A Hated Reflection

Disclaimer: No ownage of Inuyasha have I. How sad.

A/N: OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!! I AM SOOOO SOOO SOOOO SORRY!!! I haven't updated in FOREVER!! I know I know, hate me, stone me, kill me… BUT PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!! :D Come on how can you say no to that face? I've had a HUGE bout of procrastination (as you can tell) and I apologize IMENSELEY for it. I also want to say that I made a BIG change in the tenth chapter ("My Savior") so check it out if you're continuing reading from a few months ago. Anyways I hope you like this chapter. IT'S THE LAST ONE!!! GASP!!

Chapter 12: Love and a Happy Ending

Slowly Kagome woke up and looked around her as her eyes adjusted to the light coming in from the window beside her. It was a week since she had told the others the whole story. They had all been very protective of her since then and she was thankful to finally feel safe. She wondered why she hadn't just told them earlier.

Because of Inuyasha.

Oh please, not you again.

Well you asked such an OBVIOUS question, and I couldn't help but answer. If it hadn't been that it was her own mind she was… err, talking to, she would have sworn it would have smiled innocently.

Well, okay so you're right, that is why I didn't tell them, but it would have made everything easier. She sighed wishing that for once things could be easier, such as if Inuyasha loved her… Quickly she shook her head and ignored her quickly beating heart.

Bad thoughts, bad thoughts! She yelled in her head, maybe knowing she loved Inuyasha could end up being a bit of a burden…

He does love you though! You're just so blind that you can't tell!

Shut up!!! It's not true! Don't say that! It's going to be hard enough already without you popping in and telling me nonsense!

Sooo you think I'm lying? Kagome didn't like the taunting tone of voice she heard.

Yes, that's exactly what I think.

Then what's that behind you? Innocently and chuckling the voice stop talking.

What do you- Suddenly Kagome was aware of something behind her. She'd thought it was the wall when she'd woken up, but now she realized it was oddly squishy… and warm… Turning around slowly Kagome looked up… and blushed.

There sleeping peacefully above her, with a hint of a smile on his lips, was Inuyasha. Kagome heard her breath come out quicker and her heart speed up, but wasn't completely aware of it. She knew he had been protectively sleeping on the mat next to her since Kikyou had shot her, but she had never really thought that... this would have happened! Not that she was complaining of course…

Slowly after the initial shock wore off she realized that there was something around her waist…

Oh no… Kagome looked down and saw that, indeed, Inuyasha's arms were wrapped around her waist protectively, yet a little loosely too. Okay, umm now what??

Hmm, how bout… I don't know, just lying there and enjoying the moment!!

But- but this would be so embarrassing if he woke up! She wailed in her mind. With that thought in mind she blushed and tried to slowly and softly wiggle out. Before she could move as much as an inch though Inuyasha instinctively brought her closer to him.

Oh great… Now I can't breathe! Dang it I'm going to have to wake him up or risk suffocation!

Sigh, I told you to just enjoy the moment. You could have feigned sleep so when he woke up you wouldn't be embarrassed! Now though that's not possible!

Why didn't you say that in the first place!?

One, I tried, two, this is much more entertaining.

Trying not to scream at her own mind she sighed and tapped Inuyasha on his chest. Then she waited as she heard his breath speed up as he woke up. Suddenly the hold on her was loosened a little, but not completely. Quickly Kagome tried to get out before he woke up completely, but she couldn't move. She, for some reason, wanted to see his reaction, and stay in his arms a little longer of course.

Inuyasha yawned and then opened his eyes trying to clear the sleep from them and adjust slowly to the light. Then he looked down at Kagome and met her eyes. A shock suddenly jolted through him and he woke up completely. She looked so adorable right then and he slowly realized how close they were and that he was holding her in his arms.

He smiled contently and brought her a little closer. "Morning Kagome." He whispered softly. A little smile danced on her face and she snuggled a little closer yawning some more. "Morning Inuyasha." She whispered back.

For a while they lay there together listening to the other breathe and silently counting the other's heartbeat in the silence of the morning. As Inuyasha held her in his arms he realized how lucky she was to be alive. If she had died, he wouldn't be holding her right now, and he wouldn't be feeling what he did so powerfully right now. I have to tell her how I feel. He realized. Who knows what may happen while Kikyou is still alive… Slowly he moved his hand under Kagome's chin and brought her to face him. As their eyes met he felt his love for her more powerfully than ever.

As Kagome stared into his amber eyes she felt her heart beat powerfully inside her and now she was sure he could hear it. I have to tell him… she thought if I don't… I never will know how he feels… Like that annoying voice said earlier… if I don't tell him I will never know, and no matter how small the chance of something, there always is a chance.

Kagome opened her mouth to tell him how she felt, but the words stuck in her mouth as she felt Inuyasha pull her a little closer making their faces only a few inches apart. Slowly she raised her hands and linked them around his neck pulling him even closer to her. This whole time they never broke eye contact.

"Kagome..." Inuyasha whispered. Kagome felt a jolt inside of her as he whispered her name. She sent him a questioning look with her eyes as he took a deep breath and looked away from her. What was with him? He took a deep breath and turned back towards her cupping her face in one of his hands while stroking her cheek nearly causing her to have a heart attack at how good it felt. "I- I love you. I always have, and it's just taken me a really long time to realize it." He chuckled nervously at this and continued on. "You might doubt me because of… Kikyou, but she faded from my heart a long time ago. The only thing that held me to her previously was guilt at what she'd become. I'll admit for a while I thought I still loved her, and I apologize for that. Also I want to apologize for all that I've put you through. My selfish need to have you near me has put you in danger countless times, and I feel horrible for it… But Kagome I love you and I-"

Suddenly Inuyasha's words were cut short by Kagome hand covering his mouth and more than that her eyes gazed at him with so much intenseness he couldn't speak if his life had depended on it. "Inuyasha I'm… glad that you've kept me close… If I could never see you again after all we've been through I don't know what I would do… die probably." She furrowed her brow at that part and looked away. Smiling softly though, she turned back to him and pulled her hand away. "Inuyasha, I don't blame you for anything, and I just want to say that… I love you too."

Inuyasha drew in his breath and stared at her until he saw her blush at his gaze. Luckily though, she didn't look away. Slowly, ever so slowly, he inched towards her almost without realizing it. He saw her gaze at him and move forward also tightening her hold around his neck as he did around her waist. Then, almost at the same time, they closed their eyes and their lips touched. Both felt the fire in their veins and the happiness that surged through them as they kissed. Neither wanted to leave the others side as they realized that their affections were returned.

What did I tell you? Said the annoying voice in Kagome's head.

Go away. She said fiercely wanting to concentrate only on the feel of Inuyasha's lips against hers. The voice melted away from her mind leaving a cloud of happiness almost as big as her own.

Inuyasha felt like he was dreaming. There was no way that he could actually be kissing the goddess in front of him. It was too good to be true. True or not though, Inuyasha felt no urge to stop and he grinned in pleasure as Kagome started to scratch his ears while they were kissing. Growling playfully he moved away from her lips and teasingly licked her bottom lick. Kagome gasped and then smiled as she let a purr-like sound emit from her chest. He chuckled and then opened his eyes in shock as she pushed him over and got on his stomach pinning down his wrists.

"Got you." She whispered teasingly into his ear. He grinned up at her and before she could react grabbed a hold of her wrists and turned her over. He then leaned over her as he pinned her legs down.

"What was that?" He asked in a playful tone she had never heard him use before. She smiled at the sound of his voice gave him a pleading look that told him immediately what she wanted. Smiling he leaned down and closed his eyes kissing her sweet lips as she kissed his.

A little while later they were contently snuggled back up next to each other both happy in each others arms. Inuyasha lay awake as he cradled the sleeping Kagome in his arms. He didn't want to sleep in case he woke up to find this all to be a dream.

Suddenly there was a breeze that entered the room and Inuyasha heard footsteps coming near. He narrowed his eyes when he couldn't smell anything and he tightened his grasp on Kagome's waist protectively. Without warning a figure suddenly stood above them that it took Inuyasha a little while to recognize who it was.

"Kikyou." He growled softly. His hold on Kagome was even more protective as he tried to shield her without waking her to her own personal nightmare.

"Don't be afraid Inuyasha. I have not come to kill Kagome or yourself, but to apologize." Inuyasha's eyes narrowed suspiciously as she spoke. "I know that you doubt me and with good reason. My soul was recently put to rest, but I asked if I could settle some things that my hate had caused me to do. Luckily I was granted this last request. So I apologize and give you and Kagome my blessing, for I now realize you two were meant together as my walking dead self did not. I hope that you prosper in your lives together. She is a wonderful girl and you deserve each other. Take care of her Inuyasha. Goodbye." With that she smiled and disappeared in a guest of wind.

Inuyasha stared at the spot where she was and thought over her words for a long time. Then he nodded and closed his eyes. "You are forgiven Kikyou…. And thank you for your blessing. I will guard her with my life as she guards my heart." With that he finally snuggled up to Kagome and fell asleep feeling at peace finally. "I love you Kagome." He whispered before he finally fell asleep.

Kagome laid her head on his chest and smiled. "I love you too Inuyasha." She whispered to him as she heard his slow breathing. "And Kikyou know that you are forgiven by not just him, but me too. I know that you were a good person in your past life. Thank you… for… giving him to me." With that she smiled and lay asleep feeling happy and in love as she dreamt of the new life that Inuyasha and her had now set for themselves. Who said there was no such thing as a happy ending?

The End.

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ACK!!! I'M DONE!! Oh wow… that's a lot shorter than I expected it to be. Originally it was 21 chapters… But then I thought... well I procrastinate so much this won't EVER get done! So I shortened it… I know I know! BAD ME! But ah well. I really hope you enjoyed it and thanks a lot for reading. I feel real loved for all the hits this story gets. Love ya all and I'll try my hardest to get over my procrastination! :] Again love ya guys, and I'll miss writing!! Thanks again.

Love, Inkgirl13