Standard disclaimer applies.

Wowzers! I love you guys, I really do. Thank you so, so much for such a great response and all of your support. I know there was a time there when I hardly updated at all, so I'm glad everyone stuck it out with me until the end.

I want to send a special thanks to LC Rose and Sugar0o (who just happen to be amazing writers themselves), and Ayjah. You guys are my best supporters in all my stories, and I really appreciate it because your support goes a long way. And to Jazz: believe it or not but there was one review you sent me that really gave a kick in the ass (though to others it might not have seemed that way), and it helped me get into the writing groove. So thanks!

I wish I were able to personally thank each and every one of you (believe me, I really did try) but there were so many, and then I forgot who I already sent replies to and what I was going to say. So I want to thank you here to let you know I really do appreciate you!

A side note goes to Amber, who asked me to email her when I updated. I'm sorry, but your email address did not go through the review. When you type out your address, you have to type like so: luna_magic_2005 (at) hotmail (dot) com. Otherwise your entire email will just look like a period ( . ). Hopefully you'll find this story again and read this, and if not then I just wasted a whole bunch of space =^.^= But still, hopefully this'll help others out there who might have the same problem and think authors are just blowing you off.

Again thanks, and while you're waiting for the epilogue I've decided to write, check out my other Sessh/Kag story, Secrets. Lots of people seem to like that story, so you might like it as well.

Don't forget me entirely! More stories are still to come, all revolving around my favorite couple.

Well anyways…

The Snowball Effect

And with the melting of snow, spring will come once again…

By: Luna

\\\///

Kagome stared at him with eyes the size of craters, the blood rushing to her face so quickly she felt dizzy. Did he mean…? Oh Gods, she thought sickly. He knew. It was what he had been trying to tell her last night. It was what she had assumed meant only her confession.

But… if he knew, why hadn't he said something sooner? If he knew, why had he wasted an entire month traveling with her, then her traveling with him, if he had known what her original objection had been all along? She waited, breathless and confused as to what he might do, and blinked at his back when all he did was turn around and walk away.

"Come," He commanded. "We need to get going."

Where? She wanted to ask. They never seemed to go anywhere with purpose. But her throat was so dry she didn't think she could speak. She followed him without question, without doubt, and absently listened to Rin talk and Jaken complain and Ah Uh chirp, but her eyes stayed on Sesshoumaru, wondering. She thought back to the day she first laid eyes on him, a vision of white and strength and graceful masculinity. But then he had tried to kill Inuyasha, and she grew afraid of him. And then he tried to kill her, and she had hated him. But then he adopted Rin and she became to wonder, and later when he had saved Kagome she became to dream.

But he had been Sesshoumaru; an essence she could never possibly contain or be a part of. He was Sesshoumaru; who claimed to hate humans, yet went to hell to save one. Sesshoumaru, whose very name means death, yet looks at her with such a gentle look in his eyes…

Kagome swallowed the lump in her throat and prayed for courage. That night, when everyone was asleep and Sesshoumaru leaning up against a tree, Kagome took a deep breath and curled near Sesshoumaru – barely a foot away, and smiled when she felt his hand run over her hair.

\\//

As promised, a few days later she rejoined Inuyasha. But, she thought with a smile and a glance over her shoulder. Sesshoumaru had come too. Inuyasha was as prickly as a bear woke up in winter, and grumbled but didn't really do anything. She didn't really get a chance to talk with Sesshoumaru, but he didn't seem to like talking around Inuyasha, so she wasn't worried. She played with Shippo and chatted with Sango and Miroku, who oddly kept his hands to himself, tucked safely into the sleeves of his robe – not even venturing out to touch Sango. Shippo whispered that it was because he didn't want to risk getting in trouble with Sesshoumaru, but Kagome didn't know what that was supposed to mean.

Inuyasha grumbled and moped, but he predictably slinked off at night when Kikyo sent her soul stealers to fetch him. Kagome didn't mind – at this point she'd be retarded if she did, and besides the fact that she was totally in love with Sesshoumaru. She wouldn't – refused – to be like Inuyasha and bounce back and forth, unable to make up his mind. If it ever came down to it, Kagome would choose Sesshoumaru – just like Inuyasha would choose Kikyo.

At night, Sesshoumaru settled away from the group with Jaken. Kagome, Sango, and Rin escaped to the hot springs as soon as he seemed relaxed. Rin shucked her kimono faster than Kagome could blink, and cannon-balled into the hot springs with a squeal. Sango eyed Rin worriedly, in much the same way Kagome had. "Kagome…"

She nodded. "I know. I already talked to Sesshoumaru about it."

Sango's brows rose. "Really? The ice prince with a stick up his ass* speaks words besides 'You're going to die?'"

Giggling, Kagome sunk down low into the water. "Yeah. Believe it or not, but when he gets into the mood he can be pretty talkative."

Noticing the miko's blush, Sango's brows rose higher. "Did you… oh my God, you did, didn't you? You kissed Sesshoumaru!"

Kagome's blush deepened, but in embarrassment. She scowled into the water and muttered, "No."

"No?" Sango echoed. "Then why so happy? I mean, besides seeing me again."

Kagome smiled at that. "Well… I think there's something real here, Sango."

"What do you mean?" Sango asked, dunking quickly under the water.

Kagome started talking, and once she started everything came out in a rush. How she thought Sesshoumaru had been deaf and she confessed everything to him. How he heard everything and still didn't kill her. How he almost sounded complimentary when he said she was a rich bitch, how he enjoyed her tea and finally, how he somehow knew about the bet and still didn't kill her. Or even maim or threaten.

Sango sat naked atop a rock and considered her friend thoughtfully (she still didn't believe long baths were healthy) and pursed her lips before smiling. "Kagome, I think he likes you."

"What?" Kagome asked, her eyes wide.

"Well, think about it." The slayer started thoughtfully. "He must have been following you for quite some time. How else would he have heard us make that bet? Then there's the way he practically jumped at the opportunity to travel with us, and how he didn't say a thing when you started traveling with him."

Sango continued, ticking off her fingers. "You said he gutted and filleted fish for you. Kagome, do you think Sesshoumaru would do that for just anybody? Hell, with the way he carries on you'd think he wouldn't even do that for himself. And he lets you sleep with and take care of Rin – and only you. Rin knows it too, because she doesn't even try it with me or anyone else. He drank what you prepared for him. And now he's traveling with us simply because you are."

By the time she was done Kagome was beat red with embarrassment and giddy with excitement. Could it be true…? Could Sesshoumaru actually like her? Really like her? She could hardly believe it, but Sango didn't leave out or add anything that would make her feel or think otherwise. She ducked under the water and screamed, letting the water muffle the excited sounds of her happiness. Could she really be so lucky? She stood up with a determined smile. "I'll –" But then she stopped, suddenly uncertain. "Are you sure?"

"She's sure!" Rin chirped, doggy paddling in circles. "Sesshoumaru-sama likes Kagome-chan. Rin can tell."

She didn't need any other reassurance. No one knew Sesshoumaru like Rin, after all.

All she needed now was courage.

\\ //

Kagome found Inuyasha sitting alone outside the circle of the camp fire, and she sat down beside him without a word and curled her legs against her chest and wrapped her arms around her knees. Then she leaned over to lean her head against his shoulder. They sat like that in companionable silence, listening to the night sounds and each thinking their private thoughts. Then Inuyasha spoke.

"Do you remember when we first met?" His voice was hushed, almost reverent, as if he didn't want to break the peace of the night.

Kagome smiled. "Yes. I had fallen down the well for the first time, and the first thing I laid eyes on was you. I thought I had been dreaming." Then she gave his shoulder a gentle nudge. "Then you tried to kill me – even after I set you free."

He winced. "Uh, yeah, sorry about that."

Laughing, Kagome scooted closer. It really was quite chilly. "That's when it all began for us. My first day here I managed to shatter a powerful artifact, get attacked by – how many demons?"

"That first week? Who knows? It's been a couple years, ya know." Inuyasha nudged her back. "Mistress Centipede, those damn birds, and that stupid wolf. Everyone wanted a piece of you."

Quite literally, too, Kagome remembered. "Then we met Miroku, Sango, Shippo and Kirara. All of our family. And we can't forget Kaede." She spoke softly, reminiscing. Then she said even softer, "Everything changes, Inuyasha. Everything needs to change."

His eyes dropped to the ground, and Kagome's heart clenched at the sad look on his face. Then he said, "I never thought you were Kikyo."

She turned to him, one eyebrow arched dubiously. "Oh, really? I recall someone telling me to get naked over a bunch of clothes. Priestess clothes."

He blushed. "Yeah, well… yeah. But deep down, I knew. When you really get down to it, you two look nothing alike – and are totally different."

"I'm glad you think that. You have no idea how threatened I used to be, because I thought you'd always think of her when you looked at me." Kagome whispered. "I used to hate her because of that."

Inuyasha didn't even look surprised. "I know."

They were silent; each lost in each others thoughts and company. "I'm really glad I met you, Inuyasha." Kagome said, closing her eyes. "I love you."

Inuyasha turned bright red, but didn't move away from her. "Keh. Isn't there someone else you should be telling that?"

"I already have." Inuyasha's shoulder jerked underneath her cheek, but Kagome didn't look up.

"So he… so you guys…" He couldn't seem to finish his sentence.

"No," Kagome admitted. "I don't know how he feels. He hasn't told me anything." She felt as if Inuyasha were about to say something, so she spoke before he did. "Sango seems to think so. And Rin does too."

Inuyasha couldn't say anything to that. Not even he could doubt Rin. Then he looked down at her, and his voice was quiet and serious. "Then why does this feel like you're saying goodbye?"

"Because I am." She whispered, and wrapped an arm around his to keep him to her side. "In a way. I'm not leaving you right now. But when we get the jewel completed and defeat Naraku… if the well closes up then I'll have to go home. If it doesn't…" She met his eyes. "I'll go with Sesshoumaru."

Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her shoulder to anchor her to his side, then pressed his lips against her forehead. And held her; simply held her. "I love you, too, you know." He grumbled, almost inaudibly.

"I know." Kagome was crying. Then she pulled away and laughed a little as she wiped away her tears. "How silly." She hesitated, then asked in a small voice. "Inuyasha… do you mind? I didn't mean to hurt you. But I can't help what I feel."

He looked away briefly. "I don't know. You've always been there, Kagome. I don't know what'll happen if one day I look over and you're not anymore."

"Things would have to have changed eventually, Inuyasha." Kagome gently reminded him. "When we defeat Naraku and Miroku's curse is broken, he and Sango are going to get married and have a million babies. Shippo will grow up and eventually move away. Kaede, God bless her, will one day pass away. You couldn't have thought that I'd want to stick around with just you and Kikyo. Talk about awkward."

Inuyasha blushed, making Kagome smile. "You know I'll always be there for you, Inuyasha. Always. You know I could never stay away from you."

Inuyasha gave her a small smile. "Yeah. I guess… it's just that it's Sesshoumaru." He growled, curling his fingers into a tight fist. "I hate the fucking bastard." He looked down at her, into her eyes, and softened. "But if he's the one to make you happy… You know I'd do anything for you." He looked as if he swallowed a bitter pill. "Even if it means having to deal with that bastard every now and then."

Kagome slipped her hand into his and squeezed. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. You can be so sweet sometimes."

He laughed lightly and hugged her again, a quick, hard squeeze before letting her go. "Kagome…" Inuyasha looked as if he wanted to say one more thing, so she waited, watching him. "You know he lives damn near forever. You don't. How will you… will you be okay? Can you handle that?"

Looking down at her hands, Kagome spoke truthfully. She could never lie to Inuyasha. "I don't know. I think I can." She laughed, but it ended in a hiccup. "Only time will tell."

Inuyasha hugged her again, as if this really was goodbye and he'd never see her again. She didn't stop him; didn't want to. Every time a chapter in life closes and a new one begins, it's scary, hard, and sometimes miserable. Sometimes you said goodbye, and sometimes you never see those beloved people again. And sometimes… sometimes you fall in love, and there's just nothing you can do about that. Things change, and they always will.

Kagome had the feeling that this was the last time they'd ever be together like this, and she thought Inuyasha knew it, too. When he pulled away, his ears were twitching and he sported an annoyed expression. "I think he's waiting for you. Over there." He jerked his head in the direction.

And Kagome went, with a parting smile and Inuyasha's eyes on her back.

She found him in a small grass clearing staring up at the stars. Indeed, it did look as if he'd been waiting for her. She smiled and moved to stand beside him.

"You smell like the half breed." He said, but Kagome only smiled wider at the edge in his voice.

"Yep."

"You've been crying." He stated, his hand reaching for her cheek.

Her heart pounded, but still she said, "Yep."

"You've chosen me." He stroked his thumb down her face, across her lips, making her knees weak.

"Yes." She whispered, smiling again and feeling suddenly shy.

He stared down at her waiting for something, and Kagome didn't wait long to find out what. "The month is almost up."

She swallowed, and then brought a trembling hand up to his chest. "Yes."

"You should kiss me now, before you forget." He reminded her.

"Yes." She whispered again. And did exactly that.

~END~

And there it is.

I'm so glad I finished this story, and that it became such a startling success. I know there hasn't been much Sesshoumaru / Kagome interaction, which is why I've decided to write an epilogue with nothing but one on one action (and maybe a side story of Inuyasha and Kikyo, too. Tell me what you think! It'll be my first attempt at wrtiting a one shot with them as a couple). I might post the epilogue as a separate story or as another chapter, I'm still undecided. What do you think?

And before any of you ask or are wondering – it most likely will not be rated M (and if it is it'd be for language on Inuyasha's part). I think maybe a little lime, but anything heavier will ruin the sweetness of the story, and I don't want that.

***Seshysgodestris, that line (if you recognize it from your review in Secrets), was for you. Lol, when you wrote that you made me laugh, so I had to put it in my story. Thanks!

And remember to review, review, and review! I did post it fast just like you asked for! =^.^=

Luna