t'd been just one event less year after the defeat of that dark menace, Naraku, and I'd thought I'd forgotten all about them, that time, the well, everything. Yet... here I am sitting in this WacDonalds and I see him. Looking just as pristine as he ever had. White hair still flowing, golden eyes still glittering... there were a few changes to him, however: his royal markings had somehow been masked, the fluffy boa was gone and his clothes had changed to match the times. It was odd seeing him there in that white suit with the elegant white coat. Yet...
He was there. He was.
I all but shoved Eri out of the booth when I shot up and vanished out the door of the restaurant, startling him, as it seemed he was about to walk IN that door. We stared at each other for one long moment, and then it all happened in a blur, and next thing I knew, I was in his arms.
Wait. Arms. Plural. OH MY GOD.
"Sesshomaru!" she had gasped, arms wrapping around his neck.
Surprisingly to her, he had returned the hug, holding her there, as if he let go she would slip away.
"Miko."
That was his other reaction to her, as she looked him in the eyes, and saw... EMOTION. Surprise, in fact, disbelief maybe, that was to be expected, as she didn't know how much time had - well, maybe at least 400 something years, she estimated, had passed for him and she looked damned near the same as she had back then when they had first met. When they had battled Naraku.
And yet.
She was there. He was there.
And it just was.
"Sessh...omaru." She said slowly, trying to grip her words, as his hands remained on the small of her back. "Where... where is Rin?"
"Gone. For many years."
"And..?"
"My brother?"
"Hai..."
"Growing old."
"And..?"
"The demon cub?"
"Hai..."
"Hm... that I do not know, alive, I would suspect, however."
She was silent for a few moments then, a little smile on her face and still slightly wondering why his hands were STILL on the small of her back and WHY she was still hugging him. She rested her cheek against his shoulders, not really wanting to let go however, since he PROVED what she was. What she had experienced.
"Would you like something to eat, Sesshomaru?"
"Mm, that does sound nice."
She moved to release him, but he did not comply with this, instead he brought her closer, and his hands moved, one to wrap around her waist and one to entangle in her hair as he inhaled deeply.
She proved all the stories. She proved EVERYTHING that had been, EVERYTHING he had fought for... everything he WAS.
"Don't make me have to let go again," he pleaded. She couldn't tell if the tenderness in his voice was from a learned gentleness or a considerate softness. And frankly, she didn't care.
She stared at him then, eyes wide at the almost whispered plea. Then she answered, her voice as equally soft and watery:
"I won't Sesshomaru. I won't."