Wow, you never think that you'll see the day until it finally arrives. Well folks, this seems to be the... DUN DUN DUUUHHHH... final chapter. *shudders slightly* Wow, you never really do think it'll come. What'll I do without my baby?! Lol
Anyway, I have an AN post after this chapter that you may want to read. It'll have last bit of notes and updates, and a bit about what I'm planning on doing next.^_^ Yay!
Anyway, for now, here are some replies!^_^
GothicElf- Ahhh!!! You're so sweet!=^-^= Heh, yeah, but it's true! The bitch won't die! Well... I guess she IS dead, but you know what I mean.^_^ You... you really took that much time to read my fic? You guys are the greatest!^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^_^ Man, with commenters like you how can anyone help but love doing this? Thank yoouu!!!^_^ *hugs*
Solus Nox- Awww, no worries.^_^ I know, everyone's life is busy, especially now. *sighs* But hey, I'm honored if I can have someone as loyal as you reading.^_^ You've stuck with me for quite a while haven't you?^_^ Always with a comment or something nice to say... um, or both.^_^; lol You know what? Love ya!!! And thanks so much!^_^
HanyouInuyasha- Lol no problem, thanks for commenting.^_~* But no, there's only one Kagome to switch between worlds unless you have a machine or portal into another part of the past or future. However, the more portals you have the more unstable everything gets, and that would just suck.^_^; lol An army of Kagomes would be kind of cool, but man, when they got mad... RUN FOR THE HILLS!!!
Pheonia- Well, yeah, she has seen them before, but think about it this way; In the last two days or so Kagome has been forced to come to the realization that all of her friends and what she once knew as Inu Yasha are all dead. No friends, no place where she spent most of her happy times, no nadda. She has come back to cope with not only a newer Inu Yasha, so to speak, but also a newer Sesshoumaru, Rin, and the knowledge that her family has been deceiving her all of her life. She is mated with the "newer" Inu Yasha, and then he is thrown in jail and she thinks that it is her fault. Personally, I think I'd be a LIIITTTLLLEEE stressed and emotional about then. Besides, if all of that happened in two days, she didn't have much time to heal nor cope with anything. The wounds are still fresh and the weapons are just reminders of all that she has lost. Inu Yasha, though mainly the same, has grown to understand people a little more and knows that if Kagome sees the weapons that she'd remember and be sad. He doesn't want his mate sad. *giggles* Um... I guess that's about it.^_^; lol
Goku's Daughter- lol No problem.^_^ Glad you like it!^_^ *hugs*
Silverstarlight- the remote? Hehehehe... you'll see.^_~*
Ame Tenshi- heh, yeah, I've been tempted to do the "next time on..." things too.^_^; lol So great!^_^
Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of the characters in it. If I did I'd be rich, but I'm not... and if I had lots of money I'd probably spend it on anime anyway so pleeaasseee, don't sue me.^_^ lol
Oh, and as always,
_= thoughts *_* = sound/ italicized "_" = speech
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Memories of the Present
Chapter 32: There's no Place like Home
"Kagome..." Inu Yasha paused, watching the stream of emotions flow through her luscious, chocolate orbs, first surprise, then sadness, and finally, realization, or maybe... pity? As she gazed at the walls, the darkened pools reflected each weapon individually, revealing both flaw and beauty never seen in them before. They weren't objects; they were memories, relics left behind that had been coated with who they were once with. No, not deadly, lonely, just as she realized he must have been all these years.
"Inu Yasha," Kagome turned tearful, sympathetic eyes towards him. If it had been anyone else he wouldn't have allowed it, but at the moment, he had no choice. The atmosphere in the room seemed so thick as to stop time itself, but it still managed to move on, though at an agonizingly slow rate, no faster than a slug. "I can't believe that you still..." The sound of a door closing broke the spell, awakening both to the tension filled air around them.
"Hey, I'm home! Is Kagome back yet?"
"Wha?" Wide-eyed, the miko turned full-circle to face the oncoming voice. Inu Yasha was, for the moment, thankful for her rampant changes and moods swings, but at the same time, why then?!
Grrr... damned fox! Did he have to come NOW?!
"Inu Yasha, I know you're not deaf dog boy! I asked if..." There was a slight pause followed by a muffled shuffling sound coming from the main room. "Kirara, where are you..."
"Kirara?!" The fire cat raced through the door and tackled Kagome's feet. She rubbed against them, purring happily as Kagome bent down, almost subserviently, to scratch her ears. Kirara began to wind her tails around Kagome's legs when Shippou arrived.
"Kagome!" Rounding the corner, the kit came to a screeching halt just in time to turn and dash towards his adopted mother.
"Sh... Shippou?!" Oh my God, they're all here! Shippou's here and Kirara... Kirara survived?! Tears welled up in her eyes, raining gently on her soaring heart. It felt as if gravity itself had been lifted off of her shoulders, and gave a feeling of freedom, a feeling that everything would be okay, that all was right in the world.
"Kagome! It's really you!" The kitsune bolted across Inu Yasha's room full force and tried to slow a little bit when he came close to her, but he had a slight miscalculation and crashed into Kagome, knocking her down towards the red-carpeted floor. In the blink of an eye, Shippou held her in his arms again, and grinned sheepishly; the girl just laughed.
"It's okay Shippou, I...oh! Inu Yasha!" Kagome glared as she was ripped from the kit's embrace and into Inu Yasha's. Sure she loved being in the hanyou's arms, *her* hanyou's arms actually, but her kit was all grown up, and she wanted to spend some time with him. The hanyou growled threateningly at the younger kitsune and pulled Kagome that much closer, tightening his grip on her slender waist and glaring at Shippou with cold, slitted eyes from over her shoulder.
Shippou laughed; "Jealous because I saved her before you could?" Inu Yasha growled and lunged at the kitsune, leaving Kagome with nothing to do but sit and watch. Dodging a Sankon Tessou or two, Shippou finally made his way back to Kagome a few minutes later. She had been busy petting Kirara throughout the entire escapade, and only now looked up to greet the fighting duo. Shippou smiled and nodded to the feline; "Kirara, may I?" With a small nod and an equally timid "mew", the fire cat was off of Kagome's lap and sitting next to her on the hanyou's bed, purring contentedly to see another friend after so long.
"Kagome... I've missed you so much... you're just how I remember." Shippou took her hands in his own and stared deeply into her eyes. He seemed to radiate happiness as his longing gaze was filled with the familiar happiness and comfort of his youth. He tackled her in a hug again, and this time wasn't pulled away. "Why did you leave us Kagome? Why did you leave me?"
"Oh Shippou," Kagome held onto him for all she was worth, a single sniffle breaking the already weakened barrier she had put up, "I didn't leave you. I could never leave you."
"The well sealed itself. I watched it happen." Inu Yasha slowly made his way towards his mate and kit, his expression becoming slightly somber at the words being spoken around him.
Kagome tightened her hold on Shippou and chuckled; "You know, it's weird. That was only three days ago for me, and you've grown up so much." Kagome sighed and giggled softly before pulling away to look at him; "Though it's true that kids are supposed to grow up too fast, this is ridiculous." The kitsune laughed while Kirara happily resumed her place in the miko's lap, which was soon to be on top of Inu Yasha's. Kagome giggled again and sighed contentedly. Leaning back against her hanyou' chest, she had to wonder; what more could she want? She had her mate, her son, and Kirara, not to mention a house full of wonderful memories; that was about all that she could ask for, considering.
"So Inu, shown her the TV yet?"
"TV?" Okay, so maybe there was one more thing.
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So this is what that remote was for. "To all that art holy..."
"Nice huh?"
"I think that's an understatement."
Well, what to say? They had ventured from Inu Yasha's room to one straight across the main room. This place had been dubbed entertainment central, and not without reason. The entire wall, floor to ceiling, and the entire width was one giant flat screen TV, complete with digital cable, free movies, the works. The wall to the left was covered with DVDs, never VHS, and the wall across from it (to the right of the first) with hundreds, thousands of CDs. Hungry, thirsty? No problem; the back wall was a fully detailed, not to mention fully stocked, bar with alcohol, soda, juice, water, anything. You name it, it was probably there. Along with the microwave and stacks of popcorn bags, various other bits of junk food were stashed within one of the many cabinets beneath the bar. There were cookies, chips, candy, salsa, cheese, and even some healthy things such as a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Inu Yasha led Kagome around the back of a couch, strategically placed in front of the TV with it's back to the bar, and around the glass table in front of it to sit, and promptly rose to began the movie search.
"You want anything to eat, drink?"
"Hmm?" Kagome took a moment away from gazing about the room to notice that Shippou was watching her. "No, I'm okay, but thanks."
The kit smiled, "No problem." Getting a can of soda for himself, he sat next to Kagome and gazed at her fondly. Gods how he just wanted to curl up in her lap as he did when he was a cub. He wanted nothing more than to be held, but he was older now, much older, and that sort of thing just wasn't proper. Still... leaning his head on her shoulder couldn't hurt... right?
Well, it certainly could if Inu Yasha had seen, which he had of course. Oh yeah, that was one PISSED hanyou. Sure, Shippou was basically his pup, but no one, NO ONE touched his mate without his approval, and Shippou damned well knew that. Of course, the way Kagome giggled and started petting him didn't help the hanyou's temper either; her motherly instincts, though pleasing as they were, were going to get her into trouble one of these days... or these minu... secon... ah crap, he needed to separate them.
A low growl had been all Shippou needed before he began to back off, but Kagome, it seemed, wouldn't have it. She took time to notice the changes he had seen since their last encounter. Though obviously older, the kit, if she could still call him that, looked to be between fifteen and seventeen. He still had the beautiful, soft reddish-brown hair, and his eyes, though still the bright cheery apple color they once were, were now slightly worn with age and loss. How could demons stand to live so long? To watch the ones they love and so many more die?
He no longer wore the blue bow, but now opted for a more traditional hat or bandanna along with a pair of dark blue jeans and a regular tee shirt, which was the color of his hat. Over time, it seems, his once tan, poofy tail had become more elongated, yet even softer if possible, and was often hidden from prying eyes by a simple spell, though he opted not to use it most of the time. Anywhere he went people just thought that his tail, fangs, and claws were some kind of teenage fad, so why bother? Only the demons believed in demons now a day.
As Kagome took in every new change in Shippou, he had been taking in the exact opposite, how everything was the same with her. He had missed those arms, that hair, that voice, but most of all, he missed his mother. Actually, hearing her "sit" Inu Yasha was a bonus, but still, he missed her personality and love mostly, and was so beyond ecstatic to have her back. He'd never let her go again. He swore it.
Yeah, they were separated now, but Inu didn't like the looks they were giving each other one bit. Don't be silly; it's been a long time since Shippou has seen her, and he's changed a lot from what Kagome would remember. It's only natural that they'd want to catch up.
"She's mine."
Stop being so selfish. You'll have her to yourself again soon enough. Besides, she's already your mate; what're you so worried about?
"She's mine and he shouldn't have touched her. He knows better after living with me most of his life."
You never complained this strongly before.
"He could get away with it when he was younger, but not now. He's too old now."
Umm hmm, and what's g...
"Inu Yasha?"
"Hmm?" The inu youkai stood to greet his mate.
"Where's the bathroom?"
"Use the one in my room." She smiled at him. Gods, he would give the world for that smile.
"Thanks." With a kiss on the cheek she was off, and with a promise to be back, the blushing hanyou turned to Shippou; they had some talking to do.
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Well, that had *easily* been the longest hour and a half of Inu Yasha's life. He and Shippou had had their talk, but when Kagome came back, she did nothing to help the situation. He had to give it to the kit, Shippou had tried to keep a bit of distance, but Kagome insisted on letting him rest his head when he was tired, and Shippou could only look at Inu Yasha with the "sorry, but what can I do?" look; not that the kit minded of course. He relished it actually, but he didn't want to die, and messing with another's mate was something you just didn't do.
After so long without someone around, the Shippou had never slept so soundly as he did next to the miko that day. He had often woken up in the middle of the night over the years, panicking because he realized she wasn't there; that was, of course, before he remembered that he couldn't see her, not yet. He shuddered at the thought; it had been so hard knowing where she was and not being able to visit her. Actually, Inu Yasha would never tell him where she was, but he had followed the hanyou one day, curious as to where he often disappeared to, and saw Kagome coming from the well. He would've jumped her right then if Inu Yasha hadn't grabbed him by the scruff of the neck, the one that was no longer there I might add (in other words, Inu grabbed his neck by his regular skin, not the loose skin baby animals tend to have. Ouch.). He was explained to why he couldn't see her, but that had made it that much harder. Even knowing that she was going through the well and that he'd be able to see her soon made it that much more difficult to wait, like a kid on Christmas eve, you know? It was strange really. She had been gone so long, but not that she was back, it seemed as if she had never left.
Kirara had come in to join them at some point during the film, and it was placed upon her to wake the sleeping kit when the movie was over. Kagome had gone to explore some of the rest of the apartment, or that floor at least, when Inu Yasha decided it was time for another talk. Shippou was hesitant at first, but when Kagome came back, Shippou informed her that he already had plans that night, and would be staying the night at a friend's house. He said that he'd have to leave then to make it before dark, but that he'd be back later the next day.
When Shippou left, both he and Kagome held heavier hearts, but that was soon remedied with thoughts of the approaching day. For now, there was really only one thing left to think about.
"Well, Shippou's gone..." Kagome looked to Inu Yasha a bit dejectedly.
He simply grinned and pulled her close. "You know, I never did give you that tour."
She smiled slightly; "What else do I have left to see?"
"A lot, but for now..." Letting loose a low growl, Inu Yasha grinned and yanked Kagome backwards, catching her as she fell, and nipping playfully at her neck. Surprise turned to laughter when she nipped back at him, a shocked expression boring down on her from the hanyou she so loved. She giggled at his expression and pushed down on his shoulders, gaining the altitude needed to reach up and lick the side of one of his fuzzy ears, each sensitive snow-white hair causing a noticeable shiver to wrack the hanyou's form.
Oh yeah, she'd done it now. Any hope of her leaving his room for any time during the night was now completely vanquished as he bounded into said room and tossed her on the bed. Playful giggles and growls were easily heard up until the amused hanyou decided to gently kick the door closed, locking them in for the night.
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The door opened early the next morning, much too early for Kagome's usual liking, but Inu Yasha claimed to have something to show her. Why he wanted to give her a tour at this time of morning was beyond her, but it took too much energy to think anyway, so she just let it slide. Besides, he said that afterwards, they could go back to bed, and the sooner they left, the sooner they could go back.
"Stop worrying; You're not pregnant."
"But..." Kagome wrung the bottom hem of one of Inu Yasha's shirts. He had loaned her one long enough to have the tour, as they were going to go back to bed anyway. It was actually kind of long, reaching easily to mid calf, but Kagome didn't mind; it smelled of him.
"No 'but's Kagome; just trust me, you're not."
"... Promise?" Inu Yasha laughed and wrapped a blanket over her shoulders, taking the opportunity to cuddle her from behind.
"I promise mate. Why would I lie to you?"
She glared at him softly, "It's too early for this." Inu Yasha simply chuckled and lead her back to the glass pane wall she had seen the day before.
"We need to work on your mornings." Kagome stuck her tongue out at him and he laughed again. Opening the door only worsened her mood. The door led to a balcony. Sure, the skyline was beautiful when lit with buildings, but now everything was dark, not to mention cold. She would've much preferred to stay in bed than come out into a cold sea of darkness. Kagome shuddered slightly; that reminded her way too much of the bird youkai for her liking.
"So..." Inu Yasha began, "what are we going to do with this?"
Kagome looked up at him to find the Shikon no Tama resting gently in his palm. A startled gasp escaped her lips as her hand rushed to her chest, proving that it had indeed been missing. She must've taken it off last night... or he had.
Kagome's gaze dropped towards the floor; "I... I don't know."
Nuzzling her neck again, Inu Yasha kissed her mark, purring softly to try and cheer her up a little. "Well, what do you want out of life mate?"
Without a second thought she responded; "I want to live to see Shippou all grown up, so to speak, with children of his own. I want to see his pups and play with them. I want them to know their grandmother and grandfather. Most of all, I want to live with you and raise our pups." The hanyou smile tenderly at her and nuzzled her cheek with his. "I want to finish school first though, and I want a job I love doing, but I guess that's everyone's ideal, a perfect job."
He chuckled softly; "You know what my perfect job is?"
"Hmm?"
"Protecting you... and someday our pups." Kagome had to choke back a sob. Everything was so beautiful, so perfect; she wished it could always be this way, and that...
"I know what I want." The hanyou smirked and tightened his embrace.
"Oh do you?" The miko nodded and grasped the jewel. Concentrating all of her power, she reached into it with nothing more than her very heart, and in a moment, a pink light appeared, engulfing both in a blanket of warmth and contentment, and then disappearing as quickly as it had come. When she opened her eyes again, the jewel was gone.
"What did you wish for?"
She smiled. "I wished that we could grow old together, that I could live as long as you do, of course, that is if you are still alive. If you die I will too, so now you have at least three to protect, your mate, your pup," she giggled lovingly, "or pups," he smiled, "and yourself."
"I will always protect you Kagome, you know that. If I have to protect myself to do it, then that's fine by me."
The couple looked from the balcony as the sky began its shift from black to blue, then purple, red, pink, and yellow. They watched every color come and go like birds of night, flying home to families of their own to await the next night, and bring rest to those who needed it. It was the most beautiful thing Kagome had ever seen and, as she stared in awe at the glistening buildings around them, lit up by the sweet kiss of the sun, she couldn't help but smile. She imagined what was to come, and what obstacles they would have to overcome, not to mention what her mother would say when she was informed that Kagome would be moving here. Yeah, that'd be interesting.
"Kagome, are you ready?" She looked over her shoulder and gazed lovingly at Inu Yasha.
"Ready? For what Inu?" The hanyou smirked at the new name, and turned her around in his arms. He allowed himself to be lost within those beautiful pools, filled with love and shining with happiness. That he could bring such happiness to her... she would see this sunset every morning, and he, something much more beautiful, her.
"To start living."
Tears began to flow down the young miko's face as she nodded and snuggled more deeply into Inu Yasha's embrace, burying herself in his chest. The sun rose, and the couple returned to bed, ever awaiting and dreaming of the days to come, and the happiness those days would bring. They were forever one, in heart, in soul, and in body.
From the moment the well sealed they had been living, no longer for the past, but for the future. And now, surrounded by the ones they love, the two can set out to live life, not with memories of the present, but with hopes for the future.
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Well, I can't really say "the end" because, though it may be the end of this fic, it is by far the end of the story. They still have hundreds of years to be together, so this is not nearly the end.
Hey, I have an AN for the next chapter that I would really appreciate if you helped me with. It'll talk about what I'm doing next and ask for opinions and stuff.
Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed it!^_^ *hugs to all!!!*