Chapter 26: Friends Forever

Kagome could only sigh as she made her way to the Goshinboku. So much had happened in such little time that it was hard to believe. Plus she knew that there would only be more complications to come. When it rains it pours after all.

The night was cool and crisp. The dark green leaves all swayed to the melody of the gently blowing breeze. It was blowing from behind her towards the tree, so she knew that if he didn't really want to be found Inuyasha would've picked up her scent and left. She could still feel his aura though. It was erratic and wild. More importantly it wasn't moving. There were so many emotions she felt as she got closer and closer to him but the one that drove her forward was sympathy.

She hadn't truly gotten over what had happened between them, but she was a kind soul and knew that he needed a friend now more than ever. He had to be confused and hurt. He needed to get all of those thoughts out into the open or they would drown him. Arriving at the tree she saw how high up in the boughs he was and wondered if he did it to discourage her from going up there to talk to him.

'Yeah right, like that's gonna stop me. It's like he thinks I can't climb a tree.' Kagome thought to herself as she slowly made her way up the branches. She was almost here when she realized that she ran out of climbable limbs.

"Hey, wanna give me a hand here? I can't exactly jump all the way up there ya know."

Inuyasha's only reaction was to turn his head slightly away from her.

'Oh, he wants to play it that way huh? Not tonight Yasha.'

"Inuyaaashaaaa..."

"Damn it woman no one asked you to come up here!" He said with his ears pinned back.

Eyes softening, Kagome took a deep breath. Well, it looked like she'd be on this branch for a while. Taking a seat she looked out into the night silently. She knew that he'd need a few moments to realize that she wasn't going anywhere. This was gonna be a hard conversation. Honestly she was just having a hard time with her own bitterness knowing that Kikyo was in the freaking village. She could still feel the tinge of pain after discovering Inuyasha with Kikyo; it hasn't even been that long since that whole incident took place anyways.

A flash of Naraku's genuine smile crossed her mind and immediately changed the directions of her thoughts. Her whole world had changed because of that day. It was for the better really, cause now she had someone that she knew really wanted her. Someone who had decided she was worth throwing all of his prior goals aside for. Someone who absolutely bewitched her and had so thoroughly stolen her heart that if it didn't work out she'd be a ruined woman. No one would ever be able to make her feel like he did. She didn't think she'd even let anyone try. If those moments were all that she'd get with him then she'd be happy to live out her days with the memories of her lover.

The silence of the night was broken by the sullen hanyo.

"She never told me anything about it, ya know. I knew some, sure, but...I never knew all of that. She lied. She lied and believed it. I never even questioned her about anything either. I just thought...I feel like a fucking idiot."

Turning to face him, Kagome couldn't help but feel sorry for her friend. All hurt aside she knew that he loved Kikyo with every fiber of his being and all of this was really was hard for him.

"...Inuyasha..." before she could get anything out he spoke up again.

"No. 'Gome I shoulda been smarter. I just, I always thought that once she got all of her emotions back everything else would just fall perfectly into place. Shit, I mean after things went down horribly with you I should've thought differently but I didn't." He said clenching his eyes shut.

"Inu, stop doing that to yourself. You had no way of knowing, and even if you asked I'm pretty sure she wouldn't of told you. Kaede said she'd never told anyone else remember? She definitely would of kept it from you of all people because you're the only one who she truly cares about. What if you'd turn from her if you knew? She obviously didn't want to risk it." Kagome said.

"Still," Inuyasha continued," she shoulda come clean. She's my mate for fucks sake!"

"The heart doesn't work that way and you know it. I mean, why did you keep your guys relationship from me all these years? Why didn't you ever tell me the truth about it all before I had to literally walk into it?" The young priestess asked.

Running his hands down his face Inuyasha sighed deeply,"I didn't wanna hurt you, an' I didn't even know how to tell you..." He said.

"Exactly. Maybe it was the same for her. We don't know. You're gonna have to talk to her about it later when she wakes up. But honestly we have no idea what she's just been through. Just from what we've gathered it looks like she's lost all of her powers. I cant even imagine a life without my reiki now that I've found it and can use it. She's gotta feel terrible knowing its gone after living her entire life with it. She's just a regular woman now. That might not sound like anything dramatic but in this era it is the difference that spells out the rest of her life. A woman is expected to marry young and birth many sons. She's already considered an old maid by this era's standards. Now it looks like she's been cursed with infertility and kami I don't know how I would ever get over that. She's probably in her own hell. You could at least try to understand where she's coming from. There's a good chance she only did it so she could be with you."

Knowing that her next statements would be hard to hear she took a deep breath and continued on.

"Inu, you know that I have my own feelings about her. Putting those aside I'm sure that there's a reason for it turning out this way. Think about all the things she's done since she's been brought back. What she's done to stay on this plane and all the things that you turned a blind eye to...honestly all of this could be so much worse. The Kami have offered their mercy for her plight by letting her linger on this earth and having the opportunity to live again even though it came with a cost. Instead of feeling damned because of the curse, count the blessings that you do have. I cant be any more honest with you when I say that I do wish the best for you Inuyasha. Please, don't snub the gift you've been given."

Looking down at her hands she trudged on.

"I know all this sounds strange coming from me. All I want is for you happy. I love you, you know that. My love for you has changed, but its still love. I want you to know that I truly hope that it works out for you." Kagome finished looking out into the starlit skies.

Feeling the branch she was on slope, she turned and saw Inuyasha standing beside her offering her his hand. With a quirked smile she accepted it and he pounced back up to the branch he previously occupied. Instead of letting her go however he sat her on his lap and just held onto her tightly like a lifeline. She didn't say anything else all night. Not when she felt his shoulders start to shake, and not when she felt the back of her shirt getting wet with his silent tears. She just kept still, holding gently to his hand.

Finally his hiccups subsided and he rested his chin atop of her head.

"I love 'ya too 'Gome. I always will. Thank you...for everything." He said softly, thick with emotion.

She didn't answer verbally, just squeezed his hand to let him know she heard him. They stayed that way throughout the night. Dozing off peacefully secure in each other's friendship like never before.

A/N: I am ALIVE! Sorry for the wait my loves!