The Curse by Maria-Salvatore29

Epilogue: New Life

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

-x-X-x-

A century had passed since Kagome's death, and yet his heart still yearns for her.

When she earnestly pleaded for him to let his hatred go for her peace, he had given Inuyasha what he longed for. An acknowledgement. An apology.

Inuyasha had found peace too, and the curse vanished. The only thing that keeps it in place was Inuyasha's hatred and anger. Without it, the curse has no power.

After many years and many deaths, the curse would no longer take lives.

Sesshomaru found peace as well. It seemed like the Peace is an heirloom that Kagome gave to them. He is still walking the path of a warrior, but he no longer walks the path of hell. He found heaven the day Kagome sent herself in his palace. Still, he carry the burden of the curse of loneliness.

"Sesshomaru-sama!" A young sweet voice called out to him.

He turned his head to acknowledge the cheerful child. "Rin."

"Rin picked flowers for Sesshomaru-sama," she announced proudly, lifting her small hands that clutched flowers towards him.

Sesshomaru took the flowers from her. Tulips. He mused. A symbol for eternal love.

"Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Why, Rin?" He asked, his eyes seeking her face.

He had taken the child under his care to ease the loneliness that is thriving in his soul. Rin resembles Kagome in some ways, and he find the resemblance comforting.

"Rin is...Rin..." The girl stuttered, a blush painting her chubby cheeks.

He waited for a while. Then, Rin raised her gaze to him. "Rin wants to go to a human village."

He lifted his brows at her. "Why?"

"Rin...wanted to visit her friend."

"A...friend?"

"When Rin visited the town nearby with Jakken-sama, she met a friend! His mother said I should come to play but…I should bring a guardian with me, she said!" She said excitedly.

He looked at her, considering her request. He could send her with Jakken…but then, perhaps, he could drop her off to play then he could visit the graves of Kagome's family.

"We visit them tomorrow." He told her.

Her brown eyes widened and she let out a happy squeal. "Thank you, Sesshomaru-sama!"

The next morning, he took Rin to place she told him about, and a young kitsune-youkai greeted Rin excitedly. youkaiHe had thought that the friend of hers is a human.

The young one looked at him with fear and he gulped when Rin pushed him closer to him.

Sesshomaru-sama, this is my friend, Shippou!" Rin introduced happily.

"Hnn." Why would a full-fledged youkai live in a human village? "Why do you live here, little one?"

"Ehh?" The young kitsune looked startled to be addressed but he replied politely after a moment. "I...I...because...my family is gone and my mama now...she...she took me in."

"A human girl taking in a youkai as her child? Hnn." Fascinating. "Rin. I will come back before sunset."

She nodded and took Shippou's hand to play. Sesshomaru flew up the sky and went in the middle of the forest where the graves of Kagome's family lie.

"I wonder..." He spoke aloud. "Is Kagome with you?"

"Erm...pardon me. Have you said Ka-Go-Me?" A familiar voice, one that he has longed for all this years, spoke a few feet beside him.

Sesshomaru slowly turned towards the owner of the voice, and time seemed to stop when he saw Kagome's face, looking bright and healthy.

He blinked several times. Not quite believing what he is seeing.

She bit her lip before smiling sheepishly, "Forgive me, I just...I heard my name, and wait, you're a daiyoukai. What are you doing he-"

Before she could finish her question, Sesshomaru was already standing in front of her. She startled. Then he grabbed her and cradled her in his arms.

"Kagome..." He whispered.

"I hate you." She whispered back.

Sesshomaru pulled back and stared at her. Slowly, an amused smile painted her beautiful face.

"Took you so long to come here, Sesshomaru-sama. I've been waiting for fifteen years. I almost went to the palace and kill you." She admonished playfully.

Sesshomaru wanted to laugh with relief but he settled for a smile. "Hnn. It took you so long to come back. I have waited for a hundred year, stupid girl."

Kagome smiled at him and lifted her face towards the bright sky. "The heavens wanted to continue our fate. Would you allow it?" Then, she shifted her gaze to his and shyly smiled.

"If you would." He replied firmly. They have a long road ahead of them but without the hatred in their hearts, it doesn't seem as daunting. "Perhaps, I should show the heavens my gratefulness." He said, already lifting her in his arms and to the sky.

"How would you do that?" She asked with narrowed eyes.

Sesshomaru smirked and whispered, "By mating you. Since your death broke our earlier bond."

Kagome snuggled closer in his arms and laughed quietly. "Okay."

They stared in each other's eyes, hopes and dreams are starting to bloom, and this is just a beginning. "How did you remember me?"

Kagome smiled. "How could I forget you? Even when death took me, I still hold on to you."

Sesshomaru leaned close to her and pressed lips on her softly.

They may not love each other. Yet. But the affections and memories they shared are more than enough to keep them afloat for a while.

Sesshomaru pulled back a little and brushed a hand across her cheeks. He broke all kinds of curse with the peace Kagome asked for before, and to spend this new beginning with her would certainly cast a new curse that shall envelop him forever. Yet having the curse of love? It's a curse he would not mind enduring.

-x-X-x-

Word Count: 1000

Prompt: The Soundtrack Challenge – New Life

Sunset Miko's Once a Week Challenge - Heirloom (Week 12)

A/N: There goes the Epilogue. It's finally finished! Thank you everyone! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Hope you enjoyed this short fanfic as much as I enjoyed writing it. Well, I will be focusing on The Mischievous Lady and Pretend Love now. Have you read those two? You can check it out if you have time. :) Happy reading!

BTW, HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!