Kagome moved through the motions on autopilot, her mind distant from her surroundings as she walked the familiar path to the village. She barely registered Kaede's hut as she entered, her hands gathering Rin and Shippo's things. Ah-Un, resting nearby, lifted one head in mild curiosity while Jaken, fast asleep on top of the dragon's back, snored obliviously. For once, Kagome was grateful for her deafness; Jaken's grumbling was the last thing she could handle.
Betrayed by your friends. You must truly mean nothing to them
Trying not to focus on those dark thoughts, Kagome began sheepdogging the kids outside, she placed Shippou gently onto Ah-Un, giving the kit a reassuring pat on the head. He looked at her, worry laced in his wide eyes. His small hands signed, *"What happened?"*
What other deceptions are they hiding from you?
The voice was growing stronger and Kagome paused, her throat tightening as she fought the urge to cry again. Instead of answering, she lifted Rin onto the dragon beside Shippou. The action jostled Jaken awake, and though his mouth opened in protest, Kagome didn't hear a single complaint. It was a small mercy.
Ah-Un shifted beneath the extra weight, but Kagome stirred the beast up and forward, her destination clear in her mind. She wanted to leave the village behind—needed to escape the suffocating feeling that clung to the place. But just as she guided the dragon down the dirt path heading west, a flash of red appeared, blocking her way.
Inuyasha.
He stood in the center of the road, arms crossed. "Look, Sango apologized, okay? So let's just move on and pretend that—hey! I'm talking to you!"
Kagome didn't stop. She barely acknowledged him as she maneuvered Ah-Un around him, her focus set solely on the setting sun. She couldn't—wouldn't—engage him. Not now. Not after everything.
Run away like you always do, little priestess.
Inuyasha, true to form, growled in frustration and reached for her arm. But before he could make contact, a larger, clawed hand shot out, swatting him away with ease.
Sesshoumaru.
The demon lord stepped between them, his towering form casting a long shadow over his half-brother. His golden eyes burned with a warning. "Once again, you have proven yourself thoughtless," he said. "She does not wish to speak to you, nor travel with you. I suggest you attend to your chosen female and leave this one be."
Inuyasha's face twisted in anger. "Fuck you, Sesshoumaru! This is between Kagome and me, so back off!"
He cocked his fist, ready to swing, but froze when a strained voice cut through the tension.
"Just… stop, Inuyasha." Sango's voice cracked as she emerged from the forest to stand by Kaede's hut. Her hand instinctively rested over her belly, a protective gesture that didn't go unnoticed. Miroku rounded the other side of the dwelling, watching the confrontation with a heavy heart.
"Kagome needs time," Sango continued, her voice shaking. "We can't force her to forgive us."
Inuyasha whipped around to face her, his anger boiling over. "We didn't do anything wrong! It's not my fault she hasn't gotten over me!"
The moment the words left his mouth, regret hit him like a wave. The air seemed to still, as if even the wind held its breath.
Sango's expression darkened, her grief turning to cold fury. "Until you can grow up and realize the world doesn't revolve around you, Inuyasha, don't you dare come near me." Her voice was icy, every word a dagger aimed straight at his heart.
Inuyasha's face fell. He opened his mouth to protest, to try and explain, but the damage was already done. Sango, the woman he had unintentionally fallen for, turned away from him and disappeared into Kaede's hut without a second glance. The door slid shut behind her with a finality that felt like a slap to his face.
For the first time in a long while, Inuyasha felt truly torn. His best friend was walking away from him, and now, the mother of his child had cast him aside. He looked to Miroku for support, but the monk simply shook his head in quiet disappointment before following Sango inside.
He stood there, his fists clenched by his sides, watching as everything he had clung to slipped through his fingers.
Sesshoumaru had already turned, trailing after Kagome and the children as they moved further away from the village. He had no words for his brother, no interest in the pain that Inuyasha had brought upon himself.