Hello everyone!! Okay, well im sorry to say this is the last chapter! I have gotten very fond of this story, but now that I have finished it, I can work on my baby. (ADLLW) I can't tell all of you how much I appreciate your reviews, they kept me going! In the middle of this story I was so tempted to just stop writing, but your comments about it tweaked a little voice in my head that told me to get my butt in gear! So thanks to all of you!

AngelOfLight: Yes! I have a BIG fetish for cliffys! Although you have already said Im a great writer and you love my stories, it doesn't hurt to hear it. One reviewer I have says WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW all the time and I love it! Makes me laugh every time, I just love it. I love getting reviews from you! What do you think about the ending?

Koga'sGurl: You should feel loved! LOL! I feel loved that you have stuck with my story for so long! I am really flattered! I can't wait to hear what you think of this chapter! Oh yes, go ahead and tell me what you were going to say about Kagura and Naraku, because I can use it for my other story. (ADLLW) Thanks gurl!

ShortPoet: All ways faithful. Love hearing from you; you have no idea! Yes, Kikyo and Naraku is meant to be a sinister twist....but it's nothing compared to what I have next for Kikyo. As for a hankie....lets see, you might want two. Im not sure, it depends on how emotional you are. I am VERY(!) Emotional, so I will probably cry while I write it; but not in a sad way, in a happy way. But I don't want to ruin it! Yes, I know you have a soft spot for Sesshomaru, and your right. He is a very underestimated character in the anime.

'There's something about an aloof, unaccessible, homicidal outer demeanor that appeals to me.' Another words, you like BAD BOYS!. LOL. Im just kidding.....although they are very attractive; very appealing.

Alas, the soul baring moment. I hope you enjoy it! Thanks again for all your reviews! Oh, BTW, did you get my e-mail? J/w. Can't wait to hear what you think!

Onto the story!

WARNING For those of you that are VERY emotional....grab a tissue or two. Im not bragging I swear it! And don't worry, its not a very sad moment. LOL Just a friendly warning. Love ya'll!

P.s.: Im not totally happy with this chapter.... I might re-do it.

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Silent Screams

PG-13

Chapter 15

Old wounds; Old flames

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Kagome and Inuyasha emerged from the Bone Eaters well, in the place called Inuyasha's Forest, wrapped somewhat happily in each others arms. Today, the abnormally large yellow appendage that Kagome carried with her all the time did not accompany them. They didn't need it for a while. First, they had a task ahead of them. One neither of them were looking forward too, but both felt compelled to do.

The wind was cool and soft as it flitted across their skin in a smooth caress like a whisper, and toyed with their hair seductively like fingers.

The young woman wore a deep red cotton sun dress with small thin straps and accented her slim waist, but slightly puffed out at the knees. The deep shade of color brought out her milky white skin and Inuyasha found himself looking at her more than once, desire coursing through him.

It was simple enough but his mind cried that it was made for her, and he blushed slighty before glancing away.

He breathed deeply as they walked toward Kaede's hut, his arm around her waist, her head resting against his shoulder. He loved walking with her like this; as if neither of them had a care in the world.

He liked Kagome's era; the adventure, the tall things she called buildings. The things only people dreamed of in his era. But he loved his time.

He loved the scent of the forest. The early morning grass, the pine, the trees. He loved the sky and how clear it was here compared to hers. The way he could sit outside at night and easily look anywhere in the sky and see stars.

Just as he and Kagome had entered the outskirts of the old miko's village, a familiar scent reached his nose.

When he stopped walking, Kagome had continued, only to look back at him in confusion when she felt his warmth leave her.

"Inuyasha?" She asked worriedly. "Are you all right?"

Inuyasha's ears twitched upon hearing Kagome's voice. His molten amber eyes glanced at her for a moment, then past her, towards the village.

She took a step forward, touching his arm lightly, feeling her aura intertwine with his. His emotions came at her in a rush as her powers sent them to her.

Wonder.

Confusion.

Bewilderment.

And a little anger.

"Inuyasha?"

"Kikyo was here," He said simply, looking into her eyes for her reaction.

Kagome searched his voice to find a hint of betrayal for his actions with Kagome, or love for the dead miko, but found neither.

"Why do you think she came? Certainly she knows when you leave this era?" Kagome was curious and her eyes spoke volumes.

Inuyasha tilted his head slightly, looking down at her, somewhat surprised. He expected some sort of anger, or hurt in either her body language, her voice, or her words. Or all three. But he wasn't expecting her to look and sound so calm and collected. The sun was behind her, os its light created sort of an outer aura around her that glowed golden. She tilted her head questioningly, removing her hand from his arm to cross her own loosely.

"Not really. She doesn't know how you get to and from my time to yours. But im pretty sure she can sense my departure." He shrugged slightly. "I don't know," he answered honestly.

"Lets go find out," She said, looking at the village, then the woods.

"Eh?" he asked, perplexed.

"Let's go to Kaede's and see if she went there. Then we can go find her in the forest. Unless you want to go alone, then I understand." Her voice wasn't hurt or anger, but he did see the traces of fear in her eyes.

Fear of him changing his mind.

He closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around the young woman, his clawed hands clasped together resting on the small of her back.

She looked up at him, startled for the sudden change in demeanor but she wasn't complaining.

"I have to tell Kikyo I have made my decision. That I have decided to stay with you. That I want you to be my mate."

Kagome blushed and nodded silently. He continued.

"And although part of me wants to go alone, the other part wants to take you with me." Inuyasha sounded confused by his feelings and Kagome smiled. She gently reached up and rubbed one of his (kawaii!) dog ears, then started in a run towards the village.

"Last one there's a puppy!" She laughed and took off, Inuyasha following close behind, admiring the way her dress floated about her knees.

Once they reached Kaede's hut, Inuyasha tackled Kagome to the ground on a bundle of fur that the village had collected for the on coming winter months.

He straddled her, his claws running over her sides as she twisted and squirmed under him, silent laughter racking her body.

He stopped tickling her when he noticed she couldn't breath and they heard a small cough behind them.

Inuyasha was off Kagome in a flash turning to look at the surprised humans.

Miroku, Sango, and Lady Kaede were all watching them. Miroku with a lecherous grin on his face Sango a light pink staining her cheeks, and Kaede with a twinkle in her eye.

Kagome stood up just as quickly, straightening her dress and blushing deeply, avoiding eye contact with any of them in fear of them seeing the look in her eyes.

Luckily, they didn't get a chance to be ambushed by questions, because Shippo picked the time to dash out of the hut and leap into Kagome's arms.

"Kagome! I thought you were never coming back!" He snuggled deeper into his surrogate mothers chest, and looked up at her, his aqua eyes pleading. "Please don't go!"

Kagome was puzzled. She tilted her head, her arms tightening slightly around the orange kit. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't tell him that she would never leave, because she had to go home, and she didn't know what would happen after they acquired the jewel.

Luckily, she was saved from having to answer the heart wrenching question. But not the way she would have liked. Inuyasha clobbered Shippo over the head.

"Feh. Stupid brat. She ain't goin' no where!"

"Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha's ears lowered to his head, and his face took on a pitiful expression. He recognized that voice. "Now....Kagome...I..dont..."

"SIT!"

"AHHH!" The sound of a heavy body hitting the ground rang through the area, but Kagome turned her stormy midnight gaze to her friends.

"What's wrong you guys? Why is Shippo so upset?"

"Because Kikyo was here looking for Inuyasha." Shippo exclaimed, looking pointedly at the hanyou who was currently working off the spell.

Inuyasha growled at him, and Shippo squealed, burying himself in Kagome's raven locks.

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha, catching Sango and Miroku off guard. They too, had thought she would be angry or sad, thinking Inuyasha would run off to the dead miko, not smile. But they both noticed at the same time that Inuyasha didn't seem surprised at all that Kikyo had been here, nor uncomfortable to say anything in front of Kagome.

Sango gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. Kagome watched as her best friends eyes widened and a grin peeked out from under her hand.

"You....and you?" Sango' pointed at Kagome, then Inuyasha.

"Feh. It ain't your business," He replied moodily, crossing his arms, looking away, his aggravated expression barely hiding his blush.

Kagome said nothing, just smiled slightly at Sango, both girls a lite pink tinting their cheeks. Sango squealed and launched into Kagome's arms, almost knocking the poor kit out of her hair.

Miroku walked over to Inuyasha, and slung his arm casually over his shoulder. "Ah. It's good to be a man, right Inuyasha?" A dreamy look crossed his face. Before he could finished whatever perverted thought that was lurking in his brain, Inuyasha surprised them all by looking towards Kagome. His aggravated expression became softer as he looked at her.

She looked like an angel. And in his mind she was. His own, personal angel. Saving him from the binding spell, and saving his heart.

"Are you ready?" He asked, a bit irritated by the monks thinking.

Kagome nodded.

"Where are you two going?" Sango asked, just as Shippo popped his head out of Kagome's hair.

"Your leaving already?!" He sounded dejected and Kagome picked him up, patting his head and smiling softly at him.

"Ah ha! They need a little bonding time, eh?" Miroku said, giving Inuyasha a lecherous wink. He nudged him. "Eh? Eh?"

In a flash, Inuyasha had clobbered him over the head, his eyebrow twitching in irritation as the monk crumpled to the floor, a bump rising on his head.

"Do you ever think of anything else?!" Inuyasha growled out.

"Were going to see Kikyo," Kagome said simply

"Why?! She's gonna try and take you away from us again!" Shippo blurted out, his eyes wide and frightened.

"Feh! You think im gonna let that happen you little furball?" Inuyasha growled angrily.

"Well you barely saved her last time you jerk!" Shippo yelled back, just as angrily.

Sango smiled faintly, knowing that if the orange kitsune wasn't in the arms of his protector he never would have said any of these things to Inuyasha.

"Aye, child. I do not believe Inuyasha will allow anything to happen to Lady Kagome," Lady Kaede said, talking for the first time. "Does yey not agree?"

Shippo looked at the old woman and nodded slightly. "Yeah, but-,"

"She is still alive and well, correct?"

"But-,"

"Yey worry to much, child. Lady Kagome will be fine."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

After finally calming everyones worries, Kagome and Inuyasha headed towards Kikyo. It took a lot of convincing their friends they didn't have to come, and that they would be fine; but in the end, just to calm them, Kagome promised to take her bow and arrows with her. Just in case. But, secretly, Kagome knew she didn't need them.

Now, as Inuyasha leapt with Kagome on his back, his doubts returned. What if Kikyo didn't except his decision? What if she proceeded to try and take him to hell, knowing Kagome couldn't stop her?

Kagome felt Inuyasha tensing beneath her, and she rested her chin on his shoulder. Strands of his silky silver hair brushed harshly across her cheek, stinging it momentarily.

"Hey, you all right"

"Im fine."

She left it at that, knowing he didn't like to be pressured, and tightened her grip on his sleeves as they pummeled down a sharp cliff.

Kagome felt a tingling of her senses as they flew down the cliff side, Inuyasha's feet dragging on the rock wall, gravel and rocks flying up and past them in a flurry of grey. She saw a ripple of what looked like water suspended in the air, then smooth out and vanish, and she realized what it was.

"Inuyasha! Watch out! Its-,"

Before he could stop, and before she could finish, he hit the barrier and Kagome was thrust forward, past the guard.

Kagome felt the impact as Inuyasha hit the barrier, and her fingers hopelessly grasped for his sleeves as they slipped off. Her back hit the ground, and she rolled down the hill sideways, coming to a stop as her chest, and stomach collided painfully with a boulder.

She heard something crack, and knew with the way she landed, and the pain that shot through her chest, she must have either cracked or broken a rib. Or two. She turned slightly, so when she slid off the big rock, she landed on the ground on her back. She took a deep, shuddering breath, wincing against the pain as her rib poked at her lung.

Grinding her teeth at the pain, she stood, looking up the hill she just fell down. She couldn't see Inuyasha. The barrier must have stopped him from entering. And suddenly, she knew. She knew who had the barrier up, and why.

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"Kagome!"

Inuyasha leapt up off the ground, and towards the barrier, only to be thrown back a second time.

"Damn it all!" He cursed angrily. "Kagome!"

He could still hear her frantic voice, feel her sudden weight loss as she flew off him, fell the strength of the barrier, and catch the scent of the owner as it opened rapidly to let Kagome pass, before it was closed off once more.

He brought his gaze back to the barrier, and knew in his heart that his sword would do little, if no damage at all.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Stumbling, Kagome made her way through the thick green lush of the forest, one arm wrapped around her chest, underneath her breast. Every time she took a breath, sharp pain shot through her chest, making it hard to breath. But she had to find Kikyo.

Her breathing was labored and ragged, from the oxygen amount her rib was allowing her to take in, since her lung couldn't expand all the way without piercing it. Her stormy midnight eyes swept around the forest flooring, in between close trees, branches, thick lush that hung in the way. But to no avail.

She pushed away spider webs as she climbed up a hill slowly, the pain dull and throbbing. She felt a tingling of her senses and she looked up, stormy midnight clashing with soft onyx.

Kikyo stood at the top of the hill, her gaze watching Kagome, and she could have sworn she saw sympathy in her depths. Her head spun and she fell to her knees. Before she knew it, she felt an arm around her waist, and her own arm being wrapped around someones shoulders. Kagome looked to her left surprised.

"Come on. I will help you." Kikyo's voice wasn't the normally cold and collective, but rather soft.

Kagome nodded, and winced. "Thanks."

Her mind battled. Her logical side told her not to trust Kikyo, after all she has done to her, to Inuyasha, and all she has tried to do. But her instinct told her that Kikyo could be trusted. She felt a feeling of warmth and peace settle over her shoulders like a security blanket.

Before she knew it, she was walking in a small hut, a kindling fire in the fireplace in the corner, and Kikyo gently lowered her onto a cot. Kagome shifted and winced as she watched Kikyo reach in a cupboard and pull out a bowl and various other things. Kagome looked into the sparkling fire.

"Why are you helping me?" Kagome asked softly. She still stared into the orange flames, but she heard Kikyo's movements stop, and she looked over to her. Kikyo had her head bowed slightly.

"You may be my reincarnate, but you are still a human. You deserve help as much as anyone else." Kikyo's voice became cool and collective once again. "Besides, what would Inuyasha do if I didn't help you, and you died?"

Kagome choose not to answer as Kikyo came over to the bot, a bowl of water in one hand, a cloth, bandage wrappings, and herbs in the other.

"Remove your cloth." Kikyo ordered, gesturing to Kagome's shirt. Obviously she was just as puzzled about her attire as everyone else was.

Kagome removed her shirt, albeit slowly and painfully, and placed it to her side, now sitting with just her bra on. Kikyo looked slightly puzzled at the other garment of clothing, but said nothing and the expression vanished. Without a word, she placed her fingers against Kagome's left rib cage and Kagome yelped in pain. Kikyo pulled her hand back, and busied herself with the herbs.

"It is not broken, but it is cracked. The herbs I have won't mend it immediately, but it will stop the pain and will slowly heal it."

Kagome nodded gratefully and sat still as Kikyo dipped the bandage wrappings into the bowl full of water, which was now mixed with herbs, making the water look slightly bluish. She pulled the bandages back out and placed it between two fingers, running it down to the bottom, to rid it of excess water. Then she slowly started wrapping it around Kagome's rib cage; left and right.

When she was done, Kagome put her shirt back on, surprisingly enough, without any pain except for when she took a deep breath. Kikyo said that their was nothing she could do for that. That it was inside. Once she was done cleaning her supplies, she sat down across from Kagome, her soft onyx eyes calculating.

"He loves you."

Kagome blinked in surprise, and found she couldn't say anything. She hadn't expected Kikyo to know why she was looking for her, but then again the miko always managed to surprise her.

"And you love him." Kikyo's voice was somewhat neutral but Kagome caught a trace of sadness.

When she realized Kikyo had stopped talking, obviously waiting for her to say something, she spoke up; the dull, throbbing pain back. "Yes, I do love him. And he loves me."

She took a deep breath which started a fresh stab of pain, unwelcomed with nausea but she ignored it. "But he still loves you," Kagome said gently. "I don't doubt his feelings for me, but you were the first woman he loved. I can never, and don't wish to, replace that. Inuyasha holds a special place for you in his heart. One that I can't reach," Her gaze returned to the flickering orange flames. "Yes, sometimes I get jealous, because he holds a special place for you. One that only you can fill. Simply because, you were his first.

You taught him how to open up to the world. You showed him that their was more to life then anger and sadness, and destruction. And I admire you for that, because I know that means more to him than anything."

Kagome looked back to Kikyo and they held each others gaze for a couple silent moments before Kikyo spoke. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you deserve to know," Kagome answered simply, honestly.

Kikyo glanced at the fire, then back at the young girl in front of her. She surprised her sometimes. After everything she had done to rid Kagome of this world, and gain back her soul; after numerous times trying to rip Inuyasha away, and whisk him into the depths of Hell, this girl was still kind to her, and forgiving. There was no anger, no hurt, no harshness in her voice, her eyes, her expression. Just understanding. And Kikyo felt a peace in her soul that she hadn't felt since she was alive. Truly alive.

"After all I have done to get rid of you, to get Inuyasha to leave you, you hold nothing of me except understanding?"

Kagome nodded. "Uh huh. I can't explain it, but since we share a soul, I feel the emotions that went through you when you experienced everything with Inuyasha. The confusion, the longing, the depth of your desire, the strength of your love. And I can't help but understand why you have done all you have." Kagome smiled sheepishly.

"Believe me. I have tried to hate you. I have wanted to hate you. But I couldn't. And its because something in my heart always told me, that you weren't some evil person that needed to be wiped off this Earth. You were just hurt, betrayed, and misunderstood."

Kikyo stood up and Kagome looked back at her, confused. "I will not proceed to take Inuyasha to Hell." Kikyo said softly. "Yes, I was avid for vengeance, every fiber of this being I was bestowed upon wanting to Inuyasha with me to live in death for eternity. Every time we would meet, I would try to make it push you further away from him, but to no avail. Either you came back to him, or he went after you.

I could see it in his eyes as we embraced, the rare moment when I kissed him, I could feel it. His heart wasn't with me anymore. It belonged to you." Kagome just listened with disbelieving ears, shocked at what she was hearing. But she nodded for the priestess to go on. "So, I will not proceed to take Inuyasha to Hell. Only because I could not bear to do so, knowing with whom his heart lies." Her voice was soft and gentle, nothing like it used to be when they would encounter each other, and Kagome was shocked at how the priestess was opening up to her.

"When I was resurrected to this body, I felt nothing but hate and vengeance. And strangely enough, I felt the same emotion towards you, although I had never met you. I could see it in Inuyasha's eyes that you had changed him. For the better. And that angered me, because had I not been murdered, it would have been I that would have mended his soul." Kagome and Kikyo looked at each other, both calculating what the other said, as a comfortable silence lingered.

"It was totally unfair." Kagome said, breaking the mood. Kikyo raised an elegant eye brow in question, and Kagome smiled meekly. "You never got to live the life you deserved. Instead you were murdered, by whom you thought was your lover. Then, even when your soul still did not rest in peace, you were brought back harshly by that witch of a demon, Urasue, and given a body that represented who you once were; but you knew that you weren't the same woman."

Kikyo looked at the young woman in front of her, amazed at how she understood so much of her ordeal when it didn't have to do with herself.

Kagome stood up, and the two miko's eyes met. A bond was formed then. One neither of them quite understood, but both felt, and didn't disagree with. It was strong, and Kagome knew she could trust Kikyo with her life. And Kikyo the same.

"I can't speak for him, but he still thinks about you, you know." Kagome said quietly, breaking the silence.

"Hm?" Kikyo looked down at the girl, slightly surprised.

"Yep. He never stops. Your always on his mind. It doesn't bother me. Like I said, I know you two share a bond, and I don't wish to break, or intercept it. Even though killing Naraku wont serve to bring your life back, it will do some justice. Inuyasha feels that if he were to kill Naraku, you can finally live in peace. That's all he has ever wanted for you, Kikyo." Kagome's voice was gentle and soft and Kikyo found herself smiling at her. Kagome returned the gesture.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Inuyasha glanced up sharply as the barrier rippled and melted, leaving the area open for entrance. Without a second thought, he rushed in, following Kagome's scent. He passed through trees and thick lush; hanging vines and spider webs.

He stopped, unknowingly at the boulder Kagome had gotten injured at. Then took off, only to stop a moment later, at the hill she had climbed with Kikyo. He picked up Kikyo's scent and looked on the ground. He saw two sets of foot steps that looked as if they walked together, side by side. Not one dragging the other.

So Kikyo and Kagome must have gone off together than, he thought. Then took off again.

Finally, he came to a clearing where he saw a little village with a small hut off to the far side, a little river behind it. He sniffed the air, and caught Kagome's scent traveling to there, along with Kikyo's. Before he could take another step though, the door opened and the two young women walked out of the hut side by side, both seemingly calm and serene.

The poor hanyou was confused to say the least, and the two women simultaneously looked up to see him standing there.

"Inuyasha." It was Kikyo that had spoken and Inuyashas gaze riveted to the elder of the women.

"Kagome told me," Inuyasha blinked, Kikyo had actually said Kagome instead of 'the girl' or' my reincarnation', "That you and she share the same feelings."

Inuyasha braced himself for a full frontal verbal attack on how insensitive he was, and how he was supposed to give his life for her, and how he betrayed her so many years ago, even thought it wasn't technically his fault.

"And I won't make you fulfill your promise."

Inuyasha blinked in surprise, his gaze moving from Kagome to Kikyo, back to Kagome, then back to Kikyo.

He couldn't say anything, and he watched as Kagome turned to the elder girl. "Kikyo, I want to give you something."

Kikyo looked at Kagome in mild interest as Kagome closed her eyes and held out her right hand, palm up. She watched as a tear fell down the young girl's cheek, then was swept off by the wind only to multiply and swirl around Kagome until she was shrouded by purple glowing, mint sized, spheres. Suddenly, they formed together in her palm as one golf sized purple ball and Kagome opened her eyes. They were shining with power, and sparkling with life, and Kikyo felt a stab of jealousy that she couldn't experience life that way.

Kagome held out her hand and Kikyo found herself taking the purple ball instinctively and it immediately it absorbed into her body. Soon, her whole body was glowing a light purple and her eyes closed, mesmerizing the warmth of emotion, the breath of life, the taste of the air. When she opened her eyes, Inuyasha's jaw hit the floor, but Kagome just smiled.

Kikyo's once cold, and emotionless eyes were now soft and full of life, and emotion. She felt warm all over as if someone had placed her right next to a fire. She looked to Kagome in question.

"I gave you what you deserved." She said quietly. "I gave you your life back. It was unfair and cruel that you had to die the way you did. You deserve as much as anyone, to live your life to the fullest. And I hope you find someone you can share it with."

Kikyo felt a strong respect for this reincarnate of hers, and she smiled, for once in fifty years, happily at Kagome, who smiled back.

They had both forgotten about Inuyasha being there, so when he stepped up beside Kagome, they both looked at him in surprise. Kagome gave Inuyasha a little push towards Kikyo, letting him know she didn't mind, and he wrapped his arms around his former lover.

Kagome didn't miss the way he hugged her. The way a long time friend would. When he pulled away, they both saw the slight pain in Kikyo's eyes, and Kikyo just shook her head.

"Im glad...I can feel this." Kagome and Inuyasha looked slightly confused at why she would want to feel that way, so she explained. "Before you did this," She glanced at Kagome, warmth in her eyes. "I couldn't even feel pain. But now I am free. Free to hate, free to love."

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Kagome and Inuyasha walked through the forest. They weren't in any hurry to get back to the village just yet, and Kagome wasn't mended enough to ride on his back any how. So they walked. Comfortable in each other's presence.

"Thank you."

Kagome stopped and so did he, and she looked up at Inuyasha, her eyes wide with surprise. He was thanking her? For what?

He answered her unasked question. "For giving Kikyo a chance to do what she always wanted. Live."

Neither person felt odd talking to each other about the priestess, and she looked up at him smiling, her eyes warm and gentle.

"She deserves it, Inuyasha. Just like you do. I want you to be happy. I want you to laugh a lot. You were both cheated out of your lives so long ago, that was the only thing I could do for her."

He heard a bit of regret in her voice that there was nothing more she could do, and he slipped his arms around her waist, being careful not to hold her too close because of her wound.

"You gave her what she wanted, Kagome. That's all she ever wanted."

Kagome smiled.

"And as for me. Your all I want."

Kagome felt the breeze pick up slightly, and she smiled at his words. She felt her heart melt, as it always did, and she reached up to touch his face. She saw the wind play with their hair and their eyes followed as it picked up a strand of his and a strand of hers, and it was like destiny had brought them together as the two different colored strands intertwined with each other.

He smiled back down at her, before leaning down his lips meeting hers in the sweetest kiss she had ever known.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Immediately as they stepped in the village they were bombarded by their friends with questions. They just looked at each other and smiled. Even in public, their hands were intertwined and Inuyasha didn't bother to pull away, though his face was a little pink.

They both knew a long journey was ahead of them. With the battle of Naraku soon approaching, and finding all the jewel fragments, they knew it would be tough. But as long as they were together and they had their friends, they would make it through.

THE END