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to be with you
Chapter 3 – home
By Jamethiel1 and Nakame
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Inuyasha appeared beside her, and helped her from the well, saying nothing about her human appearance. He smiled at her though, and she could see the confusion in his eyes. Kagome smiled back, the same confusion in her own expression. It would be better if they didn't try to explain it; it would save a lot of headaches anyway. "Come on then.." she spoke, and began toward her house. She stepped in, "Mom? Souta? Grandpa?" she called, looking for them.
Souta came running in and shouted, "Kagome's home!" happily. Her grandpa also made an appearance, "Hi, Kagome, hi Inuyasha." Souta runs to play with Inuyasha's ears, while Inuyasha smiled, unsure.
Kagome smiled, giggling slightly when Souta began to play with Inuyasha's ears, then sobered. "Is Mom here?" she asked, just as her mother made her appearance. "Kagome, you're home! And you brought your friend," her mother smiled at them, then saw the expression on Kagome's face and she suddenly became more serious. "Kagome..?" she questioned. Kagome smiled slightly, "Hey everyone.." she said weakly, wondering where to go from here. She looked to Inuyasha helplessly, fighting tears as she still inwardly tried to decide. It was really no decision at all, she knew what she would choose, the only thing her heart would allow. But that meant hurting someone, leaving someone behind, and she wasn't sure she could.
Inuyasha smiles at Kagome, "You should tell them, Kagome. They should like the way you chose." He smiled reassuringly and went over to Kagome.
She smiled slightly at Inuyasha, then glanced at the ground. Her mother would understand, but she doubted Souta would take it too well. Then she looked up at them, ready to tell them.. and didn't know where to start.. what to say. She decided the goods news should come first. "We completed the Shikon no Tama!" she exclaimed, smiling true happiness. It had been her fault it was shattered in the first place, and she had always felt guilty over it. "And.. and.. I've decided that.." she paused a moment, hesitant to continue. Looking over at Inuyasha, however, she found the courage, "I decided that I'm going to stay in the feudal era with Inuyasha."
Souta and gramps looked up and exclaimed, "What!?" at the same time. Inuyasha smiled and hugged Kagome, "You did great," he whispered to her, and looked to Kagome's mom expectantly.
She smiled and laughed lightly when Inuyasha hugged her, glad he was here to back her up. Otherwise she would never have had the courage. Her mother was just watching them, a sad smile on her face. Kagome, looking over at her, gulped as she walks over to her mom, ignoring Souta and her grandpa's responses for right now. She could explain it to them later. "Mom?" Kagome asked, standing before her.
Her mother hugged her tightly before releasing her, tears in her eyes. "I always knew what you would pick," her mother said, smiling a mixture of joy at her daughter finding love, and sadness that she would be 'losing' that same daughter. "I'm so happy for you," she finished, and it was Kagome's turn to initiate the hug, tears in her own eyes. "Thanks for understanding, Mom!" she said, smiling, before stepping away and returning to Inuyasha's side.
Inuyasha looked to Kagome with a smile, "Do you want to stay here for tonight, Kagome?"
When Inuyasha turned to her and said that, her face brightened considerably, and she clasped one of his hands in her own. "Oh, can we?!" she exclaimed wistfully. This would be one of her last times with her family, one of the last times she was human. Once she left this world, she had a feeling she probably wouldn't return.
"Sure we can stay. And I'm sure your mother, Souta and gramps won't mind. Do you?" he asked as he looked to the three. Souta said he didn't mind and so did gramps, but he still give Inuyasha the evilest eye he had. Inuyasha ignored him and looked to Kagome's mother.
"No, please stay the night," she spoke, glad her daughter wouldn't be leaving right away, "You can stay in Kagome's room." Kagome nearly sputtered at that; what was her mom thinking? She felt a flush come to her cheeks despite herself. She was sure they would have had to at least sleep in different rooms. Her mother really must approve of her decision! "Thanks, Mom, Souta, Grandpa," she spoke, smiling. "I love you all, and I'm glad you understand," she finished, looking at the other two, knowing they probably didn't completely understand why she was leaving, but at least they hadn't made a scene about it.
Inuyasha smiled and picked up Kagome, carrying her up to her room. Inuyasha then placed her down gently. "Your mom's cool, Kagome; I like her," he spoke as he walked around a moment. Then he turned to her, "What do you want to do, Kagome?"
She smiled as Inuyasha picked her up, feeling giddy, and wrapped her arms around him. When he placed her down, she sighed contently, nodding at his statement. At his question she tilted her head as she thought about it, feeling suddenly awkward. What did she want to do?
She was 'saved' from the decision by her grandpa's call of "Kagome! Hojo's here to see you!", and jumped, eyes widening slightly. Hojo didn't know about this! How the heck was she supposed to tell him she had decided to run off with some dog demon after how nice he had always been to her? He didn't even know about Inuyasha! "Coming!" she called, casting a glance at Inuyasha. "Perhaps you should stay here?" she suggested, not knowing how Hojo would respond to someone with ears, or how Inuyasha would respond to the boy who had been asking her out for the past couple years.
Inuyasha nodded and stayed by a window to watch. He saw a strange boy standing out side waiting for Kagome. Inuyasha pointed down at him, "Who's that, Kagome?"
She sighed in relief as he said he would stay, then smiled nervously as he spotted Hojo. "Him? Oh, he's just someone from school," before she could be questioned further, she dashed from the room, hurrying downstairs. She hoped Inuyasha wouldn't do something they both would regret. Stepping outside, she waved to him, "Hey, Hojo. Um.. what brings you here?"
"I brought you these," he spoke as he brings out some flowers, "I hope you'll get better from your cold soon, Kagome. "Oh yeah, here's the notes for school I collected for you. Well, see you soon, Kagome," he said as he began to walk off.
She took the flowers and notes with a dazed expression, and watched him walk off for a moment. Then she took a few steps forward, "Wait, Hojo!" she called, hoping he had heard her. She couldn't just let him leave with no explanation. He had always been nice to her, even when Inuyasha hadn't.. she owed him the truth. Or, as much as the truth as could be told.
Hojo stopped and turned around with a smile on his face, "Yes, Kagome?"
She glanced at the ground, unsure how to say it. Then she looked up at him with a slightly sad smile. "Thanks for everything, Hojo," she began, "But.. I.. well, I'm not going to be attending school here anymore. And I won't even be living here.. I.. I'm sort of getting married.." she said with a flush on her cheeks, wondering if that was the best thing to say. She walked up to him and handed him the flowers and notes back, "Sorry, Hojo.. and thanks again.."
Hojo just watched her a moment, before replying, "No, Kagome. Keep them, they're a gift. It's okay." And then he walked away without another word.
Inuyasha had heard the whole thing. He turned around to wait for Kagome's return.
She smiled after Hojo, holding the flowers to her chest as she returned to the house. She didn't even consider that Inuyasha might have heard what they said. Entering her room, she set the flowers on her dresser before turning to Inuyasha.
Inuyasha's gaze followed her as she entered, "So what was that about, Kagome?" he asked with a smile.
The smile disarmed her a bit, for it wasn't exactly the response she had been expecting. "Like I said, he's just someone from school," she repeated, then glanced down at the flowers on the dresser and knew that explanation wouldn't be enough. "Well, he heard I was sick so he brought me some flowers and notes from school.."
"He's nice," was the hanyou's only response, quite a shock to Kagome. "So what are we going to do, Kagome, just sit here and talk?" he continued, smiling briskfully.
She leaned upon the dresser, body not facing Inuyasha though she considered him from the corner of her eye. A small smirk played upon her lips as she tried not to laugh, she knew it would probably sound hysterical anyway. What a loaded question. "Why, Inuyasha? You have something against talking?" she asked carefully, awaiting his reaction.
"What? I was waiting for you to start," he smiled. "Okay.. so are you going to be alright with your transformed self, Kagome?"
Now she did laugh, though more from surprise, along with a mixture of relief and disappointment, than anything. She soon stifled the sound, trying to consider his question seriously. "I'll be fine with it, and I can't say I disliked the short time I spent as a hanyou. Though, as long as you're there, it doesn't matter what form I am," she smiled, though was still not facing him. "What made you decide not to become a youkai, anyway? You seemed so sure that's what you wanted.."
"I didn't want to turn into a blood-thirsty demon and kill you," he spoke simply.
She smiled and nodded at his reply. "I'm glad you decided to stay a hanyou," she said, "I like you the way you are." Kagome finally turned eyes to him, before a thought struck her and she had to look away again. "Inuyasha," she started, trying to keep any emotion from her voice, "what about Kikyou..?"
Inuyasha smiled, "Kikyou who?" Then he went up to Kagome and kissed her. "I choose you," he said softly in her ear.
Kagome felt like arguing, like reminding him of all he had promised Kikyou. She felt like reminding him of all the times he had gone to her, how he had chosen Kikyou before. How he said he owed her his life. How much he loved Kikyou. But when he moved forward and she felt his lips on hers, all her arguments died before they could be formed. All worries were erased, and all doubt of his feelings faded when he whispered those words to her. Her heart soared, and she flung her arms around him, crushing him in an enthusiastic hug. He couldn't know how much those words meant to her, how long she had dreamed of hearing them. "Thank you.." was all she was able to say, and even those words were choked. She knew how stupid it sounded, but was too happy at the moment to care. Finally she released him, blushing slightly at her display, but smiling nonetheless.
"Welcome," Inuyasha said with a smile, "Kagome, you don't have to worry about Kikyou because I choose you; Kagome, the one I love."
She smiled up at him, eyes shining with the tears she tried to hold back. He loved her.. Kagome couldn't think of a time when she had been happier than this; this moment outshined any. He loved her, he had chosen her. "I love you too, Inuyasha," she whispered more than spoke, emotion overcoming her. She had waited so long for this moment, and it was finally happening. She laughed mockingly at herself, wiping her watering eyes. "I'm sorry; I shouldn't be crying," she spoke, knowing he'd probably think her stupid for doing such. But she couldn't help it, she was just so happy.
"It's okay, Kagome. You can cry onto my shoulder 'cause I meant it this time," he smiles.
"That's sweet, Inuyasha," she replied, melting with his words. But she wiped her eyes again, shaking her head slightly. "But I'm okay, really." She returned his smile, completely free of worries for the time being. It didn't even matter that she would be returning to the feudal era soon, probably permanently. Inuyasha loved her, and that's all that mattered. A content sigh escaped her, and Kagome moved to her bed, falling upon its plush mattress and staring at the ceiling. "What's next, Inuyasha?" she found herself asking, "I mean.. we'll return to the feudal era and I'll become a hanyou again.. but what after that?"
"I don't know; maybe you should go to school tomorrow to say bye to all your friends till you go," he spoke, moving to lay on her bed.
Kagome listened to his suggestion and giggled slightly, "I asked about after we returned to the feudal era.. but that's a good idea. You should come too! Er.. after classes I mean. My friends would love to meet you!" She looked over as he lay beside her, and she smiled. "Only if you want to, of course.."
Inuyasha smiled and said, "Okay, I'll go with you, but don't they think I'm a freak or something? And other girls would love me and hang around me all the time?"
Kagome thought about this a moment. "Well, they do think you're a violent, jealous jerk," she spoke bluntly, but unable to hide a slight smirk, "but I want them to meet you anyway. Who knows? Maybe you'll prove them wrong?" It was obvious she was teasing him. She paused again before continuing. "As to all the girls wanting to hang around you.. I think you're just being conceited," she mocked a fierce look, "But if any of them try it, I'll give 'em hell!"
"You're right. So when are we leaving to meet your friends, Kagome?" he asked, still with a smirk on his face.
"In the morning after school?" she suggested, gazing back up to the ceiling. She smiled happily, content for the time being. She didn't have any worries. Not with school, nor Kikyou, nor the Shikon no Tama. Inuyasha was with her, and nothing else mattered. "That alright with you?" she continued, awaiting his response.
"After school," he smiles, "I'll wait for you then."
"Okay, after school it is," she confirmed, "Thanks, Inuyasha." She glanced over at him, "Of course, we might want to hide your ears.." she mused, "I'm not sure my friends are quite ready for the real you."
"Okay, how about this?" he pulls out a hat, "Will this do, Kagome?" he asked and put it on.
She blinked in surprise, then watched as he placed the hat on, effectively covering his ears. "Yep, that's perfect," she said cheerfully, before snatching it off his head, grinning. "But you shouldn't wear it until tomorrow; otherwise I can't see those cute ears of yours!"
Inuyasha smirked, "Yeah, I have cute ears and I'm proud of it."
Kagome giggled and, unable to help herself, propped herself up on her side and reached out a hand, rubbing one of his ears gently.
Inuyasha smiled and said, "You're going to have ears too, Kagome. Remember?"
"Yes, but they aren't going to be near as fun to play with as yours," she countered, grinning. She leaned closer so she could reach his other ear, and stroked that one as well, encouraged by his not yelling at her.
"I'm used to it Kagome," Inuyasha sits on the bed, "So i guess we're going to go tomorrow, Kagome; you'd best get some sleep."
She smiles but finally ceases, laying flat on the bed once again, gazing at the ceiling. "I guess you're right," she replies with a yawn. "I'm just afraid to go to sleep," she admitted quietly, "I'm afraid I'll wake up and find this has all been a dream.."
"Trust me, it's not a dream," he kissed her lightly and curled next to her. "It's not a dream because I truly love you."
Kagome smiled, closing her eyes as she held tears in check. When she reopened them she looked to Inuyasha, eyes bright. "Thank you, Inuyasha. I love you," she whispered. She then allowed exhaustion to claim her; the last thing she saw before she fell asleep was her love. This had truly been the best day of her life.
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End of Chapter 3
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{ Review, perhaps? }