Disclaimer: -cries- I DON'T -weeps- OWN -sobs- INUYASHA!!!!
Author's note: -sighs- Well, I must tell you this now...... -sighs again- This is the final chapter.... It's going to be a long one!! -cough- I hope. -cough- Anyway, this was a very fun story to write and I love all you reviewers who have stuck with me until the end!
YOU ARE THE BEST! ALL OF YOU!!!!!!
Well, let's get on with the final chapter! -grins-
)()( Chapter 24 Confessions of the heart and near death experience )()(
"Inuyasha!!!"
"....... what?"
"Stop moping around and play with me!!" The little kitsune whined as he ran in circles around the bass of the tree that Inuyasha sat in. "I'm so bored!!!"
Inuyasha sighed, leaning down further on the tree branch. Kagome had been unconscious for three days now and Kaede was saying that she might be out of it for even longer. 'It was my fault.....' He thought, glancing up at the heavens. 'I could have done something in the beginning but I could...... Damn! I'm so weak!'
"IN-U-YASH-A!!!!" Shippou screamed for the bass of the tree, glaring up at him with big green eyes. "Play with me!!"
Inuyasha snorted, closing his eyes. "Shippou, leave me alone. Why don't you go play with a demon or something? That sounds like fun...."
Shippou let his head drop and his shoulders slump. "Your so mean, Inuyasha." He grumbled before turning and leaving the sulking hanyou alone.
Inuyasha smirked, letting the wind play with his hair as it blew past him. 'Finally, I'm alone!'
No sooner then he thought that when a elderly old lady came to the bass of the tree and started calling his name. "Inuyasha! Come down here! Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha sighed deeply and allowed one eye to open to see who the witch was, thought he already knew by the smell of herbs that surrounded the old lady. "What is it, Kaede?" He grumbled.
Kaede sighed, rolling her one good eye. "Inuyasha, come down 'ere. Lady Kagome has finally awaken-"
At the words 'Kagome' and 'awaken', Inuyasha was down the tree and off to the hut before you could say Shikon no Tama. He raced down the streets, not caring if he ran into people or not. Soon, he was at the huts door, trying to catch his breath. 'She's awake....' He thought, reaching out to push the hay mat away, but he stopped and jerked his hand back. 'But....... how can I face her?'
Suddenly, with out much warning, the hay mat was shoved aside and there stood Sango. She raised a brow, seeing Inuyasha's face suddenly turn red. "Inuyasha, what are you doing out here?" She grabbed him by the elbow and yanked him inside, letting the hay mat fall back to place behind them.
Inuyasha stumbled inside to see Miroku standing beside Kagome. The monk smiled at Inuyasha and walked over to them. "Good luck." He grinned as he and Sango left the hut.
Inuyasha blinked. "Good luck?" He echoed to himself.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha's whole body froze at the sound of her voice. Slowly, he looked over at Kagome who sat up in bed. She smiled sweetly at him, sending more heat across his cheeks. "H-hey...." He tried to say casually, but it came out in a stumble. He cleared his throat and walked over to her bed, sitting down once he got there.
"Well, that was an interesting adventure." Kagome commented lightly with a small laugh.
Inuyasha looked down at the floor boards, frowning. "Kagome...... I'm sorry. I should have been able to protect-" He stopped mid-sentence when one finger was put upon his lips. He looked up to see Kagome giggling lightly at him as she pulled her hand back.
"You shouldn't be sorry, Inuyasha." Kagome smiled, shacking her head. "No one could have known of the demon, and no one did. But, in the end you did find the demon before anything go worse. I should be thanking you, not accepting you apology."
Inuyasha blinked, a bit too stun to say anything. She was thanking him for doing nothing. But why? "Kagome.... I....." He turned his attention back to the floor boards, his face turning red again. 'At least I could do for her is tell her how I really feel.....' He thought, fist clenching around the fabric of his kimono.
Kagome blinked, leaning towards him. "What is it, Inuyasha?"
Slowly, Inuyasha took in a deep breath and looked up at her. He placed a hand on her cheek, giving her a small smile. "Kagome, thank you for always being there for me. Even when it got tough and even when things got..... depressing."
Kagome blinked, her heart racing faster and faster ever second. "Inuyasha....."
"Kagome, I........ I love you." Inuyasha whispered, letting his hand drop from her cheek.
Kagome stared at him blankly, too shocked to say anything. 'He said it...... He said he loved me......' She thought frantically, her heart racing even faster. "Inuyasha..... I...... I....."
Inuyasha smiled lightly, leaning away from her. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"No! Stop!" Kagome nearly yelled, her eyes glazing over with tears. "Don't say anything, please!"
Inuyasha blinked. "Kagome, are you crying?"
She shook her head quickly, closing her eyes tightly. "Y-yeah..... but...." She looked up at him, smiling and letting the tears fall freely. "Inuyasha, I love you too." She whispered, flinging herself into a hug.
Inuyasha's eyes widen as Kagome was now in his arm, sobbing quietly. "Wha......? Really?"
Kagome nodded. "Yes, I do! I'm so happy that you told me!" She smiled, holding him tighter. 'He's told me that he loves me and I told him! I feel so happy! I don't want to move! No, never!' She thought happily as she felt his arms wrap around her.
Inuyasha smiled, resting his head on Kagomes. "I'm happy too." He whispered into her midnight hair. Time seemed to slow as they just sat there in each others arms. But, as flowers die at one point, so did this moment. Screams erupted from outside the hut, as did one large roar.
"What is that?!" Kagome gasped, pulling away from the embrace.
Inuyasha let out a low growl from his throat as he stood up. "Kagura." He hissed before dashing out of the hut, but yelling to Kagome before he left. "Stay in here!" Once he was out, he could see perfectly well that he was right. Kagura stood on one of the huts with on very big demon.
"Inuyasha! It's Kagura!" Sango yelled from where she stood, already dressed in her taijiya outfit.
"How perceptive you are, my dear taijiya." Kagura mocked as the demon gave a loud roar from behind her. "Though, I am not here to fight you." She turned her crimson eyes on Inuyasha with a smirk. "Naraku is not pleased that you have found his little toy. Naughty, Naughty half-breed."
"So, this was from Naraku!" Inuyasha growled, un-sheathing the Tetsusaiga. "You and Naraku will pay for this!"
"Tsk, tsk little puppy. Now, you shouldn't get so mad! But, as you wish, I will let you fight my friend here, Go, Hedoro!" Kagura ordered as he whipped her fan forward.
Herdoro, the large and did I mention, very slimy demon ran forward, taking down huts along the way. It let out a large roar as it slammed down it's fist over Inuyasha. Inuyasha grunted and dodged the overly slow attack with ease.
Kagura smirked, starting to leave.
Inuyasha growled. "Miroku! Sango! Take care of the demon! I have some business to take care of with Kagura!" He barked, leaping over the demon before he could hear his friends answer.
"KAGURA!" Inuyasha yelled, taking a sing at the wind demon.
Kagura smirked, making a quick dodge so that she landed on the next hut over. "Why so mad, Inuyasha?" She smirked, opening her fan slowly. "Is it because we almost killed your woman?"
"Shut up!" Inuyasha growled, blindly running at her.
Kagura rolled her eyes and simply jumped over Inuyasha and landing behind him. "Hm, still not very good with the 'wolf fang', I see."
Inuyasha skidded to and stop and whirled around to her, his eyes flashing with rage. "You bitch. You nearly kill Kagome." He grounded out, his grip on the Tetsusaiga's hilt tightening.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" Kagura chuckled, opening her arms invitingly. "Come on, take your best shot."
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. 'You'll get a taste of my wind scar, you bitch.' He thought bitterly as their demon winds started to form in front of him. Soon, he could see a opening, the Wind Scar. "There! This is your end, Kaugra!" He yelled, slicing the Tetsusaiga down the path and creating great big waves of power.
Kagura's eyes widen. "Hedoro-!" Her eyes widen, the slim demon was down the dead at the hands of the monk and taijiya. She turned her attention back to Inuyasha's attack, but it was too late. It hit her full force.
....... Silence......
"Inuyasha?!" Miroku called, running up to the nearly destroyed hut that Inuyasha stood on.
Inuyasha frowned, watching a half burned and a very bloody wind demon escaped on a large white feather. He sheath the Tetsusaiga, jumping down to the ground as villagers started back into the village.
"Why did you let her live?!" Sango gasped in anger.
Inuyasha closed his eyes, letting them rest for a moment. "So Naraku will hear of our power." He stated simply as he strode past them.
Miroku blinked. "Well, that is a smart plan I do say so myself." He commented with awe.
Sango nodded, watching as Inuyasha turned a corner, obviously going back to Kagome. "Yes, it is rather smart."
)()()()()()()()()()(
"He did what?"
"M-m'lord..... H-he has become...." Kagura hesitated, holding her stomach wound tightly as blood drip down to the floor. She took a deep breath, though everything was spinning. "He has b-become.... s-stronger....."
Naraku frowned, his back to the wind demoness as usual. "I see. He has injured you, has he not?"
Kagura frowned. "Yes, more then I would like to say. But, I will live."
Naraku grunted, turning halfway to her. "Go and rest, but next time I hear bad news from you it will be your life."
Kagura nodded slowly, stepping back, out or the room. She sighed deeply, stumbling threw the hall. 'But will there be a next time?' She thought with a grave feeling in her stomach. 'I don't know why, but I highly doubt it.'
)()()()()()()()()()(
"Your going where?!" Inuyasha hissed, following Kagome as she walked hastily threw the forest of Inuyasha.
"I'm going back home!" Kagome yelled over her shoulder as she jumped over a small root. "My mom is probably worried sick about me! We just got up and left without saying much!"
"But I told your little brother-"
"He gets things mixed up all the time!" Kagome stopped at the well's edge, turning to him. "I'll only be gone three days, don't worry." She gave him a sweet smiled, making him stop dead in his tracks and blush.
"........ fine." Inuyasha grumbled, looking away. "But only three days, no later-" He blinked, looking at the well.
"She's gone." Shippou commented as he came out of nowhere.
"ACK! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!?!" Inuyasha yelled, stepping away from the little kitsune.
"But, she's alive and well. Thanks to you, Inuyasha." Miroku said calmly as he too came out of nowhere.
"Ack! Where are you guys coming from?!?!" Inuyasha gasped.
"We followed you out here." Sango said as she came up behind him.
"ACK!"
Shippou sighed, rolling his eyes. "Inuyasha, don't be such a drama queen."
Miroku smiled. "Well, now things are as right as rain. Let us head back and have us a feast!" He smirked and turned, walking with Sango and Shippou.
Inuyasha blinked, watching them leave. "Right as rain? What the hell Miroku?!" He yelled after the monk as he followed them back to the village.
.......
Thing went back to normal and the group continued their journey. Miroku continued being a lecher; Sango continued slapping him and Shippou continued being cute. Though, one thing did change. Kagome and Inuyasha were closer then ever and Naraku was now soon to be dead with their new found strength. Each other.
THE END
Author's note: -sighs- Well, I must tell you this now...... -sighs again- This is the final chapter.... It's going to be a long one!! -cough- I hope. -cough- Anyway, this was a very fun story to write and I love all you reviewers who have stuck with me until the end!
YOU ARE THE BEST! ALL OF YOU!!!!!!
Well, let's get on with the final chapter! -grins-
)()( Chapter 24 Confessions of the heart and near death experience )()(
"Inuyasha!!!"
"....... what?"
"Stop moping around and play with me!!" The little kitsune whined as he ran in circles around the bass of the tree that Inuyasha sat in. "I'm so bored!!!"
Inuyasha sighed, leaning down further on the tree branch. Kagome had been unconscious for three days now and Kaede was saying that she might be out of it for even longer. 'It was my fault.....' He thought, glancing up at the heavens. 'I could have done something in the beginning but I could...... Damn! I'm so weak!'
"IN-U-YASH-A!!!!" Shippou screamed for the bass of the tree, glaring up at him with big green eyes. "Play with me!!"
Inuyasha snorted, closing his eyes. "Shippou, leave me alone. Why don't you go play with a demon or something? That sounds like fun...."
Shippou let his head drop and his shoulders slump. "Your so mean, Inuyasha." He grumbled before turning and leaving the sulking hanyou alone.
Inuyasha smirked, letting the wind play with his hair as it blew past him. 'Finally, I'm alone!'
No sooner then he thought that when a elderly old lady came to the bass of the tree and started calling his name. "Inuyasha! Come down here! Inuyasha!"
Inuyasha sighed deeply and allowed one eye to open to see who the witch was, thought he already knew by the smell of herbs that surrounded the old lady. "What is it, Kaede?" He grumbled.
Kaede sighed, rolling her one good eye. "Inuyasha, come down 'ere. Lady Kagome has finally awaken-"
At the words 'Kagome' and 'awaken', Inuyasha was down the tree and off to the hut before you could say Shikon no Tama. He raced down the streets, not caring if he ran into people or not. Soon, he was at the huts door, trying to catch his breath. 'She's awake....' He thought, reaching out to push the hay mat away, but he stopped and jerked his hand back. 'But....... how can I face her?'
Suddenly, with out much warning, the hay mat was shoved aside and there stood Sango. She raised a brow, seeing Inuyasha's face suddenly turn red. "Inuyasha, what are you doing out here?" She grabbed him by the elbow and yanked him inside, letting the hay mat fall back to place behind them.
Inuyasha stumbled inside to see Miroku standing beside Kagome. The monk smiled at Inuyasha and walked over to them. "Good luck." He grinned as he and Sango left the hut.
Inuyasha blinked. "Good luck?" He echoed to himself.
"Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha's whole body froze at the sound of her voice. Slowly, he looked over at Kagome who sat up in bed. She smiled sweetly at him, sending more heat across his cheeks. "H-hey...." He tried to say casually, but it came out in a stumble. He cleared his throat and walked over to her bed, sitting down once he got there.
"Well, that was an interesting adventure." Kagome commented lightly with a small laugh.
Inuyasha looked down at the floor boards, frowning. "Kagome...... I'm sorry. I should have been able to protect-" He stopped mid-sentence when one finger was put upon his lips. He looked up to see Kagome giggling lightly at him as she pulled her hand back.
"You shouldn't be sorry, Inuyasha." Kagome smiled, shacking her head. "No one could have known of the demon, and no one did. But, in the end you did find the demon before anything go worse. I should be thanking you, not accepting you apology."
Inuyasha blinked, a bit too stun to say anything. She was thanking him for doing nothing. But why? "Kagome.... I....." He turned his attention back to the floor boards, his face turning red again. 'At least I could do for her is tell her how I really feel.....' He thought, fist clenching around the fabric of his kimono.
Kagome blinked, leaning towards him. "What is it, Inuyasha?"
Slowly, Inuyasha took in a deep breath and looked up at her. He placed a hand on her cheek, giving her a small smile. "Kagome, thank you for always being there for me. Even when it got tough and even when things got..... depressing."
Kagome blinked, her heart racing faster and faster ever second. "Inuyasha....."
"Kagome, I........ I love you." Inuyasha whispered, letting his hand drop from her cheek.
Kagome stared at him blankly, too shocked to say anything. 'He said it...... He said he loved me......' She thought frantically, her heart racing even faster. "Inuyasha..... I...... I....."
Inuyasha smiled lightly, leaning away from her. "I'm sorry, I just-"
"No! Stop!" Kagome nearly yelled, her eyes glazing over with tears. "Don't say anything, please!"
Inuyasha blinked. "Kagome, are you crying?"
She shook her head quickly, closing her eyes tightly. "Y-yeah..... but...." She looked up at him, smiling and letting the tears fall freely. "Inuyasha, I love you too." She whispered, flinging herself into a hug.
Inuyasha's eyes widen as Kagome was now in his arm, sobbing quietly. "Wha......? Really?"
Kagome nodded. "Yes, I do! I'm so happy that you told me!" She smiled, holding him tighter. 'He's told me that he loves me and I told him! I feel so happy! I don't want to move! No, never!' She thought happily as she felt his arms wrap around her.
Inuyasha smiled, resting his head on Kagomes. "I'm happy too." He whispered into her midnight hair. Time seemed to slow as they just sat there in each others arms. But, as flowers die at one point, so did this moment. Screams erupted from outside the hut, as did one large roar.
"What is that?!" Kagome gasped, pulling away from the embrace.
Inuyasha let out a low growl from his throat as he stood up. "Kagura." He hissed before dashing out of the hut, but yelling to Kagome before he left. "Stay in here!" Once he was out, he could see perfectly well that he was right. Kagura stood on one of the huts with on very big demon.
"Inuyasha! It's Kagura!" Sango yelled from where she stood, already dressed in her taijiya outfit.
"How perceptive you are, my dear taijiya." Kagura mocked as the demon gave a loud roar from behind her. "Though, I am not here to fight you." She turned her crimson eyes on Inuyasha with a smirk. "Naraku is not pleased that you have found his little toy. Naughty, Naughty half-breed."
"So, this was from Naraku!" Inuyasha growled, un-sheathing the Tetsusaiga. "You and Naraku will pay for this!"
"Tsk, tsk little puppy. Now, you shouldn't get so mad! But, as you wish, I will let you fight my friend here, Go, Hedoro!" Kagura ordered as he whipped her fan forward.
Herdoro, the large and did I mention, very slimy demon ran forward, taking down huts along the way. It let out a large roar as it slammed down it's fist over Inuyasha. Inuyasha grunted and dodged the overly slow attack with ease.
Kagura smirked, starting to leave.
Inuyasha growled. "Miroku! Sango! Take care of the demon! I have some business to take care of with Kagura!" He barked, leaping over the demon before he could hear his friends answer.
"KAGURA!" Inuyasha yelled, taking a sing at the wind demon.
Kagura smirked, making a quick dodge so that she landed on the next hut over. "Why so mad, Inuyasha?" She smirked, opening her fan slowly. "Is it because we almost killed your woman?"
"Shut up!" Inuyasha growled, blindly running at her.
Kagura rolled her eyes and simply jumped over Inuyasha and landing behind him. "Hm, still not very good with the 'wolf fang', I see."
Inuyasha skidded to and stop and whirled around to her, his eyes flashing with rage. "You bitch. You nearly kill Kagome." He grounded out, his grip on the Tetsusaiga's hilt tightening.
"Well, what are you going to do about it?" Kagura chuckled, opening her arms invitingly. "Come on, take your best shot."
Inuyasha's eyes narrowed. 'You'll get a taste of my wind scar, you bitch.' He thought bitterly as their demon winds started to form in front of him. Soon, he could see a opening, the Wind Scar. "There! This is your end, Kaugra!" He yelled, slicing the Tetsusaiga down the path and creating great big waves of power.
Kagura's eyes widen. "Hedoro-!" Her eyes widen, the slim demon was down the dead at the hands of the monk and taijiya. She turned her attention back to Inuyasha's attack, but it was too late. It hit her full force.
....... Silence......
"Inuyasha?!" Miroku called, running up to the nearly destroyed hut that Inuyasha stood on.
Inuyasha frowned, watching a half burned and a very bloody wind demon escaped on a large white feather. He sheath the Tetsusaiga, jumping down to the ground as villagers started back into the village.
"Why did you let her live?!" Sango gasped in anger.
Inuyasha closed his eyes, letting them rest for a moment. "So Naraku will hear of our power." He stated simply as he strode past them.
Miroku blinked. "Well, that is a smart plan I do say so myself." He commented with awe.
Sango nodded, watching as Inuyasha turned a corner, obviously going back to Kagome. "Yes, it is rather smart."
)()()()()()()()()()(
"He did what?"
"M-m'lord..... H-he has become...." Kagura hesitated, holding her stomach wound tightly as blood drip down to the floor. She took a deep breath, though everything was spinning. "He has b-become.... s-stronger....."
Naraku frowned, his back to the wind demoness as usual. "I see. He has injured you, has he not?"
Kagura frowned. "Yes, more then I would like to say. But, I will live."
Naraku grunted, turning halfway to her. "Go and rest, but next time I hear bad news from you it will be your life."
Kagura nodded slowly, stepping back, out or the room. She sighed deeply, stumbling threw the hall. 'But will there be a next time?' She thought with a grave feeling in her stomach. 'I don't know why, but I highly doubt it.'
)()()()()()()()()()(
"Your going where?!" Inuyasha hissed, following Kagome as she walked hastily threw the forest of Inuyasha.
"I'm going back home!" Kagome yelled over her shoulder as she jumped over a small root. "My mom is probably worried sick about me! We just got up and left without saying much!"
"But I told your little brother-"
"He gets things mixed up all the time!" Kagome stopped at the well's edge, turning to him. "I'll only be gone three days, don't worry." She gave him a sweet smiled, making him stop dead in his tracks and blush.
"........ fine." Inuyasha grumbled, looking away. "But only three days, no later-" He blinked, looking at the well.
"She's gone." Shippou commented as he came out of nowhere.
"ACK! WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!?!" Inuyasha yelled, stepping away from the little kitsune.
"But, she's alive and well. Thanks to you, Inuyasha." Miroku said calmly as he too came out of nowhere.
"Ack! Where are you guys coming from?!?!" Inuyasha gasped.
"We followed you out here." Sango said as she came up behind him.
"ACK!"
Shippou sighed, rolling his eyes. "Inuyasha, don't be such a drama queen."
Miroku smiled. "Well, now things are as right as rain. Let us head back and have us a feast!" He smirked and turned, walking with Sango and Shippou.
Inuyasha blinked, watching them leave. "Right as rain? What the hell Miroku?!" He yelled after the monk as he followed them back to the village.
.......
Thing went back to normal and the group continued their journey. Miroku continued being a lecher; Sango continued slapping him and Shippou continued being cute. Though, one thing did change. Kagome and Inuyasha were closer then ever and Naraku was now soon to be dead with their new found strength. Each other.
THE END