A/N: Oy…sorry guys. Took a lot longer than I expected…really sorry about that. But as promised long ago, here's the last and final chapter of KKI. Sequel to be expected, so read my bottom AN for more details.

Disclaimer: Oh, there is a song in this chapter, called "I'm Still Here" by the Goo Goo Dolls. It was written especially for Disney's "Treasure Planet" and is also known as "Jim's Theme". I recommend the song to everyone, but you really don't fall in love with the song till you see the movie.

Well enough delaying the start of the finish ^_^ Read on people!

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CHAPTER 16: Unexpected

"Kagome, Inuyasha, the ride is over!" Sango yelled at them. They were still arguing back and forth about random things, including who had more friends and who could eat the most. They'd never finish one argument before moving onto the next.

"I don't care that you can cook!" Inuyasha growled at Kagome. Their foreheads were pressed up against each other and their arms wailing when they yelled.

"Well I don't care that you can fly!!" Kagome wailed into his ear, and grabbed onto a lock of his white hair and yanked on it.

"I never said I could fly!!" Inuyasha snatched the sides of her cheeks and began to tug on them. Everyone sighed.

"So there IS something that the 'great' Inuyasha can't do after all!!" Kagome retorted and socked Inuyasha in the arm.

"Stupid wench!" Inuyasha muttered as he held her arms to her sides with his own. This left them in what most would see as an embrace. He brought his head down next to hers and whispered in her ear. "This is how I like you best…" and he licked her ear to tease her.

"Inuyasha…don't do this, please." Kagome whined softly as she struggled to get away from him. He only held on tighter and refused to let her go. He nuzzled his head into the crock of her neck and she froze as her muscles tensed up. Her breathing even became shallow.

Sango was about to go break up the scene because people were watching them and waiting for them to get out of the way so they could get on. She also didn't think Kagome was ready for this, but Miroku stopped her from approaching them and pointed to an astonished Kikyo.

"Inuyasha??" Kikyo gasped and Inuyasha immediately let Kagome go. She fell to the ground from the force of her pull, but got up and dusted herself off with a "hmph!".

"It wasn't what it looked like!" he tried to explain, but Kikyo wasn't going to have any of that. She went straight up to him and slapped him. Inuyasha's eyes widened in shock, and a trace of emotional pain flashed across his face, but it was gone as soon as it came.

"You bastard! You like that bitch more than me!!" Kikyo roared loudly. Even the people waiting in line didn't want to interrupt her because they were scared of the crazed woman before them. "We're through! I hope you go to hell! I'm sure that Tokuno will side with me because he had always loved me more than you ever did, Inuyasha!! FUCK YOU!!"

Kagome choked on Kikyo's words when she got to the Tokuno part. It brought back something she desperately wanted to forget, but she knew she never could.

"Tokuno had told me he loved me and said that we'd meet up again sometime soon! He said that he's going back to his hometown for a bit, but he's going to come back here for me!!!" Kagome sharply drew in air, holding her lungs as if she was under water and someone was trying to drown her. Everyone looked at her. Even Inuyasha looked over at Kagome.

He was immediately by her side and held her up to keep her from collapsing.

"Wh-when did he tell you this?" Miroku stuttered for one of the first times in his life. Now he was beginning to wish that he HAD looked for the body…

"That's none of your damn business, freak!!" she screamed at him, causing him to wince. "But he caught up with me after you all went into the ambulance! He told the teacher that he was fine but he wanted to go home and she let him! He pulled me aside and gave me a ride home. That was when he told me he loved me and said he'd come back for me! He looked like shit when he came out of the forest and when I asked him about it, he said that all of you put him through hell and left him for dead!!!"-she turned to Inuyasha now-"How could you leave your cousin to DIE, Inuyasha?? He said you picked that bitch over him and now he's going to make all of you pay…" she growled in a very low, very deadly tone. "And I will help him…"

Kagome was in tears by now and was allowing Inuyasha to hold her. She just wanted to fall down and collapse with the weight of all this news that was anything but good.

"Kagome!" Inuyasha sat her down and knelt beside her. She pushed him away before running away, as if fleeing from her problems.

Turning to Kikyo, Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. "Everyone was right when they said how bitchy you were and how sluty you dressed. I didn't want to see it then, but now that's all I can see of you. I know I don't deserve Kagome with all the horrible things I've done to her, but I certainly deserve better than a whore like you! You're never going to lay your filthy hands on Kagome; I'll make sure of that! Go to Tokuno and tell him that if I EVER see him again, I'll tear him limb from limb for what he did to Kagome. And as for you, get the hell out of my sight." Kikyo gasped, but then glared at him and stormed away towards the entrance of the park.

"I can't believe it…" Miroku whispered. "I'm so sorry…I should have-" he was cut off by a certain hanyou grabbing his shirt collar.

"I thought you said he'd bleed to death out there after you shot him with an arrow!!" Inuyasha growled so menacingly, it made Miroku wonder if he was going to kill HIM.

"Put him down!" Sango yelled. "This isn't the time or place for this! Now let him go!!" Inuyasha glanced at her and growled again, but set him back onto the ground.

Sesshomaru and Souta were speechless. They had just been standing there, and not being told any of this before just shocked them to no end! Souta's mouth was open and his eyes as wide as saucers.

"Kagome!" Sango and Miroku and Souta all said at the same time. They were about to go after her, but Inuyasha held out his arm to stop them.

"No, let me handle this," and with a nod from his brother, he left to go find her…

'Kagome...I...I...I will finally tell you. I'm sorry it took me so long, but I had to admit it to myself first...I love you.'

***

Inuyasha rushed through the park in the direction Kagome went. Along the way he noticed three older boys were playing keep-away from a little boy with brown hair with a small teddy bear.

~FLASHBACK~

"Inuyasha come back here! Don't go over there!!" a young woman that's eyes appeared to have seen more terrible things than good and seemed much wiser than most others said hastily as she reached to catch the young dog demon. He slipped through her grasp. "Inuyasha!!"

She was worried about his safety, and for good reason too. That's why they moved to the mountains above a small village. She didn't want her poor outcast son mistreated or even worse because of what he is.

She knew that she couldn't protect him forever, but she wished to try to for as long as possible.

"Don't worry mom! I'll be right back; I just need to get my ball." Inuyasha called back to her.

The ball had reached the village by now with the hanyou close behind it. It rolled to a stop bellow a bald, chubby man talking to a woman. The bald man bent down to pick it up.

"Excuse me sir," Inuyasha pulled onto the man's shirt to get his attention. "Could I get my ball back please?" Inuyasha's ears twitched as he waited.

"Why sure lad-" The man suddenly crinkled his nose in disgust when he saw the ears, giving the young hanyou a nasty glare. The woman screamed, loudly, getting everyone's attention.

Inuyasha backed away and shrunk back from all the eyes turned on him.

"You filthy savage! You do not deserve a ball that brings you such joy!" the man growled at Inuyasha and Inuyasha released his hold on the man's clothes.

"Please sir," he murmured, not quite sure what was happening. Never before had his ears heard such words. Not really knowing fully what those words meant, he asked for his ball back again.

The fat man kicked Inuyasha hard on the side of the face and he fell back into a mud puddle that was knee deep, a big, red footprint on his cheek. Tears wanted to stream down his cheeks then, but he was too shocked. He managed to get to his feet again.

"Get out of here!!" the woman shrieked, kicking up dirt into his face. Inuyasha fell backwards again onto his back and crab-walked away from them.

"You want your ball back??" the man asked mockingly. Inuyasha nodded slowly. Then the man threw the ball to an older boy behind Inuyasha. This boy had messy black hair and had a bulk much bigger than Inuyasha's.

The hanyou's eyes widened when the boy raised the ball over his head with a sinister look. Inuyasha got up again and started running for the village entrance.

The boy chased after him, but Inuyasha was much faster and was about to exit the village. The boy suddenly stopped and grinned. He pegged the ball at Inuyasha's feet causing him to trip and skin his knee.

"Filthy wretched beast!!" he called after Inuyasha. He stumbled to his feet scooping up his ball in one hand. He understood that.

It had been from that day on that he knew exactly what he was and how much he meant to the world.

Inuyasha ran into his mother's open arms and embraced her, dropping the ball at her feet. He didn't cry; he wouldn't cry.

"Inuyasha...I'm so sorry..." and she cried for her son, knowing more than anyone at the time that this was only the beginning.

Inuyasha decided from that day forward, he was never going to let anyone play with his emotions in any way ever again.



~END FLASHBACK~

Only a week later, they had moved to the place they were staying at now, and his mother died when she came down with an incurable illness. The city was one that didn't even know what a youkai was unless in stories and thought that they only existed in fairytales. Those that did know were too afraid to say anything because Inuyasha was growing up bigger and stronger with each day.

Inuyasha looked around for the little boy's mother, but she was nowhere to be found, so he was going to help him himself.

"Hey!! Give that back to him!!" Inuyasha growled. They stopped and turned to him.

"Who's going to make us?" one of them sneered, holding the teddy bear behind him. Inuyasha's ears twitched in anger, and the boys gasped when they saw them.

"Your a...a demon!!" the second boy yelled with both fear and realization. The three let go of the bear and ran away screaming 'demon'.

Inuyasha bent down and picked the bear up, dusting it off.

"Here you go," he whispered when he was eye-level with the small boy who stood in awe. Inuyasha started to walk off, but looked back when he felt someone pull on his clothing.

"Thank you mister...it's just that I thought that demons would be, um...mean..." he bowed his head almost in shame of thinking such things.

"No," he said simply, "not all of us are.''

"EEEEKKKKK!!!!!" someone shrieked behind him. "Get away from my son you horrible, horrible creature!!"

"But mommy-" the little boy tried to explain. the lady swung her purse at Inuyasha but he managed to dodge it.

Everyone gathered around in a tight circle.

"A youkai you say?"

"I thought they only existed in children's stories..."

"No, I heard that they exist in the other half of the world-"

"We can't have it attack the children!! It might have rabies!!"

"What should we do to it??" Inuyasha scowled when they started referring him as 'it'.

"But he's not bad-" the little boy tried to say again, but the grown-ups just wouldn't listen.

*~*~*~*~*

I am a question to the world

Not an answer to be heard

Or a moment that's held in your arms

*~*~*~*~*

Inuyasha couldn't take any more of this so he leaped over the throng of people and lost them quickly.

'I don't have time for this!! I have to go find Kagome...'

But in reality, this just brought back old, painful memories. It started to pour as he continued his way through the amusement park. People ran for their cars.

Just then he saw her, his true love, on the marry-go-round alone. The ride wasn't running though. In fact, it was already closed. He stepped through out of the rain and onto the round platform.

"Kagome?" he said reaching out for her but drew back when she shrunk away. She had her back to him with her hair dripping wet hanging over her eyes. He could still smell the salt of fresh tears.

*~*~*~*~*

And what do you think you'd ever say?

I won't listen anyway

You don't know me

And I'll never be want you want

Me to be

*~*~*~*~*

"Kagome!!" Inuyasha snorted, turning her so she faced him.

"Get away from me!!" she cried and jerked away.

"I know how you're feeling...believe me, I do..."

"You don't know a thing about me! Just go away...You wouldn't understand..." tears streamed down her cheeks.

*~*~*~*~*

And what do you think you'd understand?

I'm a boy, no, I'm a man

You can take me and throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown

Yeah, you stand here on your own

They don't know me

'Cause I'm not here

*~*~*~*~*

"Do you really believe that??" Inuyasha growled. "I've had many people after me my whole life Kagome! Even as a little kid who just happened to let his ball roll in a small village one day, people have been treating me like shit! They want me DEAD Kagome, and you wanna know what? It's okay that they come after me because the damn sheriff agrees with them! People think I'm a threat to humanity! I even had a small bounty over my head because I stole a small piece of bead to feed my sick mother!! You don't even understand the meaning of the word 'hate' so don't you EVER say I wouldn't understand!!" Inuyasha had little beads of sweat dripping down his forehead now. Like before, he wasn't going to cry.



*~*~*~*~*

I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

But I'm still here

*~*~*~*~*

Kagome's eyes widened in shock and pure astonishment.

"Inuyasha, I'm so sorry...I had no idea..." Inuyasha sighed.

"No, I'm sorry," he whispered, rubbing the back of his head. "I shouldn't have told you all that...It's just...I have some things I need to tell you, and it isn't going to be very easy for me to say...''

*~*~*~*~*

And you see the things they never see

All you wanted, I could be

Now you know me

And I'm not afraid

And I want to tell you who I am

Can you help me be a man?

They can't break me

As long as I know who I am

*~*~*~*~*

"Inuyasha...I can't believe people did that to you...all those horrible things they must have said to you..."

"Said and did."

*~*~*~*~*

They can't tell me who to be

'Cause I'm not what they see

Yeah, the world is still sleeping

While I keep on dreaming for me

And the words are just whispers and lies

That I'll never believe

*~*~*~*~*

"I say that we forget the past and look towards the future Kagome..." Inuyasha pulled her off the horse on the marry-go-round and embraced her, holding her still.

"Inuyasha?" she asked softly slightly confused. She didn't try to move away though.

"I love you Kagome with all my heart and soul. Please forgive me for everything I put you through, though I know I don't deserve you or your forgiveness. You mean more to me than life itself and I am willing to wait for you if you'll still have me. Even if you won't, I'll still be there to protect you. I LOVE you Kagome."

*~*~*~*~*

And I want a moment to be real

Want to touch things I don't feel

Want to hold on and feel I belong

How can they say I never change

They're the ones that stay the same

I'm the one now

'Cause I'm still here

I'm the one son still here

I'm still here

I'm still here

*~*~*~*~*

Kagome's mouth parted slightly in something between shock and amusement. Inuyasha took it the wrong way though and he immediately let go of her. Kagome started laughing, causing Inuyasha to grow angry.

"I pour out my heart to you and you LAUGH??" She smiled at him and raised her eyebrow.

"I'll think about it..." she said thoughtfully in a mocking fashion.

'I want to see him sweat.'

"Well maybe I'll think about taking it back then!!" he snorted hotly. His temper cooled down when she suddenly took his hands in hers with a small pout and pleading eyes.

"Please don't!" she pleaded softly. Inuyasha got her game then.

'She looks so cute when she's wet.'

"Then tell me why I shouldn't now!" Kagome's eyes drooped and when he saw this, he lifted her chin up with a finger. He kissed her softly, just long enough for her to know how serious he was. "I'll always be there for you, Kagome." Inuyasha was waiting for her to say it back now, to reassure him that he wasn't the only one that felt that way.

"Inuyasha..." she began, smirking, "you look like a wet dog,"-Inuyasha's jaw dropped-"but I love you just the same." He was so overjoyed to hear her say that, that he took her up in his arms and swung her around in the rain, bringing her down to give her a deep, long, passionate kiss which she returned with the same intensity.

Clapping could be heard from behind them.

"About time. I was going to lock you two in a room if you guys didn't admit your feelings for each other by today," said a certain teenage boy that happened to be Inuyasha's EX-best friend at the moment.

"You were SPYING on us???" Inuyasha growled. Miroku realized his mistake immediately and started running to get a head start. He dove behind Sango, who also had been spying on them. Now she was wishing that she was as smart as Sesshomaru and Souta and went to get the car with them.

Inuyasha, Kagome right behind him, grinned mischievously at the two.

"How do you think we should get them back, Kagome?" Kagome caught on.

"I say it's their turn, don't you?" Inuyasha nodded in agreement, pulling Kagome to his side.

"Our turn?" Miroku gulped. He didn't like where this was heading, but then again...

Inuyasha ran his claws down the side of a wooden post.

"Okay, okay...just give me a moment!" he commanded knowing full well that there was no way in hell he was going to get away from this one.

Miroku sighed.

"Sango, I was going to tell you...eventually, but under the circumstances, I think now is the perfect time." he cleared his throat. "I-"

"I think this is totally unfair guys!" complained Sango.

"Sango! Sush...Listen to him, okay?" Kagome demanded.

Miroku hugged her before she could protest.

Inuyasha and Kagome snuck away to give them their privacy. They just wanted to make them admit their feelings.

"Sango, I love you. I don't know what more I can say..."

"How about you do something for me instead." she more stated than asked. "Get your hand-"

"Right..." Miroku laughed nervously. Strike one. "Well?" he asked her, trying not to sound desperate, but failing miserably. He had planned out in his head exactly what he was going to say to her when the time came and it sounded good at the time, but now it just sounded lame. He was speechless once again because of her.

"Miroku..." she began, but stopped. "I don't know if I could love you back because you are such a playboy..." She finished seriously.

Miroku's heart sunk tremendously and silence filled the air. Neither said a word for what felt to them like hours.

"That's a lie. I think I could love you, but I don't think I want to..." Miroku's heart still held hope within it.

"I know I screwed up with you, but please give me a chance to make it up to you!" he pleaded quickly before she could squash that hope. "Like Inuyasha is for Kagome, I'm willing to wait for you how ever long it takes. I've never felt this way about anyone Sango, and I think they call this love."

Sango didn't speak a word to him, but instead answered his question by a kiss.

Miroku's eyes widened.

"Wow..." said Miroku, and Sango fell into his embrace.

"I'm willing to try though." Sango whispered, "because I think I love you too..."

Miroku and Sango stayed in that position for what they hoped was forever.



"I won't hurt you, Sango. I promise that I'll never do anything to hurt you, not now, not ever." Sango snuggled closer to him. "I will protect you with my life if it comes down to that."

Sango felt herself growing tired from the stressful day, so she closed her eyes and nuzzled her head in the cock of his neck. "Miroku…" she whispered before she went out. Miroku suddenly felt dead weight on him and he glanced down.



"Sleeping beauty…" he laughed quietly as he picked her up in his arms. "Let's go find the other beauty with the beast."

******Back to Inuyasha and Kagome

"Hey Inuyasha!!" Miroku called out when he noticed a head of white hair. "Your brother went to get the car with Shippo and Souta. You ready to head out? The rain doesn't look like it's going to clear out anytime soon."

Inuyasha and Kagome looked behind them to see Miroku coming up with Sango in his arms.

"Yeah," he said, "I think I want to go home now—" he turned to look at his love. "—You ready also?"

Kagome didn't say anything as Inuyasha pulled her to her feet. She swayed a bit before steadying herself with the help of the hanyou.

"I think the exit in the park is….that way," said Miroku as he pointed in the direction of the parking lot. They could pretty much clearly see it now, which a few exceptions of some rides that stood to the side of them.

"What gave you THAT idea?" Inuyasha growled, rolling his eyes in irritation, and Miroku bit his lip and sweatdropped.

They both turned to Kagome. She looked out of it and hadn't said a word since they left Miroku and Sango to talk.



"Hey Kagome?" Inuyasha asked softly into her ear as he held her in his arms. The rain was still coming down, and a crash of thunder could be heard in the distance. Another boomed even louder than before.

"Looks like the storm is heading this way…" Kagome mumbled still looking down at the ground with a dazed look, and Miroku and Inuyasha glanced at each other. They knew what she was thinking.

"I'm afraid that is the least of our problems right now," said Inuyasha over the thunder. Miroku nodded in agreement, but Kagome didn't want to talk about that right now.

"All the people are gone," Kagome said, trying to change the subject.

"We can't hide from him; I don't want to live in fear until the end of my days." Inuyasha shifted as if a little uncomfortable. "I've done enough of that as a younger child.



"I wish it would stop raining, then maybe we could ride some more rides."

"He's going to find us sooner or later," Miroku stated.

"I think we should get out of the rain right now."

"We can't run from him, he'll find us," Inuyasha murmured, running his hands through her long black, silky hair. "Look at me, Kagome," he added and cupped his hands around her face.

"I don't want to think about that," her eyes became watery as he peered through them. "I don't want to think about the future…"

"But we can't avoid him. He's a crazed lunatic!" He growled and placed his arm around her shoulder.

"I don't want to—"

"He might even go after Souta! Go through your family to get to you! I'm not going to just sit here and wait for him to come!!"

"What other choice to we have, Inuyasha??" Kagome cried out and pulled her knees to her chest. Inuyasha was at a loss for words, so he just pulled her towards him and leaned his chin on her forehead.

"I…don't know…"

"We hunt him, find him first before he fully recovers," Miroku suggested with a hint of pride. "I think it might be the best solution." Silence followed for a long moment,

"No, I'm going to wait for him…" Kagome said, regaining her confidence and her determination back. Inuyasha smiled lovingly down at her.

'That's that Kagome I love…'

"I'll wait with you, Kagome," Sango smiled at her friend as Miroku set her down on her feet. "We're in this together, don't you forget that." And she gave her best friend a thumbs up.

"Me too," Miroku smirked. "Someone's gotta be there to save all your butts when you get into trouble."

"Yeah, but who's going to save us from you?" Inuyasha grinned when Miroku glared at him.

"How could we ever manage without you, Miroku?" Sango laughed and hugged him.

"We'll be ready for him," Kagome started again. "I'll make that bastard pay one last final time. My father's death won't go in vain…"

"Is that how dad died…?" came a voice that seemed to be walking towards them. Kagome froze. "Shippo told me everything that happened when you were in the forest. Everything he knew at least…"

"Souta, I…I…" she was speechless. He wasn't supposed to find out like that. She would eventually end up telling him, but she wanted to wait till he was older. Souta came to a stop beside his sister.

"Don't worry about it. There's nothing we can do to change the past. I'm not going to cry…I'm just glad I know the truth now. I just can't believe you didn't tell me about this earlier…about everything!" Kagome winced, but placed her arms around Souta.

"I'm sorry Souta, I really am…but I thought it was best that…" she stopped there and started to sob. Souta patted his sister on the back. He felt bad for making her cry, but then he was a little resentful to her for not telling him what happened.

Sesshomaru entered from behind them and cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. He raised his eyebrow at Inuyasha.

"I think it's best we get out of the rain and go talk about this elsewhere."

Everyone followed Sesshomaru out of the amusement park and into the parking lot. They all got in and Sesshomaru started to drive off. They drove in silence for over a whole hour, no one even bothering to strike up a conversation.

"Souta…?" Kagome began. She had a feeling that he was still angry with her. Souta turned to face her with a heavy sigh.

"I say we go tell the police; they'll do something about it. Tokuno, I mean."

"That ain't gonna happen buddy," Inuyasha butted in. "He's not getting anywhere near Kagome. I'll make sure of that. The police will just get in the way. Besides, we'll all be put in jail for attempted murder."

"But you were just defending yourselves."

"Doesn't matter. Never did, never will…" Inuyasha looked slightly dazed when Kagome looked at him. She knew that he must be referring to something from his past again.

Souta was disappointed at what the hanyou said, but knew it was true.

"There's nothing we can do, Souta. But don't worry, everything is going to work out just fine."

Sesshomaru had a grim look on his face as he turned a corner and then into his driveway. Everyone sat there; not a single one undid their seatbelt.

"Promise me you won't tell mom. She has enough to worry about...Or grandpa because he'll somehow tie it into the subject of demons. I don't want either to know about dad…I'll tell you the full story on that later, but just promise me you won't tell!!" Souta frowned with obvious disagreement, but promised anyway. "Thanks Souta."

"Wait a minute..." Miroku began. He had been silent the whole trip deep in thought. "Who said that Tokuno is even still alive? What if Kikyo was in on this the whole time? She could be lying to us..."

"Why would she lie though? What would she gain?" Sango asked.

"Nothing as far as I can tell...unless she just wants us to live in fear that he might come back, but then again..." Miroku said.

"Kikyo..." Inuyasha stated. "Kikyo might have seen Tokuno before he died or even planned this whole thing out with him. What if he told her to carry out what he couldn't?"

"What if, dear brother...that's all that is...what if..." Sesshomaru whispered and everyone fell silent again.

"So really all we can do is wait..."

"DAMN IT!! I can't believe that! There must be something!" growled Inuyasha.

Kagome leaned over to him and kissed him lightly on the cheek. He pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her protectively.

"Let's not worry about it guys. We'll be able to handle whatever comes our way. We did it once, we can do it again. I know we can." Kagome nodded to everyone.

"That's right. We're in this together and nothing is going to change that. There's no way we're going to let Tokuno or Kikyo ruin our lives." Inuyasha added.

"All for one, one for all," Souta smiled.

"You're not involved in this little bro. And you're not going to be."

"I'll tell-"

"YOU CAN'T!!"

"Wanna bet?" Souta smirked when Kagome narrowed her eyes.

"Fine...just...Please promise me you'll be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Yeah yeah..." Souta waved it off. "Well? We ready to get out or are we having a sleepover. You know mom doesn't approve of you with guys sleeping together." Souta grinned as Kagome got up, threw the car door open at record speed, and began to chase him around all the yards of their neighbors, yelling after him. She jumped over one neighbor's back fence after Souta squeezed through the gates.

"Souta you get you scrawny little butt back here so I can kill you!!" she growled after him.

Miroku laughed as Inuyasha sunk in his seat and his ears drooped. He was praying (both he and Sesshomaru) that their neighbors will forgive them…eventually.

When Kagome finally caught up with Souta, Inuyasha pulled her aside from everyone else. He took her by the hand and led her away from everyone else.

"Let's go for a walk, ok? Just the two of us." Kagome nodded. When they were far enough away from everyone, they still walked in silence just enjoying each other's company.

For the first time in Inuyasha's life, he felt at ease and thought everything was going to be okay. They halted where Inuyasha usually went to think, in his little place that was surrounded by trees and running water flowing through it.

The bright sky was just turning to dusk as they sat down under the shaded tree. Inuyasha wrapped his arms over her and pulled her close to him. She leaned on him and nuzzled against his strong, muscular chest.

"Do you think—" Kagome was cut off.

"Let's not think right now…not of the future at least. Just the present, then here and now…"



Kagome nodded and smiled lovingly up at him.

"Why is it that you chose me over Kikyo?" she questioned him lightly as she pulled his arm tighter around her.



Inuyasha turned her around to face him.

"Do you really need to ask that?" And he bent down, giving her all the passion he could muster. She leaned into the kiss with closed eyes and returned it with the same enthusiasm as her love.

They pulled apart from each other, both gasping for breath. Kagome still had her eyes shut. She opened them to see Inuyasha staring down into her eyes. He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek before hugging her close again.

"Because I love YOU, Kagome…"

***************************************************

THE END

A/N: Wow…the end of "Kagome or Kikyo, Inuyasha?" already? Never thought this day would come…So how did I do for my first Inuyasha fic?

Sorry again for the long wait guys, but life has been kinda…hectic lately. I went on vacation last week for over a week, and I didn't know about it until 2 weeks beforehand. I have a life guys, seriously. Who knew, right? Lol. Hope you guys liked the chapter cause I did.

Anyway, I plan to write a sequel to KKI in the near future. I don't know what it's going to be called, so if you want to be emailed when I start on that, then (if you haven't already or not sure you have), leave me your EMAIL ADDRESS and I'll send you a notice, ok? If you read closely to the last chapter, you'll know what a bit of the details of the sequel. Oh, I do know that the sequel will take place either 1 year later, or about 5 years later. I've still go to plan…

*yawns* now I'm gonna go sleep…leave a review please!! I greatly appreciate all your (or most people's) patience for this chapter.