Disclaimer: If I owned Inuyasha, I so wouldn't be wasting my time writing this (Just kidding! ).

AN: Sorry I haven't been able to update. I was planning on updating yesterday, but my friend kinda stole my notebook. Isn't there some law against stealing notebooks on the first day of school? Anyways, hope you guys enjoy this chapter!

No Way Out
 Chapter 21 - Finally Confessing

"Ah... Nice and warm..." I growled in relaxation. The water was soaking my stress and weakness away.

I slid further into the water, closing my eyes. Then I heard something. I opened my eyes and glared in every direction.

And I saw Inuyasha. I began glaring daggers at him. "Inuyasha, you pervert! Go away!"

"I only came to get you, not to peep on you! You've been in there for over an hour!"

I sat up a little, making sure I was still completely in the water. "Fine. Now go away, so I can get out."

Inuyasha mumbled something, then disappeared. I waited a few more moments before climbing out and pulling on my kimono.

I started walking in the direction of the village when a little girl, that seemed to appear out of nowhere, tugged on the bottom hem of my kimono. I looked down at her and smiled.

"You're really pretty, miss," she said.

I smiled again. "Why, arigatou."

She quieted her tone, becoming a little more serious. "Can you help me?"

I kneeled down and looked her in the eye. "What do you need help with?"

"I'm lost. I don't know where I am, and I need to find mommy."

I smiled, picking her up. "I'll help you find her. Do you remember where she was last time you saw her?"

"In the village. She told me not to leave, but I wanted to go out on an adventure!"

"Ah. Well, I was heading towards the village," I said.

"Yay!" She yelled.

I smiled again. I can't wait until I have some kids of my own. Of course, when I'm older...

We walked to the village in silence, with the occasional switch between me carrying her, her walking beside me, or her riding on my back. Once we reached the village though, she slid off my back and grabbed my hand. "Mommy might be at home. Can we check there first?"

"Of course we can."

"And who said you could?" A loud voice behind us mumbled.

I groaned. "Inuyasha, just let me help this little girl, okay?"

"I'm going with you then," he growled, eying the little girl suspiciously.

"Like hell you are. Leave me alone. At least until we find her mother."

He stepped in front of me. "You really should be a human. You actually believe her?"

I glared at him. "Shut up and leave me alone, okay?" I nudged the little girl's shoulder, and she started leading me to her home.

A beautiful woman walked out of the hut, wearing a long red and pink kimono. She extended her arms, and the little girl ran right into them. They hugged for awhile, and I smiled, watching them.

They both looked back at me and smiled. "Thank you for bringing me back to the village, miss."

I smiled. "Anytime."

The woman set her daughter down and motioned for me to come closer. "I'd like to reward you for bringing my daughter back to me. Please, come inside."

She walked inside, and I hesitantly followed her. "You don't need to reward me..."

"Nonsense." She held out a silver pendant. One I hadn't seen in almost 10 years.

I gasped as she put the cool pendant into my hand and forcefully closed it. "I believe you lost this almost right after your mother gave it to you, hai?" I nodded, and she continued. "She still wants you to have it. She has been watching you..."

I shook my head and pulled away. "Impossible. She's dead."

"Her spirit, Bumi. She is watching you from heaven," She paused as I looked down at the silver wolf pendant in my hand. "She wanted me to tell you... She wants you to follow your heart."

I looked up at her curiously. "Follow my heart?"

"You are in love, correct?"

I gasped and quickly shook my head and hands, and almost dropped my pendant. "N-no! I'm not in love..." But... Am I? Inuyasha...

"Well then, we must be mistaken. In any case, give this love a chance. You will be happy."

I nodded, and looked down at the pendant again. Mama had given this to me on my 6th birthday, as everyone in my family receives one. I looked up when I realized that today was a very important day. Today was my 16th birthday.

I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on the wolf pendant. Slowly, the scent of ash and burnt wood made me open my eyes.

The woman and child were standing in front of me, fading in and out of vision. So, they're spirits...

I bowed, silently praying for their souls. "Arigatou. For the pendant, and the advice."

I looked up, and the little girl was waving as she continued to fade. The woman, however, just continued to smile as she faded away. Her smile reminded me of my mother's: so warm and caring.

I smiled back at her and her daughter. I put the pendant on before they finally disappeared, and turned around. "Inuyasha? Inuyasha!"

Inuyasha crossed his arms as I ran up to him, away from the hut. I stopped only a few feet away from him when I saw his angry expression. "W-what's wrong?"

"Why were you in that burnt hut? You could've hurt yourself!"

I smiled to myself. "You care if I get hurt, Inuyasha?"

He hesitated a moment. "N-no..."

I sighed softly. How can I tell him that I'm in love with him? "Arigatou, Inuyasha," I said sarcastically.

"What now?"

"You're so insensitive, Inuyasha, you know that? I don't know what Kagome sees in you!" I don't know what I see in you...

I gasped when he grabbed my arm. "Don't bring Kagome into this."

I glared at him and jerked my arm away as hard as I could. "Oh, that's right. I forgot. You looove her. Why haven't you gone to fetch her yet, dog-boy?"

He growled. "You're an idiot, Bumi."

"Look who's talking! I can't believe I love you!"

He straightened up a little when my hands flew up to my mouth. "You love me?" he asked, a small grin on his face.

I backed away slightly, shaking my head. "No! You heard me wrong! I-I didn't say that..."

I looked away, blushing. I can't believe I was stupid enough to say that out loud!

I made a move to run away, but Inuyasha grabbed my arm again. "Why are you trying to run, Bumi?"

I looked up at him pathetically as his free hand toyed with my 'new' pendant. I reached up and placed my hand on his. His hand flattened on the top of my chest, covering the cool silver pendant.

"Because, Inuyasha, I know you don't like me in any way. You're only watching me because you want my jewel shard."

"Feh. You're such a baka!" Inuyasha took both my hands in his, then kissed my knuckles. "You're right about me not liking you." He paused for a moment, and I winced internally. I knew it would hurt, but not as much as it did when he said that. After his slight pause, he turned my right hand over and kissed my palm. "Because I love you, too."

I smiled, and I was sure that my aura became ten times brighter. "Really, Inuyasha?" He nodded, and I pulled him into a tight embrace with tears in my eyes.

So, whaddya think? I had orginally planned on this being the last chapter, but I decided to add an epilogue. Am I nice or what?

Review Shout-Outs!

Anon.: Cool. I'll be expecting a random IM! I could try adding Davis and Slyph to the sequel, but I'm not quite sure how I'll end up writing them ( ---not too good with writing other people's characters. And yet, my friend wants me to write HER story. Just great, isn't it? I do like her idea, though, so I'm gonna try. Just for her. Considering she's, like, the biggest fan of my writing. And I'll shut up now.) Aw! You DO deserve more cookies. -gives you 2 more-

Ear-Tweak-sama: I'm sorry! Tried to not write a cliffy, but it ended up happening anyways. This isn't a cliffy though, right? Right? If it is, I give you the right to smack me upside the head, or 'Sit' me. Whichever you prefer. Anyways, glad you like the story.