"Kagome!" The sound was painfully guttural as the meido swallowed their friend—the Shikon's final attempt to extend its existence—and it hadn't come from Inuyasha.
Youki erupted, pinning the group to the ground as feral snarls filled the air. Inuyasha called out to his brother, having finally accepted that's what he truly was, and was met with crimson eyes and elongated fangs, the daiyoukai caught halfway between his true form.
"Naraku's gone!" Sango argued. "What could've taken her?"
"The jewel itself," Miroku said, pushing himself to his elbows. "It requires a host to continue existing." The group looked around, panicked, Shippou cowering under Kirara's body.
"We have to save her!" Sango shouted.
"We gotta save ourselves first," Inuyasha bit out, using Tessaiga as leverage to get to his feet. "Damnit, Sesshoumaru! You throwin' a hissy fit ain't helpin'!"
"Why is he so mad?" Shippou asked, another snarl making him whimper.
"Why do ya think?" The rest of the group blinked in surprise, but he didn't have time to explain. As stilted as his childhood was, he knew what scent-marking was. The only reason the lesser youkai had left Kagome alone in the last year was because they all knew better than to go up against the Lord of the West.
He glanced at his sword, knowing what had to happen next—and that he wasn't going to be the one to do it.
Sesshoumaru was hunched over, claws carving lines through the soil, and Inuyasha just hoped whatever the bastard felt for Kagome was strong enough to pull him out of it. Gripping the hilt, he launched Tessaiga to his brother, knowing if he was too far gone, he'd have a hell of a time getting it back.
But as unfeeling as the daiyoukai pretended to be, instincts roared to life, a hand shooting out to receive the weapon. Youki swirled around the blade as crimson met gold, and Inuyasha gave him a curt nod. Sesshoumaru's knuckles turned white before he slashed through the air, the size of the meido baring down on them.
The ground trembled as he shot upwards, and Inuyasha cursed as he hit his knees. "If ya don't find her, I'm comin' after ya and beatin' your ass!"
The jewel had gotten its wish.
Part of it, at least.
Kagome was fighting again. And again, and again, and again.
She refused to actually voice a wish, knowing what would happen if she did, but hope was a brilliant thing, and it kept her going.
She needed to see him. Needed to ask him. The images didn't leave much to the imagination, but his feelings—and it was odd to think of him with such—could change everything.
She knew everyone loved her. It was why she'd been so accepting of her fate in the first place. But she'd had time with each of them: fighting, eating, laughing. That's what all of her memories were made of.
She had none of that with Sesshoumaru.
The idea of doing so had never crossed her mind, so she'd never lingered on it before, but if the jewel had wanted to pique her curiosity, there were easier ways of going about it.
Sesshoumaru was the last person it could've chosen—the last one it should've chosen because now she had a reason to go back.
She would change her fate.
The jewel had immediately backtracked, zooming side to side as it tried to avoid her reiki. He won't come for you.
"If what you showed me was true, you don't know him at all," Kagome shot back, an arrow forming between her fingers. "And if it was a lie, you chose the wrong person. I've beaten you before."
I was a fraction. Now I am whole.
"A whole lot of irritation," she said, throwing up a barrier before several arrows shot forward at once. The jewel narrowly evaded each one, humming in victory before the air shifted and shimmered.
The power was unmistakable, and Kagome lowered her weapon a moment before starlight erupted around them. Sesshoumaru emerged from another meidou, Tessaiga clasped firmly in his hand as he stepped between them.
Impossible. She felt the jewel tremble, fear leaching out from around it as it swayed. Why are you here?
Sesshoumaru hesitated, glancing over his shoulder momentarily before Kagome threw herself at him. He staggered back in shock before his free arm wrapped around her, and he raised the sword toward the jewel. "She is mine. She is my light." Marks turned jagged on his cheeks. "I will not let you take her from me." Her grip on him tightened, warmth spreading throughout her chest, but knowing they'd have to reminisce later.
Reaching out, she intertwined their fingers, clasping Tessaiga tightly between them. "I have a wish." Lightning shot out from the jewel but was easily deflected.
You cannot defeat me. I am eternal.
The pair snorted in tandem, Kagome raising her chin. "I wish you would disappear." Lightning turned to sparks as the request was granted, then splintered, turning to dust before their eyes.
They watched until the light finally faded, and Sesshoumaru lowered the sword. "Forgive me for being late," he said, avoiding her gaze.
Kagome chuckled, shaking her head. "It's fine. I'm fine."
He slowly met her gaze. "Are you? I cannot be the one you were expecting."
She cupped his face, smiling as he leaned into her touch. "Apparently, the jewel noticed more than I did." She stroked his cheeks, then pressed their foreheads together. "I'm willing to take a chance if you are."
She felt him sag in relief. "Let us return to your kin first. They are worried for your safety."
"But not you?"
The desperation in his eyes when he'd first arrived belied his scoff. "I am never worried where you are concerned."
"Liar." He turned to argue, just as she knew he would, and she brushed her lips against his jaw, grinning when he pulled back in shock, the rest of the group doing the same as they slowly came into view. "But we can discuss that later."
Amber gleamed as he nodded stiffly, and she offered him a warm smile before greeting the rest of her pack with open arms.
The sun broke through the mist as they celebrated, but nothing was as bright as what the future had in store—for both of them.