A/N: This chapter was written on my slow computer, meaning it took twice as long to write. Plus, my internet decided to have problems, so that's why this one is late.
Chapter 29: Closing the Door on One Life
With a flash of blue light, Kagome and Inuyasha found themselves inside the well in her time, a sight very familiar to the two. Unfortunately, this may be the last time they would ever see it.
As Inuyasha helped her up and led her out of the well house, to look out on modern Tokyo, he knew this would be harder on her than he thought. Kagome had been through a rough ordeal already, and now she had to give up her home as well. Her eyes flickered towards Goshinboku, and then back at him, and he knew all to well what she was thinking about.
Inuyasha's ears flickered around, picking up the many sounds and his nose smelling all the scents of her world, but the noise and the pollution made him long for his home, as it always did. He told Kagome he would be willing to live with her, in her time, but he knew he wouldn't be happy, without the lush fprests of the Sengoku Jidai, and having to hide everything about him all the time.
At the door of her house, Kagome knocked instead of just walking in, like she usually did. Her mother answered the door, looking a bit surprised at seeing Kagome and Inuyasha standing outside, waiting to be invited in. "Kagome?"
Kagome had forgotten what it was like to be with her family. When she saw her mother, after a time of wondering if she would ever see her again, a big smile broke out on her face. "Mama!" she exclaimed, suddenly hugging her.
Her mother hugged her back, asking, "Kagome, what is it?"
Kagome looked back at her, a huge smile on her face. "Mama…Naraku, he's dead! And the curse is gone! Everything's all right again!"
"Kagome, that's wonderful!" Mrs. Higurashi said, ushering her daughter and Inuyasha inside, and she couldn't help but notice that Inuyasha had a small smile on his face as well.
Sitting at the kitchen table, Kagome told her mother all that had happened since they had left last time. She told her of how Naraku had tried to trick them into thinking Inuyasha was a youkai (leaving out what they had almost done the night before and telling it like she was sent to find him instead of kill him.), and how he had brought her out of the illusion. Kagome recalled the final battle, where Inuyasha had really gone youkai, and she brought him back by being there for him. And how, after Naraku was defeated, the curse was suddenly lifted, making everything come full circle.
After Kagome finished telling the story, smiling in spite of herself, Mrs. Higurashi looked at her daughter and the boy sitting next to her, discreetly glancing at her as if no one could see him doing it. She could tell that they were most likely holding hands under the table.
Smiling at her daughter's happiness, she replied, "Well, that's wonderful Kagome. I'm glad that it's finally over, but…" she knew it would be hard to ask this. "Are you both sure the curse is gone?"
After watching the two's reactions, she wasn't sure who blushed up faster. Mrs. Higurashi didn't even need to hear Kagome's reply with that. "Um…pretty sure…" she said in the smallest voice possible, trying to avoid looking at her.
Moving on to another subject, Kagome's mother asked, "What are you planning on doing now, that Naraku is destroyed?"
Kagome glanced downward, her eyes that had been so full of happiness before, were now beginning to fall to sadness. Once again, the reality of her choice was forced upon her. But she felt a squeeze of her hand, and turned to see Inuyasha, offering her strength. Looking back at her mother, Kagome gathered her courage ad told her, "Mama…I'm going to go live with Inuyasha…in the Sengoku Jidai."
There was a pause after she said this, while the only reaction her mother had, besides silence, was her eyes widening slightly, at this bold statement, before sighing. She knew one day, her daughter would have to give up her double life as a student and a miko, and eventually chose. And after Kagome and Inuyasha's relationship had gotten deeper, she had a feeling of which one she would choose. "This is what you really want, Kagome? You will really be happy?" she asked, using a motherly voice that which a clear message came through: think carefully.
Inuyasha's hand grasping hers gave her the strength to say the words that broke her mother's heart. "Yes, Mama…I know it's kind of sudden, but Inuyasha and I have been thinking about this for a long time. It's not at all a spur of the moment decision." That statement caused all three at the table to remember the first spur of the moment decision regarding herself and Inuyasha.
"We're serious about this, Mama." Kagome continued. "I've practically lived in the Sengoku Jidai for the past year, it's not like I won't be able to take care of myself, and…" Inuyasha and her exchanged a small glance. "We will be happy, as long as we have each other."
Always causing Kagome to wonder at what she was thinking, Mrs. Higurashi suddenly smiled to herself, before looking directly at Inuyasha, causing the hanyou to look surprised and a bit frightened. "And you, Inuyasha, will you make a good home for her?"
A light blush came about the hanyou's cheeks. It was hard enough sometimes talking about these things with Kagome! He looked away, still embarrassed about saying these things to her mother. "I will." replied Inuyasha, in an unwavering tone. "I'll provide for her and protect her, you have my word. No matter what we face, I'll always be by her side…I already promised her that."
His words caused a smile to come across Kagome's face. Inuyasha wasn't always the best at saying the right thing, but when he did, his words came straight from the heart, and were the sweetest things he could ever say.
Her mother had one last thing to discuss with them. "And what about children?"
That caused the most hilarious reaction so far. Kagome's brown eyes were as wide as dinner plates, her mouth slightly open in shock with a blush on her face. Inuyasha, on the other hand, had turned so red that his silver hair even seemed to glow pink, his amber eyes were nearly popping out of his head, while his jaw had almost literally dropped to the floor. Not to mention that a second later he fell from his chair.
"W-we're a long way from thinking about that Mama." Kagome assured her, feeling absolutely mortified.
"But how are you both going to manage that? I doubt that the Sengoku Jidai has adequate birth control."
There was yet another comical reaction from them, Kagome giving a small squeak while Inuyasha was left sputtering. When they had calmed down a bit, Kagome glared at the hanyou and nudged him. He shook his head, his face as red as his haori, but one final glare from her made him speak up. "I can…I can…tell when she's…" he couldn't finish the sentence, more embarrassed then he had ever felt in his life. He was discussing such a topic with Kagome's mother! The urge to dive under the table was pretty powerful at this point, but he figured that getting sat several times might not be worth it…or would it?
When Mrs. Higurashi raised one eyebrow, Kagome explained, "It's his nose." grateful she wasn't making as much of a show of embarrassment as Inuyasha was.
Her mother gave one last sigh, smile back on her face. "Well, I'm glad you both thought this over before you came to me. It may be a little bit hard for me to get used to, but, I give you both my blessing." When Inuyasha and Kagome looked back at her in almost disbelief, she replied, "I hope you're very happy together."
"Thank you, Mama!" Kagome smiled, glancing back at the one she loved. "We will."
"And come to me before you even think of children." Mrs. Higurashi added. "You two obviously have a lot to learn if you can't talk about it comfortably."
Instead of getting another embarrassment fest as she expected, with that statement, the mood changed instantly, Kagome and Inuyasha both looking dejected. "Actually Mama…I'm not quite finished. You see, with Naraku destroyed, it means the have the full shikon no tama, and we have to make a wish on it as soon as possible."
"Why?" she asked, curious.
"Because if we don't wish a pure, unselfish wish upon it and destroy it, another youkai like Naraku, could come to steal it and use it for evil." explained Kagome, her expression growing sadder.
Her mother looked at her interestedly. "Do you have a wish in mind?"
"Yes, Mama." she answered. "I was planning on wishing that the world would be saved from an evil youkai like Naraku hurting anyone again."
Mrs. Higurashi smiled at her daughter. "That's a good wish."
Kagome's eyes lowered as she said in a hollow voice, " I know Mama…but you must understand, that wishing upon the shikon no tama means the jewel is destroyed. And…" she felt a tear come in her eye. "The reason I can go there, and come back is because of the shikon no tama."
Kagome's stomach dropped as she saw her mother look down in stunned silence. She had said it, she told her mother what she needed to know, but it had been hard for her to accept this, it must have been triply hard for her mother, the one that had raised her all her life. After the long, heart wrenching silence, Mrs. Higurashi asked, "That means…you can never…"
Nodding, Kagome noticed that she wasn't the only one whose eyes held tears. Her mother was on the verge of crying as well. "I'm sorry, Mama." she whispered, "But…it's the only way."
Her mother gave a long sigh, as if trying to control her tears, before standing up from the table, not looking back at them. "You're leaving tomorrow, right?"
It was Inuyasha this time that spoke up, "Yes, we need to get back as soon as possible."
Turning away, Mrs. Higurashi caught a glimpse of Goshinboku outside, seeing that it was already in bloom. A small smile came to her face, before it faded back into the sorrow that was welling in her heart.
Kagome and Inuyasha abruptly stood up, and Kagome ran over to her mother, "Mama…"
Turning around so they could both see the tears in her eyes, she said, "I'll be all right, Kagome. I'm just taking it harder than I should." The almost forced smile appeared once again. "You need to live your own life, Kagome, don't worry about me."
But Kagome had already started crying herself, "Mama!" she launched herself into her mother's arms, both of them on the verge of tears as this unhappy parting.
Inuyasha just watched both of them, his heart sinking because of the sadness of his mate, and also because of the partial sadness in himself. He liked it here, where he was treated as part of the family. But it also caused him to remember something from so long ago, when a small boy with silver hair, amber eyes, and unusual dog ears on top of his head, had also been in a similar embrace with his own mother, right before she died of sickness. That little boy had cried when his mother told him she might not live, and that he would be left without her, to fend for his own.
And now that little boy watched the woman he loved experience the same thing, feeling his heart ache from the memory and from her tears.
All too soon, Kagome's mother pushed them apart, her eyes now dry. "We shouldn't be crying now, Kagome." She told her with her trademark smile. "You should go upstairs and pack, and maybe get in touch with your friends, before they think something odd is going on."
Nodding and drying her eyes, Kagome looked over to Inuyasha, who was immediately at her side, knowing he was needed. Mrs. Higurashi watched them both walk up the stairs to her room somberly, knowing that perhaps the only reason Kagome hadn't broken down like she had done before was because Inuyasha was there.
"Yes, Yuka-chan, I know but…" Kagome sighed, "I'm sorry, okay? I didn't mean for this…Yuka-chan, please don't start crying, Ayumi-chan and Eri-chan already did that, and I'm sick of it…No, I can't run away…and No, I can't hijack the plane…Yuka, this treatment in America is very important to my heath…Yes, I'll be gone for a long time…oh, more than that, years probably…Yuka, stop crying, please…No, you can't come over right now, sorry. I…uh…have to go to bed early to catch my plane…It's an early plane…you don't want to see me off…Seriously, I'm that contagious…"
Inuyasha sat on Kagome's bed, watching her across the room make the calls to all her friends, telling them she would never see them again. For the most part, it was a sad affair, but once or twice, when Kagome would make an outrageous lie, it seemed like she was smiling to herself in spite of her sadness.
He narrowed his eyes. He didn't like the thing she was using. She called it a… 'telly-fone' or something, and she said it was a way for people over long distances to talk to each other. The hanyou didn't quite understand it. What was the point when you could just walk to talk to them, or send a letter? Besides, seeing them in person gave you the chance to hit them if they got you mad…
"I told you to stop crying, Yuka-chan." Kagome said in a serious voice. "No, I said before, you won't be able to reach me…Look Yuka, I don't make the hospital ward's rules…If they want something top secret, then they need it to be top secret!"
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, Yuka, I know it's insane, but I can't change it…Um…" her eyes suddenly slid nervously over to Inuyasha. "No, Yuka-chan, I don't think I should tell Houjou-kun about it…You know him, he'll be really upset…He what?" her eyes stared in shock. "Oh…well…I still don't think I should talk to him right now…Yuka-chan…" she glanced back at Inuyasha and whispered into the phone, "My boyfriend's here, all right?...Okay…yeah…If I ever get back, I promise I'll tell you if I met any hot American boys, okay? Oh, Inuyasha's coming with me, so I won't be alone…Yeah…Miss you too…I know this is stupid…Okay, Bye, I'll miss you…And stop crying!"
With that Kagome hung up the phone, and to Inuyasha's surprise, gave a sigh of relief. "I think because I'm away from them so much, I'm starting to realize how annoying they are."
"Keh." the hanyou replied. "You're finally seeing it my way."
Sighing once more, Kagome glanced outside to see the dark sky, lit with all the lights of Tokyo, a sight she would never again be able to see. Her backpack and suitcase were already filled with the things she wanted in the Sengoku Jidai, taking only what was necessary, with no desire to make too many trips back to her time, knowing it would only make it harder. Reality had already sunk it, but too often, it would revisit and cause her more pain. As she glanced at her packing, she also glanced around the room, knowing this would be the last time she saw it.
Inuyasha knew that she would start crying again if he didn't do something about it…he hated seeing her tears. At dinner that night, with Souta and her grandfather, they had to tell the rest of her family the news, and there, everyone (with the exception of Inuyasha) had shed some tears. He stood up, coming over to her side. "Come on, Kagome." He said, ushering her towards the bed. "Let's get some rest. You need some."
As he turned out the light and snuggled in with her, her back to his front as he had his arms wrapped around her waist, he heard her sniffle. "It's just so hard…" she whimpered.
He placed a soft kiss on the back of her neck, whispering to her in comforting words, "I know, Kagome. "I wish you didn't have to…but no matter what, life will still go on." He nuzzled his nose into her black hair. "You'll still have your memories, and that's one thing no one can take from you."
Sleep was taking her as she shifted in his arms. "You think?"
"Yeah. I know so. Just please, Kagome…don't be sad like you are now. I hate it when you're sad…I need you to be happy." Kagome snuggled closer to his body, and after one final kiss on her cheek, she was asleep.
Hours later, Mrs. Higurashi couldn't sleep. She knew she shouldn't be this upset. After all, she knew this was a possibility a long time ago, but knowing and facing the real thing were two totally different things.
She saw the light go out in Kagome's room hours ago, and was suddenly remembered of how, when Kagome was just a baby, she would sometimes watch her sleep, thinking she was the most beautiful girl in the world, and knowing that one day, her girl would grow up to be a beautiful woman, and hopefully do great things.
Of course, her idea of great things never involved a fight between evil youkai in the past or her bringing home a handsome hanyou every so often, but…
She had been sitting in the kitchen in this late hour, but something compelled her to walk up the stairs, and to her daughter's room. She slowly opened the door, it squeaking slightly as she peeked through the crack. She saw her daughter and Inuyasha, lying in the bed, his arms around her in a protective embrace as they both slept.
Mrs. Higurashi sighed as she looked on the couple, knowing once and for all the reason that, despite how much pain she'd go through, Kagome would live in the Sengoku Jidai. Inuyasha would be there. He was a boy, who'd protect her, and provide for her. He'd always be by her side, offering shelter when she needed it. Here was a man who, despite what came at them, would love her.
She turned away, closing the door again so not to disturb them further, and then finally decided to let herself get some rest as well, her heart feeling more at ease then it did a few minutes before.
Kagome's departure was as sad as she thought it would be. There was crying on Kagome, her mother's and Souta's part, and she gave each of her family a big hug as they said farewell. Inuyasha even got an unwanted hug from Mrs. Higurashi, and Souta, who took a few minutes for the hanyou to pry off.
And then, somberly, Kagome and Inuyasha marched off towards the well house, with Kagome looking back only once. She glanced at Tokyo, and the modern world, and then back to her family, watching her leave. Finally, she gazed at Goshinboku, its yellow blossoms blowing in the wind, before turning away to Inuyasha, and towards the well which had first brought her into his world, and brought them together.
And after one, long, final pause, they both jumped into the well, and disappeared from her world forever.
"Are you ready, Kagome?" Kaede asked, once they were back in the hut.
Though Kagome wanted to scream otherwise, she nodded silently, not wanting any of her pain to show. Kaede passed her the shikon no tama, while looking over at Kouga who sulked in a corner. "The shikon shards please." The old miko asked, getting a glare in return.
With an almost tragic sigh, Kouga reached towards his legs and collected the shikon shards, muttering, "Even without them, I can still beat that mutt."
"Did you say something?" Inuyasha roared, glaring at the wolf.
Rolling his eyes, Kouga replied, "Oh no. Nothing at all."
Inuyasha gave a small annoyed growl as he turned back to Kagome. Everyone, Kaede, Miroku, Sango, and Shippou crowded around her, having awaited this moment for so long. Slowly, Kagome took Kouga's shards, and with a small pink light, fused them with the shikon no tama, finally becoming whole.
"You know what to do now, Kagome." Kaede told her. "But you will be tired afterwards. The power of the shikon no tama can sap strength if you are not properly trained to handle it."
"Right." Kagome said, looking down at the pink jewel in her palm. Her gut wrenched. She was going to do it; she was actually going to do it, seal away herself from her world forever.
Inuyasha sensed her distress and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's all right, Kagome." He told her. "I'm here."
She nodded and focused on the jewel. He was right, he was there for her. And Kagome couldn't waste any more time. If she didn't do it now…then she'd never be able to do it.
In a small, yet powerful voice, Kagome closed her eyes and spoke, "I wish that no other evil shall plague the land as Naraku did, and that no evil youkai shall cause suffering on innocent lives again."
There was a pink flash of light from the shikon no tama, causing Inuyasha to recall the light from the times Kagome had purified him. To her surprise, the jewel shattered once more into shards, causing her to gasp go as each of the shards turned into a particle of pink light and zoomed in all directions, passing through the walls of the hut and across the landscape. A shadowy figure came from the shikon no tama, a figure that they recognized—the spirit of Midoriko, giving a small nod of approval before disappearing out of sight.
And the hut was silent.
Kagome had done it. She had wished upon the shikon no tama for everyone's happiness…and sacrificed her world in the process. Even now, without being there, she knew the well was sealed against her entering ever again.
Wishing upon the jewel caused a sudden drowsiness to come upon her. As Sango asked, "Kagome-chan?", Kagome fell into Inuyasha's arms, tears leaking from her eyes.
"I did it, Inuyasha…" she began to cry. "I did what I had to…"
"Kagome…" he murmured, pulling her closer as everyone filed out of the hut, giving them some peace.
"Don't ever leave me." Kagome whispered into his haori. "You're all I have left now…"
"You know I won't." he murmured, nuzzling his nose into her hair, wondering when she would be happy again after this.
Kagome looked silently out at the village, watching the farmer's plant the fields. A slight breeze was blowing, causing her black hair to wave in front of her face as she watched them.
It had been a week since she had wished upon the shikon no tama, and she wasn't getting any better. She had only cried once more, when she had absent-mindedly thought about going back to the well, and had remembered when Inuyasha had to remind her somberly. Her lover was doing everything he could to cheer her up, but it wasn't helping. Her life up to fifteen years ago was gone, and now, she had to live a new life.
She sighed, and turned away, walking back towards Kaede's hut since Inuyasha hadn't begun constructing their own (despite her constant reminders). It was perhaps because, though he tried to comfort her as a lover, all she really wanted now was a friend to understand. She was going through pain, and that wouldn't help it right now.
Kagome pushed back the bamboo curtain and walked into the hut, finding it empty. Of course it was empty, tomorrow was Sango and Miroku's wedding. Shippou was out collecting flowers, Kaede and Sango making the final arrangements and inspecting the hut Miroku had somehow (most likely through non-ethical means) procured for them, and the monk had gone out to enjoy his last day as a free man, though Sango checked up on him quite a bit throughout the day.
But that didn't explain where Inuyasha was. Kouga had left right after the jewel had been destroyed, and after that, he didn't seem to socialize much with anyone but her. Kagome really wanted him here right now…she needed the warmth of his embrace, telling her everything would be all right…
She needed some comfort right now, and she decided to try the trick Inuyasha had suggested, memories. Opening her overstuffed yellow backpack, Kagome pulled out her photo album she had brought with her, it falling open with pictures of her from a year ago, just when she started ninth grade. There were pictures of herself with Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi, and some with Houjou, all smiling and laughing about nonsense.
As she turned the pages, feeling tears build up, she came across the first page with a picture of Inuyasha, looking angry about being blinded for a split second, and a folded up piece of paper fell into her hand.
Curious, Kagome opened it, and began reading…her eyes widening and taking a sharp intake of breath as she continued, daring to hope… "Mama?" she asked, a small smile on her face.
Just then, Inuyasha poked his head into the hut, and seeing her on the ground like that, with her album out, he thought she was crying again. He rushed to her side instantly. "Kagome, what—?"
He was cut off when Kagome thrust the note under his nose, and though she had some doubts about his reading skills before, it became clear as soon as he also held the same wide-eyed look as she did. "Kagome…this…?"
Without thinking, Kagome let a smile come across her face. "Yes, Inuyasha…I can't believe it either, but…" And then she wrapped her arms around him, letting out a laugh as he could barely contain his smile, both of them having broken down the final barrier of sadness in their way.
Sango and Miroku's wedding was beautiful. Flowers were thrown everywhere by the village children, under the encouragement of Shippou. The day was perfect, even with a few cherry blossoms in the wind under the clear blue sky.
Sango could barely contain her glee when they were pronounced married, and Kagome had never seen a wider smile on her friend, despite all the tragedy in her life. She practically jumped on Miroku in a hug, while he smirked and held her back, heading for her behind, though, even on his wedding day, he still got smacked.
As they were walking through the village, heading for their home at dusk, after the feast, Kagome and Inuyasha, holding smiles, watched as Miroku leaned in for a kiss—in front of most of the villagers.
"No! Miroku, not here, we're in pub—" Sango wasn't allowed to finish that sentence as Miroku grabbed her waist and pulled her too him, smashing his mouth down on hers before she barely had time to protest, and once he started kissing her, she apparently, had no will to fight him left in her. There were many whoops among the villagers, mostly from the ones who had too much sake. And Kagome and Inuyasha had never laughed so much in their lives.
Kagome couldn't help but smile to herself about her own happiness on her friends wedding day. In that note she had found, her mother explained a theory she had, about how to keep in touch with her daughter. Kagome could write letters to her, and place them in the plastic bags provided, and leave them at the bottom of the well. Mrs. Higurashi said she would look forwards to hearing all about Kagome's life, even if she couldn't write back.
And Kagome couldn't agree more. She would get to at least speak to her mother, somewhat, and though she had moved on, she could always keep a little of her world with her.
After Miroku and Sango had left, Kagome looked around for Inuyasha. He had mysteriously gone missing, and only after she had wandered through the village did she find him. "Where were you?" she asked.
Her hanyou grinned. "If you want to know, then close your eyes."
She stared. "What?"
"It's a surprise." He told her, picking her up in his arms. "Now do it."
"Inuyasha…" she begged, not wanting to do such a stupid thing.
He gave her a wide-eyed puppy look of innocence. "Don't you trust me?" he asked.
Sighing, Kagome obliged, wondering what was so important to him that he had to conceal it from her. She felt him sprint through the village, only to slow down as he came closer to something. Kagome heard the rustle of a curtain as she felt herself placed upon a wooden surface.
"Now open your eyes."
She did, and a gasp escaped her. She was sitting in a wooden hut, sturdily built, with a mattress, pillows, blankets, other pillows for sitting, pots, and a few other necessities were already inside. Her things were set on the far wall, by the bed, along with a small note, that on it was scrawled, "Surprise!"
"Inuyasha," she breathed. "Is this…?"
He nodded eagerly, coming to sit down on the floor beside her. "It is, Kagome. Our own little hut, like we've always wanted."
"But…I didn't see you building anything recently."
He smirked, his amber eyes lighting up in mischief. "Luckily, I was spared that since yesterday, I found out the family of this hut moved to another village, and it was up for the taking. I just took a day to get everything together."
Kagome ran her hand along the floor, which, for a used hut, was relatively good quality. "Inuyasha…I don't know what to say…Thank you…it's…It's our own hut…for ourselves, and…" her chocolate eyes flickered back to meet his. "For our family."
That caused the hanyou to roll his eyes. "Keh, you better not be thinking about that for a long time woman. I couldn't put up with you and screaming kids, you know."
Unable to contain her smile, now that everything in her life had come to place, she leaned up and gave him a kiss on the cheek, pulling back and smiling like she had never smiled before. "I love you, Inuyasha."
He drew her closer. "Love you too, Kagome." He whispered, before kissing her sweetly, both of them never wanting this happiness to end.
Kagome knew that now, she was happier than she had ever been in her life. She had lost all contact to her world, for the most part, and yet, that didn't cause her grief because she knew, no matter what, she would always have Inuyasha.
A/N: Only one more chapter to go! This one was…longer than normal, but I bet next one's going to be even longer.
Anyway, here is a message to all you sequel mongers THERE IS NO SEQUEL! THIS IS THE END! DO NOT ASK ME FOR A SEQUEL, BECAUSE YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED!
