I give you the finale! To all of you that have been waiting almost a year for the final conclusion, I am sorry! My only excuse is that I honestly forgot I even had the Epilogue. I wrote it about five-eight months ago and never looked in the folder again XD Hopefully the long awaited ending is to everybody's taste. Enjoy!
-Jack Knights
It had taken him nearly half an hour to get back to the mansion and the other half he spent trying to convince the other staff members to go after Sesshomaru. When Satoru had burst through the doors, covered in dirt with demon blood flaring, no-one had been willing to believe him. But then a woman, a human walked down the stairs, wide-eyed and spaced out. When she had heard him shouting about Sesshomaru, she perked up and ran towards him, completely lucid. She had introduced herself as Kagome—the girl Sesshomaru had specifically told him to look after until he got back. She instantly believed him, but assured him that everything was quite all right.
A bat demon—General Haruto—stood up for them, despite being severely injured. He and two others, a human man with black hair and a wolf demon, joined them to set off in search of Sesshomaru. Kaoru had given the other members of staff, those were capable, to retain order and tend to the injured in his place. With that they had set off; Kagome carried by Satoru, Kaoru on the back of the wolf and the human in a medi-van.
Almost two hours since he had left the scene, Satoru was beginning to feel uneasy. We've been searching for forever, and still no sign of Sesshomaru. I can't even sense him, let alone smell him through all this black magic.
"Something on your mind, Satoru?" Kagome asked. "You seem… distant."
"No, it's nothing really, Lady Kagome," he said, remembering his manners.
"Please, Satoru, don't kid yourself. Your demon blood is flaring almost out of control and that anxious look on your face says otherwise."
"I meant no disrespect, Lady Kagome. I'm just worried is all."
"Why do you keep calling me 'Lady Kagome'? I'm not royalty or anything," she asked and he snickered. As if she didn't already know.
"It's only proper, seeing as your Sesshomaru's girl," he said, rolling his eyes. "And, well him being the last great demon lord of the East and all."
"Yeah, but you don't call him Lord or anything else," she pointed out. "So why bother calling me Lady?"
"Because the minute he hears me referring to you as just Kagome, he'll probably clobber me," he answered lightly. Something caught his nose and he stopped, the wolf demon bumping into him.
"Excuse me, could you be more careful with Master Haruto, please?" said the human driving the medi-van. "I just got his bones settled back and all this jostling is going to put them in a worse position."
"Sorry, I'll try to be more careful," replied the young wolf. "Are you sure you don't want to ride in the medi-van, Haruto?"
"Please, I've been through worse," he said, although his face was very pale. "Besides, I'm of no use in the truck."
"Just don't go killing him, Wolf Boy. We need his eyes," Satoru teased.
"I am not 'Wolf Boy; my name is Koga," he said testily, adjusting Kaoru's position on his back.
"Koga, as in leader of the wolf demon tribe?" Kagome asked, surprised. "It can't be, you're so young."
"Hm? Oh, no I'm not the leader. My father was though, many years ago. He also went by the name Koga. Why, did you know him?"
"Yes, he helped me out of some very sticky situations in the past," she said, remembering the times he had courted her despite InuYasha's death threats. "Is he still alive?"
"No, unfortunately; he was killed during World War I," he said solemnly. "I wish he hadn't felt like defending his country so much. He might still be alive otherwise."
"I'm sorry. He was a great man," Kagome said, trying to lighten the mood.
"And a loyal one too, right to the bitter end," he added nonchalantly.
"If you two are done chatting, you might want to get a whiff of that Wolf Boy," Satoru butted in.
"I told you, my name's—" he stopped mid-sentence when the smell hit him. Even Kagome could smell the distinct tang of metal; blood hung heavy in the air around them. "That's Lord Sesshomaru's scent."
"Damn straight, Wolf B—"
"Shut up or I'll slash you a new mouth," Koga cut him off, narrowing his eyes.
"Now is not the time for arguing!" Haruto shouted before Satoru could answer with a witty comeback.
"He's right, we have to find Sesshomaru," Kagome put in. "You two probably have the best noses in the whole of Japan, so let's put them to good use and track him down."
"Right," they said simultaneously.
Another half hour later, they had followed the scent of blood, tracing it back to a horrific battlefield. Large chunks of earth had disappeared entirely, while deep rents scarred the trees with horrible wounds. Satoru let Kagome down and began sniffing the ground, trying to follow Sesshomaru's scent. Kagome stared, looking at the destruction Sesshomaru, Kikyo and InuYasha had caused. What she saw in her mind's eye made her shiver with fear.
"It's no use, I can't track him amongst all this dark magic," Satoru admitted.
"It doesn't help that he was crisscrossing all over the place either," Koga added.
"Then we search on foot," Kagome said, trying to reassure them. "He couldn't have gone too far from here, right? Just look at the level of destruction."
"Either way, that could take an unnecessary amount of time to accomplish," Haruto said, walking over to where they had been standing. "I'll have to look for them in the skies."
"You can't do that! What about your wing?" Kagome asked, worried.
"She's right, Haruto," said the human doctor as he cleaned his glasses. "If you try to fly now, I can guarantee that something will give in that wing of yours. And I might not be able to fix it again."
"Its fine, Kaoru, really. I'll only be up there for a few minutes anyway. With eyes like mine, I'll see them from several miles away."
With that he backed up from the group and spread his arms, the leathery membrane of his wings falling like an open canvas. He flexed them experimentally before beating them rhythmically. He took to the skies, flying around in a small circle high above them. They watched him anxiously as he circled once, twice, three times. Suddenly, his wings snapped close to his body and he pin wheeled, plunging toward earth.
"No!" Kagome shouted, unable to do anything. It was Satoru who acted; he positioned himself and jumped, soaring into the air. He caught the bat demon in his arms and landed with a heavy thud several feet away.
"Haruto! Haruto, are you alright?" Kagome pleaded as she ran after them, the others behind her. Satoru met her halfway, carrying Haruto, who grasped his arm in pain.
"I… I think I sprained… a muscle," he said between gasps. Kagome looked down at his arm, surprised when she saw it wasn't his injured wings that was spasmed, but the other one.
"Let me see him," Kaoru pushed past them, several instruments in his arms. He proceeded to test the arm, moving it and prodding it. "Yes, it would appear that it is just a sprain. You're extremely lucky you didn't damage your other wing."
"Well, Satoru's kinda crushing it right now, so stick around, I might need you in a sec," he muttered. Satoru went red with embarrassment and let the bat demon stand. "At least I know where Lord Sesshomaru is."
"You saw them?" Kagome said excitedly. "Where is he, in what direction?"
"About forty meters North of here," he said, pointing behind him. "If you don't mind, I'm going to go sit down in the truck now."
With Haruto in the passenger seat, giving directions to Kaoru, the others piled in behind them, the anxiety in the air thick enough to cut with a knife. As they went, they found clear evidence of a battle; fallen trees and deep rents in the ground told them they weren't far off. They made good time; within twenty minutes, they reached a small battle site, but this one was even more destroyed than the other was. Some fluttered in the wind ahead of them and Kagome felt her anticipation rising.
She ran out of the van before it had even stopped and headed in the direction of what she had seen. Please, dear God let him be alive.
"Sesshomaru, where are you?" she shouted as she ran. The white blur in the distance moved and she nearly cried out.
"Kagome?" came the all-so familiar voice of Sesshomaru. She could see him then, his silver hair picked up by the wind, his kimono in tatters and covered in blood. And his face, that beautiful face she had longed to see; his demon markings clearly visible in the morning sun contrasting his white skin and amber eyes so perfectly. She felt the tears of joy run down her face.
Then she saw the reason why he hadn't raced to embrace her; InuYasha's limp form lay in his arms, his eyes closed and his face passive. She fell to the ground beside Sesshomaru, feeling the tears of joy turn to tears of grief as she cried for InuYasha's death.
Kagome had cried heavily for the longest time, Sesshomaru's arm around her shoulders in the only affection he could show her. He told her about his final conversation with InuYasha, and his reason for sacrificing himself to finally destroy Kikyo. Sesshomaru clutched Tetsusaiga, the bloodstained blade he had removed from his brother's body. Eventually, the others came to kneel around them, heads bowed in respect for the dead man before them.
They decided to bury InuYasha a way's away, under a blossoming cherry tree. It took them most of the morning to dig the hole, the job made considerably easier by the two young demons' talons. While they worked, Kagome arranged InuYasha's body as best she could, closing the ruined kimono over his chest wound and washing off what blood she could. The entire thing was a mindless process for her, she had entered shock long ago.
Sesshomaru lowered InuYasha's body into the grave, and they stood solemnly around it, paying their respects with silence. They filled the grave all the while Kagome watched with a kind of disconnected fascination. Sesshomaru bent to place Tetsusaiga on the grave, but she grabbed his arm. He looked at her, confused.
"He'd want you to have it," she said simply, to which he nodded. They then proceeded to burn Kikyo's body, not trusting a burial to keep her from rising again. When nothing was left but ashes, they scattered them to the wind, trusting the gods to take the remains far away. Sesshomaru put his arm around Kagome, pulling her close to him as they walked toward the medi-van.
"We should do something to celebrate," he muttered in her ear.
"Celebrate what?" The death of a friend, or the death of an enemy? Either way, I don't feel too much like throwing a party.
"Us, the fact that we're still alive, and will continue to be for many years to come," he said, turning her around to face him. "I've never cared for anyone like I do for you, Kagome. And I couldn't continue living unless you're there with me. Promise you won't leave, stay with me. Forever."
"Always," she muttered as he closed the distance between their faces with a kiss.
Several months later…
It had taken them almost three months to get everything back in order. Sesshomaru organized for the burial of the dead and the cremation of the enemies that littered the grounds. Afterwards, he set out to rebuild the house; within weeks it had been restored to its former splendour. After everything had settled down, he called the remaining staff to the front of the house. He saw their looks of anxiety and nervousness and took pity on them. He released them of their contracts, should they wish it. The majority of them left, after swearing an oath not to reveal what had ever occurred in the house. Those who did stay behind were few, but loyal to the end. Most were demons, eager to prove their worth to Sesshomaru.
As for the others, Koga decided to leave and start up his father's old pack. Kagome bid him a final farewell, wishing him luck and demanding that he contact them at least once a month in the future. Kaoru, the human doctor, decided that it would be best to remain with Sesshomaru and Kagome. He claimed that he wanted to study their relationship; if he could discover how the mating process occurred, he would go out into the demon community and help others. Haruto swore his allegiance to Sesshomaru, pledging to protect not only him, but Kagome as well. However, it didn't last long; with a damaged wing, he could do little to protect them and Sesshomaru released him of his vow, but not before offering him his home as an equal.
Lastly, Satoru, the half-demon that reminded Kagome so much of InuYasha, had no place to go, so Kagome offered him a place at her side, not as a servant, but as a friend. He heartily accepted her offer, but chose instead to live on his own, in the city were the chances of running into other full-blooded demons were slim. Sesshomaru offered to teach him how to keep his blood-lust under control, but he politely refused, saying that is was something he had to do on his own.
Kagome and Sesshomaru were married within the first two months of staying together. They went back to Higurashi Shrine, were fortunately, Kikyo's spell had dissipated. After a tearful reunion with her family, she properly honoured her dead grandfather, who was buried behind the house. They held the ceremony at the shrine, and it was a beautiful ceremony. Kagome was dressed in the best dress money could buy; Sesshomaru's suit expensive enough to feed a small country for a week. She discovered that Kikyo's spell of forgetfulness had lifted off every person she knew. Surrounded by friends and family, she married the love of her life.
Now living at Sesshomaru's mansion, despite her mother's pleas to remain at home, Kagome was finally at peace. She stood on the balcony outside their bedroom, watching the sun go down over the forest. As silent as ever, Sesshomaru was suddenly beside her, an arm around her shoulders. She looked at him, his face coloured by the setting sun and smiled. He caught her smile and looked down at her, curious.
"What is it that you see that brings you so much delight?" he asked, turning to face her.
"You, stupid," she said, no malice behind her words. "As if there is, or ever will be, someone else that could bring a smile to my face the way you do."
"There might be, later on," he said, placing a hand on her belly, which was showing the tell-tale roundedness of pregnancy.
"True," she said, looking back at the view. Her smile dropped slightly and she shook her head.
"What is it? Is something bothering you?" Sesshomaru asked, genuinely concerned.
"Not really, I was just thinking…"
"About him," Sesshomaru added, referring to InuYasha. His voice was calm and held no resentment.
"Yeah," she admitted. "Do you think… is he happy? Do you wonder if—"
"I know that where he is, he will take comfort in knowing that you have a home, a family and are happy again, despite what happened. InuYasha might have been many things, but he won't hate you for continuing to live the life he wished he could have given you," Sesshomaru said, cutting her off. She looked up him, saw the truth in his eyes and smiled again, resting her head on his chest. The sun was almost completely gone then, only a small fraction of light painted the darkening sky in brilliant pinks and reds.
"Do you really think that the Shikon Jewel is finally gone?" Kagome asked after a while. "Is it finally at peace?"
"I don't know," Sesshomaru admitted. "InuYasha swore to take it with him into the afterlife, and when he passed away, it was no longer there."
"I feel kind of uneasy about that. What if it's reborn in someone else? What if—"
"Kagome, don't worry so much, it's not healthy," Sesshomaru said, rubbing her back."Whatever happens, I'll protect you from whatever comes our way, whether it's the Shikon Jewel or some idiotic demon who thinks he can use you to get to me. I swear it."
"I know," she said, cupping his face with her hands, tracing the purple slashes on his cheeks. "I really do. And I swear to you, Lord Sesshomaru, that you will always have me. Not even death will be able to separate us."
"I wouldn't let it," Sesshomaru added as he bent low to kiss her, the sky twinkling with the first stars of the night.
Final Note: I realize, as so many of you pointed out, that Sesshomaru's character is very... un-Sesshomaru-ish. To this I say two things: 1) My story, so stuff that in your pipe and smoke it! and 2) He went through a severe character evolution. After losing Kagome the first time, not to mention the wish on the Shikon Jewel, (remember that? that "he would find happiness"? Well, the Jewel's a bitch, and put him through the ringer with Kagome), he grew more caring, less bad-tempered, although he still has that calm and collected disposition. If there are any questions anyone has, please send me a PM and I will try to resolve them ASAP.
Well, this is my final good-bye to all my fans of this story. I love you all and thanks so much for going through this experience with me; I know my writing started out bland, but to those of you who saw the potential and waited it out until I got better, thanks! Also, if you're a Zelda fan, or just a fan of good, epic story-telling (self-promotion FAIL), please check out my latest story, Conquering The Past, it's almost done and I assure you, it is worth the time to read.
Thanks again and see you in the sequel! (?)
-Jack Knights