Warm-Ice: Okay, so I was right. They do hate me.
Inu-yasha: It's your own fault.
Warm-Ice: Aw, but you don't hate me, do you, Yasha?"
Inu: ... No...
Warm-Ice: Yeay! I'm happy!
Kiba-pup: Huh...well, I guess I'll have to wish myself good luck. You might just hate me some more. (Strapping on the bullet proof vest)
Kat57: Hahahahaha!!! It's okay, I understand. Sorry about the mascara thing. But at least you're not alone. Everybody else is crying with you! And I'll have you know that when I was typing it, I was crying too. Haha! So, thanks for everything and please enjoy.
Kaiyou87: Hahaha! Really? That's so cute! Thank you for everything!!! I'll miss you!
turtlequeen2: Alas, this will be the last time we will speak. Haha! Yes, I'm glad I succeeded. Haha! I should have known people would use the name of the chapter against me. Hehehee...And thank you for pointing out the fact that death is inevitable. I'm glad you saw that between the lines. (Smiles) I guess you really are the only one feeling bad for her. I don't think anyone sympathyses. Aww...Oh, Tenseiga? Okay, noted. Thanks. I just played it by ear from our Filipino dubbing so I really didn't know how to spell it. Gawd, thanks! I'm glad you thought so because I was having doubts about that crying thing. Thanks so much for all the support!!! I'll miss you the most!
Hakudoushi-gurl: haha! Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Hehe. Aww, and I'm gonna miss you too.
lclsurfer: Yes, I think I've established that I'm an evil person.
FluffysCubana: Huhuhu, okay, I get it. I'm an evil person. Haha! Love being an evil person. Just love it. Hehehehe. Okay, here's the update for you! Thanks for staying with me until the end! Love ya!
asga: Aw, thanks so much. But I already did.
stoictimer: BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Really? I'm glad! Yes, iswak.
Thread Magic: Aw...I'll try to make more stories for you to read while in college, okay? AWWW...Thank you so much for thanking me! I've never been thanked before! I wuv you!
WhyWhatShutup:) yeah...I killed her...
Celestial Inuyoukai: Aww, thanks. I'll miss you!
seraphine: hey, I like Samson. But I can't say I've heard ngiti before. Who sang it?
Cookbook24: Aw, I'll miss you so much, cookbook24! I hope you like this one! Thank you so much for the support!
Leshaya: Sorry to disappoint. But it really did happen. Haha, thanks for waiting and for being an optimist. Hehe. I'm sorry I made you cry and I hope you like this.
v1cky84: Thanks for everything and I will miss you!
Warm-ice: Wah! I'll miss everyone! Happy 7-7-7 day!
Whole cast: WE'LL MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Father
Chapter 33: Canta Per Me
There was a great uproar over the death of both successors of the Phoenix kingdom, everyone wanted a piece or perhaps all of their lands. They fought over it for quite a long while. The Inu kingdom merely watched on for in those times, the king was not done mourning for his queen. It took him more than a decade to finally speak to anyone again, in that decade Rin had already passed away. She requested to be cremated while Kagome was buried in the garden, beneath the sakura trees she had planted with her own hands long ago. Every night Sesshoumaru would sit by her grave and share with her a bottle of sake. And on special nights, when he'd remember the times they kissed, or wrapped their arms around each other, or the smiles, or the tears...he'd shed a single tear and let it fall to the floor. The kingdom had to move on they knew. But it was difficult with the death of their Lady and the loss of their lord. Without her, the ever-invincible lord looked so completely defeated.
He was still beautiful, mind you. But it seemed as if he, in all his beauty, was missing something vital. It was so anomalous, seeing him without Kagome by his side. For the remainder of the decade, the soldiers did their best to fix everything that had been broken, keep their lands safe, and console their grieving lord. Even the strangers, the ones who merely lived in their lands, ningen and youkai alike, came to extend their condolences and speak of Kagome-sama's kindness. The other side of him wanted to say that he already knew how kind she was. He knew her more than anyone else could so they had no right to tell him such things as if they knew her personally. But he was too tired, too broken, too hurt to even look at them. All he looked at was Kagome and the tomb he made for her.
Kagome had always lied to him. It was her way of being kind. But he never thought lying was kindness. He never liked it when she lied. But he had always forgiven her because in the end he still had her to hold and her to love. But this time...
She told him she'd never abandon him. She promised that she would never leave him. She promised to stay with him forever and yet what had happened? She would not even grant him his one wish to be with her in death. Surely she must have known that he would end up like this. Surely she must have. But she still went through with it. And he had no choice for she was right. He had to live on. His mission as a lord and as a father was not finished yet.
And as winter began to set in, the wind picked up his long silver hair, toying with it as if to mock him in his misery. He heard soft footsteps behind him and turned in response. Before him was his daughter, the child Kagome bore for nine months and produced with much labor. Her black hair had grown back to its former length, cascading down her back and flowing with the wind. Her youth had flown as well, replacing childish features with more mature ones. She had grown into a woman in such a short amount of time and soon he knew, she would leave him too.
She came closer and bowed before looking back up at him with those midnight blue eyes. She looked so much like her mother at that time that Sesshoumaru could feel his heart clenching painfully once more.
"It is getting cold, Father. Dinner is ready. Everyone is waiting for you inside." she said softly, smiling a small dainty smile. Gingerly, Sesshoumaru cupped her cheek in his hand, looking at her lovingly. Feeling his cold fingers on her skin, Haruko placed her hand over his, nuzzling her face into his calloused hand. "If you are cold, please let me give you warmth." she said, bringing a smile to her father's lips.
Bringing her closer, he wrapped his arms around her fur-clad kimono, feeling her warmth seeping into him. And as he held her close, as the snow began to fall from the sky, all he could say was, "Just like your mother."
After mourning for his wife, Sesshoumaru regained his footing and stood once again as the lord of the Western Lands. It was arranged that Kouga would mate Haruko once he has learned how to run the country under Sesshoumaru's guidance and supervision. At that time, Shippou set off on a campaign to make a kingdom of his own, fighting against tyranny and pillagers. Yuujin stayed by his side, becoming his General and second in command. Touya left the kingdom to pursue a life with Senjaku while Akito remained with Haruko still.
Their union came faster than anyone would have ever expected. Yes, there were some who refused to recognize that a wolf would rule over them but Kouga managed to show them that he was more than just a wolf. He showed them his kindness, befriending them and softening their hearts, making more allies than Sesshoumaru had before. It was a happy day for the kingdom when Kouga, lord of the Eastern Lands (officially) and Haruko, lady of the Western Lands, finally became mates. Everyone had cheered for the unlikely couple and some even joked about how Haruko could turn to them if Kouga ever served to be unsatisfying. That joke was from the wolf clan therefore Kouga quickly kicked his butt. Sesshoumaru held a large ceremony for their union, making sure that everyone saw that those two were the new generation.
At the end of the day, Haruko and Kouga both stood before Kagome's tomb, asking for her blessing hand in hand.
"I'll take care of her, don't you worry, Kagome." Kouga said with that lopsided grin of his, beaming happily. "I'll love her with all my heart. Just like you and Sessh-sama over there." Sessh-sama was a nickname Kouga developed throughout the time the two had spent together in the studies, something that used to annoy the lord but has now grown on him. It was a trait of Kouga's to grow on people. Perhaps it was a good trait of his. Bringing their entwined fingers up and resting the back of Haruko's hand to his chest, he said seriously, "She'll always have my heart. The same way you'll always have Sesshoumaru's."
Haruko smiled, blushing at the words he said and feeling the quick pace of his heart under her hand. She looked down at her mother's grave and said, "Mother, I surrender myself to Kouga-sama from now on. I will care for him and protect him from any harm. So please, guide us." She bowed humbly and so did Kouga. Sesshoumaru watched them as they stood upright and smiled at each other...well, she smiled. He grinned.
Finding a stray strand of hair, Haruko tucked it away from his handsome face, gently gliding her fingers across his skin. Kouga smiled as he looked deep into her eyes, bringing their entwined hands up to his lips and kissing her hand lovingly. Haruko blushed still and Kouga grinned again. "I'll finally be able to molest ya all I want."
Instantly an angry Shippou, an older Inu-yasha, and his son, Tomaru, hit him upside the head. Looking up at them, he already possessed three large bumps on the top of his head. He glared at them and pouted. "I was joking!"
"Stop being a pervert!" they all yelled at him. Haruko could only laugh.
A few years after that, a war broke out in Inu-yasha's village where he was peacefully living with his wife, En and his son, Tomaru. Somebody was trying to take over their lands and Sesshoumaru offered his half-bro—his brother his assistance. They fought side by side to be rid of that enemy but they had died in the process. Kagome would have been proud to see them in their last moments; stabbing the enemy into his demise, Inu-yasha had no time to jump away from the falling piece of land. Not wanting to die alone, the enemy dragged Inu-yasha down with him. Sesshoumaru had jumped to reach his brother, wrapping the younger one in his arms in order to somehow protect him from the pain that was about to ensue. And in that moment, the two were back to being children, the onii-san protect his little brother. The enemy dragged both of them down with him, falling from hundreds of feet into the jagged rocks below. And as Sesshoumaru stared up into that endless blue sky, a smile graced his lips.
"Kagome." he whispered. "I'm coming."
Knowing it was the end; Inu-yasha closed his eyes and held his brother back with his bloody arms, cherishing the moment he never thought would have happened. "Arigatou." he said. "Onii-sama."
Before Sesshoumaru passed away, he was able to meet his grandchildren. The eldest were twins; a boy Haruko named, Haruni and a girl Kouga named, Haruka. They were remarkable twins with high intellect, much like their grandfather, and possessing quite the mischievous streak, very much like their father.
A son whom Sesshoumaru did not have the pleasure to see after being conceived soon followed the twins. His name was Warai. He was a very reserved young boy who had a habit of caressing his mother's face whenever they were near each other. Kouga would always pick the boy up and sit in his place by Haruko when he finds the two silently sitting in a corner. Warai would look at his father strangely but Kouga merely whispers to Haruko, "I swear, he could be a reincarnation of a former suitor or something" Haruko could only shake her head and smile at Kouga's antics.
And lastly, their youngest and second daughter was Munesanzun. Or Mune-mune as she so fondly calls herself. Mune-mune loved to sing and was charming and delightfully young. She loved tugging at her father's hair and tail. Akito was assigned to be her guardian, a man with whom she was quite fond of as well. She inherited Kouga's speed, which she usually exhibits in talking. Sometimes she talked so fast that people had to ask her to say it twice or thrice just so they could understand her. Whenever Haruko could not understand her daughter she would just smile, nod and say, 'Okay'. No matter what it was, the solution was always 'okay'.
Tomaru visited them periodically after Inu-yasha's death, having no other family to be with in occasions since En-san had passed away as well. He helps around the castle as well at times, making him a good friend of all the staff.
He was very close to the eldest twins. They played often before Kagome's grave in the gardens, sometimes even spending their time sitting around her tomb, talking about what she was like and what other people told them about her and their grandfather. Tomaru was particularly fond of Haruka since she looked like her mother the most. Haruni was the male version and he idolized the teenager for he seemed like a big brother to them.
But who would have ever thought that such angelic faces could contain such demonic minds.
Sometimes when the twins were really bored, they'd devise a plan and cause so much chaos in the kingdom that even Kouga was clutching at his hair. But being a reliable father, Kouga would gather his children up into his arms—sometimes with Akito's help—and spin them around until they were too dizzy to make any more trouble and he would carry them all to their rooms and tuck them into their respective beds.
And after which he'd go back to work in the office Sesshoumaru used to work in. In the middle of the night, Haruko would come to him with a cup of tea and a slice of cake, smiling lovingly all the while.
There was one time where she stared for a little while longer and Kouga asked, "What?" to which Haruko blushed and smiled just a little wider.
"I never would have thought we would end up like this, Kouga-sama. I never thought I could achieve such joy." she answered, to which Kouga sat silently and stared back at her before pulling her closer across the table and leaning forward so that his lips would meet hers. He held her hand in his as he deepened their kiss, the candle serving as the only source of light in that dark, private moment.
"I'll work hard to be like this forever, Inu-hime."
"Arigatou, Kouga-sama."
Yuujin's relationship with Shippou wasn't as easy though. Shippou had many moments when he would almost explode at her for not doing enough. Yuujin was always off somewhere flirting with somebody or trying to get away from him. And he would always go after her. Always. And she would always come back. Always.
It was so tiring, Shippou realized, to be in love with Yuujin. For she was afraid of having someone love her and it was hard for her to believe that someone would love her without believing that someday she'll be left heartbroken. At the same time, Yuujin finds Shippou tiring as well. Because Shippou did not flirt and he did not like to have sex for fun. He was always so serious and he would always stare at her with those eyes that held so much love in them. He would always be angry at her and he would always scare away her potential temporary lovers.
Shippou was a greedy man who possessively keeps her by his side as his General, never letting her stray too far. But at the same time, he was a child who needed comfort. And she would always be there to comfort him. Always. He always worries about her whenever she does not come back by sunset, always pacing about the camp and frowning so deep. But she would come back soon enough, bringing with her a bottle of sake and grinning widely at him. They would drink and drink and drink until they end up making love in the bed and waking up side by side, knowing that in their hearts this was the person they really loved.
They kept running circles around each other a little longer than how everybody would have hoped for but in the end, they still decided to take a chance. Once Shippou had established his own kingdom he finally mated her and the two were the most celebrated couple of the year. Partly because Yuujin kept screaming, "I'M A QUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" whenever she'd be out with Shippou on his patrols. Shippou merely looked away, blushing as people clapped and cheered and toasted for their happy life.
Shippou would never forget the amount of insecurity he had to endure while she was pregnant. She would always pout while looking at herself in the mirror and rub her growing belly. It got him irritated and he asked, "If you do not wish to have a baby, then you should have told me."
"It's not that!" She said, turning to look at him with indignation before pouting again and showing him her watery eyes. He tensed up and scratched his head, not really knowing what to do. "I'm getting fat!!!" Yuujin cried childishly rubbing at her eyes. "I'm getting ugly and fat! I'm an ugly, fat, saggy old hag! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Shaking his head, he went and knelt in front of her sitting form, reaching up to wipe away her tears and make her look at him. She sniffled a bit while he smiled at her. He squinted his eyes critically and she looked at him strangely. He moved her head around, looking at her still with squinted eyes. She endured it for a while but then pushed his hand away angrily and saying, "What the hell, Shippou! I'm serious!"
Shippou chuckled—no, laughed, something he only did when in her presence. She pouted at him until he was able to calm down and tell her, "No matter how hard I look, I seem to be unable to find any flaw in you. Perhaps my eyes have gone bad since you seem to see such things." That made her falter a bit and blush before pouting again.
"I'm really getting ugly, Shippou! Have you seen this wrinkle?" She said, pointing to the corner of her eye.
"Where?" Shippou asked, coming closer and squinting his eyes again.
"It's right he—mmph!" She had gone closer for him to inspect her but he used the opportunity to steal a kiss. When they finally parted, Yuujin looked like she was in a daze, to Shippou's satisfaction. But then she gathered her wits and blushed, covering her mouth modestly, something she only did in his presence. "Ah, Shippou tricked me!"
Shippou smirked, "That's what you get for complaining all the time."
"I get kissed?"
"You get picked on. The kiss was a bonus for being adorable." He only realized a few years before that when Yuujin is truly feeling happy she hugs anything near her. Except for him because that would make her even more hyper. So in a matter of seconds, he found his wife hugging the lamp, blushing, squealing and mumbling about how sweet her husband was and how lucky she was to have him. Shippou would sigh and shake his head but a smile would still play on his lips.
They had three sons; the eldest who was a lot like Shippou, Shihoudani. The second possessed the beauty of his father and the vivacity of his mother, Seimei, and the youngest, who was but a mere babe, Seinen, inherited his mother's smile. Yuujin made sure to visit Haruko as much as possible, forming friendships between both their children.
"Haruko-chan, your Haru-twins are just so adorable." Yuujin complimented, watching them fiddle with their new toy in the garden near their grandmother's tomb. "They're practically their father with your face."
"Yes, they are. I think the longest period of peace around the castle is when one of them is in the bathroom or if they are asleep." Haruko smiled.
Just then Shihoudani and Seimei came to the twins, greeting them with a formal bow. The twins looked at them before smiling brightly like their father and offering their little toy to the eldest. Shihoudani blinked at it for a moment before taking it.
"Twist it just a little." Haruni said with that smile of his. Shihoudani was hesitantly looking at his elders for a moment. Haruka was getting impatient.
"Just do it already." she demanded. Shihoudani looked at it for a moment longer before twisting the little thing. It sprinkled water all over his face. The twins laughed hysterically, clutching their stomachs and holding onto each other's arm for support.
"Haruni! Haruka!" Haruko called, scolding them with an icy glare. Shihoudani looked at the twins with flat eyes as his hair started to drip.
Calming down the twins patted the young boy's shoulder. "We were just playing, just playing." The two said in sync.
"Apologize this moment." Haruko demanded.
"Hai, hai!" they said together before smiling at Shihoudani with that charming smile they inherited from their mother. "Gomen ne, Shi-chan." Shihoudani blushed at that before shaking his head.
"It's alright. You two made this?"
"Ahuh!" Haruka said proudly.
"Wanna make another one and trick somebody else?" Haruni invited.
Shihoudani thought it over for a moment before nodding his head and being dragged off to get new materials for their new toy. Only Seimei was left in the garden and he had no one who would play with him. Yuujin was just about to call him over until...
"Sei-chaaan!" Mune-mune called, coming into the gardens with Akito carrying her. "Mune-mune to the rescue!" she giggled, pretending to be able to fly to Seimei's rescue.
"Ah, Mune-mune-chan..." Seimei sweat dropped as she started to 'land' in front of him. Akito just bowed and smiled at Haruko and Yuujin from his place. "You do know that children don't fly, right?" Seimei said in a matter-of-fact manner.
Mune-mune pouted at him and said, "Mune-mune can fly!"
"Stop talking in the third person, Mune-mune-chan. It's not proper."
"But..." she started crying, big blue eyes pouring with tears, "But Mune-mune can fly!"
"Okay, okay!" Seimei panicked, not really knowing how to deal with crying girls. So much like his father..."I'm sorry, okay? Mune-mune can fly. She can fly. Okay? Don't cry anymore."
Mune-mune sniffed her tears away and started to smile again, attaching herself to the slightly older boy's sleeve. "Let's fly together, Sei-chan."
Seimei sighed in defeat and nodded, "Hai, hai."
"Yeay! Akito, fly with us!"
"Hai, Mune-mune-sama." Akito smiled, going along with their little game.
"Hey, Haruko-chan, where's the other one?" Yuujin asked, cradling the sleeping Seinen in her arms.
Haruko smiled, showing the wrinkles her human body began to obtain, her ebony hair was slowly turning white. "I sent him to Kouga. Those two should spend more time together."
"Father-son bonding thing?"
"Hai. Kouga-sama seems to think that Warai is a reincarnation of a suitor of mine, thus he has this distance towards him."
"Kouga was always the dumb one. I just never thought he'd be that dumb." Yuujin commented dryly, making Haruko laugh.
"And how about you, Yuujin? How are you and Shippou-chan?"
"Oh, well, he's still busy with the kingdom and all. But you know, when I need my man, no amount of paper work's gonna stop me. That tall western desk of his is quite handy, too." She said meaningfully winking at her. Haruko blushed at the realization of the meaning and laughed.
"Yuujin-san, how mischievous!"
"Haha! Hey, I never hear him complaining. Not after the first time anyway." The two laughed even harder. After they calmed down, they settled for watching their children play. "Aw, they're really cute together."
"Yes, your son is quite the dashing young man." Haruko complimented.
"Oi, Haruko-chan, wouldn't it be nice if they ended up together when they grow up?"
"Haha. It would, Yuujin-san." The two continued to talk that beautiful springtime; purposely ignoring that time was passing them by.
Haruko woke up at the feeling of familiar fingers dancing across her body, caressing the curves covered by her robes and the blankets. She smiled to herself and turned in bed to face the owner of the hands, blushing just a little at the intensity of his stare. "Good morning, my lord." she greeted softly, her voice different now. She could see herself reflected in his eyes, wrinkled face, long white hair strewn all about. Youth had completely abandoned her. But in his eyes she was still as beautiful.
Kouga solemnly kissed her, gently wrapping his arms securely around her until she was molded into him like the many times they became one. Even now she could feel his heart quicken its pace against her chest. When he finally pulled away, she looked up at him and he smiled knowingly. "Want to have a big party?" he asked softly, his normal grin just a notch softer.
She laughed softly, nuzzling her face into his neck to breathe in the scent of autumn. "Hai, I'd like that very much."
Like in every party, Yuujin was successfully getting drunk. Shippou did his best to keep her away from mainly two things; more sake, and other men. He was succeeding in the 'other men' part. But the 'sake' part was like a loosing battle. Their children were off playing with Haruko's younger ones while the twins made strange faces in front of the baby, Seinen, who couldn't help but laugh. Tomaru watched them with amusement from behind.
Touya and his wife, Senjaku, have been invited as well. They had a son as old as the twins and introduced the handsome redheaded young man as Krin. Touya and Akito spent the rest of the feast in each other's presence; perhaps making up for all the times they were not. It was obvious that the two missed each other with the way they laughed and the way they talked so closely. But then Yuujin would occasionally interrupt them with a drunken glomp Touya and the question, "Hey, Touya, why don't pigs fly? Huh? Why can't they—hic—haha, fly?"
Shippou would come and apologize to them again, bringing Yuujin in his arms. "Because it would be much more difficult to eat pork." Shippou answered her, taking her away as she laughed boisterously. "See! I taught him that! Hahaha! My lord knows how to joke! Wahahahaha!" She exclaimed, pointing at the blushing Shippou.
Everyone would just laugh. All the friends they've made throughout their life together, they invited. Human, hanyous, and youkais alike. Everyone seemed to be getting along well enough. They had grown to accept the other through the example of their royal family, choosing to set aside differences and work together to form something much better than before. But one can not fully erase racism and when a fight breaks out somewhere in the room, Kouga would be instantly there to either put a stop to it or throw them out. "This is the party I threw especially for my Inu-hime." He said with hands on his hips, looking down at them then suddenly grinning. "I won't let anyone ruin it."
Said Inu-hime sat on her throne, being surrounded by the group of friends she'd gathered throughout her life, women with different views on everything, women who fought for what they believed in and some women who were not born as women. They all talked about the adventures they shared with each other, laughing about the stupid things they've done.
They ate and drank merrily in the ways of the wolf, the ways that Kouga preferred: less formality, more fun. He and Shippou sat together at last and finally spoke to each other after so long, smiling and drinking together. Old rivals turned friends, arm wrestling on the dining table. Haruko just shook her head at them. "Are you ready to get beaten in front of your own subject, my lord?" Shippou taunted with a smirk.
"Ha! Just try!" Kouga retorted with a grin of his own and so the battle began. Everybody cheered for their favorite and the kids were making so much noise.
"Daddy! Da-ddy! Da-ddy!" Kouga's children cheered.
"Go, papa! Go, papa! Show them what you've got!" Shippou's children.
"Go Papa!" Mune-mune cheered, making Kouga turn to her.
"Mune-mune, whose side are you on?!" Mune-mune just covered her mouth as Shippou pushed Kouga's hand down, standing up and soaking in all the glory. Kouga just pouted and grumpily rested his chin on his hand. Mune-mune came to him with a sad look, feeling guilty for the loss of their father. Kouga looked at her for a moment before showing his cheek to her in a silent invitation. Knowing what to do, Mune-mune kissed her father's cheek and pulled away. To her relief, Kouga was grinning again. Shippou went back to his side and shook his hand.
"Good game, m'lord." He said, smirking.
"Haha. Lucky shot." Kouga retorted with that grin of his. "Oh, yeah, and about Yuujin; I'm sorry it didn't work out."
"Huh?" Kouga pouted behind his shoulder and Shippou's eyes widened when he saw Yuujin flirting, yet again, with a palace guard. He discovered in their campaign that she had a fetish for men in uniform, to his utter frustration. He gritted his teeth and began to get up.
"Damn, that woman." Kouga laughed as Shippou made his way to her. They all knew Yuujin was never serious with any of the men she flirted with. Shippou was just the jealous type. Kouga looked up to the throne and found his wife surrounded by smiles, her own standing out to him the most. They caught each other's eyes and she blushed, looking away with that shy smile of hers. Kouga could only chuckle and stare at her with a lopsided smile, looking like a lovesick puppy.
Their merrymaking was halted later in the night when Kouga finally stepped into Haruko's little circle to pick up the sleepy lady in his arms. He excused himself from the women, not noticing the little swoons they made at the sight of him. Walking past the dinner table, everyone became silent, watching their lord and lady make their exit. Haruko's wrinkled eyes closed and she laid her head softly on Kouga's shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Kouga-sama, what about the party?" she asked groggily, feeling the heaviness of her sleep-ridden eyes.
"I think they'll understand." he uttered gently, standing before the opening doors.
"Please let me say...a few more words." she said, opening her eyes to look at him. Kouga looked at her for a moment before nodding and turning around to face everyone.
She straightened her back and smiled to everyone, "I am very blessed to have met so many wonderful people." Instinctively, Kouga's hands on her tightened. "Thank you, everyone for coming and for supporting our family in our rule. I hope you will continue to give my family your best and work together to make a world without prejudice and pain. I have learned so much from everyone and I'm very grateful for the happiness you all imparted unto me. I will always hold all of you dear to my heart. So please take care of yourselves and one another. Oh, and please take special care of my lord." everyone laughed at that but Kouga merely smiled. "We all know how troublesome he can be." they laughed again. "With that," she finalized, scanning the room for the faces she grew to love. "I bid you all goodnight and goodbye." Everyone bowed low to their lady and Kouga turned around to finally leave.
As the doors closed, the silence endured. Kouga was silent the whole time they walked down the halls and Haruko smiled to herself as she looked up at him. "Would you like for me to sing for you, my lord?" Kouga nodded mutely, wishing to break the silence that fell over the whole kingdom. Closing her eyes again, Haruko began to sing the song she sang for him the first time.
"Canta per me ne addio, quel dolce suono, de' passati giorni, mi sempre rammenta" Sing for me farewell, that sweet sound, of the past days, it always reminds me. "la vita dell'amore, dilette del cor mio, o felice, tu anima mia, canta addagio..." the life of the love, beloveds of my heart, oh happy, you my soul, sing slowly...
They all heard her voice echoing through the halls, a sad melody breaking their silence. Yuujin's eyes watered, for she knew this song to be her first.
"tempra la cetra e canta, il inno di morte, a noi si schiude il ciel, volano al raggio" strengthen your, lyre and sing, the hymn of death, the sky opens to us, they fly to the ray.
Sensing her distress, Shippou wrapped his arm around her, holding him to her as she buried her face into his shoulder, softly sobbing.
"la vita dell'amore, dilette del cor mio, o felice, tu anima mia, canta addio..." the life of the love, beloveds of my heart, oh, happy, you my soul, sing farewell...
Akito and Touya looked at each other and knew exactly what was going on, hanging their heads low to hide the sadness their eyes held.
Feeling the great sorrow in the song, Seirei began to cry in his cradle while Mune-mune tried to run after her father with concern. But Warai took hold of her, keeping her there despite her protests. The twins kept their heads down, holding tightly the other's hand and keeping their tears in check. Shihoudani looked at them in confusion, having never seen the twins so solemn. They didn't know, but they felt it. They felt it.
Kouga walked slowly to their chambers just like the first time he took her too the mountains, bathing in her scent. He laid her down like the first time they mated and laid down beside her, encircling her in his arms and keeping her as close to him as possible. Haruko smiled, holding him just as close, cherishing her moment with him. They were silent for a long while until Haruko broke the silence. "Kouga-sama, you've become so quiet suddenly."
He scoffed before simply taking her lips in his, desperately basking in her presence. Her bony trembling fingers tangled with his ebony hair, caressing it lovingly before he pulled away, taking her hand in his and kissing it instead.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Kouga-sama." She whispered, happiness shining in her eyes. "Without you, I never would have been this happy. Now I have only one wish. Please do not give your heart to anyone else." She said, laughing just a little. "I don't wish to see you love anyone else. I would be...very jealous if you do. Only me. Please?"
He could smile no more, all of the smiles he had were already used up. And all that was left were tears and they came pouring down, suffocating him until all he could do was gasp for air. He knew this was going to happen and that it was inevitable. He thought he had been prepared for it but he supposed he still felt the pain. Sesshoumaru's pain must have been like this, Kouga thought. This must have been what it felt like.
"I love you, Inu-hime." he choked out, holding her hand to his heart. "Only you."
Haruko smiled back and said, "I love you too, Kouga-sama. Goodnight." She closed her eyes, hiding those midnight blue gems from his morning blue weeping ones. Her breathing slowed gradually and he waited for her to finally stop breathing in silence. Once he could no longer feel her heart beat against his, his face scrunched up in an expression of excruciating pain and all throughout the kingdom, they could hear the wolf's howl to the moon.
She was finally at rest.
Warm-Ice: Goodbye to everyone! Thank you so much for the support!!! This story is finally, truly over. No more sequels. Please keep a look out for my new stories and if you have challenges, please submit them to me and I'll consider it. Thank you and have a nice day, everyone! Bye bye!