A/N: If you thought Tuberculosis, then you are correct.

Disclaimer: All characters of Rumiko Takahashi don't belong to me.

Midnight In Summer

By: December Sapphire

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadows of death,

I will fear no evil"- Psalm 23:4

Chapter VI

"Departure"

Swirling pattern of black and grays and dark, fermenting reds, traceries of broken blood vessels spun out like embroidery across my belly- visible to the human eye.

It hurts to move.

It hurts to breath.

I try to scream but nothing comes out. What is happening to me?

My lungs burn inside like a raging fire. My chest is heavy and tight. It hurts so much.

Small breaths escape my mouth, wheezing and gasping for as much air as possible. My throat is dry and crackly like broken skin. Energy doesn't exist in my body anymore. Under my fingers there's soft fabric, cushioning my broken form. I am in a plain room with. The sliding door is open to the outside world. The song of birds reaches my ears, comforting me in my weak state. Where am I?

Sounds of voices grab my attention. A male and a female are speaking right outside my room. The male I immediately recognize as Sesshomaru while the female is foreign.

"How is she?" Sesshomaru asks.

The woman sighs, "She's weak. I'm doing the best I can, but her body seems to be rejecting all the herbs. I'm afraid she's too far into the illness."

"Will she survive?"

There is a silent pause. "I-I…no, Milord."

My heart stops and I try to sink in the information. Whatever illness that's affecting me, will lead to death. The only question is- will my soul allow me to leave?

"How long does she have?" he asks.

I await the answer, knowing it wouldn't be very long. "A few days perhaps. A week at most."

It's drawing closer. Maybe I am ready to die. I have been since I was a child. Perhaps it's finally time to be free. But I wanted a chance at life again; to fall in love and have a family. Still, how could I coupe with my past? It would be too difficult, even now, I think about Akuma and his untimely demise. He still haunts my every thought with nightmares of my past. When I die, would he be on the other side waiting?

No. I believe he will remain in hell, along with all the others who've tortured humans for their pleasure. I will be free. Free to roam the land. Free to do whatever I wish. I'll be up in the clouds, looking after the ones below.

I sit up slowly, ignoring the excruciating pain. My legs wobble. Visions blurs. I use the wall for support, opening the door more. The two demons look at me. The woman is young, only a little older than me. Her long, dark hair trails behind her as her bright green eyes widen with worry. "You shouldn't be up," she tells me.

Sesshomaru remains stoic, studying me. He can smell death radiating off. I guess he has always known what my future held.

I try to speak but no sound comes out, only loud coughing spasms. On my hand is a good amount of blood, reminding me of my present condition. I look back up to Sesshomaru to see him disappear around a corner. By now, the female demon is leading me back into my room.

"Here," she calmly speaks, handing me a glass of water. "Drink- you're dehydrated."

Cool liquid sooths my throat and wetting my cracked lips. "How long was I out?" I question, my voice raspy and cracking with every word.

"A few days," she answers, feeling my forehead. "Your fever has gone down. Good."

My eyes glance at the water, blinking slowly. "What's wrong with me?"

"I don't know but…I think what you have is something called the White Plague. I've only seen it a few times in my life and it's quite deadly."

"I overheard you say I only have a few days?"

She nods sadly, dabbing a wet cloth on my forehead. "I am sorry."

My eyes grow heavy with every passing minute. Maybe when I fall asleep, I won't wake up then I don't have to feel pain. But it seems as though my body wasn't finished yet. I would awake ever few hours, clearing my lungs and covering the bedding, my clothing, and the floor in a crimson color of red. I don't understand. Why must I suffer from this? I wish to be free. Still, my soul fights for life. What more can it want from life?

Flashes of memories haunt my dreams when I sleep. Moments from my childhood raddle me, awaking me in a cold-blooded scream. Days of being pregnant, the pain of being rapped and abused by Akuma and other villagers, the agonizing pain of the knife cutting into my upper leg with aggression, the murder of my family and the long lacerations on their necks, these memories are what made me interested in death and what created an incongruous being.

Then there are the happy memories. These memories are what kept me going throughout the years. The early ages of my life- playing tag with my older brother, - the first time meeting Sesshomaru- reminding me of myself,-and our reunion a few days ago-forgiving him for his abandonment.

I awake once again, this time vomiting blood into a nearby bowl. I am now falling, feeling time run out quickly. It wouldn't be long now. Soon I will become beautiful like the dead. Skin will dry up and evaporate. My eyes will sink into my skull. Cheeks will contract. Men will dream of me- a lifeless, rotting corpse. I would no longer be a piece of garbage; I would be a goddess- a beauty beyond compare. No, I never wanted to be something like that. I don't want my body to exist in this world any longer than it has too.

In the shadows, I spot a tall figure. It doesn't scare me, nothing does. I know who it is. "Lord Sesshomaru," I wheeze.

"You should be sleeping," he answers in the dark, walking slowly into the moonlight.

"I can't."

He sits beside me, watching. I wonder what he is thinking. The moonlight hits him at the perfect angle, making his skin glow and eyes brighten.

"You're beautiful," I whisper without knowing.

He narrows his eyes, remaining silent. Did I make him angry?

"I'm sorry," I apologise, shortly. "I guess I'm losing my mind."

My eyes move to the open window. The full moon is positioned at its apex, showing off its natural beauty. Summer breeze moves inside, dancing gently.

"Lord Sesshomaru?" I ask, not looking away from the ever-glowing moon. "Will you remember me when I die?"

"Don't say such silly things." I have heard that answer before. It makes me smile when I know he will.

I finally look back at him, his eyes seem different. They hold emotion. It is sadness. I move my hand to cover his, squeezing it lightly. "Lord Sesshomaru, can you promise me something?"

He makes no move to respond, only waits for me.

"When I die, will you set me ablaze? Let my ashes go free along with my soul? I don't wish to remain any longer. May my spirit remain with you but nothing no more than that."

"I promise, Rin. Rest now."

But I cannot rest just yet. I still have one last thing to do before I leave. "May I ask you one last request?"

"What is it?"

I lock eyes with him, waiting for a moment to answer. "Kiss me."

He stares at me, his face unreadable. Then gently, he lifts me up from the bed and cradles me in his arms. His fingers brush against my pale cheek, pulling me ever closer to his warm chest. I've never seen him act this way before. It was so distant from his normal actions.

"As you wish," he whispers softly.

His lips touch mine gently, carefully, like he was touching a glass doll. Tears run down my cheeks, feeling the exhilarating shock in my body from the touch. He was the one. The one I was destined to be with. I wanted so much to live just one more day with him. To feel what it would be like to be loved. Perhaps one day I'll return to this world- as much as I despise it, - this time more beautiful, more cared for by others.

I died on this midnight in summer. In the arms of the one I loved, I could feel my mind fading and floating away from my body. My soul is finally departing from this life, and I no longer envied the dead.

I was cremated when I passed.

I felt the flames burn my flesh into nothing. My ashes flew into the sky, saving my tormented soul from agony. I got my wish and have finally been saved from this curse.

I am no longer mutilated. I am no longer abused. I am no longer deformed.

I am free.

-Fin-

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.:Sapphire:.