Dearly Beloved by Aviel

Empathy

Disclaimer: Though it saddens me to say it, I don’t own anything relating to Takahashi-sensei’s Inuyasha. However, the plot and/or ideas of this drabble series do belong to me.

A/N: If you’ve ever been stuck in a rut or have gone through a bad experience, then you should already know that pain is something that loves to linger in your heart. I’ve found that time, support, and sheer will are the only things that can help you through it. Sesshoumaru is just beginning to go through this process himself. Update 2 of 2.

Chapter 26: Empathy

While the two brothers had waited impatiently in the hospital’s lobby room, both had jumped to their feet at the sound of a door opening in the hallway. The pitter-patter of footsteps echoed loudly in their ears, and the tension in those short moments was so thick that it could be cut with a sharpened knife.

As a boy, an elderly man, and a woman rounded the corner, somber, brown eyes locked with amber.

The female stared at Sesshoumaru–for what seemed like ages–before she drifted toward him, the heavy scent of her sorrow saturating the air. She was a step away from him when her face unexpectedly crumpled in pain, and she fell against his chest, sobbing her heart out.

Her tears soaked through his shirt and burned his skin, and though he would never admit it, Sesshoumaru had never felt so conflicted in his life.

Instincts clamoring to comfort the Higurashi matriarch, Sesshoumaru held her close and even rubbed her back somewhat awkwardly. It was the least he could do for the woman that had essentially brought Kagome into the world.

But, tongue feeling like lead, he could only murmur, “I am sorry, Mother.”

Over and over again.

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Original Posting Date: January 12, 2013

Prompt: For Avadrea’s Oddities Challenge, Whet

Words: 200