Fandom: Inuyasha/Yu Yu Hakusho

Title: Wait for me

Theme: 11. Wait For Me

Paring: Kagome Higurashi/Kazuma Kuwabara

Disclaimer: Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi
Yu Yu Hakusho (c) Yoshihiro Togashi

Summary: A year has passed since Kagome's departure to the feudal era for the last time. Kuwabara wonders if he should continue waiting for someone who is possibly dead.

W.A.I.T.F.O.R.M.E

'Please…wait for me.'

How much time had passed since those words left the lips of the woman he loved? How much time had passed since she left? He wasn't quite certain, a year he supposed. Really, who knew? He didn't much keep track of time after his little miko left, it just made time move slower somehow. But still he came to that spot as often as his schedule would allow. What spot you ask? The same one under the Goshinboku where she said she'd meet him upon her return. Alas, even after a passing year Kuwabara never saw the raven haired beauty.

He closed his eyes and shook his head trying to rid himself of unwanted thoughts. He refused to let reality show the possibilities in his mind. Why she wasn't there...why she might never be there. It was hard enough to watch her go down the bone eaters well with naught but a single request.

"Please Kazuma, I know what I'm doing," Kagome smiled sadly as she stared into the depths of the well. She turned around to face Kuwabara, her smile wavered somewhat. "I'll come back and you'll wonder why the hell you spent so much time worrying yourself into a grave."

"I have every right to worry about you," he sighed and pulled her into an embrace. "I can't protect you when you're there." Kagome buried her face into his warm chest trying to burn this moment into her memory.

"I'll be okay," she whispered. "Just…" she trailed off.

"What?"

"Please…wait for me."

"Always," he whispered in return.

Kagome hadn't returned since then, that alone worried him to no end. Kurama had told him if she hadn't returned yet, it's doubtful she would. Those words were spoken to him a month ago giving him plenty of time to mull over the situation. While he loved Kagome more than he ever thought possible, he couldn't continue to wait for a possibly dead woman. As much as the thought hurt him, it was reality. He placed his hand on the Goshinboku for the final time; it was time to put this to rest.

"Kagome…" he whispered solemnly. Tears began to burn a path down his cheeks, his shoulders shook slightly, and the hand on the Goshinboku curled into a fist. Kuwabara was that way for a few minutes until a slender hand was placed atop his fisted one.

"Why are you crying Kazu?" His eyes flew open as a surprised gasped escaped his lips. He turned his head to look at the woman beside him. She placed her hands on either side of his face, her expression was soft. She wiped away his tears with the pads of her thumbs. There she was, his little Miko, in the flesh. He pulled her into an embrace holding her as if he were afraid she'd suddenly vanish.

"I'm sorry I took so long, but things didn't go according to plan."

"But you're back now, that's all that matters. Oh Kagome….I had nearly lost hope," he admitted quietly.

"But you didn't, that's what matters," she smiled. "Thank you, for waiting."

"Always, I will always wait for you."