Another Chance at Love by skyleopardess

Prologue: Hanaretemo...

Another Chance at Love

Prologue: Hanaretemo [Even if we are apart...]

"No, don't go!" He whispered, with his keen golden eyes trained on her face.

"I have to, Sesshoumaru," the beautiful miko dressed in white and red said, looking back. "This is the only way to protect the world from the Shikon no Tama."

The tall white youkai closed his eyes and tried to release her hand. "No, Kagome! I cannot let you leave my side... not after... not after I finally..." His voice fell to a pained whisper. This cannot be happening, he told himself. They fought; they journeyed; they loved. It took the pair so long to realize what they had and now it was threatening to be erased. He could not let that happen.

"This is my duty," Kagome stated solemnly. Even though it was a flicker, sadness still shone in her bright eyes. "I will not run away from this. Accept it, Sesshoumaru. This is fate." She gently placed a hand on his as if for reassurance.

"No! I will not stand by and watch you be... killed! You are mine! I won't let anything take you from me!" He growled in desperation. The hour was fast approaching and he still had not convinced her. He brought his other hand up to touch her cheek and bring her to a soft kiss. He felt her melt against him but to suddenly stiffen and pull away.

"I'm sorry, my love, that I cannot belong to you only. Sesshoumaru, know this: you are everything to me. I love you. You taught me love. I will not forget this," she stroked the hand on her cheek with tenderness. "But I belong not to you only, even if I wish it to be so. I have to carry out what I was fated to do. The Shikon no Tama must be destroyed and this is the only way I know how! I must do this for the sake of the people of this land... and, for you."

"I do not care about the world! I only need you! I do not approve of this. I will not permit it!" He was getting frustrated at the situation. Nothing he said will make her change her mind, it seems. Do I have no choice but to watch the only person I will ever love die in front of my eyes? Sesshoumaru closed his eyes and tried to think of something else to say. Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace and lowered his face into the crook of her neck.

Kagome, as if feeling his sadness and grief, wound her slim arms around to his back and gently stroked up and down. It was just as hard for her to part with him but she knew it was inevitable. "I'm sorry, Sesshoumaru. If it were within my power, you know I would have done anything! But the Shikon is just too dang--"

Not caring to hear the rest, Sesshoumaru shushed her by crushing her full lips with his own, as if in silent defeat. Kagome leaned into the kiss and cupped his face with her small hands. Sadness washed over the pair as they enjoyed the last moments together. Kagome gently pushed away and turned away, but not before shedding a single tear that fell on Sesshoumaru's outstretched hand.

The hour was near. Kagome walked steadily to the wooden pyre and let the villagers tie her to it. Without any last words, she nodded to the priestesses with the torches and closed her eyes. As the flames licked at her skin and singed her clothing, she thought only of Sesshoumaru. She knew he was probably standing at the edge of the forest looking at her. How painful it was for him, she thought, more than the physical pain of being burned alive. She prayed with her remaining breaths that the Shikon no Tama would leave the world forever and end the horrible cycle of death it had wrought.

As the fire died down and the wind picked up her ashes, Sesshoumaru turned his heel to leave. Within a few steps, he felt a strange presence behind him. Turning his head, he gazed up at the glowing apparition of his love. Reaching out a hand to touch his face, Kagome smiled.

"Goodbye, my love," she whispered. "May we meet in another place in another time. I will not ask you to wait for me; but if we are fated to meet once more, please give me the chance to love you again." With that, Kagome's soul disappeared into the wind.