SessKag : The Relations of You and Me - Ch. 1

-When Your First Love Ends-

*huff**huff*

Kagome breathed heavily as she ran through Inuyasha's forest. A very large, and very powerful, demon close behind her. She had been picking herbs far from the village when a monstrous demon picked up her scent and pursued her with horrid intentions.  She was so scared; every fiber of her being was being pushed to the limit to keep moving, to stay alive. And just as she was about to give out to exhaustion, her savior, Inuyasha, quickly appeared from the trees.

"Kagome!" he yelled as he saw the dangerous situation

"Inuyasha!" she cried out as she saw him running toward her at full speed

"Kagome, it's ok, just keep running toward the village!"

Inuyasha ran straight toward the demon and, pulling his transformed Tessaiga from it's sheath, he stopped the demon's claws just as they were about to rip her apart. The demon snarled in it's throat at the unexpected interference. It quickly jumped back only to ricochet off of a nearby branch, flying over Inuyasha and back on it course to kill Kagome and consume her flesh. Inuyasha was in disbelief, this demon wasn't your typical small fry that they usually saw in that area. It was fast and seemed pretty coordinated.  Inuyasha pursued the demon and managed to stop it once again. He drew back his sword for a final attack.

"WIND SC-ughh", before he even managed to complete the swing of his sword, the demon had driven it's tail through his chest, lifting him from the ground. He felt his breath leave him as the armored tail crushed his lungs. With a quick toss, the hanyou was thrown against a nearby tree.  He groaned as the force of the impact sent jolts of pain throughout his body. Still clenching his sword, he looked up to see the gruesome demon standing over him, a satisfied sneer on its ugly face. Convinced the hindrance was taken care of the monster turned to once again chase his prey, the delicious looking little village woman. Inuyasha was NOT going to let Kagome get eaten, especially by the likes of this bastard. When she had come back for him, after three years of waiting, he had never known such happiness in all his life; not even with Kikyo. He had decided he would do whatever it took to protect her, to keep her safe. Mustering the last of his strength, he thrust his sword upward, straight through the demon's heart. The creature snarled and screamed as his heart was pierced by Inuyasha's blade.

Within a moments the demon was dead. Inuyasha sighed with relief as he watched the youkai fall to the ground. Thrusting his sword into the ground, he tried to get to his feet, to run to Kagome and let her know he was alright. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get up. As he collapsed back into the tree, he could feel himself slipping into death as blood filled his lungs, making it impossible to breathe. As his last breath left him he muttered the only thing on his mind. "Ka-go-me…" And with that he was gone.
~~~
Kagome wanted to stop. She wanted to turn around and be by Inuyasha's side as he fought for her sake. But she couldn't, the adrenaline was pumping through her body to the point where it controlled her every movement. She was in a panic and she had to keep running. When she finally reached Kaede's village she began searching frantically for her friends. She raced as fast as she could until she reached Miroku and Sango's house.  Both of them were doing laundry with their three children when they spotted the panic stricken Kagome rushing toward them. Sango was the first to speak.

"Oh my god, Kagome, what happened to you!?" She asked as she saw Kagome's torn kimono and injured arms due to running through the thick forest without stopping. She rushed to grab the tattered miko as she collapsed before her. Her fatigue finally catching up with her, Kagome began to cry in Sango's comforting arms.

"It's Inuyasha..he's fighting a demon that was chasing me..a-and I think he needs help."  She choked out through tears and heavy breaths.

Miroku responded reassuringly, "Don't worry Kagome, you know how strong he is, I'm he'll be just fi-" he was quickly cut off by Kagome.

"No! Something doesn't feel right..that demon..it was different somehow..I don't think..he c-can…" She couldn't hold out any longer. She was too exhausted. She collapsed onto Sango's chest, barely able to hear her friends calling her name as she slipped into unconsciousness…
~~~
When she awoke, she found herself in Kaede's house.  A fire was going and someone had placed a cold, damp cloth on her forehead.  Bandages covered the cuts and bruises she had up and down her arms. She turned her head to look out a window only to have her eyes blinded by the strong morning light. Laying there she pondered why she was even in Kaede's house when suddenly, everything came flooding back to her. The demon chasing her, Inuyasha protecting her..Inuyasha. She shot upright and was about to race out of the house when she spotted Kaede, Miroku, Sango and their children, Shippo, Kirara, and even little Rin surrounding the room. All of them had grief and sadness written on their faces. Kagome looked around the room to find Inuyasha, but, he wasn't there.

"W-where is..?"  She began but couldn't finish as Kaede made her way over to the bed, placing her hands over Kagome's. This entire ordeal had Kagome in a mental panic and she dreaded having to hear whatever Kaede was about to say.

"Child, I need ye to be calm, and listen to what I have to say.." Kaede said with her grandmother-like tone. Kagome, void of expression, simply nodded as she stared blankly into the old miko's caring eyes.

"I'm afraid Inuyasha, has left this world Kagome..he can no longer be by your side, child." Kaede knew she need to be straight-forward about this or Kagome would never believe her.

Kagome wasn't even registering this; what was Kaede saying? Inuyasha would always be with her, by her side, protecting her. She let out a breathy laugh, "Heh-heh, what is this you guys? I mean come on seriously, he can't just be.." She continued her nervous chatter as she rose from the futon. "Oh I know, he put you up to this, he's probably just outside the door, right? I'm going to go see-"

"Kagome!" Sango yelled through tears as she grabbed Kagome by the hand. Kagome froze where she stood, a painful lump forming in her throat. "He's really gone..by the time Miroku and I got to the forest he and that demon had killed each other! Face reality Kagome, he's not coming back!"

"I-Inuyasha..is..?" Tears welled up in her eyes as her leg gave out on her. No, this couldn't be happening. Being with Inuyasha was here whole reason for existing in this time. She had just started learning the ways of being a miko so she could make him proud. He was her whole world. She needed to escape this horrible reality. She hoped this was all a bad dream and she would be waking up soon to see Inuyasha by her side once more. But this wasn't a dream.

The most horrible sadness swept through her as she crouched on the ground screaming through gushing tears, "n-no..No...NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

She was going to have to accept it. Her beloved Inuyasha..was dead.
____________________________________________________________

As morning arrived in the feudal era, Kagome began to stir to the sounds of birds chirping and the cool breeze through her door opening. It was the beginnings of spring and the cherry tree she had placed near her home had begun to bloom. As she opened her eyes she could feel the tears streaming down her face. She had once again relived her beloved's tragic death in her dreams. She had this recurring nightmare often and, she hated it. Wiping the tears from her face she got out of her futon so that she could fold it and put it away.  After getting dressed and prepared for her day, she grabbed her favorite basket and set out to gather herbs from the forest in which her house was located. She was still a miko in training so she used every day to train and practice. She lived in a reasonably sized house not too far away from Kaede's village, but far enough to where it took half a day to go see her friends.

She would admit it, she was lonely being so far away from everyone but she learned over time that it was better for her this way. Every time she saw Miroku, Sango, or Shippo's face, she was reminded of her times with Inuyasha and the adventures they had together. She couldn't bear any thoughts of him, they only made her depre…*SMACK*

Both of Kagome's hands quickly came up to smack her cheeks. "That's enough of that!" she stated to herself. She refused to allow such sad thoughts to persist.  As soon as she headed out the door she heard a familiar growl that she recognized instantly, it was Kirara. A knot of anxiety quickly formed in her stomach as she looked up in the clearing above her home to see two familiar faces. Descending quickly but gently, the big demon-cat, landed roughly five feet away from Kagome. Slowly sliding off of the cat's back was Lady Kaede and Rin. As soon as they were settled on the ground Kirara rapidly transformed through flames into the cute little cat she usually was. The tiny cat then quickly settled onto Kaede's shoulder. Kagome had little time to brace herself as Rin jumped into her arms to give her a big hug. Her basket fell to the ground and they both went tumbling down as Rin squeezed Kagome tightly.

"Kagome nee-san, Rin has missed you so much!" the young girl said happily into the young miko's bosom. Kagome noticed a small tear in Rin's eye as she began to push the both of them back up from the ground. She couldn't help but smile as she finally managed to get up in a sitting position.

"I've missed you too, Rin-chan.." Kagome cooed as she patted the little girl's head. She really had been missing the comfort of other people and a small tear ran down her cheek as well as she welcomed Rin's warm embrace.

"Greetings Kagome, it has been far too long," Kaede said as she approached the two young women, smiling down at their touching reunion.

"Oh!" Kagome exclaimed as she suddenly remembered Kaede was there as well. "Yes it has been a while Kaede, how is your health?"

"Ha-ha, oh I'm fine child, I may be old but I still have years worth of life in these aged bones." Kaede said with a chuckle.

Kagome giggled. She couldn't stop smiling at the two of them. She was just so happy they were here to see her.

"My, look how much you've matured, and so beautiful." Kaede said affectionately. Kagome had indeed changed over these few years. She had lost her baby face and had gained the face of a mature young woman. Her dark hair was slightly longer, about mid-back, and still just as beautiful. And of course her big brown eyes had become even more caring and kind but with a slight sadness behind them. "How old are you now dear?"

Kagome slowly stood up, Rin still in her arms. "Ah, I'm twenty now" She replied. Kagome tried putting the young girl down but she had her arms firmly wrapped around her missed nee-san neck and she wasn't letting go. Kagome sighed in defeat and continued to hold the young girl to her chest.

"Oh yes, that's right," Kaede remembered, "you were eighteen when you came back to us weren't you? It's hard to believe it's already been two years since Inuya-" The old woman stopped herself upon seeing Kagome's downturned face. This was an obviously painful subject and Kaede quickly got to her reasons for visiting that day.

She cleared her throat. "So, Kagome, young Rin and I are here today because we have a request we'd like to make of you.." Kagome looked back up from the ground, happy that the subject was changing.

"Y-yes, what is it Kaede?" she asked hesitantly. Kagome wasn't sure if she would like what was to be requested of her or not.

"Rin, why don't you ask her?" Kaede told the young girl as she was pulling herself away from Kagome's embrace to speak. Sitting in Kagome's arms, she balanced herself by putting both hands on Kagome's shoulders. Looking directly into Kagome's questioning face she asked,

"Well you see, Rin was wondering if she could come live with you…"

Kagome was speechless upon the little girl's request. To have someone come to live with her was not something she could picture herself doing. She had been trying her best to stay away from the people of this era. It was just too hard for her to interact with anyone now that Inuyasha was gone. However, she had seen her friends a few times over the last two years. Miroku and Sango would come with their three children and stay a few days to keep her company and to check up on her. They just couldn't stand leaving her alone for too long and Kagome understood that. Shippo would stay with her occasionally when he took breaks from his fox demon training. And she honestly enjoyed their brief visits, but having someone stay with her twenty-four/seven was a whole different story. Since the loss of her beloved she wasn't as cheerful as she used to be and that alone was reason not to have an easily influenced young girl around. She didn't want to portray negatively on her. Just as she was about to kindly reject the request, Kaede, noticing Kagome's inner turmoil, spoke up.

"You see Kagome," she began "I'll admit, I'm not as young as I used to be. I can no longer properly keep up with everything I promised to teach Rin about the human world." Kagome quietly listened to the old woman's confession. "I thought of sending her to live with Miroku and Sango, but they already have three children of their own, and Rin did not want to burden them with the task of looking after her." Kagome noticed Rin blush as Kaede continued. "You are a kind soul, Kagome, and I feel you are the best choice for Rin's caretaker. You can teach her all the things I taught you before you left the village, and even some lessons of your own. Please won't you take her in Kagome? I have no one else I can trust with this matter."

As the old miko finished her plea, Kagome looked back and forth between her two friends. She was still uncomfortable with this but if Kaede really couldn't depend on anyone else but her…

She then looked directly at Rin's apprehensive face and with a warm smile asked, "Rin, would you like to come live with me?" A huge grin donned the young girl's face as she once again gripped Kagome's neck in an embrace.

"Yes! Yes! Thank you Kagome nee-san! Now Rin doesn't have to stay with people she doesn't know." Seeing Rin so happy, Kagome felt slightly excited as well. She was still nervous about this but at least her acceptance gave the little girl such joy. She returned her embrace with a smile.

"Ah, I thank you Kagome," Kaede was relieved the young miko had accepted this proposal. She really did need the help, but she also secretly had another motive for this arrangement. She wanted Kagome to come back to the world of being around people.  It broke the old miko's heart when Kagome shut down and refused to be around anyone, having a home built far from the village. "Now, later this evening I'll have a few people from the village deliver Rin's things."

Kagome, setting Rin down, responded, "That's fine with me Kaede, I promise I'll take good care of Rin."           

Kaede smiled kindly and said, "I know that you will dear." Kirara had already jumped from her shoulder and transformed, ready to take Kaede back to the village. With Kagome's help, the old priestess mounted the big cat and flew away until her next visit. Kagome, with Rin by her side, waved goodbye until Kaede was gone from view.

Quickly breaking the silence Rin turned to Kagome and asked, "Nee-san, would you help Rin with something?"  

"Yes, I guess so, what is it that I can do?" Kagome asked hesitantly. Something was a very broad term after all.

"Well, you see, Rin was wondering if you could help her pick flowers for Sesshoumaru-sama when he comes to visit Rin later," the little girl asked with innocent intentions.

Kagome froze where she stood. She had completely forgotten one important aspect of having Rin stay with her permanently and that was none other than, Sesshoumaru. He cared deeply for his precious ward and visited her often, occasionally bearing gifts. She felt like smacking herself across the forehead. How on earth was she supposed to deal with the arrogant half-brother of her late lover visiting all the time!? She couldn't even begin to imagine how she would handle it.

Rin looked up at the worried Kagome and quickly continued, "umm..Rin can go on her own if you don't want to-" she was quickly cut off by Kagome. "No it's not a problem Rin, I was just, um, trying to remember where the best flower patches are around my house is all.."

"Oh! Ok, well which way should we go nee-san?" The little girl asked excitedly as she looked around trying to predict which way they were going.

Kagome then began to honestly think of where the best flowers were this time of year. "Actually Rin, I was going to pick herbs this morning before you arrived and the field where I was headed has beautiful flowers right now, let me get my bow and arrows and we can go, ok?"

"Ok!" the little girl replied

Kagome retrieved her bow and arrows from her house, picked up her dropped basket, and then proceeded to lead Rin down a path toward the fields. After walking for a good twenty minutes they arrived at a clearing where multiple herbs and flowers were growing generously. Rin mouth gaped at all the flowers before her and quickly set herself down in the patch she liked the best. Kagome smiled at the young girl as she headed to her usual patch of herbs that she frequented this time of year. As she collected her spoils, she went back to her thoughts of Sesshoumaru and how she would react when she inevitably ran into him. Unlike her friends, who visited, she had not seen Sesshoumaru once these past two years. It's not like that bothered her, they weren't exactly friends nor held any sort of friendly relationship for that matter. She just didn't want him to come and end up breathing down her neck all the time. Lecturing her about properly taking care of Rin and such. She was getting anxious now, and could no longer concentrate on sorting her herbs out properly. She looked over to Rin to see that she had finished picking as many different flowers as she could carry. Smiling at the young girl she collected her things, and headed over toward her.

"Rin if your finished, we can head back soon, I'll make us some lunch, ok?" Truthfully, Kagome was starving, it was already noon and she had missed breakfast due to Kaede and Rin's visit that morning.

Rin gathered up her flowers, dropping a few in the process, and ran after Kagome as they headed back down the path to Kagome's house. Kagome couldn't help but smile every time Rin sped up to keep up with her faster pace. She was like a little duckling following closely behind its mother and it was just adorable.

As they approached the final hill before her house, Kagome turned her face back toward Rin and couldn't help but ask, "So when do you think Sesshoumaru is going to come visit you today, Rin?" Rin adjusted her flowers so that she could make eye contact with her caretaker. Once again dropping a few.

"Well Sesshoumaru-sama usually comes before dar-Oh! Sesshoumaru-sama!" The little girl sped past Kagome as they arrived at her house. Kagome's heart pounded in her chest as she turned her head around to see flowing silver hair and piercing golden eyes. Standing there by her cherry tree as if the space around him was his, and his alone, was Sesshoumaru.