'So this is your final decision?' Kikyo asked, staring deep into Inuyashas amber eyes.

'Yes. I'm sorry Kikyo, but my heart and future lie with Kagome.' Replied Inuyasha

'Very well, if that truly is your decision I will not stand in your way. When do you plan on telling her? She asked, a hint of sadness in her voice.

'As soon as I can get her alone.' Inuyasha replied, not looking at Kikyo. 'I am sorry Kikyo, I didn't want it to be this way. I never meant to hurt you.'

'I know. Do not feel sorry for me Inuyasha. At least now my soul can rest. You were all that was keeping me here, now I can finally move on. Goodbye Inuyasha.' Kikyo smiled at Inuyasha as her soul collectors circled her. She was gone in a flash of light, and Inuyasha knew that he would never see her again.

'Goodbye Kikyo.'

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'Shippo! Come back here with that, its not a toy Shippo!' Miroku yelled to the giggling fox demon who had just ran off with his staff. Miroku chased Shippo down and wrestled the staff out of his hands

'Hey whats all this noise about' said a voice. Miroku turned around to see Inuyasha coming toward him

'Oh, you're back. Where did you go?'

'Wheres Kagome?' he asked, completely ignoring his question.

'She's in the springs with Sango. I suggest you wait until she gets back before you try to talk to her.'

'Damn it!' he cursed as he took off in the direction of the springs

' Inuyasha I wouldn't do that!' Miroku called out to Inuyashas retreating figure.

'sigh Now I have to go after him. You stay here with Kirara, Shippo' Miroku called out, with a look of pure bliss on his face as he took off after Inuyasha.

'Will those 2 ever learn?' Shippo muttered to Kirara, who mewed in agreement'.

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' Are you sure everything's ok Kagome? You seem a little down about something' Sango asked her best friend

'Well, I saw Kikyo's soul collectors earlier, right before Inuyasha took off without saying a word.'

'Well, you know that Kikyo and Inuyasha share a special bond. But you have to remember Kagome he chooses to travel with you, to be with you, not her. Thats gotta mean something right?'

'Yeah, I guess you're right.' Kagome smiled at Sango, looking slightly happier.

I just wish he would consider my feelings before he runs off with Kikyo. Doesn't he know how that makes me feel? she thought to herself

Of course he doesn't, you've never told him

I can't tell him how I feel! she argued with herself, when someone calling out her name snapped her back into reality

'Kagome! Hey KAGOME! Get out, I need to talk to ya' Kagome looked up to see Inuyasha staring at her, with Miroku standing just to the left of him

'AHHH! Inuyasha SIT!' Kagome screamed as Sango grabbed her Hiraikotsu and threw it at Miroku. Both men fell face forward into the grass.

'PERVERTS!' Sango and Kagome cried in unison

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'You didn't have to sit me Kagome' Inuyasha growled after he finally got up and Kagome had gotten dressed

'Well you shouldn't have been spying on me' Replied Kagome

'Feh, like I would want to spy on you'

'You are such a jerk'

'Kagome...'

'SIT!' Kagome cut him off, and for the second time, Inuyasha fell face first into the ground.

'Wench, what did you do that for?'

'SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT! SIT!' she screamed, sending the Hanyou further and further into the ground. She stormed off, leaving him where he lay.

Great, she's mad at me. Now how am I sposed to get her alone to talk to her?he thought as he struggled to get back up.

When Inuyasha got back to the camp, it was dark and Kagome was still fuming. He decided it was best to wait until morning before he tried again. He didn't want to be sat again.

They sat in silence the whole night. The only sounds they heard were the crackle of the fire and the all too familiar sound of Sango's hand across Miroku's face whenever his hand wandered.

Inuyasha stayed awake the whole night, staring at Kagome, wondering how long she was going to stay mad at him, and how he was going to tell her how he felt. Expressing emotion was definitely not something he knew how to do.

It was hard enough telling Kikyo how I feel, how am I going to tell Kagome? What if she doesn't feel the same way? What if I makes a fool out of myself? What if I scares her off and she goes back to her own time for good? He started questioning himself.

'Get a grip. You're gunna have to tell her sometime, might as well get it over with' He told himself, trying to build back his confidence.

'Did you say something Inuyasha?' Kagome asked, half asleep

'No. Go back to sleep Kagome.' Replied Inuyasha. She needs her rest. I'll talk to her in the morning.

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'Hey, you're awake' Inuyasha said as Kagome finally woke up

'Yeah. Have you been awake all night Inuyasha?' Kagome asked, yawning

'Couldn't sleep. Hey can we go somewhere to talk?' Inuyasha asked, hoping that she wasn't still mad with him

'Sure' she replied with a slightly puzzled look on her face. They got up and walked some distance away from the group who were just starting to stir.

'Whats up?' Kagome asked once they finally stopped.

'Well...I've been thinking a lot and...uh...Damn it, why is this so hard!'

'Calm down Inuyasha. Now what where you trying to say?'

'I...I'm trying to say that...I...that I...' Inuyasha stuttered.

'That you what, Inuyasha?'

'Im trying to tell you that...LOOK OUT!' Inuyasha grabbed Kagome and pulled her to the ground just in time, as Sango's Hiraikotsu came flying at them, colliding with the tree behind them.

'Are you ok?' Inuyasha asked

'Im fine.' Kagome replied, looking shaken but unhurt

'What the hell was that Sango?' Inuyasha yelled

'It wasn't me. I was training and Shippo grabbed the Hiraikotsu out of my hands, but he couldn't hold onto it.'

'SHIPPO!' Inuyasha growled loudly, charging at him

'I'm sorry, its just its not fair that I'm the only one in the group without a real weapon' Shippo cried while running for his life.

'You're gunna end up with a real weapon up your butt if you dont knock it off' Grumbled Sango as she pulled her Hiraikotsu out of the tree.

'Are you ok Kagome?' Sango asked

'Yeah, im fine. It missed me.' Kagome replied, a blank look on her face. She was still thinking about Inuyashas odd behavior before.

'Are you sure you're ok Kagome? You look a little dazed.' Sango said, looking at Kagome carefully

'Dont worry Sango, everything's ok with me. Its Inuyasha I'm worried about, does he seem ok to you?' They turned to watch Inuyasha chase Shippo, hitting him every time he got close enough.

'Yep, seems like the normal Inuyasha to me' Sango replied, shaking her head.

'Yeah, I guess you're right.'

'Come on Kagome. Ill make us some breakfast' Sango said, starting to walk back towards camp. Kagome however didn't move. She was still watching the Hanyou that she secretly loved and the Kitsune who had come to regard her as a mother figure.

'Coming Kagome?' Sango asked, stopping so that Kagome could catch up.

'Yeah OK' She replied and started to walk back with Sango, deciding that she will have that talk with Inuyasha later.

'Kagome, perhaps you should go save Shippo before Inuyasha does any real damage.' Miroku said after breakfast. Inuyasha had chased Shippo so far that they lost sight of them.

'Yeah, good idea' Kagome replied and started to make her way towards where they had disappeared.

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'You're dead you little runt!' Inuyasha growled then something caught his attention and he stopped. A scent, a heavenly scent which could only mean one thing. Kagome was approaching.

And sure enough he turned around to see Kagome walking towards him.

'He's had enough now Inuyasha. Hey Shippo, I think you should go back to the camp and apologize to Sango for trying to steal her Hiraikotsu.' Kagome called out. Shippo stopped running and immediately turned around and headed back to camp, mouthing his thanks to Kagome as he passed her.

'So, still up for that talk?' Kagome asked Inuyasha once she was sure Shippo was out of earshot.

'Sure' He replied. He could feel his nerves building again.

What the hell is wrong with me? I have no problem at all fighting demons, but I cant talk to a girl? He scolded himself in his mind.

'Ok Kagome, well...what I've been trying to say is...well...I l...'

'Do you sense that?' Kagome interjected, as she just felt a demonic aura approaching.

'Not now! Get behind me Kagome' Inuyasha growled as he unsheathed his Tetsaiga Kagome moved behind Inuyasha, and out of harms way.

'Come on out you pathetic demon. I dont have all day!' He called out.

'You dare call out Tora the all powerful leader of the Tiger Demons , you pitiful half breed. You're not even the one I'm after. I want the girl with the jewel shards' Called the demon as he lunged out from the shadows at Inuyasha

'Over my dead body!' Inuyasha called and swung the Tetsaiga

'WIND SCAR!'

But the demon was too quick for him. He sidestepped the attack and jumped behind Inuyasha and stared directly at Kagome.

'Give me your jewel shards!' Tora shrieked

'I'll give ya something alright!' Kagome replied, and in one move she grabbed 2 arrows from her quiver, and dropped down to her knees and plunged the arrows into the tiger demons feet, pinning him in place.

'Move Kagome! WIND SCAR' Inuyasha called for the second time. Kagome leapt out of the way and fell hard to the ground, but Tora, unable to move caught the full blast, and when the dust cleared, there was nothing left of the leader of the Tiger Demons but a pile of ash, and the jewel shards that the demon had in his ankles.

'Well, this explains how he was able to dodge the wind scar.' Kagome said, picking up the jewel shards and putting them away.

'Kagome are you ok?' Inuyasha asked, helping her up

'Yeah im fine, thanks to you. Now, what were you saying before?'

'Hold that thought. I smell a scrawny wolf.' Inuyasha growled Why now? He has the WORST timing he groaned inwardly

'I thought I could sense jewel shards approaching fast.' Kagome replied. They looked to their left and saw the whirlwind that indicated Koga's presence. Within seconds of his arrival, he had captured Kagome's hands in his and Inuyasha was growling, baring his teeth.

'What are you doing here wolf? Inuyasha asked, snarling.

'I've come to see that Kagome's alright. I sensed a demons presence. Hmm it seems to have disappeared now though, I probably scared it off. Dont worry Kagome, I'll hunt it down for you'

'Actually Koga, the demons dead. Inuyasha took care of it.' Kagome replied

'Thats right you mangy wolf, Its MY job to protect Kagome, not yours' Inuyasha said, stepping in between Koga and Kagome

'Back off mutt-face, Kagome's MY girlfriend remember? So dont act all high and mighty' Koga spat, pushing Inuyasha aside

'That does it! Your'e dead now wolf!' Inuyasha yelled.

'Settle down guys! Inuyasha, don't make me use the "S" word again. And Koga, I already told you I'm alright, you dont need to stick around to protect me.' Kagome shouted.

'Well...if you're sure that im not needed then I will be on my way. I have to get going anyway, I cant stand the smell of that mutt. My dear Kagome, we shall meet again, my love.' he called as he disappeared in a gust of wind

'Thank God he's gone, now I might finally get a chance to talk to you Kagome.'

'Yeah, im glad he's gone too, he's so creepy sometimes. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?' Kagome asked, the sunlight streaking through the trees , lighting up her face, her hair blowing in the wind behind her.

God, she looks so beautiful he admired her inwardly as he braced himself for what he was about to do.

'Kagome...this isn't easy for me to say, but I've got to come out and say it. I...I love you Kagome. You're brave and smart and funny and beautiful. I love you.' Inuyasha blurted out very quickly. Kagome stared at him, hardly believing what she just heard

I cant believe it, he loves me? That cant be right, Inuyasha love Kikyo. I must have fallen down harder than I thoughtand knocked my head or something she told herself. However Inuyasha mistook her silence as repulsion

'I knew you wouldn't feel the same, how could you love someone like me? Im just a weak, stupid Hanyou.'Inuyasha cried, turning away from her

'Dont say that Inuyasha. I love you too, I was just a little shocked is all.' Kagome replied, grabbing his waist and making him face her again

'You really mean that Kagome?' he asked, looking into her deep brown, tear filled eyes.

'Yes Inuyasha. I love you. But what about Kikyo? I know you were talking to her yesterday. I know you still have feelings for her.' Kagome said, looking away, almost afraid of what he was going to say next.

'I was saying goodbye to Kikyo. She has moved on now. I chose you, Kagome, if you would have me of course.' Inuyasha replied

'You chose me over Kikyo?' Kagome asked in disbelief, turning back to look him in the eyes, searching them to see if what he was saying was true.

'Yes. If you will have me.'

'Of course I will!' she replied, leaning in and kissing him. He deepened the kiss, wrapping his arms around her shoulders as kagome moved her hand up to play with his ears.

They stood there for what seemed like an eternity to them, finally showing each other how they felt.

'Wow... I wasnt expecting it to go this well, I was actually afraid you were going to reject me and go back down the well and seal it.' He said, rather breathless after he finally stopped kissing her.

'I could never do that to you Inuyasha, I love you too much.' she replied, just as breathless

'So what happens from here?' She asked him

'We should focus on finding the jewel shards and destroying Naraku. Then who knows what the future will bring? As long as were together, thats all that counts'

She nodded, smiling. True, she didnt know what the future would bring, but somehow she knew in her heart that as long as Inuyasha was by her side, she could face anything the future throws at her.