This is it, dear readers... the final chapter.
More author's notes at the end.
Guilty Hero
Chapter 61: The End
"What do you think, Inu-Yasha? Are you up for another lap?" Kagome kept a firm but gentle grip on his arm as they slowly moved down the hallway.
Inu-Yasha, breathing heavily, nodded his head in response. Truthfully, he was in pain. Everything from the chest down was screaming at him, desperate for relief. Muscles that hadn't been used in almost three months were being forced into motion. His freshly knit core was being pushed to the limits of its endurance, while his nerves tingled with pain. But he was determined to continue. Being able to walk was the only way he was going to be released from the hospital, and he was desperate to get out.
"Inu-Yasha..." Kagome's voice broke through his concentration. "I know you want to get back on your feet as soon as possible. But please... don't push yourself too hard. You have all the time in the world to do this."
He didn't answer for a moment, as he was more focused on putting one foot in front of the other. A cane helped him keep his balance, though he hated the damn thing. To him, it was a sign of weakness. And he was tired of being weak.
"Inu-Yasha...?"
Blinking, he looked over at her. "S-sorry. I was just concentrating."
"Ha! I know you better than that. You weren't concentrating, you were brooding." She gave him a smile.
"Hmph. Nosy woman." Still, his expression did ease a bit. Kagome always made him feel better, no matter how bleak his mood.
"Nosy? I wasn't being nosy! It was written all over your face." She poked his cheek to tease him. As a testament to how tired he was, he allowed her to get away with it.
"Feh. I'm allowed to be cranky. You would be too if your damn legs weren't working properly."
"Well... that is true. I'll give you that." Pausing when he stumbled, she kept a good hold on his arm until he was able to right himself and continue walking. "But I hope you believe me when I tell you that your progress has been amazing. You're far exceeding the doctor's expectations. They still had you slated to use a walker for the next two weeks, and you've already graduated to a cane!"
"Mm." He merely grunted, unwilling to accept that as a victory. He was using a cane instead of a walker out of sheer stubbornness. His muscles were only slightly more effective than a bowl of tapioca, and he had a deep ache in his bones and joints. Being a half-demon, he had never been in recovery for so long before. Thus, his pride pushed him into moving onto a cane sooner than he really should have. It was slightly less embarrassing than a walker, and he was willing to do anything to sped up the healing process.
"Hey. You're brooding again."
Rolling his eyes, he finally lifted his head. "Dammit, how's a man to think with you yelling at him all the time?" Despite the gruff words, there was enough of a smirk tugging at his lips that Kagome knew he was teasing her.
"Hmph! I'm just trying to remind you to celebrate your victories." She pouted at him, eliciting another eye roll.
"Your idea of a victory and mine are different." He suddenly came to a halt and groaned in pain as his left leg seized up. Carefully, he tried to raise his knee as his physical therapist had instructed him to do in moments such as this. It took a moment of deep concentration, but his muscles responded at last. "D-dammit... that hurts."
Noting the beads of sweat trickling down his face, Kagome decided it was time to step in. "All right. As your official caretaker, I'm saying you've had enough. Back to your room, young man."
"I'm doing another lap," he immediately growled back. "I won't build up my endurance if I keep fallin' out just when things start to hurt."
Kagome regarded him with her fierce gaze, unafraid of his temper. "That's true, but you were starting to feel pain during that last lap. Now you're pushing yourself too hard. When it hurts this much, you're at risk of injuring yourself further. And you don't want that, do you?"
Inu-Yasha glared down at the force of nature that was holding onto his arm. She was a few inches shorter than him and physically weaker than him, and yet he found himself obeying her demands. He would certainly put up a bit of a fight, but he listened to her and she knew it.
Heaving a sigh, he hung his head. "I'm just ready to get out of here, Kagome. I need to see something besides these damn white walls. I need..."
Kagome kept quiet when he paused. She gave his arm a tender squeeze, hoping it would help.
He took a deep breath. "I need to restart my life."
A smile tugging at her lips, Kagome moved around so she could cup his cheeks in her hands. When he lifted his eyes to meet hers, a warmth welled up in her chest. His eyes still took her breath away. Clear and vibrant, the molten fire surprised her every time she saw it. Gone were those bloodshot, glazed orbs hazy from alcohol. He was ready for a change, and his eyes proved it.
"I'm proud of you," she told him softly, "and how far you have come in such a short time. Your life has already restarted, Inu-Yasha. From the moment you chose to go rescue me from that cave, your life restarted. All of this..." She gestured at his cane. "...Is just a stage of your new life. And you'll get past this."
Inu-Yasha's gaze roamed over her face, drinking in her features. God, did he love this woman. She had the right words when he needed them, and lifted his spirits when they were flagging. He never wanted to let her go.
"You're right," he murmured, allowing a small smile to creep across his face. "I know you're right. I think... I think this place is just getting to me. I feel trapped in my body, and I don't want to be."
Nodding in understanding, Kagome resumed her place at his side so they could continue back to his room. "That's only natural. I'd be going stir-crazy myself in your shoes."
His voice became more strained as he had to focus on walking again, but he continued to speak. It was a good distraction from the pain. "And I have a lot to think about right now... Too much, even. Laying in that damn hospital bed, day in and day out... I just want a moment's peace from my own thoughts."
Kagome kept quiet. She knew that very reason was why Inu-Yasha had started drinking in the first place all those years ago. Whiskey clouded his mind and distracted him from uncomfortable thoughts. This was going to be another battle in his fight for sobriety. He was going to have to learn how to deal with his thoughts and emotions instead of drowning them.
"Well..." She made certain to keep her tone light. "I may not be able to take away those thoughts... But I have a couple ideas in mind that should help. Only if you want it, of course."
Reaching his room at last, Inu-Yasha shuffled over to his bed and eased down with a low moan. "Wh-what ideas are you talkin' about...?" he asked in between grunts of pain as he tried to get settled. Kagome quickly approached and lifted his legs onto the bed for him. He sighed in relief once he was stretched out.
"Well, you can share whatever thoughts you want with me," she brightly replied. "You haven't had anyone else to share your feelings with before. But I'm here now. And you won't be able to get rid of me this time." She leaned over and kissed him full on the lips in the hopes of getting his guard down.
He responded to the kiss in kind. Having finally gotten used to receiving them, he was starting to return her attention with equal passion. However, before the situation turned a little too passionate, Kagome pulled away.
"There. Feel a little better?"
He nodded dazedly.
"Good. Then it's time for your massage."
His expression instantly cleared, and was replaced by a bright red blush. Part of his physical therapy involved a deep tissue massage after he worked out. And being a solitary demon, he flat out refused to let the therapist touch him in that manner. In fact, it had taken a solid hour of him and Kagome shouting at each other before he finally acquiesced. His only demand was that Kagome and Kagome alone be the one to give him the massages. But that still didn't mean he was entirely comfortable with the experience.
"Oh, you're being silly. I've been doing this for over a month now." Chuckling, Kagome moved his hospital gown up so she could grip the waistband of his sweatpants. In one swift movement, she slid his pants off and draped them over the edge of the bed. Inu-Yasha yelped in surprise.
"H-hey, be careful, dammit! You're gonna take my boxers along with my pants one of these days!" Then, suddenly realizing his outburst had another meaning than the one he intended, he clamped his mouth shut. His blush exploded across his entire face and up to his ears. He couldn't even look at Kagome any longer.
Kagome, biting her lip hard to keep from laughing, merely pulled out the bottle of lotion needed for the massage. Deciding it was best for the poor half-demon's heart rate, she opted to start with his calves instead of his thighs. He was much less sensitive down there.
"So..." she said after a few minutes of working on his left calf. "Did you have anything you felt like sharing with me? Something to help calm those thoughts buzzing around your head?"
"Huh? O-oh..." Having been pointedly looking everywhere around the room but at her, it took Inu-Yasha a moment to figure out what she meant. "Um... well... I-I'm worried about a couple things."
"Like what?" She kept her movements smooth and even, doing her best to help him relax.
"Well..." Sighing, he rubbed his face. "I don't know where I'm gonna live once I'm released from here. I don't think I can go back to my apartment. Shippo went to check on it for me a few days ago, and he said.. er, well... he said it's a mess. Liquor bottles everywhere, cigarette burns, stains..." He sounded tired at the mere thought of cleaning the place up. "I-I just don't want... I mean, I can't... the smell of..."
"You're worried the smell of whiskey will cause you to relapse."
He nodded, his expression grave. It was easy to stay on the wagon when he was stuck in the hospital. The temptations here were practically non-existent. But once he was released... It weighed heavily on him.
Moving slowly up his leg, Kagome studied him. This was clearly something that had been bothering him for a while. "Hmm... Well, you do have a valid reason to be concerned. Scents can cause powerful reactions in our bodies and minds. You in particular will probably be more sensitive to such effects." She caught his eye and gave him a warm smile. "But you know, I'm not worried."
Inu-Yasha blinked in surprise. "You're... not worried? Why not? I sure as hell am petrified what's gonna happen when I leave here. You and I both know that the only reason I'm sober right now is because I was unconscious for a month. My body may have been forced to function without booze, but what about my head? What's gonna happen when I get back in the real world? When there won't be anyone there to stop me from grabbing a bottle? When I'll be sittin' there alone with these negative thoughts floatin' around my head? Kagome, what if I can't do it?!" He was now propped up on his elbows, staring straight at Kagome. His gaze was filled with fear and worry, and she could clearly see that he was scared. Scared to go back to his old life.
She turned to face him, giving him her full attention. He deserved no less. "Inu-Yasha," she began firmly, staring him straight in the eyes. "You aren't wrong about things. There will be temptations. There will be difficult times ahead. I won't lie and tell you things will be easy from here on out. But you are forgetting the most important thing—you aren't alone anymore." Despite her hands being coated in the greasy massage lotion, she gripped Inu-Yasha's hand tightly. "I know you've been by yourself for so much of your life. But I've told you before and I'll tell you again—I'm here now. And I won't leave you. I will help support you no matter what. Do you believe that?"
Inu-Yasha studied her carefully. He knew it was the truth. She brought a calm to the storm in his mind. He truly wasn't alone anymore.
"...Keh. 'Course I do." Much to his relief, that brought a smile to her face. "I just... I-it's hard to change old habits. Old ways of thinking. This is still new to me."
"I know." She leaned in and kissed his forehead. "But you'll get used to it."
Satisfied that Inu-Yasha was stepping back from his mental crisis, Kagome returned to her work on his legs. She also felt it prudent to change the topic of conversation. It would be all too easy for the half-demon to sink back into his depression if he continued to dwell on those concerns.
"So... As far as your living situation goes, I should think the solution for that would be obvious. You'll be moving in with me."
Instantly, a blush sprang back into Inu-Yasha's cheeks. "U-um... what? Y-you can't be serious..."
With a twinge of exasperation, she gave him a look while switching over to work on his other leg. "Don't be ridiculous. You'll still need medical care once you're released—I'll be the one managing that. You'll also need emotional support as you continue to work through your addiction—I've already been working with you on that. Plus, we've practically been living together at your place anyway. And then there is the most important reason of all."
Inu-Yasha eyed her warily. "...What's that?"
"I love you, silly."
Though his blush did nothing but turn brighter, Inu-Yasha did not flinch away. He met her gaze evenly, his cheeks glowing a rosy red. "I love you too, Kagome. More than anything."
The look on her face was well worth his embarrassment. She beamed at him, and he felt his entire body warm up at the sight.
There was plenty to worry about. His addiction was certainly not cured. Long-lasting effects to his health were coming out every day. His future with the Order was uncertain, and he knew there were rough times ahead. But if Kagome was at his side... Well, things may just not be so bleak after all.
oOoOoOo
One year later...
"Inu-Yasha, you look fine." Kagome's voice, lightly teasing, broke the half-demon's concentration.
Glancing up at her reflection in the mirror, he let out a soft grumble. "This damn tie will be the death of me. It ain't sittin' straight."
With a soft chuckle, Kagome turned him around so he was facing her. "You always did have trouble with ties." It took her but a moment to have his bow tie neatly knotted and smooth. "There. Does that meet your expectations?"
A quick glance in the mirror confirmed she had done in two seconds what he had spent fifteen minutes working on. "I guess, yeah..."
Laughing at his annoyance, she caught his cheeks and pulled him in for a tender kiss. "Well, I think you look very handsome, no matter how long it takes you to get ready."
He flushed a bright red, but returned her kiss in kind. "You look beautiful too, Kagome."
"I was hoping you'd say that." She did a twirl so he could get the full affect of her attire. "I didn't get this dressed up just for Sango and Miroku, you know." She winked at him before going over to the bed to retrieve her rhinestone-studded clutch.
Inu-Yasha watched her as she moved. He hadn't been lying—she did indeed look stunning. Clad in a pale green dress that shimmered faintly in the light, it hugged her frame and draped perfectly over her curves. She had tied her hair up and pinned it in place with bright silver barrettes in the shape of feathers, and a simple diamond pendant necklace adorned her neck. It was all so perfect that it took Kagome waving her hand in front of his face before he realized he was staring with his mouth open.
"Hey! Earth to Inu-Yasha! While I'm flattered to be such a distraction to you, we'll be late if we don't get going."
"H-huh?" He blinked, then quickly shut his mouth and scowled. "I-I wasn't staring! I was just... lost in thought, that's all."
"Uh-huh..." Clearly not buying his excuse, Kagome strode past him to the bedroom door. "Well, if you can get your mind out of the gutter long enough to get in the car, I'd appreciate it. Then you'll have at least an hour to daydream about my beauty during the drive into the city."
Flushing to the tips of his ears at her teasing, Inu-Yasha trailed after her. He didn't bother to argue-he would indeed have a pleasant daydream during the ride. Most likely his thoughts would wander to the rather steamy session they had spent together the night before. They hadn't gotten much sleep, but neither cared a bit.
"Inu-Yasha, come on!"
Snapping out of his reverie once more, he quickly jogged out to the car. "I'm comin', I'm comin'..."
"Did you remember to put their wedding present in the trunk?" Kagome asked as he slid into the passenger seat.
"Yeah, yeah... What the hell are we giving them, anyway? That box was huge!"
"Honestly, I told you last night..." She shook her head, but didn't give him any more grief. One of the side effects of his prolonged alcoholism was a slight issue with his short-term memory. He was more forgetful than the average person now, but it wasn't too bad. He was getting used to it. Of course, their rather passionate night in bed might have played a part in his forgetting such a trivial piece of information...
"We got them a nice luggage set and some toiletries for their world travels. Sango had mentioned she didn't own any luggage since she had never been out of the city before, and Miroku said he only had a small overnight bag."
"Ah. Well, at least it's better than something stupid, like a blender..." He snorted at the mere thought of such a bland gift.
As Kagome pulled out of their drive, he fell quiet and cast his gaze back to their house. He hadn't left their home in quite some time. It had become something of a sanctuary for him. When the city had become too much, too oppressive for him, he and Kagome had made the unusual decision to move out into a small, forested village several miles away. Their home, small and quaint, was tucked away at the edge of the village and nestled among the trees. It was quiet and peaceful, exactly what his soul had been yearning for. Here, he was able to stop and think. Here, he was able to feel things he had hidden away. Here, there were no expectations of him, no public images to fulfill. He could be himself.
As the trees flashed by the window when the car picked up speed, he brought his gaze over to settle on Kagome. His Kagome. It still felt foreign to him, having another human being showing him so much love and compassion. She was the sole reason he hadn't completely lost his senses in the time since Naraku's demise.
His time in recovery had been difficult. Hell, he had been difficult. His emotions were a yo-yo of activity. Angry and frustrated one second, anxious and scared the next, he couldn't control himself. But she was always there to calm and soothe him, to give him guidance and help him grow. She didn't bat an eye when he told her that he was quitting the Order. Nor did she argue when he said he needed to get out of the city. She had simply pulled out her laptop and brought it over so they could begin house-hunting. Never once had she faltered. She was by his side, through thick and thin.
Kagome, feeling his gaze, glanced over and flashed him a smile. "You really are daydreaming about me, aren't you? You're so silly..."
Chuckling, he leaned back in his seat and shut his eyes. "If you must know, I was thinking about how far I've come since I was last in the city... And that I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for you."
For once, it was Kagome's turn to experience the slight blush cross her cheeks. "You're the one who's done the hard work, Inu-Yasha. I just helped to guide you, that's all."
"Feh. And do you really think I was capable of guiding myelf? Don't sell yourself short." He reached over and took her hand in his own. His thumb gently rubbed across her knuckles. There was still a slight tremor in his hands, yet another remnant of his whiskey-soaked days, but he was learning to ignore it.
She turned a slightly deeper shade of pink, and fell silent for a moment. "...You really have changed a lot since we left," she finally murmured. "You're so much calmer, more at peace with yourself... Are you nervous about going back to the city? To the Order's headquarters?"
A light sigh escaped him. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't... All the sights and sounds, all the people... I like the quiet of the forest much better. I don't know how I lasted so long in the city limits."
He was quiet after that, but Kagome could tell he had something else to say. She had lived with him long enough to learn that it sometimes took him a long while to form thoughts into words.
"I... I hope I'm prepared, Kagome."
She smiled when he spoke, and gave his fingers a light squeeze. "Prepared for what?"
"The... th-the temptations in the city. I'm no fool. I haven't forgotten how close I came to relapsing before we left. I know I can do this, I know it. But... I-I just haven't been face to face with the opportunity to drink since we moved."
It was quite true. While there was a tavern in their little village, they lived plenty far enough away that Inu-Yasha wasn't too tempted to go and sample the wares there. On top of that, their home had become such a place of comfort that it took quite a bit of prodding from Kagome just to get him to go grocery shopping once a week. Going to the tavern wasn't even in his thoughts.
The city had been a different story. His worries and anxiety had grown into a heavy burden on his mind. As his mobility improved, It became much more of a risk that he would leave her apartment to seek out alcohol. One time she had found him on a street bench a couple blocks away from the Cornerstone Tap. While he had not entered, he was locked in an internal battle of temptation and desire vs. his drive to keep sober. He was losing that battle, and had Kagome not arrived when she did, the outcome might have been disastrous. It was shortly after that he informed her of his desire to get out of the city, and thus she didn't bat an eye at the prospect.
"This is just a chance to prove to yourself how far you've come," she replied smoothly. She could feel Inu-Yasha watching her, clearly hoping for encouragement. It was one of the things she loved about him—his face was so easy to read. He wore his heart on his sleeve. "I'm not worried, because I know you can do it. We are here for Sango and Miroku, after all. Their wedding should be enough of a distraction for you, I think. And I will be with you the whole time. I may even drag you onto the dance floor if you aren't careful."
That earned a dry laugh from him, as she had been hoping.
"Fat chance," he growled, crossing his arms. "I only danced at those damn galas because I didn't have a choice. I've got a choice this time."
"Aw, Inu-Yasha..."Kagome tried to pout at him, as that sometimes won him over.
However, this was clearly not one of those times. He stubbornly shook his head. "Nope. Not doin' it."
Frowning, she thought for a moment before an idea came into her head. She glanced slyly at him out of the corner of her eye. "What if I thanked you properly when we get home tonight?"
His ear flicked toward her, a sign that his interest was piqued. But he still had to keep some of his dignity intact, so he kept the scowl on his face. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well... If you promise to dance to one song with me, then I might just let you help me out of this dress tonight."
No more needed to be said. She had him, hook, line, and sinker. His cheeks exploded with red, but he still snorted and looked away. "...I suppose I could make an appearance on the dance floor for one song..."
"I thought so."
The rest of the drive into the city was fairly quiet. Inu-Yasha took to brooding the closer they got, and Kagome needed to focus on the road. It had been a good length of time since she had driven in so much traffic. In fact, it wasn't until she was parked in the parking garage next to the Order's headquarters that she spoke again.
"Phew. That was quite the drive. You all right over there?"
That furrowed brow was back again as Inu-Yasha stared down at his lap. However, he simply took a deep breath and unbuckled his seat belt. "Y-yeah, I'm fine."
As he had done many times before, he was out of the car and holding Kagome's door open for her while she climbed out. She never said anything about it to avoid embarrassing him, but she thought it was one of his sweeter actions toward her. With a quick peck on the cheek in thanks, she took his hand. "All right, then. Let's go see our friends, shall we?"
After gathering the ridiculously large box from the trunk of the car, the pair made their way inside headquarters. Inu-Yasha looked around in surprise at the lobby—it had been decorated with so many streamers and flowers and balloons that he hardly recognized the place. Clearly, Rin had a hand in the decoration, as neither Sango nor Miroku had a head for such things.
"Inu-Yasha! Kagome!"
As if on cue, the young woman bounded out from behind an overflowing gift table and crashed into the pair. She wrapped her arms around them in a crushing hug. "I can't believe you're really here! It's so good to see you!"
"Goodness, Rin! We haven't been gone that long!" Kagome laughed and awkwardly returned the girl's hug with one arm. Inu-Yasha merely grunted his greeting, clearly uncomfortable from the close contact.
"Well, it still feels like forever!" Finally letting them go, she stared at the pair with a critical eye before nodding. "Yup, you two definitely look healthier. Must be all that fresh country air!"
"We don't live in the country," Inu-Yasha grumbled, straightening his suit jacket. "We live in the forest."
"Details." Rin waived her hand. "Either way, you look amazing. Now, let me take that-" she snatched the massive box away from Inu-Yasha, despite that fact that it was almost half her size, "-and you two go mingle. The snack table is over there, and the ceremony will be starting in an hour!"
Trying to keep from laughing as Rin bustled off, Kagome immediately slipped her arm through Inu-Yasha's once again. "She definitely seems to be flourishing, wouldn't you agree?"
"Mm." Inu-Yasha seemed to agree, but his speech was degenerating into monosyllabic grunts. Clearly his nerves were beginning to get the better of him.
Noticing this, Kagome gave him a gentle smile and patted his arm. "Let's get you some food, okay?"
They had barely managed to get a plate appetizers before more members of the Order pounced on them. Koga, with a police badge freshly pinned to his lapel, told them of his new role as liaison between the Order and the police department. He also made a pass at Kagome, which earned him a black eye from Inu-Yasha. Kagome swore she could detect a hint of relief in the wolf's voice when he shouted a retort back at the half-demon—Koga had worried for quite some time about Inu-Yasha's mental state, and this little spat allayed his fears.
Shippo, hearing the fight, popped up the instant Koga left. Quivering with excitement, he hugged Kagome and shook Inu-Yasha's hand. Then he proceeded to tell them all about his most recent assignments with the Order while munching off of their plates. Apparently Sessho-maru had allowed him to remain in the city for the foreseeable future, and he was being given much more independence and responsibility. It was doing wonders for his confidence, and even Inu-Yasha had to crack a grin at his exuberance. However, by the time the fox left their table all their food had disappeared.
Even Sessho-maru made an appearance at their table, though the exchange was awkward. Inu-Yasha was still openly hostile toward his brother, though Kagome quickly cut in to keep things from getting out of control. And since there were no work matters to discuss, Sessho-maru was clearly out of his element—small talk was not in his repertoire. Once he left the table, Kagome claimed that he was just wanting to check on Inu-Yasha's health, but the half-demon was still too bitter to quite believe her.
After that, there was a stream of Order members who they didn't know quite as well, but who wanted to express their gratitude for the pair's actions against Naraku. Hakkaku and Ginta nervously shook Inu-Yasha's hand and bowed to Kagome. The giant wolf Royakan approached, groveled profusely, then dashed off before either could say anything. Chief Matsuhara clapped Inu-Yasha on the shoulder with a proud grin, while the young nurse Koharu grilled Inu-Yasha on his recovery progress.
It came as a relief when Kohaku quietly approached the pair and nodded in greeting. "Hello Kagome, Inu-Yasha. You're looking well." While he had mentally recovered from his time under Naraku's control, he had been forced to grow up quickly. He had lost his youthful innocence, and was much more somber and subdued. But he was continuing to work hard with the Order, and was poised to take over a much higher role in the near future. For one as young as he, it was a great achievement.
"As are you, Kohaku." Kagome smiled warmly at him. "You look so nice in a suit—I don't think I've ever seen you in one before!"
Glancing down at his grey suit, he blushed lightly. "Th-thanks. Sister helped me pick it out. I didn't have a clue where to start." He blinked and looked back up. "Speaking of which, she's found out you've arrived, and asked me to come get you. She wanted to see you before the ceremony."
"Really? Oh, I'm so glad. I was hoping she'd let me in!" Kagome quickly got to her feet and grabbed her clutch. "Inu-Yasha, will you be all right on your own for a minute or two?"
Knowing full well it was going to take more than 'a minute or two', he nodded. "Yeah. I think I'll go outside for a smoke..." Truthfully, he wanted to get away from all the people just as much as he needed to satisfy a nicotine craving. Having already spoken with more people in half an hour than he had in the past month, he was ready for some solitude.
Kagome, understanding this, merely smiled and kissed his cheek. "I'll come find you when I'm done, okay?" And with that, she bustled off with Kohaku rushing to keep up. So eager was she to see Sango in her wedding dress, she never even realized that Kohaku was supposed to be guiding her along the way.
Shaking his head, Inu-Yasha let out a soft chuckle. Then, before anyone else could come up to the table and start a conversation, he strode quickly out the door to the lobby.
Once outside he breathed a sigh of relief. The air in the headquarters felt thin and restrictive, and he recognized it as the beginnings of anxiety. From experience, he had found it was always better to get outside as soon as possible, and that would help calm him quickly. Slipping his cigarettes from his pocket, he lit one and took a deep drag. It was one habit he had yet to shake from his old ways. But frankly, he wasn't in too much of a hurry to get over it yet.
With each lungful of smoke, he felt the tension seep out of his body. Good—he would be able to reenter the lobby and no one would be the wiser to his minor struggle over his emotions. He leaned back against the rough brick of the building and shut his eyes, dreaming of the cool shade from the trees in his backyard at home. He missed it already...
"I thought I might find you here."
His eyes snapped open and he started in surprise before realizing who it was. "Miroku! Dammit, you scared the hell outta me..."
Miroku smiled cheerfully at Inu-Yasha, his hands in his pockets. He looked very nice in his black tux with a deep purple vest underneath. He had a flower pinned to his lapel, and his bow tie was smooth and even at his throat. Clearly, he was ready to go long before his bride-to-be. "Sorry, sorry... I had heard from Kohaku that you and Miss Kagome arrived. I didn't want to miss an opportunity to talk with you for a minute, given that we haven't seen you in so long." He studied the half-demon carefully. "Inu-Yasha... I can honestly say, you look good."
Flushing at the praise, Inu-Yasha stared down at his shoes. "Y-you do too. I'm sorry it's been so long, it's just-"
Miroku held his hand up. "No, no. You owe us no explanation. We know you've been trying to recover. And succeeding, from the looks of things. I take it the village has been treating you well?"
Relieved that Miroku could tell his progress, Inu-Yasha nodded. "Yeah... I like it there. It's... peaceful. Something I could never find here." He glanced at the buildings around him with obvious distaste.
Leaning against the wall next to the half-demon, Miroku followed his gaze. "Having never left the city, I wouldn't know what that's like... I hope Sango and I may discover it for ourselves on our honeymoon."
"That's right. World travelers." Inu-Yasha nudged his side. "What's the first stop on the honeymoon, again? Bali?"
"Bangladesh," Miroku corrected. "After that, we'll figure out our next stop from there. We have six months to visit as many or as few places as we want. We figured we could take our time, and keep things relaxed."
"Six months..." Inu-Yasha shook his head. "I can't believe Kaede gave the two of you that much time off. Have things been that slow with the Order?"
"Not really, no. Recovery efforts are still in full swing with the city, and there are always vagabond demons stirring up trouble somewhere. However, Sango and I have yet to take a vacation the entire time we've worked there. So we arranged it with Kaede, and we are taking a leave of absence. For one full year." He sighed happily at the thought and stared up at the sky. "Sango said she won't know what to do with all that time. I told her that I had a few ideas we could get started on during the honeymoon."
Inu-Yasha snorted and flicked his cigarette to the ground. "I'm sure that earned you a good smack."
"Perhaps. But it put the idea in her head, so it was well worth it." He glanced at Inu-Yasha from the corner of his eye while the half-demon pulled another cigarette out and got it lit. "Are you sure you're doing all right? You look a little uneasy."
"Hm? Oh..." He blew out a cloud of smoke and shook his head. "Nah, I'm fine. I just... I'm not used to being around crowds now. And a lot of people kept comin' up to me in there..."
"Ah. Fair enough. I forgot that almost no one has seen you for a few months now. They all would want to say hello to you and Kagome." He studied Inu-Yasha closely. "Seriously, though... How have you been? How have things been going?"
Inu-Yasha knew full well what Miroku was asking. With a sigh, he stared down at his shoes. "Things really are all right, Miroku. They aren't easy. I still have cravings. I still have spouts of temper. I'm forgettin' stuff that I should be remembering. But it's now... manageable. I haven't touched a drop of booze since before the battle with Naraku. I never thought that would happen in a million years." He gave Miroku a knowing look. "I know you and Sango never thought that either."
Miroku shrugged sheepishly, not disagreeing. After the better part of a decade dealing with Inu-Yasha's lack of sobriety, him going cold turkey had never been considered an option.
"But things are different now. Being out of the city has lifted a lot of the stress and pressure on me. Being away from the Order has done the same. And I have Kagome. Kagome is... She's amazing." Miroku had never heard him speak about anyone with such tenderness before now. "I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for her. And I'm doin' my best to make sure I never lose her again."
"And are you happy?"
A rare smile graced Inu-Yasha's features. "Yeah... I am."
Nodding in satisfaction, Miroku turned to face him. "Then I have one last question for you, my friend." He leaned in close and glanced around to make certain no one else was in earshot. "Have you and Kagome... you know... cemented your relationship?"
Instantly, a blush blossomed over Inu-Yasha's cheeks. But much to Miroku's surprise, he gave a brief nod in confirmation. Even in his embarrassment, Miroku was fairly certain there was a hint of pride in his expression.
"And...? How is it?"
It took Inu-Yasha a moment to find his voice. "I-it... Sh-she... Well, let's just say... She's helping me make up for all the lost time. A-and judging from the sounds of things... she's enjoying it quite a bit." Even his ears were a cherry red now, but there was no stopping the grin tugging at his lips.
"Excellent!" Miroku laughed aloud and leaned back against the wall. "Then I can leave on my honeymoon and not have to worry about you. You'll be in Miss Kagome's more-than-capable hands."
Inu-Yasha chose not to respond to that comment, as the conversation had already entered dangerous territory. Instead he took a long drag of his cigarette, hoping it would help distract his mind from the rather dirty thoughts that kept popping up.
Still chuckling, Miroku glanced at his watch. "Ah, it's almost go time. I'd best get inside. We both know how much my dear Sango likes to be punctual. I should hate to start our marriage off on the wrong foot."
Inu-Yasha scoffed and dropped his cigarette, grinding it out with the heel of his shoe. "You and Sango are basically a married couple already. She's put up with more crap from you than anyone. I doubt she'd care much if the ceremony was a minute or two late gettin' started."
"Ah, but you see she knows how to keep me under control. If I do anything to upset her today, I might not get to have as pleasant a night as you and Kagome have been having."
Rolling his eyes, Inu-Yasha clapped his friend on the back. "Then let's get you inside. I don't wanna hear you complaining later on if you don't any tonight."
"I knew I could count on you."
They made their way back to the entrance, but Miroku paused before going inside. Giving Inu-Yasha a serious look, he said, "I just want you know how much Sango and I appreciate you coming to this. We know better than anyone else the struggles you've had, and we knew that coming back here might have been too difficult right now... But to see you, and to see you flourishing... Well, that's the best wedding gift I could have asked for. I'm happy for you, my friend. I truly am."
Inu-Yasha blinked. His relationship with Sango and Miroku, though tumultuous, had gone back many years. He had been friends with them during his highest highs and his lowest lows. They had, understandably, grown jaded in the later years with his actions. So to hear such kind words... It was a throwback to their early years. It was comforting, and he welcomed the feeling.
"R-right back at ya," he finally grunted in response, his voice gruff. "Now get in there. Don't want to keep Sango waiting."
He hung back for a few moments before re-entering the building. There was much on his mind. So much had changed in the past year, and this ceremony just seemed to drive that home for him. He had spent eight years of his life stuck in the same spot. It was the same cycle of guilt and alcohol that kept him from moving forward. The Order stayed the same, Sango and Miroku stayed the same, the city stayed the same...
But now, things were different. The Order was evolving and allowing new blood to enter its ranks. Sango and Miroku were finally able to focus on their own lives and not just their work. And now, the city no longer held the same power over him as it had in years past. He was no longer stuck in time. The world was moving on, and he was able to move on with it.
There was still work for him to do on himself. Healing from eight years of torture certainly didn't happen overnight, but he was able to look toward the future with a good deal more confidence than he had ever held. And this was due in large part to Kagome.
As he entered the building, she approached him and took his hand with a tender smile. He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze, and felt a calm wash over him. With her in his future, he wasn't afraid or scared. He had something to look forward to each day. And for the first time in his life...
He was at peace.
Fin
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Wow. I cannot believe we are at the end. It has been twelve years since eighteen year old angtsy me got this little brainchild and put pen to paper. It has evolved far more than I ever thought, and I have to thank you all, dear readers, for keeping this going. Your support, your enthusiasm, and your kind words have kept this story plugging along all these years. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
So... what's the next step? I have overwhelmingly gotten the request for a sequel in response to my question to you all. I am working on that. I would very much like to continue on, but I certainly don't want to release a sub-par story. For the time being, I am going to watch the sequel anime and see if I can glean any ideas or guidance from that.
However, I do have some one-shots that I have written over the years. They started out as just writing prompts, ways to get the creative juices flowing. But some of them are worthy of being released onto the internet, so I am in the process of typing and editing those. I will release those under a new story, so if you would like to read them please be sure to follow me so you get notifications when a new chapter posts there. At the moment, they are mostly about the time in Inu-Yasha's life that is post-Kikyo but pre-Kagome. So very angsty, a little depressing... but sometimes you just need to satisfy that portion of your soul.
I am also going to continue editing earlier chapters of Guilty Hero. Nothing too drastic, some things just need to be cleaned up.
And that, my friends, is all... for now. I won't say goodbye, I will say, "See you later." Keep the fandom alive, dear readers, and take care in this crazy world.
