Disclaimer: As usual, I own nothing but the pathetic arrangement of the words...(sigh)...
Forgive me, this is a random babble of shameless Inu/Kagome fluff that materialized out of hours of procrastination...and it didn't help that my muse decided to take it in a direction I was trying to avoid...but I sort of liked it, anyway. Italics are Inuyasha's thoughts, and this is set just after the gang defeats Naraku. (Presuming they ever do!) Critiques are welcome and encouraged; this was sort of an experiment and believe me, I need all the help I can get...
I Will:...being the thoughts of a certain Hanyou as he makes the most important decision of his life...
It wasn't until the day he found her crying
You…
that he realized what was wrong
I will be with you…
It had been a week since she gave it to him
My heart…
A week since the defeat.
Without you…
And a week since he had first held the power to change the world
So very insignificant…
He had yet to choose.
So many choices laid before me…
He was not sure if he ever could...
Promised to protect you
...but she had trusted him with the choice.
Even from myself
At the time, he had not realized what a sacrifice that had been for her…
It was not till much later that I realized
…he had not realized that she still did not know the truth.
How truly I had failed.
"Kagome?"
I left you to face your most merciless opponent, unguarded,
Startled, she looked up at him, wiping vainly at her eyes in an effort to hide the welling tears.
…but this time, I will not let you face your demons alone.
"I thought you should know…"
This time, I keep my promise.
"that I've decided…"
…you will not be alone...
She gave an abrupt shake of her head, and smiled bravely.
I know what to wish for now…
"Oh, I'm so glad, Inuyasha."
A brief hug…
"I know that whatever your choice is…"
And, you walk away…you still do not understand.
"you'll be happy…"
Don't walk away…
"Kagome, wait!"
Stop...
"You don't understand…"
Please, stop…
"I've already made my wish!"
…you have already given me the greatest gift of all...
She swung around in shock to stare at his unaltered form.
I've finally realized how much...
"Inuyasha…"
that you
"Inuyasha, what…"
have sacrificed...Kagome, thank you...
"Just now, Kagome. I wished…"
...for your acceptance...
"I…"
...for your patience...
"…I set Midoriko's soul free, Kagome."
...finally...I know...
"…but Inuyasha…"
the truth...
"I didn't need the wish…"
My quick movement startles you
"But, Inuyasha..."
and you lean away from the embrace…
"…Kagome, I…"
but as you stare, bewildered...
"Kagome…because of you..."
please, listen...my heart is speaking...
"I...know who I am now..."
You saw past the prejudice I believed in.
"I think I decided long ago, and never knew..."
Showed me another way.
"I should have told you..."
I was afraid.
"Inuyasha..."
But,
"Kagome..."
I realize now
"I will not leave you."
That I will love you
"I will be with you always..."
until the last dream ends and eternity resumes its silent slumber...