DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of the Inuyasha series nor do I own the original storyline.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey everybody!! This is the last and final chapter of this story and so it will
also be extra long compared to the previous chapters ^-^. I hope you will like
the ending I have thought for this story. Please enjoy reading! And tell me
with a review what you think about this story. Thanks!!
Italic: thoughts or emphasized words
-- --: locations
"...": spoken words
~*~*~*~*~: time gap or change of perspective
*...* : noises
-by Kittymui-
Clueless
Previously:
She knew Inuyasha was saying something else after that but it was as though
someone had covered her ears, for she couldn't hear one single distinguishable
word from what he was saying anymore.
Unable to recover from the shock she was in, her legs suddenly became numb and Kagome lost consciousness.
Before she hit the earth though, two strong arms caught her limp form and lifted
her up bridal style.
~*~*~*~
"Kikyou..." he formed the priestess' name on his lips after turning
to her.
"So you do still remember me...I'm glad," she smiled, but her expression soon became serious again.
"Is there something wrong? Is it Maya?" Inuyasha asked, noticing the sudden expression-change.
"You care...about her...a lot, don't you?" the priestess suddenly asked out the blue as she dropped her face.
"Kikyou? What's wrong?" he asked with a worried tone.
He was shocked when the priestess suddenly crashed onto his chest and hugged him tight.
"T-there hadn't been a single day that I didn't think about you...Inuyasha..." she cried. "I'm sorry I left without telling you that day...it wasn't my fault...I'm so sorry. My parents forced me into becoming a priestess of this place...I had no other choice."
Inuyasha's eyes softened and hesitated before placing his arms around the priestess' waist. "It's okay Kikyou...it's already in the past..." he comforted her.
Kikyou slowly pulled away to look up at him with eyes filled with hope. "T-then...then we__" she began but was cut off by Inuyasha.
"Kikyou, you know it's impossible..."
The priestess dropped her face. "It's...because of the girl in the shrine...?" she asked meekly.
Inuyasha shook his head. "I never felt for you that way Kikyou. I saw you more as a sister than anything else...please understand."
"I see..." she responded as she slowly dropped her arms to her side. "Have you...told her...?"
Inuyasha gave her a puzzled look but then he understood what she meant by that and shook his head in reply. "No...not yet."
Kikyou frowned. "But you love her...don't you?"
The hanyou hesitated. Do I...?
"Your eyes...are filled with something when you're talking about her...emotions that I've never seen before when we were together," she explained with an awkward smile.
A short moment of silence took place before she spoke again. "You should tell her...
Inuyasha frowned. I want to...but I...the promise... he thought to himself.
"...or you might regret it you know...?" the priestess continued. "If she were to disappear before you very eyes someday...would you able to cope with the fact that you had never told her about her feelings for her?"
After she said that, she made several steps backwards and smiled as tears stung her eyes. "Don't disappoint me Inuyasha...or I'll never forgive you for choosing her over me," she laughed and turned around before the tears appeared. And she walked away.
Inuyasha watched the priestess disappear into the shadows of the trees as he
thought about what she said.
"If she were to disappear before you very eyes someday...would you able to cope with the fact that you had never told her about her feelings for her?"
He smiled invisibly as he turned to the pond again. I don't think I could... he answered to the same question inwardly.
His eyes traveled upwards to the starry sky again and he let out a sigh of nervousness. Are you watching the sky too...? he wondered.
"Kagome..." he said her name aloud. "It's been twelve long years already...and I'm still not able to find out where you are...I'm sorry..."
Kagome...I know that you can hear me somehow...I can feel it...please forgive me for what I'm about to say... he pleaded inwardly. "We met when we were little and from that moment on...you've started to change me...I was able to open up myself and let go of unhappy memories because of you."
There's no turning back now... he decided inwardly. "I...I want to you know that my feelings for you back then were more true than all truths of the world...I loved you deeply Kagome."
"I haven't forgotten my promise to you and I'll never will. I could fulfill the promise just like I said I would...I could act as if we had never parted...as if those twelve years were just a long dream...But I don't want to lie to you Kagome...I don't want to be untrue to my own feelings...it would be unfair...unfair to the both of us..."
He swallowed hard as he reached the toughest part of his confession. "Kagome...I...I have fallen in love...with someone else...I'm sorry..."
Somehow, he felt a little bit relieved to have said those words. "But I will still continue my journey until I have found you. I will not rest until I know that you're safe...and then...I'll tell you the whole truth myself," he said aloud. "Maybe you'll never be able to forgive me, but then again...I don't think I'd ever be able to forgive myself..."
A long silence took place after he said that, but it was soon interrupted by a soft gasp coming from behind him.
Inuyasha almost instantly snapped out of his own private world when he realized that Maya's scent was awfully near and he quickly turned around. He widened his eyes at the sight before him.
Maya was lying unconsciously in the arms of a certain man with crimson-colored eyes and long wavy black hair tied in a low ponytail.
"You!!" he cried disbelievingly, immediately recognizing the one he defeated during the Battle for the bride.
"Long time no see, my dear rival," Naraku grinned as he walked closer to the hanyou with the girl in his arms. He was wearing a dark purple haori and hakama with a sword hanging around his waist.
"What did you do to her?! Get your filthy hands off of her or I'll cut them off!!" the hanyou threatened angrily as his clawed hand reached for the hilt of his sword.
"Tsk tsk...mind you words half-breed. I didn't do anything to her, she just fainted into my arms willingly," the human smirked as he held her closer to his chest. "Not that I'm not happy about it."
Inuyasha scowled. "What do you want?!" he growled.
Naraku grinned. "I want the piece of land where Takada is living on and since he refused to sell it to my father, the only way to get it is to inherit it when the old man is sleeping six feet under."
"So? What's your business with her then?" Inuyasha asked, shifting his gaze to Maya and then back to Naraku again.
"Well well, aren't we dense today..." he laughed. "Don't tell me you didn't know that Kagome is actually Takada's daughter."
Inuyasha widened his eyes. "W-what did you just say???"
"I take by your reaction that you didn't know. Geez...how clueless can you be," the human mocked.
Inuyasha ignored the insult, as he was too busy in his own thoughts. K-Kagome...is Takada's daughter...?! T-that's impossible... he thought to himself. "You're lying!! Kagome's father isn't Lord Takada!!" he argued confused.
"True...that's because she was adopted by Takada twelve years ago, but that won't change the fact that the one who gets her hand in marriage will inherit everything as his rightful son-in-law," Naraku told him.
Adopted...? T-then...oh my God... he thought shocked as he recalled his first encounter with his betrothed. That...that was Kagome!!! I-I'm...engaged to Kagome!!!
Strangely enough, after the sudden realization of he being engaged to his childhood lover, Inuyasha somehow didn't feel very relieved or happy at all.
He was pulled out of his thoughts when Naraku spoke again.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bring Takada's daughter back to where she belongs and demand for her hand in marriage as my reward," he smirked and turned around to leave.
[AN: Note that Inuyasha still doesn't know that Naraku meant the girl in his arms by talking about Kagome. Yeah...he's dense all right ^o^.]
Inuyasha's ears twitched as he heard this. He immediately unsheathed Tetsusaiga and blocked Naraku's path by jumping into the air and landing in front of him. "There's no way I'm going to let her marry you!" he growled angrily. Even if I'm not the one who's going to bring her happiness...I'll never let her marry the bastard!! he decided inwardly. "Now drop the girl or I'll make you!"
Naraku grinned. "A rematch huh? Very well then, if you insist..."
With that, he walked towards a nearby tree and set the girl down on the floor in a sitting position with her back leaning against the trunk.
"Now prepare yourself..." he said with a low voice as he straightened himself up and unsheathed the sword that he carried around his waist.
"Keh! Already waiting!" the hanyou smirked as he shifted into a fighting stance with his fang-blade raised in the air.
The two stood still as they looked in each other's eyes and waited for a signal
to commence the battle.
Not long after that, a breeze came from the North and carried a single green Sycamore leaf with it.
The pair of golden orbs locked itself on the leaf and so did the pair of crimson ones. They both followed the leaf as it drifted their way until it began to lose altitude and started to fall to the ground.
As soon as it touched the earth, the two almost immediately charged at each other with their sharp weapons raised in the air.
"Die!!!" Naraku cried as he swung his sword downwards at the hanyou.
Inuyasha quickly held up his fang-blade to block the offense.
*CLASH*
"Grrr...just give up the girl half-breed, you can't win this time!!" Naraku growled as he put more pressure on his sword.
Inuyasha scowled, which followed by a smirk. "Do you honestly think a human like yourself can win from someone like me?!"
He tightened his grip on Tetsusaiga and pushed the human back without much effort. With a firm swing of his fang-blade, he caused Naraku to stumble backwards a few steps.
"Why you..." Naraku cursed, but then he thought about something and quickly glanced over his shoulder at the unconscious girl behind him on the floor.
"Prepare yourself!!" Inuyasha cried as he took the offense this time.
He was surprised when the human turned to him with a sly grin on his face. He abruptly stopped dashing when Naraku pointed his sword at the girl without looking away. "One step closer and she'll die," he threatened.
Inuyasha smirked. "Kill her and you'll never get that piece of land from Takada." [AN: meaning that Naraku could lose the only clue to Kagome's whereabouts by killing her.]
He frowned when Naraku's expression remained unchanged. "I changed my mind. I'll tell him that you murdered her and that I avenged her by bringing your corpse to him. I'm sure he'll find it reasonable to give me his land as a reward."
"You bastard...how low can you go?!" the hanyou cursed.
"I never said this would be a fair fight," the human chuckled as he picked the girl up with one arm and forced her limp body to his chest. "Now drop your weapon."
Inuyasha bared his fangs and hesitated before dropping Tetsusaiga to the grass. "Now let her go!!" he growled.
Naraku smirked. "Ha! Let the girl go when I'm in this advantageous position? Are you out of your mind?"
"You won't dare..." he said with a low growl as he guessed what Naraku was planning to do.
"Watch me," Naraku grinned as he leaned closer to the girl's face.
There's no way I'm going to stand here and do nothing!! Inuyasha decided inwardly. Without hesitation, he dug his sharp claws in his own chest until he drew blood. "I rather kill her myself than let her be claimed by a monster like you!!" he cried and swung his bloodied claw at them. "Hijin Kessou!!!"
If he treasures his petty life, he would drop Maya and jump away... he hypothesized as he narrowed his eyes. And if not...I'm sure Maya won't blame me for it...
Just like he had anticipated, the human indeed threw the girl away and jumped away to avoid being slashed by his claws of blood. Inuyasha quickly picked up his fang-blade from the floor and raised it into the air. "Die!!!" he cried and lunged forward at Naraku.
To his surprise, Naraku suddenly dropped his sword and fell to his knees. "Please spare me!!" he begged.
Inuyasha stopped right in front of Naraku and lowered Tetsusaiga.
"Please forgive me!! You don't want to kill a human...right? I promise I'll leave you alone if you let me to," he pleaded.
The hanyou raised a brow. I wonder if someone as bad as he deserves to live at all...but then again, I don't kill humans... he pondered.
Eventually, he sheathed his fang-blade and turned his back to the human. "Keh! I wouldn't even bother to stain my Tetsusaiga with the blood of a low human like you!" he spat. "I don't ever want to see you again...now LEAVE!!"
"Y-yes..." Naraku responded, but then he grinned inwardly as he slowly pulled out a dagger from beneath his haori. You stupid hanyou, your mercifulness will be your death! he thought as he stood up.
But just when he was about to slash at Inuyasha, he was taken by surprise when the hanyou suddenly turned and caught his throat with his clawed hand.
"Wrong move bastard," Inuyasha growled as he tightened his grip.
Naraku dropped the weapon to the grass and tried to pry off the hanyou's claw. "Y-you won't..." he gasped for air.
Inuyasha smirked. "You know what? I changed my mind too. I think I'll just snap your miserable life away right now and get over it."
"No! Please...I'm sorry..." the human panicked.
"Look at you! You're almost peeing in your hakama! I'm warning you...if I return to Shiho and hear about your filthy actions again, I'll have someone more powerful than me end your fragile life," he growled. "I'm pretty sure you've heard about Inutaisho...he's my father and I can assure you that he's not as merciful as I am when I tell him you tried to kill me."
"I-I...understand..." he acknowledged obediently.
After hearing that, Inuyasha released his throat.
Naraku rubbed his throat. "T-thank you...you're very merciful," he coughed.
The hanyou frowned. "You don't deserve to leave this place unpunished...not after what you've done," he reasoned and in a flash, he balled his fist and punched the human right in his face, causing him to stumble onto the grass. The punch was hard enough to knock out Naraku and so the human remained on the floor.
"Serves you right," Inuyasha spat before turning around.
He quickly walked over to Maya's side and knelt down. "Maya...wake up..." he said as he gently picked her up and let her lean against his chest.
~*~
"Uhn..." the girl moaned and slowly opened her navy blue eyes.
"Inuyasha...?" she said as her eyes met his golden ones. She widened her eyes when she saw a dark red bloodstain on Inuyasha's garment at the height of his chest. "Y-you're hurt!" she gasped.
"Don't worry. It's just a scratch. I already knocked out the bastard," he reassured her.
Maya relaxed as she heard this but then she recalled what had happened a while ago and her face saddened.
"Maya?" the hanyou drew her attention again. "I...I want to tell you something...it's about Kagome...I want to you know that I___"
"I don't want to hear it!" she cut him off as she averted her gaze. I don't want to hear it...again...
Inuyasha was startled by her sudden response. "B-but__" he tried again.
"Stop it!!" she cut him off again, this time turning to look at the hanyou with an angry expression. "How could you do this to me!!" she cried out of frustration, forgetting the fact that Inuyasha doesn't know she's actually Kagome.
Inuyasha widened his eyes. W-what is she talking about...? Then he realized something. Wait a minute...did she hear what I said earlier...??? He was pulled out of his thoughts when the girl spoke again.
"I want to go home..." she said. What's the use of telling him I'm Kagome anyway...when all he wants to tell me...is that he doesn't love me anymore...and that he cannot keep his promise to me...? she wailed inwardly. There's no reason for me to run away from home anymore...to run away from the engagement...
The hanyou was shocked to hear this. Go back to Shiho?! "But we haven't found Kagome yet..." he tried to convince her, sounding a bit desperate.
"I don't want to continue this journey anymore...I'm tired...I want to go home..." Maya pleaded.
Is she...feeling guilty for betraying her mistress??? Inuyasha thought. "But if we return...then...then I__" [AN: Inuyasha wants to say that he has to fulfill his engagement to Kagome when they return, if Kagome had already returned of course.]
"I don't care!!" Maya cut him off again as she pushed herself out of his embrace and got to her feet. "Please...let me go home..."
Maya's words were like thousands needles stabbing through Inuyasha's heart. He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but realized that he was being selfish if he did that. It's all my fault... he thought. If I had only known that Kagome was Lord Takada's daughter...if only I had known I was fighting for Kagome's hand in marriage back then...things wouldn't have become so complicated... I wouldn't have started this journey...I wouldn't have met Maya...I wouldn't have...fallen in love with her...
Inuyasha's expression saddened. I would have been able to fulfill my promise to Kagome without any regrets...but now... he wailed, as he looked Maya in the eyes. "I understand. I'll take you back to Shiho," he agreed with a voice filled with disappointment.
And so they returned to the shrine together in silence. Once Maya had completely recovered from her injuries, they set out and started their journey back to Shiho.
~*~
During their way back, both of them remained silent except when they had to
cooperate during a battle.
Inuyasha kept pondering about what he should say to Kagome when he sees her, if she had already returned to Lord Takada's side that is. How am I supposed to tell her...how am I supposed to tell her the truth...? he worried.
Suddenly he wasn't so sure if he wanted to see her anymore. Especially after realizing that Maya would never admit her feelings towards himself because of the guilt for betraying her mistress. If I go back and Kagome has really returned...then we'll get married...just like I had promised her and then... he thought as he peeked at Maya out of the corner of his eyes.
She was wearing her white haori and navy hakama and carried her quiver on her back while holding her black bow in her hand. She was staring at something on the horizon as she walked forward.
Then I'll see Maya every day since she's Kagome's personal maid... Damn...how complicated would that be?? he thought frustrated.
~*~
In the meantime, Maya was also deep in thoughts. Why did this have to happen
to me...? First my father and friend were taken away from me, and then it was
my memory that had to be suppressed... she thought sadly. Just when I
thought I could cope with my life since I had gotten my memory back...my only
light of hope was taken away from me as well...why...?
She glanced at the silver-haired hanyou out of the corner of her eyes. He was with me all this time...why didn't I recognize him sooner...? Why now? Even if I didn't remember him...I still loved him...as Maya...I really do... she confessed to herself as she fought back the upcoming tears in her eyes and averted her gaze. In these past months we've experienced so many hardships and we've looked after each other countless times when we were in trouble... It was a side of him that I've never seen before... she thought as she remembered their battle with the snakes.
"Maya, I'll open a path for you. When I say 'run', you run as fast as
you can out of this circle and bring yourself into safety, understand?"
"RUN!!!"
"Maya!!"
"Baka! There's no way I'm going to leave you behind!!"
Kagome smiled to herself. I guess it was then that I knew I loved him...the
feeling became only stronger after I realized he was the one of my childhood...but...
Her mental smile disappeared and a sad expression could be seen on her face.
...these feelings of mind shall never be returned.
She glanced at Inuyasha again.
Inuyasha...I love you so much...why did you have to do this to me...? she asked with an inaudible voice as she turned her attention back to the road again. But it doesn't matter anymore...now that I know that he has chosen someone else over me...I shall return to father's side and obediently fulfill my engagement with that unknown person...
With these thoughts, the two continued their journey back to Shiho.
~*~ some time later...late afternoon ~*~
After a couple of months, they've finally arrived at their destination. Inuyasha
and Maya stood next to each other and both stared at the gate of the garden
of Takada's mansion in silence.
The silence became broken when Maya decided to speak.
"I...I guess this is goodbye..." she stammered as she opened the gate and walked inside.
"Maya!" Inuyasha halted her.
She stopped but didn't turn to look at him.
"W-why...why won't you look at me?" he asked, almost instantly catching the salty scent in the air.
"I want you to remember my smiling face...forever," she replied, sounding as normal as possible. "Goodbye Inuyasha."
With that said, she continued to walk into the direction of the mansion and disappeared behind the main entrance.
~*~
He wanted to grab her wrist and prevent her from leaving him, but he knew he
couldn't convince her to stay with him if he did. What should I do now...?
he pondered. Go inside and find out whether Kagome has returned or not...or
should I...
Before he was able to decide, a voice already made the decision for him.
"Inuyasha-sama!! You have returned from your journey!"
Inuyasha turned to the voice and realized it was a guard with short dark hair and dressed in a dark outfit. A katana could be seen hanging around his waist.
"Yeah... but I failed to bring back Takada-sama's daughter..." he replied.
To his surprise, the guard suddenly laughed. "Don't worry Inuyasha-sama, milady has already returned so you've come back right on time."
Inuyasha widened his eyes. Kagome has returned??! Somehow, he wasn't very happy to hear that but he was still relieved to know she was safe and sound.
His thoughts were cut off when the guard spoke again.
"Won't you come in Inuyasha-sama? I'll inform Takada-sama of your return," he suggested and before Inuyasha could refuse, he already hurried back into the mansion.
Inuyasha sighed. I guess I have no other choice then... And so he reluctantly entered the garden and headed towards the main entrance.
-- in the study chamber of Lord Takada --
*KNOCK KNOCK*
"Come in," Lord Takada ordered.
Inuyasha entered the room and slowly closed the door behind him. "Sir."
"Ah! Inuyasha!! I'm so glad you have returned!!" Lord Takada smiled. "Did you know that my daughter has returned?"
"Y-yeah...so I heard from the guard. I'm relieved to hear that she has returned safely," he replied with a polite smile.
"Great! Let's get straight to the point!" the Lord stated. "The wedding will be held in two days so I'll be arranging your stay here until that day. In the meantime, I'll notify your father and brother. Do you have any problems with that?"
Inuyasha hesitated a moment before shaking his head. "No sir," he responded. The sooner I fulfill my promise...the sooner I'll be relieved from this torment...
Lord Takada patted his shoulder. "Good! I'm happy to have you as my son-in-law, boy!" he laughed proudly and called for a servant by clapping his hands.
"Yes milord?" a male servant entered the room and bowed deeply.
"Bring Inuyasha to the best room we have and make sure that his stay here is as comfortable as possible," he ordered.
"Yes milord," the servant acknowledged and turned to Inuyasha. "Will Inuyasha-sama be kind enough to follow me please?"
Inuyasha nodded and bowed to Lord Takada. "Then I'll excuse myself now." With that, he followed the male servant out of the chamber to the room where he will stay until the wedding.
-- that night --
"Kagome? Are you in there?" a familiar voice asked from outside her
bedroom-door.
"Yeah," was her tired reply.
Kagome was sitting in her favorite corner of the room again; on a white pillow on the floor and with her back leaning against the wall. Her legs were curled up against her chest with her arms resting on her knees. She was wearing a long sky-blue-colored nightdress with long thin sleeves.
She didn't look away from the window when Sango entered the room and closed the door behind her. "Are you okay?" she asked, noticing the unusual silence.
She sighed in reply. "I...I guess..."
The maid raised a brow. What had happened...? she wondered. It's true that Kagome came back earlier than Inuyasha, but she knew it was him who had brought her back. She doesn't remember him yet...? Or is it that she doesn't know he's her fiancé yet? Or did something happen on their way back...?
Her musing stopped when Kagome spoke again. "I...I found it..." she said with a sad tone. "...the promise...it was Inuyasha..."
Sango widened her eyes of surprise. So she does remember him! B-but...why is she sounding so sad?
"He can't keep it..." Kagome continued as she raised her head to look at Sango with a blanc expression on her face.
Can't keep it...? What is she talking about? the maid thought confused.
Her mistress took a deep breath. "He...he doesn't love me anymore...there's someone else..." she explained.
Sango covered her mouth and widened her eyes of shock.
Kagome shook her head. "You know what the funniest thing is? I...I still love him...despite everything...but that doesn't matter anymore, does it...?" she said as she buried her head in her arms. "I-I'm sorry...I guess I'm a bit exhausted of the journey...c-can you leave me alone for a bit?"
Sango nodded and slowly left the bedroom.
~*~
"How is she?" Miroku asked when she saw Sango come out of the mansion.
She shook her head. "I think we better not pry into their business..." she suggested.
"I understand," he responded with a nod.
"What did Inuyasha tell you when you went to talk to him?" Sango asked.
"He didn't say much...only that he felt very guilty and that he's not worthy of her love," he replied. "And then he asked me to leave him alone."
"So it's true..." the maid sighed.
Miroku responded by pulling her to his chest and leaned his chin on top of her head. "Don't worry love, they'll be able to solve this on their own," he comforted her.
~*~
Inuyasha was lying on his burgundy-colored bed and stared at the dark ceiling.
His mind was now completely set on marrying Kagome and fulfilling his promise to her. He had decided to put his feelings for Maya aside and sacrifice his own happiness for Kagome's.
And this story will end...and we'll...we'll live happily...ever after... he convinced himself.
After repeating the same thought over and over again several times, he slowly drifted into sleep.
~*~ the day of the wedding ~*~
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror. This is it...I will have no regrets
after this day...just let this be over with... she decided with a firm nod
to herself.
She was dressed in her red wedding gown, the same one she had worn on the day of the Battle for the bride. Her hair was beautifully tied into a flat knot on the back of her head and decorated with tiny red flowers. Thin red eyelashes graced her eyelids and her lips were sharing the same color as fresh sakura blossoms.
No regrets... she told herself once again before covering her head with a thin, red veil. Unlike the one she wore on the day of the Battle, this one was completely opaque.
"Are you ready Kagome?" Lord Takada asked as he appeared in the doorway.
"Yeah," Kagome nodded.
Lord Takada walked to her daughter's side and offered her his arm to guide her to the garden, where the wedding will be held. And Kagome took it without hesitation.
-- in the garden --
The garden was heavenly decorated with red and white flowers. A small, low wooden
platform could be seen with a path leading to it. And there were people sitting
on each side of the path. All of them came to witness the wedding of the daughter
of the honorable Takada.
On the platform, a priest could be seen together with Inutaisho, Sesshoumaru and Miroku to his left and Sango to his right. The men were wearing formal navy blue haori's and hakama's and Sango was wearing a beautiful pink yukata, with her hair tied up in a loose knot on the back of her head, also decorated with small pink flowers.
In front of the priest stood Inuyasha, he was wearing an outfit that resembled his usual one. But this one was made of a darker and more expensive fabric. The sash around his waist was gold instead of red and he wasn't carrying Tetsusaiga around his waist.
Everyone became silent as Lord Takada appeared with the bride next to him.
Inuyasha swallowed as he watched the two approaching the platform along the path. This is it...there's no turning back now... he thought to himself.
After Lord Takada successfully guided his daughter to Inuyasha's side, he left her to stand next to Sango and signaled for the priest to commence the wedding-ceremony.
The priest cleared his throat and everybody's attention turned to him.
While the preaching began, Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder how his bride looked like since he had never seen her before. But what he found most surprising was that her scent resembled Maya's very much. Maybe she helped Kagome dress...there's no other reason for her scent to be that strong...but then... he thought puzzled as he scanned his surroundings. Where is Maya...? Shouldn't she be attending the wedding as well...?
But he wasn't the only one deep in thoughts. Kagome was also pondering about the same matter, although slightly different. She was also curious about the looks of her future husband. All she could remember was he being a jerk when they first met each other in that dark room but that was all. But there was another matter that consumed her thoughts. Where could Inuyasha be right now...? Has he already returned to that shrine...to Kikyou's side...? she mused sadly. Or is he watching the wedding right now...from a tree from afar?
Her thoughts were cut off when the preaching has come to the moment of the oaths.
Her heartbeat became pretty fast when the priest asked the bridegroom to take the oath.
"I do," she heard him say. And it was that moment, which time had suddenly stopped for Kagome. T-this voice...!!
The priest was asking her to take the oath and everybody waited for her answer but it never came as Kagome took a small step backwards, creating more distance between herself and the bridegroom.
Slowly, Kagome raised her hand to her veil and pulled it off, causing the whole crowd to gasp since it was inappropriate for her to show her face to the bridegroom before finishing the ceremony.
Inuyasha first watched how the red veil slowly fell to the wooden platform. His eyes slowly traveled to his bride's face and they widened of shock when they met the awfully familiar navy blue ones.
"M-Maya...?!" he gasped in disbelief. He just couldn't believe what he saw. Maya was really standing right in front of him, dressed in a wedding gown and ready to be married to him.
It came in a flash, but Inuyasha knew what had happened when he felt a sharp pain and his raised his hand to cover his burning cheek.
Maya/Kagome had slapped him.
The whole crowd gasped and everybody watched how the bride burst into tears and ran away from the platform, out of the garden and into the forest, including Inuyasha himself.
He was still shocked by the fact that Maya was in fact Kagome, but he soon snapped back into reality with the help of his friend.
"What the hell do you think you're doing Inuyasha!! Go after her!!!" Miroku's voice sounded from behind him.
Without hesitation, Inuyasha ascended the platform in a leap and dashed into the direction where Kagome had disappeared.
~*~
After running a short while, he saw Kagome running in front of him. "Maya...no...Kagome!!
Wait!!!" he cried, but he received no reply and neither did she stop running.
Inuyasha didn't want to startle the girl by jumping into the air and landing
right in front of her so he quickened his pace.
And eventually he caught up with her and grabbed her wrist. "Wait Kagome," he panted.
He was surprised by Kagome's tear-filled face when she turned around to look at him. "Let me go!!" she sobbed as she jerked her wrist free, but she didn't run away anymore.
"Why are you running away from me??" Inuyasha asked confused.
"You bastard...why...why are you marrying me when you don't even love me?!" she asked angrily broken in sobs and pants.
Inuyasha widened his eyes. "Y-you were listening back then...??"
"What? You rather not have me heard that? Those words were reserved for me...right?!" she spat. "Don't you even dare to say you didn't meant to say those words!!"
The hanyou thought for a moment and frowned. "I was with you all this time and searching for you...why didn't you tell me you were Kagome!?" he asked, sounding a bit angry.
"You thought I didn't want to??" she argued, broken in sobs. "I didn't lie when I told you I had a partial memory loss...I didn't lie...when I told you we were attacked by bandits..."
Her voice faltered and she dropped her gaze until her bangs covered her eyes. "F-father...M-Maya...they were both killed before my very eyes back then...and Takada-sama saved me...and adopted me...I've only been able to recall a little bit of my childhood from that moment on..."
She looked up at Inuyasha with her face again filled with tears. "I only remembered someone making a promise to me...I didn't know it was you..." she continued in sobs. "I remembered everything when I saw the crest on your identity-plate back in the shrine...and I ran as fast as I could to see you...and then...in the garden...I saw you...and Kikyou..."
Inuyasha raised a brow. She thinks I'm in love with Kikyou...?? he thought surprised. "You thought...I meant Kikyou by the one I fell in love with??" he blurted out.
"You were hugging her!! H-how could I not think it was her!!" Kagome cried angrily.
She was surprised when Inuyasha suddenly put up a gentle smile on his face and started walking closer to her. She became even more surprised when he suddenly wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tight. ...Eh?
"You silly girl..." he whispered in her ear. "I wasn't lying when I said I fell in love with someone else...but..."
Kagome held in her breath and closed her eyes.
"...it wasn't Kikyou..." he continued. "...it was you..."
She widened her eyes and pulled away a little to look up at Inuyasha. A puzzled expression was written all over her features.
Inuyasha raised a clawed hand and carefully wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Don't you get it...? I fell in love with Maya..." he smiled.
Kagome froze for a moment and suddenly she burst into tears again. But this time it wasn't because she was angry, it was because she remembered how foolish she was for misunderstanding Inuyasha. Baka...Kagome no baka... she scolded herself as more tears flowed down her cheeks.
The hanyou smiled, as he knew what the girl was crying about and held her close to him again.
"Kagome...?" he whispered in her ear.
But Kagome didn't respond to this, as she was still busy sobbing in his chest.
"Will you marry me?" he asked, recalling that she hadn't taken the oath yet.
He slowly pulled away a little and made the girl to look up at him with a clawed hand cupping her cheek.
The tears had stopped flowing as Kagome formed a weak smile on her face and she nodded in his hand.
"Then...may I kiss the bride?" he asked with a gentle voice.
Before he was given an answer, Kagome already clasped his red garment and sealed his lips with hers.
I'll take that as a yes... Inuyasha smiled inwardly and returned the kiss as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer.
I will never let you go again Kagome... he thought as he deepened the kiss.
Never...
~* OWARI *~
First of all, I want to thank all of you who have followed this story to its end. And I want to thank all those who have reviewed and encouraged me to go on ^-^! Thank you all very much!!
For those who worry that I might stop writing after this one, don't worry. I've already planned what story to write, I just haven't started it yet. Below is the (temporary) description of the next story that I will work on.
Again, thank you all very much for reading and reviewing this story. I hope you all have enjoyed this story like I did when I was writing it ^-^. I also hope that the ending was satisfying ^-^.
*stretches her arms* I'm going to take a long break now...my 4th quarter had just started and things are going to get quite busy! If you want to be notified when I post my next story, just tell me and I'll add you to my emaillist ^-^. Till we meet next time!!
Lots of greets
~Kittymui~
~*~
NEXT STORY:
Torn wings
AU/OOC. An angel from the moon descended to the Earth out of curiosity, but
who would have known that the same trait would take away her ability to go back.
Kag/Sess
~COMING JUNE!!~
~*~
Vocabulary:
hijin kessou: 'Flying Claws of Blood', another claw attack used by Inuyasha
baka: stupid
Kagome no baka: stupid Kagome
owari: the end
~*~
REPLIES ON REVIEWS:
Rhexi: Thanks, and don't worry for not reviewing ^-^ I don't mind. And things weren't exactly winding down, right?
kit kat: Thanks for waiting ^-^. I hope you liked the ending.
Dragon Man 180: *shivers* hmm no you better not do that hahaha. Kagome did indeed feel very stupid for misunderstanding Inuyasha hehehe.
LiLsTuBbOrNgRl: Thank you very much ^-^
Lostinashadow: Thanks!! I'm glad you liked it!
Ks-Starshine: Hahaha no need to be jealous at all ^-^, I don't think myself to be that great. I'm glad you liked reading it.
KenshinOtaku: They don't, do they ^-^ I'm glad someone agrees with me hehehe. Thanks for reviewing!
Kirei Baka Kasumi: Sorry for the torture...I hope it was worth it ^-^. I'm happy to know that you like my story so far.
Thief of Baghdad: No, thank YOU for reviewing ^-^. *pfew* Glad you didn't mind the cliffhanger hahaha. Thank you very much for complimenting me!!
brazil: Thanks! Honestly, I don't like dwelling too much on fluffy stuff, not that I don't like it, but it would become bored if I use those moments too much (at least that's what I think). Little fluffy moments would make the existing ones more special and unique, don't you think so? And I really wouldn't know what to write about when I do extend the story hehe ^-^.
Bella-chan: Hi Bella-chan, thanks for reading and reviewing my story. I'm glad you like it! Thanks for telling me.
ShadowStar666: I'm glad you understood what I explained, haha sometimes I just write things that people don't understand ^-^.
death is only the beginning: Thanks!
Clearwater-Faerie: Hahaha don't worry, I can't make him fall in love with Kikyou even if I wanted to (which I don't) because it would be frustrating, confusing and even impossible. I hope you're satisfied with this final chapter ^-^.
FieryDemonFox: It was indeed a long chapter ^-^, I hope you liked it. And you got it right ^-^.
michelle: Yeah...it's sad, but there will be others ^-^. Thanks for reviewing!!
Shadow-Demon14: Thanks for reviewing!! I'm so glad you liked all the twists and turns ^-^. I hope you liked the ending too!
Kyia: Thanks, I had fun writing it ^-^.
jessica: Hope you liked the ending ^-^.
nekomoongirl: You got that right. Hehehe, it wouldn't be logical if he falls in love with Kikyou, don't you agree?
ioka: Thank you! Thanks for telling me!
power2thepink: Thanks for loving this story. How was the ending?
Cheerful Oblivious: You didn't really think that I would make him fall in love with her...right? Thanks for reviewing!
osuwariIYK: Woops, *hands over napkin* don't cry...I hate to make readers cry. Did you like the ending?
Samieko: Hahaha yeah I totally agree with that, but that's what also makes this story interesting (meant to make it interesting with the twists). How did you like the ending?
~*~
Posted: 20 April 2004
Last Edited: 20 April 2004
Spelling check: YES