Coming Together: A Fairytale Ending

Chapter 2

"She's calling to me" Inuyasha whispered to himself. It had been about a year and a half since the shard hunt had begun, and since Kikyo had been resurrected. Her wandering soul had been filled with hatred for him at first, and he felt a heavy responsibility on his shoulders for her. Seeing the woman he once lovedwasn't exactly easy for him. He figured the least he could do was go to hell with her.The day they 'betrayed' each other should have been the day they died together.At the time, he had nothing in particular to live for.

Or at least he hadn't until Kagome had come along…but he couldn't think of her now, if he did, he'd start feeling guilty about what he had to do. With a final longing look in the direction of the well, he offered a silent plea to whatever Gods were listening, 'Hopefully Kagome will stay in her time just a bit longer. She doesn't need this on her mind.'

"Aren't those Soul Stealers over there?" asked Sango.

"Hmmmm, it seems to be the case." Miroku said, scanning the area to see if there was anything else amiss.

Sango's temper flared for a moment at seeing the floating demons. She had heard of the romance between the priestess and Inuyasha, but had hoped that he would come to his senses about her. She was dead for goodness sakes! Dead dead dead dead dead! Couldn't he get that through his thick skull? He had a perfectly alive and well Kagome who was so obviously in love with him it was ridiculous! What was worse, Sango knew that Inuyasha reciprocated her feelings, but there was always something he tried to wedge between them.

She sighed and decided not to tell Kagome of what she knew would happen tonight. The girl had enough to deal with trying to lead two lives at once. She went to go back inside the hut when Shippou voiced what they were all thinking.

"Maybe it's a good thing Kagome left."

They all nodded, and at Kilala's agreeing meow walked inside.

Inuyasha was flying through the forest, dodging trees and branches as best as he could, trying to keep up with the soul snatcher her was following. Just when it seemed like the stupid thing would never stop- it did in a clearing. In the middle of this clearing stood Kikyo, the image of calm as he approached.

"Kikyo…"

She regarded him coolly as her soul snatchers drifted idly around her, "You just got back from searching for Naraku correct?"

"Wha- how did you know?"

She smiled at that, though it was not an entirely kind smile.

"Naraku has gone into hiding once again."

"What? Where?"

Kagome gratefully stepped into the warm water of the bath. It had been a while since she'd had a long relaxing wash. Their last journey to find rumors of Naraku had turned up nothing, and the group was becoming more frustrated with each dead end. On the plus side, if Naraku was in hiding, then maybe she could catch up on her studies. Goodness knows how behind she was.

"It'd be nice to go to school tomorrow. I could see my friends again, and catch up a bit."

Her determination rising, Kagome had visions of A+ floating in her head, maybe she could ace her math test after all!

"Yes! I will do it! I can do it! I'll go back and catch up on all my studies! Yes! Yes! All those…" she suddenly felt very deflated as she realized just how much work she'd have to catch up on, her determination turning into hopelessness, "Awww who am I kidding?"

Inuyasha walked back into the village the next afternoon with determination. He had been digesting the information he got last night, trying to come up with some sort of plan. That bastard Naraku, he was going down this time! Bursting into Kaede's hut (and nearly giving Shippou a heart attack) he announced his plan thus far:

"Pack your shit, we're leaving tomorrow!"

"Inuyasha, we just got back," said a tired Sango.

"Yeah," chimed in Shippou, "And Kagome's not even back yet!"

"I know that stupid! That's why I'm gonna go get her!"

Shippou growled at Inuyasha and he glared back at him. The kit was standing on thin ice, all Inuyasha needed was an excuse to go after him…

"Might I ask what brought on this sudden want to leave?" asked Miroku.

Inuyasha thought the monk knew damn well who he was seeing last night, but wanted to hear him admit it, which pissed him off.

-Flashback-

"He is making his way southwest"

"You're sure of this?"

If Kikyo heard him she gave no indication, "Inuyasha, the time will soon come when he will be defeated."

"What are you talking about? Kikyo, how do you know all this?"

"I shall come to you when the time comes, do not forget that."

Before he could stop her she was lifted p and disappeared into the night, leaving Inuyasha with mixed feelings. He was glad she had gotten the information she did, but knew she must've put herself in harms' way to do so. He hated knowing that he may not be able to protect her from another miserable death, one was quite enough.

"Don't worry about how I know, I just do!" he huffed.

As they all glared at Inuyasha he tried to keep his temper in check. 'Assholes,' he thought violently to himself.

"Well you better go get Kagome then if we're going to leave," Said Sango.

"Yeah! That is if she's willing to come back that is!" yelled Shippou. The brat was really pushing it…

"Keh! Of course I'm getting her! Geez! Lay off already," He said and stomped out of the hut.

Shippou sighed, "He's such a baka sometimes…"

Kagome had gotten up that morning, took one look at her clock, and bolted out of her room. In a whirlwind of teenage girl, she somehow managed to get up, get dressed, clean up and shove a piece of toast in her mouth as she walked out the door. 'A new ten minute record!' she thought to herself.

"Bye mamma I'm going to school!"

"Kagome wait-"

"No time mamma I'm late!"

As Kagome left, a sleepy-eyed Souta came walking down the stairs, "Mamma what's she doing? Doesn't she know it's Sunday……"

Standing in front of an empty school Kagome could not believe the conclusion she had come to.

"Whaddya mean it's Sunday?" said a flabbergasted Kagome. She couldn't believe it! One of the few times she can actually go to school and it has to be a day it's closed! Didn't they have weekend classes or something she could go to?

"Higurashi!" yelled a voice from behind. Kagome turned to see Hojo running up to her.

"Hojo?" The boy was a nice guy, really he was, and he was hopelessly after Kagome. He also had a talent for pointing out the obvious.

"Kagome, what are you doing here? It's Sunday, the school's closed."

See?

"Besides, with your rosacea, being out in the sun can't be a good idea." Kagome turned red at that one. But at least it was a real ailment. One time her grandfather had called her in with a case of love sickness. He must be getting senile in his old age…

"Oh, don't worry about me," she tried to reason; "I have some uh… cream that's working just greaaaaaaat!" Dear Gods her face was going to break from her fake smile.

"Oh, well since your feeling better, how about I take you out on a date? No ditching though."

Poor Kagome and her guilt, she had ditched the boy more times than she could count. She couldn't refuse him now, and besides, what was she going to do? Go back and get into another fight with dog boy? Pfffft, as if.

"Sure, I'd love to-"

"Great! Come on with me!" said an elated Hojo, "There's a festival in town!"

Inuyasha had come to get Kagome in the late afternoon, and was told she was out with a friend. He decided that he would hang around for her, but as the afternoon turned into night, he started getting impatient.

'Stupid girl, her friends are back on the other side of the well…"

Still, he couldn't help that it bothered him to know she had such a life-without him- onthis side of the well. What happened if she decided one day to go home a never come back. She apparently could go on here without him and the others, while he…

His ears twitched at the sound of two people coming up the stairs. Kagome was home! But she had someone with her…a boy…

Inuyasha gripped that branch of the tree he was sitting on. That's what was more important than coming with him? Some stupid boy?

He stifled a growl as he noticed Kagome held a small stuffed dog the damned boy had given her. Wait, wasn't that the same stupid weakling that bothered her before? He better not be trying to court her or so help him…

His ears twitched again as he heard voices drift up to his perching spot, maybe she was trying to get rid of him . Or maybe, the moron wouldn't leave her alone and he needed to go separate this boy from his girl... physically.His thoughts were dashed though, as he heard the conversation that was taking place.

"Thank you for a wonderful day Hojo. I had a nice time," then she added blushing a little, "And this dog is really cute!"

He didn't need to know the stuffed little white dog reminded her of Inuyasha...

Keh! The boy got her a stuffed dog and she was falling all over him. He saved her life numerous times and what does he get? Sat that's what.

The dumb boy blushed at the comment, "No problem Kagome, you're a wonderful date."

Whoa whoa whoa, date? Wasn't dating a part of courting in this era? That bag a' flesh better hope it's not.

"Well," Kagome said flashing a sweet smile, "Goodnight!"

Inuyasha was preparing to leap and meet her in her bedroom when he saw something out of the corner of his eye.

Hojo had grabbed Kagome's wrist before she could walk away, and was looking at her funny. Inuyasha didn't like it one bit.

"Kagome?" he said hesitating as he positioned himself in front of her. He was getting closer to Kagome as she looked at him, wondering what in the world he was doing.

Inuyasha's train of though was along a similar path. The boy was up to something, and he was sure he wouldn't like what it was.

"Hmm?" asked Kagome. He was coming closer to her, and she wasn't entirely sure what he was doing until, taking a deep breath he went for it. Kagome's mind went blank for a few seconds as his lips came to cover her own.

Hojo had acted upon one of the few impulses of his life and kissed Kagome Higurashi.