Kagome had watched, as if in a dream, as Inu Yasha had stared down at the Tetsusaiga. It couldn't have been real but it all was. It'd pulsed. She'd even heard it. It was like a soothing heart beat in the darkness. It was as if she'd felt lost forever, then suddenly this heartbeat gave her another being to be with, someone to keep her happy. She wasn't alone. That's what it felt like. It felt like someone was there, holding her hand and whispering gentle nothings into her ear.

Then it'd transformed. And then...just like that Sesshoumaru was defeated. It irked her...in ways. Seeing all the blood, and the pained look of the dog demon. It was...as if he'd lost something terribly important. And she felt sorry despite herself. She should not feel sorry for him, she knew that, but she did. He'd searched forever, seeking the sword so desperately. Only to have it taken away in one clean stroke by someone who wasn't even aware of it until a grave was pulled from his eye.

A shiver raced over her spine. But the way he'd looked at her. At his defeat, before he'd seemed to disappear as if in thin air from Inu Yasha's last blow, his eyes had not wandered to the sword. No. His eyes had met hers in a searing hot gaze. Promises were in his eyes. Promises of coming back. And she did not doubt the word of Sesshoumaru. No. She would never doubt his word. He seemed too honorable to lie. And eyes were like gateways to the soul, and even if he'd learned to block the gateway to his soul, she'd seen the promises. Kagome bit her lower lip, staring towards the ground.

They'd left Inu Yasha's father's grave. How she could barely remember. She'd been so bemused by everything, her thoughts resting on only the dog demon Sesshoumaru.

Kagome sat down at the lake, now outfitted in her school uniform. She'd just told Inu Yasha to 'sit', for which he kindly made acquaintances with the ground. He had deserved it. He'd said he would protect her...and now...he denied it? Pain filtered into her eyes but she didn't let any tears fall. She was not in the mood to be weak. Sesshoumaru had been right about one thing.

'You are only a mortal human. You will not last long girl,' his words still rang in her ears. She stared down at her reflection. She looked fragile. She looked breakable. But she wouldn't allow herself to be. Even if Inu Yasha decided not to protect her she had to protect herself. Bowing her head a bit she realized Sesshoumaru had been...helping her. Kagome stood up slowly, eyes determined. She would not be a breakable doll. She knew she would always be a mortal human, but Sesshoumaru had been wrong about one thing. She would last long. She would complete the Shikon and she would go home stronger and braver.

Thank you Sesshoumaru...