And in the End

Summary: The jewel is complete. It should be a time of celebrating, unfortunately, Kagome's days is numbered. She desperately needs to tell InuYasha three little words, before she goes. Will she be able to?

Author's comment: Hey everyone. Please forgive that last chapter. It was bad and confusing. Hopefully, this chapter will be better. Sorry I did not update sooner, I was on vacation for the last week.

Rating: Teen

Disclaimer: No matter how much I wish, I will never own InuYasha.

The morning day sun had faded slowly away. It had turned into the noon day heat. 'It's going to be another hot summer day.' Kagome thought, looking up into the fiery orb that hung in the sky.

A few puffy clouds glided in the wind. Sometimes, one would fly in front of the sun's rays, causing shadows dotting the ground below.

The young sixteen year old put her feet in the stream that trickled through the meadow she stood in. The water was cool and frigid. It was a great relief from the heat of the day. Bubbles and a few minnows danced around her dainty feet. Once in a while, a minnow would bite her little toes.

Kagome's raven hair flew in her face. The strands of her black locks tickled her nose. She pushed the stubborn strands out of her sweaty face and behind her ear.

She sat down on the edge of the grassy bank. She put her elbows on her knees. Then she placed her chin in her hands and let out a small sigh.

Just a few hours before, the group had talked about what their futures would hold for them now that Naraku was dead and the jewel was complete. They gathered inside Lady Keade's hut.

Sango sat next to her brother, Kohaku, with her arm around his shoulder. On her face she had a look of happiness and glee. Her eyes sparkled with the hope of starting a new life with her brother.

The demon exterminator only talked of going back to her home village. She wanted to rebuild the town to its former glory and even training some other people to become demon exterminators to help other villages that were plagued with demons.

Sango smiled down at Kohaku and ruffled his hair making it wild and messy. "We can put this all behind us." Sango said, quietly. After the town was rebuilt and the training was on schedule, Sango said that she wanted to build a shrine dedicated to those who lost their lives on that fateful day at Naraku's castle and in the village when the horde of demons attacked.

Miroku smiled and nodded at Sango's hopes and plans for the future. "Good for you," He said, beaming at her. "I'm sure you'll be happy." The lecherous monk tried to hide his true feelings. On the outside, Miroku looked happy and smiling while on the inside, he was sad, distraught and crying. It was eating him up inside. It was a constant stabbing in his heart. He had grown accustomed to his lady friend, Sango. You could say that he had fallen in love with her. It was going to be painful for him to see her go.

Kagome watched him carefully at the corner of his eye. She could see in his body language that he was not happy with this talking of leaving. 'Perhaps he is dreading the loss of leaving Sango as I am with InuYasha,' Kagome pondered quietly to herself. However, InuYasha did not notice this.

"So Miroku, what are you going to do?" InuYasha said, slapping Miroku on the back.

Miroku let out a long and heavy sigh. "Well I plan to visit my father's and grandfather's graves." He said, uncaringly. "I want to tell them that Naraku's curse has finally been lifted." He started playing with his blue rosary that was still wrapped around his hand.

Kagome smiled and she placed her right hand on Miroku's shoulder. "I'm sure they are very proud of you."

Miroku looked up at her. "You think?"

Kagome nodded. "I know."

"Thank you Kagome." Miroku pulled her into a hug. Redness kissed Kagome's cheeks as she was pulled into his embrace. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see InuYasha looking at them with a hint of anger and jealousy in his amber eyes. She felt only slightly embarrassed. That is, until Miroku's hand found its way to her butt.

"PERVERT!" Kagome shouted at the top of her lungs as she slapped Miroku across his cheek with all her might. Sango took out her boomerang out and hit Miroku on top of his head.

A red handprint appeared on Miroku's face as well as a large bump on his head. However, Miroku still had his smug look. "It was worth it."

Sango rolled her eyes. "Surely Miroku there is something else you are going to do after you visit your father's grave?"

"Well, I was thinking about settling down." Miroku replied. He stood up and walked over to Sango, across the room. He kneeled in front of her and took both her hands in his own. He stared into her eyes with hope and passion.

Sango was shocked to see Miroku like this. His eyes shone with affection, compassion and love. It was a completely different side that she had never witnessed before. She could feel her cheeks starting to burn.

"My dear Sango." Miroku continued. Kagome couldn't help but look on with awe. InuYasha couldn't have cared less.

Miroku took a deep breath. "I had hoped to settle down with you.

Sango fell into complete shock. "Um….."

"Sango," Miroku said affectionately. "I love you."

Sango stared at him. She blinked a few times, trying to figure out on just what happened. 'Oh my gosh. What just happened! How do I reply?' Sango thought to herself. 'Well duh, tell him the same thing back. I mean, I do love him.'

It was the truth that Sango did love him, but still… She did not know what to do anymore. There Miroku was staring at her waiting for an answer or a reply and she was just sitting there with her mouth hanging open. Some drool began to roll down her chin.

Miroku was confused to see his love like this. He had just confessed his love to her and now, well, she looked like she had fallen into a coma.

"Sango?" Miroku said.

She finally snapped into reality.

"Sango, did you here me?"

Sango nodded. "Yes I did!"

"And?" Miroku was becoming more nervous by the second. Sweat appeared on his forehead and started to roll down his cheeks.

Sango smiled and giggled. "I love you too!"

Miroku and Kagome both let out a massive sigh of relief. Kagome hadn't realized that she had been holding her breath.

"Really?" Miroku said.

"Yes!"

Miroku leaned forehead and kissed Sango on the forehead.

Kohaku was having a hard time stifling his laughs. Sango turned around and hit on the backside of his head. "Be quiet Kohaku! For all you know, Miroku may become your brother-in-law soon."

And thus the images and laughter faded from Kagome's mind. Only to become the image of Sango, Miroku and Kohaku riding away into the horizon on Kirra's (sp?) back. Most of the group was gone now.

Kagome was still sitting on the bank of the stream. Her feet were becoming pruney. She was fiddling with the blue rosary that Miroku kept over his hand that used to have the wind tunnel in it. He had given it to her before they left for Sango's village. Something to remember him by.

She placed it in her yellow backpack, which was sitting next to her. In it, was her school thing, feminine products and, now, two rosaries.

Kagome could not help, but wonder how long she would have to bring it with her between the two worlds. It was not even an hour ago that she had one of her 'spells'. They were starting to become more frequent and worse. Each time they seemed to last longer.

This last time, Kagome was in her living room and she saw her mother, who also saw her. She could feel her mother's grasp on her shoulder as her mother asked why she had come home so early. This lasted for almost a half hour. Kagome found herself in her own room when she finally returned to the feudal era.

"I wonder if I should tell InuYasha." Kagome wondered out aloud. She stepped out of the water and onto the grassy embankment. She stretched her arms upwards toward the sky. She let the sun dry the water on her legs. The sun's warmth felt good on her cold skin. With a sigh, she turned around only to see the amber eyes of InuYasha.

He had a puzzled look on his face as he stepped forward toward her.

"Tell me what?"

End of chapter five. Please review! Sorry for any grammar or spelling mistakes.