A/N: After that angst…I guess we need MORE ANGST! Yeah…yeah…but the angst is wearing thin….and everyone can pretty much guess this is a happy ending…but still…sadness…makes me miss the fluff even more…

Chapter 20: Confession

Inuyasha looked into the fire. The only sound in the clearing was the crackling of the fire as he looked into it. Everyone had been wary of sleeping that night, since there was inevitably a battle with Naraku tomorrow, but he had insisted everyone sleep while he watched the camp. Besides, he had to think of important matters…

He knew with the battle with Naraku looming over their heads that his love for Kagome was not an asset. He knew Naraku might use that against him, or against her, as he had done the day before. Though he knew he loved Kagome, he didn't want to put her in that kind of danger again.

He sighed, and glanced over at her. She was sleeping, and he thought she looked twice as beautiful sleeping. But he thought of her marching into battle, her possibly being hurt or killed. He couldn't bear that. He knew he didn't want to go through that again. Kagome…she can't die…I won't let what happened to Kikyou happen to her…

The hanyou closed his eyes. He remembered how horrible he felt when he learned the truth of Kikyou's death…of how much he felt like it was his fault…It's because she was in battle… he thought. She was too close to the shikon no tama…and Kagome…they say Kagome is her reincarnation. Naraku will surely go after her too…But I can't let that happen…

He made up his mind. I know what I have to do…I have to face Naraku alone. It doesn't matter what happens to me…Even if I get killed, at least I will know that Kagome is safe…safe and alive.

He eyed the sky. It was still dark. And he knew he had to hurry. He had to slip away under the cover of darkness, if he was going to surprise Naraku. I have to go now.

Inuyasha stood up to leave, but then stopped. Kagome…I wish I could have told you before…but it looks like I wont be able to. He wanted to leave, but he couldn't. Not without taking one last look at Kagome.

He came over by her sleeping bag and sat down next to her. He looked at her. Up close, looking at her made his heart pound. He knew he loved her, he loved her more than anything, and so he wanted to die for her. Kagome, I'm doing this for you…

A longing came over him, like nothing he had ever felt before…a longing to reach out to her, to touch her, to feel her soft skin from beneath her fingertips. And he didn't care even if she did hate him for it. He didn't care if she would sit him until there was nothing left. He succumbed to his want, his need.

He slowly reached out and touched her cheek with his fingertips.

Instantly, he felt fire in his veins. Touching her felt better than anything he had ever known. He caressed her cheek, the wonderful feeling leaping in his chest. As his fingertips moved across her soft skin, he felt happy.

Inuyasha lifted his hand, intending on leaving, but instead, he brought his hand back down to her arm, and his heart pulsed as he felt the warmth from her body. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as he felt her, letting his hand slide down to meet hers and hold it. He interlaced his fingers with hers and closed his eyes. Kagome…I wish that you could have known…but…there's nothing I can do about it now. I just hope one day you know that…I love you…

With a sad sigh, the hanyou stood up and walked away from her, content at the knowledge that she would be safe.

Kagome had been awake for all of that. She had awoken when he was sitting by the fire. She had wondered what he was thinking about, but she immediately shut her eyes when he had come over to her.

Inuyasha, what are you doing? She thought, until she felt his hand touching her cheek.

She worked hard to suppress a gasp, to stop from shivering under the hanyou's touch. Her heart pounded heavily in her chest, and she was sure she was blushing. Inuyasha…She felt his hand slide down her arm and grasp her hand. As he laced his fingers with hers, Kagome heard her heart pound faster than she had heard it pound before.

Inuyasha, why are you doing this? She wondered. Are you…trying to say something?

Her heart fell as he let go and got up. She opened her eyes. He was walking away from the camp. Huh? Inuyasha? No!

She sat up. "Inuyasha?"

He stopped, and turned around. "Kagome…"

Kagome got out of her sleeping bag, and walked over to him. "Where are you going?"

For a second, he considered lying to her. But I can't lie…it's Kagome… "I'm going…I'm going to fight Naraku."

She gasped. "Wh-what? Why? Inuyasha?"

The hanyou looked her straight in the eye. "Because I have to."

She shook her head. "No. No, no you don't!" She said. "Stay here, we'll fight him tomorrow."

"No, Kagome. I can't do that."

She walked closer. "But why not?" she begged.

"Because…Kagome…This is something I have to do. I can't have you in battle. Naraku will try that same trick again. I don't want to see you hurt."

A tear rolled down her cheek. "But Inuyasha…"

"I have to Kagome." He repeated. "I won't see another woman I lo—I won't see another woman die." Why, even now, can't I tell her?

More tears rolled down her face and she ran towards him, grasping him firmly and burying her face in his haori. "I'm begging you, Inuyasha, please don't go! If you go you'll only get killed!"

He held her back, like a precious object worthy of tender care. "I'm sorry, Kagome. But I have to. You don't understand. This is important. Knowing you're alive will even make the worst okay."

She cried more tears, gripping on to his haori. She didn't want him to go. She knew him going up against Naraku like this would only get him killed, and he didn't seem to care. Why? He says he is doing this for me. Inuyasha…please…I can't bear it if you die!

He held on to her, letting her scent flow over him. But he knew he couldn't get lost in it now. He fully understood what loving her meant, it meant wanting to die for her. He was prepared to do that, but he knew she wouldn't let him go unless she knew. "Kagome, I have to go soon."

"No…" She cried.

"I have to…but Kagome…" Tell her, just tell her! It won't matter anyway…

He's going to leave me! Kagome thought. He might die! I have to let him know…now…

"Kagome…I…lo—"

She cut him off crying. "I love you, Inuyasha!"

His mind stopped, and for a second, he thought his heart would too. Ka…gome…? Did she…did she just say that…? But how…I…and…she…what?

She sniffed. "I…I know you have Kikyou…but I can't help it, Inuyasha, I can't help it!"

"Kagome…" He murmured, gently touching her cheek and bringing her face close to his. He had no more doubts. She had said the one thing he had never expected to hear, and yet he knew it had to be true.

She stared at him. It's that look again…is he going to try to kiss me again…? But why? I'm not Kikyou…and now I just let him know that I… "Inuyasha?"

He drew her closer, and with every centimeter, her heart rose a bit, and that melting feeling filled her up once again. "Inuyasha…? What are you—"

But she was cut off.

By Inuyasha's lips.

Her heart pounded in her ears and she turned bright red. The kiss didn't last long enough for her to comprehend what had just happened, and so her eyes were still wide in shock when he pulled away. Inu…yasha…?

He pulled her against his chest, holding her again. "Kagome, I gave up on Kikyou a long time ago. We knew we'd never be together again. And that's when I realized, how I felt about you."

Kagome gave a small gasp as he said, "I love you."

She took a deep breath. He said he…loves me…he loves me? He loves me! "Inuyasha…" She whispered, closing her eyes as he held her.

"That's why I have to go. Like I said, I won't see another woman I love die."

She sniffed. "No! Please Inuyasha, don't go! You said…what you just said…please, if you…love me…then stay here!"

He shook his head. "I can't do that…but promise me, you'll stay alive."

She looked up at him, and was caught under the spell of his eyes. This time, she didn't try to stop it. Kagome closed her eyes as he kissed her. And she remembered this feeling, the feeling she got the first time she kissed him. The wonderful, melting feeling that filled her up. But this was different; this time, with the certainty that he wanted to kiss her, that feeling was much greater. She let herself go, let Inuyasha take control and kiss her the way he wanted. She felt his strong arms wrap around her back and hold her tight as he showed her how he loved her.

He broke the kiss and leaned against Kagome's forehead. "Kagome…" he whispered. "Please, bear this…for me…"

Inuyasha kissed her quickly, and slowly broke away. He looked sadly in her eyes and let her go, drawing away regretfully. He turned and walked away from the camp, away from the girl he loved, never looking back.

Kagome's tears streamed down her face as she watched him go. He kissed her, told her he loved her, but she forgot them when she realized he would not be coming back. He was going to die, for her.

Inuyasha...please…don't do this…

But he walked out of sight, without coming back.

She collapsed to her knees, and held her face in her hands, the tears flowing freely, and she didn't even try to stop them.

A/N: GOTCHA! I bet you lot didn't expect THAT, now did you? Well, they've kissed, what more do you want? Dodges many blunt objects Okay, okay, just kidding…there's still a few chappies left for me to make you guys squeal several more times…oh yes…much squealing ahead…But not in the next chapter, regretfully…