Journey's End

a/n: I do not own Inuyasha

Monologue Five – Kagome

I am holding it in my hands right now, the completed sacred jewel. We finally found Kouga, and he gave us those last shards we needed. He wasn't happy about it, but he did it. He was there when I fused the jewel together. The journey that had begun when I shot the sacred arrow was now complete. I had finished what I had started.

I know that once the wish is made I may never be able to go back home. I sure will miss my soft bed, my steaming bathtub, my friends, and my family. Especially my family; but as my mother once told me, sometimes you just have to follow your heart and forget the rest.

She's right. Of all the things I would miss from the present day, I would miss Inuyasha more. So much more than soft beds and steaming baths; those comforts are nothing compared to what I share with the half demon known as Inuyasha. He's mine. I allow myself to think that in my thoughts and dreams.

I want him to make the wish. He deserves it. But I know that I have to be the one to do it. I have to purify the jewel, and let Midoriko's soul rest in peace.

But what wish to make? Do we wish to bring everyone that has died back to life? Do we wish to rid the world of demons? There are many things we could wish for. We keep discussing it, and I know we need to decide soon.

The Jewel of Four Souls, I guess it really has become the jewel of four unique souls: Miroku, Sango, Inuyasha, and I. Four people with different wants, needs, and backgrounds. Our lives are so intertwined with the jewel that we almost are at a loss as to what to do now that it is whole.

Especially me, I do not even come from this time, and I have no idea what to do. I'm not really all that good of a priestess, and it not like algebra comes in handy here. All I have here are my friends, and Inuyasha.

I've loved him for so long now that I don't even really remember a time when I was not in love with him. Those amber eyes, that silver hair. Those cute little ears. He may be a foul-mouthed and insensitive jerk, but sometime he can be really nice. He has always watched out for me. Even if I did only start out as a shard detector, I know now that he does care. He wants me here. Side-by-side we will make the wish that will end this journey. But ever end has a new beginning, just as there will be a new beginning for me.

Midoriko could not have known what the future would hold when she forged the jewel. She couldn't have known about the deaths, the desperation, the hate, and ultimately the love that the jewel would bring. Who could have predicted that a priestess from the future would fall in love with a half demon from the past?

I just wish I could have met Inuyasha's mother. I want to say something to her. I want to thank her for Inuyasha, and thank her for the human side of him that I cherish just as much as his demon side. I cherish every bit of him, demon or human. Izayoi would be proud of him, I know I am.

One day maybe it will all fit. Maybe one day I will know what I can bring to this time. Maybe one day I will know what I can do. And until then, I guess loving Inuyasha will have to be enough.