Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha. I never have, and I never will. So there.

A/N: I'M SORRY! Please don't hate me. I waited way too long to get around to this. At least it's here now though, right? You're probably going to hate this chapter. (sniffles) I'm sorry...

Chapter Seventeen: The Last Confrontation
"But who can decide what they dream, and dream I do."
-"Taking Over Me" Evanescence

Mai woke up in a daze. Instantly she was bombarded with cruel remembrance, and she buried her head to hide from the shame.

Why had she been so foolish? Why, oh why had she acted the way she did? There was no way to take it back; there was no way to undo what was done.

"So you're finally awake," a voice said, surprising her. She shot up, and looked around. Sesshoumaru stood in the doorway, a smirk upon his pretty face.

Mai blushed, and did not meet his eye. "You would still talk to me?" she asked quietly. "Even after last night? I don't really deserve it, you know."

He scoffed. "You're always foolish, so I don't know why you'd think it would surprise me. I'm rather immune to all its ill effects."

She blushed an even deeper shade of red. "Yes, well..."

Sesshoumaru rolled his eyes. "Are you coming with me?"

She blinked in confusion. "What?"

His eyes narrowed. "That hag insisted I return to her; are you coming with me? Since you always profess such a keen interest in my life and my 'destiny' I could only imagine that you would like a front-row seat for when it is finally decided."

Mai gasped. "Do you mean... Have you made you decision?"

The only answer she received was a noncommittal shrug. "Perhaps. But it's just as likely that I haven't. One really can't be called upon to say."

"Ooh!" she huffed, "do you always have to be so difficult?"

He turned to leave, a smirk playing at his lips. "Perhaps."

The trip was silent- neither person dared to say a word to begin with, and the tense atmosphere smothered the senses and took away the capacity for speech.

Mai could hardly take it; each step brought them that much closer to that defining moment- the moment when she knew he would be taken away. There was nothing she could do for him, nothing she could do for herself. Helpless- that's how she felt. What was there to do?

She sighed. If he noticed her distress... he didn't show it.

The arrived at the park and waited until the old woman returned. She looked at each of them in turn and said, "So I suppose you're ready, hmm? I know how much your heart has fought with your head, but perhaps they've realized that there's no escaping destiny. If so, then you've made me proud."

He involuntarily let out a quiet growl. "I still hate you. I want to get this over with as quickly as I can." He added silently to himself, 'Before I change my mind.'

"Only your heart can tell you where life has point you. Now tell me what you want to do- what you want me, in my infinite wisdom, to do for you. I must admit, I'm anxiously awaiting this decision. What is it going to be? What's your destiny?"

Mai smiled at him, and then turned her gaze down to the ground. She had known that the moment would come, but it still stung her all the same. She had never imagined it could hurt so badly. Love had never come to her before, and in all her dreams about it, she certainly hadn't imagined that it would turn out the way it did. It's not every day a girl meets an ancient man claiming to have once been something a bit more than human. Her heart was beginning to tear; she could feel the seams slowly ripping apart.

"I have one more thing I need to do," Sesshoumaru said, "and then I can tell you my decision." There was a finality in his voice that told her he knew exactly what he was going to do. It didn't surprise her a bit.

"Mai," he addressed to her softly, "tell me something."

"What do you want to know?"

For the first time, he looked almost... she couldn't say nervous. But some new emotion was tugging at him. He looked her straight in the eye. "You have told me how you feel about me." Still that reluctance to say 'love'. "Would you feel the same way if I returned to how I used to be- if I was no longer a human? Could you still... love me?"

Not able to help a small smile, she nodded. "I would still love you even if you were... anything. Even if you hate me, even if I never get to see you again, I'll always love you."

"So you would accept me in any form?"

She nodded. "Of course I would. I would give my life just to see you content."

He looked away from her. "Then I know what I must do."

The old woman turned to him and stepped cautiously closer. "Is this your choice?" she asked in an urgent whisper. "Will you give all you wished for away? I am waiting- I must have it from your own voice. Speak the words that will now make your destiny."

He closed his eyes. The old woman put a hand right at his heart, a barely centimeter away from making contact with his chest. "I used to be cold and unforgiving. Hard and heartless. There is no question that I suffered for my crimes; it feels as though every wrong deed I have ever done must somehow be atoned for, and it is not easy to now have a conscience. I have changed, and so has my heart. I now want, more than anything, just to be happy." He turned his head slightly, and graced Mai with a small, almost-smile. "You are not the only one who can make sacrifices."

Air rushed into her lungs. For one split second she had forgotten to breathe. There was no way he could possible mean what her heart was telling her he was saying. It just wasn't possible.

"I..." he paused, and wet his lips. "I want to be as I am. I want to make her happy, and I know that remaining a human would do that. So my true form is this. I will not change."

The old woman smiled, and said, "Very good. I knew that someone would tame you, Sesshoumaru. I was nearly afraid I would have to turn you into a dog this time, and teach you the lesson all over again. And now... You are free."

He opened his eyes with a snap. His breathing was rapid and shallow. Suddenly, he felt a weight being taken off. He stood up straighter, and could move easier. It was an unbelievably strange new feeling."

"I suppose we'll have to start your life-span over, won't we? Humans don't live forever, you know. I trust you took that into consideration when you made you choice." He nodded. "Good then. I suppose I'll give you a break. How does being a twenty-one year old sound? I'll give you some extra time to piddle around this pathetic planet. You chose mortality of your own free-will, and as I said, death comes with it. No way around it." She scrutinized him closely for a moment, and apparently satisfied, nodded triumphantly. Good luck- to both of you. Farewell."

The old woman walked away, leaving their lives for good.

Mai stood speechless before him, completely unable to move. Nothing had ever shocked her as much as his words just had. Almost crying, she gazed up at him. "Oh, tell me this is a dream. Life wouldn't be so neatly cut, so perfectly packaged as this. Where is the catch? Why does the world tease me?"

He studied her carefully, and walked over towards her. "Mai, aren't you going to say anything to me? Don't you want to know that this is real?" He looked at her with a gaze of fire. Chills shot down her spine as she thought of when he had previously been made of ice.

"You didn't do this for me, I'm sure of it. Why would I have anything to say to you? You're human now, but you've refused to ever love me. I think that such actions are crueler than if you had returned to your life as a demon."

"You're right, Mai. I didn't do this for you- not really." They stood there in silence for a moment. "I... have to go. Maybe I'll see you around some time."

And the man left. He walked away from her, lengthening the distance between their hearts with every step. She didn't want to watch him leave, but nothing could turn her away. It was excruciating, and she was sure he was enjoying every beat of her breaking heart. She sank to her knees, head clutched in her hands as silent tears poured down her face.

She cried as though to she were meant to fill oceans. She was broken. And she could never forget him- he'd always be with her. And it hurt so badly that all she wanted to do was curl up... and DIE.

Life went on after that. Her mother was released from the hospital, and they all went back home together. It had been a week, and she still hadn't seen him.

On the way home from dropping Sakura off at a friend's house, she took the path through the park. It stung a bit- it hurt like hell- but she imagined that she had to get over it some time.

Her feet followed their own path, her mind too occupied to spare a thought for her destination. Unfortunately, the matter weighing heavily on her mind seemed to have more influence than she would have liked.

She wound up in front of a spot she had seen hundreds of times before. An average, if somewhat old-looking tree. And sitting under it...

Her eyes welled up with tears. It was... him.

He didn't seem surprised to see her. For a long moment there was silence as they stared at each other. Then shocking her out of what senses she had left, he smiled. (He honestly smiled at her.) And in a kind, soft voice he said, "I was wondering when you were going to come to see me."

She sobbed loudly and rushed at him. She threw herself at him, his arms surrounding her as she sobbed unashamedly into his chest.

"Wh-why?" she asked through her tears. "You h-hurt me; you hurt me so badly. I c-can't just forgive you!"

"Have I ever told you that you belong in my arms?"

She was quiet. Looking up at him slowly, sniffing slightly as she did so, there was a noticeable change in his face. "B-but... B-but..."

He kissed her forehead. "We're here now, aren't we? I promise you- I'll explain everything one day. But now... Please be content. Be happy. You had more of an affect on me than you could ever imagine."

Maybe there was a chance, she let herself think against her better judgement. She didn't know why he had abandoned her, or why he was trying to come back. But for a moment she could hold him, and for that moment she could be happy.

"I really hate you," she whispered, lowering her head onto his shoulder.

He laughed quietly. "But not near as much as I hate you."

WHAA! Please don't hate me. I'm sorry, this ending just fit so well! I thought it was adorable! ...I'm sure it's probably going to get me bombared with flames. Ahh well, it was how the fic was meant to be! I only have one chapter left- it's the epilogue. I can definitely promise that it won't be such a long wait. In fact, since I don't have school, the update will be before the first of '06! Yeah! Ok. So... Dare I ask for reviews? I probably don't deserve them. Oh well, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter anyway! OH is almost over- epilogue coming soon!