InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Longest Journey ❯ Aftermath ( Chapter 29 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter 29: Aftermath

Sugimi held the warm, living body of his mate in his arms, and lowering his head, eyes closing in bliss, he just drank her in - her presence, her scent, the feel of her. Now that she was back, he knew that their future was assured, this had been the only thing standing between them and happiness above the measure of any other. Now, the minute she entered her fertile cycle, he would pup her - they would finally begin the life that he had longed for for so many years.

As her scent passed peace through his soul, he calmed, and finally looked up at the others that had been returned through the power of his mate. Kanna, the void child, still so stoic, and yet, a small hint of joy shining in her eyes. Kikyou, the priestess that had for so long caused his beautiful tenshi so much pain, and yet, Kagome had still found her worthy of saving. And finally, his gaze moved to the other... the cause of all of this...

Inuyasha.

His son, the child of his love with a beautiful hime of so long ago - and his most recent rival for the love of the purest soul that had ever been born into this world. He had cast her away more than once, and she had stayed by his side, until the last and final betrayal - and then, she had taken her destiny into her own hands and moved on.

And then... then, he had decided that he did want her, and refused to let go - even to the point of killing them all.

Yet, he was still his son, and he held out a hand to him, and waited to see what he would do.

Inuyasha had not looked up the entire time since they had made it back into the world of the living, unable to stand the sight of one of the women he so loved in his father's arms - and now, when his father held out a hand to him, he shook his head, and turned away.

"I can't... don't ask me to. I love her too much to be around her - and you, like that," he gestured, bitterly. "I've seen the bond between you both, and while I've accepted it because I have no choice, I can't be happy about it... there's too much pain in me for that. I don't know if I'll ever be able to be around you - I never knew you as a father, all I know you as is the person who stole half my heart away."

Sugimi dropped his hand, and nodded, not really surprised. Perhaps too much water had, indeed, passed under the bridge to ever really be turned back. He turned his head up and looked at the sky, idly thinking that for all that had happened, not much actual time had passed... it wasn't even dusk yet.

"What will you do now?" he asked quietly.

He looked at Kikyou, who hadn't spoken, and sighed, the other half of his heart now battered and bruised, as well. "I don't know. Wander, probably. Like I always did. The bond between Kikyou and I was broken at death, and maybe... maybe it's for the best that that happened. At the very least, we need time apart. Too much has happened between us..." he trailed off, painfully, watching as Kikyou nodded. He was pretty sure that they would never be a couple again - and he didn't know if he would be able to heal from the loss of both the women he loved.

But he knew it was his own fault.

Shaking his head, he turned and gazed into the distance, and said, "I think I'll head to the south. It doesn't have any memories to pain me." He looked back at his friends, Sango, and Miroku, both of who looked saddened. "I'm sorry for the trouble I caused everyone, and you guys - I hope you find your happiness. Maybe someday I'll see you again." Miroku nodded quietly, and Inuyasha moved off, leaving with less then he'd come with...

And no hope for finding any more than what he now held.

---zZz---

Sesshoumaru watched his brother leave, and looked over at his father, who had a saddened look on his face. "Inuyasha has begun to regain his honor. It will be a difficult path for him to walk, but he will find it, and himself, again someday. Until then, you have other things to worry about, father," with a speaking glance at the woman he held so closely.

Sugimi nodded, and turned away from the path his son had taken, glancing over at his oldest. He stood tall, and seemingly imperturbable, and Kagura fit well at his side. She was, indeed, as she'd once claimed, a formidable warrior, and would, he was almost gleefully positive, lead his somewhat uptight son a merry dance. He smiled at her, and she grinned back, perfectly aware of what he was thinking.

Shaking his head in amusement, he settled his beloved mate against him more securely, and turning, led the way back to the palace. They all needed to recover, and decide what they would do with their lives from here - because now, everything was different. The battles, the search for shards, all of it was finally done.

The palace was not far, and as they walked, the group was pretty much silent, content to enjoy the peace they'd fought so long and so hard for.

Sugimi looked down as Kisho suddenly appeared at his side. He frowned, wondering where the neko had popped up from... he hadn't really noticed him during the battle.

'Will she be okay, Great Lord?'

"Yes, Kisho, she is just resting. But where were you, pray tell, during all that?"

Kisho gave him a flat stare. 'Doing her bidding, Great Lord. I was not pleased that she asked me to leave her during battle, but as you know well, it is difficult to say no to her.'

Sugimi laughed wryly. "She is very adept at getting her way, is she not? So, what was it she needed you to do so badly?"

'You will find out when we reach the shiro, Great Lord. It is a surprise for one of your group - but I will not say who. Wait and see.'

He nodded, not really worried about it. If it was from Kagome, it wasn't dangerous. As they reached the gates, he flared his aura, letting those inside know to open them, and they walked through, everyone glad to just be there, safe and sound.

As they came into the main courtyard, they found a large contingent of people standing on the steps waiting, all led by Suma. When she saw Kagome being carried by Sugimi, she moved forward worriedly, coming to him and bowing.

"Sugimi-sama... is Kagome-sama alright?"

"She is fine, Suma. She just exhausted herself - it isn't everyday that you have to return two dead people to life, and then bring them and yourself back from hell."

Eyes wide, Suma looked from him, to Kagome and back. "Truly, she has great power, my Lord. She is most worthy of you."

Sugimi smiled, then began moving forward again, determined to get his beloved to their rooms - she needed the rest, and he had no desire to be anywhere else but at her side. As they walked however, he found that he had a question.

"Suma, tell me, what was it that Kisho delivered to the palace?"

She glanced over at him. "A young human, my Lord, with instructions to put him in a room and keep him away from your group until she calls for him."

He frowned thoughtfully, and looked down at the sweet-faced onna in his arms.

What are you up to, my beloved mate?

Looking back up at the woman, he said, "Have food sent to our rooms, Suma, and make sure everyone knows to leave us alone until tomorrow. She needs to rest, everything else can wait."

Suma nodded at him. She had known what was going on, and knew that the victory was theirs... but also knew that some unexpected things had happened, and she could tell quite well on her own that her mistress needed the sleep.

She turned back to her duties as the Lord and Lady disappeared into their private chambers, and as she looked back, she saw that all the others of the group had also gone seeking their own rest. It would be a quiet evening, she was sure.

---zZz---

Sugimi smiled at the sight of his beloved laying so sweetly on their futon, long, curling lashes lying darkly against her porcelein skin. She was so beautiful to him, and he sent thanks to every kami he could remember that she had returned to him. While he knew that, even if she had passed, he would have joined her and they would have still been together in the afterlife, there were dreams he had that couldn't be fulfilled if they had both died this day. Dreams of living, and light... dreams of happiness - and family.

Dreams that could now come true, and he could hardly wait to get started on making them reality.

He looked up, his thoughts interrupted by a knock on the door, and getting up from his spot at the end of the futon, he moved to open the door, knowing it was the servants with food. Letting them come in, he watched as they silently set up trays of food, and then bowed themselves out, all without making a sound... concerned for their mistress and her need for sleep. He was well pleased with the care they were taking of her needs.

As they left, he closed and barred his doors, not having any intentions of re-opening them til the next day, and walked back to the futon. Sitting down near her head this time, he gently pulled her into his lap after pulling the trays of food close, and set about waking his tenshi up, kissing her, and nuzzling his mark... knowing that that would certainly get a reaction from her. She needed to sleep, yes, but she also needed food - none of them had eaten since this morning, and they had all used a lot of energy.

"Kagome," he whispered, breath flowing softly over his mark, "come, love, you need to wake up. You need to eat."

She reacted almost instantly to the stimulation of her mating mark, eyes groggily opening to look up at him as he pulled back and stared into the depths of them. Confused, she looked around, and it took a minute for her surroundings to sink in, but then she struggled into a sitting position as he pulled away.

"How long...?"

He knew immediately what she was asking, and said, "A couple of hours only, love. The only reason I woke you so soon was so you could eat." He gestured at the tray sitting at his side.

She nodded, her hand going to her stomach as she realized that she was, indeed, hungry. "Okay."

She waited patiently as he prepared her a plate, and dug in hungrily when he handed it to her. As he began filling his own plate, he remembered the human that Kisho had been sent to find, and decided to ask her about it.

"Kagome, who is the young human boy you had brought here?"

She looked up, surprise registering on her face, and then the memory kicked in and she smiled. "Oh! I forgot about that. Kisho managed to find him, huh? I'm glad." She caught his slightly confused gaze and chuckled. "Do you remember me telling you about Sango's brother, the one Naraku had control of? It's Kohaku. He has the last shard of the jewel. I can take it from him, and finish the thing... and he can have his life back."

Sugimi thought about that. "I see. So, you can take the shard from him, and he will still live?"

"Of course, why wouldn't he?" She look confused at his question.

"Well, I thought that the shard is what was keeping him alive."

She laughed. "At one time... but that wound has long since healed. The shard is just there, now, in his back. He doesn't need it."

"Hm. Well, in that case, Sango will have a most pleasant surprise."

Kagome's eyes darkened slightly at that. "It won't be easy, you know. He has a far more serious wound than the one that killed him to begin with... the injuries to his mind are much worse. Only time will be able to help heal them."

He thought back to his youngest son's face as he'd walked away, and nodded. "He isn't the only one."

She stared at him, and somehow, she knew what he was speaking of. She looked down sadly at her hands, now curled in her lap, and shook her head.

"He's gone, isn't he?" She sighed, not even waiting for him to reply. "I... I'm not surprised. It will be a long road of recovery for him - and it's one I don't think Kikyou will walk with him... I think their time is done."

Sugimi watched her for a moment, a bit startled at her insight... she was much wiser than her youth would suggest - but then again, hers was an old soul...

"You are right. I only pray that someday he will find healing - even with everything he has done, he is still my son, and I would like to know him."

Kagome caught his eye, and smiling, reached over and grabbed his hand.

"You will, love. Someday. After all, there is a very long life ahead of the both of you... so the time for you to get to know Inuyasha as a son will come." Her smile turned wry. "All you have to do is have patience - and wait."

He rolled his eyes and laughed at her. "It seems I have spent a great deal of my life waiting, beloved. You would think I would be used to it by now, but..." he trailed off, the humor in his eyes making them sparkle. "But at least the journey that I took to get to you is over now, and I no longer have to wait for certain... other things."

His voice had turned heated and his eyes became liquid gold as he spoke those last words, and an answering heat flushed through her as his body called to hers. As he pulled her to him, her last thought was that she was glad the wait was over...

Finally, their paths had merged, and they had earned the destiny that the kami had promised them.

Life was theirs, now. For always.

---zZz---

Morning came early, and with it, a more somber Kagome emerged from their rooms. There would be happiness on this day, but there would also be sadness, as well, and she hated that fact. It wasn't as if this particular group of people hadn't suffered enough already... she hated to see more come their way.

As soon as breakfast was over, the group moved into the family room again, and once everyone was seated, Kagome looked around, meeting everyone's eyes, and then spoke.

"First, before anything else, I think that it is time to finish the jewel. It needs to return to me - I need the rest of my soul." She looked at her sister and best friend. "Sango, I have a little surprise for you."

She called out for Suma to enter the room, and as she did, Sango's hungry gaze landed on the person that followed her into the room...

With a wailing cry, she jumped up, and slowly, almost afraid to frighten him, she approached the wide-eyed boy.

"Kohaku?"

"Anue-ue," he whispered.

At that, she opened her arms, and he moved slowly forward into them, as though just a bit unsure of his welcome, until he felt her arms close around him, and then he cried, and clutched to her. They stood that way for a time, letting out much of the pain residing inside them both, before, with a sigh, Sango looked up, and met Kagome's eyes beeseechingly.

"Please, Kagome, don't take the shard... I can't bear to lose him again."

Kagome smiled at her. "I have to take the shard, Sango, he cannot let go of the past until I do. But he won't die when it's taken out. He'll just lose the last part of the horror of his past - so that he can begin to heal."

Her eyes filled with hope. "You mean, he doesn't need the shard to stay alive anymore?"

"Nope."

At that, both Sango and Kohaku relaxed, and so did Miroku. He had dreaded this moment for so long... having to watch his beloved Sango lose the last of her family, and know that there was nothing he could do about it. And now thanks to Kagome, that wasn't necessary, and he smiled gratefully at her as the boy moved over to her and presented his back. It took less than a second to pull the shard from him, and the young boy realized that he actually felt better once it was gone... he felt cleaner.

Kohaku looked around as Sango grabbed his hand and pulled him over to sit near her and Miroku, and it was then that he saw Kanna, and Kagura. The two were sitting next to each other, with a silent Sesshoumaru at Kagura's side. His eyes lit up, and everyone could tell that he would want to visit with the two youkai that had been the only two to show him any kindness in all the time he had been held captive.

Kagome watched them for a moment or two as she placed the last shard in the pouch with the rest of the jewel, and then she sobered again, and her gaze turned to Kikyou. The older miko gazed back at her steadily, and Kagome finally asked softly, "What are you going to do, Kikyou?"

Kikyou turned her head and looked down, eyes going far away. "I... I think that I will go home... to be with my sister. I will take over from her as miko when she passes." She chuckled, though there was little real humor in the sound. "Isn't it ironic that the elder sister has now become the younger?"

Kagome sighed, and smiled, her eyes also far away. "You know, I need to stop and see Kaede - I didn't have time when I went home the last time. I've missed her," she finished softly. Sugimi reached over and took her hand, squeezing it comfortingly.

"Well, we do need to go visit your mother within the next few days, you know. I did promise her that you would come at least once a month... and that time is upon us." He rubbed his thumb over her hand lovingly. "We can take several days and go visit with those you miss."

Kagome looked up at him, eyes soft with love, then back at Kikyou. "You don't mind me coming to visit, do you?"

Kikyou shook her head. "No, not at all."

Kagome grinned then. "If you want to wait a few days, then you can travel with us - Sugimi will carry me, and Kisho can take you... it will be quicker, and safer that way," she finished, as Kikyou nodded.

"That sounds good. I can wait."

At that point, Sesshoumaru stood, and pulling Kagura up with him, said, "It is time for me to return to the West, father. I have been away long enough." He looked at his intended. "Gather your things, and Kanna's, and send for Rin - we will leave immediately."

Kagura looked at him with a raised brow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "I see that you are already trying to boss me around, Sesshoumaru - please try to remember, I already spent most of my life with someone who always commanded - and I am not fond of the idea of being treated the same way by a mate." She turned away then, and sashayed her way out the door, leaving behind a rather bewildered daiyoukai... and a group of friends that were all laughing hysterically - inside. They all knew better than to show their amusement - the only exception being his father. Sugimi laughed out loud at the look on his son's face.

"I knew I liked her for some reason - she will keep you on your toes, my son."

Sesshoumaru stared at his father for a moment, then turned on his heel and left the room, not being able to find anything to say.

Sugimi smiled at his mate, then turned and followed his son from the room, intent on seeing them off. Kagome and the others all laughed as soon as the stoic daiyoukai was out of earshot... that was sure to be one interesting mating.

The Lady of the house finally caught her breath after the laughter died down, and catching Sango's eye, asked wistfully, "And what about you and Miroku? Are you going back to the slayer's village - or Kaede's?"

At that, Miroku and Sango glanced at each other, and then Miroku turned and caught her gaze. "Actually, Kagome - Sango and I discussed this last night and... we missed you dearly when you were gone from us, and we would not like to be apart from you again - we would rather stay here... if there is an area that Sugimi-sama would allow us to, we would build our home as near as possible to you."

Kagome's eyes filled with tears and she nodded happily. "I would love to have you stay... that relieves my heart, to tell you the truth. I dreaded the thought of saying goodbye, but... are you sure?" She looked at Sango. "I know that you had thought to move back to your village..." she trailed off as Sango shook her head.

"It is too much a place of the dead now, Kagome, and we are not dead. I want a place for living, now that we have the chance to do so without Naraku interfering. I will keep the village up... but only as a memorial to those we lost."

Kagome nodded at that. They had all lost something in the years spent pursuing Naraku, but now, they could bury those dreams along with the dead, and move on...

To new dreams, and new lives.

It was a beautiful beginning - and one that would never really have an end.