Someone to protect

Chapter 13

I watched Kagome as she went towards the tainted jewel on the ground picking it up and purifying it in an instant. The jewel shone a bright pink light, so clear and calming even to my eye. It almost mirrored the comforting glow of her aura as it swirled happily in her hands. She held the jewel to her chest and smiled my way.

"We did it." She proclaimed.

I just nodded my head her way in confirmation as the relieved sighs were heard all around from the monk and the demon slayer. It's finally over; we can all finally live in peace.

Everything moved so fast from then on.

Sango immediately set off to find her younger brother and upon finding him she brought him back to discuss the future. Kikyo and Inuyasha were not happy about the outcome. The dead priestess insisted that the jewel needs to be completed, or else the demons will never cease to follow the boy. The solution was quite simple. Upon taking the jewel from his back, one swing with my Tenseiga and the boy was as good as new. The problematic memories he had were something even Tenseiga couldn't fix, I'm afraid.

After that, the jewel was complete and now sat proudly around Kagome's neck, shining brightly as ever. We were in my chambers, each sitting on one side of the window overlooking the gardens looking out on the Moon and letting the calming breeze flow around us, enjoying the peace that followed. Kagome was afraid of the assumed problems that would arise with the sacred jewel being around demons, but the dog demons don't believe in shortcuts when it comes to power and have no use for such things. After a few days of her being on the edge, she was finally able to calm down and enjoy her time with me even in this time.

"So now what?" she asked as we sat there and I turned my gaze to her.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not quite sure what she was pointing at. I still couldn't believe, she was sitting here with me. After everything was done, the monk and the demon slayer settled in the human village and started to work as demon slayers to earn living together, my assumption was, they intended to form their own pack soon. Kohaku and Kilala went on on their own, apparently he wanted to redo the demon slayer village and bring back its glory. Shippo went on some kind of fox trial; apparently it's needed for fox demons to level up in power. And Rin, Rin stayed behind in the human village with the old woman Kaede that reminded me, she needed to learn how to live with humans too. So now, here I was, in my own home alone with the person who my heart oh so much desired, looking into her beautiful face and thinking about the future. Father, where did I go right in all this?

"I mean the Shikon jewel. Until I have this, the demons will go after me. I'll live the same life as Kikyo all those years ago." She brought me back with her voice looking back straight into my eyes.

"Then stay by this Sesshomaru's side," was my simple answer and I watched in amusement as her face turned from shock into a bright red face of embarrassment. It was incredibly amusing watching her expression change as she thought about my proposal, knowing I meant every word of it. She finally looked at me, a look of longing in her eyes.

"I can't."

I watched her, my body tensing at her reply. "Why not?" What was wrong with this Sesshomaru?

She took the jewel into her fingers looking down at it.

"What if another demon comes and tricks us the same way as they tricked Kikyo and Inuyasha? I don't want to hate you," she looked back at me, tears threatening to streak her cheeks. I leaned in, my hand wrapping around her waist pulling her to my side. I myself could not even think of the possibility of her hating me. I couldn't bare even the thought of it.

I wanted her. I wanted this human as my mate, as my friend, as my companion. Her presence, her scent is something that in the time we spent together became something that I required.

"This Sesshomaru would not be tricked by some lowly demon," I said fairly confident in my statement. "You know I have no need for the thing around your neck."

She smiled slightly leaning against my body, the demon inside me purring with happiness at her gesture, the smile making my own mouth curl into one.

"You say that now, but what if a situation arose, when you'd have to choose between your lands and me? I could never ask you to choose me like that. This jewel brings nothing but misfortune."

I heard her sigh and my grip on her tightened.

"I just wish it would just stop existing forever." She leaned her head on my shoulder as she said that seeking comfort in my embrace which I was more than happy to provide. It all ended in a very short time though. The jewel on her neck suddenly shone brightly, blinding this Sesshomaru and we both heard a foreign voice.

"As you wish."

The faint cracking sound was heard and before long, the light disappeared along with the jewel, and to my horror...... Kagome as well.