Well, here is the second ending of my longest Inuyasha fic (although that's not saying much, since I've written a grand total of two). It's a little wordy, but I like it! It's fluffy! I hope you've enjoyed my story, Strangers and Secrets, and thanks to everyone who's read and reviewed. May your pens never run dry!
-SongSwifteye
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Kagome walked along the tree lined path, listening to the rustling of the branches where Inuyasha was. Stopping, she looked up.
"Inuyasha, why don't you come down here with me? It can't be very fun, up there on your own."
"Huh," came from the tree tops, "The only reason I'm up here is so I can spot any other bodies along the road and hide 'em from you!"
Raising one eyebrow, Kagome yelled, "Inuyasha? Sit boy!"
THUD!
She hadn't realized where he was. Falling down, he landed flat on top of her, knocking the breath out of them both. After a few dazed moments, Inuyasha sat up, berating her.
"What the heck do you think you're doing? Trying to get us both killed? Don't you ever think? Stupid!"
If looks could kill…Kagome glared at him as he told her off. Finally, something snapped inside her. Rising up, she jumped on him, pushing him back down. Amazed, Inuyasha just stared and couldn't speak.
"Now," she huffed, her hands pinning his shoulders firmly to the ground, "Now you listen, Inuyasha. Even though it had consequences, I don't regret what I did. Even knowing what I know now about Hengomé, I would've helped him. I can't just leave someone like that, and you shouldn't either! Learn some human decency!"
"Uh, newsflash, I'm a demon! Not some weakling human!"
Kagome flinched visibly at Inuyasha's blunt words. She released her hold, moving back from him and turning away.
"You're half-demon, Inuyasha," she whispered, "Which means you're half-human, too."
She turned back to him, her eyes bright with unshed tears.
"You have a human heart, Inuyasha, whether you want it or not."
He sat up and scowled to hide the turmoil her words caused.
"How do you know I have a human heart?" he growled.
"Because," she said, leaning forward and resting her head on the left side of his chest, "I can feel it beating."
Swallowing, Inuyasha looked down at the top of her head, feeling her tiny hands pushed up against his chest. He was still staring when she pulled away, tears streaking down her face.
"You always talk about being human with such scorn. Is it because we're weak? Sango, Miroku? Are they weak? Or do you scorn us simply because you hate us? Do you hate humans, Inuyasha?" she asked, turning away. Softly, brokenly, she added, "Do you hate me?"
Poor Inuyasha was trying hard to figure out how their conversation had come to this when Kagome turned back to him, a new light in her tearstained eyes.
"I know that humans have treated you badly, Inuyasha. Because you're a half-demon, your villagers scorned you. Only your mother showed you love. And then…" she trailed off, causing him to prick his ears up with curiosity. She saw his expectant look, and smiled wanly.
"And then…Kikyo," she whispered.
A sharp ache tore at him, both from the mention of the priestess' name, and from the look on Kagome's face as she said it. Not many knew the truth about his relationship with Kikyo. He had met her and been enchanted. He had been willing to become human for her. He had loved her…once. It amazed him now that the pain on Kagome's face hurt far more than the thought of the dead priestess and their memories together.
Kagome could see what her words were costing him, but they were costing her, too. It was hard to accept that she could never mean as much to Inuyasha as Kikyo did. She knew that she would just have to be happy being with him. Wanting to wipe the troubled look from his face, she came forward and placed her hand on his shoulder. Before she could speak, though, his arms came out and pulled her close. Surprised, she didn't struggle.
Resting his chin on her head as he had when they were trapped by Hengomé, Inuyasha reassured her, "Come on, Stupid, would I really have put up with you this long if I hated you? Would I have even hesitated to rip you limb from limb when you were holding me back from that jerk Hengomé, or Geillo, or whatever his name was? No, trust me, I don't hate you." He paused and took a breath.
"I also don't think that Miroku and Sango are weak. They do the best they can with the gifts, or curses, that they've been given. Even you're stronger than most. No, I don't hate humans in general, just the ones that are too stupid to see what's right in front of them."
"Like those humans who tormented you and other half-demons, like Jinenji?" Kagome added.
"Yeah, like them."
"So, you don't hate me, Inuyasha?" Kagome's voice was small, hopeful, almost frightened.
Inuyasha shook his head and pulled her closer.
"No, but you're one of the reasons I hate being human."
Kagome couldn't be more confused. He just said he didn't hate her, that she wasn't weak even, but still he hated being human because of her? Her confusion was almost tangible.
Inuyasha laughed half-heartedly.
"You and Miroku and Sango may be strong as humans, but I'm not. I hate being human because I feel defenseless, useless. Kagome," he muttered into her hair, "When I'm human, I can't take care of you."
Kagome pulled back, reading the truth of what he had said in the expression on his face. She had never felt happier than she did at that moment. Unable to contain herself, she reached up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then buried her face in his neck to hide her blushing smile. Inuyasha's eyes widened, and then narrowed. Grabbing her chin with one clawed hand, he brought his lips down to hers. As the sun began to sink beyond the treetops they stood under the spreading branches, sharing their first kiss.
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Beyond the forest fringe, four pairs of eyes watched the two figures entwined in the waning light. Sango looked down at Kirara, who moved to sit on Shippo's lap and obscure his vision with her tails. Miroku edged closer to Sango, who moved away, muttering, "Miroku, if you dare, I'll scream and let Inuyasha know that we're here, and you know who he'll go after…?"
Holding up both hands in surrender, Miroku looked back at the couple.
"I'm glad we decided to come meet them instead of waiting. We would've never gotten to see this," he whispered.
"Yeah, Inuyasha probably would've done something stupid before they got back, and Kagome would've gone back to her era again. Let's go further up the path and meet them as they head home, so they won't know we were here." Grabbing Kirara and Shippo, Sango hurried off through the woods, back the way they had come. Miroku spared one last glance at Inuyasha and Kagome, then turned to follow Sango and the others with a huge grin on his face.
"Inuyasha," he muttered, "You sly dog, you!"
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