Betrayed By Bones by Aviel

Obon

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 8: Obon

Kagome watched the train of glowing lanterns float down the river, a melancholy sigh passing from her lips. She held her own lantern to her chest, gripping the sides with tight fingers.

There were so many.

Because of Naraku, all of these people had lost a loved one. Because of the Jewel, innocent bystanders had witnessed unimaginable horrors. Because of her–

A sharp tap on her head brought her out of her downward spiral of guilt.

“Eh?” she mumbled, dragging her somber gaze up a pair of pristine, white hakama. A large pelt of lush fur curled around her shoulders. “Sesshoumaru-sama?”

He didn’t look at her.

“Do not speak. Do not think. Do not move. And do not cry.” The last part had been uttered so softly that Kagome’s ears had strained to hear it. “Such things are bothersome to this one.”

At this, the woman hunched further over her knees, placing her lantern onto the ground beside her. She hid her face in his mokomoko. “If I annoy you so much, why are you here?” she asked, accepting the unexpected form of comfort for what it was.

But, if she was expecting an answer, she never got one.