AN: This is inspired by Hozier's 'In a Week' song. Please give it a chance despite the angsty premise! For Sesskag Week Day 4 - White (Death & Mourning)
Warning: references to gore.
----
The scent of cloying ash and burning bodies pursued them into the haze filled sky, and further still long after they'd left the Western Stronghold behind.
Sesshoumaru's once proud home had been reduced to a towering black plume of smoke climbing into the heavens. Fire roared, licking at its foundations and claiming everything in sight.
Kagome held onto her mate with a death-grip, panting wildly. Ah-Un took them as far as they could, weakening with the burden of their combined weight. A few arrows pierced the dragon's hide.
A blood-soaked hand lifted, soft wheezing punctuating his breathing. Kagome clasped it tight, hot salty tears making tracks down her ashen face.
"Ah-Un, this is far enough," she said gently.
The dragon crooned, drifting down to a yellow field with dry grass at the border of the trees. At the very least, they'd left the battlefield behind.
Kagome slid off their saddle, cradling Sesshoumaru close and landing with him on papery grass in a heavy heap.
One of the dragon heads drifted down, nudging his cheek.
Magenta lids remained shut, until Sesshoumaru's eyes cracked open weakly. Kagome tried to stay outwardly calm, forcing a smile and stroking Ah-Un's tousled mane.
"You did so well. Thank you for getting us out of there," she murmured, fingers drifting over their green scales. "But Sesshoumaru wouldn't want you to die with us. Soldiers will no doubt sweep through here. You need to go, Ah-Un."
The two heads lifted with a soft growl, their mane's bristling, tail swishing with agitation.
"Do as your- gn...Lady commands," Sesshoumaru croaked, bloodied lips sneering. "You have our kin to serve. My son and daughters- my Mother. Find the survivors. Now."
Drooping with sadness, the dragon made a few more rumbles, trying to settle around their fallen figures, wanting to stay- but Kagome pushed their muzzles back. She then lifted herself enough to kiss them each on the nose.
"He's right. Please go find our children. They're all grown up but they'll still need help- and you've got your own life to live. Don't waste it by dying here with us," she gave a broken smile.
Pulling away, Ah-Un crooned mournfully, nuzzling them once more. They then took to the skies with obvious reluctance, keeping low to the forest.
"Think they'll make it?" Kagome murmured, settling Sesshoumaru's head onto her lap and stroking his hair.
"A two headed- hah- dragon is easily spotted. Their chances are slim of making it to the barrier. They should not have remained to do battle."
"They love you, of course they'd stay."
Golden eyes stared up at the orange sky, plumes of smoke drifting on the breeze. The field lay quiet and undisturbed, yellowy grass cushioning them. Their private gardens had been much more vibrant. Green and lush; now reduced to mere cinders.
Like ants, humans had roamed Sesshoumaru's land, repopulating much too fast. Quicker than demons could keep up with. Kagome had warned his kind about the potential fall of youkai- but only Sesshoumaru had listened to a point.
They'd created a barrier many years ago. An entire section of Western Lands located within a forest had been cleaved off- cut away from the very fabric of their world to create a new one. A safe space for demons- to be used when all seemed lost.
Kagome only felt comforted by the knowledge that their children were safe. Many of their demon friends had also made it to the new world- Inuyasha among them, since he'd been tasked with protecting his nieces and nephew while Sesshoumaru held off attackers alongside Kagome.
Shapes grew blurry for the miko. Colours swayed outside of their natural barriers, sweat beading on her brow. The multiple arrows embedded into her back were starting to take their toll. They'd missed puncturing a lung, allowing her to last so long, but she felt herself waning
Sesshoumaru was in a much worse state.
There was no chance of recovery, even for someone as powerful as he.
Amazingly, the humans seeking the eradication of demons had employed other demons in order to attack their beloved Western home. It was a foreign, crocodile demon that Sesshoumaru had fought just moments before, after fending off too many other foes. They'd weakened him in preparation for the beast that would claim his life.
Kagome stroked his feverish temples. "I love you," she mumbled.
He coughed, flashing chipped teeth in a silent growl, "do not start talking like that."
"Like what?"
"As if this will be the last time we ever- gn- see each other."
Black hair pooled around his upturned face as she bowed forward, stroking his jaw tenderly. "I mean, maybe our reincarnations will have a thing," she smirked, tears biting her eyes with a harsh sting. The scent of copper drowned her sense of smell.
He panted with effort. "You are far too calm considering the circumstances."
"I know. We always figured I'd be a blubbering mess in this hypothetical scenario."
"I am...furious," he rasped, trembling claws ghosting over her lips, nicking the skin. "Angry with myself for allowing this to ha-happen," breaths rattled out of him. "Not enough...we did not have nearly enough time together."
"114 years is pretty good by human standards," she smiled against his fingers, kissing them. Tears fell to gently land upon his nose and striped cheeks. "Don't be angry. No one could have predicted what happened. I don't regret anything between us other than this whole dying business. I just wish I'd had the chance to kill that General myself. Thanks for taking him out."
"He shot my mate full of arrows, it was the least I could do," he uttered with a faint smile, before his body shuddered, coughs devastating him. He jolted with each one.
Kagome pressed her lips together to keep from letting out an animalistic wail. Blue eyes blinked firmly, willing away the panic. Shifting, she lay down carefully on her side, cuddling against what was left of the once proud, undefeatable lord.
She slid her arms around his waist, uncaring of the blood now staining her legs. Nothing remained of Sesshoumaru from the waist-down, and neither acknowledged this even as his life-force gushed out of him, entrails unnaturally hanging out.
Golden eyes had dulled from their natural bright hue that she adored. Sesshoumaru stroked weak fingers through her hair, tugging in a way that signalled what he wanted.
Kagome drew closer, pressing split lips to his. His mouth moved slightly, responding as best he could. He tasted of blood and salt from her tears instead of rich, decadent smoke and fancy wine.
"I wanted...more," he said quietly, placid features morphing into genuine longing and regret. His eyes opened wide like a child, as though only just realising his own mortality. "More time. I have not claimed you nearly enough…"
"It would never be enough for you, you're too greedy," she forced a smile, cupping his cheek.
"Hn," he calmed, kissing her palm weakly. Dulled eyes crinkled at the edges. "...At least I will have you again, in another life…"
"Sesshoumaru, our reincarnations will be different people," she sighed, gesturing to herself. "Exhibit A; Kagome. Reincarnation of Kikyo."
He huffed without energy, "this one did not tell you everything about mating bonds or what I've been up to with old magic," he rasped. "Binding spells. I knew you would likely not approve."
"Tell me what?" she blinked, frowning when he did not respond. She shook his shoulder, "Sesshoumaru- tell me what?"
His eyes had fallen shut, a thin red trail of crimson leaking out from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to breathe.
Kagome stopped. She trembled violently, kissing his face and trying to keep calm. She felt far too lucid- and wanted to fade just as quickly as he.
"Captain! I think I see something!" a distant voice shouted, voice carrying over the meadows.
Gritting her teeth, Kagome lowered herself protectively over Sesshoumaru, ducking her head into his neck. "Why can't they just leave us alone?" she choked out, tears falling faster.
Feeling her mate's breaths start to fall quieter, less frequent, Kagome grasped his claws. She pulled back enough to see golden eyes struggle open. Pressing the sharp points against her pale neck, she dug them slightly into her jugular.
"Don't leave me here all alone," she whispered. "I don't want to be without you."
She would die anyway, but the thought of lasting long enough to witness him die- or be subjected to the soldier's hate and cruelty filled her with a renewed sense of dread.
Magenta lids slid shut, before dragging open. His hand snaked around the back of her neck, drawing her head down.
Sesshoumaru kissed her once, breathing thinly against her mouth. Golden eyes hazed into murky honey. "I am...in love with you, miko Kagome. N-nothing will separate us, not death nor time. Your soul is bound to mine," he rasped, words coming out as a strangled wheeze.
She melted with relief, affection and love in her gaze.
By the time the soldiers reached them, the mated pair known as the Western Lord and his Lady lay as though asleep, one having bled out, the other resting upon him with a broken neck.
-----
Mayumi Goto adjusted her loafer, sighing and trying her best to catch up with her rambunctious friends while they raced down the busy street.
"Wait up!" she called, dark twin braids swaying out behind her.
"No way, Mayu! Graduation only happens once! It's your fault we're late!" Satoshi threw over his shoulder.
Wincing, she weaved through the crowd, graduation gown tucked under her arm. It wasn't her fault they'd slept in after getting a little irresponsible with some celebratory drink. Her head was pounding, glasses slightly lopsided over her golden-brown eyes.
As Satoshi and the others became a distant speck in the crowds, Mayumi tried to push through strangers desperately, banging hard against someone's shoulder.
A young man with black hair paused mid-laugh, the sound breaking off. He turned away from his conversation with a growl. "Watch where you're-"
Blue eyes clashed with hers, both of them freezing in place. Sensation flooded their veins. The world tilted on its axis. Hearts burst into overdrive, pumping blood so fast they became light headed. And in that confusion, their souls shifted, dominant memories pushing forth from the depths of their beings, overtaking simple lives of schoolwork and classmates, their hobbies and interests, personalities- the very fabric of what made them Mayumi and Takiyo becoming overshadowed by a burst of pure, blinding white.
"Takiyo? Dude, what's wrong? Do ya know her?"
They remained deaf to Takiyo's friend, gazing at each other wordlessly.
Neither knew who moved first. Suddenly their mouths had crashed against one another, arms scrambling, fingers clawing to pull them closer.
"Gah! Taki what the hell?!"
Mayumi pulled away first, tears running down her face. "How is this possible?" she breathed thinly.
Takiyo took her chin in his hand, tears shimmering within his own eyes. "I did tell you; nothing would separate us, did I not, miko?" he murmured, voice a lower baritone than his friend had ever heard from Taki.
Mayumi's face contorted as she cupped his cheek, a wobbly noise escaping her. "N-not like this- I didn't want this," she said thinly, touching her clothes. "This poor girl- she- she was just living her life and I've stolen it!"
Takiyo gripped her close, yanking her back into a wall and claiming soft lips fiercely, stifling any protests. He pulled away enough to kiss her neck heatedly, caging her against the wall.
"You should have taken into consideration the lengths demonic claiming will go to, Kagome- and the lengths I would go to on top of that to ensure our survival. When I promised you forever, I meant it."
In that moment, Mayumi faded completely away, dying a silent death. Kagome shuddered, crying for the terrible thing they'd done- and for her lack of real guilt. How cruel she must've become, to gather him close and revel in it despite his body being a stranger's. A poor boy Sesshoumaru had essentially just killed, alongside her own successful murder. The situation was not lost on her; if Kikyo had mated a demon, the same fate would have befallen Kagome.
But there was enough terror in her memories.
For now, Kagome selfishly indulged in feeling him. She could examine the awful implications later. She just wanted her mate to starve away all the pain.
He did not smell nor look the same, so she relied on touch. His hands settled, one at her nape and the other at the base of her spine, stroking tenderly just as they'd used to. She caressed his ear with an ardent thumb, mourning the pointed tip.
This would take some getting used to.
"Uh, Taki?" a boy tapped him on the shoulder.
Sesshoumaru rounded on him with a pitiful imitation of a snarl, lips drawing back to reveal blunt teeth.
"Leave me be," he hissed, expression becoming haughty and cold.
Stumbling back, the boy looked confused. "What the hell's gotten into you, man?" he grunted, trudging away.
Kagome's hand trailed down, touching his chest. "I think I felt a flicker of youki then."
"Hn, it may yet be coaxed out further from my soul, alongside your reiki," he stroked her spine.
They gazed down at each other for a while, familiarising themselves with their changed, much skinnier bodies. Neither could stop touching the other.
"You have my eyes," Kagome grinned tearfully, fingers halting beneath them.
He softened, leaning into the gentle touch she offered and kissing her palms. "I am glad they were not lost. Now I will simply see them in the mirror whenever I wish."
"Cheesy," she mumbled, dragging him in close and embracing him tightly. He felt her stiffen against him. "Oh God- our children! Inuyasha! E-everyone! They'll have changed so much in 400 years!"
"Hn, we should go find them," Sesshoumaru kissed her forehead, resting his lips against the side of her head in a lingering kiss. "After. Let us stay here a while longer…"
Kagome noticed a graduation gown still tucked under her arm. With some modicum of guilt, she tossed it aside and ducked her face into her mate's neck, combing lithe fingers through his short hair and feeling her glasses bump against tanned skin.
"A little longer is more than fine with me," she inhaled a lungful of his teenage boy smell, committing his new scent to memory.
End