Author's Note- I love placing scenes between these two at the Goshinboku. While for InuYasha and Kikyou's tragic and ill-fated relationship- it was a place of sorrow, for InuYasha and Kagome's it's a place of hope and new beginnings. ^^

InuYasha says 'seven moons.' There actually have not been seven human nights shown in the series, but I'd assume that Takahashi just chooses not to show all the new moon nights. After all, we haven't had one in over 15 volumes of manga- and that's clearly been over a month.

Read, review, enjoy. ^^

Vignette Three

Goshinboku

Kelly O'Connor

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Kagome adjusted her backpack to a more comfortable position as she made her way up the stairs that lead to her shrine-home. She'd just returned from one of the rare days she'd spent at school - now more so than ever since the time-traveling schoolgirl had been spending less and less time in her era, and more in his… InuYasha's. Kagome sighed. The Shikon no Tama was nearly complete even though just one of the shards was in her possession at the present time. She couldn't help but think that soon… it may be over. What will I do once it's over, she thought as she reached the top of the steps and made her way through the yard.

She turned her head and brushed away a piece of hair the wind blew into her face. Her gaze rested upon the ancient tree enshrined outside her home. Goshinboku, This is where it all started… She smiled and fondly reached out to stroke the bark of the tree. Her thoughts reverted first to when she had come across InuYasha's peacefully sleeping form pinned to the tree 500 years ago, then to another time when she had stood in front of the tree like this just a few months ago.

Kagome bit her lip as she thought of that time - in appearance it was so similar to now, she noted. The wind blew lightly, and the sun shone down creating shadows where the branches shaded the white fence surrounding the tree. That was when I realized my feelings for InuYasha, I remember it so well. It just… hit me. I suppose that thinking you've lost someone you care for so deeply makes you realize how much they really mean to you. She continued to stroke the bark of the tree, memories flooding into her mind as she did so. So many memories, I've spent so much time at his side.

The corners of her mouth turned up in a wry smile as she remembered the promise she had made to her Hanyou companion. "I said I wouldn't ever leave his side… and I meant it." She whispered to herself, her thoughts interrupted when she heard the sound of bare feet padding along the ground as well as a cry of surprise.

"InuYasha?" She asked, turning around and raising her eyes to meet his. InuYasha shifted uncomfortably, clearly having heard what Kagome said out loud.

"Kagome?" He finally managed to say, watching as she absently scratched the back of her head.

"Umm… how long have you been here?" She inquired nervously. InuYasha looked down for a moment.

"Since... you started stroking the tree," he replied, then proceed to change the subject quickly as possible to avoid embarrassing himself. "Are you going to go back tonight?" Kagome startled.

"You're... asking if I'm coming back tonight?"

"Keh- Well I mean, we are going back!" He quickly tried to cover his ground, but Kagome only smiled at him.

"I want to stay one more night InuYasha," Kagome replied, "I have some reading to catch up on." She gave InuYasha a nod, signifying without words that he was more than welcome to stay tonight if he so wished.

"Fine," He crossed his arms in pretend irritation. Kagome smiled lightly in InuYasha's direction and then switched her gaze back to the ancient tree, watching as the leaves shifted in the light breeze.

It's peaceful isn't it?" she asked after a moment's silence. InuYasha walked up next to her and closed his eyes. His ears twitched as he caught the sounds of the branches rustling lightly, and his nose picked up the smell of the pleasantly flourishing leaves. It was peaceful. Being around this tree calmed his nerves for some reason. InuYasha wasn't sure why, he'd been sealed to the great tree for 50 years, but instead of hating the Goshinboku for that, he found comfort in its presence. A thought tickled at the back of his mind. Is it because it's where you met Kagome?

"Keh." InuYasha frowned, more to his inner thoughts than to Kagome. It deepened when she sighed again.

. "Of course you don't think it is," Kagome shrugged. "I guess you wouldn't like this tree much, would you?" She asked rather good-naturedly. He didn't reply for a moment.

"I guess it's okay."

Kagome blinked. "What?"

"The tree is okay I guess," InuYasha clarified.

"There's been good memories here too." Kagome smiled at the tree. InuYasha nodded so lightly that Kagome barely took note of it, and he didn't even completely realize he had done it. She exhaled a bit and gulped. "It's where I met you after all." InuYasha visibly tensed. Kagome bit her lip, tried to ease the tension she had just caused. "Well that wasn't exactly pleasant, but it turned out for the better… right?" He looked down to his feet nervously.

"Yah it did… I mean no it…" He tried to correct himself but gave up. Kagome raised her head a bit and let a smile cross her lips. InuYasha could be so horrible at denying things sometimes, but it was nice during the times he let his true feelings slip through. There was silence among the pair as InuYasha stepped up a bit closer so he was standing directly next to Kagome. Exhaling deeply, the schoolgirl switched her gaze to her companion.

"It's been a long time huh?" Kagome ventured. "A long time since…" She reached out and placed her hand on the bark of the tree- recalling a memory of months ago as she did so.

"Seven moons," InuYasha replied after a moment of thought, using his human nights as a gauge of time. "That's how long… it's been, since you unsealed me." He finished- his tone low in attempt to hide the fact that he was positively reminiscing. Kagome gave him a pleasantly surprised glance, pleased that he knew so quickly how long it had been.

"It feels like longer," The dark haired girl whispered hesitantly. InuYasha looked to her and raised his eyebrows in question. "I feel like… I've known you, for a lot longer than that." The Hanyou gave a very slight nod in agreement. "Seven months isn't that long." Kagome paused and cautiously slipped her hand over to InuYasha's. He made a nervous noise in the back of his throat, before reaching out and clasping her hand in return.

"It's… strange," InuYasha began, his voice full of insecurity.

"Hmm?"

"It's hard… for me to think of a time before…" He cut his statement off and turned his face away.

"InuYasha…?" Kagome blinked, unsure of what the Hanyou was trying to make clear. He sighed deeply, and unbidden- felt a light blush stain his cheeks.

"Before… you," InuYasha finished in a hoarse and whispered voice. Kagome's eyes widened and she smiled brightly.

"That's why… it seems like we've known each other longer for me as well." She clarified cheerfully. InuYasha simply nodded and tightened his grasp on her hand, stroking his thumb over her forefingers in the process.

A sudden breeze blew across the shrine, causing the branches of the ancient tree to sift, and the long free hair of both the Hanyou and the Miko to whip into their faces. From the front door of the Higurashi home, it was a sweet and picturesque scene that Mrs. Higurashi was taking in. Although she could only see their backs, and couldn't hear the words they exchanged- she could see the way they turned their heads to look at each other, and the way their hands were clasped in the most gentle and sincere of manners. As her daughter and the boy her daughter loved- as well as the boy that Mrs. Higurashi herself had come to hold dear to her heart- reflected at the place they had first met. The dark haired woman leaned against the door frame of her home and smiled. Rarely was she able to see the two interact in this manner, and she knew it must be a rare moment for them as well. Back in Sengoku Jidai, their lives were hectic, they were always in danger, and conflict constantly tore at their hearts. But Mrs. Higurashi wasn't worried- not for either of them. She knew both of them would give up their very life and being- no matter what the cost, in an instant if it meant protecting their other half. She could see the devotion in their eyes when they looked at each other, the pure unadulterated and complete trust- the deep and true torrents of love. No amount bickering or arguments between the two could hide that- it was always there.

Mrs. Higurashi thought that InuYasha and Kagome themselves were probably the only two who didn't see it in full- although no doubt they both knew of the other's pledge to stay beside each other, only subconsciously could they have any idea how deep their devotion ran.

So Mama wasn't worried, she knew that with their strength in themselves and each other- all would be well. With a light enough sigh, so InuYasha wouldn't pick up on it, Mrs. Higurashi walked inside, leaving the couple to each other's peaceful company.

InuYasha's ears twitched at the sound of the door closing, and he whipped his head around, shrugging when he saw no one there. "Kagome…" InuYasha began tentatively. The schoolgirl snapped her head up to acknowledge him. "When I… showed up here, why were you saying what you did?" Kagome closed her eyes and attempted to form her thoughts into words.

"I was thinking that… it may not be that long before it's all over," She fingered the single shard she wore around her neck. A look of unmistakable worry flashed across InuYasha's amber eyes, and he dropped her hand.

"Keh, I see… figures," He replied in disappointment. Kagome's eyes narrowed, and she reached over to snatch his hand once again.

"You heard what I said when you approached, I meant it," She reassured him. InuYasha looked down and bit his lip. He mentally berated himself for being afraid- he trusted her, doubt should not have even existed, and deep down he knew it didn't. "So whether you can or not… whether another promise takes you elsewhere," Kagome paused, sadness entering her tone. "I'll be here. Once Naraku is defeated, once the Shikon no Tama is completed… I will." InuYasha's eyes widened and a slightly somber smile touched his features. Does Kagome still think that… no, Kikyou doesn't even want to take me with her anymore, does she? And…He interrupted his thoughts and looked at Kagome directly.

"Kagome…" The Hanyou let go of the girl's hand and moved it to her shoulder. He gulped when a sudden strong gust of wind pushed his form closer to Kagome's so that he was pressed up against her. Without thought, he moved his arm down to her waist and entwined his arms around her center. Kagome sighed in contentment and deepened the embrace on her own. I'm the same Kagome… my promise to you is the same.

And with small hopeful smiles they both glanced at each other and then switched their gazes up to the wind swept branches of their Goshinboku.

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End