Nights in White Satin
Chapter Sixteen: Parallel to the Mirror
Written by Sleepwalking Chicken
Written on November 2, 2004
Author's notes: Well, here we are at the last chapter, not counting the epilogue. I've loved this story so much and I thank you all so much for the love and support. Arigatou!
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The steps' rough surface scraped sharply at the underside of his feet. Inuyasha cringed as his already injured feet stepped over small pebbles and rocks that littered the formal stone steps leading up to the shrine. It was nestled happily into a small alcove in the mountain, almost like it was created to fit there. Inuyasha stared at it, his gaze unwavering as he made his way closer. His hand strayed to his sword, his uneasiness evident to anyone who may have been watching him.
The sun was sinking low in the west and he knew that he'd have to make it to the shrine by nightfall or he'd have some serious issues finding his way around the wooden structure. He briefly wondered how his friends were doing and continued his trek up the mountain.
His long, dreary journey was made a little more bearable by the quiet presence of Kagome, the girl's gentle spirit helping to soothe his guilt-ridden and downtrodden morale.
After long minutes of near silence, the only sound in the quiet air the sound of his feet falling on the stone steps, the echoes of his footsteps resounding off the cliff face.
His feet touched wood and he looked up, a small amount of relief flooding his eyes as he realized he had finally made it to the shrine. He stood looking at it for a long moment, forgetting all the pain and agitation he'd had to suffer in order to make it this far before walking into the shrine.
It was dark and musty. It was evident that not many, if any, had lived here for a long time. Inuyasha held a sleeve to his nose in order to not be overwhelmed by the reeking scent that saturated the air. It smelled of mold and rust.
"Welcome," a calm voice said near his left and Inuyasha whipped around, his hand automatically going to his sword. He faltered in his attack when he realized that he was staring at what appeared to be a ghost.
The man was tall and lanky, his golden hair shaggy and falling across his eyes and stopping a little past his ears. Bright grey eyes observed the youkai for a long moment before he smiled gently. His whole being was translucent and he lacked feet. His robes billowed out below him, lightly breezing across the ground, but high enough to make it clear that he was a supernatural being.
"Do not despair," he said. He waved his hand and candles ignited throughout the room, shedding it in soft, golden light. He was an older man, yet not too old. His face still shone with youth and immortality, yet it was evident he was wise. "I mean you no harm."
"Who the hell are you?" Inuyasha snapped, not bothering to beat around the bush.
The man only looked mildly surprised before his smile returned, still gentle and surreal. "I am Quintessence."
He breezed across the room towards Inuyasha, but the youkai pulled his sword lightly from its sheath, warning him to cease his advancement. Adhering to the youkai's warning, Quintessence stopped and blinked his grey eyes.
"Now tell me who the hell you are!"
"I am Quintessence."
"I don't want to know your name; I want to know who you are."
Quintessence mused this demand with deep thought as he lightly rocked back and forth on the wooden floorboards. "Well, I am the shrine keeper and the creator of the world." He said it casually; as if it were an every day occurrence in telling someone he created the world.
'Quintessence; the creator of the world. He made the four elements that make up the world. Water, Earth, Fire and Air,' Kagome said matter-of-factly.
"That's correct," Quintessence said softly, as if he had heard Kagome's words. Inuyasha reeled back in shock and pulled out his sword, slashing it through Quintessence. It did nothing. It was like hitting air.
"Don't worry, Inuyasha." Quintessence held up a restraining hand, halting the youkai. "I mean you no harm. I am peaceful and do not wish to fight." He smiled gently, "You are the first visitor I've been able to meet. My daughters, sadly enough, are obligated to kill anyone who steps foot on the mountain."
"Daughters…" Inuyasha growled and sheathed his sword.
"Yes. My Amaya, Takeshi, Yoko and my darling little Misora," Quintessence said fondly, a gentle smile on his lips. "They help me maintain the disproportions of this world." He held out his hand and four balls of light swirled into his hand. One blue, one green, one red and one a milky white.
'Souls…'"They've been fighting for a long time," Quintessence said gently. "It was their duty to do so and sadly they're still bond to that promise as long as this mountain stands. They are obligated to kill whoever comes to take their desire within this shrine, yet they pray that they will be defeated."
"Why?" Inuyasha asked, his curiosity evident in his voice.
Quintessence looked around the shrine. "Once a wish has been granted, the mountain shall disappear." He tenderly held the souls in his hand. The souls of his children. "Inuyasha, now that you're here we can be free."
"What?"
"Release us," Quintessence said softly. "If you promise to let us move on from this dire place, I shall lead you to the chamber of wishes."
Inuyasha pursed his lips and let out a sigh. "Fine, just show me to this 'chamber of wishes'."
"As you wish," Quintessence said softly and began moving across the room towards a shoji door. The rice door slid to the side and Quintessence stepped through, gesturing to the youkai to follow. They walked in silence for a long time. "You know," Quintessence said with a small chuckle. "You're one of my greatest creations."
Inuyasha's stepped slowed and he stopped. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"I'm the creator of this world, Inuyasha, that means that I created you," Quintessence said with a small smile. "I chose who you would be born to, as I do to all my creations, and I overlook their progress. I am the one who sent Kagome back to you, who brought Shippou, Miroku, and Sango into your life."
"Created Naraku," Inuyasha said venomously.
Quintessence frowned. "Yes. I created Naraku, I create all paths for my children, and it is their decision whether or not to follow the right one. You, Inuyasha, followed both wrong and right paths. But do not worry; everything shall turn out well for you." Quintessence turned away from the youkai and continued walking down the long hallway. "It is not much longer now, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha scowled and said nothing more. Shortly afterwards, they reached a wooden door, a very odd thing indeed, at the end of the hallway. It had elaborate patterns dancing across its wooden face and the handle shown a bright gold, even without light.
"This is the chamber of wishes," Quintessence said faintly. "Once you enter here, you cannot leave without making a wish. You will be the first and only visitor to this sacred room, Inuyasha. I suggest that you chose your wish wisely and to not assume that everything is in black and white."
"What?" Inuyasha asked, confused.
Quintessence shook his head. "Inuyasha, please release my children, and myself." He gestured to the souls still in his open palm.
Inuyasha nodded his head. "Wait; before I do," he said gently, "Won't your leaving here cause something bad to happen? I mean, if you're gone, what can the world do?"
Quintessence laughed lightly, "I do not belong here, Inuyasha. I am from my home. As are my children."
"Then why are you here?"
"I was obligated to be here at the beginning of the world," Quintessence said sadly. "I created this world and foolishly made a wish. I was trapped here until I could break it." He shook his head, "I won't bore you with the details, but I quickly sealed the wish-granter into the chamber of wishes. Beware its power, Inuyasha."
"Will I have time to leave the mountain before it disappears?"
"The mountain is destroyed the moment the last living creature is removed from its summit," Quintessence vowed with a nod of his head, his golden hair flopping into his eyes. "Now, Inuyasha, please hold your end of the bargain."
"Hai," Inuyasha said lightly. "What am I to do?"
"Just say that you release us; that is all," Quintessence explained kindly, his calm demeanor never fazed by the youkai's many questions.
"I release you," Inuyasha said, the words slipping from his lips quickly. Quintessence beamed and he and his children slowly disappeared until there was no one in the hall by the youkai.
'I hope he's happy,' Kagome's gentle voice whispered.
'I'm sure he is. He's gone back to where he belongs.'
Inuyasha turned towards the door, a small amount of dread collecting within him. He was still aware of Quintessence's warnings and stories of whatever lay beyond his door. He took a deep breath and turned the handle. The door pushed open gently and he slipped in.
What he saw shocked him.
He stood in a room that was more like a cave. But instead of dark and murky, as most caves are, this one was cold and unattended. Its walls and ceiling sparkled with crystals sprouting from it like flowers in the spring. It glittered and glowed with an unearthly light. Inuyasha hesitantly stepped further in and nearly slipped on the sleek ground. Its floor was like icy glass; his reflection looked back at him. He gulped lightly and looked around, unsure as to what to expect.
It was then that he noticed it. A lone mirror, floating in midair, yet unmoving in the center of the chamber. Inuyasha walked towards it slowly, unsure of his actions and even more unsure of this room he was in. It was a fairly large mirror. It reflected his upper body, only cutting off just above his belly button.
'Inuyasha, I—'Suddenly the presence of Kagome was gone from his mind and he felt empty and alone. He whipped around, as if expecting her to be there, but found nothing. He tried to calm down enough to follow after her into her mind when a voice said coolly behind him, "Don't bother."
Inuyasha whirled around again and came face to face with the mirror. Inside the mirror he stared in suppressed shock as his human half stared at him. 'Like in Kaguya's castle,' Inuyasha thought lightly, remembering the time only faintly. But then again, back then he hadn't talked to his other half. It was odd.
"What did you do? What are you doing in there? What trickery is this?" Inuyasha asked grasping the mirror. He yelped in shock and pulled his hand back, cradling his hands to his chest. His palms that had made contact with the mirror were a dark blue with layers of ice scraped over his skin. It was colder than ice.
"I did nothing," his human half said with a frown, looking insulted that Inuyasha would accuse him of such an act. "Only one presence is allowed here at a time."
"Then what are you doing in there?"
"I'm your deepest desire, aren't I?" the human half said with a small smirk. "If I return to you, you can be a filthy hanyou again." Inuyasha stared in shock at his human half. He'd never been that rude as a human on the new moon.
"Well I suppose that's true," Inuyasha said lightly.
"Why do you return to such a filthy animal?" his human half demanded, cold lavender eyes glaring at Inuyasha. "Look at the power you possess now! Nothing can stand up to you. You blazed through all the enemies you faced coming up to get me! If you return to your hanyou form now, you'll be disrespected, you'll be loathed, you'll be looked down upon."
"I already am now; that wouldn't change. It hasn't changed, "Inuyasha said with a frown.
His human half scowled and pressed against the other side of the glass the mirror used to shield him from the youkai. "Since when have you been so soft? What happened to you?"
"Kagome…"
"Bah," his human form snorted. "That little woman couldn't possible do that. It's just you and your reaction towards her. You're a weak fool, easily persuaded by a pretty face."
"She loves me."
"She'll leave you; you know it," his human half snapped.
"She'll stay with me as long as she can. I know that she'll eventually leave me, but it would be worse if she left now. I'd rather spend what little time she has with her instead of spending it without her."
His human half snorted and shook his head. "You're such a weak-minded fool."
Why was his human half like this? According to his traveling companions, he was so much more caring and sweeter when he was a human. He never bothered correcting them on that. Though as a human he wasn't as bitter (after all, his human side had never been hurt) but they were both very similar. His human half was more vulnerable to emotions, especially those of Kagome. He was often dying or severely hurt as a human and thus it loosened his tongue like alcohol in a drunk. But still, why was his human half so rude, so greedy, and so cruel?
His eyes widened when a memory hit him:
"Silly," she whispered as her fingers lightly touched his bangs. He raised his head to stare at her and golden orbs locked with her cerulean ones. "You're a smart… caring… strong person, Inuyasha. You have a kind heart." He stared at her and watched as she raised a hand and rested it over his heart. She felt the pounding of the organ as it sped at her gentle touch.
Her smile grew and a few tears reached her eyes as she looked back up to meet his gaze. Clawed hands rose as well and batted away the stray tears that fell from her eyes. "Your body may be that of a demon… but your heart and your soul… what makes you you, will always be human."
It was so clear.
Before him may be a human body, but it lacked the two things that made him human. A heart and a soul. Before him resided the hollow husk of a human, overridden with greed and the desire for power. Cold lavender eyes stared at him angrily as he awaited the youkai to make a wish.
"I don't care, and neither does she. All that matters is that she's happy. If she's happy then I'm happy," Inuyasha said coolly. "And her love makes me stronger. It always has and it always will."
"Feh," his human half snorted.
"I've come to make a wish and I plan to do so. You will not sway me," Inuyasha said, dangerously calm.
"What about me?" came a gentle voice and the human half of him faded from the mirror. Inuyasha blinked in surprise as memories assaulted him as he tried to recollect the sound of the voice. A gentle scent flew past his nose and his eyes widened in realization, as a young woman appeared where his reflection should have been. Her long black hair was pushed behind her shoulders, only small wisps falling across the many layers of her kimono. Warm lilac-colored eyes observed Inuyasha and she smiled.
"Mother," Inuyasha gasped out.
"Inuyasha, my child," his mother said, small tears collecting at the corner of her eyes. "Will you give me permission to leave this sanctuary?"
Inuyasha paused for a moment, wondering what she meant. He watched as her hand touched the glass. "I want to be on the same side as you, darling."
"Oh," Inuyasha murmured and nodded his head. From what Quintessence had had him do to release him, he figured all he had to do was say yes for his mother to be granted access.
The mirror's frame seemed to dissolve and his mother smiled before turning around, reaching out her hand to somewhere he couldn't see.
Moments later, his mother began to step out, leading a tall figure with her. His long silver hair was pulled into a high ponytail and he was adorned with armor and a tail similar to Sesshoumaru's.
"Father…" Inuyasha murmured.
His father nodded lightly; warm golden eyes, so like his son's, watched as the human mother embraced her son. Inuyasha let out a small breath of air out of surprise as his mother wrapped her arms around her grown son. She nuzzled his cheek lightly, much like she'd done when he was a little pup. She stood on the tips of her toes in order to reach him.
"Mother." Inuyasha's voice was choked with emotion. After his mother had been brutally murdered and ripped from him at such a young age, he'd forgotten what it was like to be in her arms.
"Look at how much you've grown," the Princess Izayoi said softly, a small tear falling down her cheek. "I never thought I'd get to speak to you again."
His father stepped forward silently and placed a clawed hand on Izayoi's shoulder.
"Mother… Father… why are you here?" Inuyasha asked, his golden eyes wide and unsure.
Izayoi wiped her eyes bashfully and smiled. "We came to talk to you, Inuyasha. Come here." She held out her hands and Inuyasha grabbed them. "Clear your mind," she said lightly as she led him back to the mirror.
Inuyasha did his best, but kept looking at your mother.
The mirror shimmered lightly as Izayoi gently squeezed her son's hands. "I want you to dig deep. Close your eyes and focus. When I tell you, you'll open them again, understand?" Inuyasha nodded.
A long moment passed before Izayoi's quiet voice filled his ears, "Open them. See your fondest wish."
He opened his eyes and stared in shock as he was greeted with the Goshinboku tree, though it was surrounded by pavement. Kagome's home from the future was almost hidden by the tree's enormous limbs. Green leaves rustled in the trees as white blossoms floated across the mirror's face. Suddenly, a child raced across the yard and hopped into the tree, a large giggle escaping his mouth.
Not even thirty seconds later, another boy and a small girl raced to where the tree had been and jumped up into its limbs as well.
Inuyasha felt a lump forming in his throat as the next figure walked onto the scene. Kagome. Her long black hair flew behind her in the wind, her bright blue eyes pretending to look around for the three children. Her hand strayed to her bulging belly, plump with life. Her blue eyes closed and she smiled brightly as a fifth figure came up behind her.
A much older Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome's stomach, his large hands covering hers as he rested his head on her shoulder. She turned her head fondly and smiled.
The mirror shimmered and disappeared, instead moving to another scene. It appeared to be a park, still in Kagome's time. Four children ran across the luscious green grass. Three boys and one girl. They tumbled, hopped, skipped and rolled along the hill. Kagome appeared again, scooping up the smallest boy when he began to cry over a scabbed knee.
Slowly, the older Kagome's head turned towards the mirror, staring directly at Inuyasha.
The youkai was captivated as he moved towards Kagome, his palm outstretched as he lightly touched the mirror face, his fingers tracing the girl's jaw line. "Kagome…" he whispered softly as the woman's eyes locked with his, her smile still like the teenager's.
She held her son lightly and tilted her head to the side before turning away and walking down the hill and towards his older self.
"That is your desire, Inuyasha," his mother's voice reached him, breaking him from the trance-like state he'd worked himself into. "That is what you want most in life."
"I don't understand, though," Inuyasha said lightly. "Those children… me… we're all human there. That can't be. Kagome and I can't live that long as humans."
Inutaisho, who had remained silent up until this point, stepped forward. "Inuyasha, this is Kagome's future," his voice was deep, yet soft and gentle. If Inuyasha wasn't so shocked to hear his father speak, he would have wondered how his father knew about Kagome and how she was from another world. But after all, they were dead. Perhaps there was some higher knowledge once you passed on… "Surely by then there will be some technology to seal you and your children."
"My children," Inuyasha turned back to the scene, which had moved on to a view of the four children continuing to play. "They are hanyou."
"Yes," Izayoi said lightly and touched her son's shoulders. "Do you not see, Inuyasha? Deep in your heart, you want to stay a youkai. True, you are strong and loyal as a hanyou, but you are the same person, even as a youkai. Kagome has been trying to tell you; trying to show you that. No matter what form you are in, you will always be the same Inuyasha."
"But… I have expelled your blood, Mother," Inuyasha said.
"You didn't, Inuyasha," Izayoi said gently, a smile on her lips. "I am always with you, no matter what happens. It doesn't matter to me if you have my blood in your veins; what matters is that you remember me, that you live remembering the mother who tried to raise you. As long as you honor me as your mother, I cannot be happier."
"But…"
"If it makes you feel better, my son," Inutaisho said calmly, his lips curving into a smile. "You are required to make a wish."
"You cannot become a hanyou, my son," Izayoi said gently.
"Why not?" Inuyasha asked with wide eyes.
"You would be jeopardizing your future life. You'll be ruining chance to spend the rest of eternity with your mate," Inutaisho said gently and turned his head towards the mirror, idly watching his grandchildren play and laugh.
"What? How?" Inuyasha demanded, forgetting the fact he was speaking to his parents. The parents he'd been separated from prematurely.
"The Shikon no tama," Izayoi said gently, her lips turning downwards in a frown. "It provides an immortal life to the care-taker."
"Kagome," Inutaisho clarified.
"As long as the Shikon no tama is in existence, you can live with Kagome forever," Izayoi said lightly.
"I can…" Inuyasha murmured and felt his heart clench then flop down into his stomach.
"But if you become a hanyou," his mother said gently, a small frown on her lips. "From this…" She nodded towards the mirror. "The Shikon will disappear and you'll lose Kagome."
Inuyasha lowered his head. "Does Kagome know this?"
"Yes," his father said slowly.
"Why didn't she tell me?" Inuyasha demanded angrily.
His parents exchanged looks. "She wanted you to choose, sweetie." Izayoi looked apologetic. "You're very important to her, and she knew how much you wanted to be a hanyou. She wanted you to be happy."
"I wouldn't be happy if I outlived her," Inuyasha growled. Inutaisho walked briskly towards his son and slapped his head.
"Son," Inutaisho said gently, contradicting the attack he'd just made on his son. He walked towards Izayoi. "I knew that Izayoi would die before me. Because of this, I knew she would be hesitant to become my mate. My son, I didn't tell your mother about that."
Izayoi let out a sigh. "I was rather angry with him when I found out that he'd been keeping it from me."
"But I was afraid she'd refuse me if she knew that," Inutaisho said softly. "She did find out, and she still chose to be with me. Do you understand?"
"Yes," Inuyasha said lightly, feeling foolish for his earlier outburst.
"This is why we came to speak to you, Inuyasha," Izayoi said gently as she stepped forward and touched her son's cheeks, tracing the jagged purple marks on her son's cheeks. "We want you to make the right decision .We want you to be happy."
"Hai." Inutaisho nodded his head.
"We have to go now, my darling," Izayoi said gently as she wiped away more tears from her eyes. "I'm so proud of you. You've become the perfect son. You're honorable, passionate, loyal, and kind-hearted. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. And listen to Kagome; she knows what she's talking about," Izayoi said kindly as she stepped into the mirror.
Inutaisho nodded his head. "You'll continue to make us proud, my son. Goodbye."
"Wait," Inuyasha called and they turned to look at him. "Could I wish for the well to stay open forever? So Kagome could see her family?"
Inutaisho looked back at Izayoi for a brief moment before turning towards his son and shaking his head. "No, my son," Inutaisho said lightly. "That would involve the Shikon no Tama. Be wise in the wishes you make."
"Yes, father; thank you," Inuyasha whispered, downtrodden. What could he wish for now?
Inuyasha watched as they disappeared into the world that the mirror led them to and he let out a sigh. "I have to make a wish…"
He pursed his lips and scratched the back of his ear absently. A few minutes later, he perked up and nodded his head. "Of course."
He walked to the mirror. "Okay, so how am I supposed to make a wish on this thing?"
"So, you're back." Inuyasha blinked as his human half appeared again, the same cold eyes staring at him.
"I am. And I'm ready to make my wish," Inuyasha said with a smile.
"Good. I hope your visit with mother was nice," his human half drawled.
Inuyasha frowned. "How am I supposed to make the wish," he asked, ignoring his human side's snide remark about his mother.
"Say 'I wish for' you bone head," his human half said with a rather dramatic roll of his eyes. "You're a moron. I trust that you'll be wishing for more power?"
"No," Inuyasha shook his head and his human half sneered.
"You're wishing to become a hanyou? You fool."
"No," Inuyasha said again and his human half snapped to attention.
"Then what the hell are you wishing for?"
"I wish," Inuyasha took a deep breath of air, "for you to lie dormant within me."
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Kagome had been trying desperately to contact Inuyasha. But to no avail. There was a block on his mind, preventing her from reaching him.
'Inuyasha…where are you?' she called out, tears leaking from her eyes as she fruitlessly tried to contact him.
'Kagome…'
Kagome's eyes snapped open and she nearly cried out in happiness, but instead a sob escaped her. 'Inuyasha! You're okay! I was so scared when I couldn't reach you!'
'I'm fine, Kagome,' Inuyasha's gentle voice told her. 'I've made my wish.'
Kagome's smile fell and she felt a small amount of dread flow through her veins. If he was a hanyou again, she would not be able to live beside him. She was happy he was happy, but she regretted never telling him. She shook her head. No. It was his decision to make.
'Kagome…' He felt her mood change, she realized.
'I'm just so glad you're all right,' she whispered as a sob escaped her.
'I'm coming,' he promised and fell silent. Kagome blinked and opened her eyes, watching the mountain top. She saw a flash of red and knew that Inuyasha was already near the middle of the mountain. She blinked in surprise. It was a small mountain, yes, but as a hanyou he would not be able to move that fast.
"Does it mean…" Kagome muttered out loud to herself. Sango and Miroku, who had tried to sleep but had failed, glanced at Kagome as she stood up and began running.
"Kagome-Chan!" Sango called and made to move after the girl.
Miroku stopped her. "Let her go; she needs to be with Inuyasha."
Kagome ran up the mountain, surprised that it let her. Her feet pounded on the steps as she ran up it. Her lungs screamed for breath and her muscles soon began to tense up painfully. She didn't care. Tears ran down her cheeks, illuminated by the moon in the sky.
"Inuyasha," she shouted when she saw him high above her. The youkai's eyes widened in surprise as he hopped down the steps towards her. The girl flung herself into his chest, her hands grasping his shoulders, knocking the man back a few steps. "You're still a youkai!" she wheezed out, sobs racking her body.
His arms wrapped around her and he looked around. He was in the field where he'd fought Takeshi and Yoko. But, unlike when he'd left it, it was sprouting with life again. The curse had been lifted from the mountain, and it was eagerly awaiting the couple's absence from its rock face.
She continued to sob out of relief as her hands tangled in the white satin that was his hair, and she nuzzled against his neck tenderly. Her heart pounded against his chest and her lungs greedily took in air as she melted into Inuyasha.
"Hai," he said lightly and ran his fingers through her hair.
She pulled away and looked up at him, tears still running down her cheeks as she stood on the tips of her toes and captured his lips with her own. She hungrily devoured his lips and he happily took her kisses, eager to return them with his own. They stood silently as they melted against each other, relishing the feel of the other's presence. They'd been gone for too long in their mind's eye and now had been reunited.
"Why didn't you tell me?" he murmured when they pulled away, his head ducking down to nuzzled her cheek lightly with his own.
"Tell you what?"
"That I needed to stay a youkai in order for you to grow with me?" Inuyasha asked lightly, a small trace of hurt laced in his voice.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, hugging him tightly. "I wanted you to make your own choice."
"Hm, that's what mother said," he mused lightly.
"What?" Kagome asked, shocked.
"Nothing. I'll tell you later," he said and pulled away, his clawed hands closing around her hand. She smiled warmly up at him and he returned the tender look, love and adoration shining brightly in his golden orbs.
Kagome sniffed and he tenderly wiped away the traces of her tears with her thumb. "Let's go home, ne?"
"Hai," Kagome said with a vigorous nod as they began walking, slower than before.
They walked lightly in silence, their connecting hands never leaving contact with one another.
"I'll miss the ears," Kagome admitted suddenly, a blush on her cheeks.
Inuyasha tilted his head towards her and let out a chuckle. "Don't worry; you'll see them again."
Kagome frowned at the mysterious comment and turned to look at him. "What do you mean by that?"
Inuyasha blinked lightly at her demanding tone and blushed brightly. "It's just that… our pups will have them."
"Pups," Kagome said lightly before her heart sped up and plummeted into her toes. She felt her knees wobble and her stomach flop. She blinked before her lips pulled into a full-fledged grin. "Yes, our pups," she said warmly, her cheeks a bright pink as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around his arm, holding him close.
"Kagome…" His voice was soft.
"I'll always be here for you, Inuyasha. Forever," Kagome vowed and her blue eyes locked with his golden ones.
He stopped and turned, his hands grabbing hers. He stared down at her silently for a long moment before smiling. "I love you," he said gently.
"I love you, too," Kagome returned with a nod of her head. She kissed the corner of his lips and began walking. "Now come on. Sango and Miroku are probably worried about us."
"Hai," Inuyasha said gently.
They walked softly, the moon overhead reflecting off Inuyasha's silver hair. They'd made a promise to each other. A promise that could never be broken. They had forever to spend with one another, and that wasn't about to change.
His hand squeezed hers gently as they walked.
They were bound together for all eternity.
They loved each other.
And though they're relationship wasn't perfect…
"So, how many pups do you want?" Kagome asked shyly.
…They had forever to figure it out.
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Author's notes: Epilogue will be posted in about a week, I hope.