Lauren: I'd like to congratulate InuSayianPrincess for being my 1,100th reviewer! Thank you to everyone that reviewed! Ahh, we're nearing the end, it's so close! Just a little bit more! I can't stand it! In one way, I don't want it to end because this story has just been so much fun to write and I love hearing from all you guys. I've met so many wonderful people through this story. Yet, in another way, I'm kind of glad it's ending because afterwards I can focus all of my energy on "The Difference Between Walking and Running" or on any other new stuff. Either way, thank you for sticking with me this far, I am forever grateful to your kind and helping words! Thank you for sitting down and reading my stories. It's been a busy weekend and I want to get this up for everyone ASAP, so here are my quick responses to any questions.
Ame Tenshi- No, Kagome wasn't going to die and isn't. She sounded like she might in the last chapter with what she said to the others, because truthfully, she had no idea what would happen to her after she made the wish. She didn't know if she would live or not or anything, so she said that just incase.
Heather- I do feel special! You should too! I'm glad you liked how I portrayed Midoriko because frankly, I was really unsure of how to. I just knew I wanted her to sound wise and powerful in a way, so I'm glad I got her across well.
WarriorGL- Picture! Picture! I'd love to see it when you make it! I'm sure you can do the last scene justice; you're a fantastic artist!
Nytshad- I loved that review, very nice. Hmm…Kirara? I never thought about bringing her back but now that you mention it, maybe I can find a way to work her in. Maybe Sess too! XD Just curious, as my memory seems to have failed me, what is Kirara's back story?
Dincht Girl- THANK YOU! That was a super-awesome cool review, I loved it!
Asilin Kheldarson- Bernard! We forgot! He's still tied up in my closet! XD Haha!
Like-anyother- Ek, no one died in the last chapter so no one is going to be reborn!
InuSayianPrincess- In the end, basically Kagome's wish got granted and while Daemon was dying because of her wish to balance out the world, he sent out a 'shock wave' of the sorts that knocked everyone back, unconscious.
Riley- Maybe, I'm not quite sure of a sequel or not. I'll get into their peaceful life a little in the end of this. But, if a good idea hits me, I might write another story to go with this one. It all just depends, you know?
I'm adding to the soundtrack:
Martina McBride- There You Are
~*~ Where Did You Go? ~*~
~By: Lauren~
-Chapter 31-
"End of the Rain"
The golden light died down before it finally disappeared, leaving behind tiny sparkles that lingered on the flowers for a brief moment. With the soft and gentle touch of the light, the flowers whose heads had been once drooping now looked up at the sky, as the rain slowed to a drizzle before ceasing all together. The garden had grown eerily quiet from the ruckus that had recently taken place and its surroundings dimmed. But, it didn't turn completely pitch black, for the sun was just beginning to rise, and so it remained a sketchy, faded gray color. Broken tree branches littered the ground while the fence was beaten up, cut open here and bent there, but no one would ever suspect the real reason for why things were in this shape; they would merely blame it on the night's storm that had finally passed.
Four bodies were slumped on the ground: three by the battered fence and one against the wall. In the middle of the garden, Kagome stood up tall, her arms outstretched and her eyes shut. As the light faded, her hair settled down, now dry from the wind that had once surrounded her while her skin seemed to pale. The wound on her had lessened in severity, making it less life threatening. Her feet settled on the grassy earth, squishing into the mud, before the aura of the Shikon no Tama that covered her completely disappeared. Her hands lowered themselves to her side ever so slowly before the one that had been clenching the Shikon no Tama opened…left with nothing but air inside.
A cricket began to chirp quietly from somewhere nearby.
A tree rustled as a bird popped out and flew off.
A few leaves scattered as a soft gust of wind swept past.
Life was returning to normal.
It was a beautiful night with no more clouds in the sky to prevent the gorgeous moon from reaching out to all her children. A few shimmering stars remained, sending out their radiate light.
Inuyasha groaned, rolling his head from side to side. Everything was hazy and it felt as if someone had thrown a wool blanket over his mind, not to mention that his entire body ached. He tried to lift his arms into the air but it hurt to move, for his clothes were literally plastered to his body and with every move he made, it pulled at his skin and his wounds. The events of the nights flashed through his mind as he realized something.
Kagome had made her wish!!
Daring to open his eyes, he carefully lifted his eyelids, his surroundings only a blur before it began to come into focus. He froze, his heart hammering madly.
Kagome was standing a few feet away from him, her body visibly trembling. Her eyes were opened only slightly, making them appear to be tiny slits. Her cracked lips broke into a tiny smile before her eyes shut. She thought to herself, "Some things are just meant to be; but once people put their hearts into what they believe in, those impossible things come into being." And then, as if in slow motion, she fell sideways, thudding into the ground and splashing up mud.
Ignoring the needles of pains that his nerves sent through his body, Inuyasha dug Tetsusaiga into the earth, using it to pull himself to his feet. Once upright, he began to limp over to Kagome as quickly as he could. When he reached her, he dropped down next to her, his heart pounding even faster as it filled with fear. He grabbed her shoulders, turning her onto her back as he shook her lightly.
She didn't respond.
Leaning down, Inuyasha pressed his ear to her chest and sighed in relief when he heard her heart beating faintly, but steadily, inside of her. His ears twitched as they picked up the sound of something moving. Turning his head, he watched as Miroku stood up and almost fell back down instantly.
Swaying back and forth, Miroku coughed before he saw Inuyasha and Kagome. "I-Inuyasha…is she…okay? Are you o-okay…?" His voice cracked with every word, coming out hoarse.
"Yeah. What about you guys…?" He replied, nodding towards Sango and Shippo who remained unmoving.
Miroku knelt down, checking both Sango and Shippo's pulse. "Yeah, just banged up a little." He called back to the hanyou. Looking at Sango now, he gently brushed back a strand of her hair and tucked it behind her ear. He winced when he noticed the wounds that littered her back from the fence; after all, he also knew how painful it had been. Leaning forward, his lips brushed tenderly against her cheek, causing her to stir.
"Mmm…Miroku…not now…I don't feel very good…" Sango muttered, her body shivering in the cold night air.
"I know…" He whispered, "It's okay, everything is all right now. We'll be home soon and you'll be feeling better, I promise." His heart filled with emotions from the recent events and one single, powerful emotion stood out among all the others. Something mixed with relief and love.
He had been so torn apart and angry when he thought they had lost Kagome. Then, when he saw Sango so battered up, the thought of losing her entered his mind and he was pretty much scared completely. It was then that it hit him how much he really loved her and how much he really needed her.
The hanyou sheathed Tetsusaiga by his side. "Yeah, let's go home." He muttered, picking Kagome up bridal style and stumbling towards the others. When he reached them, Miroku gently lifted up Shippo, placing him on Kagome's stomach, careful to avoid her wound. After that, he turned towards Sango, carefully picking her up bridal style also.
Of course, his perverted side had to kick in right about then. He began to rub her backside and Sango unconsciously slapped him in her sleep, leaving a lovely red handprint on his cheek.
Inuyasha chuckled wearily, shaking his head at his friend before a noise caused him to stop in his tracks. His eyes glanced in the direction of the noise and his breath caught in his throat as he watched a flashlight beam begin to come around the corner.
"Ayame, there is nothing out here." A voice stated.
"I swear I heard something Kouga!" A female voice replied, obviously Ayame.
Wait a minute…hadn't Kouga been dating Kagura? Or was that someone else? Inuyasha decided that he had been away too long and that things must have happened and changed. Either way, this was for the better. Inuyasha had met both the girls and frankly, Kagura freaked him out a little while Ayame was a nice girl. He could see Kouga and her together happily.
"There is nothing out here, it was probably the rain or some animal." Kouga snorted, his voice getting louder as he neared the garden.
"Hmph, you're just mad because you want to continue the fun we were having before I heard that noise!" Ayame sneered, blushing slightly.
"Maybe I'll have to report this… Kouga isn't doing his nightly duties properly. After all, you're not supposed to bring friends or girlfriends into the building." Inuyasha thought to himself while smirking, gaining an upper hand with his rival.
Miroku turned to Inuyasha, his face filled with a look of pure panic. If they were caught, all hell would surely break loose. With a quick, painful leap, Inuyasha jumped over the fence, landing on the other side while Miroku ripped his way through it hurriedly. They both dashed behind the building into the darkness as Kouga and Ayame walked into the garden.
He shined his flashlight all around the garden to prove to Ayame that nothing was there. "See, there is nothing, it was just the rain." He sighed. "Jeez, look at the mess it made. I just hope I'm not the one that has to clean it up." With a smirk, he shut off his flashlight to tease his love, but failed.
"Look Kouga! It's a moon's rainbow!" Ayame jumped up and down, pointing up into the sky towards the moon. The boy looked up and sure enough, there was a very faint rainbow. Putting his arm around her, Kouga and Ayame both wandered back inside the clinic.
"A moon's rainbow?" Inuyasha's eyebrows furrowed together in thought, for he had never heard of such a thing. Kagome stirred in his arms and for a brief second, he and Miroku ducked around the corner and looked up at the moon.
Sure enough, there it was. From the last mist of the rain and the pale moonlight, a thin shimmer of colors streaked across the sky before it slowly faded away. Turning towards Miroku, the two of them walked about a block down the street before stopping.
"Do you think this will turn back into my car?" Inuyasha questioned, nodding towards Tetsusaiga. "Because I really don't want to walk all the way to your house."
"Maybe, try it." Miroku replied, grunting as he leaned against a brick building. A few minutes ago Sango had woken up and demanded that she was allowed to walk. After arguing a bit, Miroku finally let her down and now the two were limping along, supporting each other. After all, everybody was completely exhausted.
"Here it goes." Inuyasha muttered, holding his sword sideways in the air while he yelled out, "Tetsusaiga!" The sword began to glow brightly and he released it from his grasp, dropping it to the ground as it changed shapes into that of his car. Smiling and letting out a sigh of joy, he placed Kagome in the back and waited for Sango to get in next to Kagome. He had to drive, after all.
"I don't think so." Miroku glared at him, stealing the keys from his hand. "Out of all of us, I'm positive that you and Kagome are the most exhausted and I'm not letting you fall asleep at the wheel. Get in back there." He pointed to the back seat and with an indigent snort, Inuyasha clambered in. He wasn't going to argue with Miroku, because what he had said was true.
Sango got into the passenger's seat, holding Shippo now, while Miroku got into the driver's seat and started the engine. Chewing his lip, he began to drive to his house, but not before he turned to Sango and asked her not to let him fall asleep. After that remark, her eyes stayed wide open but that was far from what was happening in the back seat.
Inuyasha had placed Kagome's head on his lap, letting her stretch out over the other two seats. His warm fingers kept gently stroking her cheek, sometimes going in tender circles. He leaned his head back and closed his eyes, drifting off into a sweet sleep.
After making it home safely, Inuyasha carried Kagome inside while Sango carried Shippo and Miroku trailed in behind them.
They all but collapsed down onto the beds, slipping off into a well-deserved and extremely long sleep.
~*~
"What is taking them so long?!" Kikyo grumbled to herself as she sat up in Kagome's room, trying futilely to ignore the bright pink bed sheets and the teddy bear that was staring her in the eyes.
Why did she have to be stuck in such a repulsive room?!
"Aggghhh!" She exclaimed, slamming her face into a pillow as she let out a muffled string of curses.
~*~
Inuyasha sat in a wooden chair, propped up next to Kagome's bed. Well, technically it was one of Miroku's beds but lately it had come to be hers. Four days had passed since the destruction of Daemon and the purification of the Shikon no Tama. Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha and Shippo had all slept on and off for two and a half days, leaving many places and people wondering where they had disappeared to. Inuyasha was covered in white bandages, many of them littering his body in random places, but all in all he was okay. Nothing was broken; he had only been beaten up a lot. Truthfully, he had sustained many fatal injuries and was probably only still alive because of his demon blood. Speaking of demon blood, Inuyasha hadn't been able to turn back to his human form, mainly because the Shikon no Tama was what sealed it away and kept him in his human form, but the jewel was not handy anymore, for it was thankfully gone.
Inuyasha didn't know what he was going to do about that. I mean, it wasn't every day that he would show up to work as a hanyou.
Sango and Miroku were also bandaged up, although their wounds were a lot less severe. Shippo was the one who got past with the least injuries. Those three were currently in the room next door, laughing, cooking up lunch and blaring the radio with music.
He sighed, running his hands through his hair. Kagome was still asleep. She had been unconscious for all four days now, ever since she had collapsed before him in the garden. Her wounds had probably been the worst but luckily they had been treated properly with the help of Miroku's neighbor who happened to be a doctor. Thankfully, a doctor who didn't ask questions. He had said that Kagome was suffering from exhaustion also and would probably sleep for a while. Inuyasha knew it was because she had used up so much energy to purify the Shikon no Tama. He knew she would wake up sometime soon, but he still couldn't help but worry.
Inuyasha rested his head in his hands, leaning his elbows on his thighs. Without even realizing it, he began to sing quietly.
"The days pass by and change,
We live our lives
Wandering to the ends of the earth.
Closing off the way back,"
And then, suddenly, another familiar voice joined his softly.
"We walk on for eternity.
We live our lives standing frozen to the spot,
Unable to cry out, for eternity..."
The song had finally reached its end- it had finally been finished.
Smiling up at Inuyasha, Kagome whispered, "Good morning."
~*~
Author's Note: Don't worry, that isn't totally the end, although I find that spot a cool place to leave off, if it wasn't for Kikyo and the whole blood sealing thing. We've still got a few more things to wrap up before it's over. Also, here's a lovely new mistake I made that I thought I'd share with you all.
Spelling Mistake: "And, as if in slow motion, she fell sidewalks, thudding into the ground."
Fell sidewalks? I didn't even know that was possible!
Also, I just thought I'd point out to symbolic things in this chapter, incase no one noticed them.
The end if the song signified the end of this chapter of their lives. This whole ordeal is over, just as the song is, and now they're ready to start a new one. They are ready to begin a new song and a new chapter in their lives, whatever it may be. The song might change tunes and words, but it will always be their own.
The whole waking up and good morning thing is also significant. Why do we say good morning? Because it is the start of a new day and we greet it with good morning. Just as a new day has arrived, a new part of everybody's lives has begun with one another. Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Shippo and Miroku are all starting a new day in their lives- a new beginning. It is a chance to do things different, to start a day anew, and a chance for change. In a way, Kagome is greeting the new day in her life…the new part of it…the new beginning she now has to live life to its fullest, along with Inuyasha and everybody else.