They by Amadoni

Ficlet: one-shot

It wasn't supposed to be this way, but it was and that's what made it hurt even more. As for Sesshoumaru, it was almost too much. Every night since Naraku's defeat, every night, she'd do this. And every night he'd ask the same question.

oOo

"Miko, what are doing?"

"Lighting the candles, Sesshoumaru, they live in the dark you know," with wild, tired eyes, she'd answer while frantically burning more wax before the sun fully set. She hated the dark.

"Who lives in the dark, Kagome?"

"They, Sesshoumaru, they live there," she pointed exasperated. Couldn't he see them lurking in the shadows?

"You know who they are...they're not the same. They'll try to eat me, like Naraku," she stared straight into his eyes, tears forming, "I have to protect the jewel...keep it pure, even from them."

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And every night, he'd tell her, hoping that this time, just once, she'd believe.

oOo

"They're dead, Kagome. They've crossed over and cannot harm you," he softly stated while walking towards her. Then she'd recoil, grow angry, and change completely.

"You're wrong!! They're here! The jewel took them--fed off them like Naraku. I was there--you were there!! No, no," shaking her head, "they're not dead...only waiting. I have to light the candles. They hate it when I do that...makes them stay away."

oOo

And with every night that passed, Sesshoumaru would realize more and more that Naraku wasn't the only one defeated...so was she, so was he, and so were they.