A/N: I'm back from the wilderness! I survived with only a couple of scratches on my arm, so I'm not physically impaired to not write so I will.

And congratulations to Destiny() for being my 100th reviewer! Thank you guys for getting me all the way here! I could have never made it without you!

Disclaimer: Though I must say it's not mine, I wish it were.

Chapter 12: Unexpected

I all but ran back home. Who the hell was that Takeshi guy? Why did he have a monkshood?

How did he know were I lived?

I forced myself to take a breath. The running had taken the wind out of me. I stopped in front of my house, leaning against the door. My breaths came in hard. I was totally freaked out now. The adrenaline rush from breaking into Kikyo's house had faded. The diary entry that we had copied was in piles, safely in Sango's room for distribution.

I took the keys out and opened the door. Everything was quiet and dark. I stepped inside and realized everyone was already asleep. I saw a note on the table. It was from my mom, telling me they had went to bed early for the grave visit tomorrow.

The grave visit.

I had totally forgotten about it when I had left for Kikyo's house. I walked up the stairs, not bothering putting on the lights. I needed the sleep.

As I got ready for bed, I put all thoughts of that Takeshi guy out of my mind. I curled up in my covers, grabbing the teddy bear I almost never used, and slept with it.

It was one of my dad's gifts to me.

I woke up the next day in a state of melancholy. I got up and methodically put on the black dress designated for this day. I grabbed the toe-pinching shoes and slipped them on, wincing until my feet got used to it. I grabbed my eyeliner and applied some and out on some light pink lip gloss. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but remember that fateful day.

I think I had been eleven or twelve, but I was old enough to understand the concept of murder. I was the only one with him that day, the only one who had to witness the cold murder of my father. We had been going out for ice cream, since I had gotten Honor roll that grading period. While I debated on whether I wanted Vanilla or Chocolate ice cream, my father said he had forgotten his wallet in the car. Since I didn't want to be alone, I had followed him out.

The car came out of nowhere, so fast I didn't even register what had happened until I heard the gunshots and saw my father collapse. I had stood frozen, staring at my father's body. I remember running toward him, my tears clouding my vision. He had reached for me, grasping my hand with his bloody one.

"It's in the 9th place, in the vault centered around the painting." He looked at me pleadingly. I had no idea why he had said that, but I would remember the words forever. He gazed at me one last time.

"I love you, Kagome. You, your mother, gramps and Souta. Take care of them," He had shuddered, his breath finally gone. His eyes were glazed over in only the way death could.

I don't remember anything else. Not the ambulance, not my mother who had dragged me away. Nothing.

I had been psychologically damaged. Seeing death had scared me to the point of not wanting to go outside. I secluded myself from other people, distanced myself so that nothing could happen. I felt safe in my little bubble, but I always felt lonely. Then, after the initial shock, I finally remembered the words he had said to me.

"Take care of them."

I realized that I had been denying my father's last wish that whole time, and I fell yet into another depression. I cried my eyes out, but when the tears were gone, I knew what I had to do. Since being the oldest child gave me some responsibilities, being the one who had to bear my father's last wish was just an add on.

It was the whole reason I started to work at the store. I had wanted to help so that my mom didn't have to work anymore. The money from my father's social security and my paycheck were able to pay off all the bills.

I became strong, though I had times when I thought I couldn't do it. But only one thought of my father, and I could do anything. He gave me the strength I needed. The only thing I wanted to do now were to find my father's murderers. That's why I understood Sango all too well. We had been in the same situation, and somehow we both helped each other.

I put down the lip gloss I still had in my hand back down onto my dresser, just as the door bell rang. I went down the stairs, and opened my door. As I expected, it was Inuyasha, wearing a black suit, making his silver hair shine. I grabbed his hand.

"Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me." I smiled softly. He returned my smile and squeezed my hand.

"Thank you as well, for letting me come with you."

I opened the door wider for him to enter. He sat down on my couch, and I sat opposite him.

"So does the school know why you're not at school?" I asked. My mother had already sent a letter explaining my absence. Sango and Miroku were also not going to school to come with me.

Inuyasha shrugged. "I don't care what they think I'm doing. They can take it up with my brother." He sighed. I thought for a moment before asking,

"Why your brother?"

"Because he's my legal guardian."

"And your father?"

He didn't meet my gaze, instead looking at his shoes. "He's . . . well, I don't even know." He looked up at me. "A few years back, when my brother got married with his wife, I went to go live with them. I don't speak to my father anymore and I don't want to."

The statement made it seem like something had also gone wrong in his family. I didn't want to press the issue, since I didn't want him to lose himself in memories he probably didn't want to remember. The door bell rang again.

"That'll be Sango and Miroku."

Sure enough, it was them. They always traveled together when the date of my father's grave visit loomed.

"Hey Kagome." Sango greeted, giving me a hug. Miroku also hugged me, but today I knew he wouldn't do anything perverted. He had respect for my father, since he was the one who had put the bars on some men who had wanted to hurt Sango. They held hands as they walked in. "Is your mother ready?" Miroku asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, she'll be down in a minute."

Before she came out, my grampa and Souta entered the room. I didn't think of calling for my mother. She always took longer to get ready on my father's death anniversary. I didn't blame her.

Finally, after half an hour, she came downstairs. Her gaze fell upon the people in the room and she smiled.

"Thank you for coming with us today. It means a lot to me and Kagome's father." She came to stand by me, a hand on my shoulder. "Our whole family appreciates it."

"We will always support this family, Mrs. Higurashi." Inuyasha spoke, but his statement covered the others as well. Her eyes followed toward him.

"I know." She smiled a sad smile, one that I know will be gone by tomorrow, but one that I will have to endure today.

After that, we all piled in the cars. The trip to the grave site was long and I felt the familiar sensation of dread as we walked up the rows. Inuyasha glanced at me, and put a reassuring had on arm.

"Don't worry, Kagome. I'll be here if you need me."

Somehow the statement made me calm down. You know if I thought about it, I would have never imagined Inuyasha and I being here. We had climbed this ladder of friendship, and I hoped we could make it all the way. I had never felt so sure about anybody in my life. I wanted to be with him. Forever.

Sounds fan-crazy, doesn't it?

Once we all made it to his grave, we paid our respects. I laid some Tudor flowers on my father's grave. They meant "Unity" meaning we would always be united, be it in this life or on the other side. Next my mother laid Forget-me-nots, which meant "Faithful love and Memories,". My mother had and always will love my father and we would all cherish the memories we had of him. She grabbed my hand after she laid them down.

Next came Sango, who laid Fennels, meaning strength. She was paying tribute for the strength he gave her when her parents had been killed. Since only the girls gave flowers, the rest said a silent prayer for my father.

I could see Inuyasha look at my father's grave with eyes of sorrow. I didn't know why he would feel that way, but I decided not to ask. I squeezed my mother's hand.

The next few minutes were of silence. I closed my eyes to remember my father and all that he did for me. I remember him playing with me, holding when I cried and doing things with the whole family. I never remembered him hitting us or being upset. He was always cheerful and content. Now, he lies under my feet and the thought almost makes me burst out in tears. But I keep my composure, because I'm afraid what might happen if I don't.

"Well, I guess we should be going." My mother said, breaking the silence. I glanced at the others as they nodded, but stayed rooted to the ground. They were still holding on, just like I was.

I didn't want to leave him, not just yet.

When my mother tried to pull me, my grip tightened and I stood still. "Kagome?" My mother's voice came to me. Then I heard footsteps and Inuyasha's voice.

"I'll take her home, Mrs. Higurashi."

She met my eyes and let go of my hand. "Thank you."

I heard her and the others leave me and Inuyasha. He came to my side and took my hand, squeezing it. I looked up, slighly questioning his gesture, but not really pushing it.

"Kagome, I want to show my mother's grave."

I let him pull me and expected to be a long walk, but he only took two steps. He presented her grave to me.

"Here it is."

With surprise, I realized that her grave was right behind my father's. I glanced up at him and saw the tears in his eyes. He quickly wiped them away before they could fall and I didn't see anymore. I let go of his hand and crouched down touching the cold marble

Izayoi Takahashi

1975-2002

R.I.P

Her name was beautiful. My fingers caressed the indents on the pretty marble. I took out flowers, prepared for coming here. I laid Coltsfoot at her grave. They stood for "Maternal Love and Care". I stared at the name and sighed.

If she had raised Inuyasha, then she had to be a woman of love and care. I admired her for it.

"I'm sure she appreciates it." Inuyasha murmured. He brought me to my feet with both hands, which surprised me, and I found myself looking at his auburn eyes. I was caught by them. I found that I didn't want to look away.

"I'm sure she does." I said, breaking out into a smile.

Inuyasha looked at me with an intense gaze. His eyes swam with emotions I couldn't decipher. Then, he pulled me back to my father's grave, taking only steps. I never removed my eyes from his.

"I wanted to do this in front of your father, so I could do it right."

He pulled me closer and I sucked in a breath. He held me close, and I felt my heart beat faster. I had never been this close to him.

"Kagome, I know we've only known each other for a while, but I feel that it's been longer than that."

I stood still. I knew what was coming next and my palms began to get clammy.

"Kagome," He slightly hesitated here, but continued. "Would you like to be my girlfriend?"

The question I had always wanted to hear from him, the words I craved, had finally fallen from his mouth. I found myself speechless and tears of happiness leaked from my eyes. I found my voice after a few minutes.

"Of course I would, Inuyasha."

He pushed me back to see my face. "Really?" He smiled, dazzling me "You would?"

I nodded, smiling wide. He lifted me up and twirled me around. When he let me back down, he embraced me again.

"I love you, Kagome." He whispered, looking at me. I felt the kiss coming on. I knew this part well. I'd seen it in movies, read about it in books and seen it sometimes on the street.

But I never thought it could happened to me.

He leaned in, and I found my eyes closing. When our lips met, it was like fireworks. I had to admit, for a girl who had never been kissed, I think that had to be the best kiss in the world. Inuyasha let his hands tangle in my hair and I let mine strand through his. The moment was blissful, uninterrupted by anyone else. We were in our own little world.

When he pulled away, he leaned his forehead on mine. "Kagome?"

"Mmm?" I responded, letting my head rest on his chest. He stroked my hair.

"I think we should go tell the others the good news."

I smiled. Yes, I think my mother would be ecstatic. Miroku and Sango would just look at each other and say they knew all along and my grandpa, of course, would be harrasing Inuyasha with about taking care of me. You know, all the regular mumbo jumbo.

"Yeah, I think so too." He wormed out of my grip and slipped his hand in mine, pulling me toward the car. I glanced back as we retreated, glancing at the graves. Somehow, I Knew my father had been watching. I could feel his presence. I closed my eyes and tried to feel it.

And then I felt a breeze pass through, and the wind sounded like words to me.

"Take care of him."

I smiled. Though I don't know if it was his mother who had said it, I would still listen. I know my father would have approved.

I turned away and slid into the passenger's seat of Inuyasha's car. He smiled at me, taking my hand and driving with one. I looked out the window, watching the grave site diminish out of our view as we were further away.

"So are we still on for tomorrow?" Inuyasha spoke, making me turn to the front of my seat.

"Huh?" I asked, confused. What about tomorrow?

He rolled his eyes playfully. "Don't tell me you've forgotten? Remember our study date?"

Ah, now I remembered. And it seems it was only yesterday he had asked.

"Well, that depends if we go out to eat after." I smiled, tightening my grip on his hand to emphasize.

He pretended to think. "I think we might be able to fit that in." The car stopped in front of red light and Inuyasha leaned over his seat, kissing me lightly on the lips.

"I would do anything for you, Kagome." He sat back down properly again while I blushed and he smirked.

But then I smiled, knowing it was true. My wish for four years had come to life and I was happy.

For the first time, I did not come crying home from visiting the graves.

A/N: So what do you guys think? I think this is and EPIC chapter! Not to toot my own horn, of course. They are together and they have kissed! That was for those who wanted it the first time around! I am happy to give you guys this update!

Inuyasha the final act is almost to an end! AH! I remember when I used to say, "Man, why can't they just finish the series?" And now that it will finish next week I am heartbroken! But they will live on in my stories as they will in everybody else's!

But the last episode was awesome! Miroku finally got the curse lifted but poor Inuyasha is trying to get Kagome back. I can't wait for next Monday!

Preview for next chapter: So now the drama in this story will start to come out when Takeshi shows up at school. And what is the deal with Kikyo not even trying to hurt Kagome for going out with Inuyasha? As Kagome spends time at the store, she will start hearing bits of Inuyasha's past that just not might sit well with her.

Okay you guys, REVIEW!REVIEW!REVIEW!

-Daichilover

08/27/11

Edit: Oh beast, I love reading this chapter :) I edited this a little more, adding some words here and there to clarify meaning. Hope you loved it. :)

~Daichi