Kagome lost count of how many more days she passed in isolation.

In vain.

The miko felt herself withering from within. This was a waiting game, she had decided. A battle of attrition. Ren couldn’t keep her locked up like this forever. But just how long could he?

It wasn’t that Kagome couldn’t escape. But to weasel her way out, through Miroku or otherwise, seemed cowardly and wrong to her. She wouldn’t flee from Edo—her Edo—like some thief in the night. She would forge her own way through this predicament. She simply needed the opportunity to do so.

But the gods, cruel and mercurial as they were, were slow to answer.

When Rin arrived at last, she passed through the door haltingly and pale of face. Kagome sat up, distressed at her apprentice’s pallid demeanor, though she did her best not to show it.

“Rin-chan!” she exclaimed, with a warmth that was real, regardless.

“Kagome-chan…” Rin replied, uncertainly.

Springing up from her bed, Kagome embraced her. “Oh, Rin-chan—it’s such a relief to see you. Gods only know I’ve feared the worst for you, after—well…”

But Kagome couldn’t bring herself to say it, and it seemed unnecessary anyway. Rin hugged her back just as tightly, before pulling herself away.

“Kagome-chan…are you well now?”

“I’m alright,” the miko answered, searching Rin’s pale, weary face. “But how are you? Kanako-chan said you’d shut yourself up.”

Rin ducked her head. “I…haven’t been sure what to do. What to say, until now—”

“Don’t worry, it’s okay. I’m really just glad to see you.”

Kagome’s voice was thick with remorse. Unshed tears stood and simmered in her eyes. Rin smiled back at her, thin and trembling.

“I’m glad to see you too, Kagome-chan. I was so afraid—so afraid to face you…”

“Oh, Rin,” the miko sighed. “That’s just silly. Why would you ever think that way?”

“Because I’m ashamed. Ashamed of facing you—and Sesshoumaru-sama…”

“Forget him,” Kagome said shortly. “Whatever your worries are with him, you can leave them to me. Just leave it all to me, okay?”

“You always say that,” Rin said, still not quite meeting her gaze. “You say it too much, I think. You take more on your shoulders than you should. I should have thought less of myself and helped you more, before—”

“Hey now,” Kagome replied, her voice firm, “it’s only right for me to have taken on all of that. I’m the Shikon Miko, after all—and your mentor, besides.”

“Older and wiser?” Rin teased her, faintly.

“Honestly?—I don’t know.” Kagome laughed a little, and it seemed to ache and soothe them both. “But older, yeah. That’s for sure. So you shouldn’t worry—about Kohaku-kun, or Sesshoumaru, or anyone else for that matter. I’m here for you, Rin-chan. You know that I am. I’ve made my mistakes, but you know you can trust me. Just as I know I can trust you. To tell you the truth, you’re just about the only person left in the world that I trust. I’m sorry that I didn’t treat you that way before. I was trying so hard to protect you that I hurt you in the process. I see that now.”

Rin’s eyes misted. “Kagome-chan…”

Stepping toward her, Kagome clasped Rin’s hands. She was ready now, to tell Rin of her plans. Formless and vague before, they now crystallized in her mind, plain as day. She needed only to open her mouth and speak them into being.

She was on the verge of doing so, when the door banged open behind them, and they both drew short.

Inuyasha © Rumiko Takahashi

Sorry for the long delay – I’ve been overworked as usual. 🙁 But I’ve decided I’m going to start waking up earlier on weekdays and setting aside some time in the morning to write. I’d still love to try to finish this story by Christmas <3 and start working on completing the rest. Thanks for bearing with me, and wishing the best for you all 🙂