Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for the characters in this gentle adventure... especially for the one who cherishes their friends. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess where InuYasha is concerned. All due respect is also offered to Yoshihiro Togashi, whose fervid imagination is responsible for YuYu Hakusho.

An Affinity for Sacrifice

- 55 -
Ittekimasu

Kagome's last full day in her childhood home was spent with her family. She helped Mama in the kitchen and let Grandpa lecture her. She walked all through the shrine grounds with Souta, revisiting their little hideaways and remembering.

There were no bags to pack. Only a bulging backpack. Just like always.

"Are you sure that's all you need?" asked Mama, who kept tucking little things into whatever scant crevice remained.

"I'll have everything I need," promised Kagome. Because it was true. Finally, finally true.

She was so sure, so ready, that she almost felt guilty. Shouldn't there be more tears? Wouldn't a good daughter have regrets? But here, on the verge of a final leap through time, Kagome was perfectly happy. And grateful to the one who'd made her return possible.

Having said one last goodbye to her family at the door—a smile and a cheerful, "I'm off!" while tapping into her shoes—Kagome was left with Shuuichi. Hand-in-hand, they crossed the courtyard and entered the wellhouse.

He was quiet, and his steps lagged.

She matched his pace, even though nearly every part of her wanted to surge forward. But she wasn't so blinded by her own happiness to miss the wistfulness in his smile, the mist of missing her in his downcast eyes.

This gift was costing him.

If only she could repay him. Words weren't right. They'd be empty. Gestures, even those well-meant, might only be cruel. He knew how she felt. She knew that he cared.

So they descended into the wellhouse in silence, and he helped her balance on the well's edge, feet dangling into darkness.

"Not yet," he whispered.

Kagome could give him this much, at least. She smiled and said, "I'm still here."

- 56 -
Not Yet

Shuuichi carefully wrapped his arms around Kagome from behind. She relaxed against him, vastly patient, even though he wasn't the one she wanted. He held back all the words that would only hurt her. She probably knew, and that was going to have to be enough.

He wasn't truly being noble, though. Youko didn't have his restraint; he'd probably say something on their behalf. It was easier to leave this to him, although Shuuichi knew he was splitting hairs. Kagome had never once compartmentalized them … or their feelings for her.

She'd united him.

He hated losing that.

Gently releasing her, he fumbled for his small flask of the juice of time, to trigger reversion and trade existences with Youko. But a hand on his held him back.

"Not yet," she whispered.

Shuuichi searched her face and took a shaky breath. "What's left?"

"We need to say goodbye."

"I was… leaving that to Youko."

Kagome laughed softly. "You're the same, Shuuichi. And you're my friend. What could he possibly have to say that you can't convey?"

Shuuichi held the flask to his heart and wished it was calmer. "I will miss you."

"And I will miss you." She nodded encouragingly, granting permission.

"I'd keep you if I could," he admitted. His eyes were stinging. It was getting hard to breathe.

"Thank you for letting me go."

He was going to be a mess later. "I love you."

Kagome didn't flinch away from his words. Again, she nodded. "I will always cherish my friends. Isn't that love?"

It wasn't. But it was. "It hurts to see you happy."

"It hurts to see you sad."

"Youko is better at hiding his feelings. And we need him to open the well." Shuuichi held himself back. If he embraced her again, he wasn't sure he could let go.

Kagome said, "My life is in your hands."

Acknowledging that truth, Shuuichi found his resolve. "I will be the one to give you everything you ever wanted."

- 57 -
About Time

A tiny sip triggered reversion, and Youko opened his eyes to Kagome's smile. Not as nice as a kiss, but not a bad way to wake. "You were good for him."

"You've been good to me."

Her happiness did amazing things for her scent, and he grumbled, "He's a fool."

"Don't be so hard on yourself," she gently chided.

Shuuichi hadn't done much more than wet his lips. Reversion wouldn't last, so Youko gave himself over to the task at hand. Most of the work was done. Only a few final connections needed to be coaxed into alignment. Like toggling a combination. Like finessing a keyhole.

The final shift startled him, though, so dramatic was the response from the Bone-eater's Well. Ancient power whipped out of nowhere, catching and holding, connecting to another place. No, to another time. The air sizzled with energy that set his hairs on end, and the air freshened.

"I see something," she whispered.

"Does it feel right?" Youko asked through gritted teeth. He hoped so. It was all he could do, just keeping the connection steady.

"It does!" Kagome turned to him, her eyes alight. "You did it!"

For the space of four heartbeats, he let himself bask in the perfection of her happiness. This much was his. This much he'd earned. But his ears twitched and his tail lashed as another, unfamiliar youki clashed against his senses.

From beyond the well?

No, it was here. In this time. And it was gaining strength.

Was someone coming for her? Hardly likely. Might something foul be after him? It did happen more often than he liked. Would Kagome's departure remove the protections from around her family's shrine? Worse, would an attack disrupt the portal?

He couldn't take that chance.

"Hurry home," Youko ordered, adding a firm push to his farewell.

With a gasp, she dropped … vanishing in a cascade of shimmering blue.

Youko's hackles were barely raised when the end of reversion sapped his strength and sent him away. Shuuichi slumped against the quiescent well, elbows on knees, hands over his head, sucking in deep breaths in an effort to hold back his sobs.

"She never said," came a voice from above.

Raising his head, Shuuichi squinted at the shadow in the wellhouse's doorway.

"That was some trick. Better than any of the ones up my sleeve."

Male. Confident. Cheerful. Unknown. Was Hiei nearby? Shuuichi was on his feet, a thorn whip in his hands, readying an attack that scented the air with roses.

"You're Shuuichi Minamino, right? Or do you prefer Youko Kurama?" The stranger hadn't made a move. Casually leaning against the door frame, he kept right on talking. "She made me promise to wait, or I'd have come sooner. But she didn't want me to change anything. She didn't want to miss meeting you."

She? He had to mean Kagome.

Shuuichi slowly climbed the stairs, wary and watchful.

The stranger stayed where he was. Demon. Relaxed. Talkative. Unarmed.

"All she ever said was that you gave up things so she could come back." His hair was red. His eyes were green … and solemn. "I get it now. You gave up her. Guess I owe you in a roundabout way."

Shuuichi came even with the demon and felt a twist of recognition. "You're kitsune. You're him."

"Did Kagome tell you I was coming? It was meant to be a surprise."

He shook his head. "The first time we met, she mistook me for you. You're … Shippo?"

With a grin, the other kitsune thrust out his hand. "Kagome hated leaving you alone. So she didn't."

The End

End Note: These three drabbles were written for no other reason than to nudge this story along to its long-awaited conclusion. Well, it's also my Fandom Anniversary, a day on which I often start, update, and finish my various tales. This also happens to be release day for Book 4 (of seven) in the Amaranthine Saga. Details at ForthWrites dot com. These drabbles are 291, 331, and 604 words respectively. Posted on September 22, 2020.