Flat Line

Inuyasha-tachi and others belong to Rumiko Takahashi. You know the rest.
Okay. I know I have you all worried now. And I'm sorry I didn't upload for ages, but this chapter kept needing reworks.

I'm not revealing anything. Yes, yes you shall need tissues, people – but maybe not a whole towel. I did have writer's block but my friend Tom immensely helped me out.

This chapter is dedicated to him because he kept nagging me for the next chapter and said quotes from a chapter I had not yet written to set the tears flowing. And it is also dedicated to all of you who reviewed. Honestly people, this plot has me choked up – I don't know whether I'll be able to write without balling my eyes out.

Hai - Yes
Gome - Sorry
-san - Miss/Mr (I think)
Hanyou - half-demon
Miko - priestess
Sengoku Jidai - feudal era

Of Broken Promises and Bold Confessions

All was still in the room marked 7B, of Halley's Ward Tokyo General Hospital. The doctors hadn't wanted the girl present to see if something like this happened – and now that she was there, here with them – suffering – they had no idea what trauma she was going through.

The doctor who Kagome knew turned to face her, his face so infinitely sad that Kagome half expected herself to fall unconscious on the spot. His soft grey eyes were sympathetic and she swore they harboured tears.

Kagome was still collapsed in the nurse's arms, who was now trying to steady her somehow. The teenage miko had long stopped looking at Inuyasha, and had been stood judging the expressions on the doctor's faces to tell her the news.

The doctor, whose name was Laisuko as his name badge revealed, stepped over to Kagome and averted his eyes, not wanting to look at her reaction. Instead he found himself staring at the silver-haired boy lying motionless on the hospital bed. The other doctors were packing away the resuscitation unit, shaking their heads and trying not to look in Kagome's direction.

Laisuko found that Kagome needed someone to look her in the face and tell her. She needed to know – she needed to understand. He glanced at her and then held her gaze. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "We tried everything we could – everything – but… it just wasn't enough. The damage to his internal organs was just too great. There was nothing we could have done,"

Kagome's eyes widened. "B-But the surgery…"
"He had not been in surgery long when I woke you, and I could only assume that his body had been flushed. His appendix must have exploded on the way to the hospital. The surgery did not detect the damage. I'm sorry,"

Kagome's mind turned blank and she buckled to the floor, her legs crumbling beneath her – no longer able to support her. Inuyasha was gone. He was gone… Nothing felt real any more.
Heh, I'm not that easy to kill, he'd said so many times. But he had been. Just one click of the fingers and he was gone, forever. Kagome clenched her fists until her knuckles turned white, but she couldn't feel it. Her entire body was numb.

The tears ran out of her eyes and streamed down her face, erupting sobs from somewhere deep inside of her. The nurse behind her stared at Laisuko and shook her head, covering her mouth with her hand and leaving the room. The doctor, in return, glanced down at Kagome. "I'll… leave you two alone," he muttered, before turning. He looked back once as he left, but no more. The girl needed her privacy.

Kagome tried hard to hold in the scream that was threatening to force its way out of her. She covered her mouth with the back of her hand, trying to bite it down in order to suppress her pain. She couldn't. "Inu…" she sobbed, pulling herself up from the floor. "Inuyasha…"

The hanyou lay on the hospital bed, motionless. In the commotion the heart monitor had been switched off, and the absence of sound made Kagome feel truly alone. Empty.
She sat on the side of the bed as she had earlier when Inuyasha was lying on her own bed, and now she realised the reality of the situation.

Inuyasha wasn't going to be there ever again. There was going to be no more of him protecting her… and lying about it afterwards. No more moments between them, no more stupid arguments, no more of him being around. No more strong heartbeat while she leant against his chest and fell asleep to the sound of his breathing. No more catching sly glimpses at his face and seeing that he was staring back…

Kagome grabbed hold of Inuyasha's limp body and sobbed, falling down on top of him and trembling with grief. "Inuyasha!" Kagome wept, shaking her head against his chest. She couldn't help thinking that it was all her fault. What if she'd been there and kept her promise? What if she had stayed by his side – would he have pulled through?

The half-demon's body was stiff; his skin so cold and pale. He looked so peaceful… and yet still he looked so vulnerable. And beautiful. Kagome had never seen him like this before. He seemed to glow, and he looked so perfect. She found herself hating him for it. He had left her all alone. What was she going to do? How were they supposed to defeat Naraku and complete the jewel now?

She knew it was selfish. She knew it wasn't fair to think like that – but she was summing up her life without him. There was nothing she could do without him, not since she had first met him. She'd been doomed from the start to fall hopelessly in love with him, and for what? To have her heart broken so many times.

"Inuyasha," she whispered, giving up on shaking him and just lying there on top of him for a while, trembling with the pain of losing him. It was all over. Everything. Kagome couldn't think what to do – what to say. She didn't have tears enough for this moment, and crying wouldn't be able to fix anything unless she cried herself to sleep and woke up to a new world – where this had only been a dream.

"Inuyasha, I love you. I love you – I love you so much," Kagome whispered, her voice thick. But of course, it was too late. Her feelings had come out at the wrong time, and now Inuyasha would never hear those words – never know that someone cared so much for him that they were willing to do anything to bring him back. Anything at all.

Even technology couldn't bring Inuyasha back from death. It wasn't meant to be. He was gone now.

In the midst of her tears, as she lay there in her own grief, Kagome felt soft fingers stroke back her hair, fondly. She let the hand stay there – unsure of where it came from yet enjoying the touch, distantly. It was as if Inuyasha was back with her, just for that one moment. Was it a doctor? Her mother?
Taking a deep breath, she straightened and wiped her eyes, blinking away the tears so she could look.

Then she heard a voice – a quiet, sad voice. Vulnerable and weak. "W-Why are you… crying, Kagome?" the stranger asked, rasping. Kagome felt the one hand still massaging her head while another was now wiping away the tears on her cheeks. Her eyes began to focus, and slowly her brain began to process the information.

There was no one else in the room. She was all alone, with a corpse. Was it a ghost? Or was it her imagination? Or was it…?
That voice… that voice… her mind kept screaming, but Kagome couldn't believe – wouldn't believe…

Inuyasha was staring at her with brilliant amber eyes that shone like liquid gold in the overhead light. They were open, not closed. A lazy smile played across his face. His lips were slowly losing their bluish hue and the tan was slowly coming back to his cheeks.

Kagome felt as if she'd fallen down a cliff. There was nothing beneath her and only air. The world wasn't right anymore and everything wasn't as it should be. Her lips parted in shock and she pulled away from the hanyou.

"No…" she whimpered, pulling away. "You're dead…"
He was weak, she could tell. He could hardly keep his hands steady and now they were drooping, leaning on her body for support. He was struggling to keep his eyes open. And he was hurt, his eyes widening and his mouth opening in confusion. He touched the side of her face, his eyes boring into hers. Then he didn't look so unsure anymore. "What… happened, Kagome?" he asked softly.

Kagome glanced down at Inuyasha's chest and saw it was rising and falling – he was breathing. He wasn't a ghost. He wasn't a figment of her imagination. He was real.
"Kagome, what–?"
She couldn't suppress it any longer. She pounced on him, gripping hold of either shoulder and screaming at him.

"You had me so worried, you moron! I thought you were dead, I thought you were dead!" she yelled, shaking him so hard that his head jerked dangerously.

"W-Wha–?"
"I can't believe you! I can't believe–!" Her anger faded, and then she was just sobbing into his chest, her hands loosening their grip on his shoulders. She pressed her face into his body, feeling the familiarity come back to her. He was cold, but she knew he would warm up. She knew he would get better. He was alive, that was all that mattered.

A hand ran along her back, and a slow smile crept up on Inuyasha's face. When Kagome looked up she saw how tired he was – his eyes were drooping shut. "It's okay…" he breathed, leaning back into the pillows. "Because you're here. And I won't leave you, Kagome – I promise,"

He shut his eyes, going limp. Kagome stared at him for a moment to make sure his chest was still rising and falling, and then she sat back. Had that really happened? Was she sure she wasn't going mad? She didn't know. He was a half-demon, and she knew he could heal himself. But was that what really saved him from death? Could he still heal even when his heart had stopped beating?

She didn't understand.

Instead, rather dazed, she got up off of the bed. The ground greeted her feet and she felt as if she were about to keel over. She was trembling.
Inuyasha was lying on the hospital bed, still breathing. His face was peaceful and no longer pale. He looked as he had earlier while lying on her bed, sound asleep. Like a child.

Kagome couldn't hide the grin beginning to emerge on her face. He's alive! I can't believe he's really alive! New tears were flowing down her cheeks, but now they were ones of happiness. She felt elated.
Running outside, she searched for Laisuko amongst the attending doctors. She had to tell him. She had to let him know that Inuyasha was okay.

A bubble of joy was growing inside of her that refused to be penetrated.
Inuyasha was always going to be there. He was always going to protect her and lie about it afterwards. There would always be moments between them, hopefully less of the stupid arguments, and more of him being around.

And she would hear his heartbeat while he held her and she would fall asleep beside him. And maybe… maybe when they looked at each other – they wouldn't blush and turn away. They would smile.

Inuyasha was the prince. The doctors could not get over the fact that he had recovered without the resuscitation unit. They guessed that it had been a late jolt of electricity that did it, but they weren't quite sure. He was a miracle.
Inuyasha, himself, was getting better with every passing second. The rest appeared to have done him some good as when Kagome walked back in he was back to his original self.

The nurse who had held Kagome earlier was so happy that she could not stop talking. Both Kagome and Inuyasha silently cursed her. But the happiest doctor was Laisuko. He had a genuine smile on his face when he saw the half-demon sat up in bed.
"Welcome back," he grinned.

When the parade of doctors had gone and Kagome's mum was called, they finally left Inuyasha and Kagome alone again – Laisuko being the one to usher everyone out. Kagome knew it would not be long until her mother arrived, so she treasured the time they had while it lasted. Maybe something between them would change…

Inuyasha leant back in the pillows, eyes narrowed. "I don't know what all the fuss is about." He sniffed. "I'm a half-demon. You can't kill me,"
"Well you were dead, mister." Kagome snapped, surprised that there wasn't a lump in her throat or a quaver in her voice when she said that. "You had me worried sick,"

Inuyasha sniffed. "Whatever. And you, don't go thinking that because I'm gone you can sit there and cry over me. Move on with your life already,"
Kagome, who had been turned away at this point, turned back – surprised. "H-Huh?"
"If I'm gone, I'm gone. There's nothing you can do about it. So why bother crying? It won't change a thing."

She was dazed. Confused. Why bother crying?
She lowered her eyes. "The same thing can be said for you, Inuyasha." She whispered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he snapped back, suddenly angry.
Kagome shut her eyes and continued softly. "I'll tell you what I mean – you can't let go of the past. It hurts to realise what could have been, and it hurts to remember – so you try and hold on to what you had. Crying makes the pain go away, it makes me feel better. And you – seeing Kikyo – doesn't that make you feel better? Doesn't that make the pain go away? I have ways of dealing with death, I cry. But you – you let it drive you. You make it so you freeze over and don't forget the past by keeping it in the present.

"For those moments back then, Inuyasha, I knew you were dead. I knew I would have to make a life without you. I knew that and I wasn't happy about it – but I was prepared to at least try. I thought you would want me to live for you. So don't you agree that you should live for Kikyo… and for me? Not try and throw your life away for her? She doesn't own you, Inuyasha, she's in the past. So stop trying to keep her in the present. Just…" Kagome trailed off, shutting her eyes.

Inuyasha's face was pale. He looked frightened – terrified, even. He was clutching so hard on to the bed sheets, his eyes wide. And he also looked guilty.
Kagome sighed. "Just let it out," she finished, suddenly feeling self conscious. "Just… cry a little. 'Cause you know… I'll still be there for you,"

The half-demon in front of her sat, motionless, for a moment. Then his face crumpled and he averted his eyes. "I…" he began, but Kagome leant in close to him – cutting him off.
"I know it hurts – I know that. I would have done anything if it'd brought you back, but I knew, then, that I couldn't. So I cried for you and began to hate myself for what happened. But that's wrong. No one should feel to blame, and neither should you for what happened with Kikyo.

"That was a long time ago, Inuyasha. She isn't the same woman anymore, and I think you know that. You're just afraid of letting go. I know what she means to you – what she meant to you – I understand that. I know I'm not Kikyo's replacement, and I know that I'm not Kikyo. But I also know that I love you, Inuyasha. I do."

Inuyasha sat, frozen. He didn't feel empty; he didn't know what he felt. He was afraid, upset, and in a lot of emotional pain – but he was also, deep down, happy. Of course he was happy; Kagome had told him she loved him. And… I love you too…
He bowed his head, shadowing his eyes. Kagome…

She was too quick for him. She clutched the sides of his face and turned him to look at her. And then her lips pressed against his, and Inuyasha's eyes widened for an instant. But the kiss was soft and he couldn't help but shut his eyes and fall into it, his hand brushing through Kagome's hair, affectionately.

I love you, Inuyasha… I do… she'd said.

A tear rolled down his cheek. He didn't know where it came from, he didn't even realise until Kagome pulled away and smiled, catching the tear on her finger. Then their eyes locked and her smile widened. "It's okay," she told him. "It's okay to cry,"

He wasn't sure. Instead, he did the only thing he could do. He collapsed into her arms, burying his face in her hair. "Kagome… Oh, Kagome…" he sobbed, but the tears wouldn't flow. A moment of weakness had passed, and now all he could do was say her name.

He felt ashamed and guilty, but he also had never felt so anchored before. He belonged here with her. It didn't matter whether it was in the Sengoku Jidai or the future, all that mattered was that he was by her side. She cared about him so much, and he cared so much about her. He couldn't let her go – he wouldn't. Surely she knew that.

"Kagome…"
"Shh, its okay... Just let go," Kagome whispered, cradling him. And then his walls buckled and Inuyasha felt the tears trace hot paths down his cheeks. He couldn't believe how stupid he'd been. How wrong. Kagome was his future, Kikyo was his past. He should've been able to see that.

He couldn't help himself as he began raining kisses down her neck; feeling the need to hold her grow every time his lips brushed against her skin. Nothing else existed in the world for those few moments. It was just he and she, alone, and in their own arms. They were all that mattered. They were the past, present and the future – and they had each other.

Kagome's eyes opened slowly. She knew her mum would be in the hospital by now, searching for her. She looked down at the hanyou and smiled, raising his head. Inuyasha's eyes flashed for a moment, and then he smiled back at her, softly. "Kagome, I…"

The door opened. Both of them turned to see Laisuko standing in the doorway, an apologetic smile on his face. "Kagome-san, your mother is here." He told her. "She's waiting outside in the corridor for you."

"Tell her I'll be staying here tonight. I'll use the visitor bed," Kagome replied, motioning to the fold-down bed along the wall. Laisuko opened his mouth to argue, then sagged. "Kagome-san… those are usually only open to adults, and–" he stopped, seeing the intent in her face. She wasn't visiting, she was staying – there was nothing he could do or say to change that.

He sighed and then nodded. "I'll tell her," he muttered before turning out of the door and shutting it behind him.
Inuyasha stared up at Kagome, relieved. "You won't leave me?" he asked almost disbelievingly.

She turned back to him, plastering a smile on her face. I have some major promise-keeping to make up to. She realised. After all, I didn't hold his hand, did I?

She nodded, yes. "Uh huh. And since your bed's got wheels, maybe I can move you just that little bit closer." She winked.
Inuyasha grimaced. "And you'll hold my hand?"
Kagome froze, feeling her heart beat wildly. Then she nodded her head again. "Hai,"

She looked away, biting her bottom lip. Then she bowed her head. "Gome, Inuyasha."
He blinked furiously in confusion. "Why? What have you done?" he asked, shaking her slightly.
Kagome looked back at him, her eyes dark. "I didn't keep my promise. I… I wasn't there to hold your hand."

There was silence. She half expected him to look away and be extremely hurt. The other half expected him to yell at her. He did neither of these things. Instead he stared at her blankly for a moment before smiling. "It's okay," he grinned. "So long as you'll be there every night after this – by my side,"

Kagome stiffened, stunned, before grinning back at him – her eyes sparkling. She clutched hold of his hand, a blush rising across her face. "I promise! And I really mean that, Inuyasha. I–"
He waved a hand, angry. "Yeah, yeah. Forget the promise crap. Where's my kiss?"

The miko stopped, shocked. Inuyasha was staring at her, looking arrogant in both a flirtatious and amused way. Kagome blinked furiously a few moments before seeing that he didn't really expect a kiss, he was… trying to break the ice for something.

Inuyasha grew more serious and folded his arms. "Kagome, I…" he began, but then trailed off. He bowed his head, trying to battle away his morals for a moment. Kagome could almost see the cogs turning in his mind, before he growled angrily. "Never mind,"

She watched him for a moment more before folding down the visitor bed and wheeling the hospital bed closer to her side. She knew it was the early hours of the morning and she wanted some rest – not sure whether Inuyasha felt the same, yet still wanting him near her despite that.
He didn't complain.

She knew her mother would be going home to get some things for Inuyasha, or would be being told by the doctors what happened. Either way, she had some time alone with the hanyou for a little longer.

Kagome didn't care that she had no sheets or pillow, she was exhausted. Lying down, her eyes were drooping shut as she looked over at Inuyasha. She smiled limply. "Hey,"
Inuyasha, whose own eyes were slowly shutting, smiled back. "Hey,"

She reached out with her hand and he reached back until their fingers were locked together. They lay there silently, hand in hand. Kagome knew, then, that things were different. Maybe they would hide it a little longer, but she and Inuyasha were at a whole new stage in their relationship. They had, most likely, established a real relationship.
Kagome grinned.

"'Night," she whispered, shutting her eyes. Inuyasha squeezed her hand, shutting his own eyes. Then he sucked in a breath before saying what he could not earlier. "Kagome… What I meant to say earlier… I – I love you too," he whispered, his eyes so tightly shut that his face was crumpled.

Kagome opened her eyes lazily and smiled, caressing his hand with her thumb. "I know." Was all she said.

And then they lay there like that, the two of them falling asleep beside one another with their fingers interlocked. Their arms drooped as they got some well deserved rest, yet their hands did not unlock.
Inuyasha knew that every night from now on would be like this. They would be together, bound to each other willingly. Hand in hand.

They were meant to be. There were no two ways about it.

END

I hope you enjoyed that. I nearly cried while writing this last chapter and please comment to say how you reacted to it. I'm sorry for the mushy gushy ending but we love the fluff, don't we?

Out of ten? What do you say this story is? One for rubbish, ten for great.

Thanks for all the reviews on this. This has been my most commented story yet. I love you all!