Chapter One
It wasn't long before the Inu gang realized that the Shikon no Tama was whole again and back in Kagome's possession. Naraku's bodily remains everywhere surrounding them, in a whirlwind of bloody demon slime and rotting scorched flesh of the evil one they had so long awaited to watch die by their angry hands and fall to their soiled feet.
Miroku lay across the valley leaning up on his elbows, breathing heavily while clenching his fist in mixed fury and alarm. His groans of pain rang out, indicating that his right arm was burning the hole away and replacing his wind tunnel with a newly restored hand that had no indication of the cure that had once inhabited there.
Once the curse was lifted, Miroku landed with a 'thud' on his back and fought to keep his excitement.
Sango lay not but a few feet away from him, searching around desperately for any sign of life. Her eyes had been blinded earlier and she was afraid that she had lost more loved ones than she was willing to give up. Her eyes opened frantically, terrified that she might not be able to see anything but let out a long breath as her eyes focused on her love, Miroku.
Sango crawled over to him fast, relieved that he was alive. "Miroku!" She cried, relieved to know that he hadn't perished. Her eyes allowed several tears to flow as Miroku's body responded and sat up to great the very tired demon hunter. Sango threw herself at his strong, now opened arms and clung to him for comfort and right then and there, she let out a long sob. Miroku closed his arms around her and held her tightly to him, afraid that if he let go, he might watch her disappear before his eyes and leave him in their stranded hell. His chin rested on top of her head and he breathed in her scent, trying to take in everything so that he would remember this battle for the rest of his life.
"It's over, Sango." Miroku whispered gently to the young woman in his arms. "It's over." He felt the young woman tremble and he just hugged her tighter.
Yards away from them, Inuyasha was lying on ground, unconscious to the world, covered in dry blood and sweat from head to almost dead foot. His kimono was wide open, showing a very deep gash in his chest, still fresh and bleeding heavily and his breathing was ragged.
Kagome stood on Inuyasha's right side, bow in her left hand and case of arrows in her right. Her gaze was that of an angry hyena, glaring daggers at the shattered remains of Naraku with malice, ready to fire another round of arrows if he should come back to life and try to destroy them all...again. Kagome's gaze lowered to her bow and she sighed deeply as she dropped down to the ground tend to Inuyasha's wounds.
She didn't even attempt to hide her tears for him. Her cries were silent, but she knew Inuyasha was aware of her tears because his nose twitched around, searching for the source of the salty water. Kagome's hand reached out and she touched the opened gash in his chest. Her palm rested on top of the opening and she closed her eyes, allowing her powers heal his flesh. Miroku and Sango, still locked in a tender embraces, watched from afar, amazed.
Deep purple light escaped from the palm of Kagome's hand, which engulfed them both as the oozing wound burned away. Inuyasha groaned in pain. All of a sudden, a warm tingling sensation filled his body, giving him a sense of peace in his very soul. A soft smile touched his dry lips and his golden eyes opened as he found himself looking at the one person he almost died for... his Kagome.
"Kagome…" He whispered. Kagome smiled back down to him and touched a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet. Inuyasha lifted a weak arm and leaned up to cup her face in his hand. Kagome allowed him and she leaned down, hand still on his chest and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead. Before she could pull away, Inuyasha wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her back down. He drew her into a powerful hug and just held her. He didn't want to let, ever, but knew he would eventually.
"Inuyasha..." Tears escaped her eyes as she buried her face in the curve of his neck, while Inuyasha did the same. Her hand removed itself from his chest and snuck up to wrap around him tighter. Inuyasha smiled and whispered words of love and gentleness into Kagome's ear. Even though this would be the perfect time to say anything to her about his feelings, he couldn't bring himself to do so. It wasn't that the timing was wrong; it was just that he, himself, wasn't ready. But he was ready for something else.
Inuyasha pulled away and cupped her face in his bloodied hands.
Her eyes were shimmering with unshed tears but she held them at bay and waited for him to do something.
Inuyasha's thumb brushed away several tears that had fallen down her cheek and he couldn't wait anymore. His brought her down and gently kissed her lips for the second time since they've known each other. Kagome leaned into him and let him do what he felt was right.
The wind blew gently, telling everyone that the fight was over. Over around the remains of Naraku, the Shikon no Tame rolled from the corpse over to Kagome's ankle. It taped her leg lightly, startling the young priestess. She pulled away fast, readied her bow and arrow and pointed it at the object. When her eyes found the jewel, she let out a laugh, picked it up and held it in her hand. "Inuyasha, I believe you wanted this."
She looked down at Inuyasha and smiled while thrusting the jewel into his opened hand. Inuyasha blinked and looked at the jewel with a smile. "No, Kagome. I don't want this. I've got all I want right here." Kagome let another tear fall and she leaned down to kiss him once again. In the midst of their kiss, Inuyasha thrust the jewel back into Kagome's hand, indicating her to keep it. His arms snaked around her waist and Inuyasha brought her up as close as he could get her.
Miroku and Sango smirked. "Finally those two admitted to each other that they were in love." Sango said heartily. "I was beginning to think that they would live the rest of their lives denying it."
Miroku stopped laughing at Sango's words. His head began to swim with ideas but he didn't act due to the fear that he might scare her away. Who am I kidding? He thought. Forget it!"Sango…I love you." His voice whispered.
Sango heard nothing but a mumble, so she looked at him, confused. "What did you just say?"
"I love you, Sango." Miroku leaned forward and kissed her tenderly.
Sango's breath caught in her throat. Her eyes closed and new tears leaked through. His lips were so soft against her own and she wanted more. They clung to each other, not willing to let go for the world.
Their fight for good and evil was over…or so they thought.
Author's Note: Hey guys. I would like to thank a certain member of the Fanfiction Renaissance group for pointing out that chapter four of this particular story had a few problems with it. Also, I would like to thank that member for inadvertently reminding me that I need to get down to revising this story (which I was intending to do anyway at some point in time). It will take me a little time to revise each chapter and repost it, but fear not! You still have my other story, "A Small Twist of Fate", to get you through my chapter revisions. Please note that the story that you are reading now is not related to my other Inuyasha fanfic in any way. I had originally posted "The Final Wish" about 9 years ago while I was still in middle school, and now that I have the chance to reread my fanfic, I'm just a little disgusted at how I use to write. LOL, oh well.
