Hi everyone!! Apologies for this very late chapter. It was really hard to write and I was really busy. Thank you very much for your reviews!! I have almost reached 50 and am sooooooo happy!!! Thank you very much for your support and I appreciate all your comments!! Arigato!!

Review responses:

Inuyasha19912: Thanks for your review! Yeah, I totally agree, it was sad and depressing. It was kind of hard killing off my number one hanyou! Thanks again!

Inugurl617: Thanks for you review! Here's your long awaited update!

Addam: Thanks for your compliments!! I'm glad you like "Mysterious Soldier" too. I'm kind of stuck with the plot, so I think the next update for that one will not be soon! Thanks again for your review!

Jurneyo: I'm sorry if I spelled your name wrong… I hate it when people do that to my name too so gomen nasai! Sorry for the long awaited update!! Thanks for reviewing!! I have to admit that I look forward to your reviews! Thanks again!

Jason: Thanks for your review! I'm glad you like it! I also dislike Kouga, and somehow, I don't think you're going to like this chapter! ::hint hint:: Anyways, thanks again!

Melanie (Inumelmelhotmail.com): Arigato for your review! I hope you got the email I sent you. Write to me whenever you want, I enjoy getting emails! Thanks again!

Ami Kuroneko: Thank you for your review! I'm glad you like my story!! I hope you like this chapter!

Gerbil Slayer: Thanks for your review!

Again, to everyone thank you once again! I hope you like this chapter, even though I know I am going to pay for doing this. Any who, enjoy!

Chapter 11

:: TEN YEARS LATER::

Silverware and glasses were clinking in the quiet restaurant atmosphere, with a few murmurs here and there. Kagome could be seen dining in a private corner, wearing an elaborate silverish bluish thin strapped dress that hugged her body. Her eyes displayed joy and there was a smile on her face, but if you looked deeper into her chocolate depths, some sorrow could be seen. Across from her sat her companion, whom Kagome had been dating for two years.

"So Kouga how is your job at the radio station?"

Kouga had continued his passion in being a disc jockey and made it his career ever since high school. The radio station that he had belonged to was very successful and he made a hefty paycheck.

"It's fine, koishii (dear). How about yours? You're leading a double life, one as a professional architect and a shrine miko."

"Oh, it's going great. A huge company is hiring my company to design a ski resort and I just know that this is going to make my company stronger."

Kouga reached over and took her hands into his and looked into her eyes with his azure ones.

"I'm so proud of you and so happy that you accepted me when I asked you to go out with me."

He stood up and walked over beside Kagome's chair and stared lovingly into her depths. Kagome's spine stiffened, knowing what was coming. The blue eyed man then knelt down on his knee in one fluid motion. Her eyes were moistening. She watched him grab a little black velvet box out of his pocket. He spoke.

"Kagome, I've loved you since I've met you and have fallen in more love with you with every passing day. So, Kagome Higurashi, will you marry me?"

Suddenly, the world around her froze.

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Sitting in the dark on her bed, she was sniffling and her head was filled with depressing thoughts. She pulled herself from under the thick comforter and sat, with her head resting on her drawn knees, tears splattering down to the bed sheets.

"Why? Why must I love one who loves another?" Her emerald eyes stared at her alarm clock, 9:00 p.m. By now, Kouga must have already popped the question. Her heart had been wrenching all week ever since Kouga had confided to her that he was going to ask Kagome to marry him. He even asked her to help him go shopping for the ring. But she treasured her friendship with Kagome and didn't want to ruin it by getting in the way. After all, Kagome loved Kouga right? The red head stood up and stumbled to the kitchen for a glass of water. Taking in gulps of the refreshing cold liquid, the phone rang. She settled the glass on the kitchen table and answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey Ayame!"

"Oh, hey Sango."

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing much, just watching tv." She lied. She didn't want Sango to find out about her love to Kouga and that she had been crying her heart out ever since about seven o' clock.

"Really? Well, I just called to ask you a question. Do you know when Kikyo is coming back from America?"

Ayame glanced at her calendar and there was the date, two days from that night.

"Um, two days from now Sango."

"Oh, okay. Oh and by the way, I am planning a surprise party for Kagome's birthday at the fancy restaurant over on Shikon Street, are you able to come?"

"Of course I'll come Sango, she is one of my best friends after all. But do you really think it's a good idea to invite Kikyo? I mean I've known you guys since high school, but I know that Kikyo doesn't like Kagome that much. You know, about the Inuyasha thing? "

"Don't worry about it. Sure, they had a couple problems in high school, but they've gotten friendlier to each other these past few years. What's past is past."

"Okay, if you're really sure." Ayame, breathed out, giving in.

"Listen, I have to go, I have to call Miroku, Kouga and Souta."

"Okay, sayonara."

"Bye!"

Sighing, Ayame placed the phone back in the cradle quietly. She walked towards the living room and sat down, staring at the empty fireplace, thinking.

"Somehow, I feel that these on coming weeks are going to bring trouble." She murmured in the dark.

She didn't know how right she was.

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Kagome was shocked, how did this temporary relationship go to marriage? She was still getting over Inuyasha's death for goodness sake. Thinking about it still brought tears to her eyes. Gods she loved him. Kouga's penetrating gaze brought her back to earth. She looked in his eyes. Swirling in the depths of blue was unconditional love. That was what every woman could ever want, but to Kagome, it wasn't the same he wasn't Inuyasha and could never replace him. Her heart kept repeating no no no no, but her mind was a whole different story. It was debating.

"You can never love him as much as Inuyasha, but you've got to move on, Inuyasha is dead, say YES!"

"But you can't say yes, say no! Inuyasha was your one true love; he is your only love."

Sighing, she looked into Kouga's eyes with fatigue.

"Yes." She whispered.

That one simple word changed his face from anticipation to genuine happiness. He took the ring from the velvet box and placed it on her ring finger. They embraced and Kouga took in her floral scent.

"Gods, I love this woman."

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After Kouga had dropped her off, she walked into her apartment that she had shared with Sango. They were still the best of friends after high school and had decided to get an apartment together. Looking around, it seemed as Sango had gone to bed. It was already almost 11 and she had work tomorrow. Something about slaying a demon. Oh yes, she was a hired demon slayer, taking after her ancestors. The pay was okay and Sango had to work odd jobs often to help pay for the rent. With Sango's pride, she wouldn't let Kagome let her freeload off of her.

Kagome quietly closed her room door and took off her high heeled shoes and placed them in the closet. She took a shower and changed into her pajamas. The twenty-five year old collapsed on the bed and let out a sigh. The cold comforter chilled her warm body and she relaxed. Her head turned to the right and there was her boom box. Slowly, she sat up and reached over to the drawer and pulled it open. On top was the tape. She reached for it.

"One last time… for you Inuyasha. I just need to hear your voice just one last time." By this time, her voice was cracking and a dam of tears was threatening to break. Her shaking fingers placed the tape in the player and closed it. They reached over to the play button but hesitated. Should she really do it? Her face twisted into a determined expression, with a breath of courage, her slender finger pressed the grey button. The familiar static reached her ears. Her ears craned forward to hear that familiar masculine voice.

"Hey Kagome…"

That was all it took to trigger her tears. Little plops of salty liquid landed on the comforter. Quiet sobs filled the air.

"Oh Inuyasha, why did you have to leave me when I loved you so much? I-I still love you with all my heart, forever and always."

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Stirring, Kagome opened her swollen red eyes and got a pang of pain in her head. She walked to the kitchen to retrieve some aspirin and a glass of water and shuffled back to the bedroom. The eerie red glow of the alarm clock stated the time, 2:00 a.m. After gulping the little pill and water, she sank back into her warm pillow. She looked at the boom box and there innocently sat the tape near the ledge. That one tape caused her sleepless nights for ten years. It reminded her of him. Should she throw it away? She would have to forget it all after she married. She had to devote herself to Kouga now. She had to care for him. She had to try and love him. However, a little voice repeated itself in her head.

"But you don't love him."

She shook her head and sank into a fitful sleep. That tape forgotten.

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PLEASE DON'T FLAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The coupling clearly is Kagome and Inuyasha. This is just a twist…::cough:: a sick twist :: cough:: . Sorry for this chapter being so short, I'm saving all the good stuff for next chapter! Don't worry, this is just the beginning, trust me. I am an all Inuyasha and Kagome fan and I would not write anything else so don't worry. But,

How will Kagome and Inuyasha get together if he's dead?

Well, you'll find out… eventually!!

Reviews are appreciated!! They help me update faster!!

Thanks!! Till next time!!

-animemistress419