Betrayed By Bones by Aviel

Lost Soul

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, and a nod of recognition goes to the creator of this challenge.

Chapter 6: Lost Soul

“I wonder what it’s like to die.”

Sesshoumaru glanced sharply over at the woman who had spoken. His nose quivered slightly, sifting through the scents of her ever-changing emotions. Never settling on one, they nearly made his head spin.

“Do you have a death wish, miko?” he demanded tersely. His annoyance spiked when she smiled, eyes appearing to be laughing at some twisted joke of hers.

“Of course not! After the whole Naraku debacle, I want to live for as long as I can!” she said.

At her cheery attitude, Sesshoumaru relaxed, if only slightly. “Then why entertain such foolish ideas, miko?”

Kagome reclined against the trunk of the Goshinboku, swinging her legs from the branch she was currently sitting on. Glancing up at the stars, she took a moment to admire them before answering him.

“I might not die now, but I will eventually in the future. Or, did you forget, Sesshoumaru-sama? A human’s lifespan ends in the blink of an eye to one of your kind.”

“…How long?” His baritone voice washed over her, filling her veins and heating her chilled skin.

“Most people here would be lucky to live as long as Kaede-baasan.”

“You… Rin…”

A troubled expression appeared on Kagome’s face. “I know what you were asking, but how could I possibly answer that? There are way too many variables to consider, Sesshoumaru-sama. Anything can happen from now until the day we die.”

“You will not die,” he insisted resolutely.

The woman shrugged off his statement. “At this point, Rin-chan is more likely to live longer than I will. I’m not worried. I’ve had stranger things happen to me before.” Counting off on her fingers, she told him, “Inuyasha tried to kill me, you tried to kill me, a whole bunch of other people tried to kill me. The Shikon was bitten out of my side by Mistress Centipede. Half of my soul was given to Kikyou, and then it was sucked into Kanna’s freaky mirror. I probably died then, actually, but I don’t remember. And what else?” She tapped her chin. “Ugh, I won’t even mention when Mukotsu tried to marry me– Oh, darn it! I mentioned it! You remember that time, right?”

“Hn…”

“Yeah, that guy was such a creep! I’m glad you saved us!”

“This one–”

“Killed him because he wouldn’t answer your questions. I know, Sesshoumaru-sama.”

“Miko…”

“Hm?” Kagome squeaked when he suddenly appeared in front of her and covered her mouth with his palm.

“…Stop talking.”