Wow, last chapter already? Bah, so what if I didn't get many reviews. Not like I'm gonna cry or anything…(sniffle)

Any who, here's the much-awaited conclusion to "The Threads of Fate"! Yes, it is much awaited, and no, I am not delusional. (coughs) This chapter isn't really anything besides fluff…I'm in my fruitcake mood right now. Mmmm, fruitcake….Oh, and I couldn't help myself. There's just a bit of Sango/Miroku in there.

Disclaimer is in chapter one.

Oh! I want to give a HUGE thanks to my only reader, AnimeGirl622!!!! In fact, without her friendly review, I might not have continued this at all. Thank you again!!!!! (dabs her eyes on a handkerchief)

"The Threads of Fate"

Chapter 3: Kagome and Inuyasha

Kagome's soft raven strands flew about her calm face in the light breeze as she gazed at the God tree; watching the golden morning sun filter through its blossoming canopy. An easy sigh escaped her. She always found the massive tree a source of strength for her, looming over as if it were a gentle, silent protector.

Her head turned to the sound of quiet, hesitant footsteps on the concrete. Her family stood about her with supportive smiles; mother with glistening, tear filled eyes that were reminiscent to the younger girl's. She was so proud of her daughter.

Kagome's lips turned in a warm smile as she trotted over to them, giving each a goodbye hug. Souta, who was a bit scared for her sister, put on a brave front and did the typical teasing any little brother should do.

"Here, sis! I thought that since you're such a klutz, these would come in handy!" With an impish grin, he produced the extra-thick gauze previously hidden behind his back and shoved them in his sister's face. Her brow twitched in annoyance as she accepted them, but she decided to bite her tongue. Her little brother only meant well.

Saying the last of her goodbyes, she shouldered her bag and picked up her bike, and stepped through the doors. Timid eyes gazed through the musky darkness as fear began to knot itself in her belly. Could she go through with this after a whole year? Was Kikyou even telling the truth? For all she knew, this was just a cruel trick the other woman played for retribution.

Her head recognized the possibility, but her heart didn't obey. It nervously fluttered in her chest like butterfly wings as she tried futilely to fight the scarlet blush painting her cheeks. Squeezing her eyes shut, she shook her head. No, she had to go through with this. There was a possibility Inuyasha didn't hate her…and maybe even shared some sort of the same feelings with her.

Taking in a deep breath, she dropped her bike as gently as she could to the bottom of the well, herself following soon after. The Shikon no Tama hanging around her neck emitted a bright pink glow, engulfing the darkness about it. Her eyes were squeezed shut as she went through the transition between times, shuddering as the electrical currents of power passed her skin.

And then all she felt was the warmth of the morning summer breeze brushing against her skin and the rich soil beneath her knees. A smile bloomed on her face as Kagome stood up, brushing off the dirt that stuck to her legs. "I'm back…" She breathed, reveling in the way the simplicity of the words made her feel. The feeling didn't stay long, however.

A figure swiftly moved before her. Kagome blinked and soon, all she saw was blackness.

The hanyou's nose twitched like a rabbit's as the playful blades of dewy grass tickled his feet. Mumbling and rolling over with a bit of drool running down the side of his mouth, he instinctively grabbed the nearest thing close to him and squeezed it in an unforgiving "cuddle". Unfortunately for Shippou, he was the closest thing to Inuyasha.

The small fox tried fruitlessly to wiggle his way out of the elder's grasp, his squeaks of protest floating on the morning breeze to the ears of Sango and Miroku.

"Shouldn't we try and help him…?" The monk turned to the female demon hunter who sat cross-legged, a bowl of rice held carefully in her hands. Closing her eyes, she merely took a bite and shrugged. Miroku smiled at the girl, a rare ingenuous smile that only Sango had received. Now if only he could muster up the courage to do that when she was looking…

Feeling as if she was being watched, the demon hunter opened one warm honey eye carefully, a warm blush quickly spreading on her cheeks as she caught the look the monk gave her. The moment was quickly forgotten, unfortunately.

"What the hell d'ya think you're doing, you little twerp!?" The loud, annoyed shout was followed by countless apologies from the young fox demon as a red and orange blur whizzed past the humans. Miroku sighed and lay on his back, watching the lazy cotton candy clouds float by. "Looks like it's going to be another fine day." He simply stated, Sango nodding her agreement with a dry smile.

With a growl, Inuyasha skidded to a halt, narrowed golden eyes surveying his surroundings intently. Then he let out his breath with a "whoosh". Settling himself in the nearest tree, he made himself comfortable before a bitter laugh escaped him. Ironic that it was the God tree he always went to. Vaguely, he remembered he was supposed to have been chasing down Shippou. Ah well. It wasn't really worth it to exert that much energy chasing after the little bugger. Besides, he wasn't in a playful-esque mood anyway. He really hadn't been in one ever since…that day….when the nightmares began.

Always the same, the nightmares were. Taunting him, haunting him, not letting him forget about…her. It always began with the worried gazes of his friends cast upon him as he cradled Kagome's limp body away from the charred battle site back to Kaede's village. Then that seemingly melted into Kagome's face; tired, pale, and damp with sweat. When he awoke, he could always still feel the softness of her hair from when he gently raised a claw to brush back the bangs that stuck to her forehead. The last one, and the one that tormented him most; the image of the empty cabin he entered in the morning.

Inuyasha shook his head furiously. Why must he do this to himself? She's gone; she obviously didn't want to stay for them…for…him. A hot liquid formed in the corner of his glistening golden eyes. Dropping his head down to his chest, Inuyasha let the salty wetness flow down his cheeks as the sleeping faeries gently took him away.

A scent wafted past his nose in the brisk evening air causing his eyes to snap open. It couldn't be…

The scent was that of what Kagome had called "soap" mingled with that of her own unique scent of wildflowers that reminded him of a crisp spring day after the rains. His fluffy white ears swiveled about as his heart began beating rapidly in his chest. Kagome…are you really back?

Immediately, the hopeful look that had sprung onto his face vanished and was replaced with a bitter, ironic half-smile. With a "feh", he began walking back towards Kaede's village. Kagome wasn't back. His mind was playing tricks on him, was all.

His walking slowed until it fully stopped. But…what if? If there's a chance, even if it's the smallest chance in the world, is he just going to toss it away? He turned, the night's gales whipping his silver strands around his wondering face, amber orbs glittering eerily in the twilight.

He'd just take a peek, he told himself. A quick look around the well, and if there was nothing, he'd go back to the hut and not speak a word of this to anyone; lest they think he was going crazy.

And so the hanyou made his way to the bone eater's well.

A fuzzy darkness surrounded the edges of Kagome's vision as bleary honey eyes slowly opened. A chill crawled on her skin, and not just from the night's cold, either. She wasn't positive, but there had to have been around five or so nasty-looking creatures snickering and throwing gleeful sneers her way. They looked almost like mutated humans rather than demons.

Groggy, she raised her hands to rub at her eyes only to find…she couldn't. Panic quickly filled her. Her eyes darted down to the ground where two stakes where planted, ropes tightly binding her hands to them. Her feet were free, but what good would they do? She doubted even the smallest demon would go down even if she put all her power into one kick.

Her terror-driven mind worked frantically to think of ways to escape, each idea shot down quicker than the first. She was too weak to use her miko powers, but they hadn't found the jewel thankfully. She let a noise halfway between a sob and whimper escape her, head resting against the tree they leaned her against.

Was this…the end? Did she come back to feudal Japan only to be captured by some half-wit demons and die? Well, if that was to be so, there was only one thing left to do.

Kagome breathed in deeply…and screamed.

"Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha's hand gently traced the jagged edges of the well. He saw no footprints, but the scent of her slightly lingered. His glowing eyes squinted as a glint in the well caught his gaze. Jumping down, something wonderful filled him at the sight that met him: Kagome's bike.

That meant she was here, right? But then…where was she? The bright and warm elated feeling that filled him earlier was squashed, driven away as fear and anxiety overtook him, seeped in unwelcome.

Goosebumps quickly spread upon his soft flesh as he raised his face to the angry night sky filled with stormy clouds that matched those sparking in his glittering, golden eyes. The cool air currents passed by his nose until something soft and sweet interspersed with the clean smell of the night's wind, making Inuyasha's ears swivel and his claws twitch.

It was Kagome. He could smell her. His eyes immediately narrowed. That wasn't all he smelt. There was the sickening, putrid smell of demons that mixed with her sweet fear-spiked scent and it made Inuyasha's teeth bare as a deep, guttural growl rose from his throat. Clutching tetsusaiga at his side, he shifted all his weight to his toes and propelled himself, a red blur dashing through the thick trees, acquiring scratches here and there but not heeding them in the least bit. His mind was wholly focused on saving Kagome – as long as this wasn't a dream.

Her face was set coolly into a defiant stare, calm but completely betraying the turbulence of fright she felt swarming like a tornado inside. The figures stood over her; looming, red opal eyes glinting at the prospect of a delicious meal such as the girl below them.

A whirlwind of dirt and dust collided into the dark mass of evil that stood over the girl, their screams creating a melody of death and fright along with the sound of cold steel cutting into tough flesh.

As the dark figures fell before her, the sight of her savior, or her "knight in shining armor" came into view. His silver mane billowed behind him like a cape, golden eyes alight with anger and satisfaction at the slaying of the monsters, his own gaze fell upon her.

Sweet honey met fiery amber. Seconds, minutes, hours. One could not tell how long the two's eyes were locked. Though it seemed impossible, all that was ever needed to be said between the two was said with just that simple, enigmatic look and Inuyasha ran to untie Kagome.

Crystal drops ran in tiny waterfalls down her cheeks, little pearls of happiness as she immediately wrapped her shaking arms about him as soon as she was free. Inuyasha did the same, savoring the warmth pressed tightly against him, the silkiness of her hair pooling between his fingers, and the sweet, calming scent floating past his nose.

They remained locked in each others embrace until the soft, pearly light of dawn begun to paint across the sky. Finally parting, Kagome reared back and rested her tired gaze on his welcome face.

"Inuyasha…" Her emotional whisper resounded out before a contended smile bloomed on her face, eyes slowly sliding closed. He couldn't help but smile himself as he picked her up, cradling her like a most delicate thing and began walking back to Kaede's village.

An image of himself carrying a limp and pale Kagome flashed briefly through his mind, but was quickly replaced with the sweet smile she graced him with not moments ago. This time, he knew, she would stay for good. She would stay…for him.

The end

Well? Ending…good, or bad? I do so hope any that read enjoyed this (and if you've read it but not yet reviewed…shame on you! Actually, not really. I can't force you to tell me your thoughts).