The End and The Beginning by blatant_irony

The end and the beginning.

The end of a journey

By blatant-irony.

I do not have any rights to the Inuyasha characters; they are the sole property of one Rumiko Takahashi.

This is fic is based on Rihanna's song "Umbrella".

The end of a journey.. and a new beginning.

I grasped the remains of someone's kimono jacket around my shoulders as the rain continued to beat the blood-soaked earth. As the rain drops continued to

dance I felt a chill or numbness taking over, starting from the very bottom of my toes and spreading through out like a virus. I heard movement behind me, yet didn't bother to acknowledge the hand on my shoulder. Hearing someone's breath near my ear I turned my face towards the source.

"Miko you should go home"

"hnn.."

I turned to face the demon lord , my heart heavy as I faced the second soul survivor of the explosion.

"Miko, this wasn't your fault, the jewel was too corrupted, it needed to be purified."

I felt my insides turn to stone, my lungs pushing against my rib cage, and my stomach at war with its contents. Everything snapped, my spine bent in two, and I heaved. Finally coming up for air, I whipped my mouth on my hand and stepped forward out of the protection of the tree. Glancing absentmindedly at the white figure behind me, I took in the damage. Sango and Miroku lay 30 feet to my left while the remains of Kirara were scattered in front of the pair. She tried to shield them. Shippo's and Rin's remains were no where to be found, they had become pink mist because they were closet to me when the explosion occurred. A sob escaped my throat as I located my brother, my best friend, curled around my incarnate. I walked towards him, dread filling my every step, I knew he was dead and yet I hoped. Foolishly I hoped for the inevitable to be false.

I stopped at his back side, fearing, prolonging this encounter as much as possible. Seconds, minutes, maybe hours passed, while I stood there making my decision. Finally shifting my sore and cut feet I kneeled at the hanyou's side, and turned him over to lie on my thighs.

"Kagome?."

I blinked not sure of what I was seeing or hearing.

"Inuyasha..."

"We did it, its over, its all over.. They're calling me

Kagome, Sango.. She wants you to know it wasn't your fault."

"..No..please don't die."

" 'Gome, you have to go home, you don't belong here, you should have left already. You shouldn't have to see me like this."

When the sun shines

We'll shine together

Told you I'll be here forever

That I'll always be your friend

Took an oath Imma stick it out 'till the end

"I took an oath that I'd always be by your side. I promised to stick it out till the end. I'll wait..."

" Gome,please your wounds..are serious. "

" NO!, I'll wait, I'll wait till ..."

Inuyasha took his last breath, the life left his amber eyes, as my body shook with sobs I cradled his head to my blooded and broken body. Footsteps behind my alerted me of Sesshoumaru's approach.

" Miko, there is nothing you can do anymore, you've done enough. His insides are scattered, there is nothing you can do for him now. Let him be."

"SHUT UP, SHUT UP. I DID THIS, I KILLED MY BEST FRIEND, MY SON, I KILLED SANGO, I KILLED HER CHILD,MIROKU, RIN...EVERYONE..EXCEPT YOU! WHY DO YOU LIVE, WHY DO YOU GET TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY?!"

In a split second, Sesshoumaru yanked me off the ground, his large hands bruising my wrists as he shook me.

" I DON'T KNOW YOU STUPID BITCH. YOU THINK YOU'VE SUFFERED? I WITNESSED MY MOTHER SUFFERING AS SHE WITHERED AWAY, I SAW MY FATHER PERISH AT THE HANDS OF AN ALLIE, MY SISTER DIE ON THE SWORD OF HER FIANCE, MY WARD BLOWN TO PIECES IN FRONT OF MY EYES! You have no idea how much I have wanted to die, but I have duties responsibilities. The needs of my people come before my needs"

"I..."

My knees gave way as my body finally gave way to the pressure of losing so much blood. Instead of meeting the ground I meet with a hand, as Sesshoumaru saved my fall. He sat down cross legged as he cradled me to his side. I finally took notice of his injuries and mine, slashes across my chest and thighs exposed my rib cage and muscles, I couldn't count the amount of bruises I received; Sesshoumaru looked equally as bad with his chest uncovered and his numerous wounds exposed to the salty water. He looked tired, worn down, his eyes expressed his worry and pain, something different from his usual cold expression. For the first time that night I realized that all we had was each other , at this moment he needed my care, and I needed his emotional support no matter how cold it was.

My first task was to heal our extensive wounds, using what energy I had remaining I concentrated on the torn skin and bruises willing them to web and regenerate, slowly but surely the wounds disappeared. To my surprise and chagrin the damned jewel on my neck continued to glow even after our wounds had fully healed, it spurred my already tired powers , afraid of another episode I tried to push away from Sesshoumaru but he held on.

"Why, let me go...let me die. PLEASE! I just want to die"

"No, and you will not die, that damned jewel will not take another soul!" I felt his youkai fighting to break out as Sesshoumaru let his rage free.

"Please I don't want to hurt you too" I sobbed, my hands shaking as I pushed against his chest my fingers already emitting blinding pink. I was answered with a growl, consequentially my resolve crumbled and I started to sob and beat his chest. Everything I had felt came pouring out: frustration, guilt, sorrow, all embedded into my tiny fists as I struggled against my captor.

It must be such a sight, a glowing miko and a enraged youkai lord sitting together on the grass under the falling rain. I scoffed at the thought of how inappropriate I looked in Sesshoumaru's partially nude lap. I resigned hitting him only moments before, only to realize that instead of an episode, my powers had given my captor back his arm. I calmed down enough to stare at the newly formed limb in shock, gingerly, I reached out to touch it.It was real, pulsating, white, finely sculpted demon arm, still in shock I didn't realize that Sesshoumaru had spoken again.

"Protect..." I started, barely recognizing that deap and raspy voice, I looked up into the red eyed gaze of the demon holding me. "Sesshoumaru?" " Your scaring me, please, answer me."

"Miko, protect..."

"Listen well miko, do not fight me, my beast is trying to locate the threat which in this case is you. You must show submission so that I can regain control."

I nodded slowly and bowed my head to show the white at the back of my neck. Sesshoumaru's breathing began to level out as he lowered his head to mine. Tired and confused I just sat there holding my breath.

"Im fine Kagome."

"mhmm" I was tired of surprises, I was tired of the pain, I didn't care anymore. I just wanted to be held.

"Kagome, we need to get out of the rain."

"Mhmm"

"Miko come with this Sesshoumaru to his palace, you need rest."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru-sama."

"Kagome....Please we need to move before you catch

an illness." I snorted at this ruining the once serene moment. "Why do you care Sesshoumaru.?"

"Because you survived this, because I need you, because I care" I shifted in my seat, not believing what I was hearing. Had Sesshoumaru finally cracked under the stress? Looking up I questioned those same gold eyes that were now burrowing into my soul. He was just as lost as I was, centuries of suppressed emotions had finally come to surface, and in this moment, I realized he really did need me...to help him rebuild, to help him feel, to help him love.

"Alright, help me so I can help you." I whispered as we rose to depart west, leaving behind the now green plain.

You're part of my entity, Here for Infinity

When the war has took it's part

When the world has dealt it's cards

If the hand is hard, Together we'll mend your heart

Because ..

I care...

The end

I thought that parts of the lyrics were inspirational enough to create a plot. I don't know if that was sufficiently depressing, or if the song was meant to be interpreted in a gloomy manner. I realize that Sesshoumaru is a bit out of character, but that accountable considered all that happened and his painful past. (Yes, I made up parts of it for more morose feeling, just go with it. )Well, hum, first one-shot on this website. I actually considered to turn this into a story you know shed some light on Sesshoumaru's past and the events leading up to the final scene, I might still change my mind if I had incentive. ; ]Please Rate and review.

P.S. I apologize if I have grammatical errors here and there.

p.s.s. alrighty, attempt to post with bold, part 2.