Inutori Honestly, who in their right minds would kill Kagome? I'm not such a masochist that I need flames from the readers to keep a smile on my face…in fact, I'm not a masochist at all.
Kagome: Isn't that comforting to know…(sarcastic venom)
Inutori It would also be comforting for you to know that I own neither you nor any other character from the Inuyasha cast. I just own this story idea…and the story itself…I think…(goes off to ponder in a corner)
Sango: Let's just ignore her…and get on with the story, shall we?
Kagome: Yes, please.
In The End
Inuyasha grudgingly hit the button in the elevator to take him to the fifth floor. Sutruss had sent him to check on his new partner and to officially instate her into the FBI. He didn't really want to do it: she wasn't even an American citizen.
It was Sutruss pulling the strings to make the girl legal.
As he reached the proper floor and the door slid open, Inuyasha glared at anyone who dared to look at him. People were giving the flowers clenched in his fist a strange look and he despised it.
Storming to the room he had been frequently visiting, Inuyasha slammed the door open in a huff. His anger only doubled as he discovered the room empty, the bed made, and an envelope sitting on the pillow.
Inuyasha stomped over and grabbed the paper, tearing open the seal after reading his name written neatly on the front. Inside was a letter.
Dear Inuyasha,
As my duty to you has been completed with the demise of Naraku, I will now be taking my leave. I have one or two affairs to close off here in LA, then I'll be heading back home. The time we spent together was fun, but I doubt you'll ever see or hear from me again.
Thank you again, I've learned a lot about myself through this adventure, as well as being able to see a part of the USA. This will be a time I'll hold close to my heart until the day I die.
Goodbye, Inuyasha.
Love,
Japanese Snake
Inuyasha reread Kagome's short letter, heart stopping as he read for the second time 'Love.' There was no way. No way could she just up and leave after ending her letter like that…besides...
She had deep gouges on her chest and was to stay in the hospital for another month; the only reason she was still alive was because of the bulletproof vest she had been wearing.
They were supposed to become a team, investigating crime and watching each other's backs. It was not part of the agenda for her to just up and leave him.
Inuyasha would not let her go. On top of everything else, he was once again having a terrible time sleeping since she was hospitalized…(not like he wasn't, but being a hanyou, he was stuck there for only two days).
He crumpled the letter in his fist, glaring at the empty bed as if it were to blame for Kagome's disappearance. After a moment, Inuyasha stormed back out of the room and to the front desk, demanding that the hospital locate its missing patient.
After everything they had been through, he wasn't going to let her go without a fight. She was going to stay by his side for better or for worse whether she like it or not. Inuyasha punched the wall, glaring at anyone who tried to approach him.
This was not how it was supposed to be.
The layover in Hawaii was long and boring, making Kagome wish she had picked something up for reading material. With a light touch to the bandages on her chest, she sighed.
It wasn't like she was running away. That wasn't it. She wasn't running away at all. Only cowards did that. She just wasn't at home in Los Angeles; her place was in Tokyo.
Inuyasha had to understand that. Besides, Kagome wasn't used to working for the right side of the law or anything like that, and doing so felt kind of awkward for her. Even if the work was legit, it still wasn't her thing. She missed her family, her friends, and her home sweet home.
No, she wasn't running away from anything. Eventually she would forget about the way Inuyasha's presence made her heart race, or how relaxing it was to lie with his slow breathing tickling her neck. Kagome wasn't a coward, she was just homesick.
Her heart twisted and clenched painfully, reminding her of the barely healed incisions on her chest. Kouga would flip when he saw her injured, but for some reason, Kagome didn't really want to see him.
"I'm not running away." Kagome whispered to herself as if that would solidify the statement's truth. Moisture threatened to cloud her vision and Kagome swept at her eyes with the back of her hand.
She would sever all contact with the agent Inuyasha Jidai. That was that. Her father and sister had been avenged and now she could return home with her head held high with pride. It was finally over.
The number of her flight was called on the intercom, and Kagome slowly rose from her seat. Going home now seemed so surreal, like none of the things from the last week had actually happened.
Kagome pulled out her boarding pass and passport, handing them to the ticket lady before being allowed to enter the gate.
As she found her seat towards the back of the plane, Kagome felt her heart stop. Had she really blown almost all of her college savings on refurnishing Inuyasha's apartment? Digging in her purse and pulling out her checkbook confirmed it. Between all her expenses during her week in LA, and the cost of the trip home, she had only a fraction of her savings left.
Well that was just peachy, wasn't it? Guess she'd be pulling double when she got back to make up for the missing loot.
The young girl slumped back into her seat with a pout, wishing she hadn't indulged quite so much in the American products that she had seen stocked on the department store shelves. Then again, Kagome hadn't anticipated being in LA for such a brief time. With how Inuyasha had been talking, it had sounded like she was going to be missing high school graduation.
That was one thing she didn't want to miss: not after having missed her middle school graduation after nearly getting caught on a training-heist. It was the last theft that her father had accompanied her on…and the first that Kikyou had blown off for her new circle of 'friends.'
Trying to wipe away the images, Kagome stared out the window and watched the workers throw luggage onto the conveyer belt to dump into the airplane's cargo hold. At least it was some sort of distraction from her current thoughts.
After a moment, Inuyasha's face popped into the forefront of her consciousness and she found her face flushing red. She had left a lot of clothes at his house, including her underclothing from that fancy store Victoria Secret. He would most likely have to throw it out, but if he actually looked at what she had picked up…
Kagome's face couldn't become anymore red as she tried to melt into her stiff airplane seat. There was no stopping it now. Inuyasha was bound to see her lingerie and in doing so find out was she had been hiding so well all these years: her cup size.
Not that it was anything to be ashamed of, it's just that not every girl fit into a 30DD bra and when guys knew, they didn't lay off on the sexual innuendos. Kagome sighed and tried to wipe away the embarrassed feeling; there wasn't much she could do about it now, after all.
Sango mulled through the mounds of paperwork on her desk, halfway regretting that detour to the U.S. In the week and a half she had been away, she had been assigned two new cases, was scheduled to debrief her superiors on the Snake investigation, had missed four important meetings with informants, and had forgotten to get someone to take care of her hamster.
The last one wasn't such a big deal: but she had liked her hamster and had gone to great lengths to protect it from Kirara's jaws. Now all those efforts were in vain and not even the fire cat wanted to eat the skeletal remains of the deceased rodent.
Miroku sauntered into their shared workspace, a donut in one hand and some hot drink in the other. "Good morning, Sango, dearest." He had this goofy smile on his face as he took a whiff of his drink. "Food is wonderful, don't you agree?"
The agent just rolled her eyes, realizing what this was all about. He hadn't shut up about modern conveniences since his time at Naraku's hideout. About this point, Sango almost wished he had been left there to rot.
"Sango-sama, you still have not answered a question plaguing my very soul-"
"Don't even say it, Houshi." Sango shot Miroku a hard glare, daring him to finish his sentence.
"Your words wound me, my lady. I just really want to know what connection you…" Miroku trailed off, taking a step back and looking out into the hallway. "Sango-sama, if you'd please, let's go somewhere for some breakfast."
Once Sango's heart calmed from her spiked fear, she responded, "It looks to me like you already have your breakfast, Houshi." It was a topic she had hoped Miroku had forgotten about: the Taijiya assassins.
Miroku looked down at his hands and raised his eyebrows, as if just realizing that he did indeed have food. "Alas, you are correct, m'lady." His expression suddenly became serious and he stared her down. "Then we'll just have to go out and have a nice discussion over lunch, won't we?"
Something about the way his eyes darkened with power made Sango loose any possible rejection that she would have normally dished out to the lecher. "Y-yes, I eat lunch."
Had she just said that? Sango felt her face turn red with humiliation and she ducked back into her paperwork to escape from Miroku's shocked expression. She was a professional, a government agent: so where in the world had that 'school girl' idiocy come from?
Trying to forget her momentary lapse into stupidity, Sango began perusing one of the new case files left in her box. She nearly laughed when she realized that she had been asked to assist in the investigation of a thief calling himself Shark that was becoming more than just a small nuisance. If he weren't her cousin, she could get a promotion.
Problem came in when they started to do background checks on the thieves and found out that the entire family was a bunch of criminals; extended family included. Sango's dad's sister had married a thief, but the Takajima line was first and foremost assassins. If that were found out, it wouldn't matter if she had initially been promoted: into the cell with her cousin she would go!
A frown covered her features as she set aside the file and looked at the next document. It was a sealed, manila envelope addressed to her. Flipping it over, she saw a symbol that she hadn't laid eyes on in years.
Her heart skipped a beat and she glanced up at Miroku, who seemed to be distracted by something on his computer. As discretely as she could, Sango slipped the packet into her suit jacket and made sure that it was secure.
The pounding of her heart drowned out any other noise and Sango couldn't concentrate on her work any longer. She stood up and excused herself to the lady's room, using all her willpower to keep from running down the hallway.
Fortunately, the bathroom wasn't too far away and Sango quickly locked herself into one of the stalls and pulled out the package.
Her hands began to shake as she tore through the Takajima Taijiya seal and pulled out the contents. A picture floated to the floor and Sango hastily snatched it up, her breath stopping as she saw what it was.
It was a picture of her brother…yet not her brother…he looked to be about sixteen or seventeen, but that couldn't have been right: he had died when he was twelve. Now anxious, Sango flipped to the other contents of the envelope.
Enclosed was a short letter.
I will make this brief, due to, as you should understand, the possibility of this being intercepted before it reaches you. I have taken the appropriate measures to ensure that you would know whether this has been the case or not.
Sango felt moisture gather in her eyes as she looked back at the picture of Kohaku, and nearly jumped when a tear landed on the thick white paper that held the two sentences. Her jaw trembled in anger as she thought about the fact that this was no letter; it was a taunt.
She stared down at the letter, accusing it of being at fault for not explaining the mysterious picture that had come with it. Her eyes widened as she saw her tear dissolve the paper slightly and black ink shine through.
Hope rose within her and Sango unlocked the stall door and rushed to the sink, running warm water over the paper. Fascination overwhelmed her as she watched the seemingly short message and blank page wash away to reveal a semi-long letter.
Once it was sufficiently uncovered, Sango whipped back into the stall before anyone else came in and began reading.
I don't know how long it will take before you find this letter, but since you are reading this, it doesn't really seem that relevant except to show you that I have perhaps not lost my touch, ane-u-san.It has been so long, I don't know where to begin. I guess I'll start by saying that Kagura, but I should call her Kikyou, is taking care of me and we're lying low until Naraku's web completely crumbles.
I long to see you so badly, but we can't risk traveling right now. This letter is just to tell you that I'm alright and that you don't need to worry about me. I had Kagu- Kikyou (she just corrected me) take a picture of me to send to you. My thought is that no one else would find it important, but I knew you'd want something.
Kikyou told me that she saw you just a few hours ago (Kirara too). I hope you guys made it out of there alright. I was there, too, but it wouldn't have been prudent of me to find you. (It probably would have ruined everything to see each other, but I'm sorry nonetheless that I had to avoid you.)
There's not much more I can say, but that I love you, ane-u-san.
Kohaku Takajima
Youkai Taijiya
Her knees weak and tears streaming down her face, Sango hugged the letter and carefully folded it in half and then in half again to put in her pocket along with the picture.
Kohaku was alive!
For reasons unknown, laughter bubbled out of her throat and echoed through the tiled restroom. Tears still streamed down her face, but she didn't bother wiping them away as she dropped to the floor and continued laughing.
Her heart, that had shattered four years ago and had lain in pieces since, was suddenly finding the strength to mend itself and flourish. As she laughed, painful sobs began to wrack her body; sobs she had held in for four long and strenuous years.
Someone opened the bathroom door and paused in front of her stall. She couldn't stop her crying as the newcomer knocked on the metallic barrier and spoke.
"Are you alright? Is something wrong?" She recognized the voice as one of the other female agents in her division and tried to calm down.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine." Sango sniffled, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her suit jacket.
"Takajima, is that you?" The lady sounded surprised, which didn't shock Sango: she was the one always telling the others to quit whining and move on. She NEVER cried; it was always work, work, work, nothing else.
"Don't have a heart attack." Sango felt her old self returning as she picked herself off the floor and unlocked the stall, greeting the concerned face of fellow agent Souten Tendo.
Taking in a deep breath, Sango waved off Souten and stepped over to the sink, splashing her face with cold water and then drying it off with a paper towel.
Souten was still standing there, mouth imitating a fly catcher and eyes holding confusion.
Sango flashed her a haughty smirk. "Hey, don't worry about it; even those with black hearts are bound to break down every once in awhile." With that, Sango left the bathroom and returned to her office, a content smile on her face.
Not only was her brother alive, but she had finally been able to say something aloud about all the stupid gossip moving between the ladies of the department regarding her cold nature. They acted as if she couldn't hear them; yeah right, they squealed so loud the defense department upstairs could hear them perfectly clear.
Miroku glanced up at her as she entered, giving her a once over. "Sango-sama, were you crying?"
Sango gave him a deadpanned look. "Yes. I recently discovered that I'm madly in love with you but my gay cousin would kill me if I dated you." Sarcasm dripped from her tongue, but Miroku apparently didn't catch it.
He leapt to his feet and grabbed Sango's hands. "Sango-sama, why didn't you say something sooner? I'll protect you till the ends of the earth!" His eyes became starry and Sango felt her pulse quicken as he held her hands close to his lips. "Now, about that lunch date."
Kagome stretched as she got off the plane in Tokyo, flinching as her wounds were overly extended. Oh well, nothing her mom couldn't fix up.
A smile covered her features as her gaze landed on a face she hadn't seen in almost two weeks. "Kouga-kun!" Kagome ran and lunged herself into Kouga's arms, allowing him to swing her around quickly.
"Kagome-chan, I have great news!"
"Me too!" Kagome smiled, stepping out of his embrace and grabbing his hand to lead him to the outside world. She didn't need to stop by baggage claim this time: she didn't have time to stop by Inuyasha's apartment and pack her things, after all.
"You first, Kagome-chan." Kouga smiled down at Kagome, allowing himself to be dragged wherever his beautiful snake would lead.
"No, you first." Kagome winked at him, as if saying her news was better. "Besides, you probably already know what I'm going to tell you!"
Kouga sighed. "I have a few ideas, but only you can confirm my speculations. By the way, you did give that mutt-face a good kick in the family jewels for me, didn't you?"
Kagome's smile wavered. "Eh, no. I forgot, gomen!" Silence filled the space between them for a moment. "Fine, I'll spill first! Naraku's dead, so now I'll never have to leave you again!"
The smile on Kouga's face widened considerably. "That's good to know, Kagome-chan."
"Now you! What's your big news!"
For a long time, Kouga didn't say anything, and Kagome stared at him in question. He cleared his throat suddenly and then spoke. "Well, my uncle, you know, the one in Las Vegas, has offered my gang a part in his company and we're going right after Ginta graduates."
Kagome's smile dimmed. "You're going to America?" She tried to keep smiling, but the thoughts of Inuyasha she was trying to suppress kept resurfacing. "That's great! I remember how you couldn't stop talking about the casinos there after you visited last summer."
If Kouga was leaving, who was going to keep her from thinking about Inuyasha?
Kouga, however, interrupted her thoughts on that subject. "Kagome, I want you to come with us. With me."
Her mouth twitched slightly. Go back to the U.S…and to Las Vegas of all places? As far as she knew her geography, that wasn't all that far from Los Angeles…and Inuyasha. "I'll think about it. I just have a lot to think about after Naraku and all, you know?"
Kagome pulled her hand out of Kouga's and stepped onto the bullet train, maneuvering through the crowd to find a place to sit down.
Despite her silent wishes, Kouga followed her and continued ranting about who-knows-what. The Japanese girl opted to ignore the wolf demon and instead watched the scenery fly by as she let her thoughts dwell on a certain white-haired FBI agent.
Inuyasha slammed his apartment door, letting the satisfying echo of the force fill his ears. As soon as he had informed Sutruss about the situation with Kagome, the old hag had handed him a new case.
He was being temporarily transferred to DC to do some brainless paperwork and whatnot. It was the worst part of his job, but he had to do it sometime. Just not when his mind was focused on Kagome.
Sutruss said she'd send for Kagome while he was away, but told him that if she didn't want to accept, no one could make her. Inuyasha cracked his knuckles. He'd make her, and there'd be nothing she could do about it.
Since she had disappeared two days previous, Inuyasha found himself getting crankier and crankier. He wasn't sleeping well, he had to pack to cross the country, there were about five different antibiotics he had to take once a day because of whatever poison had been injected in him, and Kagome had left a mess in his closet!
Okay, so that last one was actually him…but he just wanted to blame it on someone else, and Kagome seemed like the perfect candidate since she had abandoned him.
Inuyasha eyed Kagome's computer in the corner of his living room wistfully. She'd probably be playing that Roller Coaster Tycoon game on it if she were here. Maybe even have powdered sugar on her cheek from eating donut holes.
What was wrong with him? The tall man stomped over to the computer and turned it on, wanting something to distract himself with it before he could no longer delay and had to pack.
As the computer booted up, different scenes popped up on the screen.
The first was of a black casket in a cemetery, a single red rose on the lid. A caption read, "Whatever happens, happens." After a moment, the screen went black.
Another picture popped up, this one of Kagome wearing an outfit similar to the one he had first met her in. Below her feet it said, "Things done are in the past." This picture too faded out, and Inuyasha found himself leaning forward in anticipation for the next scene.
A hat like the ones worn on graduation faded in, its blood red color entrancing. "Things achieved are not the future."
"So make the future a blast." The picture was of Kagome holding a sparkler, wearing a traditional Japanese kimono and looking at the camera with a smile.
The screen went black and light blue typing began showing up.
"Friends made are people cherished,
Love shared should never be forgotten,
There's always a way to become better,
Happy moments can last forever,
Dwell on what will be, not on what won't,
And, Inuyasha, if you're reading this,
STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER NOW!"
Inuyasha jerked back from the computer, the chair tipping over and dumping the surprised hanyou on his head. "How…?"
He stared up at the ceiling, dazed and confused, a goofy smile slowly overtaking his mouth. Yeah, he'd definitely make her come back when he got back from DC. There wasn't any way she'd get away with leaving just like that.
"Wench."
I
Do
Not
Sleep
And
Nor
Will
You…
Hehehe…Now…(big evil grin)
Inutori I should be asleep right now, but I was having way too much fun writing this chapter. I'm done, peoples! DONE! Hurray for me!
Sango: You know, that ending stunk.
Inutori Personally, I like it. Open endings can sometimes be frustrating, but with this one, I think it fit. I mean, it leaves it open to the imagination as to what will happen with the characters.
Kouga How come I only show up in the last chapter of the ENTIRE story?
Inutori Honest answer? Cuz' I really don't care that much for you.
Kouga …
Kagome: Why was I so clingy to Kouga? I like Inuyasha.
Inutori Uh, duh! Kouga IS currently your boyfriend, you haven't dumped him yet. And you do realize that you just said that in front of Kouga, right?
Kagome: Oops…
Inuyasha: I began, and ended the chapter, what's the deal with that?
Inutori Oh wow…you did…I didn't realize that until just now…that wasn't planned…Anyways, people, please review this final installment of Japanese Snake! Who knows, maybe one day I'll revamp the story and repost the better version…we'll see…ja ne, minna-san!