"…I just wanted to say something that I never had a chance to say when I was alive.  I'm not that foolish, InuYasha."

"When you were alive…?  K-Kagome?"

"It's time I let it all out since I didn't get to finish before."

"What're you sayin', Kagome?  'Let it all out'?  I don't care what you say; I'm bringin' you to Kaede's so she can help you and your 'glowing problem'…"

I inhaled sharply.  "Let it all out"? Could she mean…?

"Why?  The battle's… over…"

"So? Doesn't mean you have to let it all out right after!"

"Kagome… no…"

The young miko walked over to me.  I flinched as she gently brushed my wounded hands. 

"Don't," I urged softly, "you'll be stained."

She ignored me, paying no attention, naturally; what a wench.  Taking my rough claws into her own gentle hands, she sat beside.  "How are your wounds healing?"

"… Excuse me?"

"Don't be afraid, InuYasha, let me tend to your wounds."

"Puh, I'm not afraid…!"  That's just like at the battle; I wouldn't let her to see my cuts.  Doesn't she remember that my body's special?  I can heal by myself.

"I regret the solemn life I chose," Kagome took the parcel which I held close and emptied its contents, "never choosing to express my true feelings towards you…" 

Reaching into my scarlet haoira, Kagome took out a gleaming necklace with a large chunk of the Shikon no Tama that had once been in Naraku's possession.  The fuchsia aura glowed brightly. 

She looked up at the sky, where a lone moon replaced that of the brilliant sun. Sighing heavily, Kagome took my hands and grasped them tightly.

"K-Kagome, what's goin' on?  Don't leave me!  Kagome, please!  I-I can't live without you."  I turned my head.  My tears… they're coming back again.  Damn these stupid ningen feelings!

"Go ahead, InuYasha, cry.  It's alright to cry.  Don't be foolish like I was; show me what you feel… while you still have the chance."

"Who's cryin'?!  I'm not cryin'!  Nobody's cryin'!"

"Don't be so stubborn…"

"Crying is weak!"

"Heh, then, am I weak?"  Silent tears streaked across her face.

I stared perplexedly at her.  The tears paraded, falling like rain.  "Please, don't cry.  You know I hate it when you do," I said, trying to offer what comfort I could.

"I will see you again, and until that day, I'll wait.  I'll wait as long as it takes."

"… show me what you feel… while you have the chance," I repeated her words silently in my head.  "K-Kagome, no, wait; I have to tell you something!"

"Goodbye, InuYasha…" Kagome began to dissolve into the mist.

"No, no, wait.  Kagome, KAGOME WAIT!"

"Say hi to everyone for me, okay?  Take care of the Shikon no Tama, please..."

"I LOVE YOU!  I LOVE YOU, KAGOME!"

Too late, she was gone.

closing your eyes to disappear

you pray your dreams will leave you here

but still you wake and know the truth

no one's there