Kagome excitedly showed her mother the video of Sesshoumaru petting the seal on her phone. As the two women laughed and looked at photos, Sesshoumaru, already dressed in his usual feudal attire, sat quietly rummaging through the red backpack had prepared for him.
There were items he used during his visit. A toothbrush, toothpaste, a few sets of the odd clothing she had bought for him, and an array of sweets.
"Oh! Sesshoumaru, sweetie, I went ahead and hung the rest of your clothes in Kagome's closet to use on your next visit." The older woman told him while helping her daughter stuff more items into her large yellow bag.
He nodded, seeing no reason to inform her that it was unlikely he would return. Much to his own disappointment. It was rather… freeing being in a place where everything was new.
Souta came flying through the front door, crouching over trying to catch his breath. When he saw that the demon lord was still there he smiled and rushed over.
"You're still here!" He signed while panting. "I have something I want to give you." He added before sprinting upstairs.
When Souta came back downstairs he saw Sesshoumaru seated on the couch waiting patiently. He approached and held out a brown paper bag to the demon.
Sesshoumaru looked between the boy and the bag before taking it. Reaching inside he pulled out several books.
"I know Kagome has lent you some books on sign language, but this one is for advanced learners and the other is a history on JSL and other forms of sign language." Souta explained between one pointing at each book.
"Thank you." Sesshoumaru said, giving the teen a small smile and a pat on the head.
With both backpacks slung over his shoulders, Sesshoumaru pulled Kagome close, wrapping her securely in his arms, and leapt into the well. The familiar rush of magic enveloped them, and Kagome buried her face into his soft mokomoko to hide the flush creeping up her cheeks. His hold was firm, the proximity causing her heart to race. As the blue energy swirled around them and began to fade, Sesshoumaru landed softly at the bottom of the well. Without missing a beat, he launched them upward, out of the ancient portal, and into the clearing.
Kagome let out a breath, relief washed over her, not just because they had safely crossed time, but because Sesshoumaru was finally letting go of her. Glancing around the darkening clearing, she spotted a figure at the forest's edge. Her heart leapt when she recognized the familiar silhouette—Sango, waiting patiently beneath the swaying branches.
With excitement bubbling up, Kagome waved and jogged toward her friend. Behind her, Sesshoumaru followed silently, his gaze darkening as it fell on the slayer. He narrowed his eyes. If Sango was here, then he must be as well. The half-breed was likely skulking nearby. Sesshoumaru's jaw clenched at the thought.
Sango offered Kagome a warm smile as she approached, pulling her into a tight hug. She felt a chill from the demon lord's glare but chose to ignore it. This meeting wasn't about him.
"Kagome," Sango whispered, pulling back slightly from the hug. "How are you? Have you healed?"
Though the words came softly, Kagome could only make out a faint hum, the sound muted and distant in her impaired ears. Her brows furrowed in confusion, and she glanced back at Sesshoumaru, silently pleading for help.
With a sigh, Sesshoumaru strode up beside them, dropping their backpacks unceremoniously on the ground. His golden eyes flicked between the two women, then he turned to Kagome. "She asked if you've healed," he signed.
Kagome nodded, grateful for his translation, but before she could respond, Sesshoumaru's attention shifted back to Sango. His tone sharpened, losing all patience. "Her head wound has healed, but she remains deaf. Why are you here, slayer?"
Sango flinched, his cutting words slicing through her already frayed nerves. She had anticipated his hostility, but the reality of it still stung. She straightened her posture, mustering the courage she had been gathering for this moment. Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a carefully folded piece of parchment. Her hands trembled slightly as she held it out.
"Lord Sesshoumaru," Sango said softly, her eyes not meeting his. "Please tell Kagome that Miroku helped me write down what I've been wanting to say. No… what I've been too afraid to say for so long." Her voice broke slightly. "I didn't want to lose my sister."
Kagome tilted her head up to meet Sesshoumaru's golden gaze. His expression remained unreadable, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes. When he finally sighed, it was as though he had been dreading this moment, yet there was a sense of inevitability in the way he relayed Sango's message to her.
The weight of the parchment in her hands felt heavier than it should have. With a steadying breath, Kagome began to read, her eyes scanning the words with growing confusion. Sesshoumaru and Sango watched her in tense silence, their gazes never leaving her face. As the meaning of the words sank in, Kagome's scent shifted—a subtle, yet sharp change that Sesshoumaru picked up on immediately. Curiosity gave way to confusion, then anger flashed across her features, and finally shock, followed by a profound sadness, darkened her expression.
Her hands fell limp at her sides, the letter dangling loosely from her fingers. Kagome's eyes filled with tears that she stubbornly refused to let fall. Her wide, watery blue eyes locked with Sango's, and for a moment, the pain in her gaze was almost too much for the slayer to endure.
Sango's face was pale, her hands shaking as she watched her friend grapple with the truth. The regret in her own heart was suffocating. She had feared this moment for so long, yet now that it had come, the reality was far worse than she had imagined.
Kagome dropped the letter and her hands moved, forming a series of signs directed at her friend. Her expression was neutral, distant even, as if she were trying to maintain some semblance of control over the growing sadness inside her.
When she finished, Kagome didn't wait for a response. She stepped around Sesshoumaru without a word, bending to pick up her backpack. Then, without looking back, she began walking toward the village, her figure shrinking into the distance, swallowed by the looming trees.
Sango stood frozen, her heart in her throat as she watched Kagome's retreating form. The guilt that had been gnawing at her for months now became unbearable.
Brown eyes darted to Sesshoumaru, searching for answers, for some kind of reassurance that all wasn't lost. Sesshoumaru seemed almost…pitying. He knew the sting of betrayal, the scars it left on even the strongest of souls. And Kagome had been through more than most.
In a low, controlled voice, Sesshoumaru began to speak. "The priestess thanks you for telling her the truth. She wishes that you and the half-breed had been open with her regarding your transgressions earlier." His tone was sharp, but not unkind. "At this time, she requires space to process this information."
Sango flinched, her heart breaking as she processed Sesshoumaru's words. She had expected anger, maybe even hatred, but instead, there was only a cold, painful acceptance from Kagome.
Sesshoumaru's gaze softened, ever so slightly, as he continued, "She also mentioned that the next time she returns home, she will purchase vitamins and other essentials… to ensure you and your pup remain healthy."
The final word hit Sango like a punch to the gut. Kagome knew. She knew everything now. And still, she had offered to help. It was both a kindness and a painful reminder of the kind of person Kagome was—someone who would offer compassion even in the face of betrayal.
Tears welled up in Sango's eyes as she stood there, her body trembling. She had lost something precious today, and there was no telling if she could ever repair the damage. Watching Kagome walk away, she realized that she had not just hurt her friend—she had shattered a bond that had once been unbreakable.