For All Eternity by Lacus Somniorum

Destiny's Path

For All Eternity

~~~

Christmas is really the best part of the year. Tiny light bulbs in different colors decorate every shop in town. Angelic voices beautify the midnight sky. It's the perfect time to go shopping, since almost all stores are on a sale. Although shops are crowded, and the place is covered with snow, it's worth it anyway. You could feel the Christmas rush while shopping with the people and feeling the cold snow on the tips of your ears.

Little Kagome walked along her mother. She happily hummed while carrying a shopping bag, which was given to her by her mother as a birthday present. Mrs. Higurashi glanced down to her daughter's face filled with contentment. The sight almost made her cry. She knows her daughter is well informed about their money problem, perhaps that's the reason why she didn't asked for an expensive gift for Christmas. Becoming a widow since the last two months and giving birth to her second child really required a lot of money. But since her husband died, she has to work double time, to gain more money to be able to support her child's schooling.

"Mama?" Kagome tilted her head to look at her face. "Are you crying?"

Mrs. Higurashi brushed her tears with a handkerchief and sniffed slightly. "No, Kagome..." She tried to think of something to change the subject and knelt down to her. "Do you want some hot chocolate? It's getting cold, don't you think?"

"The temperature never bothered me, mama. But I'd like some hot chocolate." Kagome smiled.

"Okay. Will you come with me inside the coffee shop?"

"No, mama. I'll wait for you on that bench. Beside the boy." Kagome turned to the side and pointed at the bench with a little pale boy. Her mother twisted her trunk to look at what her daughter was pointing at behind her. The boy was perhaps two years older than Kagome. He was blowing on his hands with mittens and raising it to his ears and rubbing his earlobes to make it warm. Making the baseball hat on his head move a little to the other side of his head. He was sitting in an improper position, his spine arched along with the shape of the chair's back.

It was inexplicable, though. He was not wearing anything like a scarf or a coat to keep him warm. Only a baseball hat served as his shield against cold, although all it did was cover his face and the tip of his ears. Perhaps his parents were irresponsible. They're not even accompanying their son. Poor boy...

"Poor boy... He needs a coat..." Kagome sniffed sadly.

"I will allow you to sit there, but you must promise not to talk to strangers. Promise?"

Kagome stared at her for a moment, her lips curved wildly and nodded.

"Kay..."

Yeah, right. Like she fulfilled a promise like that before. Kagome's too compassionate for children of her age. No wonder why she has lots of friends at school.

"Alright. Wait for me there." Mrs. Higurashi stood up and walked away. Kagome stared at the boy sitting in the bench. She quickly ran to him when she realized that he was cold.

The boy watched her crawl on the empty space beside her. She smiled naturally at him and took off her coat.

"I've been watching you. And I thought you're cold." Kagome offered him her coat, but her shook his head hard and refused her offer.

"No, please. You need it, more than I do."

"I don't feel cold much, you can take it. Please?" Kagome smiled when he finally took the coat and wrapped it around him.

"Thanks..." He said and paused, while waiting for her to say her name.

"I'm Kagome. Nice to meet you!" Kagome grabbed his hand and shook it hard. The boy violently reacted and pulled his hand away.

Kagome, thinking that she hurt him, she frowned and apologized. The boy shook his head and smiled softly.

"No, it's just that I'm... sensitive." He tried to straighten his back to show her his features. Kagome's eyes widened in shock. The boy has an unusual hair and skin color, and a very unusual set of sharp amber eyes. She has never seen anyone like that.

"Ummm... your..." Kagome stammered and pointed at his head.

"Ah.. my hair?" He ran his hand in his hair and frowned. "It's naturally white." He was a little scared because she might laugh at it. But it doesn't matter, he got used to it since he was in preschool.

"It's nice." Kagome smiled and touched his hair with her fingers. "How come you don't want to have a hair cut?"

"I want it long, like my mother's...." His smile faded. Soon, he was sniffing slightly. Changing the subject, he took back his smiling face, (although his eyes were a bit wet) and spoke. "I forgot to tell you my name, Kagome. It's Sesshomaru."

"Sssss- Sesshomaru?" Kagome laughed. Sesshomaru blushed.

Is she going to pick on me, too?

He was thinking what harm does his name creates upon those people who hears it. Almost all of them laughs, not a single one understands.

No one...

He bowed his head slightly to hide his face, and expected the worst.

"That's a wonderful name!!" The words she spoke were the exact opposite of what he had expected. Looking a little unease, he gazed at her expression to make sure if she's telling the truth. Most people don't, and perhaps this girl wasn't even a bit different.

He sighed with relief upon seeing the smile on her face.

Her cheery voice was for real.. or IS it?

"R-really? My schoolmates said it weird. "He shrugged.

"No! Really! I'll call you Sess-chan, is it okay?"

Sesshomaru frowned. "It doesn't really sound good, but if you like it..."

"Yay!!" Kagome threw her arms to him and wrapped it around her neck. She moved away when her skin touched his cold, clammy neck. She raised a brow and asked, "Are you sick?"

Sesshomaru shook his head. "But from the looks of it, you're only seven years old, right?"

Kagome nodded. A wide smile touched her lips. "So you can read minds, Sess- chan?" Sesshomaru's eyes widened. "I saw people who does on TV. But I haven't seen you there..."

"Kagome, I can't read minds." Sesshomaru smiled weakly. "I only guessed your age, and it just so happens that I'm right."

"I see..."

Silence.

"Sess-chan?"

Sesshomaru turned his head to her. "Yes?" She was moving her head to the sides, perhaps looking for someone.

"Are you.... alone?"

"... yes.." Sesshomaru's smile faded.

"How come? Your mother left you?" She spoke in dismay.

"No. It's nothing." Sesshomaru smirked slightly, like he has never smiled before. "We can share your coat, if you're feeling cold.."

"Kay!" Kagome moved closer to his body as he wrapped the thick furry coat around them. Close enough for her to hear his breath scratching his lungs and throat. Mrs. Higurashi appeared from the coffee shop. Carrying a Styrofoam cup in a hand, and a shopping bag in the other, both bought from the shop.

She was about to call her daughter's name when she saw her with a stranger. She was about to protest in anger when she saw him sitting close to her little girl, and even sharing her coat. But when she saw the glitter from her daughter's eyes, she smiled and returned to the coffee shop and went back to the counter where the woman who took her order was a while ago.

The lady smiled at her and asked, "Is there anything we forgot to serve you, Madame?"

"No, miss." Mrs. Higurashi shook her head. "I'd like another cup of hot chocolate, please?"

~~~

Sesshomaru sighed heavily when he realized Kagome was not easy to wake up.

"I know I've been in that coffee shop for over an hour, but I guess that's not enough for even me to go to sleep."

"Kagome, wake up. Your mother's here.."

Finally, she stirred. Stretching her arms on her side, her eyelids slowly opened. It opened faster when she saw her mother's face smile at her.

"M-MAMA?!?"

Mrs. Higurashi's smile grew wider. "It's time to go home."

"Home?!" Kagome exclaimed. She threw her arms to Sesshomaru tightly and shook her head hard. "I'm not going anywhere without my Sess-chan!!!"

"Kagome. You--" Sesshomaru sighed.

"--no! I'm not going to let you go, Sess-chan!! Mama, he's going with us!"

"We can't, Kagome. His parents will be worried of him. Soon, they'll start thinking he's been kidnapped or something. Besides, you already have a little brother to play with."

"Souta-chan's too small to play with... And I won't leave without him."

Kagome's persistence soon became a headache. Sighing in defeat, Sesshomaru lifted her chin and smiled.

"I'm going with you. But just for a few minutes."

His fingers brushed the part below her eyes. Kagome smiled and wailed happily. "Yay! Sess-chan will come!!!"

Mrs. Higurashi stood up and crossed her arms in front of her. "I don't know, Kagome. Sesshomaru's parents..."

"Mrs. Higurashi, its alright. They won't worry about me anyway.."

Kagome turned her head and smiled at her mother. "Mama, let him come, PLEASEEE???"

Giving Sesshomaru a final glance, she turned to Kagome and smiled. "Okay."

"Yay!! Sess-chan comes along with us! Kagome hopped from the seat and turned to Sesshomaru, waiting for him to stand up and follow her.

Sesshomaru stood up in delight. Finally a person who understands. Finally a person to go with, a person who to talk to and who can make his pain go away.

"We have to get going. If we don't, we'll be freezing here soon enough." Mrs. Higurashi walked away. A plastic bag with hot chocolate on her hand, and the other was inside her pocket for warmth. She listens to her daughter merrily hum, while Sesshomaru compliments her 'singing voice'. He even asked if she enrolled to a voice lesson in the past. And she would proudly answer it's a natural 'singing' voice. She chuckled to herself. In reality, the Higurashi female line has never been good at singing. Her mother once explained the family was forgotten, when He was giving away the talent to sing. She knows she can't sing, she knows her daughter can't, either. Not even her granddaughter. But now, Kagome was born. Perhaps it's the time when the line is blessed by the gift of song.

Mrs. Higurashi chuckled once more.

After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the taxi station. Mrs. Higurashi took the front passenger seat, while the kids hopped on the backseat.

"Sess-chan, I have a special doll at home. Would you like to see it?" Kagome grabbed his arm and locked it with hers.

"I'd love to, Kagome." He smiled.

"So you'll play it with me?"

"I don't know... I'm not sure if boys should play dolls..."

"No, I insist!"

"Alright."

"Kagome, don't force Sesshomaru to do everything you want. He's not your landlord, you know."

"OKAY!!" Kagome smiled. Turning to Sesshomaru, she asked. "Can I sleep beside you again, Sess-chan?"

"Yes. It would be a pleasure." He smiled again.

Kagome cuddled herself closer to him. Sesshomaru wrapped his arms around her and turned his head to the window. The city was more wonderful during this time of year. Lights, music, colors, etc.. etc.. But it would be more fun if his mother was with him. Christmas would be more enjoyable if she kept her promise. If only she was with him. If only she doesn't have to die. If only he was able to help her when she was in agony.

"Mother..." His eyelids grew heavier due to the cold wind blowing through the window. It kept on caressing the sides of his eyes, urging him to give in and sleep.

He withdrew his gaze from the window and stared at something more beautiful than the dancing lights outside the cab resting on his chest filled with contentment. She was sound asleep. And even at rest, she still possesses the cheery expression. He wished he was like her. Happy everywhere she goes, even during hardships, she probably hasn't lost the ability to cheer up.

Brushing a few strands of hair form her face, he leaned his head backwards and closed his eyes to sleep.

~~~

Sesshomaru was awakened when the taxi suddenly stopped. He nudged Kagome slightly, when he noted they finally reached their destination, despite the traffic.

He found it impossible to wake her up. So he just carried her on his back and got off the taxi. The car soon buzzed away. Mrs. Higurashi made her way to the door while searching her pocket for the keys. As she turned the key, she saw Sesshomaru from the corner of her eyes, carrying a big 'thing' behind him.

She turned quickly and glared at her sleeping daughter. She sudden felt ashamed for her daughter's childish action.

"Sesshomaru, why didn't you just asked me to wake her up?" Mrs. Higurashi dropped the baggage on the hoary cement and slowly approached Sesshomaru. She stopped in surprise when she shook his head, smiling.

"It's not a problem, Mrs. Higurashi. She's not heavy, I can carry her."

"Aw.. all right.. But its embarrassing.."

Sesshomaru watched her open the door for him, and waited for him to enter before she does. Mrs. Higurashi carried the shopping bags to the kitchen while he settled the little Kagome on a comfy sofa in the living room. He moved toward the fireplace and started the fire. He brushed his palms on his pants and returned to Kagome's side, and (again) stared at her face.

~~~

Mrs. Higurashi emerged from behind the walls. (probably from the kitchen.) Carrying a tray with three cups and a pot. She knelt beside the low table and started placing the hot utensils on it carefully and slowly. She poured the hot liquid to a cup, filled it to the brim, and handed it to Sesshomaru who was intently watching her every move. When he took it politely form her hands, she picked the pot again and poured herself a cup.

"You are a dedicated observer, Sesshomaru. And from that action, I cannot say that you're only six years old." Mrs. Higurashi started the conversation.

"I am six, plus five years old, ma'am." Sesshomaru smiled.

"So you're four years older than my daughter.." Mrs. Higurashi answered with disappointment. "I'd say she likes you a lot."

"Yeah? Well, I could say the same thing, too. She's the only one who 'wanted' to treat me nicely... nowadays..."

"Nowadays?"

"Actually, even in the past... But I'd prefer not to talk about it, Mrs. Higurashi.."

Mrs. Higurashi raised the teacup to her lips and sipped the hot tea carefully. "Yes, I know. I don't need your explanation. I know what happened to you."

Sesshomaru stared at her in surprise.

She rested the teacup on the table after a sip, and turned to Sesshomaru with a pitiful smile. "The same thing happened to me, my dear. But if you really insist on keeping your story confidential, then---"

"My father took home a woman, along with a squirt same as her age. I fought with my father, and then I ran away."

"And then my daughter found you." Sesshomaru nodded. Mrs. Higurashi picked the teacup again and sipped. "I already realized your problem, on the very first time I laid my eyes on you."

"But I guess, it'll be all right from now on... I already have someone to play with."

"Dearie, Kagome plays with nothing else but her dolls."

Sesshomaru laughed. "That'll do. It's better to have someone to play with than spend your whole life reading a book inside your solemn room."

"...S.. sess-chan...?"

Their discussion was brought to an end when Kagome grabbed Sesshomaru's arm and tucked it by her side. "... Sess-chan, let's play with my dollie.."

"When you wake up, we will." Sesshomaru shook his head, smiling.

"I see my daughter has grown very fond of you, Sesshomaru. But it would be better if you give your father a call, just to let him know you're safe."

"Yeah, and to know that I'm not coming home for a week."

"You are not serious." Mrs. Higurashi glared at him.

"No, I'm just kidding. It'll just make our fight worse." He bent over to Kagome's ears and whispered. "I'm going home, now. I'll see you again tomorrow. Okay?"

"..mumble.... mumble.... oookay..."

"Sleep tight..." He stood up and turned to Mrs. Higurashi, slipping his both hands to his pockets.

"It's better if we'll wake her up first before you leave, at least you said your farewells to a conscious girl."

"I'd like to stay longer, since I don't have anything to do there, but listen to my father's sermons. However, like I said before, if he comes home and find out I'm not there, he wont hesitate to scrape my hair off my scalp. Just in case she wakes up and looks for me, 'and' start to whine," He pulled out a calling card from his pocket and handed it to Mrs. Higurashi. from the looks of it, it's his calling card. "just tell her to call me, if she wants me to come over, or something..."

"I'll tell her. Will you be alright by yourself, Sesshomaru?" Mrs. Higurashi gazed at his upright form, posed properly.

"Don't bother accompanying me to the door, I already know where I should go. Thank you very much" He bent his torso slowly to her politely before leaving the room. Before he took the last step to disappear from her view, she grabbed a coat from the soft couch and tossed it to him, which he caught in mid air. He stared at it for a while and retracted his gaze to the widowed woman, his face looked like something has made him confused.

"Take her coat with you, I insist. And next time you're planning to run away, again, bring something with you to keep you warm, especially when it's snowing. You wont want my sweet daughter to be sad just because you had frostbite or something."

He spoke no word, instead, he repeated the same polite Japanese gesture, but his bow was lower than before.

"Thank you very much, Mrs. Higurashi. I'm going now, take care."

"Yes, you too."

Sesshomaru gave her a last look before leaving. The noise of the screen door screech and close informed her that he has already left.

Sighing sadly at the poor boy's condition, she turned to her daughter's sleeping form.

"Poor little Sesshomaru. At an early age, he already carries the same fate as mine. His burden is even heavier, since he's just a child.... Poor boy.... poor boy..."

~~~

Sesshomaru sorrowfully made his way to the great doors of his home. After closing the gate behind him, he clenched his fists tight before taking another step. Once again, he would be greeted with a woman he knew just a couple of hours ago. A woman that he was strictly instructed to address as his 'mother', and it hurted him. It wasn't easy in his part. He loves his real mother, she dies, a nobody emerges from nowhere and then, the next thing he knew, he already has a 'half-brother' born from this woman, that he was supposed to treat like a mother, that he was supposed to show love and respect the same way he showed his mother. Still, he remained loyal to no one else but his diseased parent. And because of his firmness and loyalty, he became more stubborn to his stepmother and his half brother, something that his father understands, but won't accept.

Pushing the doors to the mansion, he was greeted by their landlord. He watched him bow respectfully to him with a fake smile plastered on his wrinkled features.

"Young Master Sesshomaru, you arrived just in time. Your family was about to have their dinner. I request you to wash up and head immediately to the dinning area for----"

"I'm not eating with them, and I never will. Serve my dinner inside my room. I don't want to hear complaints and sermons tonight." He coldly commanded, walking past him gracefully. The landlord straightened his coat and sighed. Of course, every old man expects a respectful remark from youth, but this one. No, he is as stubborn as his father.

"Like father like son..." The old landlord uttered lowly to himself, since he reminded his head not to say it out loud for the son to hear. Although both are stubborn and irritable, he must say his objections only to himself, since these individuals are his masters. Why do I have to put up with these stubborn wealthy people? I need another job!

"If 'he' doesn't ask for my presence, do not inform him that I have arrived, is that understood?" His voice echoed inside the spacious room from the upper west stairway in the middle of the room.

"Yes, young Master." He sighed once again, and waited for the boy's little figure to disappear before heading to the dinning room to greet his master. He was instructed earlier to inform him 'immediately' if the feisty intractable son arrived.

~~~

"So he asked you not to inform me?" An fuming voice stormed the dinning area, catching the attention of the little Inu Yasha sitting a few chairs away from his angered father. Making the poor landlord's knees shake.

"Y-yes... M-master... but he.."

"Have you taken your dinner already, Hao? You better do, now." The woman sitting beside Inu Yasha smiled to the landlord. He bowed low, anxious to run away from his Master.

"Inutashio, Sesshomaru still loved Ayako. The pain and loneliness in his heart wont heal if you will continue to become harsh towards him, especially if you will not put in mind that the incident happened and ended just last week."

"He is acting like a spoiled brat, and I will take any option to avoid indulging him onto whatever he wants." Inutashio raised his slim hands to his temples and rubbed it softly. "The dead shall never come back to life, that is something he must learn to understand."

"Give him time, my love." His wife smiled. "Everything will be just fine."

Inutashio's anger melted like butter on fire. "But Shizuko, if I allow him to do his ways freely, he will show you no respect. We both know that---"

"That he doesn't want me to be his second mother, I know."

"Whaat? Sesshomaru doesn't like you, mother? How come?" Inu Yasha cut in. His puppy dog eyes where as cute as ever.

Shizuko laughed.

"We will talk about him later, it's time for Inu Yasha's bedtime."

"Bedtime?! Oh.. no... Father, can you allow me to stay up with you two, just for once?"

"No, Inu Yasha. Your mother and I have something to talk about." Inutashio seriously replied.

"Whatever it is, promise you will not shoo Sess-chan away, all right?" He glanced at his parents swiftly. "All right, father?"

Unknown to Inu Yasha, his mother helped him on winning the staring contest against his father. Murmuring and biting her lower lip, Shizuko frowned at her husband meaningfully.

Withdrawing a chuckle from his chest, he smiled. "Yes, yes... anything you say.."

"I'm ready to go to bed, Mother." Inu Yasha tilted his head up to his mother.

"Yes, now say g'night to your Father first." Shizuko whispered to his ear.

Inu Yasha nodded and hopped off the tall dining chair. He ran to the other end of the table to his Father and blinked twice.

Inutashio's face remained icy cold, not even acknowledging his son's presence. His eldest son just got what he wanted, his attention. Yes, and from now on, he will remind himself to raise his voice more often.

"F-father..?"

Sesshomaru has turned hard. As hard as the strongest metal ever created. Perhaps he was positive.

His mother had spoiled him and gave in to his wants. Something that the two of them had always argued about. And since the boy is old enough and stubborn enough to listen, disciplining him would be very, very difficult now.

"Father?"

Ayako. All the things the did when she was still alive had became a hindrance to his new life. First, she had spoiled his eldest son. The second, she made sure his life without her will never go on peacefully. Why does she have to do this? Was it because he had slept with another woman other than her? Because he cheated on her?

"Uh... You okay?"

What was he thinking? He knew her as much as he knew his second wife. He knew that she loved him very much and would risk everything for his and Sesshomaru's sake. But why was he judging her wrongly? He was supposed to appreciate her faithfulness to him, since a very few women at the present generation was as faithful as her.

Before his son would repeat his question, he turned down to him.

"Yes, I am alright, my dear son. Goodnight." He bent down to kiss his forehead.

"Yeah, you too. You must sleep earlier today, Father. My sensei said she has a relative who was taken to the hospital because she was not sleeping for weeks." Inu Yasha knitted his eyebrows, worried sick of his father's condition.

"Your sensei's relative is a mental patient, my dear." Inutashio chuckled. "But anyway, go upstairs and don't forget to brush your teeth and slip on to your pajamas before sleeping, alright?"

"Kay. Mama's going to read me a book tonight!" He merrily left the dinning area with a smile.

The boy's lithe form disappeared from the sight of the adult male. He was starting to worry about his eldest son again when a pair of cold, slim fingers ran from his neck down to his chest. He grasped her palms when the fingers tried to travel into the folds of his polo shirt. He raised it to his lips and gave it a soft kiss, then felt it against his cheek.

"Worry not of Sesshomaru anymore. He will grow up into a fine, responsible man, Inutashio. Trust me. We both know Ayako's intentions were pure and real. She would not do anything to spoil her son's mind."

"What made you say that? She had envied you, she has become your enemy.."

"It doesn't matter now, my love. We both love Sesshomaru, as a son. Although I'm not his real mother, I would do anything to make him love me, the same way he loved Ayako."

"Shizuko.."

"I will check up on him when Inu Yasha's asleep. We will talk. Do not interfere, alright?"

"Yeah, like I was the one who was infringing on your territory."

Shizuko let out a cheery chuckle. It vibrated across the large spacious room, occupied only by the large dinning table She kissed his neck and whispered her farewell, leaving the phrase," We will, then, talk afterwards."

~~~

After tucking her son in bed, Shizuko made her way towards her eldest son's room. The corridor she took which was heading towards Sesshomaru's bedroom was as quiet as a graveyard. A week ago, she asked her dear husband to buy him a radio system and his own computer unit along with video games to, at least, cheer him up a bit. Ever since she moved in, she had never seen his smile again that always grazed upon his face despite his pale and sickly features when his biological mother was still alive. Oh, how she wished to see the Sesshomaru born from her best friend once more.

Realizing a deep, melancholy sigh in her heavy chest, Shizuko turned the knob silently. For if ever he was already sleeping, she would not wake him up.

But the dim light emanated from the lampshade informed her he's still wide- awake.

How could I be so stupid? Shizuko cursed deep inside her when she answered her own question. The half opened door revealed a dim lighted room, a large futon on one side of the room where her half son was laying on, a pc cabinet on the other side with lots of glass door drawers where the video game CD's, cases and books were. Beside it on the left, perfectly aligned with the bed, were a couple of shelves for a small radio and more books and a T.V cabinet. The lavender wallpaper with pink cherry blossoms and the full-scale windows that revealed his own balcony decorated the room.

"Sesshomaru? Are you awake?" She called out in a gentle voice. His body was sprawled on his bed, creating folds upon the covers.

"Yes- " He thought of a noun to complete the sentence. "-.... Mother."

He just called her that because the situation calls for it, and his tongue was tingling to call an elder female that word, again.

"Would you mind if I sit beside you for a while?"

"No." He replied. Not even moving a single nerve to face her. His eyes were fixed upon the book that was open underneath his eyes. She stalked silently to his side and bent to him and kissed his forehead. She hugged him and pulled the covers upon his form.

"It's fifteen minutes past nine. Are you not sleepy yet?"

"No."

"You should go to sleep."

"After I finish the twenty-seventh chapter."

"What chapter are you now?"

"Half of chapter twenty six."

"Sesshomaru." A slight depression made her hug him harder. Tears almost flowed from her gold dilated pupils due to stress and exhaustion, but her brain strongly objected her forthcoming action.

"Ask my 'father' for comfort." He coldly replied, the brightness of a child still comes along with it.

She kissed his forehead once more. "I have come here to talk to you. Not to your father"

"What is it about?"

"About Ayako, your 'biological' mother."

"What about her?"

"Before that, I will ask you to shut the book first."

Sesshomaru did what he was told, and turned to face his mother. "What?"

"I want to be her." She inflicted shock upon his face by the sharpness and directness of her words. " In your eyes, I want to be her."

"Why. You have what you desired for, my father's money.."

"Your father's love!" Shizuko sat up straight and wrapped him in her arms after correcting his speech. "And yours."

Silence.

"I can never be a good mother to you if you will not give me a chance, Sesshomaru.." She brushed his white hair the same gesture as his diseased mother loved to do.

~~~

"Remember, Sesshomaru. No one can be close to you if you will not give them chance to be close." Sesshomaru stared at his mother wide eyed. She has once again, gave him a quote too difficult to understand.

"I'm afraid I don't understand, Mother."

She giggled. "Yes, I know. But do not rush. The situation will ask for it soon." She tucked her young child to bed and gave him a slight peck on the cheek. "Then, you will find out for yourself."

"Goodnight. And please stay here until I go to sleep."

"Goodnight, my love. When you wake up, you will be a dashing young man with long white hair."

Sesshomaru chuckled. "Blame father for it!"

"No, It looks good."

~~~

Tears flowed from his eyes when he was given the chance to think of his dear mother. "Mother..."

"Hush now. I'll tuck you to bed. You're too young to experience stress and fatigue."

Shizuko brushed his hair with his fingers and dried the tears from his eyes. "Goodnight, my love."

He sniffed. "Stay here."

"Yes. Now sleep."

Shizuko hummed a lullaby to help him sleep. She has made his life more confusing. His form is young, but his mind is already worn out from sleeplessness and thoughts. She hoped tomorrow, everything will be just fine. Sesshomaru laughing and playing with his young half brother, calling her and loving her as a real mother.

~~~

After a period of three months...

The wind blew whispered cold and soft murmurs at dawn, perhaps declaring that the sun would not shine as warm as it did three months ago. Shades of purple and orange clashed high up in the sky, while the yellow shades traced the area where the sun is supposed to appear. Minutes passed so fast amongst the still ambience of nature, still, but majestic if the eyes chosen to judge is the eyes of a little girl that viewed the earth from below. To her, everything seemed right. Everything is peaceful and tranquil, and so it is. But will not remain so, for the undesirable ones are yet to arrive.

Kagome watched through her half-scaled window as the fiery ball now turned feeble fused with the splendid colors of the early sky. In high spirits, she inhaled the fragrant zephyr that had mixed with the aroma of the fresh cherry blossoms. The soft rays of the sun touched her silky skin, greeting her a wonderful morning to start her day.

"Kagome? Wake up now! Breakfast is ready!" Mrs. Higurashi's voice vibrated from the halls outside her room.

"I'm up, Mama! I'll be there in a minute!" Sliding the curtains back in place to cover the glass window, she hopped blissfully towards her bed and grabbed her pink covers to fold it. She placed it neatly on the straightened surface of the bed. Slipping on her blue fluffy slippers, she scurried towards the door, opened it, closed it back, and rushed down the stairs like a destructive hurricane making its way through their small but well organized home. The mouth-watering smell of fried eggs and fried rice was so good, she even allowed her craving stomach to lead the way.

Finally reaching the breakfast table, Kagome found her mother doing something on the kitchen. She saw her reading a small sheet of paper but she placed it quickly back to her floral apron's chest pocket when she felt her daughter's presence. Thinking that it was an ordinary friendly letter, Kagome climbed the finely furnished tall breakfast stool and positioned herself for a delicious breakfast.

"Good morning!" Kagome greeted cheerfully.

"Yes," Mrs. Higurashi turned around slowly with the usual smile on her face. "And you seemed to be a lot more happier than yesterday morning. What could be the reason?" She pulled a chain near her child and sat down, her eyes watching Kagome's sparkling eyes intently.

"Have you forgotten what day is today, Mama?" She asked sweetly with a smile.

"It's Saturday, right?" Kagome nodded to her. "So what's so special with Saturday?"

"You have forgotten, all right..." Kagome snapped her chopsticks in half and started eating after her mother motioned her to do so. " I'm going to Sess-chan's place today."

Kagome didn't noticed her mother's face slowly turning pale, and continued. "Sess-chan and I are going to the bridge this time! Last time we went to the shrine at the park and prayed there, and now he said he's going to show me something at the bridge."

"Oh... I.." She was about to say something but pushed it aside instead. She knew what her daughter's expression will be if she'll break it up to her when she's looking forward to a meeting that was postponed one hour ago. "..I see..."

She left the words unspoken and silently started eating. How can a mother spoil her own child's happiness?

~~~