After the Jewel Disappears

Kaede sat at the fire making a large supper for all of the guests she had today. There was Sango, Miroku, young Shippo, Kirara, Inuyasha, Kagome and Sesshomaru. Ah such was her fate. But Kagome was back and everything was back to normal. Well except for Sesshomaru being there in piece with Inuyasha.

Kagome walked in and sat down near Sesshomaru but not as close as he wanted her to. So he moved closer to her without looking at her, so close their legs touched. Kagome glanced up at him confused. He didn’t even glance her way before she turned away. But Kagome still felt even surer that he cared about her. Why else had he moved closer to her?

“Kagome how did your meeting with my brother go?”

“He should be here in a minute, he has been torturing himself. Conjuring up thoughts and images of me and Kikyo tormenting himself. Why didn’t anyone else go to him?”

“It was not something anyone but you could do Kagome. He would hear nothing from anyone else. Otherwise I would have gone knowing how much it would have meant to you.”

“Thank you Sesshomaru. Kaede how have you been? I didn’t see you before at the well so I couldn’t ask.”

“I am fine. Inuyasha has been little company and Sango and Miroku have been off rebuilding the Demon Slayer’s village. Shippo was with them. I had the village to care after and Inuyasha to feed when he became hungry. Otherwise it has been lonely here.”

“Well thanks you old hag. I wish I had killed you a long time ago.”

“Ah Inuyasha there ye are. And my what have you been doing? Where are the subjugation beads they are no longer around your neck?”

“Ask Kagome. She took them off.”

“Be that true Kagome?”

“Yes it is true. Kaede, Inuyasha is no longer a threat. The jewel is gone. He has no reason to hurt anyone. So I took off the beads.”

“Kagome I understand why you have done that. What I don’t understand is why, why was it so secret? What you wanted to talk about with him. I could have come along.”

“Oh Sesshomaru. That isn’t what I had to tell him. I had to tell him why I was here again. That’s all.”

“And what did you tell him was the reason? Did you say you were here to bring him out of his melancholy behavior?”

“No, I told him I was here for you, and you alone. Not for him.”

Sesshomaru looked quickly at her then away, not knowing what to say. ‘So she is here for me alone. Not for the half-breed as I had thought originally.’

“I am glad to hear that. Kagome I thought at first you had come here for Inuyasha. But hearing you say that you came for me, makes my heart speed.”

“Sesshomaru, what is it you really wanted after the battle? Sango and Miroku wanted a life they could build together. Inuyasha wanted to live to protect the ones he cared for, and Kikyo wanted to go to hell. But you I am not sure about. I mean you are the Aristocratic Assassin Sesshomaru. Why would you want me?”

“I wanted you most because you are proud, brave, lovely, and loyal. But you also have spirit. I have admired you for a long time. Normally while you were standing up to me for Inuyasha. I know that I probably should have paid more attention to your life rather than continuously trying to kill the half-breed. However I knew you would be alright.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Well I was after Inuyasha to kill him, but I always held back for some reason. I always wondered why didn’t you ever wonder?”

“Well yes, I did wonder. Have you figured it out yet either?”

“Yes I do believe I have. I wanted to prove to you that I was better than that Inuyasha. I wanted you to want me too. To admire me the same way that I admired you.”

“Oh give it a rest Sesshomaru. She loves you, admires you, and can’t live without you. Accept it. You would be wise to just drop it.”

“Give it up Sesshomaru. Miroku is right, just let it go.”

‘Hn the Monk and the Demon Slayer give sound advice but Kagome had asked.’ Sesshomaru leveled a cold stare toward the two who had spoken. Silencing them effectively and looked at Kagome.

Kagome felt the blush rise to her face before she could stop it. He had held back and she had admired him. She had wanted him, had dreamed of him often. But she had still clung to Inuyasha in hope. She looked up at Sesshomaru and wondered why it had taken so long for her to realize what was right under her nose.

“Um, Sesshomaru, I did admire you. I did want you. But I didn’t know it until just before the final battle. I realized I cared for you but by that time I was going to be leaving so I made my wish on the jewel. A wish for everyone I cared for. I wished you all would have what you wanted most. I guess I never thought you would want me most. I wonder if I can go home and come back whenever I want to like I used to do.”

“Well there is only one way to find out. In the morning you and I shall try.”

Nodding Kagome stood and walked over to her bed and laid down to sleep, Sesshomaru soon followed behind her. Kagome stiffened slightly before relaxing when Sesshomaru joined her in the bed. He tightened his hold around her before he relaxed into a deep untroubled sleep.

Inuyasha stayed up staring at the two lying together for the first time and felt a stab of jealousy. If he had not been so caught up in Kikyo he might have been the one there with Kagome in his arms not his older brother. ‘God! How I resent him. And her, damn you Kikyo. I could hate you for this misery you have left me to. But I could never blame Kagome. It isn’t her fault, it is your fault Kikyo, for not taking me with you to hell.’ Inuyasha’s eyes narrowed on the couple smiling in their sleep. How dare he. How dare she! Inuyasha’s resentment of his brother and his past love grew and grew until he could no longer sit there in the same room as him. Inuyasha stood and walked out of Kaede’s hut. The stars and the Tree of Ages always helped to calm his nerves.



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A/N:Well what do you think so far? Please R&R.

Kinda short I know... but it will get better!