Uprooted by Misty Fae

Breathtaking

Kagome fell to her knees, depleted of energy and staring with bated breath at the diminishing pink glow in her open palms. Her heart raced as the pink light surrounding and blinding her from the world around her slowly subsided and she could only pray she'd made the right wish to seal the jewel from this world forever. 

The pink light faded completely, her eyes still stinging as she peered up from where she knelt and let out a deep, shaky breath to find herself still in the battlefield before Naraku's corpse, surrounded by her friends. Her deep exhale turned to ecstatic laughter when she looked over their awed expressions. 

"It worked!" She blurted happily. "I'm still here!" 

"Kagome!" Shippo cried out, running towards her and leaping into her open arms. She hugged him tighter than she ever had, laughing and crying. Soon she was on her feet surrounded by her companions in a joyous group hug. 

"I don't know how the hell ya did that but I'm..  glad you're safe." Inuyasha said hoarsely as he squeezed her tight. 

"That was amazing, Kagome!" Sango added through happy tears. 

"Wait... Did what?" Kagome asked, tilting her head in confusion.  Everyone was too excited and emotional to answer and Kagome decided it wasn't important. All that mattered was that she was still here with her friends and that they were all safe.

"Hah! What an embarrassing display!" Jaken snorted indignantly as he watched the group celebrate their victory from across the battlefield. He turned away in disgust and glanced up at the tall figure standing beside him, "You would think they would thank you for your assistance in---" his shrill voiced trailed as he took in the strange expression on his usually stoic lord's face. 

Sesshomaru's eyes were fixed on the group ahead, wide and entranced. His lips were slightly parted and his eyebrows raised in a rare show of awe. His golden gaze didn't flinch as the group slowly parted and the Miko was in his sights again.  "M-M'lord?" Jaken questioned, unaccustomed to seeing the proud daiyoukai in such a state. He didn't flinch or respond. 

"Wow!" Rin's voice cried out as she ran towards them, having been taking cover with Ah Un on the sidelines during the battle with Naraku. "That was so cool! Did you see how Lady Kagome destroyed the bad man with that pink light, Lord Sesshomaru? She was so brave! I never saw a human do anything like that before! Do you think she could teach me?" As she came to stop before Jaken and Sesshomaru, she too seemed to notice the strange condition of her Lord and the excitement on her face slowly faded as she peered up at him. "You were really great too, My Lord!" She praised thoughtfully. 

"Rin." He said, not taking his eyes off the group even as they began to collect their discarded weapons from the area and prepare to leave. "Join them." 

"What?" Rin asked, her happy demeanor completely forgotten now. "But, Lord Sesshomaru, I want---" 

"Go." He demanded more sternly, finally looking to meet her sad eyes. "I will return for you. You have my word."  This seemed to calm the distressed child, her shoulders relaxing some as she looked to the group of companions and back to Sesshomaru again doubtfuly. She'd never heard him promise something before so she was certain he must mean it. 

"Alright, my Lord. As you wish." She said before turning and dashing towards the group before they left. 

"But, My Lord, why?" Jaken began to question before he found himself being kicked a few good feet. Sesshomaru sheathed his sword and finally turned away to retreat. Jaken's frantic cries to wait for him seemed far away as he replayed the scene in his mind of the Shikon Miko surrounded by holy energy and releasing the lethal blast of reiki that ultimately killed Naraku.  Rin's words rang true in his ears. He had not seen such a powerful display performed by any human or demon alike in all his years.

The sight could only be described as... breathtaking.

For the first time, the daiyoukai felt humbled. For once he made a decision not out of calculating strategy but impulse. For reasons unclear to him still, even as he walked away, he felt sending his ward off with the group was his only hope to see the Miko again without needing much explanation. And for the first time, he did not know what he was going to do next---or why. 

~  It's been a long time since I actually shared my work! I really hope you all like this first chapter. Any insight is totally welcome. Will be updating regularly! Also please forgive any spelling or grammatical errors. I always write late at night when I'm super sleepy. Is it just me? Kawaii Alien