Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha….tee hee Kagome does! Spank!

Chapter Five: Acceptance

 SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1"Thank you Sango...maybe your right....I just need to get this off my chest...regardless of what he says back." she whispered.

"Is this a private party or can I get in on the action?" Miroku walked up behind Sango. In a second a bright red hand print stained his left cheek, but in the next a kiss landed on his right. He smiled as the girls pulled away. Kagome turned to walk away and then stopped. She seemed to sniff the air and looked into the distance. Suddenly she closed her eyes.

"How long have you been listening Inuyasha?"

"Long enough." Inuyasha jumped down from his favorite spot on his tree and stood at a distance from Kagome. He looked at the sky. For an eternity they sat in silence. Suddenly Miroku and Sango were no longer next to Kagome.

"When did that happen?" she glanced around, and then her eyes fixed on Inuyasha. She walked slowly towards him. "I....guess its now or never....." She took a big gulp and stood in front of Inuyasha, who continued to stare at the sky. Closing her eyes, she began. "Inuyasha....I....."

"Don't"

"I love.....WHAT?!" Kagome stopped. "Wait what do you mean don't?! I have something I need to say to you and damn it Im going to say it!"

"Ka-"

"I LOVE YOU!" Kagome gasped at her own honesty. Perplexed and embarrassed, she fixed her eyes on the sky. "Well....now what...."she asked herself. "Baka! Whenever you had imagined this, you hadn't planned for him not saying anything. How can you be so unprepared!"

"I know Kagome." Inuyasha spoke calmly, something that was so rare it sent Kagome into a different panic mode. Suddenly she second guessed every fleeting glance of something more that he had ever given her. " I was such a fool!" she cursed herself.

"Well, um. I just wanted you to know that....before I went back and all. I guess I will see you around or something...." she lowered her head and turned around. "I supposed I will come back next week...to deal with the shards and stuff...." She began to walk away.

"Kagome, I cant say it." Inuyasha whispered. She turned as he lowered his head and looked at her. Tears glistened in his amber eyes. An even more rare sight.

"Can't...can't say what Inuyasha?" Kagome, full of concern placed her hand on his face. He cringed at her touch and let his head stubbornly raise to the sky once again.

" There is too much....I need to say to you. When I lost Kikyo it was like everything got so much clearer and I need to tell you but I don't know how. I don't even know if I want to tell you."

"What do you need from me Inuyasha?"

"I cant ask for anything from you ever." He shook his head. " I don't deserve your love. That is one thing I need to tell you."

"What?! No!" Kagomes eyes widened and her heart beat faster than ever.

"Shut up! All I ever did was hurt you and run to Kikyo!" He growled and turned away. "I....Im sorry that I loved her. That I still love her Kagome. I will always love her."

Kagome closed her eyes and turned away. She spoke barley above a whisper. "I know Inuyasha, I would never try to change that."

"I know you would never. You are too good of a person." he grumbled and lowered his voice to a growl. "Im not even a person, let alone a good one. You deserve better than a half breed."

Suddenly something broke in Kagome. Tears flowed down her face and she turned to forcefully grab his face. He looked confused as Kagome's eyes stared into his. "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND!?" she shouted. " I don't care if your half fish, half carrot or half girl! Your Inuyasha and I love you. No matter what. As long as you stay yourself and stay alive I will be happy." She let go of his face and stepped back, again shocked by her own honesty. But instead of looking relieved, once again Inuyasha just stared at the sky.

"Kagome. I don't deserve you. No matter what you say or do. That is why I wont tell you how I feel....because I just want you to go back and find someone who will treat you much better than I ever will."

"Inuyasha, believe me when I say that I will not be able to sleep, eat or function unless you tell me how you feel. If you want me to leave, fine. But I think I deserve to know. I think you owe me that....." Kagome folded her arms and waited. Her black hair danced with a cool breeze that felt refreshing to the soul. Her mind suddenly calmed and she uncrossed her arms and wrapped them around herself, taking a deep breath. " I am prepared for what he has to say....no matter what it is...and I will understand because I love him...." Kagome repeated in her mind.

Inuyasha continued to stare at the sky for a moment. "I don't....I don't want to hurt her again. But Kikyo was right.....when Kagome is beside me...even when were angry at each other....I feel better than any other time. More myself, more real, and accepted. I want to feel like that for a long time....." He closed his eyes and let the warm tears fall down his face slowly before Kagome caught them with her hands. Suddenly he wrapped his arms around her.

"Im sorry. I thought I was strong enough to not tell you and to just let you go, but Im not. Im to selfish.."

Kagome held her breath. "No matter what he says, you will be ok."

"I love you Kagome."

Kagome smiled and let his words sink into her heart. Her tears that she had kept at bay flowed freely onto his red kimono.

"Wait?! What?! Why are you crying?!" Inuyasha panicked and glanced around nervously, then back at her. "Kagome! Stop crying! What did I do!?"

Black and white hair danced as the spring time breeze hit the embracing couple. Kagome pulled her head away from her warm red pillow and blinked. She smiled sweetly. Inuyasha was frightened by her smile.

"What?" he said slowly.

"Would you like some ramen Inuyasha?" Kagome pulled away and grabbed his hand.

"Your...are you...you're confusing women." He smiled.

"Theres no more confusion Inuyasha." They began to walk. "Only ramen. Forever."

"Sounds good to me!" With years of discussions and arguments ahead of them, the two walked back to the village with only one thought on their minds; freedom to love.

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Well I hope you enjoyed it! Expect more mushy stories to come. Review if you feel up to it but I write to satisfy that hopeless romantic in me!