Hi there! Miss me? Lol! I'm extremely sorry for the greatly delayed chapter! But sadly, I'm not as obsessed with Inuyasha as I was a few months ago. My current obsession would have to be Naruto! But anyhow, I managed to find some inspiration for this chapter! And I'm sad to say that my first story in has come to an end. Yes, this is the last chapter for Winter's Hanyou. I hope that you have enjoyed reading my work and that you enjoy the last installment also. I'm very grateful for the reviews, for I never expected for this story to reach over 300 reviews! Enjoy this chapter!

Warning, there is a word in here that may make people uncomfortable.

Kagome's heart, she swore, had stopped beating. Had she heard correctly? Out of the country? Instantly, her mind snapped to their day together earlier. It had not been her imagination that his good bye sounded so final. The finality stung her, slapping her in the face. Inuyasha…didn't want to be with her anymore? But he said he loved her... doubts and insecurities tidal waved into her emotions.

"Kagome, we have to go!" Ayame said, urgency clearly in her voice. Her hand lay on the miko's shoulder, silently reassuring. Kagome nodded, realizing that if he left her grasp that night, there was a chance that they would never see each other again. The miko bit back a sob, was their relationship so unimportant to him? So miniscule that he hadn't bothered saying anything to her? Not even a goodbye?

"Let's go." A deep voice said. Looking up, soft chestnut eyes metcerulean blue. He nodded, giving her a look of encouragement and support. "We'll talk more in the car." His hand reached out for hers and pulled her gently.Ayame followed behind her, her hands on the miko's back for support. Numbly, the miko entered the car, sitting in the front seat with Kouga. Ayame made sure that she was all right and placed her hand in the miko's to provide comfort. Kagome gave a ghost of a smile, but all her thoughts were with Inuyasha. As fast as he could, Kouga shifted gears and sped towards the airport, hoping with all his might that he wasn't too late for the sake of Kagome's happiness.

Inuyasha sat in the terminal, waiting for his flight to board. It seemed like a wait of an eternity. He leaned back in the hardly comfortable plastic chair, his amber eyes staring intently into the space in front of him. His thoughts were racing like adrenaline within his mind; was he right to leave like this? A pang of pain flashed within his heart and mind as another thought raced to him, would Kagome hate him? His eyes clouded over as he thought of the past that he and the miko shared together. Many times before,their love had faced almost impossible trials. He gathered his head into his hands, eyes closing, and thoughts in despair. Was their love just not meant to be?
Kouga stopped the car in the passenger drop off area, knowing that Kagome would get there faster if she went in before he parked the car. Kouga nodded to her and as if a boost of energy went through her, Kagome bursted out of the car and headed to the gate where Inuyasha would be at. She dodged many people and somehow managed to go through security patiently. Panting lightly, she ran until she saw Gate 44. She stopped; there he was, sitting there with his head in his hands. Taking a deep breath, she quietly and slowly made her way to him, this was her chance, she realized. On the outside, she seemed so calm, but hesitations ran like wild inside her mind.She took a seat beside him and gently, lowered his hands from his head and looked into the pools of warm honey.

To say the least, Inuyasha was shocked, how did she know that he was here? She was…she was not supposed to figure out until tomorrow. But his thoughts were interrupted,

"Why?" Kagome said quietly, looking down at an angle so that her bangs hid her expression. Inuyasha stared at her hands, lying innocently in her lap.

"We aren't meant for each other Kagome. Our lives... they aren't meant to be with each other. Fate is cruel; it has done so that we cannot be together, Kagome. I'm sorry." Inuyasha said, slightly cringing at the stoic tone of his voice. He looked over; the miko's expression was still hidden, but trails of tears riveted down her smooth cheeks, plopping on her hands.

Kagome was shocked, depression started seeping in, but this time, anger and bitter feelings took the place of her main emotions. "So this is how it's going to be Inuyasha?" She gave out a laugh that held bitterness in it. "I waited for you for ten years, knowing that it was a hopeless cause, because everyone, everyone said that you were dead. But I was foolish enough not believe them. I knew that you were alive, alive in my heart. And I knew that somehow, no matter what happened, we would meet again. I loved you, with all my heart. I loved you with no bound. But I guess…I guess that all my sacrifices for you aren't important. My actions to show how much you really mean to me don't matter at all to you." She looked up, straight into the hanyou's face. The sound of her voice made Inuyasha close his eyes, not wanting this to be real.She sounded so hurt and he can hear loathing within that voice. Unbeknownst to Inuyasha, Kagome was silently berating herself for being such an idiot, why did she sacrifice her life to love? And it turned out to be a love that didn't work out in the end. How can life be so cruel? she thought, as a barrage of tears came to her eyes. Yet determined, she held them back, she will show weakness no more.

What had been once glowing with emotion, her eyes changed quickly into emotionless, dull brown orbs. Inuyasha sat there, stunned with pain and guilt, was this how they were going to part? With her not knowing how I really feel? I've caused so much pain…

Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak, to argue her points, but her hand rose up and gently shut his mouth.

"I think you're right, Inuyasha." Kagome paused, sounding exhausted all of a sudden. "I guess we aren't meant to be with each other after all." And, as quickly as she came, she left. Inuyasha felt raw pain shoot up his chest and mind. How could he let this happen? He loved her, yet things had gotten so out of control. Things happened that he couldn't control, fate really was a cruel thing. He stood up to go after her, but the company needed him...

His reverie was cut short when his cell phone started to vibrate. Glancing at the caller ID, he saw that it was his mother, taking a deep breath, he answered.

"Inuyasha speaking." He said in a monotone voice. Hearing sobs on the phone, he quickly reacted.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"Inuyasha, I-I'm sorry! I am truly sorry for all the pain and sorrow that you've experienced because of me. You are unhappy because of me!"

Inuyasha calmed down, his mother was getting hysterical.

"What do you mean mom?" he asked, in a hard voice.

"Inuyasha, Kagome's not your sister; Kouga is your half sibling." With that, his cell phone dropped; what had he done?

Kouga and Ayame were surprised to see Kagome sitting desolately on a bench near a fountain. Her emotionless façade remained, but her hands grasped her coat with a strong grip, making her knuckles turn white.

"Kagome, why aren't you at his gate?" Kouga asked, concerned. All of a sudden, she launched herself into both Kouga and Ayame, needing their comfort and support.

"We…We just aren't meant to be, are we?" she sobbed into their shoulders. Glancing sadly at each other, Kouga and Ayame grasped Kagome, giving her all the comfort they could give.

"That bastard…" Kouga murmured. After all they had been through, after all she had been through, why did it have to end this way? Why couldn't people get the happiness they deserve? Why was fate cruel to people who needed it the most?

"Come on Kagome, let's get you home." Ayame soothed out. With Kagome in between them, they headed to Kouga's car, leaving behind a place where there was one person with a broken heart boarding a plane…

Kagome had to admit, that even after a few months, Inuyasha's sudden departure still felt like her heart had been through the paper shredder. It was more than impossible to just forget about him, especially when she had been loving him ever since she was sixteen. For the first few days, after the airport, she felt emotionally and physically drained and slept for ample amounts of time in her apartment, with Sango by her side.

Kikyo came over a lot also and consoled her; they even got to know each other better. She found that Kikyo and her had a lot of things in common, and that their relationship was one of the things that kept the miko's mindoffofher past relationship with the hanyou.

With the help of her friends, she found that distracting herself helped with the pain. With their constant insistences, she found that their company has eased some of her pain. Their outings every weekend had pulled the little group closer together. And the relationship between Kouga and Ayame blossomed into the stage where Kouga asked Ayame to marry him. It took a while, but he realized that his love for Kagome evolved into a sibling love, one he held for a sister he had never had. His love grew for the red haired woman, Ayame, every single moment he was with her. On the other hand, Ayame was thrilled not have unrequited love anymore.

And with this, this is where Kagome is, currently walking home in the soft spring rain, wandering through the nearly deserted streets home, after a nice lunch with everyone. It was only a spring shower, not pelting rain; she loved it. The scent of spring caressed her nose, and the sakura blossom trees littered the sidewalks with their beautifully scented petals of confetti. Somewhat content, her mind shifted elsewhere into the clouds, her legs took her home to her apartment. However, spotting the nearby park, she decided to take a walk. Walking in the softly falling rain, she found herself seeing a fountain with statues of shooting stars. Admiring the fountain, she saw there was someone behind the fountain admiring it as well.

Glancing at him, she dropped her umbrella once she caught sight of soft honey eyes and glistening silver hair.

Chocolate eyes locked with amber, both feeling pain and sorrow rushing. Kagome felt pricks behind her eyes and tears started gathering, no matter how she desperately wanted not to cry. She didn't want to see him again, yet she felt so elated, so uplifted when she saw him, after many months. Roughly wiping her tears, she turned to run.

"Kagome, wait!" his deep voice called, tinged with regret and desperation. She shook her head; tears ran down her face as the rain soaked her black tresses slowly. She stood there, waiting.

Muffled footsteps approached her and a warm hand was placed on her shoulder. Shivers ran down her spine as his warmth seemed to penetrate the layers of her jacket and her sweater.

Gently, the hand urged her to turn around. Dreading it, Kagome turned around as tears were coursing down her cheeks. Her focus remained on the cold, soaked ground, avoiding the powerful amber gaze that could melt her for always. His hand rose and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. At first, she tried to look away, but the pain and fear in his deep amber depths lured her in.

Without hesitation, Inuyasha pulled her into his arms. Gods, how long had he waited to hold her in his arms like this? He had tortured himself, forcing his mind to forget her over his company. But her scent and her soulful chocolate eyes haunted his dreams and his reality. He knew that he had made the most unforgiving decision of his life. It pained him that the sake of his life was in her hands…and she had the right reasons to leave him. After this, she could walk out of his life forever. The mere aspect of his life without the one he loved frightened him, he simply knew he would lose his life and it's meaning if he lost her forever.

"I'm sorry." Inuyasha whispered into her ear. Pulling away and looking at the ground, she whispered three words that brought a wave of emotion through him. Kagome could not hesitate, she had dealt and coped with the pain so long that she couldn't do anymore, she simply surrendered.She couldn't give into him anymore, not when he had caused so much pain.

"I am too." And with that, she walked away.

But Inuyasha couldn't bear it. No, he couldn't let her walk away from him once more. He grabbed her hand, "I love you Kagome. Please, just please, stay with me. Just say that you love me and forgive me. I know that I've caused you pain, but I have killed myself over and over again whenever I picture you in my mind." His voice cracked with emotion, Kagome couldn't tell if he was crying or not, for the rain dripped down his face. She gasped for breath, fighting sobs that were racking her body. She couldn't let him hurt her anymore. It hurt, it hurt too much.

"I love you Kagome, with my every being, with my existence. I can't make the pain that you felt for the last few months go away, but I will make sure... I will ensure that your future is the happiest it can be. I will make you happy Kagome, if you please, will forgive me and if you will stay by my side." His amber eyes portrayed intense emotion, but sorrow was the main emotion that emanated from his voice.

Kagome turned her body towards him, looking up at his handsome face. Her two warm hands framed his face and her doe-like eyes searched his face; searching for an answer. The miko's mind was racing, should she give him a chance? Inwardly noddingher head, Kagome finally decided. He was the love of her life; love was all about taking chances, chances for a lifetime of being happy. She would take that chance, no matter how much pain she would experience after this, she knew that if she refused right now, her life would be lived full of regrets. At long last,she leaned up to him, her scent and the scent of salty tears reached his powerful nose.

"I forgive you." She said, with a hint of smile. Inuyasha looked into her eyes lovingly, passionate love burning in the depths of the amber abyss.

"Thank you." He murmured. He sealed their silent vows to be together with a kiss, a kiss that reminded them just how strong their love was and was going to be. Their love survived a harsh winter storm, bringing a spring blossoming with beautiful possibilities.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed the ending! Sorry for typos if there are any, this chapter was written kind of late at night and early in the morning...Anyways, maybe, if you guys really want one, I'll write an epilogue? It depends on the response though, I do have an idea floating around in my head. Did I end the story appropriately…or was it kind of rushed? Anyways, I really want your input, and perhaps,I'll write an epilogue! I want to deeply thank my beta reader: Inugurl617 and also Mel for being an awesome friend! And I want to thank Addam and Jurneyo for getting me out of my slump way back when I put my story on hiatus for at least six months, if not for them, who knows where my story would be today! (Big surprise huh?) To all my reviewers, I really owe you my gratitude; you guys really make my day and encouraged me to write! I hope to hear from all of you soon!