Chapter 10

Kagome couldn't bring herself to care, everything hurt, it felt as if a part of her had died. Well, the past her had in a way died, she'd made a wish on the Shikon no Tama at twenty-three resulting in a time-loop that would have lasted for eternity had Sesshomaru not taken possession of the Shikon without the others knowledge.

"You never returned Miko." The very thing she had been praying for, the only thing keeping her from falling into despair had been ripped away. Over the course of a day, Kagome had been informed of all the things she'd missed, the life she'd been robbed of. And now she had to come to terms with the death of her friends, their lives may have passed long before her birth but until he had uttered those words they had been alive in her mind. She was in mourning, in a week she was left to mourn her friends and their children; her nieces and nephews, while also dealing with the disappearance of Inuyasha and Shippo. The two had gone m.i.a sixteen years ago when Kagome was born so as to avoid her so they wouldn't interfere with her jumping through time even though that wouldn't be happening because of what Sesshomaru had done with the Shikon no Tama.

"Kagome." His voice was demanding, cutting through her depression to remind her of where she was. The club room. It was quiet today, or maybe it was her that was being quiet. Either way couldn't they just leave her alone?

Gray eyes narrowed, looking much like thunderstorms as she glared over her shoulder at the tall youkai. "What?" She snapped.

Silver eyes gleamed, narrowing in turn.

Perhaps if she was in her right mind she would have been more patient or maybe even apprehensive, but she couldn't bring herself to care. He was nothing compared to some of the other demons she faced, hell a fight right now would probably be a good distraction.

"Stop with the attitude, you have guests."

"Fuck off Kyoya," she sneered, not bothering with an honorific not that it mattered with how vulgar she was currently talking to him. Even still Kagome enjoyed the anger that flared up in his eyes. She'd been watching the serpent, if there was anything that could get under his scales it was being deliberately disrespected.

"Stop acting like a child." He chided, sneering down at her. "Enough with whatever pity party you're having, and focus on the club duties you've been neglecting for the past week. Your behavior is most unbecoming of a host." He explained coolly.

She snapped. "Fuck off Kyoya!" A haze of red entered her mind as she leaped to her feet and at him. Despite their height difference, she snarled in his face, angry that he could so coldly chastise her for having emotions. "If you want me to leave just say it! Because you don't know shit about what I'm going through!" She could feel her reiki rising, and as much as she wanted to use it, Kagome did her best to hold back.

"Fine." A spark fluttered across his pensive stare before he smirked. It was foreboding, and her stomach dropped. "I wanted to use my favor for something more intriguing but your behavior is upsetting our guest." He explained plainly, pushing up his glasses, a glare on the lenses preventing her from seeing his eyes. "So I demand to know why you are in such a foul mood and disrupting club operations."

"I refuse." She clipped back. "Pick Something Else."

"You made a promise. Either answer or I'll simply raise your debt."

She worried her lip. Kagome could ask Sesshomaru, such an amount would mean nothing compared to his centuries of wealth, and he had said he'd take care of her. But that would require facing Sesshomaru and after the unimaginable pain he'd endured because of her, she wasn't ready even if he didn't hate her, she did. So it seems she had no other option. "Guess I have no choice. " Kagome growled, her voice stained and watery with emotion.

Her head fell forward in defeat, bangs falling to cover her eyes that began burning with unshed tears. "People I was close to…" she started softly, thinking how best to approach the topic. Kagome couldn't tell the truth but at the same time she couldn't lie either, she was honor bound. "Part of my family…" She did her best to skirt around the whole truth, just as she fought to keep her voice from breaking. "They died…" her voice quivered. "All of them…" she quickly wiped away the tears.

Sparing a look through her bangs, Kagome found the whole room crowded around her, their eyes glossy with tears. All the members seemed to be on the verge of crying, or crying in Tamaki's and Mitsukuni's case, while Kyoya remained unreadable to her. Around them girls were holding handkerchiefs to their wet cheeks or wat, all of them seeming to be touched at Kagome's moment of vulnerability.

There was a long pause, Kagome looking at them with watery eyes waiting for something.

Tamaki gave a loud watery cry. "Oh, Kagome!" He rushed her, slipping passed Kyoya and scooping her up into his arms where he tenderly held her. Kagome blinked, maybe it was her surprise or an underlying need for comfort, but her defenses fell at his kindness. His embrace enveloped her in warmth just like his youki that brightens with his care. He held her gently, cradling her to his chest as if she were the most precious thing in the world.

It felt like it had been forever since someone had held her, and had supported her, and she broke at his kindness.

To be honest, Tamaki fully expected Kagome to hit him, to push him away, and he welcomed the possibility if that would take away even the smallest amount of pain that she felt. The look in her eyes, the hollowness and enormous depth of her sadness, looked as if it would swallow her. He knew that kind of sadness, and couldn't stop himself from holding her.

But instead Kagome collapsed into him, her fingers curling into his shirt. A sob ripped brokenly through her throat and her whole body began to shake.

Brokenly Tamaki held her all the more tightly, curling his taller body so as to block her from view.

"Kyoya," Tamaki started softly so only his friend could hear. "Please apologize to our guests but we'll have to close the club early." He explained not wishing for others to see Kagome at her most vulnerable. She wouldn't like it.

The dark haired teen gave a sharp nod, telling the other hosts who then began shuffling out guests, all of them nodding tearfully and fully understanding as they left.

Kagome sobbed, her face streaming with tears. And Tamaki simply held her, gently rubbing her back with a gentle rumble to his chest.

"I miss them." She sobbed. "I should have been there." Kagome hiccuped before rambling incoherently between sobs.

"I never got to say goodbye."

The brokenness of that sentence alone ripped at Tamaki's soul. He could practically hear her heart breaking a little more with every syllable, the sound echoed in every sob and every strangled breath, and felt with every tremble of her frame.

Tamaki couldn't bring himself to understand, all he could do was offer her what comfort he could. Her pain may be different from his, but losing one's family was a pain that at times felt as if it would swallow a person whole. That's how it felt when he missed his mother anyways.

From the side, a small tentative hand tugged on Kagome's coat, for a moment she collected herself enough to look into Mitsukuni's sad honey eyes. "K'gome-chan can I hug you?" He offered tears glossing his eyes.

Kagome sniffled, staring down at the older tear before a new wave of tears rocked through her body and she fell onto her knees pulling the smaller teen into a crushing hug.

Mitsukuni looked to Tamaki in a panic. "Did I say something wrong Tama-chan?" He whispered.

Tamaki patted her back, before offering an equally soft explanation. "I don't think so, Hani-senpai, I think her emotions are just high." The blonde kneeled down and continued to hug the girl that seemed so small and fragile, nothing like the strong-willed young woman he had come to know at that point.

Mitsukuni held her tight, offering her what little comfort he could but oddly enough she responded in a way that reminded him of his mother. She nuzzled his cheek to his hair, a soft coon leaving her throat as she did. Kagome's behavior all be odd but very unusual for a human, Mitsukuni would have to add that to the growing list of things that weren't making sense about his friend.

In the background, Takashi looked at Kyoya. "You played the villain on purpose."

Kyoya stiffened only slightly, not enough for anyone to notice aside from the youkai staring at him. "I haven't the foggiest idea what you're talking about."

wolfYLady: Now let the healing commence. Hope you've enjoyed. I've been slow to write as I've been recovering from Covid and also dealing with the sudden passing of a family member. If you are a long time reader of my stories I want to express my gratitude for your patience as the last 3 years have been rather challenging for me but I appreciate all the kindness I've received.

Thank you and I hope to be able to write more soon.