. The only light source illuminating the room was the full moon peeking through the partially open shoji doors. Kagome hugged her arms under her breasts as a cold breeze blew in; she wore her modern-day tank top and sleep shorts each night. Her ocean eyes looked over to the cedar chest to her left.
Ah-Un had stopped by a week ago, and along with their usual supplies came a parcel wrapped in silk and tied closed with twine. Under the thin ties was an envelope that read Shikon Priestess in neat masculine writing. She knew it was from him but wasn't ready to face what he had to say in response to her letter, so she had buried the package under sheets and a futon at the bottom of the chest. Out of sight, out of mind. That had been the case until he appeared in her dream.
With a heavy sigh, Kagome tiptoed to the storage chest and carefully pulled away each layer until the sapphire blue bundle appeared. Lifting it out, she took it back to the low table in the center of the room, where the moon allowed her to see better. Kagome tentatively pulled the string loose, removed the envelope on top, broke the wax seal, and pulled out a sheet of parchment.
Priestess,
I have noticed an improvement in Rin's writing; I commend you onher tutoring. You could also teach her a lesson in minimalism to shorten her future missives.
Lieutenant Masaru did as instructed, and no punishment shall fall on him. The pup will be condemned should I learn of any misconduct or failure to protect what is mine.
You have brought to my attention an oversight I should apologizefor. My ward was left with Mokomoko to keep her covered in This Ones scent for added protection, but I failed to do the same for you, Priestess. Inside this parcel, you will find I have corrected this error and thus should expect your forgiveness. Sleep in this garment nightly, and my scent will imbed itself with your own.
Stay well Priestess,
This Sesshoumaru looks forward to your reply.
His letter contained no threats, insults, or unkind words towards Kagome. She was beyond confused. She placed the parchment onto the table and looked at the blue silk package. Slowly, the priestess untucked the edges and pulled the fabric away to reveal something familiar to her.
It was Sesshoumaru's haori. The white of the demon silk seemed to glow under the moonlight, red blossom partners covering one shoulder and the ends of each sleeve. Standing up, she was able to let the entirety of the shirt open and take in the immense size of it. Sure, she knew the demon lord was tall, but the jacket came down to her ankles.
Kagome wanted to be upset at his dismissal of her feelings regarding their last encounter, but after waking from her nightmare and being so close to catching him in the endless darkness, she didn't care tonight. All she wanted was not to feel alone, to feel wanted and needed. The priestess pulled her arms into the incredibly long sleeves and wrapped herself in the garment, enjoying the feel of the cool silk on her skin.
Lifting the material to her face, Kagome could smell his male musk, sandalwood, and hints of jasmine. Carefully, she placed the letter back into its envelope and wrapped it in the blue silk that had covered Sesshoumaru's haori. Returning to the cedar chest, the priestess placed the items at the bottom, hiding them under bolts of sheets and spare futons.
Believing she still had a few hours before dawn, Kagome made her way back to bed in hopes of more peaceful dreams. She covered the bottom half of her face in the silk as she tucked herself back in, allowing the masculine scent to follow her back into the land of dreams.
It wasn't until the next day that Kagome realized that Sesshoumaru wrote to her in the first person, forgoing his formal speech.
