The Shikon Heart & Tragic Moon Prince

"Once a upon a time, there was a handsome prince, he was rich and powerful, and he threw the most beautiful balls, and it held the most beautiful people, yet the prince had no friends, only subjects" Kagome carefully turned the page of the old book she was reading,

"One stormy night he threw the grandest of balls and ever eligible fair maiden attended in hopes of gaining the princes favor, but this prince was cold and cruel, he cared not for romance or love" Kagome took a deep breath "Suddenly the winds threw open the doors of the grand ball, and in staggered an old beggar woman, she was cold and wet from the storm and offered the prince a single red rose in hopes he would offer her a room"

Kagome peeked at the kids who listen carefully.

"But the cold dark prince sneered at her and told her to leave, he snatched the rose and looked at it, the woman begged and told the prince not to be fooled, for beauty, love, and power were found within, but he didn't care, set in his ways he dismissed her again"

Kagome smiled softly "Then something magical happened that had even the prince himself standing back, a bright light erupted and shone and before him stood a beautiful enchantress, hair long wavy and golden, eyes to match, her skin like porcelain and her lips as red as the rose he held in his hand" Kagome softly turned the page again using only fire for light.

"The prince asked for forgiveness and bowed to her, but it was too late for she had seen he had no love in his heart, he would be doomed to an immortal life of loneliness, she turns him into a fearful demon, and he was trapped within his walls, she sent the people away, his family long dead the prince was alone, he had no kingdom and now no subject in which to worship him, he was alone, and at first he enjoyed his solitude, but then watching the outside world, he started to feel despair" She turned the page, the last one for the night,

"The prince still had the rose, the one the enchantress called the rarest off all, she told him if he could find someone to love and earn her love before the last petal fell the spell would be broken, and he would never be lonely again, but if he did not he would lose his soul to the deepest darkness and he would forever be doomed to the cold darkness of hell, not even the devil himself would speak to him"

Kagome closed the book, the kids Rin and Shippo were now fast asleep as was Sango and Miroku. Kagome smiled, she was happy. She pulled the now completed jewel from her shirt and looked at it. After the battle, It was decided that the final wish should be made in its birthplace, after all the soul of the one who created it was still inside, Kagome wished nothing more than to free her.

Kagome looked up to a distant tree was Inuyasha, and Kikyo lay, her body was not long for this world, and Inuyasha was trying desperately to hang on to her, Kagome wished she could save her too. She stopped smiling and placed the jewel back under her shirt and then slipped the old book back into her bag. Even though they won, it would not be a happily ever after, for everyone, Kagome knew she would soon be gone too.

"Your story is tragic" His stoic voice came, Kagome could not help but smile a bit, leave it to him to listen "Which one?" She asked, her story, or the books? Perhaps both?

"Indeed" He stated standing against a tree,

"I can't believe Naraku is gone," She said into the night air "4 years fighting, it's almost over" Sadness rushed over her,

"Yet you are sad, is it because of the half breed?" He generally wanted to know,

"Yes, no, I'll miss everyone, Sango is like a sister, Miroku like a brother, Inuyasha is my best friend and Shippo and Rin are like my own, I care for them" She paused for a moment, unsure, not wanting to insult him "And you, your- She wasn't really sure,

"Like the prince in your book? Perhaps you wish to save my soul?"

She laughed for a second "Well come to think of it you are a prince aren't you?"

"Hn"

"How about I just call you a great Lord and ally?" She offered,

He looked away and at the calm night sky above "As you wish Miko."