Disclaimer: I got this from another author, and thought it was brilliant ~
it says it all! : Feh!
Ok, finally! Huge hugs and thank yous to all who stuck with me, and to newcomers as well. I really do appreciate and read each and every one of the reviews you have left for me. Oh, the song at the end is by Anne Murray. I don't own it either. Surprise, surprise. I don't like country music, but I thought the words to this song were fitting.
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Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
The first rays of sunlight made their tentative entrance into the room, as if reluctant to wake the couple slumbering peacefully together in the small bed. Lighting at first on the windowsill, making their way around wispy curtains and over a small desk, then tiptoeing quietly onto the floor, they finally beckoned to their brothers and sisters to join them. Abruptly, as their source finally burst entirely above the horizon, they poured into the room all at once, bathing the lovers in a warm radiance of light. The dark haired man stirred slightly, opening his eyes sleepily just before his body began to pulse with energy, as his form initiated its transformation.
Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over, leaving the casual observer, if there had been one, to wonder if his eyes had been playing tricks on him. Where once there had been a dark haired human male, now reclined a silver haired inu hanyou. Shifting slightly, he gazed in wonder down at the girl next to him and reflected on the events that had brought him to be here. With an unaccustomed shudder of joy, he pulled her closer to his chest and breathed in deeply, allowing her scent ~ her essence ~ to suffuse him. She looked so content, so peaceful ~ her lovely features almost childlike, slack with sleep. Even as he held her, he couldn't quite believe that it was all real ~ that last night had actually happened.
Last night he had finally held her, and kissed her, just like he had dreamed of doing for so very long. For so long in fact, that if he hadn't woken this morning with her in his arms, he would suspect that this, too, had been a dream.
But it wasn't a dream. It was real. Shifting in his arms, she hid her face against his chest to block out the intrusive morning glow, causing a surge the joy to erupt through his heart, threatening to overcome him. This beautiful girl... this woman he had fantasized for so long of being with, of sharing his life with, but had never dared to hope it might be possible ~ she had said she was crazy about him. She had said that she'd rather die fighting by his side than live without him! And then they had kissed. Oh, gods, how they had kissed!
He had no idea how long they stood there, holding, touching, kissing each other on the terrace outside the ballroom. He could only remember the warm feeling of absolute euphoria it gave him, and that he couldn't get enough of her. For so long, he had held himself back, aching just to touch her, cherishing any chance just to hug her or hold onto her, only to lose his nerve and pretend to be indifferent or hostile afterward. But now... now, no matter what, he was going to make sure she knew how he felt. After last night, there was no way he was going back.
A soft smile curved his lips as he remembered pulling back from their kiss to look into her luminous eyes, only to see them brimming with tears. He started to stammer sadly, "Kagome, you're crying. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry." Heartbroken, he began to turn away, but Kagome stopped him.
"Inuyasha! Tears don't always mean sadness or fear. Sometimes, you feel so much emotion that you just can't contain it. Some tears are happy tears!" Watching her hopefully, he asked, "And these tears," he stroked her face lightly, taking a few droplets with his gentle fingers, "they're happy tears?"
She nodded, a few beads of moisture still trickling down her smooth, rosy cheeks, but with a smile of pure joy lighting her features, "Very happy tears, Inuyasha. The happiest!"
He could recall little else clearly after that ~ only that everything and everyone else had disappeared, and the night became theirs. He had no memory of walking from the balcony back into the ballroom. He had been completely unaware of the hushed whispers of the other students, as they all gaped in awe, envious of the obvious bond the two shared. He did vaguely recall the music coming to an end, the chandeliers suddenly brightly illuminating the once dimly lit room, and one of Kagome's friends (he never could tell them apart) asking them if they wanted to go get some breakfast. But he wasn't even sure if they had answered her.
Upon returning to Kagome's home, they had found it empty. There was a note on the kitchen counter from Mrs. Higurashi, saying that Suki had called and asked her to come and get Grandpa. She couldn't handle any more of his "help" rearing the baby. Apparently, she didn't think a fossilized rabbit skull an appropriate baby toy, no matter how much history it contained. The note went on to say that she, Souta, and Grandpa would be home Monday, and that they should take their prom clothes to the cleaners in the morning.
There had never been a question or discussion as to where he would spend the night. Inuyasha had simply refused to relinquish his contact with Kagome. Or rather, he would have refused if she had attempted to push him away.
Kagome gave him a pair of black cotton drawstring pants and a red tank top she had bought for him, thinking they would be more comfortable to sleep in than his usual clothing. She also gave him a toothbrush, and showed him how to use it, stressing that he should use a very small amount to the toothpaste. She had frightening, if very funny visions of Inuyasha, with his pointy little ears, foaming at the mouth from using too much.
Dental care attended to, she sent him to her room to change into his sleepwear while she finished her nighttime ritual. When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her face was scrubbed clean of make-up, and cheeks slightly flushed from her face washing. She wore drawstring pants similar to his, except that they were pink, with a white tank top. Inuyasha, seated nervously on the side of her bed, lifted his gaze from the floor to see her enter the room, and couldn't help but smile. She looked much younger now, much less sophisticated than she had earlier in the evening, but amazingly beautiful. This was how he liked her best ~ clean and natural and real.
He sat frozen on the bed, praying that she wouldn't make him leave and go to Souta's room, where he was usually expected to sleep. Watching her carefully hang her dress on it's hanger, put her purse away, straighten up her dressing table, he got the distinct sense that she was avoiding the situation. He felt a stab of guilt at her discomfort, and thought perhaps he should leave ~ maybe even go home. He just didn't know if he could make himself go.
Meanwhile, Kagome was staring into the mirror, steeling herself. She didn't want him to go anywhere, no matter what happened. Only even with all the time they had spent together over the past three years, after all they had been through together, even after all that had transpired earlier that night. she couldn't stop the butterflies that seemed to have materialized in her stomach.
Reluctantly, Inuyasha stood, "Uh, Kagome, do you want me to."
But before he could finish, she took a deep breath, turned, and walked toward the bed, not meeting his eyes. Turning back the covers, she slid beneath them, and moved over to the far side of the mattress. Finally, she looked up at him shyly, and then down at the empty space beside her. And Inuyasha, not waiting for a second invitation, climbed in quickly and stretched out next to her, pulling the blankets up around them.
For a few awkward moments, they just lay there, next to one another but not touching. Mere inches separated them, but it might have been a world away. Finally, Inuyasha couldn't take it any longer. Shaking slightly, he reached out tentatively and slipped his arm around her waist, ready to retract it at her slightest protest. But instead of protesting, she turned to face him and smiling, reaching up to stroke the hair around his face. Letting go of the breath he hadn't known he was holding, Inuyasha tightened his grip to pull her to his body. Kagome sighed happily and moved her hand from his hair to gently touch his handsome face, exploring as if to memorize with her fingers the details he eyes already knew and loved so deeply. Catching her hand in his, Inuyasha kissed her fingertips, then explored her palm and her wrist with his lips, causing a shudder of pleasure to ripple through Kagome's body. Feeling her tremor, he brought his mouth back to hers and kissed her deeply. When they finally came up for air, he gathered her to him and held her tightly, resting his cheek against the top of her head.
Sleep had claimed them soon after that.
Inuyasha shook himself from his reminiscences, and pondered where to go from here. He knew what he wanted... He wanted Kagome. He didn't care how anymore, he just wanted her. Forever, and starting as soon as possible. They still had the jewel shards to collect, and they still had Naraku to defeat. That wouldn't stop him from confessing his desires to her, but it would delay their mating. But he still had to tell her about Kikyo, and he had no idea how she would take his admission.
And what about her? Even if she did love him, would she be willing to spend her life with a hanyou? She didn't seem to care which form he was in at any given time, but up till now they had just been friends. And even if he did become human for her, and live in her world, would she want to take the trouble to teach him all the things he would have to learn to survive there? He grimaced at thoughts of his less than successful attempts so far, the latest of which had happened in the restaurant the night before. Would she want to be continually embarrassed by him? It would be so much easier for her to leave him in his world and choose that Hobo guy instead. He was good looking, intelligent, polite, and liked Kagome very much... He sure seemed to have enjoyed kissing her...
The last thoughts brought an involuntary growl, which shook Kagome from her slumber. She opened her eyes sleepily to a find that her dark haired prince had been replaced by a scowling white haired hanyou. 'Oh, well.' she thought glumly, 'It was nice while it lasted.'
"What's wrong, Inuyasha? Was it that bad?" she asked.
"Was what that bad?"
"Last night."
His expression changed to a gentle smile, "It was the best night of my whole life."
She knitted her brows, "Then why were you frowning?"
His eyes flashed briefly before he answered, "That guy got my kiss."
"What? Which guy...?"
"That Hobo guy. You said you were thinking about me when he kissed you. So it was my kiss, and he got it." For the second time in 24 hours, he was prevented from crossing his arms to emphasize his resentment by his unwillingness to let go of Kagome. So, he contented himself with in indignant look.
"Oh." Kagome had to fight to suppress a giggle. His jealousy was just so...cute! As if he ever had anything to worry about! "Well...you could go and ask him to give it to you."
Inuyasha eyed her sideways, "I don't think so!"
"Well," she tried again, "I could go and ask him to give it back then?"
"NO!" He bellowed. "You keep your lips away from him!"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha." She smiled seductively at him. "What can I do to make it up to you?"
He didn't answer for a moment, steeling his courage. It was now or never. When he finally spoke, it was very quiet, and very serious, "I want the rest."
Her breath caught, "Inuyasha... you want the rest of what?"
"Your kisses. I want the rest. From now on, I want to be the only one you kiss."
"Uh, well... I mean... I have to kiss my mom, my grandfather, my brother, my Aunt Suki."
He sighed impatiently, "I want to be the only man to kiss you. As a ... a... lover." He looked up quickly to see her shocked expression, and almost lost his nerve. But he closed his eyes and pushed on, speaking gently, hopefully, "Kagome, I'm asking you to stay with me ~ to never leave me. To be my mate after our quest is done."
Kagome blinked at him, and couldn't make her mouth work.. She wanted to laugh in jubilation, scream with joy! But that's when reality reared it's ugly head. 'Kikyo...' She looked away sadly.
"I can't Inuyasha. Even though it's what I most want in the whole world. I can't promise you my heart eternally, only to have you go running after Kikyo the minute she shows up again. I will always love you, but I cannot build false hopes of being the one you love, only to have my heart broken again every time she comes around. Never knowing ... never knowing if you will come back or if you will be gone forever into hell with her."
His heart soared at her admission of love. 'She loves me! She said so. She loves me.... But how will she feel about me when I tell her ... But I have to tell her. There's no hope if I don't. And besides, she needs to know. She would find out anyway, and it would be better coming from me than someone else.'
His voice, when he found it, was quiet, tremulous, "Kikyo's gone, Kagome."
She shot him a forlorn glance, "For now, maybe."
"No...for good. I... I killed her." At her horrified expression, he closed his eyes and went on, "The night you shot the demon, and then passed out. While I was carrying you home, Kikyo showed up and aimed her arrow at you. She would have killed you. I couldn't let that happen."
Kagome turned an astonished face to him, tears once again falling from her eyes. "Oh, Inuyasha...!" she buried her face in her hands, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry you had to do..."
He cut her off. He couldn't stand for her to feel guilt for something he should have taken care of long before. "Kagome, it's ok. If I had listened to Kaede when she was first revived, I could have saved us all ~ including Kikyo ~ a lot of pain." He went on to tell her about Kikyo's voice speaking to him, thanking him for setting her free of the evil body that kept her captive. "She's finally free, Kagome, where she needs to be. She no longer needs to imprison the souls of dead girls to stay alive." He peeked up through his curtain of white bangs to see Kagome's stricken visage still staring at him. Oh, gods! I have ruined everything! But what else could I have done?
Instead of speaking, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled herself tightly to him, resting her head on his chest. She hated herself for the feelings she was having, but she couldn't help but feel happy. She still felt sympathy for the dead miko from whom she had apparently inherited her soul, but at least she could now rest in peace. And, no matter how much she admonished herself, she couldn't squash the jubilation that was growing within her: that Inuyasha wanted her, and that he wanted to live their lives together as mates.
Meanwhile Inuyasha, feeling a small amount of hope at Kagome's show of affection, began to stroke her soft raven locks with his fingers. "Kagome, so, uh, will you ... do you want to be ... with.... with me? Marry me?"
Kagome wanted to sing with joy, but her voice completely deserted her, threatening to choke her if she spoke.
Her lack of response began to panic Inuyasha, and before he could stop himself, a torrent of words came pouring from his mouth, "I'll use the jewel to become human for you, Kagome. I'll live in your world, learn to take those tests you take so many of, whatever you want. I don't care. Just please don't leave me!" He knew he was begging, but he couldn't make himself care.
Kagome was touched by his words, but hated to see him reduced to pleading with her, especially when it was so unnecessary. She finally found her tongue, "But Inuyasha, you hate being human."
He dropped his gaze and said, "I don't hate it so much any more. I don't think I could have said and done the things I did last night if I hadn't been in my human form. And they needed to be said for so long. My human side has been hurt much less than my hanyou side. At least as a human, I didn't have to hide for fear of being attacked or called a freak."
"Inuyasha, I don't want you to change. Not for me, or for anything, unless it's what you really want. You would lose so much of what makes you you ~ the one I love." She reached up to stroke a lock of silvery hair away from his face, and tenderly kissed his smiling mouth. "Besides," she reached up further to rub his furry, triangular ears, "I would miss these ears."
"Please don't change, Inuyasha."
"But life would be easier for us and our children if I were fully human, so they would be, too. Especially if we live in your time. And I want you to start dancing again."
She smiled,"I want to marry you, Inuyasha. All of you. We can figure out where to live later. Maybe we can use the jewel to keep the well open for good. Or maybe my miko powers will become strong enough to do that without the jewel. As for our children, I will tell you this: I will teach them to be proud of you and of who they are, and of what makes them special, just as your mother did with you. And I know you will help me do it, and keep me safe, so I don't have to worry about dying and leaving them alone to fend for themselves."
Inuyasha wasn't sure his body could hold all the elation he was feeling. He felt as if his heart at least, would burst. For his entire life he had been alone, and now he wasn't. He had friends, a family of sort, people who cared whether he lived or died. And now, someone to love who loved him back without reservation. Just as he was. Someone who would talk to him, and hold him, and eventually... hmmm... do wonderful things with him. And scratch his ears and cook him ramen. And give him pups to love. Could life get any better?
She stopped rubbing momentarily, only to feel him push his head against her hand, wanting her to continue. Smiling, she scratched lightly, and was rewarded with a happy, rumbling sound eminating from his chest. He closed his eyes, and pulled her closer.
"I love you, Kagome. Forever?"
"Come what may, Inuyasha, forever. We can handle whatever comes together."
And with that said, he lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips in an everlasting kiss.
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner
Every night?
When we're together
It feels so right
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life?
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Ok, I hope it was worth the wait! Thank you all so much for sticking with me for so long, despite the enormous amount of time it took me to post the last chapters. Your reviews, e-mails, and encouragement got me through. I intend to write and let everyone who has ever reviewed for me (who I have an e-mail addy for) and let them know I finally finished. I have decided that from now on, I will write the entire story before I post, so people don't have to wait for updates like this. But thankyou again to those who did. I love you all!
BTW, my next fic is about that overdone subject: The battle is over, Naraku is dead, and Inuyasha runs to Kikyo without a backward glance. Kagome's heart is, of course, broken, and she tells everyone that she has to go home for awhile to heal. She does so, puts a seal on the well so Inuyasha can't get through, and goes off to visit her cousin, Sakura. But knowing I am a die-hard Inuyasha/Kagome fan, I hope you will all trust me to make things all better in the end. After making Inuysha suffer a little, of course. When I get a little further on in what I have written, I will post a preview on my bio page. I hope you all will give my new fic a chance ~ it should be a fun one!
Ok, finally! Huge hugs and thank yous to all who stuck with me, and to newcomers as well. I really do appreciate and read each and every one of the reviews you have left for me. Oh, the song at the end is by Anne Murray. I don't own it either. Surprise, surprise. I don't like country music, but I thought the words to this song were fitting.
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Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
The first rays of sunlight made their tentative entrance into the room, as if reluctant to wake the couple slumbering peacefully together in the small bed. Lighting at first on the windowsill, making their way around wispy curtains and over a small desk, then tiptoeing quietly onto the floor, they finally beckoned to their brothers and sisters to join them. Abruptly, as their source finally burst entirely above the horizon, they poured into the room all at once, bathing the lovers in a warm radiance of light. The dark haired man stirred slightly, opening his eyes sleepily just before his body began to pulse with energy, as his form initiated its transformation.
Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over, leaving the casual observer, if there had been one, to wonder if his eyes had been playing tricks on him. Where once there had been a dark haired human male, now reclined a silver haired inu hanyou. Shifting slightly, he gazed in wonder down at the girl next to him and reflected on the events that had brought him to be here. With an unaccustomed shudder of joy, he pulled her closer to his chest and breathed in deeply, allowing her scent ~ her essence ~ to suffuse him. She looked so content, so peaceful ~ her lovely features almost childlike, slack with sleep. Even as he held her, he couldn't quite believe that it was all real ~ that last night had actually happened.
Last night he had finally held her, and kissed her, just like he had dreamed of doing for so very long. For so long in fact, that if he hadn't woken this morning with her in his arms, he would suspect that this, too, had been a dream.
But it wasn't a dream. It was real. Shifting in his arms, she hid her face against his chest to block out the intrusive morning glow, causing a surge the joy to erupt through his heart, threatening to overcome him. This beautiful girl... this woman he had fantasized for so long of being with, of sharing his life with, but had never dared to hope it might be possible ~ she had said she was crazy about him. She had said that she'd rather die fighting by his side than live without him! And then they had kissed. Oh, gods, how they had kissed!
He had no idea how long they stood there, holding, touching, kissing each other on the terrace outside the ballroom. He could only remember the warm feeling of absolute euphoria it gave him, and that he couldn't get enough of her. For so long, he had held himself back, aching just to touch her, cherishing any chance just to hug her or hold onto her, only to lose his nerve and pretend to be indifferent or hostile afterward. But now... now, no matter what, he was going to make sure she knew how he felt. After last night, there was no way he was going back.
A soft smile curved his lips as he remembered pulling back from their kiss to look into her luminous eyes, only to see them brimming with tears. He started to stammer sadly, "Kagome, you're crying. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry." Heartbroken, he began to turn away, but Kagome stopped him.
"Inuyasha! Tears don't always mean sadness or fear. Sometimes, you feel so much emotion that you just can't contain it. Some tears are happy tears!" Watching her hopefully, he asked, "And these tears," he stroked her face lightly, taking a few droplets with his gentle fingers, "they're happy tears?"
She nodded, a few beads of moisture still trickling down her smooth, rosy cheeks, but with a smile of pure joy lighting her features, "Very happy tears, Inuyasha. The happiest!"
He could recall little else clearly after that ~ only that everything and everyone else had disappeared, and the night became theirs. He had no memory of walking from the balcony back into the ballroom. He had been completely unaware of the hushed whispers of the other students, as they all gaped in awe, envious of the obvious bond the two shared. He did vaguely recall the music coming to an end, the chandeliers suddenly brightly illuminating the once dimly lit room, and one of Kagome's friends (he never could tell them apart) asking them if they wanted to go get some breakfast. But he wasn't even sure if they had answered her.
Upon returning to Kagome's home, they had found it empty. There was a note on the kitchen counter from Mrs. Higurashi, saying that Suki had called and asked her to come and get Grandpa. She couldn't handle any more of his "help" rearing the baby. Apparently, she didn't think a fossilized rabbit skull an appropriate baby toy, no matter how much history it contained. The note went on to say that she, Souta, and Grandpa would be home Monday, and that they should take their prom clothes to the cleaners in the morning.
There had never been a question or discussion as to where he would spend the night. Inuyasha had simply refused to relinquish his contact with Kagome. Or rather, he would have refused if she had attempted to push him away.
Kagome gave him a pair of black cotton drawstring pants and a red tank top she had bought for him, thinking they would be more comfortable to sleep in than his usual clothing. She also gave him a toothbrush, and showed him how to use it, stressing that he should use a very small amount to the toothpaste. She had frightening, if very funny visions of Inuyasha, with his pointy little ears, foaming at the mouth from using too much.
Dental care attended to, she sent him to her room to change into his sleepwear while she finished her nighttime ritual. When she finally emerged from the bathroom, her face was scrubbed clean of make-up, and cheeks slightly flushed from her face washing. She wore drawstring pants similar to his, except that they were pink, with a white tank top. Inuyasha, seated nervously on the side of her bed, lifted his gaze from the floor to see her enter the room, and couldn't help but smile. She looked much younger now, much less sophisticated than she had earlier in the evening, but amazingly beautiful. This was how he liked her best ~ clean and natural and real.
He sat frozen on the bed, praying that she wouldn't make him leave and go to Souta's room, where he was usually expected to sleep. Watching her carefully hang her dress on it's hanger, put her purse away, straighten up her dressing table, he got the distinct sense that she was avoiding the situation. He felt a stab of guilt at her discomfort, and thought perhaps he should leave ~ maybe even go home. He just didn't know if he could make himself go.
Meanwhile, Kagome was staring into the mirror, steeling herself. She didn't want him to go anywhere, no matter what happened. Only even with all the time they had spent together over the past three years, after all they had been through together, even after all that had transpired earlier that night. she couldn't stop the butterflies that seemed to have materialized in her stomach.
Reluctantly, Inuyasha stood, "Uh, Kagome, do you want me to."
But before he could finish, she took a deep breath, turned, and walked toward the bed, not meeting his eyes. Turning back the covers, she slid beneath them, and moved over to the far side of the mattress. Finally, she looked up at him shyly, and then down at the empty space beside her. And Inuyasha, not waiting for a second invitation, climbed in quickly and stretched out next to her, pulling the blankets up around them.
For a few awkward moments, they just lay there, next to one another but not touching. Mere inches separated them, but it might have been a world away. Finally, Inuyasha couldn't take it any longer. Shaking slightly, he reached out tentatively and slipped his arm around her waist, ready to retract it at her slightest protest. But instead of protesting, she turned to face him and smiling, reaching up to stroke the hair around his face. Letting go of the breath he hadn't known he was holding, Inuyasha tightened his grip to pull her to his body. Kagome sighed happily and moved her hand from his hair to gently touch his handsome face, exploring as if to memorize with her fingers the details he eyes already knew and loved so deeply. Catching her hand in his, Inuyasha kissed her fingertips, then explored her palm and her wrist with his lips, causing a shudder of pleasure to ripple through Kagome's body. Feeling her tremor, he brought his mouth back to hers and kissed her deeply. When they finally came up for air, he gathered her to him and held her tightly, resting his cheek against the top of her head.
Sleep had claimed them soon after that.
Inuyasha shook himself from his reminiscences, and pondered where to go from here. He knew what he wanted... He wanted Kagome. He didn't care how anymore, he just wanted her. Forever, and starting as soon as possible. They still had the jewel shards to collect, and they still had Naraku to defeat. That wouldn't stop him from confessing his desires to her, but it would delay their mating. But he still had to tell her about Kikyo, and he had no idea how she would take his admission.
And what about her? Even if she did love him, would she be willing to spend her life with a hanyou? She didn't seem to care which form he was in at any given time, but up till now they had just been friends. And even if he did become human for her, and live in her world, would she want to take the trouble to teach him all the things he would have to learn to survive there? He grimaced at thoughts of his less than successful attempts so far, the latest of which had happened in the restaurant the night before. Would she want to be continually embarrassed by him? It would be so much easier for her to leave him in his world and choose that Hobo guy instead. He was good looking, intelligent, polite, and liked Kagome very much... He sure seemed to have enjoyed kissing her...
The last thoughts brought an involuntary growl, which shook Kagome from her slumber. She opened her eyes sleepily to a find that her dark haired prince had been replaced by a scowling white haired hanyou. 'Oh, well.' she thought glumly, 'It was nice while it lasted.'
"What's wrong, Inuyasha? Was it that bad?" she asked.
"Was what that bad?"
"Last night."
His expression changed to a gentle smile, "It was the best night of my whole life."
She knitted her brows, "Then why were you frowning?"
His eyes flashed briefly before he answered, "That guy got my kiss."
"What? Which guy...?"
"That Hobo guy. You said you were thinking about me when he kissed you. So it was my kiss, and he got it." For the second time in 24 hours, he was prevented from crossing his arms to emphasize his resentment by his unwillingness to let go of Kagome. So, he contented himself with in indignant look.
"Oh." Kagome had to fight to suppress a giggle. His jealousy was just so...cute! As if he ever had anything to worry about! "Well...you could go and ask him to give it to you."
Inuyasha eyed her sideways, "I don't think so!"
"Well," she tried again, "I could go and ask him to give it back then?"
"NO!" He bellowed. "You keep your lips away from him!"
"I'm sorry, Inuyasha." She smiled seductively at him. "What can I do to make it up to you?"
He didn't answer for a moment, steeling his courage. It was now or never. When he finally spoke, it was very quiet, and very serious, "I want the rest."
Her breath caught, "Inuyasha... you want the rest of what?"
"Your kisses. I want the rest. From now on, I want to be the only one you kiss."
"Uh, well... I mean... I have to kiss my mom, my grandfather, my brother, my Aunt Suki."
He sighed impatiently, "I want to be the only man to kiss you. As a ... a... lover." He looked up quickly to see her shocked expression, and almost lost his nerve. But he closed his eyes and pushed on, speaking gently, hopefully, "Kagome, I'm asking you to stay with me ~ to never leave me. To be my mate after our quest is done."
Kagome blinked at him, and couldn't make her mouth work.. She wanted to laugh in jubilation, scream with joy! But that's when reality reared it's ugly head. 'Kikyo...' She looked away sadly.
"I can't Inuyasha. Even though it's what I most want in the whole world. I can't promise you my heart eternally, only to have you go running after Kikyo the minute she shows up again. I will always love you, but I cannot build false hopes of being the one you love, only to have my heart broken again every time she comes around. Never knowing ... never knowing if you will come back or if you will be gone forever into hell with her."
His heart soared at her admission of love. 'She loves me! She said so. She loves me.... But how will she feel about me when I tell her ... But I have to tell her. There's no hope if I don't. And besides, she needs to know. She would find out anyway, and it would be better coming from me than someone else.'
His voice, when he found it, was quiet, tremulous, "Kikyo's gone, Kagome."
She shot him a forlorn glance, "For now, maybe."
"No...for good. I... I killed her." At her horrified expression, he closed his eyes and went on, "The night you shot the demon, and then passed out. While I was carrying you home, Kikyo showed up and aimed her arrow at you. She would have killed you. I couldn't let that happen."
Kagome turned an astonished face to him, tears once again falling from her eyes. "Oh, Inuyasha...!" she buried her face in her hands, "Oh, I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry you had to do..."
He cut her off. He couldn't stand for her to feel guilt for something he should have taken care of long before. "Kagome, it's ok. If I had listened to Kaede when she was first revived, I could have saved us all ~ including Kikyo ~ a lot of pain." He went on to tell her about Kikyo's voice speaking to him, thanking him for setting her free of the evil body that kept her captive. "She's finally free, Kagome, where she needs to be. She no longer needs to imprison the souls of dead girls to stay alive." He peeked up through his curtain of white bangs to see Kagome's stricken visage still staring at him. Oh, gods! I have ruined everything! But what else could I have done?
Instead of speaking, she slipped her arms around his neck and pulled herself tightly to him, resting her head on his chest. She hated herself for the feelings she was having, but she couldn't help but feel happy. She still felt sympathy for the dead miko from whom she had apparently inherited her soul, but at least she could now rest in peace. And, no matter how much she admonished herself, she couldn't squash the jubilation that was growing within her: that Inuyasha wanted her, and that he wanted to live their lives together as mates.
Meanwhile Inuyasha, feeling a small amount of hope at Kagome's show of affection, began to stroke her soft raven locks with his fingers. "Kagome, so, uh, will you ... do you want to be ... with.... with me? Marry me?"
Kagome wanted to sing with joy, but her voice completely deserted her, threatening to choke her if she spoke.
Her lack of response began to panic Inuyasha, and before he could stop himself, a torrent of words came pouring from his mouth, "I'll use the jewel to become human for you, Kagome. I'll live in your world, learn to take those tests you take so many of, whatever you want. I don't care. Just please don't leave me!" He knew he was begging, but he couldn't make himself care.
Kagome was touched by his words, but hated to see him reduced to pleading with her, especially when it was so unnecessary. She finally found her tongue, "But Inuyasha, you hate being human."
He dropped his gaze and said, "I don't hate it so much any more. I don't think I could have said and done the things I did last night if I hadn't been in my human form. And they needed to be said for so long. My human side has been hurt much less than my hanyou side. At least as a human, I didn't have to hide for fear of being attacked or called a freak."
"Inuyasha, I don't want you to change. Not for me, or for anything, unless it's what you really want. You would lose so much of what makes you you ~ the one I love." She reached up to stroke a lock of silvery hair away from his face, and tenderly kissed his smiling mouth. "Besides," she reached up further to rub his furry, triangular ears, "I would miss these ears."
"Please don't change, Inuyasha."
"But life would be easier for us and our children if I were fully human, so they would be, too. Especially if we live in your time. And I want you to start dancing again."
She smiled,"I want to marry you, Inuyasha. All of you. We can figure out where to live later. Maybe we can use the jewel to keep the well open for good. Or maybe my miko powers will become strong enough to do that without the jewel. As for our children, I will tell you this: I will teach them to be proud of you and of who they are, and of what makes them special, just as your mother did with you. And I know you will help me do it, and keep me safe, so I don't have to worry about dying and leaving them alone to fend for themselves."
Inuyasha wasn't sure his body could hold all the elation he was feeling. He felt as if his heart at least, would burst. For his entire life he had been alone, and now he wasn't. He had friends, a family of sort, people who cared whether he lived or died. And now, someone to love who loved him back without reservation. Just as he was. Someone who would talk to him, and hold him, and eventually... hmmm... do wonderful things with him. And scratch his ears and cook him ramen. And give him pups to love. Could life get any better?
She stopped rubbing momentarily, only to feel him push his head against her hand, wanting her to continue. Smiling, she scratched lightly, and was rewarded with a happy, rumbling sound eminating from his chest. He closed his eyes, and pulled her closer.
"I love you, Kagome. Forever?"
"Come what may, Inuyasha, forever. We can handle whatever comes together."
And with that said, he lowered his mouth to hers, claiming her lips in an everlasting kiss.
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner
Every night?
When we're together
It feels so right
Could I have this dance
For the rest of my life?
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok, I hope it was worth the wait! Thank you all so much for sticking with me for so long, despite the enormous amount of time it took me to post the last chapters. Your reviews, e-mails, and encouragement got me through. I intend to write and let everyone who has ever reviewed for me (who I have an e-mail addy for) and let them know I finally finished. I have decided that from now on, I will write the entire story before I post, so people don't have to wait for updates like this. But thankyou again to those who did. I love you all!
BTW, my next fic is about that overdone subject: The battle is over, Naraku is dead, and Inuyasha runs to Kikyo without a backward glance. Kagome's heart is, of course, broken, and she tells everyone that she has to go home for awhile to heal. She does so, puts a seal on the well so Inuyasha can't get through, and goes off to visit her cousin, Sakura. But knowing I am a die-hard Inuyasha/Kagome fan, I hope you will all trust me to make things all better in the end. After making Inuysha suffer a little, of course. When I get a little further on in what I have written, I will post a preview on my bio page. I hope you all will give my new fic a chance ~ it should be a fun one!