On the Outside by SunsetMiko

The High Road

Chapter 26 - The High Road

Written for Stella's Word Prompt Game, Prompt Lachrymose. 400 Words.

"I won't do this anymore," Sesshoumaru told his half-brother. "I am making no progress. All we are accomplishing is making Kagome more miserable. I cannot stand the scent of her tears another moment."

"So you're just going to give up? Go back to the way things were? That's exactly what she's been afraid of all this time!" the hanyou exclaimed. He had no desire to be his elder brother's target once again but he was more concerned for Kagome. If Sesshoumaru did exactly what she'd predicted, she would never, ever give him another chance and Inuyasha was sure they belonged together. He couldn't let the taiyoukai make such a huge mistake.

"No, things will not go back to the way they were before. This was not an act for her benefit. I will no longer torment you, nor will I allow others to do so. I simply will not force my presence on her any longer. She has made it clear that she wants nothing to do with me, and so I will give her what she desires. I will leave her alone."

"I don't think that's gonna get you anywhere," Inuyasha replied.

"I am not looking for it to. I am hurting her, forcing her to be near me. The last thing I ever wanted to do was cause her pain. If freedom from me is what she wants, then she can have it. That does not mean I will stop loving her. I will simply have to love her from a distance."

"But that's giving up! She's breaking, man, I know it."

Sesshoumaru shook his head. "I do not desire to break her will. I only hoped to prove to her that I have changed. If she no longer desires me, my friendship, or something more, then I cannot force her to. I do not want to win her by breaking her will to fight. I do not want her to feel backed into a corner so that she has no other choice. I want her heart of her own free will. Do you understand?"

"I guess, but..."

"No buts. You and I can still associate, but I will not be joining you when you are with Kagome any longer."

"That means you're gonna be alone an awful lot," the hanyou declared.

"I can handle that. Spend your time with Kagome. She needs you more than I do."