Author's note: Finally, Surprise has come to an end. My heart really aches because I write this last chapter after watching the last episode of one of my favorite anime – Prince of Tennis – which really make my heart ache. Actually I'm still crying. While I was watching a few other anime, an inspiration on another story similar to this story here came up. Please tell me if you will support me. I'm still thinking about whether or no I should write a sequel for Surprise…probably not, I might write another story with the same paring but different plot.
About a review that was sent to me, a chapter of mine, I think it was 13, was similar to another story. Well, I would like to announce very humbly that I have never seen that story in my life before and due to the fact that I have not been on fan fiction site for so long that I didn't even notice that my story was similar to another. I would like to declare very clearly that while I was typing that chapter, I had it completely out of my head while my internet was broken down. Therefore, please do not misunderstood me ok?
Now, please enjoy the last and final chapter of Surprise.
p.s. I want to thank you for all those reviews on the previous chapter, I love them very much. However, one of you really almost cried. I'm touched that you enjoyed my story. Arigatogozaimasu.
This chapter is dedicated to you readers, my reviewers and my poor, aching heart.
LAST CHAPTER:
"Kagome, I know this is hard for you to take everything at once. No matter what, even if you have lost your memory, I will make you fall for me again." He said with determination.
"Sesshoumaru-san…you are a demon aren't you?" Kagome suddenly said.
"What…how…you remembered have you?" hope once again filled Sesshoumaru's eyes.
"Iie, it's just…your emotions overfilled my heart and I…I don't know how to explain this but…the touch under my finger tips seems…it's like it is telling me that you are a demon that's all."
"You are not shocked?"
"When my art works are more fantasize than having a loving and caring demon in front of me? No, I don't think so." Kagome smiled slightly.
Inuyasha heard that last few sentence of the conversation. He choked himself from holding his laughter. Sesshoumaru, a loving, caring demon? He doubts that. He laughed to himself again.
Sesshoumaru blushed and growled slightly. "Thanks for bringing down my pride. I'm a lord after all."
Kagome giggled a little.
THIS CHAPTER
The doctor pulled Sesshoumaru to the side of the hospital. Kagome is currently in a deep sleep while the doctor was examining her.
"Ígaku, you have over 700 years of medicine experience, both modern and the time of youkai. Tell me the truth about Kagome's situation." Sesshoumaru looked at Ígaku with an intense stare.
Ígaku sighed deeply as he cleaned his glasses. "My lord Sesshoumaru, Lady Kagome's condition is a very unusual one. Something is keeping me from learning what the real cause of it is. however, I am very certain that the success chance of this operation is 23 both her eyes and for her spinal cord. We can raise the percentage if we get the newest technology on eyes and spinal cord operation."
"I will take care of that, I just want to make sure that her success is over 50, no, make sure that she will recover completely. What about her memory?"
"Her brain…there was a black spot right at the middle of the section where the brain holds the memory. It is not a normal black spot. I will have to examine it further more."
"I give you permission but…" Sesshoumaru's eyes turned softer with the tiniest look of at the rim of breaking down in tears. "Please, keep Kagome in this world for me."
"Hai, my lord. I was thinking about that sword your father gave…"
"It won't work." Sesshoumaru interrupted.
"Why, you love Lady Kagome right? The sword is supposed to react."
"I don't know why either, it feels like something is keeping the sword from communicating with me."
"I…see…"
"Then, I'll leave you to your work."
"Hai, my lord."
Ígaku left Sesshoumaru at the window where Sesshoumaru stared at the currently asleep Kagome. Tears fell down his cheek without his conscience.
Tenseiga reacted a little at the estate far from the hospital. A transparent hand touched the sword slightly and the sword stopped its pulsing, begging for release.
"I'm sorry, Tenseiga, but this time, you cannot interfere with faith." The figure said.
The sword pulse a little in reply. It wants to help his master but it knew it cannot do anything but to pretend ignorance on its master.
"Thank you Tenseiga." The figure disappeared into the thin air after he/she said that.
BACK TO THE HOSPITAL
DREAM
"Miko-sama, your time of decision has arrived. Choose your choice of sacrifice." A voice rang out.
"Where am I?" Kagome opened her eyes slightly.
She saw an image of herself standing in front of a glowing light. She tried to speak, however, no voice came out of her mouth. She tried to touch the look alike in front of her, she went through. She heard the look-alike replied. "Yes, I thank you Midoriko-sama. You have helped me all this time and allowed Sesshoumaru's hope rises again. I have decided."
"Good."
What did they said next, Kagome cannot hear a word.
END OF DREAM
Kagome opened her eyes to see Sesshoumaru holding her hands as if he will loose her at any second. Although she cannot see his expression due to her eyes, she can feel from his aura that he was suffering and trying to hold back his tears.
"S-Sesshoumaru, why are you so sad?"
"Kagome, you're awake. I just…I just want to make sure that you will not disappear like the last time." Sesshoumaru whispered softly in her ears.
"So desu ka…" Kagome sighed slightly. "I might not be the Kagome you are talking about Sesshoumaru-san."
"Sesshoumaru please call me by my name, Sesshoumaru."
"Sesshoumaru, hai…what I would like to say is that I feel like a replacement Sesshoumaru."
"What do you mean by that? Is it because I…"
"Sesshoumaru, a life is a life, there's always a beginning and end. It doesn't matter if your life is longer than a normal ningen. You will see your precious Kagome again." Kagome smiled gently.
"Iie, yada desu (don't want to-in the way of reply)."
"You're so much like a child under that cold and stubborn mask of yours." Kagome giggled.
"That was what she told me."
"Nani ka." (Author: the 'ka' in Japanese is a replacement of the '?" sign, there is no question sign in Japanese, they use 'ka' at the end of a sentence when they ask a question.)
"That was what she said about me being a child."
"Souka, gomen nasai for reminding you."
"Genki desu." With that, there were no more words between them. (Author: Genki desu means I'm fine and because it has a 'desu' in it, it means Sesshoumaru is replying ok?)
Sango and Miroku came back early from their honeymoon, it seemed like they have read the newspaper and decided to report back to Sesshoumaru. However, it seemed Inuyasha was before them. Therefore, they waited patiently for the operation to succeed.
It was the day of the operation, the short time being with Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku and most importantly, Sesshoumaru had made Kagome to understand how lucky this 'Kagome' was, but, she also realized how much she had suffered. Kagome found something precious and she hoped that this moment will stop just for her. However, she knew quite well that time never wait for others, especially when others are in the most wonderful time of their life.
Sesshoumaru told her that he'll be here for her operation; he will see to it that it will be successful.
"Kagome, are you awake?" Sesshoumaru knocked softly on the door. He went over to Kagome's bed to hold on to her hands, "Your operation will start in three hours. I will be there looking at you, to give you support."
"Hai, Sesshoumaru, I would like to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"I want to know, if you and everyone else is happy with the time they spent with me."
"What are you… …"
"Listen to me Sesshoumaru, I just want to know."
"Yes," Sesshoumaru after a slight pause. "You've brought me back to the real world. I'm back to myself both in the human's world and ours."
"Good, I'm glad to hear that."
"Kagome…"
"Sesshoumaru, love is endless, do not lose it ok? And I want to tell you with all my heart. Although my memory has not come back yet, but I know, deep inside my heart, I love you with all my soul." Kagome cut Sesshoumaru off from saying anything else. Tears began to fall slowly down her cheeks, yet she was smiling like she was the happiest woman in the world. "I love you; I want to say that a thousand times."
"I…" Sesshoumaru could not say anything else; he stood there a few seconds. He opened his mouth then suddenly, Inuyasha burst in with Sango and Miroku.
"Kagome!" All three rushed to her side, giving her hugs and kisses to wish her operation well.
"Everyone, thank you for being here with me." Kagome cried.
"Kagome, please, don't, we…" Sango started.
"Kagome, I see that you are going to have the operation after all." A voice suddenly came from the door. A very unexpected guest has arrived. It was San. (Author: I bet you all forgot about her, Eheheheh, she still has a debt to pay remember?)
Kagome was silent for a moment. Sango quickly and briefly explain the situation to San. San's face looked like she was having a struggle insider of her, then she smiled gently. "It's ok, it's not like I haven't faced a memory lost Kagome before."
"Sou desu ka?" (Is that so?) Kagome smiled mysteriously; however, no one caught that look.
"I am going to see Ígaku now. Inuyasha, don't give any trouble, is that understood?" Sesshoumaru gave out a slight cough to get everyone's attention.
"How old do you think I am?" Inuyasha retorted.
"About seven…" San replied for Sesshoumaru. Others began to laugh, even Kagome. Sesshoumaru walked out of the door smirking, he went to Ígaku to discuss about the operation for the tenth time of that week.
After Sesshoumaru was gone, Inuyasha's phone rang. It seemed like he was late for a very important meeting. He left with a good luck wish to Kagome then left.
"Inuyasha, I want to thank you for everything you have done for me." Kagome said before Inuyasha left.
"Don't worry about it, Kagome. I want to help you." Inuyasha smiled.
"Inuyasha, when you are at the meeting, concentrate on the meeting and not any cute girls. I remembered last time when you were here in the hospital, you didn't even 'sit' properly when you saw the pretty nurse passed by." Kagome said.
BANG
Inuyasha's face was down on the ground.
There was silence for a moment, and then there was a howl of laughter from Kagome's room. Inuyasha shook his head in defeat. He kissed Kagome on the cheek again then ran off.
Miroku was still laughing hard as he rolled on the ground after five minutes.
"We miss that." That was all Sango said.
"I almost forgot, Kagome, we are going to have a quick flight to England today. Sesshoumaru wanted us to pack all your belongings from England. Can you give us the address?" Miroku suddenly remembered.
"Hai," Kagome wrote down her address and gave it to Sango. "Please bring back all the original work of art I have in the attic. I have never showed them before. Therefore, no one knows about them. Please keep it as a secret, is that ok?"
"Yes, we'll be careful." Sango hugged Kagome, not allowing Miroku to step one step close to Kagome at all.
"Sango, you don't trust me?"
"I've never trust you when you are near with a girl." Sango growled.
Kagome laughed, her voice rang like a bell in Sango and Miroku's ears.
When they were about to leave, Kagome said "Sango, Miroku, I think your first child will be twins."
Sango's face immediately flushed. "Kagome, what are you saying?"
"You are pregnant, aren't you?" Kagome looked at them with an innocent face.
"Kagome, how did you know?" Miroku looked at Kagome, wanted to say something else but decided not to. "We went to the doctor today; Sango is a month's pregnant."
"I believe, it's because my senses are a bit more sensitive to the unseen. I'm blind, well, half blind remember? My sense of hearing is excellent ever since I'm like this. I heard three heart beats when Sango hugged me. That's all." Kagome smile gently. "Can I name them when they are born?"
"We would be honored." Sango said with tears rimmed in her eyes.
"San, we now leave Kagome in your care for an hour. Her operation starts in one and a half hour's time." Miroku said.
"I'll take good care of her, it's been such a long time since we've seen each other." San smiled.
"Shinju, Sakura will do." Kagome suddenly said.
Miroku and Sango were already out, San turned towards Kagome and asked. "Those are the names for the twins eh?"
"Hai, Shinju, the precious pearl that men once went through the dangers of the sea and to obtain. Sakura, the time when these flowers bloom is when most lovers declare their love to each other." Kagome smiled gently.
"Just like Sesshoumaru who went through hell of a time to have you and to protect you and of course, when Sesshoumaru told you his feelings it was in the Sakura's time ne?" San asked.
"Sā…" Kagome smiled again. (Sā means who knows).
"You have changed Kagome; I still owe you a favor. I've planned to return it no matter what."
"Sou desu ka…then perhaps you can help me." Kagome looked into San's eyes.
ONE HUNDRED YEARS LATER
"Kagome, do you think if that girl is crazy or what? She is going to accept Inuyasha's proposal!" Sesshoumaru sat down on the grass with a thump. "How that stupid brother of mine gets that girl in the first place I have not a clue!"
A soft wind with the softest giggle blew by Sesshoumaru's hair. His eyes were grimed as he looked at the flowers in front of him.
He took out a letter from his pocket and read it repeatedly. He sighed deeply and then he leaned to his left, he closed his eyes to listen to what the soft music is playing beside his ears.
"Kagome, your voice is as sweet as ever when you sing." Sesshoumaru whispered.
FLASHBACK
"What do you mean by that Ígaku?" Sesshoumaru banged on the plastic window. "Incidents like that don't happen once in a hundred years!"
"My lord, calm down please." Ígaku tried to calm down his lord. He knew how his master felt about this miko, but it was just impossible to change what fate had decided.
"Sesshoumaru, calm down!" Inuyasha held down his brother along with Miroku, San was holding a crying Sango in her arms.
"I was so sure, that the success of the operation will rise up to 60 with the technology you provide Lord Sesshoumaru. But, Lady Kagome gave up in the middle of the operation." Ígaku sighed.
"Wh…" Sesshoumaru was interrupted by Inuyasha.
"Explain Ígaku, Sesshoumaru, listen for once you bastard." Inuyasha growled.
"Yes, Lord Inuyasha, while the operation was going as we planned, Midoriko appeared."
Everyone was silent at the name of Midoriko mentioned."
"She went to Lady Kagome and picked up her soul saying 'is this is your choice?' while as clearly as I can see, Lady Kagome nodded with determination. She turned to me and said that she gave up her life long ago to the Shikon to protect you, everyone whom she loved dearly and wish to protect. She is only here because she wanted to leave a memory for you all. Her instability in her temporary body was because of she had to sacrifice something to seal off the Shikon, which is her life spam. She could be here with you Lord Sesshoumaru for at least 50 years, but she cannot leave the Shikon to this corrupted world like this therefore…" Ígaku said with tears in his eyes. "I beg of you my lord, please don't go off the wall; Lady Kagome loved you with all her heart."
Sesshoumaru sat down on the couch with his hands in fists, his eyebrows frowned with frustration and struggle, tears fall down his cheeks and he shivered in anger.
Sesshoumaru wanted to yell, but his sadness was greater. He sat in defeat as he took deep breaths to calm himself down; however, it didn't work as well as he expected it to be.
Inuyasha and Miroku cried silently also, quivered unstoppable with their hands on Sesshoumaru's shoulder for support to themselves, Sesshoumaru, or perhaps both.
San sighed deeply, she asked suddenly. "Miroku-san, Sango-san, where are Kagome's belongings?"
Sango looked up immediately. "They are in the store room now…but…"
Without another word, San went to the huge store room and saw loads of covered canvases lying on the ground.
"When we arrived in her apartment, the works in her attic were all covered like this." Miroku said softly as his eyes blurred with newly formed tears.
San took out a pocket knife and went toward the work. "This was what she meant by leaving a memory to you." She sliced the cloth off each canvas, put them in a certain order, and then turned them around one by one.
Everyone's eyes widened when they saw the work. It was from the time Kagome met Inuyasha until the time Sesshoumaru proposed to Kagome. All these images were painted on the canvas.
They were speechless. San sighed deeply, she said "Remembered the time when I told you guys that I owe Kagome one?"
No one moved. San continued, "I planned to expand her life spam with my miko power, however, she refused, she asked for a temporary eyesight. I transported her items from a small cottage in England, it seemed like they were her artist equipments and empty canvases." She whistled softly, in a few minutes, a demon dog appeared in the doorway with a cart behind it.
San went to the cart and pulled out the canvases from the cart. "She somehow slowed down the time and painted these an hour and a half before the operation."
She gave two to Miroku and Sango, "these two are for you." Miroku opened the white cloth covering the two canvases; it was a picture of two girls who looked alike with their faces put beside each other. Shinju and Sakura were written at the right corner of the painting and Kagome's signature.
Sango's eyes began to rim with tears again. "This was what she meant." There were words behind the canvas explaining what those names were from.
"The girl on the left is Sakura, while the one on the right is Shinju." San said.
The second painting was Miroku and Sango, when they were still battling with Naraku. Sango with Kirara and Miroku in his priest robes. Sango cried more on Miroku's shoulder, holding the paintings tightly in her arms.
"We will name our daughters Shinju and Sakura. Just like Kagome wished for."
San took out another two for Inuyasha, "These are for you."
One was Inuyasha in his red robe with tesusaiga over his shoulder while the other one was Inuyasha, Kagome and Kikyo smiling gently. Inuyasha whispered a thank you then held onto the painting as tightly as he could.
San took out another one to Inuyasha, "Give this one to Shippou for her." Inuyasha nodded.
Lastly, San took out another two to Sesshoumaru and said. "Do you want this painting?"
Sesshoumaru nodded slowly. He took the first one and saw it was a painting of Kagome holding him asleep, in her arms. Like the Kagome he knew, she was smiling lovingly at his sleeping face. The next was a portrait of Kagome herself. Her eyes were as if it's saying: I love you.
"Kagome…you didn't heard those words from me yet." San took out three letters and delivered it to them.
"She wrote these down when she finished each set of paintings. Kagome had never regained her memory; she just had this urge to paint these images from her head, to write these words to you all. She painted these without her conscience; tears fell down her cheek at each stroke she made. My job here is done, I'm going now. Take care, everyone. Write to me when you decide where her grave shall be."
San walked out leaving the rest to mourn Kagome's declaration to them that she is dead.
It took Sesshoumaru three full years to come out of his depression, after understanding what the letter was trying to tell him. He decided to move on with life but he swore never to love another. This was the only thing he will never promised Kagome. She is and will always be his one and only love.
He became a different man after that. Inuyasha respected him more and more however, deep in their heart, they missed Kagome.
END OF FLASHBACK
"I've missed you."
"Sesshoumaru," a figured gave a hand to Sesshoumaru, he gave the person his hand and stood up. He smiled at the person gently and walked off behind that person.
Inuyasha stood in front of Sesshoumaru with Miroku beside him. Miroku and Sango gained the ability of a demon with the help of San; they will only live long like the demons but not their ability of strength, senses or speed. "Sesshoumaru…"
Both of them looked up in the air and saw two spirits dancing together in the air.
"He had been waiting for this moment right Inuyasha?" Miroku asked.
"Yes, too long. It's been a century or was it over a century now. Kagome finally come to meet him. Although Sesshoumaru can live longer than this but he has no more reason to live." Inuyasha had a tear slid down his cheek.
"Shall we?" Miroku asked.
"Yes." Inuyasha nodded.
They waved slightly for the people behind them to dig a grave immediately. They put Sesshoumaru's body inside a coffin beside the coffin beside Kagome's. They quickly finished the grave and gave Sesshoumaru their respect. Inuyasha kneeled down and put down the lilies he had bought on top of the graves of Kagome and Sesshoumaru.
"We'll miss you my brother, we wish you happiness in the other world."
Miroku put his hand on his shoulder. "Inuyasha, we should go."
Inuyasha nodded. All of them retreated from the peaceful mountain site. Leaving a soft 'arigato' blew by, by the wind.
THE END
Author: ok, Surprise if finished, I was thinking of a sequel, but I'm still not sure. Please tell me if you will support the sequel if I do. Now, people, review, and remember to review! Please tell other fan fiction friends of yours to read and give their opinions on this. Thank you.
