Sesshomaru and the Forgiving Soul

Chapter 24:

Kagome looked up at her ceiling and sighed. Rolling over she looked out the window where she could see her mother and Inuyasha talking under a cherry blossom tree. They looked so peaceful and content. Kagome sighed again.

“Why can’t I feel that way?”

Kagome rolled back onto her back and closed her eyes. Very soon she was asleep. Kagome drifted through a haze of black mist surrounded by the feeling of running out of time. There was something that she needed to do before it was too late. But what could it be?

She continued to drift through the mist and then it began to clear and Kagome saw a large clearing with two giant trees standing in the center of it. As she watched she could see herself standing in between the trees. Then the trees began to change and on one side was Sesshomaru. Kagome watched as she took a step toward him and heard a scream from behind her. Kagome looked and it was her mother clutching her chest. Kagome stood in between the two people just looking back and forth. Then she saw herself step away from Sesshomaru and toward her mother. Step after step Sesshomaru began to vanish. Kagome reached out to touch her mother and Sesshomaru howled before disappearing forever. Kagome embraced her mother and cried.

“This is the step that must be corrected Kagome.” Kagome looked to her left and saw Midoriko. “You must be able to overcome the fear of leaving your mother. The vision of your father was true. You will one day be able to see her again but if you choose her over Sesshomaru there will be no hope left for him or any demons.” Maya and Midoriko faded leaving Kagome standing alone in the hazy field.

“If I can not find the strength to choose Sesshomaru I will lose him forever?” Kagome fell to her knees and cried into her hands. She stayed that way for several minutes before she heard a voice that sounded so familiar.

“Kagome, my sweet child, what happened to your strength? What happened to all of that strength that I’ve seen you use day after day?” Kagome stared at her hands, defeated.

“I don’t have anymore. I must have used it all up.” Kagome heard a deep laugh bounce around her and she looked up into the black mists.

“You can not see me yet, my child. It is not time. I know that you have the strength to make this decision. I have watched you for a very long time and I know that you have it. You simply need to find it again.” Kagome shook her head as tears began to stream down her face again.

“The closer I get to Sesshomaru the more it hurts my mother. How can I commit to him when I know how much it hurts her?”

“My poor girl.” She felt a familiar aura wrap around her body calming her. “Your mother is strong. Stronger even by the fact that she will get to see you again. You are the one who needs to find the strength to let go. Be with the one whom you love. Go and be happy.” Kagome began to wake from her dream and smiled. Kagome opened her eyes and saw Sesshomaru sitting on the edge of the bed. Kagome’s smile grew bigger at the sight of him.

“Hello Sesshomaru.” Kagome sat up and smoothed her hair out. Sesshomaru smiled at her before grabbing her hands.

“I need to talk to you Kagome.” Kagome nodded. “The last of the lords is coming today and the ball will be tomorrow. I would like you to attend the ball at my side.” Kagome smiled and threw her arms around him.

“Of course I will.” Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around Kagome and breathed deeply her clean scent. He licked her neck and then nuzzled her hair. Kagome stayed very still. “Sesshomaru?” He pulled away from her and reached into his kimono and pulled out a book.

“You should read this book Kagome. It will provide answers to many of your questions.” Kagome took the book and Sesshomaru stood and left the room.

“That was weird.” Kagome looked down at the book in her hands and blushed. ‘Mating Rituals and Courtships.’ Kagome gulped and opened the book.

********

Kagome slowly closed the book and sighed. She looked out her window and saw her mother playing with the children. Kagome smiled and went to stand by her window. She watched her children with a content smile on her face. She felt a calm settle around her. She knew that she could never leave her children alone. Her mother would hurt but it would not last forever. With a nod she went to her closet and picked out a deep blue kimono. Mika stepped into the room just then and smiled warmly at her Lady.

"Shall I help you get dressed for dinner this evening?" Kagome nodded and laid her kimono out on the bed. Mika undressed Kagome and quickly put the kimono on her. Just as she finished tying the obi Tankia stepped into the room.

"My Lady." She said with a bow.

"Please, there is no need to do that." Kagome waved at the demoness. Tankia stood and clapped her hands twice. A moment latter a young kitsune demon walked into the room holding the most beautiful kimono Kagome had ever seen. It was just as the Tankia described it. The kimonos outer layer was mostly white. Embroidered on it were flowers matching Sesshomaru's on the left shoulder and down that sleeve as well as at the bottom. The next layer was deep red with silver accents that looked like cherry blossoms. Then a plain white layer and blue layer. The next on was white with more of the silver cherry blossoms on it. The last layer was a plain red, not as deep as the first but with no visible accents on it.

"Tankia! I love it. It is so beautiful. Are the others done as well?" Tankia nodded with a smile.

"All of the clothes you requested are done and have already been given to their owners." Kagome nodded and gentle waved her hand at the kimono. Mika sprang into action and took the kimono from the kitsune and took it to the closet. Kagome smirked at herself. That book she read was really paying off. Not only did it have the rituals but it also explained what was expected of her as a Lady.

"Thank you Tankia. You may go." Tankia and the kitsune bowed and left. Kagome waited a few moments before grabbing the book Sesshomaru gave her and heading to the library. Kagome gently extended her senses and feeling no one in the room went in without knocking. She placed the book on Sesshomaru's desk and walked back out. She looked outside and saw she had another hour before dinner was ready so she went for a walk in the gardens.

As she walked she nodded to her friends and some servants that she recognized. She felt the general behind her and knew what she wanted to do.

"General." He appeared next to her with a bowed head. "I'd like to practice my archery skills for a little while." The general bowed and lead her to the archery range. The practicing demons stepped aside and bowed to her before continuing with their lessons. Kagome looked around and sighed.

"Is there anything wrong m'Lady?" Kagome looked to the general and smiled sweetly.

"Just looking at your warriors abilities is all, general. I do see some that have some promise in this field." Kagome pointed to a dozen warriors that were doing better than the others. "Bring them over here and I'll give them a bit more training." The general bowed and went to get the warriors indicated. Kagome concentrated on her energy and felt the call of her bow and quiver. With little more than a thought they were in her hands. Kagome swung the quiver onto her back and readied a her bow. Kagome quickly pulled an arrow, readied and shot in only a few seconds. The arrow, without any miko powers, landed dead center of the target. Kagome turned and faced the gathered demons.

"I am Lady Kagome. I've been watching the field and see that you are the ones that show promise in archery. I'm going to be giving you some pointers to help that talent grow."

"How can any Lady give up pointers on anything related to fighting?" Kagome narrowed her gaze on the rat demon who spoke. Kagome readied her bow and loaded an arrow at the offending demon in less than a second.

"Your name?" The demon looked less than impressed.

"Kitto." Kagome slowly let her miko powers seep into the arrow and watched his eyes grow bigger.

"I suggest that you get your attitude under control before I have to explain to Sesshomaru why i stole the pleasure of running you through." Kagome turned and fired the arrow at a target. As soon as it left the bow the miko power exploded from it as it sailed to its target.

"You will report here first thing Monday morning for archery lessons. Your dismissed." The demons all bowed and left. Kagome dismissed her bow and arrow and felt them settle back in her room. She turned and saw her mother and the children watching her from the gardens. Kagome smiled and waved. The children jumped up from their seats and ran to her.

"Wow, mom. That was awesome!" Shippo said as he jumped into her arms. Rin attached herself to one of her legs and smiled shyly up at her.

"Momma?" Kagome looked down at the girl and smiled brightly. "Can I learn how to shoot a bow?" Kagome thought for a moment before answering.

"I don't see why not. Although we must get Sesshomaru's approval before I'll agree." Rin grinned and hugged her leg tighter. Kagome set Shippo down and reached a hand out to both children. "Let's go to dinner, shall we?"