When All Things are Said and Done by Lingering Nostalgia

Prologue: The Beginning

They were happily engaged when a tragic turn of events ended with Kagome in a coma. Now, seven years later, she wakes up to find herself in the midst of a land ravaged by war. It does not help matters when she learns that her fiancé, Sesshoumaru, is now married to a wind-demoness, Kagura. Amidst the betrayal, the deceit, and the heartache, Kagome struggles to bring peace to her country while reluctantly pushing away the affections of a certain inuyoukai.

Slender fingers moved gracefully up and down in gentle movements through fine ebony waves. A sigh escaped her rose lips as the young woman turned her gaze from her reflection to the window outside. The sun was already in its journey down the horizon, casting a mix of orange and pink colors against the sky's canvas. Brows furrowed in impatience as the young woman began to wonder what was taking them so long. Kagome then began to hear the sound of horses in the distance. In a burst of excitement, the woman quickly made her way to her window for a closer look. Blue eyes sparkled at the sight of thousands of soldiers on horseback, others on foot, making their way closer to the castle. "Finally," Kagome whispered to herself. Stepping back from the window, the princess went to dress herself in a fancier kimono.

Kagome stepped beside her mother, Lady Midori, as the guards opened the castle gates to welcome the soldiers inside. Cheers filled the air as the servants and nobles welcomed back the soldiers from a victorious battle. Youkai and men mounted on horses gladly hopped off as they were escorted towards the commons for a much-needed rest and food. Kagome and her mother stepped forward to greet Lord Inutaisho.

"Congratulations on a most victorious battle," Lady Midori spoke as she bowed to the lord in respect.

"I'm very happy that it went smoothly and quickly. Everything went according to plan and the opponent was swiftly beheaded. However, I'm afraid that the real adversary was not killed."

"You mean that the youkai your men and my army fought were merely henchmen?" A brow marred the lady's face.

Kagome quickly lost interest in the conversation and stepped away to look for her fiancé. She expected him to be right behind his father, but apparently he was elsewhere. Where could he have gone off to?

"Looking for someone?" A smooth baritone voice whispered in her ear.

Kagome quickly whirled around and glared at the youkai before her. "Sesshoumaru, don't scare me! I could've purified you!"

"As if your attempts at purification can harm a youkai of my caliber." His eyes softened and he extended his arm. "Care for a walk in the gardens with me?"

"Aren't you tired from your journey? Surely you want to rest." Nevertheless, Kagome linked her arm with his.

But he was already making his way towards the gardens with her in tow, "Woman, you seem to have little faith in my strength."

Kagome giggled. "I was merely concerned for your well-being, my lord."

He gave out a sound resembling a snort, which coming from him sounded remarkably pleasing to the ears, "This Sesshoumaru assures you, my lady, that such sentiments are unnecessary and inapplicable to this Sesshoumaru."

"Stop with all the formality, Sesshoumaru," Kagome said laughing. It reminded her of how he was like when they first met, two years ago. He changed much since then. Although to others he appeared the same, he loosened up more and showed more of his emotions towards Kagome. Unfortunately, he was still not as talkative. That was something Kagome was currently working on.

"Ah, but it was you who began the jest, my dear Kagome."

Kagome said nothing and pouted, not being able to deny that. Sesshoumaru saw this and smirked. His little miko was always so expressive. He led her to a secluded part of the garden and sat down on a bench, pulling her onto his lap. With no one looking why care for propriety?

"Sesshoumaru! What if someone sees us?" Kagome whispered heatedly as she struggled to get out of his lap. All her attempts were in vain and he simply held her even tighter.

"I will sense them before they come too close," he whispered into her ear and wasted no time trailing kisses down her neck.

Kagome sighed and gave in. She couldn't deny that she wanted this as much as he did. She bared her neck to him as she clutched onto his back to keep herself upright. Sesshoumaru began nipping the junction between her neck and shoulder, what he knew to be her weak spot. Kagome shuddered under his ministrations and clung to him harder. Sesshoumaru let out a low growl and began to move his hands up and down the length of her back, making Kagome feel as if he were caressing her naked flesh. Sesshoumaru was about to kiss her on the lips when--

"Lord Sesshoumaru! Your great father was looking for you! What in the world could you be doing--Ah!" Sesshoumaru was greeted with the green face of Jaken. Seeing the creature's bulbous yellow eyes and wide mouth immediately took away any traces of his arousal. "My Lord, what on Earth are you doing! You're not allowed to be with the Lady Kagome without a chaperone! Can you imagine the scandal your father would face if word gets out?!"

Sesshoumaru could have groaned, if he were any lesser youkai. Kagome blushed and hid her face in his robes, refusing to look at Jaken. "Talk any louder, Jaken, and there will surely be a scandal. Now leave us."

"But my lord! Y-you, the Lady Kagome--"

Sesshoumaru gave him the coldest glare.

"Er... yes, sorry to have disturbed you, my lord." With that, the little creature scurried away, tripping over himself in his haste.

Sesshoumaru let out a soft sigh and looked down at Kagome.

"Is he gone now?" Her voice was a bit muffled by his robe.

"Yes."

Kagome sat back and groaned. There was no use in trying to be intimate again, the moment was thoroughly ruined. "We should go, our parents will get suspicious."

He did not want to, although his better judgment agreed with her reasoning. In the end, he gave in. "You're right, let us go." He helped her smooth the wrinkles out of her kimono. Seeing one of his marks on the base of her neck, he tugged the collar higher to cover it. Seeing Kagome's inquiring eyes, he explained, "My mark is visible."

"Sesshoumaru! You know better than that, what if someone sees it? What would I say?!"

"I see no reason why you cannot tell them the truth. After all, we're already engaged."

"Yes, but a lot of people would disagree with that logic. To them, no such intimacy is allowed until after marriage."

"Ah, Sesshoumaru, there you are my boy!" The Lord Inutaisho waved to them merrily and walked up to the couple. Seeing the healthy blush on his future daughter-in-law's face, the great youkai laughed and pat his son on the back. "I see that you were preoccupied, my boy?"

Sesshoumaru refused to say anything.

Kagome blushed even harder. "Ano...."

"Hahaha, don't worry!" The inuyoukai gave a conspiratorial wink at the two, "I won't tell anyone. Now come, there's a welcoming feast and everyone's wondering where you two are!"

In a dark room stood two figures lit by the dull, golden light of the fire. Shadows filled the entire place, every corner, and every wall. It was only near the fireplace that the shadows strayed away, as they stayed away from their eternal adversary. The light.

The taller of the two figures sat on a cushion placed strategically on the tatami mats. Crimson eyes burned in an almost maniacal manner as it focused on the dragon youkai before him. The dragon sat before him in his human form, clutching to his knees, his knuckles white with apprehension.

"And that is all I have to do? And the Shikon no Tama will be mine?"

"Yes. It was written in ancient text that if the guardian is killed and no other miko is in line to take her place, then the barrier shall fall. Once that happens, the Shikon no Tama can be easily retrieved."

Jade green eyes narrowed in suspicion. "How do I know that you are simply not using me as a tool for your wretched schemes, Naraku-sama?" The honorific was said with the utmost spite.

The hanyou chuckled, the sound most sinister and full of malicious intentions. "Why would I have such a use for the Shikon? I am simply after Midori's lands. Menomaru has failed me horribly in today's battle. The fool did not last for even ten minutes when his whole army was killed before him."

"Fine. I will go and kill this Kagome you speak of. But remember, once her blood is on my hands, the tama is mine."

Crimson eyes sparkled in amusement. "I would have it no other way, my dear friend."

"You were gone for a good half hour during the welcoming feast, my lady." Warm magenta eyes sparkled in mischief in the mirror.

Kagome met the reflection of Sango's eyes. "Oh stop it, Sango. You know why I was gone."

The maid giggled as she continued to brush Kagome's hair. "You know better than to go on little rendezvous with that scheming youkai, Kagome. I swear, one of these days someone will catch you and then what would you do?"

Her eyes glazed over with thoughts of that afternoon, "I just can't help it, Sango. I try to resist him at first but then he starts kissing me and then--" Kagome gave a breathy sigh. "All thoughts of resisting him leaves him."

"Calm down woman, breathe!" Sango laughed. "My goodness, I can't imagine Lord Sesshoumaru being so intimate. He seems like a completely different person around you, Kagome."

"He is. I'm trying to get him to relax more around others, but he refuses to. It's just his nature."

Sango put down the comb. "All done. Now, promise me you go to sleep. No midnight rendezvous with any youkai, you hear?"

Kagome blushed and stood up, giving Sango a hug. "I promise... but only if you also promise me not to go with any rendezvous with a certain houshi."

Sango stepped back, her face red. "H-houshi sama? Kagome you're ridiculous. As if I have any feelings for that disgusting letch."

"Whatever you say, Sango," Kagome said, pushing her friend gently out her room. "I'll keep that in mind the next time I see you with him." Before Sango could make any retort, Kagome slid the door on her face, laughing at her friend's scandalized look.

Kagome stretched her arms and gave out a loud yawn. Pushing back her blankets, she slipped into her futon and snuggled inside for warmth. She was almost on the edge of sleeping when she sensed a youki nearby. Opening her eyes wide, Kagome was instantly awake. She pushed back her blankets and immediately sat up straight in her futon, desperately concentrating to better sense the youkai. No matter how hard she tried she couldn't pinpoint it's location anywhere. It was as if the youkai was coming from all around her.

Suddenly, a dark form materialized in front of her. Kagome stood up, her purification powers at the ready.

A dragon youkai formed from dark wisps of youki. Green eyes narrowed as he took in her form. "Are you the Miko Kagome?" His low baritone voice sent unpleasant shivers down her spine.

"And what if I am?" Kagome formed a ball of energy at her fingertips and sent it flying to the youkai. However, the youkai was able to dodge it easily and was soon in front of her, grasping his scaly claws around her throat and cutting off her airway.

Kagome tried to summon her energy but was surprised to find that it had no effect on the youkai. She tried harder and saw with satisfaction that his hands began burning. The smell of burnt flesh filled the room.

"You devious little wench!" The youkai snarled in anger. He fought against the painful sensation and grasped her throat harder.

Kagome raised her arms, wrapping her hands around the youkai's wrists. She knew what she had to do, she only prayed that she would soon recover from the spell. Closing her eyes, she began whispering an ancient incantation.

The youkai's eyes widened in disbelief as bright pink light began to surround the young woman and erupted from her heart. The feeling of burning in the deepest pits of hell engulfed his entire body. Mouth open wide in agony, the youkai was not even given the chance to scream before he was quickly burned to ashes. An unearthly wind came into the room, blowing away any traces of the youkai's presence.

Gasping in relief, the miko lay there on the floor, her vision growing dark. Before the grasping hands of unconsciousness grabbed her she whispered the word, "Sesshoumaru," before shutting her eyes and mind to the world around her.

Well there's the first chapter. Bad? Good? Just okay? Please give me any constructive criticisms or comments. Does this story look promising to you? I'm eagerly awaiting any reviews!

In the meantime, here's a preview of the next chapter:

"You mean you don't even know if she's going to wake up?"

"How dare you suggest... I refuse to take another mate! Kagome is the only one for me!"

"It seems I have no other choice. Once again, I'm honor-bound to my duties as Lord of the Western Lands."

"I'm sure she'll understand, Sesshoumaru. Kagome was always such a selfless girl...I just wish things didn't end this way."

"Remember this, Kagura, you may be my wife, but you are not my mate nor do you hold my heart. You are simply here to bear me an heir. Once you give birth, I will banish you from these lands."