Awww, you guys are so sweet! You were so nice in your reviews; I was worried the battle scene wouldn't go over well…well…let me say something. I sincerely hope that the title one of you gave me xAHEMx was a joke…since I have no reason to assume otherwise I will take it as an expression given your phrase but a smiley face or something would help one make sure…Kagome is a female dog, I am not.
Anywasy, yeah, you guys are awesome (tears of up and reaches for tissue)
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This is it! The last chapter of "Hunted"! This story has been a mixed experience for me but you have all been great and I've learned quite a bit as a writer, thank you to you all! Enjoy!
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Chapter Twelve
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Sesshomaru sat unmoving in a straight-backed chair, his gaze fixed upon an even more still Kagome. It had been a week since the defeat of Naraku and he had hardly left her side. And in that week, she had not stirred, nor shown any signs of life.
Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kikyo had all moved to or back to their various homes but still visited often. But Kagome had not awoken and everyone was becoming increasingly worried, though none voiced the horrible possibility that haunted them. The possibility that Kagome would not make it. They never voiced this possibility nor the seriousness of Kagome's condition but they all worried.
Kaede was staying in the apartment to help Sesshomaru with Kagome as well as Rin and Shippo. Rin had refused to be separated from Sesshomaru and Shippo had not wished to leave Kagome. Sesshomaru, at a time when he felt so hopeless, realized how much he cared about Rin and how attached he was; he would not have her separated from him. He also realized the bond that had formed between Shippo and Kagome and had not pressed to have Shippo taken elsewhere. In fact, Sesshomaru had come to care for Shippo as well. But Kagome…she had to pull though this…He would not...could not think of Kagome passing from this life...his life.
Sesshomaru stared, his eyes going wide. And in no part of his mind did he think anything of or care that he was being emotional…illogical…for the feelings that were now filling him. He leapt to his feet and kneeled beside Kagome. She had moved! A hope…a joy…a fearful anticipation filled Sesshomaru. Had she truly moved? Would she awaken?
"Kagome! Can you hear me?"
Kagome beautiful eyes slowly opened. She blinked several times and then smiled. An enormous joy like he'd never known filled Sesshomaru. Kagome…his Kagome was awake. Sesshomaru smoothed back several stray hairs, which fell upon Kagome's face, with a shaking hand and touched her thin cheek. He had never felt much in his life and the intensity of emotion, emotion that arose from the mere act of Kagome opening her eyes, nearly overwhelmed Sesshomaru. His chest felt tight and the relief and joy were so strong that they nearly felt like sorrow.
Sesshomaru took several deep breathes but could not control the emotion. He managed a shaky smile before, to his shock, a single tear trickled from his eye and fell upon Kagome's bedspread. Kagome smiled weakly and Sesshomaru gently kissed her forehead, offering up thanks that the woman he loved had been returned to him.
"I love you too, Sesshomaru."
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Sesshomaru nervously paced near the entrance of the ballroom, which was located in his home. Following the end of the battle Sesshomaru had regained his name and estate. He was glad for that but it paled in comparison to the joy of having Kagome back in good health. He, Rin, Kagome, and Shippo had arrived at his home as soon as Kagome was well enough to travel. Kaede had stayed for a time to keep an eye on Kagome until she was completely healed. Despite being a demon, it had taken Kagome nearly two months to return to full health. But, eventually, she did make a full recovery and Sesshomaru was more grateful than he could ever express.
A celebration had been arranged for tonight. Sesshomaru had invited both demons and humans to celebrate not only Kagome's recovery but the reconciliation of demons and humans, and the hope that now was in the future for them all. Sesshomaru had been down here in the ballroom since the beginning of the day, attending to last minute preparations.
The ball had just gotten started and Sesshomaru had caught sight of Kikyo and Inuyasha as well as Miroku and Sango among the gathered guests. To try and distract himself from his impatience to see Kagome, Sesshomaru spent a few moments observing the two couples.
Miroku and Sango stood chatting with a group of demons near one of the refreshment tables, the monk's arm looped protectively around Sango's waist. The two humans had been working so long underground that they had no financial security to speak of, no money. Upon Sesshomaru's restoration to his estate he had offered them not only employment but bought them a home just outside of his land. The two had protested at first but Sesshomaru maintained that he owed the two more than he ever could repay, and that he would make some gift to them. Sesshomaru had a feeling that the monk's eventual acceptance came from his desire to have security for marriage. Miroku had finally gathered the courage to tell Sango how he'd felt and he knew Sango had accepted him.
Kikyo and Inuyasha sat, their chairs pulled close together, in one corner of the room. Their heads were bent in conversation and Sesshomaru's eye caught the flash of light reflected from the diamond now adorning Kikyo's left hand. Kikyo and Inuyasha had planned to be married soon; Sesshomaru, despite not being close to his half-brother, was happy for Inuyasha. Besides, he thought Kikyo's control and calm nature might rub off on his obnoxious brother, which would be an improvement. Kikyo often intervened on Inuyasha's bad language and social errors, and Inuyasha was much more tolerable for it. Sesshomaru would have had an affection for Kikyo just for this. Sesshomaru had seen to it that Inuyasha had been given his inheritance, which was not only financial but a fair sized chunk of land. The combination of Kikyo's calming influence and the mellowing of Inuyasha's own nature after their battle with Naraku lent Sesshomaru confidence that Inuyasha would be an adequate master over this land.
As Sesshomaru continued to pace, both Rin and Shippo ran by, nearly sideswiping a pair of humans. The pair had become inseparable since moving here and Sesshomaru was glad Rin had a playmate. The two, when combing their 'forces', also had the capacity for a great deal of mischief. Sesshomaru didn't really mind, besides the object of their pranks was often his valet, Jaken. Jaken was a pompous little ass and Sesshomaru thought it was good for the toad demon to have periodic recalls back to reality.
Sesshomaru suddenly halted in his tracks. Kagome had entered and she was beautiful. The rest of the room seemed to fade away and Sesshomaru had eyes only for her. And he forgot his earlier impatience, thinking only of the woman now approaching him. Kagome's long silver hair pooled down her back like a waterfall, reflecting the light. Her eyes seemed to be lit from within and were dancing with both happiness and excitement. She wore a pure white dress that fell gently to the floor and she seemed to glow with an ethereal light. Beautiful. Sesshomaru slowly made his way over to her and bowed slightly.
"Hi, Sesshomaru."
"Good evening, Kagome. You look beautiful."
She blushed slightly. "Thank you."
"Would you honor me with a dance?"
The blush disappeared as she smiled. "Of course."
Sesshomaru lead her to the middle of the dance floor, took her hand in his and put his other protectively around her waist. Sesshomaru took a moment to lightly move the fingers of his hand. He also had this to thank Kagome for. Soon after her restoration to full health, she had restored his arm to him. Sesshomaru smiled and they danced.
Sesshomaru marveled at the way simply being near this woman was enough to make him happy. How her presence did more for his feeling of well-being than anything else in his life, except perhaps Rin, ever had. Sesshomaru hadn't realized that his soul was incomplete until it was completed with the appearance of Kagome in his life. He felt whole now. Content. No, not content…happy.
The music was melodic and gentle and the pair danced in time, their bodies moving in perfect unison. Sesshomaru spun Kagome and then brought her in close, his arms tightening gently around her. Kagome looked up at him and smiled, a light blush on her face. Sesshomaru smiled in return. He was not an expressive person but seeing Kagome smile…he just had to smile as well.
"I hope you like it here," Sesshomaru said.
"Of course," Kagome said. "I love it here. And so does Shippo. Thank you so much for letting us stay."
"Of course. I always want you near me, and Shippo is like your son, I care for him as well."
Kagome's gaze drifted to where Rin and Shippo sat, eagerly devouring large slices of cake. Kagome smiled gently.
"I love them both," Kagome said softly. "They're both such wonderful children and they're like brother and sister."
Kagome smiled at Sesshomaru before giving a soft sigh. She laid her head against his chest. Sesshomaru placed a gentle kiss upon the top of her head. He loved her so much…
"Oh," Sesshomaru said.
Kagome looked up at him. "What?"
He smiled. "I did not get a chance to tell you yet…Happy Birthday."
She smiled. "Thanks. Nineteen…an old fart."
Sesshomaru chuckled. "If you are an old fart, I would hate to think what I am."
Kagome cocked her head in question. "How old are you anyway?"
Sesshomaru hesitated. He sometimes forgot that Kagome, in terms of demon years, was still young. Even though she was an adult…
"Are you okay?" Kagome asked, a tinge of worry in her voice. "If its too personal you don't have to answer."
"Two hundred and twenty-two."
"Really?"
Kagome seemed deep in thought before grinning at Sesshomaru; Sesshomaru felt his worry fade. For a moment, Sesshomaru had feared that Kagome would have protested to the difference in their ages.
"Well, I'm an old fart and you're just an ancient fart."
Sesshomaru chuckled, then grew serious. "I suppose I was just worried that you would think I was too old…for you."
"No." Kagome cocked her head. "How long to demons live anyway?"
"Depends. Without any kind of accidents, many centuries is not abnormal."
"Really. Hmm, maybe I'm not as old as I thought. So demons age like humans until adulthood?"
"Yes."
"And then what?"
"After reaching adulthood, the aging process slows, almost to a stop. In human years I suppose I am…hmm, well, around twenty-two or so."
"Not such a big age difference."
They fell into silence, simply enjoying one another's presence as they continued to dance. Nearly fifteen minutes had passed before either spoke again.
"I nearly forgot," Sesshomaru said suddenly.
"What?"
"I have a birthday gift for you."
Kagome blushed. "You didn't have to do that."
"I wished to."
Sesshomaru stopped dancing and withdrew his arms. Kagome looked puzzled as she lowered her arms to her sides, looking self-consciously around her.
"You don't have to give it to me now," Kagome said, sounding a little embarrassed.
"I'd like to."
Sesshomaru withdrew a package roughly twelve inches by eight and about three inches of thickness. Kagome felt very self-conscious as she took the package, which was wrapped in white paper, from Sesshomaru. They were standing in the middle of the dance floor, not dancing. Kagome grew more embarrassed as she noticed an unexpected number of people watching both her and Sesshomaru. In fact, almost everyone was watching. They weren't rude or staring but Kagome felt uncomfortable…hadn't they ever seen anyone receive a birthday gift before? Kagome opened the paper and saw…a book. Kagome blanched for a moment when she read the title. A Guide to Understanding Mathematics. Uh…
Sesshomaru smiled. A smile which widened and then turned into a chuckle as Kagome simply stared at him, opening and closing her mouth.
"Open it," he said, still smiling.
Kagome was beyond confused by now. It was a math book! How was opening it going to help? She hated math…it certainly was an odd gift, though it was nice that he'd gotten her a present for her birthday. Still…math?! Kagome frowned at the cover. Now that she thought about it…the book felt very light. Shrugging, she opened the cover and then Kagome gasped. The book had carefully been hollowed out. The inside had been filled with white tissue paper. And…and…Kagome felt her mind go blank. Nestled within the tissue paper was a silver band with a diamond, flashing and winking with the light.
Kagome looked up at Sesshomaru, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth, couldn't seem to speak, and shut her mouth again. A diamond ring…could it…was he…? Kagome felt her brain short-circuiting again when Sesshomaru gently took the book from her hands. Kagome felt a flush of heat creep up to her cheeks as he took the ring from the book and then set the book on the ground. He kneeled. Kagome's hands flew to her mouth. He was! Was he…what…that is…Oh my gosh!
"Kagome. I love you so much. You've brought life to me and so much happiness. Would you marry me?"
Sesshomaru gazed apprehensively at Kagome, who was staring at him, her hands to her face. Sesshomaru felt his worry melt away when Kagome lowered her hands, to reveal the grin curving her lips.
"Yes! Yes yes yes!"
Sesshomaru felt a smile of his own form as he slipped the ring onto Kagome's finger. This wonderful woman had accepted him. He then stood, framed her face in his hands, and kissed her gently. His heart felt close to bursting, so happy did he feel at this simple three letter word Kagome had uttered. He pulled back slightly and smiled down at Kagome. Kagome laughed and threw her arms around his neck and they hugged each other tight. They were going to be married. Quietly at first, and then louder and louder, applause began to ring throughout the room until it fairly echoed off the walls. Kagome pulled away, feeling embarrassed but Sesshomaru looped his arm around her waist.
"I think the peanut gallery approves," he murmured to her.
Kagome laughed. "Even if they didn't, I approve."
Sesshomaru chuckled and kissed her once again. They had indeed been given the chance to live free. And they would live that life with one another. Savor their gift of freedom as one. Live their lives as one. And be happy, together.
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That's it! Thank you thank you thank you to all of you who have stuck with me this far. I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to review and keep an eye out for my next story, finals are this coming week so it should be out within a week or two! Take care and hugs and kisses for you all!
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-RainAsTherapy