InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bits From The Big Yellow Bag ❯ Without You ( Chapter 26 )

Without You

 

After a while, the whispers had begun. “Demon magicks,” some said of Kagome's longevity. “Blessings from the kami,” others claimed.

 

It was neither - simply her knowledge of health and the human body. Many in the village near the well lived longer than expected when she returned; the village flourished as word spread of the remarkable miko who refused to leave somebody untreated despite their rank, family or history.

 

But time ticks onward, and the human body can last only so long.

 

Her hair grew gray. Her skin gained wrinkles; her breathing became heavier and lighter in turn.

 

And, after making her apologies, one day… she simply did not wake.

 

InuYasha mourned. Miroku and Sango had already passed on. Their children and his traveled together, doing good wherever possible, though they made haste to the village when word spread of the miko's demise.

 

Kirara and Shippou gathered around the hanyou, lending support. And he needed it… mentally, emotionally, and most of all, physically.

 

InuYasha refused to sleep.

 

The bags under his eyes grew darker by the day. He was unable to stomach food - first out of sorrow, then out of his body's protestations after going hungry so long.

 

When asked, he admitted that every time he closed his eyes, he saw her… suspended in hell, as she'd described when attempting to save Hitomiko. The dream lingered in waking.

 

The years following were a living nightmare. He eventually sent the children on their way, Kirara in tow, to live their lives. Shippou went abroad.

 

He remained by her side, loyal to the end, fighting sleep and waking with a start when he was unable to battle his body's demand.

 

One day, he did not wake. Villagers found him near her grave.

 

He gave in - finally, after three years, to dreamless, eternal slumber.

 

 

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or any other characters from the anime/manga. They all belong to Rumiko Takahashi.

Originally posted to LiveJournal on October 29, 2010

Word Count: 300

Prompt: "Nightmare"