A/N: Someone asked why Inuyasha had to turn into his demon form? Initially I had typed somewhere that he changed to understand and feel Kagome's emotions so that he knew that she was all right. I think I scrapped it 'cause I threw in Kikyou to provoke a dilemma between Inu, Kag and Kik. Gomen, but I must've scrapped it unconsciously. Good pick up! ^_~ So, I've decided that Inuyasha will remain in his human form unless otherwise stated.

Anyhow, enjoy this chapter… last chapter! ^_^ 

Japanese Vocabulary

Baka – Stupid

Kami-sama – God

Ganbatte Kudasai – Good luck

Disclaimer: Don't own Inuyasha so don't sue!

CHAPTER TWELVE: FORGIVINGS

^_^

And when I touch your hand

It's then I understand

The beauty that's within

It's now that we begin…    

^_^

Silence greeted Inuyasha's last words as the four of them sat quietly to reflect on their private thoughts and it was a while before Kikyou broke the peace with a laugh of incredulity. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably while Kagome glared indignantly at the woman. She had to give it to the woman who had the gall to laugh after what was an important description of that night. Then again, she would have done the same if she were in that position. Kikyou had always been too proud to admit her mistakes and she could tell it from the way she held her head high, as if she were 'The Queen Almighty'.

"Surely, you can't believe all that Kagome-chan?" Kagome narrowed her eyes upon the title she had bestowed upon her. She could call her 'whatever-chan' she wants but there was no way she was returning the favour. She was sure that this woman was behind the scheme of breaking them up. From the exchange of words that she had heard between the two, there was no doubt that Kikyou had planned it all. She had been so baka!

Now it was up to her to make amends between herself and Inuyasha. If she failed, at least she had tried.

Kami-sama… I hope he forgives me…

"I don't know…" Kagome murmured, as she averted her gaze to the hanyou who continued to stare at her like she was going to disappear any minute. "I thought that – "

"You're a fool to believe any word of that… that story!" Kikyou shook her head in dismay, "Look at him carefully and tell me what you see Kagome-chan."

"Will you stop calling me that?" Kagome stood up and came to stand before the woman, her blue eyes flashing a dangerous blue colour. This woman had the nerve to mumble excuses and lie about her being involved in the situation? Did she not know that she had heard everything?

"Just what the hell are you trying to accomplish Kikyou?" She demanded finally, "You've lied to me, broken us up and now you claim that everything that came out of his mouth is all a lie?"

"I'm just simply telling you the truth, Kagome-ch–"

"Don't call me that!" Kikyou widened her eyes at the abrupt tone she imposed upon her and immediately took a step backwards. Kagome took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

"Kami-sama… I may dislike you but I feel so… sorry for you."

"Kagome, I'm just trying –"

"I think it's best that you leave, Kikyou." Inuyasha was surprised that his voice sounded so strong when inside he felt so numb. He wanted to berate and question her for what she had done and end their misery by silting her throat or do something close to that. Only he couldn't find it in himself to do it and it took him a few moments to realise why.

He looked up and noted the familiar grey eyes and pale skin compare to Kagome's blue eyes and pale skin. They looked the same and yet they were so different. Kikyou did what she did to alleviate the obvious jealousy within her and for some absurd reason he could find a spark of forgiveness for the woman.

Maybe it was due to the fact that he had felt that way with Kagome before. He recalled the time when she payed a little more attention to some random wolf idiot in high school, which naturally made him boil over with jealousy. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at the thought but quickly willed it away. It was not the time to bring up the past – this was more important.

Kikyou regarded the couple; the way Inuyasha seemed to be angry but at the same time… was that forgiveness she saw in those violet eyes? It startled her but she managed to maintain her cool façade. How could the fool forgive her for what she had done? She almost shook her head in disgust before resting her eyes upon the girl who had surprised her in such a short period of time.

Kagome's blue eyes emitted an angry like aura but she also noted the new spark of intelligence in her eyes and the way it seem to glow right out at her. She had changed no doubt and continued to wonder at how someone could change so quickly.

She clenched her small hands and bowed her head. It was time for her to leave; no matter how much trouble she had provoked between the two, it was clear that they were not going to part anytime soon – she had failed. The three words left a hollow feeling inside of her. How could she have failed? She trembled slightly and took a deep breath.

At least she had tried.

She looked up once more, maintaining that cool façade before she spoke her last words to the couple.

"Ganbatte Kudasai."

And without another word she turned and left the apartment, her stilettos clinking against the tiles and out into the hall.

Miroku was the first to move and mumbled an excuse to leave the apartment for the two – they needed time alone.

The soft sound of the door click evoked Inuyasha to gaze at Kagome through new eyes. She had changed over this past month. Her movements and the way she presented herself showed her maturity. Maybe this dilemma had taught them something.

"Kagome, I – "

She shook her head and it was she needed to do to silence him. With pleading eyes, she asked quietly "May I speak first?"

Kami-sama… he thought in a panic, as possible scenarios of what she would say next popped into his head. Did she want to end their relationship or had she found someone else?

The later possibility hurt but he couldn't blame her even if she did find someone else who would respect, support and love her the way he had obviously failed to do. His heart skipped a beat when she turned away to approach the long glass door to admire the view outside. A feeling of regret washed over him and he closed his eyes.

This was it. She was going to tell him to get out of her life and he didn't blame her. He deserved it either way – he'd been such a fool. He bowed his head to ready himself for the rejection.

"I've learnt a lot these past weeks and like I said, I've got to give it to Kikyou." She smiled wanly, her eyes gazing sadly at the horizon. "When I saw you with her," she took care to control her voice from trembling, "I was so angry that I wanted to walk right in there and confront you there and then but… something stopped me."

She lowered her eyes and clasped her hands before her, "The fact that you couldn't differentiate us, broke my heart. It was probably the reason why I ran away – I was just so confused and angry."

With every word she said, Inuyasha was slowly raising his head to stare at her figure by the window and tampering the feeling to defend and explain himself. He was scared that speaking might somehow break through the 'trance' she was in. He also wanted to know how she had felt and thought during that night. He swallowed and waited for her to continue.

"I thought if I ran away I could maybe clear my mind of you and let you feel how much it hurts to lose someone… if you cared about me at all."

Smiling bitterly she shook her head at her own folly, "How wrong I was. I was kidding myself; crying myself to sleep every night afterwards, thinking of you with every minute of the day. I was disgusted at the fact that you could do this to me. I even thought I was weak at one time and willed myself to forget everything that had happened."

"But these few weeks have taught me something Inuyasha," she closed her eyes to prevent the tears forming, "I can't live without you." She heard a small intake of breath from the hanyou and bit her lip.

"As the days turned into weeks I also realised something else." She opened her eyes and turned her head slightly, "I didn't run away because I couldn't face you, I ran because I couldn't trust you."

She turned to face him finally and could see a stream of emotions fleeting across his features, each having its equal share except for one; anxiety.

It took Inuyasha several long seconds before he asked what he hoped he would never have to ask again, "What about now, Kagome? Do you trust me now?"

She had expected the question and hoped that he would understand. "I didn't at first and I blamed my actions for what you had done." Kagome shrugged, "I suppose it was easier to put everything on you than rather on me. But after a while I began to… miss you and thought myself weak until I recounted that night to Miroku."

"I don't know how it happened but I began to see things from your point of view and realised how baka I was. I had never even considered to hear you out only believing what I had seen." She shook her head at her own folly.

"Kagome, it's not what you…?" She strode purposefully towards the hanyou and stopped a couple of meters before him, holding his gaze all the while.

"To answer your question Inuyasha, without trust there is no love. I told you before that I cannot live without you and you mean the world to me." She bit her lip once more as a sheen of potential tears began to form, "Kami-sama…I-I love you!"

"K-Kagome?" he couldn't believe what she had just told him.

She smiled through the tears that were beginning to fall, "You baka! Of course I trust you!" and clumsily embraced him with tears streaming down her face.

Inuyasha just stood there, rooted to the spot as the girl he had loved since the day he had laid an eye on her had just told him that she loved him despite what had happened. Kami-sama what the fuck have I done to deserve such an angel as this?

"Kagome…" he panicked at the fact that she was crying. He hated it when she cried – it tugged a weak spot in his heart. He placed his arms around her and began to stroke her hair in what he thought was a soothing gesture. She pulled back after a few moments and touched his cheek with her hand.

"I-I still don't… understand…" he placed his forehead against hers and caught her hand in his, "after what has happened, y-you're forgiving me?"

She smiled. He may be smart but his brains obviously didn't work in the relationship department. Closing her eyes briefly, she proceeded to explain.

"These few weeks have taught me a lot. I can't deny these feelings I have for you no matter how many times I ignore or suppress them, they are there. These feelings are so overwhelming Inuyasha that I want to feel them for the rest of my life."

"And what is so special about these feelings is that I feel them when you are around me. This…" she leant forward to kiss him with the experience that he had taught her, "is what I feel when you're with me. I love you, Inuyasha."

For a moment Inuyasha was lost until she had initiated that kiss. He had felt his heart begin to pound and a groan pushing its way up. The last of her words began to make sense as she pulled away to admit what he had hoped to hear one day.

I love you, Inuyasha

He smiled tenderly at the girl in his arms. She was so beautiful that it almost broke his heart. He knew then that this was the girl that he had loved and will always love.

"I love you too, Kagome."

"Now that has got to be one hell of a good ending!"

Both froze at the sound of Miroku's voice and quickly disentangled themselves.

"Miroku…" Inuyasha growled, annoyed at the interruption.

"Hey! I just came to check up on both of you and it wasn't my fault that –"

It was all he got to say as Inuyasha tackled him to the floor with Kagome standing nearby smiling at the ridiculous picture they made.

The band had finally released its hold around her heart.

THE END

LOL! JOKE JOKE JOKE! It's the second last chapter so there'll be another one. ^_^ Thanks for the reviews mina! ^_~