Chapter 11: The Final Decision
"Inu Yashaaaaa!!!" Shippo shrieked, squirming frantically to get off Sango's arms. "Stop!!! What are you doing?! Kagome is over THERE! Over there! Over there!" He pointed and struggled to be released. "Can't you hear me?! STOP!"
"Shippo," said Sango, softly.
Shippo opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. His arm fell to his side as he looked at Inu Yasha, then looked up at Sango, tears forming in his eyes. With a loud cry he buried his face into Sango's shirt and sobbed.
"Inu Yasha! I hate you!" was heard from the folds of Sango's shirt.
Inu Yasha did not hear him as he stepped closer to Kikyou. I hope I am making the right choice, he thought. I hope she will understand. I don't want to break anymore promises.
He looked down at the Shikon no Tama in in hands. It would be the last time I would hurt her.......
Inu Yasha stopped; Kikyou lying in front of him. Slowly he knelt down, tightening his grip around the Shikon no Tama. He looked at Kikyou, and saw patches of dirt foming on her face and body.....the dirt she was create from.
"Kikyou..." Inu Yasha breathed out. She was slowly losing her form, for there were no souls in her to sustain her body. Soon she would only be a pile of dirt left were there was a body before.
Inu Yasha closed his eyes. I know my choice, he thought. Before she is gone completely, I must do what I have decided. Kagome......Inu Yasha opened his eyes.
"Kikyou...." he started. "50 years ago...we thought we were different, but later realized how we were similar and how fate had brought us together. I had promised to be human, and promised to be with you and be happy together. We could have been happy.....we could have had a wonderful relationship....and that doesn't have to change......Kikyou....I would give you another chance....." He held out the Shikon no Tama over her, the jewel sitting softly on the palm of his hand....but his fingers suddenly clasped over it and he held it close to his heart. "......but I can't. I am sorry, Kikyou. Things does not have to change, but it will. This will be the last promise I will ever break with you. It would be the last time I would ever have to hurt you again. Fate did not bring you to me.....it brought Kagome......It was because of the incident 50 years ago that Kagome found me. Although she is your reincarnation, you both are your individual selves, and each person has their differences that sets them apart. Kagome is far different. I am sorry that I had never felt the same way I feel with Kagome with you. It was just not meant to be. I am sorry Kikyou...your life had been harsh.....may you rest in peace now....."
With that, Inu Yasha rose and turned toward Kagome. He walked toward her without looking back.....and Kikyou's body crumpled into dust behind him.
Ignoring Miroku's and Sango's look of happiness and slight surprise...including Shippo's cry of joy, Inu Yasha knelt beside Kagome and laid her on his lap.
"Kagome," he began. "I promised that I would never leave you, and I would protect you forever. This jewel would bring you back your life, but then would put it back into danger. The youkai would never stop hunting, but I would always protect you." He held her closer, tears seeping out of his closed eyes. "I have always been an outcast, neither fully human or youkai. I have lived my life lonely...until you came. Kagome, you have understood my times of pain and sadness. Because of you, I do not have to feel lonely...anymore. Many youkai want the jewel.....but Kagome....you are the jewel in my life....."
He unclasped his hand and held the Shikon no Tama over Kagome and set it softly on her body. Almost instantly, the jewel flared a bright light. It continued to flare brightly as it rose above Kagome's body. Inu Yasha watched in amazement as the Shikon no Tama seem to slowly dissipate, and the tiny, blue fragments settled into Kagome's body like rain. When the jewel completely disappeared, Kagome's body glowed a soft blue for a while. When the light finally died down, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo came closer slowly.
"Ka....Kagome?" whispered Inu Yasha, bringing one hand to turn her face toward his. Her eyes were still closed, her body unmoving.
It....it didn't work.....thought Inu Yasha, despair going through him....It didn't work.......
He gave a loud cry and sobbed into Kagome's shirt. Miroku and Sango stared wide-eyed, Shippo bursting into fresh tears. Sango's hand flew to her mouth to muffle her cries.
"Kagome!!" sobbed Inu Yasha. "Don't leave me! I love you!!!!!"
He laid his head against her chest, tears running down his cheeks like a river. Never once had Inu Yasha had cried this hard.....
Thump....
Inu Yasha stopped sobbing. His eyes snapped open.
Thump.....
That sound....Inu Yasha thought.
Thump.....
Kagome's heartbeat?!?!?!
Inu Yasha immediately sat up straight.
"Kagome!" he breathed out. She's alive! he thought. "Please wake up...."
Slowly again he turned her face toward him, but this time seeing her eyes twitch. Slowly.....Kagome shifted a little, and with small effort, opened her eyes and stared into the golden eyes of a hanyou.
When Kagome's eyes opened, Inu Yasha felt a huge sense of relief and happiness surge through him. His eyes softened and tears of happiness escaped him.
"Inu...Yasha???" said Kagome, looking up at him.
"Baka...." he said softly. "You had me worried...."
Kagome reached up and wiped away his tears. "You...." she started, "....you were crying...for me?"
Inu Yasha stared at her. "Of course!" he said. "I would never cry for anyone else....not that I have to either...."
"Not even Kikyou?"
"She is gone, Kagome. But she has been dead already for 50 years. I chose-"
"I know," interrupted Kagome. "My soul heard you." She smiled.
Inu Yasha smiled too. It's great to see her dazzling smile again, he thought.
"KAAAAGOOOOMEEEEE-CHAAAAANNNN!!!!!!" shrieked a small voice. The little kitsune jumped into Kagome's arms.
"Shippo-chan!" said Kagome, and saw Miroku and Sango. "Miroku! Sango-chan!"
"Kagome-chan!" said Sango. "You're alright!!! I'm so happy!!!" She cried as she threw her arms around Kagome, squashing Shippo between them. Shippo yelped in pain.
"Ah! Gomen nasai!" Sango picked him up and held him close. Turning to Kagome and smiling, she said: "Kagome, you do not know how happy we are that Inu Yasha finally made the right choice for once."
"Feh!" said Inu Yasha, but he had to smile as well.
"I would agree with that," said Miroku. "It brings us great joy for your return, Kagome-sama."
"Thank you, Miroku." Kagome turned to Inu Yasha. "I know that you would never leave me, Inu Yasha."
"Of course not." He hugged Kagome to him. "Afterall....I did tell you to believe in me.....to believe in my love....."
He tipped her chin up to him and kissed her full on the lips. Ignoring the other three, Kagome wrapped her arms around Inu Yasha and responded to the kiss. Miroku watched a slight jealously, but was completely taken off guard when Sango smiled mischeviously and leaned over to kiss him. His eyes widened, then slowly closed, careful to keep his hands where they belonged so as not to ruin the moment. Shippo watched the two couples and shook his head with a smile.
Inu Yasha didn't take notice as he held Kagome. I would never let her go, he thought. Kagome.....
Aishiteru.....
***The End***
"Inu Yashaaaaa!!!" Shippo shrieked, squirming frantically to get off Sango's arms. "Stop!!! What are you doing?! Kagome is over THERE! Over there! Over there!" He pointed and struggled to be released. "Can't you hear me?! STOP!"
"Shippo," said Sango, softly.
Shippo opened his mouth to speak, but stopped. His arm fell to his side as he looked at Inu Yasha, then looked up at Sango, tears forming in his eyes. With a loud cry he buried his face into Sango's shirt and sobbed.
"Inu Yasha! I hate you!" was heard from the folds of Sango's shirt.
Inu Yasha did not hear him as he stepped closer to Kikyou. I hope I am making the right choice, he thought. I hope she will understand. I don't want to break anymore promises.
He looked down at the Shikon no Tama in in hands. It would be the last time I would hurt her.......
Inu Yasha stopped; Kikyou lying in front of him. Slowly he knelt down, tightening his grip around the Shikon no Tama. He looked at Kikyou, and saw patches of dirt foming on her face and body.....the dirt she was create from.
"Kikyou..." Inu Yasha breathed out. She was slowly losing her form, for there were no souls in her to sustain her body. Soon she would only be a pile of dirt left were there was a body before.
Inu Yasha closed his eyes. I know my choice, he thought. Before she is gone completely, I must do what I have decided. Kagome......Inu Yasha opened his eyes.
"Kikyou...." he started. "50 years ago...we thought we were different, but later realized how we were similar and how fate had brought us together. I had promised to be human, and promised to be with you and be happy together. We could have been happy.....we could have had a wonderful relationship....and that doesn't have to change......Kikyou....I would give you another chance....." He held out the Shikon no Tama over her, the jewel sitting softly on the palm of his hand....but his fingers suddenly clasped over it and he held it close to his heart. "......but I can't. I am sorry, Kikyou. Things does not have to change, but it will. This will be the last promise I will ever break with you. It would be the last time I would ever have to hurt you again. Fate did not bring you to me.....it brought Kagome......It was because of the incident 50 years ago that Kagome found me. Although she is your reincarnation, you both are your individual selves, and each person has their differences that sets them apart. Kagome is far different. I am sorry that I had never felt the same way I feel with Kagome with you. It was just not meant to be. I am sorry Kikyou...your life had been harsh.....may you rest in peace now....."
With that, Inu Yasha rose and turned toward Kagome. He walked toward her without looking back.....and Kikyou's body crumpled into dust behind him.
Ignoring Miroku's and Sango's look of happiness and slight surprise...including Shippo's cry of joy, Inu Yasha knelt beside Kagome and laid her on his lap.
"Kagome," he began. "I promised that I would never leave you, and I would protect you forever. This jewel would bring you back your life, but then would put it back into danger. The youkai would never stop hunting, but I would always protect you." He held her closer, tears seeping out of his closed eyes. "I have always been an outcast, neither fully human or youkai. I have lived my life lonely...until you came. Kagome, you have understood my times of pain and sadness. Because of you, I do not have to feel lonely...anymore. Many youkai want the jewel.....but Kagome....you are the jewel in my life....."
He unclasped his hand and held the Shikon no Tama over Kagome and set it softly on her body. Almost instantly, the jewel flared a bright light. It continued to flare brightly as it rose above Kagome's body. Inu Yasha watched in amazement as the Shikon no Tama seem to slowly dissipate, and the tiny, blue fragments settled into Kagome's body like rain. When the jewel completely disappeared, Kagome's body glowed a soft blue for a while. When the light finally died down, Miroku, Sango, and Shippo came closer slowly.
"Ka....Kagome?" whispered Inu Yasha, bringing one hand to turn her face toward his. Her eyes were still closed, her body unmoving.
It....it didn't work.....thought Inu Yasha, despair going through him....It didn't work.......
He gave a loud cry and sobbed into Kagome's shirt. Miroku and Sango stared wide-eyed, Shippo bursting into fresh tears. Sango's hand flew to her mouth to muffle her cries.
"Kagome!!" sobbed Inu Yasha. "Don't leave me! I love you!!!!!"
He laid his head against her chest, tears running down his cheeks like a river. Never once had Inu Yasha had cried this hard.....
Thump....
Inu Yasha stopped sobbing. His eyes snapped open.
Thump.....
That sound....Inu Yasha thought.
Thump.....
Kagome's heartbeat?!?!?!
Inu Yasha immediately sat up straight.
"Kagome!" he breathed out. She's alive! he thought. "Please wake up...."
Slowly again he turned her face toward him, but this time seeing her eyes twitch. Slowly.....Kagome shifted a little, and with small effort, opened her eyes and stared into the golden eyes of a hanyou.
When Kagome's eyes opened, Inu Yasha felt a huge sense of relief and happiness surge through him. His eyes softened and tears of happiness escaped him.
"Inu...Yasha???" said Kagome, looking up at him.
"Baka...." he said softly. "You had me worried...."
Kagome reached up and wiped away his tears. "You...." she started, "....you were crying...for me?"
Inu Yasha stared at her. "Of course!" he said. "I would never cry for anyone else....not that I have to either...."
"Not even Kikyou?"
"She is gone, Kagome. But she has been dead already for 50 years. I chose-"
"I know," interrupted Kagome. "My soul heard you." She smiled.
Inu Yasha smiled too. It's great to see her dazzling smile again, he thought.
"KAAAAGOOOOMEEEEE-CHAAAAANNNN!!!!!!" shrieked a small voice. The little kitsune jumped into Kagome's arms.
"Shippo-chan!" said Kagome, and saw Miroku and Sango. "Miroku! Sango-chan!"
"Kagome-chan!" said Sango. "You're alright!!! I'm so happy!!!" She cried as she threw her arms around Kagome, squashing Shippo between them. Shippo yelped in pain.
"Ah! Gomen nasai!" Sango picked him up and held him close. Turning to Kagome and smiling, she said: "Kagome, you do not know how happy we are that Inu Yasha finally made the right choice for once."
"Feh!" said Inu Yasha, but he had to smile as well.
"I would agree with that," said Miroku. "It brings us great joy for your return, Kagome-sama."
"Thank you, Miroku." Kagome turned to Inu Yasha. "I know that you would never leave me, Inu Yasha."
"Of course not." He hugged Kagome to him. "Afterall....I did tell you to believe in me.....to believe in my love....."
He tipped her chin up to him and kissed her full on the lips. Ignoring the other three, Kagome wrapped her arms around Inu Yasha and responded to the kiss. Miroku watched a slight jealously, but was completely taken off guard when Sango smiled mischeviously and leaned over to kiss him. His eyes widened, then slowly closed, careful to keep his hands where they belonged so as not to ruin the moment. Shippo watched the two couples and shook his head with a smile.
Inu Yasha didn't take notice as he held Kagome. I would never let her go, he thought. Kagome.....
Aishiteru.....
***The End***