A1969: -sobs- this is the last chapter, I'm afraid.

Inuyasha: finally.

Kagome: sit!

A1969: anyway...before I begin the end, I'd like to thank those who've read and reviewed this story until the very end—you guys gave me the inspiration to write, you know.

Inuyasha: yeesh—isn't that too cheesy?

Kagome: Inuyasha!
A1969: it may be cheesy, Inuyasha, but it's the truth. Anyway, once again, thank you all so much for sticking with me until the end—thanks guys!

Chapter Forty-Four: Standstill

XoXoXo

Pain.

That was all she could think about as she ran through the forest, the silvery light of the full moon casting ghostly shadows in her path. Her breathing sped up as she ran, trying to ignore the pain that racked her body, trying to ignore the deep wound on her shoulder that bled profusely, the deep wound that had been inflicted on her by that blasted Kikyou.

Kagura tripped, and fell head first to the ground, falling underneath a tree, its shadow falling eerily over her. She sighed and cursed as she sat up and leaned against the tree's trunk. She was injured. Burn marks from Kikyou's purifying power covered a good part of her face and her hands. Her kimono was torn in places, and blood dripped from the wound on her shoulder, and her hair had come loose, falling down to her back in a raven cascade.

A mess.

She was a mess.

And why? She didn't even want to think why, at the moment...

She sighed, and closed her eyes, listening to the frantic beating of her heart. She knew she had to find some place she could hide, some place she could heal. And then, when she had healed, she would leave. Leave the land, leave the country, leave everything behind, even him, the bastard that made her do the things she did in the first place. Made her do the things she did all for nothing.

She let out a frustrated hiss. Kagome had been right—she had been pathetic to go chasing after a man who didn't want her, a man who wanted someone else.

From somewhere in the forest, an owl hooted softly. The wind rustled quietly in the treetops, making her look up. She had often thought that she was the wind, but how could she be? The wind was so free, so omnipresent. The wind had been created by the gods, while she had been created by that bastard Naraku, who had managed to evade being slaughtered yet again.

What I wouldn't give to see him dead, she thought wistfully.

The bushes in front of her suddenly rustled.

She stiffened and stared warily at the rustling leaves. Her fan was gone, she was practically defenseless—was she going to die by some mere ogre's claws? How anti-climactic. If she had known that that was to be her death, she would've let Kikyou slaughter her. At least there was some dignity in being taken down by her.

The rustling continued. She tensed as a figure emerged from the bushes, a figure who—when he had finally accepted that she didn't belong to him, but to someone else who made her happy—looked defeated and resigned. The figure stopped and stared at Kagura, surprise clearly written in his deep amber eyes.

"You?!" Kagura exclaimed, feeling dread build within her.

"It's you," Toshimaru said coldly.

XoXoXo

Sesshoumaru stared up at the full moon, its light casting an ethereal silver glow on Lady Shinsuke's garden. He stared at the moonlight as it shimmered on the lake's waters, silver on black.

"Sesshoumaru?" She was back.

He glanced at Lady Shinsuke from over his shoulder. She made her way towards him, her silken kimono making a soft rustling sound as she walked over the velvet grass towards him. She stopped beside him, and turned her gaze to the lake.

"I wanted to thank you for bringing her back," she began.

"Once is enough."

"But I must thank you again," Lady Shinsuke protested. "And again, and again, if I feel like it."

He was silent for a moment. "She is still unconscious." It wasn't a question.

"Yes," Lady Shinsuke said calmly. "Helen is still very much out. Rin is with her, though."

"And Jaken?"

"In the stables, with Ah-Un," she said, shrugging. "I told him to keep an eye on Ah-Un, you see, for your dragon has discovered that my asters are exactly to his taste."

He was silent again. Helen was still out, which was good and convenient. He needed to think. And it was rather hard for him to think if his gaze unwillingly strayed to her, which was very annoying. Lady Shinsuke had fallen silent again, her eyes fixed on the demon beside her. She knew that he was thinking deep thoughts, and those thoughts revolved around her daughter. She knew they were thoughts that could either harm Helen or make her very happy. She knew that he had to think alone.

This in mind, Lady Shinsuke turned on her heel and walked off.

"Wait."

She stopped in her tracks, and glanced at him from over her shoulder. Sesshoumaru was looking at her, his eyes narrowed.

"I've made my decision."

XoXoXo

"So, Naraku got away again?" Kaede asked later the next morning.

Kagome sighed as she stoked the fire in the center of the hut. "Yeah," she said. "Kikyou nearly killed him, but he escaped."

"Cowardly bastard," Inuyasha said as he leaned against the wall, his arms folded across his chest.

"That happens every time," Sango said, sighing as well. She was seated next to Kohaku with Shippou on her lap. Miroku was sitting near her, his arms folded across his chest like Inuyasha.

"It's no surprise," Miroku muttered, his eyebrows meeting in the middle.

"Ah, well," Inuyasha said, "at least we've got bait." His gaze fell on Kohaku. Sango draped an arm protectively over his shoulder, and Kagome glared at the tactless hanyou.

"Sit!" she roared, sending Inuyasha plummeting into the wooden boards.

"What?!" he snapped, standing up and glaring at her. "It's the truth. Naraku will come after him for the last jewel shard whether we like it or not. So, what if he does come after Kohaku? We'll still protect him, idiot!"

Kagome's eyes softened a bit, but her expression remained annoyed. "It is inevitable," Kaede said. "Naraku will indeed be after Kohaku, which is why we must keep him safe."

"We'll have to be more vigilant," Miroku added. "What with Naraku's scent and aura gone, and all." He turned to Sango, his eyes burning with determination that made her blush. "Don't worry, Sango, I'll protect both you and Kohaku even if it costs me my life."

"Miroku," Sango said, blushing.

"Uh, sis," Kohaku warned, his eyes falling on Miroku's hand again.

"I know," Sango said flatly, slapping Miroku on the cheek. "Will you please not take advantage of the moment?!"

"Ehehe," Miroku said, grinning sheepishly.

Kagome let out another sigh. "Something still bothering you, Kagome?" Sango asked.

She nodded. "Helen," she said, sighing again.

Everyone looked at her, waiting for her to go on. "I just wonder what's going to happen to her," the miko said, shrugging. "Obviously, she and Toshimaru aren't married yet, and...I was just wondering if she and Sesshoumaru..." Her voice trailed off.

"Yeesh!" Inuyasha scoffed. "Will you please stop worrying about those two? They're none of your business, anyway!"

"Inuyasha," Kagome went on, as though she hadn't heard him. "Sesshoumaru's your brother—what do you think he'll do?"

"How should I know?" Inuyasha snapped. "He might consider jumping off a cliff—everyone'll be very happy."

"Sit."

Inuyasha cursed loudly as he fell to the boards again, but Kagome didn't pay him any attention as her mind began wandering.

XoXoXo

What happened?

She couldn't think of anything else as she slowly became aware of the world around her. She sensed a presence near her—human, and another presence—demon. But she was still far too under to make out to whom the scents belonged. Slowly, as she lay there, she became aware of a myriad of sounds that surrounded her—the soft breathing of the two people beside her, the sounds of the castle as its inhabitants bustled around, going about their daily chores, and other similar sounds.

Naraku...

Now she remembered—the bastard had her and Kagome in a chokehold, and then she had passed out. She groaned. Was she dead? Was Kagome dead, too? The thought chilled her.

"Helen?" This voice was soft, filled with authority and a certain perkiness that only told her that it was none other than her mother, Lady Shinsuke.

"Is she awake?" This voice was sweet, innocent, and easily recognized—Rin.

So, she was still alive?

"Helen, are you pretending to be unconscious?" her mother asked.

Helen's eyes slowly fluttered open. She blinked as she woke up, and let out another groan. "Helen-san, you're awake!" Rin cheered. Rin was kneeling on her left side, while her mother on her right.

Helen groaned again. "What...what happened?" she asked Lady Shinsuke as the memories slowly returned. "Where's...where's Sesshoumaru?"

Lady Shinsuke bit her lower lip, and her eyes tightened. "He can wait," she said. "After all, you've just only woken up."

"How long have I been out?" she asked, her eyes going to the open shutters, to the sunlight that streamed softly into the room.

"Since Sesshoumaru brought you back from that bastard Naraku, since yesterday," Lady Shinsuke answered.

Helen tried to sit up, but her mother pressed her shoulders down. "You shouldn't," she said quietly. "You've just woken up." It did not escape Helen's notice that her mother's tone was subdued.

"I'm glad you're awake, Helen-san!" Rin said, beaming at her.

Helen blinked at her. "You're here," she said, smiling.

"Uh-huh," Rin said. "I was worried about you, Helen-san."

Helen smiled again. "And besides," Rin said, her smiling widening. "Lord Sesshoumaru's here, so..." She shrugged as Lady Shinsuke's gaze darted to her for a fraction of a second, and then away.

"Sesshoumaru's here?" Helen said, diverted. She turned to her mother. "Where is he?"

Before Lady Shinsuke could answer, however, they all heard footsteps on the veranda, coming towards the room. Helen's heart began spluttering madly as she turned to the open shutters. Lady Shinsuke narrowed her eyes as the footsteps came nearer and nearer. Really, was Helen so caught up in the thought of seeing Sesshoumaru that she failed to hear that these steps were far too light to be his?

"Rin!" To Helen's dismay, it was Jaken who entered the room.

"Jaken?" she whispered, not bothering to hide her disappointment.

"Oh, you're awake," the imp said dismissively as soon as he saw her. He turned to Rin. "Come on, you silly girl—Lord Sesshoumaru says it's time to go!"

Helen looked at him. "Sesshoumaru is leaving?" she asked, feeling something squeeze in her chest. He was leaving without saying goodbye?

"Of course!" Jaken said. "He's got Naraku to look for, doesn't he?"

"But, he's...leaving?" she asked.

"Yes, now come on, Rin!" he said.

"But, Master Jaken, Helen-san just woke up!" Rin protested.

"Lord Sesshoumaru says it's time to go!"

"Buuut..."

"No buts!"

Rin sighed, annoyed, as she turned to Helen. "I'll see you again, Helen-san!" the little girl promised as she stood up and followed Jaken out veranda. Helen could hear them talking as she left, but she was far too bewildered to hear what they were saying. Sesshoumaru was leaving...

She sat up again, intent on seeing him, but her mother placed another hand on her shoulder. "We have to talk," Lady Shinsuke said softly.

Helen stared at her. The fact that her mother didn't sound at all perky seemed ominous to her. "I don't have time to talk!" Helen said. "I have to go see Sesshoumaru!"

Lady Shinsuke's tone was hard. "We have to talk...about him," she said firmly.

Something in her mother's serious expression seemed horridly out of place as Helen stared at her. "Talk...about...Sesshoumaru?" she said, her tone faltering. She didn't need to be a genius to know that something had happened. "Is he alright? Is he injured? Did Naraku—"

Lady Shinsuke raised a hand. "He is perfectly fine," she muttered. "He..."—she bit her lower lip—"he and I have had a little chat last night."

Helen felt her heart beating madly again, but this time, it wasn't because of anticipation—it was because of pure dread. "And...?"

Lady Shinsuke was silent for a moment, her eyes on her lap. "He..."

"He...?"

"Well, he..."

"He...?"

"Um..."

"Mother!"

"He doesn't wish to see you anymore."

Helen was silent. It took nearly a minute for the message to sink in, and then, when it did, she felt her body turn to ice. She felt her stomach vanish, and her heart slow down. And then...she felt it. The pain that twisted that one organ in her chest. Her heart seemed to beat slower, and slower and then...it seemed to stop.

"Wh...what?" she whispered, praying that she didn't hear her mother right.

Lady Shinsuke let out a long sigh. "Last night...he said that...he didn't want to have anything to do with you anymore...He said that you...distracted him from doing what he was supposed to do. He doesn't care for distractions, and..."

"Don't," Helen said softly, lowering her eyes to her lap, her eyes completely shadowed by her bangs.

She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Helen," her mother said, her voice low. "Helen..."

But Helen was only silent as she felt her heart break into a million fragments.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

She didn't know how long she just lay there on her futon, thinking and thinking. All she knew was that Chihiro had come in with dinner which she blatantly refused to touch. Lady Shinsuke, who would normally have fussed, thought it best to leave her alone with her thoughts. And she had a lot to think about.

Strangely, she knew that he would do this to her in the end—it was inevitable. It was just that she had hoped, and it was stupid of her—more than stupid even. What would she do now? She couldn't continue to stay here, where she could still see him, where she'd only be reminded of the hurt...But she couldn't live in the present, either. She was a demoness now, there was no way she could remain inconspicuous...

The door suddenly slid open, and Lady Shinsuke's scent permeated the room. Helen heard her kneel beside her futon, but she kept her back to her.

"So," Lady Shinsuke said. She was prepared with insults designed to snap Helen out of her reverie. "You're just going to lie there like a wet blanket, all because some man rejected you? Is that it?"

"No."

"Well, if you're just going to lie there, and—"

"I'm not going to."

"—make an idiot of yourself, because you were rejected, then it's very pathetic, and—"

Helen raised her voice. "I'm not!" She sat up to prove her point.

Lady Shinsuke blinked at her. "Oh, you won't?" All the prepared insults for nothing.

"No," Helen said firmly. "I...won't."

Lady Shinsuke smiled. "That's the spirit," she said, nodding in approval.

"But..."

Her mother's smile froze. 'Buts' usually ended badly. "But...?"

Helen took a deep breath. She had been thinking about this the whole afternoon, and a good part of the evening.

"I..."

"You..."

"Well..."

"Helen!"

Helen took another deep breath. "I was thinking of...leaving," she finally said.

There was silence in the room. "Leaving?" Lady Shinsuke finally whispered.

She nodded. "I...can't stand it...anymore. Everywhere I look...I'm always reminded of him, and...I...it hurts...I...want to...go back to the modern Era."

Her mother looked at her with unfathomable eyes. She understood, of course, but...she didn't want to lose her daughter again. Why must love be so heinous? She didn't want Helen to go, but she knew that she had to. Still, she wasn't giving in without a fight.

"You do realize, of course, that, as a demoness, you would easily stand out?" she pointed out.

Helen nodded. "Of course," she said. "That's why...I was hoping you could help me."

"I'm not sealing you again," Lady Shinsuke said dismissively. "It's too risky—it's miraculous enough that you were able to break your seal in the first place."

"Couldn't you...think of a way to hide what I am?"

Lady Shinsuke looked at Helen's pleading face. She wanted to deny her, she didn't want to help her because she didn't want to lose her again, but...Looking at Helen's dejected face, she didn't have the heart to refuse her.

"Of course, I can."

XoXoXo

Kagome traipsed back to the well, not in the best of moods. The dappled sun fell all around her, as did the shadows of the trees. The trees swayed softly with the breeze, and the birds chirped and twittered in their leafy canopies.

She wasn't in the best of moods, Inuyasha had seen to that. Why couldn't he just eat the breakfast she had especially cooked for him, and be grateful? She had made eggs fresh from the hens, but nooo—he preferred ramen, ramen and all its preservative glory.

She sighed as she walked on. Truth be told, she wanted to go back to the Modern Era for a while. Her aunt and her fiancée were almost leaving, and she wanted to say goodbye to them. She had deliberated about whether or not to go fetch Helen, but thought better of it.

The sunlight hit her as she entered the clearing of the well, momentarily dazzling her eyes, and making her blink. When her vision adjusted, she saw a dark-haired girl sitting at the edge of the well, as though she were about to jump in, her legs dangling in the well.

Huh? Who was she?

The girl, who had been slouching, suddenly straightened as the wind blew softly in her direction. She glanced over her shoulder, and Kagome's eyes widened.

"Helen?!" she gasped, striding towards her cousin.

Helen spun around and hopped off the well. What happened to her? She looked the way she had when she was still human. Her hair was no longer fair—it was dark again, and her eyes were back to being blue instead of silver. But she couldn't be human. Kagome could sense demonic aura emanating from her.

"Kagome," Helen said as Kagome approached.

"You...you're...what happened?" Kagome said, her eyes wide with surprise. "You look...like a human."

"I look like me," Helen corrected, sighing.

"But...how is that possible? And...why are you here? Where's Sesshoumaru? What happened?" Kagome asked, not missing the fact that Helen's eyes seemed to narrow sadly at the mention of a certain name. Her cousin instincts kicked in then.

"He's done it again, hasn't he?" Kagome said, her anger bubbling again.

Helen didn't answer, instead she sat on the edge of the well and looked up at Kagome with sad eyes. "Helen..." Kagome said.

"Yes," Helen said softly, sighing as she looked up at the sky. "But...I can understand why, though."

"That jerk!" Kagome fumed. "I'm going to wring his neck the next time I see him! No, I'm going to tell Inuyasha to lop off his head! No, wait—more than his head!" Helen let her rant on, amusement mingling with dejection as Kagome blew off steam. It was nearly an hour before Kagome paused long enough for Helen to interject.

"You shouldn't blame him," Helen said quietly.

"Shouldn't blame him?!" the miko roared. "Are you crazy or something?!"

Helen smiled wearily at her. "No."

"In any case," Kagome muttered, her temper slowly subsiding. "You have to explain—why do you look human? Why are you here?"

Helen looked down at her feet. It was only then that Kagome realized she was wearing a sweater and a pair of jeans.

"I've decided that I'm going back to the States," Helen said quietly. "I think...that would be best." She looked pained.

"But why?"

"Kagome, you know why—I don't really want to talk about hi...it."

Of course, Kagome knew. She knew why. She was going to kill Sesshoumaru for this. "But, Helen, I don't think running away from your problems..."

"I know it's pathetic, and cowardly," Helen interjected. "But...please, just understand—I have to get away."

Kagome nodded slowly. She, of all people, knew that need. "But still...why do you look...human, but have the aura of a demon?"

Helen sighed and pulled out a necklace that she had hidden in her sweater. She held the pendant in her hands. The pendant was a small gold circle with a blue stone in the middle.

"Hitoku Ishi," Helen said, letting the pendant fall to her chest. "It was my mother's. She said it hides my appearance under an illusion so as long as I wear it..." Her voice trailed off, and she shrugged.

"But...how will you explain to your mother? And to Robert?"

Helen shrugged again. "Cosmetic surgery," she muttered.

Kagome blinked. "Helen...you don't have to go," she said. "You could stay with your mother, and not bother with the bipolar bastard at all."

"You're starting to sound like Inuyasha," Helen said, smiling slightly.

Kagome shrugged. "You don't have to go," she said again.

Helen sighed, and looked away. The wind blew towards them, and a familiar scent permeated the area. Helen stiffened, and quickly glanced towards the trees, where a figure was emerging from the shadows.

"Sesshoumaru!" Kagome growled, seeing the demon lord come out of the shadows. She was all but ready to lop off his head.

Helen felt that one annoying organ spluttering violently in her chest, felt the color rising in her cheeks. Why was he here? She didn't want to speculate because she didn't want to hope...

"Miko," Sesshoumaru said, his cold eyes on Kagome. "Leave."

Kagome glared at him. "You bipolar bastard!" she snapped. "How dare you come here?! I'm going to...No, I'm going to have Inuyasha lop off your head!" She was definitely spending way too much time with Inuyasha.

"I will not repeat myself," Sesshoumaru warned, a menacing note creeping in his voice.

Kagome glared, and glanced at Helen, who only nodded. With one last scathing look at Sesshoumaru, Kagome turned on her heel and stomped off, muttering angrily under her breath.

When she was gone, Helen looked warily at Sesshoumaru, trying to suppress the hope that started to rise within her. Stupid hope.

"Why...are you here?" she asked, trying, in vain, to keep the hope out of her voice.

He didn't answer. Instead, he made his way towards her, so he stood in front of her. She looked cautiously up at him, her eyes guarded. He inwardly sighed. He had made his decision. Why was he here anyway? He admitted there was a part of him that wanted to see her again before she left. He knew that she would leave—Chihiro had sent word to him and he, against his better judgement, had come. Why, he was never really sure why anymore.

He was silent as he looked at her. And then, he broke the quiet. "I wished to be certain that you would leave."

The words were more than a slap—they were a stab. She tried to compose herself, not to let him see that he was getting to her. If he could be indifferent, so could she.

"You didn't have to bother yourself," she pointed out, looking down at the ground.

"I wanted to bother myself."

Her eyes widened, and she looked up at him. His cold eyes bored into her own. No, she wouldn't let herself hope. She knew they were at a standstill. She knew that he knew. Hoping would only be useless, at this point.

"Well, then bothering yourself just paid off," Helen said as she swung around so her legs dangled inside the well. She looked into the well's dark depths, and suppressed a sigh. "I'm leaving anyway..."

He was silent. "Can you please...tell Rin that I'm sorry?" Helen suddenly said. "I promised her I wouldn't leave, but...it can't be helped."

Again, he was silent. "Will you do something for me?" His cold request was unexpected. It sounded more like a command than an entreaty, really.

She glanced warily at him from over her shoulder, not allowing hope to seep through her. She tried to sound nonchalant as she looked over at him, her eyes guarded.

"Sure," she said simply. Anything, she felt like adding, but didn't dare.

"Watch out for yourself."

She gave him a small smile. "I'll try," she promised.

He nodded once. "That will suffice."

She smiled at him again. And then she jumped into the well.

XoXoXo

End

XoXoXo

A1969: -sniffles- that's the ending. But WAIT! Before you guys use those pitchforks, I have something to say—I made a sequel. Ha! Now you all have to hide those pitchforks! And the torches...and the rope...

Kagome: made a sequel?
A1969: I already posted it, silly, to make up for the times I took ages to update.

Inuyasha: what have you done with the real A1969?!

A1969: shut up. Anyway, it's called 'Fate's Misadventures' and I'm trying to make it funnier. But WAIT! Before you all rush off, don't forget to review! And thanks so much for all the reviews and support you guys gave me!