A/N: Hey all! I can't believe the overwhelming response I got after the last chapter! I know, it was so sad. I mean, if you felt the way you did when you read it, imagine how I felt writing the darn thing! I wanted to just stop, and not continue! Also, I know it's been longer than usual before I updated- it's because I finally started working as a sub teacher! So for all of you in school, be nice to your subs, and think of me!

Also, to those of you who are worried about review responses... I have read and reread the terms of service on ff . net, and I just want to straighten things out here. Nowhere on the TOS does it say that a writer cannot respond to the reviewers. It actually encourages our responses to the reviewers. The point was that we as writers are not allowed to use entire chapters as reviewer response sections. If a "chapter" is actually only review responses, then yes, the account would be deleted. But don't worry, I've read it several times, and it encourages us to respond to the reviewers- just not in excess.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inu Yasha, or his unquenchable pain. Or anyone else, for that matter.

Previously:

"I'm so sorry, Inu Yasha," she told him as she leaned forward and grabbed his right hand in her left. Gently, she placed the rosary into his hand, and she reached for his other hand, laying it on the beads. "I hope…" she trailed off, dropping her hands from his, "I hope that you can forgive me." Giving Inu Yasha one last look, she turned and ran up the path to the mouth of the cave as quickly as possible, Inu Yasha staring after her in complete disbelief. His hands dropped to his sides, the rosary now in the fist of his right hand. He squeezed the beads, as countless tears formed and fell from his eyes.

"Goodbye…Kagome," he whispered in finality, the knot in his throat growing with each passing second. His stomach churned- he felt as though he was going to be severely ill. When he could no longer hear her footsteps echo through the cavern, the youkai fell to his hands and knees and wept.

chapter 27: afterthoughts

Kagome ran all the way to the entrance of the cave. It was uphill, but she didn't even notice. Her entire body felt numb. 'Was this the right decision?' she asked herself, her tears falling freely from her cheeks to the ground. Finally, she saw the light at the end of the cavern, and emerged into the fresh air. It smelled so much better outside.

"So, you've decided, then?" Sesshoumaru asked, leaning on the stone wall of the cave. He stood up straight, and approached the crying miko.

"Mm," was all she could make out. Somehow, she felt so… wrong inside. But looking at Sesshoumaru, she began to feel a little better. He slowly walked toward her, until he was directly in front of her.

"Let me take you back to the castle," he suggested. Kagome said nothing, so Sesshoumaru encircled her waist with his arm, and began the journey back to the castle.

Within the next few minutes, they had arrived at their destination- home. When Sesshoumaru sat her down, Kagome's knees gave way, and she fell into a seated position on the soft grass. The wind blew gently for a few moments, and then all was still. Kagome didn't sob, but the tears continued to flow with a mind of their own. She didn't know what to think or what to say; the shock of what had just happened was great. Sesshoumaru, who had been standing in front of her, knelt down and put his hand to her face. He lifted her chin, so that she would face him.

"Don't look at me," Kagome told him weakly. "I must be so ugly right now," she said. Sesshoumaru's eyes glistened. Kagome had forgotten to put her yuketsu spell back into play- and his instincts toward her were stronger than ever. However, because she was in such grief, it was no longer his instinct to mate, but rather to comfort. The truth was, although Kagome said she was ugly, she was the most beautiful thing that Sesshoumaru had ever seen. The silver streaks in her black hair seemed to sparkle, and her amber eyes now looked up at him, glistening with tears.

"You have never looked so beautiful, Kagome." 'What am I saying?' Sesshoumaru was shocked at his words. Although he was thinking them, he hadn't expected them to come out so candidly. The look on Kagome's face changed from grief to shock.

"What are… what are you saying, Sesshoumaru?" Her tears had stopped.

"You… decided to stay with me, did you, Kagome?" Kagome's eyes looked downward once more.

"Mm."

"Then, from this moment on, you're my woman." Kagome let in a small gasp of surprise. She hadn't meant to be 'his woman' so quickly- she just intended to give him a chance with her. Her eyes quickly met with his, to sense his emotions. His expression was so earnest- just like it was the night before, when he marked her for the second time. When she looked at him, Kagome's desire to hold off on becoming his woman was quelled. Besides, she had nothing holding her back any longer.

"Who was it that kidnapped me? They were from the mainland, right?" Sesshoumaru nodded, a little surprised at the sudden change of topic.

"Ah. Not much else could be found concerning who they were."

"What did they want?" Sesshoumaru made a mental shrug.

"It wasn't necessary to ask them since they were going to die," he told her simply. Kagome sweatdropped.

"I guess that's true," she said, mostly to herself. "Ano," Kagome looked at the taiyoukai.

"Hm?"

"Thank you for coming for me." She blushed gently.

"Don't be stupid," he told her, but with a soft tone of voice. 'You're mine,' he thought. Without wasting any more time, Sesshoumaru stood up, and held his hand out to Kagome. Taking it, she stood to her feet. As she did so, Sesshoumaru embraced her, pulling her body close to his with his arm. Kagome's scent of despair was lifting, and it was now becoming harder for him to resist his desires concerning her. However, it was not to Sesshoumaru's liking to submit to an imposed desire- even if it was what he desired as well. He remembered the moment when he almost killed Kohaku- but didn't, knowing that it was Naraku's will for him to do so. While he had every intention of killing the boy, he refused to give Naraku the satisfaction of playing into his hand. In the same way, Sesshoumaru refused to give into his desires, knowing that they were at least amplified by the effects of the temporary mark. If he was going to do mark Kagome and make her his woman, it would be on his terms, and in his time. Yet, it was not without a struggle of sheer will that he released her, and stepped back.

"It would be wise to use the yuketsu incantation to mask your scent," he told her. Kagome nodded.

"Yuketsu!" Her body glowed light blue for a brief moment, and then the light faded away. Sesshoumaru heaved a sigh of relief.

"Come, walk with me," he invited her. The truth was, he needed to move away from her hanyou scent. They began to walk toward the castle.

"I remember what you said before, that during the last marking, you said that our bodies were probably waiting for something. Do you think it will be the case again?" Kagome asked. Sesshoumaru blinked slowly.

"Most likely, yes."

"Ja… what are we going to do about it?" Abruptly, Sesshoumaru stopped walking, and turned to her.

"What are you inferring?"

"I'm just asking… is it necessary that we kiss before the mark wears off again?" Sesshoumaru couldn't tell whether or not Kagome's voice inflections were for or against the suggestion.

"It is possible for us to refrain from any contact in order to see how long the mark can last, if that's what you're asking," he told her.

"That's not exactly what I meant…" Kagome said, mostly to herself, although she was aware that Sesshoumaru could hear.

"Then?"

"…If we kiss, will it get out of control?"

"Not unless I smell the mark," he told her honestly. Actually, the truth was that even without smelling the mark on Kagome, he was becoming more attracted to her with every passing moment. While he could control himself with her, there was no doubt in his mind that kissing her was an attractive notion.

"Then… shall we do it?" Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru with her amber hanyou eyes.

'Why does this woman so desperately want to be released from the effects of the mark?' he asked himself. But without hesitation, he slowly leaned down toward Kagome. Tilting her head up, Kagome began to close her eyes, preparing for the kiss. In the next moment, Sesshoumaru's lips touched hers.

There was an explosion sensation in Kagome's head, similar to the one she experienced the night she and Sesshoumaru first shared a kiss. While Sesshoumaru was not under the influence of Kagome's scent, the same could not be said for Kagome. She had been so preoccupied with making her decision between Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru that she hadn't had time to be aroused by the scent of her temporary mate. At this moment, all thoughts of Inu Yasha were flooded from her brain, and her hands found their way up Seshoumaru's chest and around his neck. It was almost exactly as she remembered- even the kiss of Sesshoumaru was similar. Was it her imagination? He had said that he wasn't controlled by her scent- did this mean that Sesshoumaru was expressing his true emotions?

Yes, it was true that Sesshoumaru was not under the influence of Kagome's scent. The feelings that went into his kiss were those of emotions Sesshoumaru didn't care to define. Regardless of the fact that he had already marked her, he desired to protect her, and to keep her to himself. She had decided to stay with him, and not his younger brother- and Sesshoumaru was determined to keep it that way. He wrapped his arm around her and found himself desiring to replay that moment of passion that they had shared the first time he marked her. He wanted Kagome to forget about his brother, and to only focus on this specific moment. He wanted Kagome to need him, just as he knew he needed her.

There was something about the way that Sesshoumaru kissed her that made Kagome want more. His natural, commanding air was present not only in his kiss, but in his entire embrace. While his lips were soft, they were also strong. His hand was resting at the nape of her neck, cradling the base of her head. With the pressure of his lips against hers as well as his arm around her body, Kagome felt like she was protected- and worried about nothing except how to fully enjoy the sensations that he was delivering to her. Sesshoumaru knew how to control the kiss, and his forceful, dominant nature coupled with his display of affection toward her pleased Kagome to no end.

Soon- too soon in Kagome's mind- the kiss was complete. Sesshoumaru drew his hand forward from the back of her neck to the side of her face, and stood up straight. His head was angled down, looking at her, and his eyes were full of emotion- something to which Kagome was slowly becoming accustomed.

"I'll see you at dinner," he told her, his voice not rising louder than an intimate whisper.

"Mm," Kagome replied. Sesshoumaru's hand moved down her neck and to her shoulder before it dropped to his side. They turned, and parted ways- Kagome heading inside the castle to clean up, and Sesshoumaru to take his usual walk around the lake.

Meanwhile, Inu Yasha remained on the damp ground in the depths of the cave. He didn't have enough strength to move, after what had happened. 'Funny,' Inu Yasha thought to himself, 'I could battle a million youkai, and I still would have more energy left than this.' He forced a few laughs, but then returned to silence. He felt sick to his stomach. Kagome was more capable of breaking and destroying him than any amount of youkai. Didn't she know that?

"Kuso, kuso, kuso!" He slammed his fist on the soil, his voice hoarse from crying. "What happened? What went wrong? Could I have said anything different?" Inu Yasha sat in fetal position, rocking himself back and forth. 'No… there's nothing…' he answered his own questions. 'I thought that my meeting Kagome was fate- that I had a second chance with the same soul. What is this?' Inu Yasha was frustrated. Why was he destined to love the same soul, and twice have her ripped out of his hands? He moved to sit cross-legged on the ground, and placed a hand on his forehead. Propping his head up with his elbow, he closed his eyes.

So, why had Kagome chosen to go with Sesshoumaru instead? Was it because he was a hanyou? He felt a bitter taste enter his mouth as he envisioned his brother smirking at him. "Pathetic. A hanyou will always be a hanyou," he could hear Sesshoumaru say. Inu Yasha shook his head in an effort to rid his mind of his cruel, heartless brother. All Sesshoumaru cared about was himself. And he knew that if Kagome chose to be with him, that it would deliver the strongest blow of all to Inu Yasha.

From what Kagome had told him, it seemed more likely that she just wanted to change Sesshoumaru like she had changed him. But there could have been multiple reasons for her decision. Kagome didn't know what Sesshoumaru was really like. Or… what if she did know? Did Kagome want to be involved with such a domineering, controlling person? Basically it all came down to one question. "What does Sesshoumaru have that I don't!" Inu Yasha yelled out loud.

He had loved Kagome so much. Never once had he told her that she was any kind of a replacement for Kikyou. He always showed her that he cared for her. He opened himself up to her. And all the times that he had saved her life… did they mean nothing to her? Actions were supposed to speak louder than words, right? Did she realize that Sesshoumaru paid no heed to the threats those youkai made on her life, while he was ready to die for her himself? 'I can't think like that,' Inu Yasha reprimanded himself. Of course he didn't expect her to pay him back for saving her. That's not what love is about. And yes, although Kagome broke his heart, he still loved her.

Somehow, even more tears escaped from his eyes. They just kept coming, as he played through the past six and a half years of his life. When they had first met Jinenji, Kagome told him that she was glad he could open up to her; and that was when he realized he liked having her close to him. Of course, he had tender feelings toward her before that point, but it was then that he realized that his feelings were beginning to run much deeper. She was always wanting him to open up to her, to show her his feelings. And he had done that very thing. Inu Yasha shook his head. Now, Kagome was beginning to do the same thing with Sesshoumaru. The very sound of his brother's name- even in his thoughts- disgusted him. His brother was no powerful lord. He was a dirty youkai, who had stolen something that wasn't his. Suddenly, Inu Yasha flashed back to the night when he asked Kagome to be his mate.

flashback

"Kagome," he began, "you- are the most important thing to me. Everything about you: your courage, your strength, your will… the way you blush when you get embarrassed or angry… the dances you do when you're excited, and the tears you cry when you're sad… all these things are what make you who you are. I," he turned to look at Kagome, his brown eyes glistening as they looked into hers, "I love you, Kagome." She blushed nervously. She had never, ever imagined she'd hear those words from him. "I.. want to spend the rest of my life with you." The wind gently combed through their hair, providing the perfect mood. Kagome stared at the boy, surprised out of her mind.

"Inu Yasha.." she called his name, softly.

"Kagome," he said, leaning toward her to see her more clearly under the dim starlight, "will you accept me as your mate?" His hand rested on hers, his eyes eagerly searching her face, anxiously waiting some kind of an answer. Kagome's shocked expression left her face, giving way to a warm smile and glittering eyes. Nodding her head, she made her reply.

"Of course, Inu Yasha," she managed to squeak through her tears of joy. She pushed herself forward from her seat, encircling the hanyou boy with her arms. The force from the impact of her body on his was enough to topple him over backwards. He didn't care- he wrapped his arms around her as she laid on top of him. "I love you," could be heard, muffled by his haori. Inu Yasha smiled with relief, and stroked Kagome's hair. This was the first time he had ever been completely unguarded with Kagome- putting his complete trust in her with his heart- and she was so gentle. His vulnerability made this moment so much sweeter. Inu Yasha rolled over, easing Kagome under his body. He rested above her, propped up by his forearms, which were on either side of her shoulders.

Their breathing was beginning to become ragged with arousal.. both Kagome and Inu Yasha had wanted this moment to happen for so long. Aside from Kagome's trying to save Inu Yasha from becoming a ravaging youkai, the two hadn't shared a kiss, or any kind of unrestrained mutual romantic contact. But now, they were engaged, and had nothing to hold their emotions back. "Kagome," Inu Yasha said gently. He slowly lowered his face closer to hers, their noses touching side to side. Kagome and Inu Yasha could sense each other's lips at just a hair's breadth away. "Koi shiteru," Inu Yasha whispered, before he advanced just a little more, pressing his lips gently against Kagome's. After a few moments, he raised his head and looked at the young miko underneath him. She opened her eyes, looking as if she was in a dream. She reached one of her arms above his shoulder, and placed her hand on the back of his head, drawing him in again for another kiss. Her other hand helped her to sit up, and turn over once more, so that she was now on top of Inu Yasha. While Kagome's hands now cradled Inu Yasha's face, his hands were at the small of her back, and her shoulder blades, holding her body close to his.

end flashback

Yes, she had been gentle with him that night. But today, there was nothing gentle about the way she told him she was going to be with Sesshoumaru for the rest of their lives. Inu Yasha let out a pained sigh. He had promised Kagome that he wouldn't fight. Against everything he had, against every fiber of his being, he promised Kagome that he wouldn't battle against Sesshoumaru over her. The soul of Kikyou had passed on, and found its way to Kagome. Her soul was the one and only companion that the fates had given Inu Yasha. How could he love anyone else?

Inu Yasha shook his head. No, he would never love anyone else, ever again. Kagome was his last chance for true, intimate companionship. As long as Kagome remained in this world, marked by Sesshoumaru, Inu Yasha realized that her soul would never again find its way to him. And yet, he couldn't bring himself to wish any ill upon her. If she was happy with his brother, then he knew he had to let her go. Almost as though he was in a trance, he spoke four quiet words before passing out from sheer grief.

"I… love you, Kagome…"

It had been about five hours since Inu Yasha and Sesshoumaru left Kaede's village to save Kagome, and as of yet, neither had returned.

"Anything?" Sango asked Miroku from the futon. He had just stepped inside the hut, having been out looking for signs of their return. He shook his head silently. Sango sighed. Kaede was tending to the baby, giving Sango a break.

"Oh, that's right! We have to send Kirara to Kohaku and Shippou, and let them know about the baby," Miroku remembered.

"No need," came Kohaku's voice from outside the hut. In a moment, the curtain was drawn, and Kohaku stepped inside with Shippou.

"Kohaku, Shippou," Sango said, as excitedly as possible, "I'm glad you came."

"Well, since Inu Yasha took off, we figured that there really wasn't any reason for us to stay around. So, we left after lunch." Kohaku saw Kaede tending to a small bundle in the corner of the room, slowly lowering it into a bassinet. "Congratulations!" he told the new parents.

"Satoru-chan was born just a few hours ago," Miroku told his brother-in-law and Shippou.

"So, it's a boy?" Kohaku asked, excitedly. "Can I see?" Kaede turned around to face the new arrivals, and put a finger to her lips.

"Shh, he's finally gotten to sleep." Kaede motioned with her hand for the boys to come nearer. The two teens tiptoed toward the wooden bassinet, and peeked inside.

"He's… kinda… ugly…" Shippou whispered to Kohaku, whose eyes were wide. The new uncle gave his friend a near-imperceptible nod.

"Maybe… maybe that's what they're supposed to look like when they're first born…" Kohaku reasoned. Sango and Miroku looked at each other, realizing that Kohaku didn't object to Shippou's comment.

"Now, just a minute," Sango began, a hint of anger in her voice, "You've never seen a newborn baby, have you?" The boys shook their heads. "Then don't go around saying he's ugly," she snapped quietly at the two young men.

"That's right," Miroku came to his wife's aid, "He has the combined looks of lady Sango and myself… so you know that Satoru-chan can't possibly be an ugly baby." Sango's eyes lost their fire as she rolled them at her husband's comment. He wasn't quite as helpful as she had hoped he would be. Shippou took this as a good moment to change the subject.

"Putting that aside, have you guys seen Inu Yasha?"

"He came by earlier this morning, but we haven't seen him since. He left in a hurry, tracking Kagome's scent." Shippou took a step toward the door of the hut, where Miroku stood.

"Then… maybe I should go, too. I can track his scent, and make sure he's okay." Miroku and Sango shot each other a look.

"Uh, I don't think that's nece-" before Miroku could finish, Shippou had darted out the door. Miroku sighed. He sat down at the doorpost, and closed his eyes. 'This is becoming quite a mess,' he thought to himself.

A/N: Thank you for so many reviews! Usually people say stuff in the reviews that help me make sure I cover certain points in the story... so please keep reviewing! You are all active contributors to this story!

Reviewer Responses:

Beulah Page: That's the end of the cloaked people! I guess I could make up a side story for them, but they won't be coming back in this story. It seems like Sesshoumaru isn't too wary of them, since they were super easy for him to defeat. I think it was just a hard breakup anyway- it wasn't because anyone was a jerk, or whatever. Just changing emotions. I agree with you about the alternate ending, and I'm also a huge Inu/Kag fan.

tefi2007: yeah, I thought some people would think that last chapter kinda rushed things. But actually, I didn't think that there was any point in drawing it out much longer. Especially since the cloaked people were pansies.

toxiclollipop: Yep, it's a shame everyone wanted it to happen this way. I think that this was the most realistic way for it to actually happen- not all the typical crap that people write like "Inuyahsa sed Kagme was a shard detecter and then didit with Kikkyo. 'Inuyasha your a jerk!' Kagoem replide and ran to Sesshy becuz hes a hottie" Blech. For a realistic Sess/Kag story, Inu Yasha has to get shot down, and it has to be unfair.

Nilee: Thank you so much for your awesome compliments. Readers like you are my shining light as a writer. You're exactly right about the "savior complex." Unfortunately, Kagome might not be able to move on to the next "damaged goods," considering for whom she left Inu Yasha...

Hoshiko Shinomori: Heh, I try to write as much as possible as quickly as possible... and I immerse myself in my writing until it's complete. Most authors work on several stories at a time, or start thinking about other stories while they're writing a different one- I try to stay focused. Thanks for your compliments!

destinyheart15: I wish that some reviewers were as feeling as you were! Haha, you cursed me, I cursed everyone who wanted this kind of an ending! Hehe! Thanks!

Thanks also to: kagome-chan, naggo, Bethany A, kandy42, Lady Lenn, DarkInuLuva, inu-unnamedgirl, Sinthetik Angel, Priyadarshani (thanks for joining and thank you for the compliment), Japenese Jade, NicoleP (heh, you and I should just stick with the original ending), Princess of the Saiyans 16 (don't worry), sheenachi (cool!), inuyashalover19, hanyouxmiko990, Tracy J, AmberEyed (thanks! I'll check out your fic), EmoChicka (you are heartless. But thanks for reviewing), Moon's Rain (will he?), Golden-Eyed-Girl, duckgirl566, InuyashaGal, zookie78 (don't worry, self-committed suicide isn't in his character), Takara Daiya (thank you very much!), hermonine, Jessica Lyn (I'm glad you're glad), and whimsy (thanks for your insight and advice).