A/N: Konnichiwa! ^_^ I got a new idea for a short fic, so I'm posting this up as soon as I can, before I forget. It's rather angsty in the beginning, but have no fear, it's really based solely on romance! Inu/Kag of course, who else! And the first two parts are introspective, so bear with me while I plod through Inuyasha and Kagome's thoughts. So anyway, hope you'll forgive me for not working on my other fics sooner… This will only take a little bit of time, I promise. So, without further ado…

Why Do You Love Me

By ~ Four-eyed Bookworm

Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to any of the Inuyasha characters. They belong solely to Rumiko Takahashi and Viz.

Summary: The quest is over, Naraku is dead, and the Shikon no Tama is whole again. Kagome had decided to stay in the Feudal Era. Kouga is pestering her to become his "woman," and Inuyasha (Oh wonders of wonders) has admitted that he loves her. However, her heart has been broken one too many times to trust and love the hanyou again so easily. So she declares a contest between her two suitors, to determine which one she will choose to stay with. Their challenge will be to answer a simple question: "Why do you love me?"

Rated: PG, only for slight cursing.

~ Chapter 1 ~

~~~ Kagome ~~~

He's told me that he loved me. Actually, they both did. Kouga and Inuyasha both say that they love me. I never thought I'd live to see the day when Inuyasha would confess his love for me. Then again, I never thought that we would defeat Naraku. I never thought that we would finally be able to complete the Shikon no Tama. And I never thought that I'd actually consider refusing him…

Four years ago, I would have kissed him soundly on the lips and vowed to stay by his side forever if he had said that to me. I mean, who would have thought that the proud Hanyou, son of a great Demon Lord, would have confessed his love to a fifteen year old, weak, pathetic human girl from the future? Don't get me wrong, I'm not depressed, and I'm not being self-deprecatory… But I'm nineteen, or almost, anyway, and I've never even been kissed! Isn't that a bad sign?

Anyway, Inuyasha says that he loves me. And much as I'd love to believe him, and much as my heart yearns for him, I…I can't. Not yet, at least. He hasn't kissed me yet. The closest we've ever gotten was when he hugged me right after we defeated Naraku and got the whole jewel back. Oh, and that's another thing. He decided not to become human, or demon, and to just stay the way he is. I guess I'm glad…it shows that I managed to have some influence on him, at least. Though, to tell you the truth, I wouldn't have protested if he had decided, in the end, that he was going to do what his goal had been all along, and turn into a full Youkai. After all, the whole quest was started because of his wish for power. Sango and Miroku are sure that they can live happily without it, as they are to be married next month, anyway. They'll be a good couple. …I'm sure they'll be able to take great care of Shippou, whom they're adopting.

I wouldn't even have said a word if he had chosen to turn human, either. All three ways, I would have accepted him. To me, it didn't matter what form he was in. Regardless, I did have a preference for those adorable white puppy ears, but they were all a part of him, and part of the Inuyasha that I loved wholeheartedly. I would have loved him. Would have.

But once again, I come back to regret the past. Or is it envy? Because if I have been fifteen, and a little more green, maybe I would have accepted his proposal… Maybe I would have accepted his love. But now, I'm not so sure. He says he loves me. Inuyasha loves me. But does he love me? Me? Higurashi Kagome? Or me, the reincarnation of Kikyou? Because I have to face the facts now. What if all along, I was just a replacement for his first love? I've denied it for nearly four years; I've blinded myself to the possibilities of truth. I closed my eyes to the endless scenes of Inuyasha hugging Kikyou, Inuyasha kissing Kikyou, Inuyasha…shouting that he loved Kikyou…

The last one hurt the most. When he killed Naraku with his ultimate attack of the Tetsusaiga, the entire castle of miasma began to dissipate in a burst of light and sound. It was as if all the evil that Naraku had embodied was breaking into pieces and fleeing, releasing the trapped light of pureness that was inside. And with the crumbling debris and gusts of dust, a single figure also floated up into the sky. A lone body, made of ashes and graveyard soil, shaped into the form of the undead priestess that represents all that I could have had, all that I could have been. Kikyou. She was too high up in the air for anyone to tell whether she was dead or unconscious, or still alive… but either way, she began flowing towards the east, with the rest of the miasma and rubbish. Her skin almost seemed to glow a pale pink, but we couldn't tell whether it was a spell, or whether it was a reflection of the setting sun.

And then, as if under a trance himself, he lifted his head and saw her. He saw her leaving, and he ran after her. Inuyasha ran after her, chased her all the way across the flat plains to the edge of the river. He was far away from us by then, but his desperate voice still carried back to me. It's been imprinted in my mind ever since. He had shouted, "Kikyou!!! Don't go yet! … I love you!!!!!"

At that moment, my heart shattered into a million pieces. It had already been battered, bruised, and cracked. Every time he kissed her, another crack appeared in my heart. Each time he shunned me with a dirty look or insult, my own heart thumped painfully. But this was the final straw. I hadn't expected it. I hadn't expected him to shout that he loved Kikyou so soon. Not so soon after the final battle. My heart broke, and it would never be repaired.

I didn't cry then. I didn't cry when he came back, looking weary, disheveled, bloody, and sad. I didn't cry when we buried all the bodies. I didn't cry when I gave him the Shikon, nor when he refused it. I didn't cry when we got back to the village. It wasn't until that night, when everyone, or at least I hope, was safely asleep in the hut, when I sneaked out of bed and stumbled to the Bone Eater's Well. I knew Inuyasha wasn't nearby. He said he'd stay inside that night, and I saw his outline by the pale light of the moon before I had stepped out.

I collapsed against the cold, stony edge of the dry well, and I cried. I cried for all the people who had died. I cried for all the blood, tears, sweat that had been shed. I cried for myself, for my damaged heart, my broken innocence, my lost future. And when the tears finally ran dry, and I couldn't cry any more, I picked up the sharp pieces of my heart, and locked them in a chest. I vowed never to let my heart get hurt again…

And now, he says that he loves me. And once again, I've set myself up for a possible heartbreak. He says it sincerely. He claims that he was just saying a last farewell to Kikyou, that he loved her, but now he loves me. And Kouga… Kouga says that now that the quest is over, he has the right to finally claim me as his mate. But Inuyasha is as angry as always, and won't allow it. In a way, it makes my heart ache slightly less when I see him fighting Kouga, defending me from Kouga. But what if it's all just a pride issue? What if he's just claiming that he loves me to keep me from going with Kouga? He's always been possessive… If I choose him, and I live with him… what will happen if Kikyou comes back?

I truly want to choose him. I want to heal my heart again. I want to live a normal life. Or, as normal as it can get when you're living five hundred years in the past. Okaa-san and Souta, even Gramps, have agreed to let me stay here. It's not as if they could have stopped me, anyway. I'm not a minor anymore. I sometimes ask myself why I'd stay here. But the truth is, there's nothing for me there, either. I failed all of my courses in my last year at high school. I didn't care by then, because we were drawing close to the final battle with Naraku. But now it's too late. I haven't applied to any colleges, because I knew I wouldn't have been accepted, anyway. My friends and I have grown distant. Souta's old enough to take care of himself now. Grampa is getting old… he won't be here to talk to me for much longer. I have no future there. I would end up getting a low-pay job at a restaurant and depending on Mama for support for the rest of my life. I don't want that.

So I've decided to stay here. I love this time anyway. It's cleaner, as In- as he would say. And besides, I can still go back in forth to get some modern conveniences now and then. Both of them promised me that. So whoever I choose, they'll let me go back to the future once in a while. Four years ago, it would have been him. But now, even though I've never loved Kouga, I can't decide between them. Who would be able to take better care of the broken remains of my heart? The one who never had it in the first place, or the one who had broken it in the first place?

I don't know. I'm scared, Inuyasha. I'm afraid you'll break my heart again. And this time, if I give you my heart, you might break my spirit as well. I wouldn't be able to stand it if you went back to Kikyou. So forgive me, Inuyasha. Forgive me for not trusting you immediately. Allow me to take this one last precaution, to protect my heart and soul.

~~~ Inuyasha ~~~

I think she's afraid of me. She won't look me in the eye. She won't talk to me alone. She won't come close enough to even touch me. Kagome, what happened to you? What did I do to you that's turned into a living doll? Living doll. No, that was Kikyou. But she's gone now. I'm glad. I didn't want her back in the first place. But every time I see her I'm overwhelmed with guilt, with regret, with longing for the past that could have been. And that last time, when she left for the final time, I tried to call her back.

I tried to tell her that I was sorry. Sorry for ruining her chances at happiness. Sorry…that I was choosing Kagome. But I guess I took it too far. I was so focused on getting her back that I uttered the one phrase that I thought would work. I said the one thing that she had always wanted to hear, "I love you." And with that one phrase, she disappeared beyond the horizon, and I think I lost my own chances of being happy. With Kagome.

Kagome…I know I hurt her. I didn't mean to, but damn it, I never mean to! It just slipped out. I hit myself on the head, inwardly, after. But it's not enough. It'll never be enough to make up for the pain that I've caused her. So the least I can do is take care of her for the rest of her life. It's too late for us to be together. It's too late for me to make her truly happy. But I can try. Because I want her to be happy. Because the truth is, I really do love her.

But now she's unsure. I guess I can't blame her. I've hurt her more times than even I can count. And she can't trust me anymore. Four years ago, I know she'd never even consider going with that bastard of a wolf, Kouga. And now, she's actually thinking about it. My heart hurts. It hurts because she no longer trusts me, but it also hurts because I was the one who made her like this.

But I deserve it. I deserve the pain. So I'll bear it silently. I'll hope, and watch, and love, and wait. And when she finally chooses, if she chooses me, I'll make her happy again. I swear it, I will.

And now she's come up with some stupid contest. To decide who's better. To pick who she'll stay with. To pick who she loves. She told us yesterday, that on her birthday, she'd give us a task to complete. I don't know what the task will be. I don't care what she asks us to do. I'd go to the ends of the earth for her, to win her trust, and possibly her love, back. So I'm going to do it. I'll participate in this fucking contest and challenge Kouga. Because I can't let him have her. If she chooses him, I'll die. But she won't choose him. Because no matter what it is we have to do, if we have to fight each other, I'll win.

Because I love her.

~~~ The Day of Kagome's Birthday ~~~

The party was over. The villagers had got together a splendid party to celebrate Kagome-sama's nineteenth birthday, as well as the defeat of Naraku, and the reformation of the Shikon no Tama. It was a wonderful feast, with dancing and music and games, and lots of merriment. Everyone was laughing breathlessly by the end of the last dance song. And Miroku's face was red from being slapped by Sango, but at least he kept his hands on her, and only her, now. In the afternoon, after congratulating the smiling young miko-in-training, the villagers gradually filtered away, leaving the original group of shard hunters, their quest now complete.

Kagome went back inside to change, and told everyone to wait for her. As soon as she disappeared into the hut, Kaede hobbled up with a small smile on her face.

"Minna," she announced solemnly, "Kagome-san has asked me to relay to you the information about the contest between Inuyasha and Kouga."

A pair of furry ears immediately perked upwards to pay closer attention. There was a slightly pregnant pause before Inuyasha burst out, "Well, babaa? Tell us what she said, willya? Cut the dramatics already!" She gave him a stern glare in response, before answering aloud, "Kagome has declared that today, she will choose one of you and accept your love, on this day, the day of her nineteenth birthday. As she may have already told you, the outcome of this contest will be that one of you will win her hand in marriage-"

Kouga burst out arrogantly, "Heh! Who says I want to marry her? That's a human custom. My tribe and I don't need some crazy human traditions! I just want Kagome as my woman!"

Sango frowned angrily at him. She didn't approve of the wolf demon as a suitor, although he was harmless enough as a friend. In fact, he was quite the opposite of how she thought a typical Youkai was supposed to act. So she put up with his claims, for Kagome's sake, at least. "Kouga, you know Kagome won't agree to be your 'woman' if you just grab her and run off like you did last time. Weddings may be part of a human tradition, but in case you've forgotten, Kagome-chan is human, you know."

The wolf youkai sulked for half a second before conceding. "All right then! If my beautiful Kagome wishes to be my bride, I can do nothing but consent!"

He was whacked on the back of the head by a livid hanyou. "Shut up, you wimpy wolf! She hasn't even chosen you yet! Now be quiet so Kaede-babaa can finish talking!"

"Thank you, Inuyasha. Now, Kagome has already left through the back door of my home. She wishes for you too, as well as Sango and Miroku, to meet her by the Go-Shin-Boku Tree. There, she will inform you of the rules of the contest, and there shall she choose her husband and mate."

The old priestess had barely finished speaking when there was a great cloud of dust kicked off, making everyone cough and choke as the gust of wind flew past. When the dust cleared, the hanyou and the youkai were both gone.

Shippou pouted. "I should have known dog-boy would want to go and find her as soon as possible. He left us all behind again!

^_^

A little more than a minute later, two blurred figures burst into a clearing and halted to a complete stop in front of the old dry well that Inuyasha knew was a portal between two worlds. The sight that met his eye took his breath away in an instant.

Sitting on the edge of the well, was a girl, no, young woman. She had long, slighty wavy black hair that blew around her shoulders in the breeze. She was wearing a skirt again, but it wasn't the familiar, short green uniform that she normally chose to wear. The white material that billowed gracefully around her legs was long and silky, reaching down to nearly reach her ankles. It was a creamy, off-white with lacey flowers lining the bottom, but it looked almost transparent. The skirt was draped around her as she sat, and it tapered off at her hips to be continued by a sky blue tank-top, covered by a light, flimsy, white, open shirt. The completed Shikon no Tama hung from a thin, bright silver chain around her neck. It shone with a pale, shimmering pink. She had a vibrant pink flower stuck haphazardly behind her ear, and one hand was resting beside her, while on the other was perched a small white butterfly whose wings were fluttering as it rested upon her finger.

A soft, barely perceptible smile was flitting across her face as she watched the butterfly, her own cerulean blue eyes sparkling in enjoyment. This was the Kagome that Inuyasha knew and loved. The carefree innocence and openness that had been worn away by months of fighting seemed to have creeped back. She seemed more like her old self. The two rivals stepped forward to greet her simultaneously, and she looked up.

The smile disappeared from her expression. The air suddenly grew tense, and her eyes no longer sparkled. They had dulled to a pale azure-blue as soon as she caught sight of him. Inuyasha's heart ached at the way she had suddenly hid herself away. Did she truly no longer trust him? He smiled tentatively at her, and, after a pause, Kagome's lips hesitantly curved upward. Before he could speak, Kouga rushed forward and grasped her hands, obliviously scaring away the butterfly.

"Kagome! How good to see you again!" He exclaimed, as if he hadn't just seen her less than half an hour ago. "Are you really having trouble deciding which one of us to choose? Do you really need to have this contest, or are you just trying to find a way to get rid of Inu-kuro here without hurting his feelings? If you wish, I'll take care of him for you, and leave you free to come live with me!"

The enthusiastic wolf youkai would have continued rambling, but Kagome quickly stood up and moved away from the well, cutting in firmly, "No, Kouga. I've made up my mind to do this. I want to stay in this era, but I refuse to choose either of you until you complete my task."

"Well, if you insist," the wolf prince said reluctantly. "But I assure you, Kagome. Have no fear that I shall defeat dog-turd in this challenge, no matter what it is! Everyone knows that I'm stronger and faster than him, anyway. You won't have to be annoyed by him any longer, after this day! Just tell me what we'll have to do! Can we fight it out and see who loses?"

Just then, Sango and Miroku appeared out of the thick line of trees to their right. The Buddhist monk spoke first. "Ah! Kagome-sama! We're glad you didn't start without us! Sango and I are eager to be your witnesses for this contest!" He hugged his intended around the waist as he mentioned her name. She snuggled casually against him, and barely stiffened when she felt a hand slid southward towards her butt. Closer, closer…and then it stopped.

"H-houshi?" The demon exterminator asked, rather confused.

"Iie, you promised to call me by name now, Sango…"

"Miroku…" she amended, speaking the name with such love that he leaned down, unable to resist giving his wife-to-be a gentle kiss.

Kagome smiled softly at the couple, but inside, her heart ached. She envied them for having each other… She only hoped that she would have who she wanted soon, too. But before she could choose, she had to make sure…

"Ne, I guess we can get started then, right?" She said with false cheerfulness.

A low voice confirmed, "Aa." She glanced at the dog demon, but couldn't bring herself to meet him eye.

"Okay. Well, you all already know my decision about staying here. I've also decided, if it's okay with everyone, to purify the jewel by wishing for immortality, once I choose…well, someone. So if that's okay, I'll let you both know what you have to do."

The group nodded. She took a deep breath and continued. "Well, the challenge isn't going to be based on strength or speed, because I've already seen both of you fight, sometimes each other, and I don't need to nor do I want to see you fighting each other again. Especially not for my sake. So here is what will determine the contest. I will ask you both a question. Whoever answers the question best, or correctly, or appropriately, will be the winner."

Kouga smirked triumphantly. "If it's a puzzle or riddle, I'll win for sure! I'm the smartest! And I'm the best riddle-solver in my tribe!"

Inuyasha growled, but didn't say anything in reply. Neither did Kagome. She just glanced at Sango and Miroku for support. The approving gazes that they had gave her courage, and she turned back to the two youkai, with her back straight and head held up high. Inuyasha thought that she looked like a princess. He had never seen anyone more beautiful.

"All right then, here's the question. It's very…simple. I just want a straightforward, truthful and honest answer from both of you. Whoever answers my question most satisfactorily will win." They nodded again in acquiescence. The raven haired young woman took another deep breath, and voiced the question that would determine the rest of her life.

"Why do you love me?" She asked softly, looking them both straight in the eye.

A/N: So how was it? I think this has to be the longest first chapter that I've ever written! ^_^ So anyway, please review and let me know what you think! Ja!