3 days before naraku's death
Sango and Miroku disappeared off somewhere. Shippo and Kirara were training off a ways.
It was just Inuyasha and Kagome. Kagome sat by the camp spot as she tried to focus on her school work. It was a subject she normal had no problem in. However she felt eyes watching her and it made it very hard to concentrate.
"Is there something on your mind Inuyasha?" She asked giving in, but not lifting her head from her book.
Inuyasha remained silent. Him being unusually quiet and just staring made her uncomfortable. She turned her head to him to find his Amber eyes swirling with emotion.
"Kagome, after we defeat Naraku I want you to do something for me." He was completely serious. No sarcasm.
"What is it?" She wondered what he need.
"It's selfish on my part. I want you to go home to say goodbye. Then I want you to come back and be mine. Marry me. Not as kikyo's reincarnation, but as Kagome." He was shaking. Visibly shaking.
Kagome couldn't believe her ears. All her hopes and dreams in that one statement. She wanted to jump for joy. She wanted to hug him tight and tell him she was the happiest girl in the world. She wasn't though. She didn't feel much of anything but surprise.
Before Kagome had a chance to say anything the rest of the group returned. Shippo leaping into her arms and telling her all he did while training Miroku and sango came back with messy hair and wrinkles outfits. They seemed to have a happy glow about them.
Kagome didn't have time to dwell on the fact Inuyasha just popped the question because they caught wind of Naraku.
It took them 3 endless seeming days to get to Naraku. Kanna, Kagura, and Naraku's other incarnations all were tough to fight.
"Why are you telling me that? I know about the battle I was there." Kouga questioned.
"Because of a part what nobody knows."
It was true that Kouga met up with them and they battled their way there. What Kouga didn't know is on the way there was a time when just Kagome and Kikyo were together.
Kagome had gotten captured by Kagura and Kikyo was the one who saved her. Kikyo's soul collecters held Kagome still so Kikyo could talk to her without a fight.
"Kagome, I need to talk to you one last time." Kikyo started.
"Why should I talk to you? You've betrayed us and tried to kill me and Inuyasha in the past." Kagome spat.
"I only wish to tell you something. Sharing soul I feel all you felt and saw all you saw. I didn't want to believe it. But I know the truth. If you wish for happiness in life don't accept Inuyasha's offer. I felt the empty you felt when you imagined that future. In the end it is up to you whether you heed my words but as I urge you to at least consider. If you do you will see the truth in them." Kikyo said.
Kagome was not glaring anymore. Kikyo's soul collecters went to go collect souls from a nearby ruin. Kikyo had her chance. She walked up to Kagome and embraced her. Kagome was shocked but a moment later the two of them were glowing. Kagome could feel and see all Kikyo experienced after she was brought back. Then she turned to dust that blew away. Kagome had her complete soul back.
Kagome was overwhelmed but didn't have a chance for reacting. The other caught up with her.
"So that's what happened to Kagura. Damn I wanted to kill the bitch." Kouga thought that she died with Naraku like kanna and the others.
"Yes. Kagura died right before Kikyo. Sorry I didn't tell you or the others that they died." Kagome said, with a small smile.
"It's alright. Please continue."
Kagome nodded.
"The next part happens after Naraku's death. When I went home the first time of three trips."
Kagome climbed out of the well. It had been a long adventure and a tough journey. Now she was home and had to make a choice. Stay here, or say goodbye forever to go be with Inuyasha. Kagome planned to take some time to decide.
She enjoyed having long talks with her family. Telling them all about her trips and how Naraku was defeated.
"So now that the jewel is whole and this Naraku is dead are you gonna come back home sister?" Souta asked.
"Well I don't have any reason not to." On the way back home Kagome had time to think on kikyo's words and realized they were true. She didn't want a future with inuyasha. It scared her because of how long she hoped and dreamed for it. But she couldn't deny the fact those feelings were gone.
"You can't!" Souta nearly shouted. "Inuyasha is waiting for you. You cried and fought for him. I'm not an idiot, Kagome, I know you love him. And it's clear he does too."
Kagome had to force herself to stay calm. Maybe she was wrong after all. She thought back to all she shared with inuyasha.
"I want to at least finish this school year. It's only a month or so. Then I will decide." She said, not realizing she was speaking her thoughts.
"If that's what you wish dear." Her mom replied. Making Kagome see she did say that out loud. She nodded and went to go catch up with her friends.
Kagome and her friends went to go grab a bite and talk for a while.
"It's nice to see you've recovered Kagome. We didn't know there was a cure for mono." They told her. Kagome just chuckled nervously. She was glad she didn't need her grandfather to keep making up wild illnesses for her.
Eri just sighed causing Kagome to ask what's wrong.
"You haven't heard?" The others asked her. "Her parents are getting divorced. Her mom was cheating."
"I'm so sorry I didn't know." Kagome gasped.
"It's ok, really. The love was gone a long time ago. It's just sad that it took mom's new lover for her to realize it. Her new boy toy was her friend for a long time. The fact that she did things in the order she did is the only sad part." Eri said.
It made Kagome think. People fall out of love. Even people who had been married for nearly two decades. She met Inuyasha two years ago. Was it ok to just let go and move on?
"So what your saying is your not in love with Inuyasha?" Kouga asked.
"No. I haven't been for a long while. I don't know when this changed but I can say Inuyasha is not the one I hold in my heart." Kagome said.
"The one you hold in your heart? Wait so your in love with someone else? Who?" Kouga asked in a frenzy.
"Chill out we will come to that. Everything will be explained." Kagome said with a half smile on her face.
Kouga couldn't believe it. She wasn't in love with Inuyasha. And he didn't even know it. Now he had a new rival and didn't even know WHO.
Kagome climbed out of the well. She made the decision to tell Inuyasha no. It was going to be tough to say the least. She had pledged her undying love before. She was going to break the heart of her first love.
She headed into the village. She was a day earlier than she said she'd be. She stopped when she saw sango beaming a little too happily at her it was kinda creepy.
"Kagome. You are here. Now you can come to my wedding. Miroku and I are getting married tonight." She was beaming.
Kagome was so happy for her best friend she forgot what she came back for. She immediately started to celebrate with her.
They spend the day being giddy and getting ready. Sango was so beautiful in that white traditional wedding kimono.
The wedding celebration was simple bit joyous. Sake was served to everyone and Kagome, having seen Inuyasha stare at HER all night, drank a little too much.
When she stood up she almost fell right back down, and she would have if not for the arms clad in red cloth holding her steady.
"Inuyasha? Where are we going?" She slurred as he pulled her away from the festivities.
"Your drunk. We need to get you some fresh air." He said. He didn't stop until the village and was in the distance and you couldn't hear them.
"Kagome, did you say goodbye?" He asked as he sat her in his lap.
"I told them what I will tell you. I want to finish this school year at least. Hic. Before I make any decision." Kagome knew that she didn't want to tell Inuyasha yes, but her being drunk was no way to say so.
Inuyasha didn't say anything in response. He just leaned in and kissed Kagome. It was a deep kiss were he nipped on her lips. No kiss was the wrong term for this. This was a makeout. The kind Kagome couldn't help kissing him back.
His kiss left her lips tingling, but heart wasn't moved. She would've pondered on it if her eyes weren't so heavy. All she wanted to do right then was sleep. So she did.
That night she dreamt of making love. She remembered the heat of it and the love she felt for the man. However she didn't remember the face or the name. Only those eyes. They loved her and she loved him. Those blue eyes.
"Never would have pegged you for the naughty dream type. You already blush at the most innocent of confessions." Kouga said. He didn't want to picture her dreaming of another man, but her having naughty thoughts at all was appealing to him. He would love to be the one to teach her.
"The time I come from sex is everywhere. Strip clubs where women get undressed for money, porno sites where you can watch people have sex, classes about sex in school, heck I've had conversations with my friends while they banged their boyfriends." Kagome stated. It was kouga's turn to blush. Then his blush turned into a devious smirk.
"I'd be glad to give you a first hand experience." He offered in a husky voice.
"Continuing on with the story." Kagome quickly directed with a beet red face.
The next morning Kagome awoke before anyone else. Her head hurt but she ignored it. All she wanted to do was get away before Inuyasha woke up. She quickly packed her things and returned to the well.
Kagome spent the next few days working to pass this school year. When she wasn't focused on school she thought about that dream. She wondered who it was in her dream. She thought of all she could remember. She just couldn't figure it out.
A week later Kagome went shopping for some books to help with her studies. The streets weren't to crowded. It was a good day but it was a Monday. Most people weren't doing much shopping.
Kagome decided to grab some lunch at a sidewalk cafe before heading home. She sat there munching on a burger when she heard a loud "Mama!"
Kagome looked up and froze. She never saw the girl in her life that stood across the street, but she knew. What she saw next confirmed it. She saw herself running up to the girl in a panic. The only difference she was just a few years older looking. Like 5 years or so.
Then she saw him. She saw him walk up and embrace future Kagome and the child. She then knew who she dreamed of. She knew who she was in love with.
The little girl looked at Kagome and pointed. Then the crowd swallowed them up and Kagome didn't stay to see if she could spot them again. She threw the money on the table and ran home.
"Who was he Kagome?" Kouga asked. He was afraid to know but still had to ask.
"I'll tell you at the end of the whole story. If I say the name out loud I don't think I can finish. And I have to." Kagome said. Kouga nodded. She would tell him. He just had to have some patience.
Kagome had to tell Inuyasha the truth. Her mom told her tomorrow Souta had a school event that she and grandpa had to go to. Kagome told her that she'd be leaving in the morning anyways so it was ok.
When the sun rose Kagome got ready to go. Her mom was up before her. Ready to see her off.
"Kagome, I have been thinking. There are times when we may not be home when you come back. True you won't be traveling between times for much longer." She paused to smile sadly. "But even so I have set aside some money just in case for you. I'll keep in my jewelry box in my room. It's yours to do with as you please but be wise with it."
"Oh thank you mom. Your always looking out for me." Kagome said happily.
"It's no problem dear. It's what mothers do." She said as she hugged Kagome before seeing her off.
Kagome returned to the past in a good mood. Knowing her mother was there for her gave her confidence. She had to tell Inuyasha. With a firm nod she walked toward the village. She was greeted by by the whole gang. They all took some time to talk and catch up.
"Lady Kagome, I have noticed that you seem different. Your soul seems to be, but is it?" He questioned. Kagome was confused at first but then it hit her.
"Yes. Kikyo is dead." She said then turned to Inuyasha. Who surprisingly took it well.
"What's with the look. I told you I'm over her ok?" Inuyasha barked.
"Yeah but you were once in love with her. How can you not be even a little bit saddened." Kagome was upset by this. How would Inuyasha be if she died.
"Why are you so upset? I thought you'd be happy she's dead." Inuyasha questioned.
"You jerk!" Kagome snapped. "Don't you have any feelings at all?"
"Don't go getting mad at me. If I don't feel it I don't feel it. Don't go forcing me to." Inuyasha snapped back.
"Sit! I'm going home for now. You better have nicer things to say when I come back tomorrow." Kagome yelled before marching back to the well, away from the crater Inuyasha's face made.
