Chapter 9

Inuyasha sat under the sacred tree completely lost in thought. He was thinking about Kagome. A month later and she still hadn't destroyed the Jewel. He didn't blame her. Inuyasha actually felt really bad for her. She had given up so much for him and he felt like he hadn't done enough. He sighed once more that late afternoon before smelling Kagome's scent. It wasn't long afterwards that he heard her steps coming closer to him.

"Inuyasha", she smiled as she walked up. Her pain in losing her family still burned in her chest, but seeing Inuyasha made her pain subside, even if it was for a moment. So every extra minute she had she spent with him. Besides, he really didn't seem to mind.

"Hey", he smiled back. His heart began to pound and he felt his palms get sweaty. Oh, great, he thought, I'm getting nervous now? It's too late to get nervous.

"Hey, there you are. You ran off this morning and nobody's seen you since. So what have you been up to?" Kagome walked up and plopped down next to him. He became flustered and flushed. She immediately noticed and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Keph!" He looked away. "What are you talking about? There's nothing wrong."

"Well, then why are you so pale and your hands are clammy. Are you sick?"

"Idiot! I can't get sick!"

"I'm just worried." He turned to look at her and was surprised by her warm expression. She looked so soft and sweet that it took everything in him to stop himself from doing something that he shouldn't do.

"Kagome", he spoke softly; only audible enough for her to hear him. "I was wondering…" He tried to swallow, but his mouth had gone dry. "If you want…" Inuyasha couldn't stand her eyes looking at him so he turned his back towards her. He felt like an idiot; asking her this question. Even though a yes from her lips would make every fiber in his body scream for joy, he still felt like an idiot. "And after the Jewel has been put to rest…"

"What is it already", she asked annoyed at how long it was taking him to ask a stupid question.

"Would you… live with me?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Without thinking about it, Kagome turned her back on him. She was scared to look into his eyes or even catch a glimpse of his face. Her whole body felt like it was about to explode. "I'd understand if you said no", he added. This made her turn and meet his gaze, but at that moment, she lost her self control and rushed to hide her face in his chest. Tears poured out of her eyes. Inuyasha just wrapped his arms around her to bring her closer to him and dug his face in her hair.

"Why would I say no? I love you", she whimpered from his chest. He smiled to himself and held her closer. I love you, too, Kagome, he thought.

Neither one of them said anything else for a very long time. Even after the sun set behind the forest trees and even after the stars and moon began to shine. Even after her tears dwindled and even after her scent became part of his. Even after his lips stole a kiss from hers and even after the whole world seemed to stop; neither one of them spoke a word. Both were scared it would end. But finally, it was Inuyasha who broke the silence. He thought it was about time to go back to the village before they began to worry. Reluctantly, she agreed. They headed back toward the village hand in hand. She grinned to herself as often as he did. They were both so happy… finally.

The following day, Kagome went out in search of Inuyasha. He had disappeared again, but this time she found him helping Miroku finish his house. She walked up to the almost completed structure wondering if Inuyasha had said anything about what had happened the previous day. But before she could think any further, Sango called out her name and waved happily from the entrance of what soon would be her house.

"Sango", Kagome waved back, running toward her friend, "The house is looking great!"

"Yeah, once they finish up the roof and a few other things, we'll be able to move in", she said with a smile once Kagome stopped in front of her.

"That's great, Sango." Kagome looked up through a hole to the roof and saw Inuyasha and the ex-monk working hard trying to finish it, but every now and then a fight would erupt about the speed that Miroku was working at. Kagome beamed at the thought that this time next month, it'll be her house who's roof would be worked on. "I came to steal Inuyasha for a little while. I think it's time to do it."

"You're gonna purify the Jewel?"

"Yeah." Sango just stared at her, not sure what to say.

"Would you like us to come along, too", Shippou asked from Sango's shoulder.

"No, Shippou. I'd rather you guys stay here. If something bad happens, Inuyasha will protect me."

"You think something bad will happen", Sango quickly asked with a worried tone. Kagome flashed her a big confident smile.

"Don't worry. Everything will be fine." With that she said her good-byes and went to get Inuyasha from the roof.

Inuyasha walked quietly next to Kagome. She just held the Jewel in her hands and stared at it. He wondered what she was thinking. Inuyasha just didn't get why she was in such deep thought, but Kagome was worried. Deep down inside she felt like something awful was going to happen. She just wasn't going to talk out loud about it. She didn't want to worry Inuyasha about it so she kept her mouth shut and just walked. They said nothing until they reached a small clearing far away enough from the village and innocent people.

"Are you ready, Kagome?"

"Yeah…" Things seemed to slow down as she walked out to the middle of the clearing. The grass crunched beneath each step she took and a light breeze danced with her hair. Finally, she stopped. Kagome had no clue what she was doing, but she had to try.

She held the Shirkon no Tama cupped in her hands and closed her eyes. Thoughts flowed back and forth through her mind until, in a quick instant, her mind went blank. No thoughts, no worries, nothing. And just as quickly as her thought s left, they came back. But something felt wrong. Something wasn't right…

She opened her eyes to see the Jewel glowing so bright it almost out shined the sun. She opened her clasped hands and the jewel floated up.

"Something isn't right", Kagome whispered. Just as those words left her lips, the battle with in the Jewel seeped out into the clearing.