Abandoned

Undertaker/Kagome

A/N: Not one of my best works but I'm going to be away for a couple days sooo here's an update!

For someone abandoned, alone, the person who steps up and saves them, cares for them, is an absolute existence.

Kagome had never thought about this, never truly understood the underlying reason why Shippo had loved her so, yet, when InuYasha left one night and did not return, she began to. Even with Shippo, she felt so very alone.

It was she who went to the fields during the day, to bring home rice to feed herself and her adoptive son.

It was she who helped Shippo to improve his illusions; so that he, himself, may be able to survive without her should he need to.

It was she who taught him there is no shame in running—in hiding to live another day.

It was she who defended InuYasha's honor; even two years after he'd left them alone, saying he would return, for she was his wife.

It was she who cried softly in her sleep, for she knew it wasn't true.

Life continued and she didn't cry or beg for her life when a death god came for her soul, instead she ran. She knew it was futile to run from death, but, still, she ran with Shippo's helpful illusions.

Soon, more death gods came, and Kagome, only twenty-four at the time, had become skilled at dodging them.

That was, until they sent him.

He was known among his own only as the Undertaker, and although he was a death god, he questioned why she would do all of this.

"Because, if I'm gone, who will Shippo have left? I'll fight death, I'll run, I'll escape, I will never abandon my son!" Kagome said, and she watched as the shinigami nodded, extending his hand to her.

"If you are sure, come with me, both of you." His smile was wide as he pulled his hair from the ponytail and pulled off his glasses. "I was tired of reaping souls anyway."

"Where will we go?" Kagome asked, scared as she placed her hand in his.

"To a place where we can hide, and I can keep you safe." With that, he dropped his scythe, and it floated above the ground a moment before sinking into it, causing ripples as if the earth were water. "In a time where Kagome Higurashi is long forgotten, and in a place where we can walk among humans who no longer believe."

It wasn't long before the Undertaker had claimed a spot under the protection of the Phantomhives, and even less time for them to take up roles as the local undertakers—though Kagome and Shippo simply made the coffins. Over time, Kagome found she didn't age, and she and Undertaker watched as Vincent grew from a young boy to a handsome father. Together, they saw Shippo off when he left to explore the world. Together, they greeted Ciel when he returned with a demon.

But it was Undertaker that stood between Kagome and Sebastian with a smile.

It was Undertaker who made subtle threats to the demon as Kagome's hand gripped his sleeve.

It was Undertaker who eventually fought the demon on a boat, happily taking his scythe to him and threatening his precious person.

It was Undertaker who abandoned the battle once he saw his own creations were after her.

It was Undertaker who took her heart, and gently gave his own in return.

Some people have reasons to abandon who they are and what they know, Undertaker abandoned his duties for her. InuYasha abandoned Kagome for Kikyo. Kagome abandoned her way of life first for InuYasha, next for Shippo, and then finally, for Undertaker. Shippo abandoned his family to build his own adventure, reliving his younger years with the Inu-tachi.

Undertaker knew, however, there were somethings you couldn't abandon. He'd known he couldn't reap her soul after seeing her, known he couldn't abandon her when she needed help. And so, he faithfully stood beside her and protected her from dangers she didn't even realize were there. And she thanked him in the only way she knew how, by loving him with all her heart and eagerly giving herself to him, body and soul.