Well, guys, this is it, the end of the line. I'm so happy with it, too! I hate for it to end, but like all good things, it must. First, I would like to thank everyone who read my story and sent positive reviews, you guys were a god-send, and I love you! You made this story possible, and without your kind words of support, I would have abandoned this beast from the start.
Secondly, lately I have been receiving some very antagonistic reviews from one particular person, who I'm certain did not even bother to read my work, and, after writing a strongly-worded e-mail to this very impertinent individual, I feel much, much better! Apparently I'm not the only one whom they flamed, unnecessarily, so, hopefully with my angry outburst I have provided a measure of justice for everyone else that dumbass insulted. Go to hell, asswipe!!!
Lastly, I am writing a new story, and will be posting it soon, so don't lose hope, because I will return shortly with more, I promise! I hope you all like it, its kinda got a borrowed plot from a movie, but hey, I like it! I hope you guys do, too. Thanks again, and I love you all! You so totally rock!!!
Deds:
AldreaHart - Hahaha, that still doesn't answer my question, but oh well, it doesn't matter. I'm glad you liked it, that flamer I got the other day really bummed me out, but you made it all better!!! And I know, Bio totally sucks ass, I hated it! Passed by the ass of my pants, too, cuz I had an allergic reaction to something while writing my final project, and i scared my teacher, cuz my eyes were all red and pus-sy! Gross, huh??
Jen - I missed you! I felt so much better after hearing from you!! Your a crackup, you know that? It was a smack on the ass, eh?!? Haha, I would retire if I were making any money! But somehow, writing is worth the lack of money. Seems to make it less...oh, whats the word I'm looking for?? Thesaurus! Help me! Lol, I like to throw you guys off, don't want to be too predictable, heehee...
Mystical Hanyou - Awww, did you?? Sweetheart!! I didn't mean to make you lacrimate!! (Is that right?? My Latin fails me) I liked it too, it was such a turnaround for her. I'm glad you liked it, it validates my decision to end her life in a way that wasn't so violent, but did everyone a favour. Nice of her, eh??
Concealed Rose - Hiya, long time no hear!! I'm glad I was able to temper your dislike of SessxKag. You'll be happy to know that my next fic is InuxKag, so you'll enjoy it even more! You flatter me, how could I not write fast, with all this positive feedback?? Hahah, I think this is under-reviewed too, but that doesn't matter. A few faithful reviewers are better than a whole hand-full of one-timers. I'd rather get to know you guys and what you like than getting just one impersonal review, it's so much more rewarding! You are forgiven for not reviewing, hearing from you once is better than hearing from you not at all, I'll take what I can get!
Author's Note: You guys are awesome. There were two more reviews for the last chapter, but you guys were way more positive than them, so I omitted them from the Deds. They weren't worth posting a response to, so in deference to my thanks and the effort you guys put forth to review, they are not up here. Thanks again to all the people who reviewed, and I hope to hear from you all again soon. I couldn't do this without your kind words of support. Rock on!! I love you all!!
Sweet Temptation
Epilogue
Daichi and Amaya sat close by as their son and his fiancé exchanged wedding vows, their little boy bouncing on Amaya's knee, gurgling happily and drooling all over his little tuxedo.
The pair shared their first kiss as a married couple before joining the crowd around them, to accept congratulations from their friends and family.
The bride's sisters were decked out in long, black satin gowns, and each held a small bouquet of white roses. Kagome wore a simple, short gown, backless, with spaghetti straps and lace edging the hems. Her hair was piled atop her head, and a crown of flowers held it in place in the late afternoon sunshine.
Amaya handed Kagome her baby, eighteen-month old Daichi Jr., who eagerly held his pudgy arms out to his mother. Sesshoumaru shook his Father's hand as he slapped his back, remarking, "You did good, son. She's a keeper, alright!"
Amaya hugged Kagome and the baby, whispering, "Welcome to the family, my daughter."
Kagome grinned, and replied, "Thank you, Little Mother," and winked.
The groomsmen milled about the crowd, waiting their turn to collectively congratulate their brother and new sister-in-law. Miroku leaned close to Inuyasha's ear and whispered, "Sango looks amazing in that dress, no?"
He chuckled, replying, "Not half as amazing as my Kikki." And, pulling his hand from his suit-jacket pocket, handed Miroku a tiny velvet box.
"What? For me?" he joked, and Inuyasha jabbed him in the ribs, a constantly sore spot for his lecherous brother. Opening the tiny case, he beheld a diamond engagement ring, studded with two tiny white sapphires flanking a larger, sparkling, princess-cut diamond.
"Wow," he remarked, and brought it closer to his face.
"Nice, huh. Think she'll like it?"
Miroku put the ring back in its box and turned to his brother. "You're serious about her, aren't you?"
"Isn't it obvious?" He pointed at the box, and cuffed his brother's head. "I love her, Miroku. You've never had anything come between you and Sango, so you don't know what it's like to be afraid of losing the one you love."
Miroku nodded, agreeing. "However, as much as I love Sango, she has displayed no interest in marriage, Inuyasha. What makes you think Kikyou is ready for something of this magnitude?"
"She's ready," he said, grinning. Miroku frowned. Inuyasha obviously wasn't going to give him anymore than that.
"Well, good luck."
Inuyasha flashed him a toothy grin. "Thanks."
Kikyou approached her sister from behind, and offered to take a sleepy Daichi Jr., so Kagome could properly receive her guests.
"Thanks, Kik," she said, smiling and rushing off to hold her husband's hand as their guests streamed by, eager to get the formalities over with so they could move on to the reception, which was being held in the Taisho's backyard. The wedding was performed in the Higurashi's backyard, since there was more space for seating. The fence that had separated the two properties for as long as anyone could remember had been removed, and a crew was busily laying a dance floor. The space both yards offered was more than enough for the meagre amount of guests that milled through them.
Kikyou spotted Inuyasha and he pulled her away from the crowd, his nephew reaching out and nabbing a fistful of white hair to add to the black one he already had of his aunt's who held him.
"Inuyasha, where are we going?" she asked, but he only smiled. What are you up to? She wondered.
Music began to drift through the twilight air, and patio lights lit up the night as couples began to convene on the dance floor. They passed Ayame, and Inuyasha stopped, taking the child from his girlfriend's arms and saying, "Here Ayame, make yourself useful and put this little nipper to bed."
Ayame gladly took the little boy, his tiny suit soggy and soiled from a full day's drool. "No problem," she replied, and took him away, and Inuyasha grabbed Kikyou's hand once more, leading her to the secluded bench in the very back corner of his parent's yard, surrounded by a dense screen of shrubs and blooming night-flowers. The scent of their nectar hung sweetly in the air.
He sat her down, and took her hands in his. She smiled, and looked at the dance floor for a moment.
She spied Sango, fending off a randy Miroku, who pursued her persistently; Rin danced shyly to the slow song with Shippo, who looked very content with his young date; Kouga stood on the sidelines with the other men, a beer in hand and searching the area for Ayame. Sesshoumaru led Kagome gallantly around the floor, twirling her elegantly and making her dress swing in the breeze.
In the far corner of the floor, Kagura danced hip-to-hip and nose-to-nose with Juuromaru, their lips locked in a passionate kiss. Doctor Suikotsu drank wine from a glass and watched Kagura from afar, forlornly remembering her younger sister. She smiled at them all, even Kaede, who danced merrily with Grampa Higurashi, who'd come all the way from Osaka for the occasion.
Daichi stood behind Amaya at the buffet table, his nose nuzzling her neck, his one hand gripping a heaping plate of food while the other brushed her slim waist. She smiled back at him, and laughed out loud at something he'd said.
Inuyasha squeezed her hands, trying to regain her attention. She reluctantly tore her gaze away from all the happy couples and looked at him.
When he had her undivided attention, he took a deep breath and began to speak.
"Kikyou, I love you. I want you to be happy, and I want to be with you for the rest of our lives." She watched with amusement as he dug around in his pocket, frowned, then dug into his other pocket before producing a small, black velvet box and presenting it to her.
Her breath stilled in her lungs and her heart skipped a beat as she accepted it, and pried open the lid. There, it the light of the paper patio lanterns, a beautiful engagement ring winked at her, its golden band shining, the precious gems gleaming in the dim light.
"Will you be my wife, Kikyou?" He asked, throatily. She was so quiet. Did she like it? Why was she so still? A billion questions raced through his mind.
Kikyou put a hand over her heart and looked up at him, trying to ascertain the sincerity of his request. The desire and hope in his eyes left no doubt in her mind that he was completely serious.
"Oh, my God, Inuyasha, yes!" She flung her arms around his neck and pulled his lips to her own, sharing her joy with his eager mouth as it covered hers and coaxed her tongue out to play.
They broke for air, and he slipped the beautiful ring onto her left hand, and she turned it this way and that, admiring it.
She turned back to him and pulled him into her arms once more. "I love you so much, Inuyasha. Thank you!"
Pulling back so he could see her face, he asked, "Would you care to dance, my lovely fiancé?"
She giggled, and replied, raising a delicate brow, "Lead the way, lover."
He pulled her onto the floor, where they danced closely together, their young lives stretched out before them, their family and friends surrounding them in the glow of their love. Life was perfect, and as Kikyou watched her man's eyes, staring lovingly into her own, she knew that it didn't get any better than this.
This was bliss. This was what dreams were made of, and she was living it.
She never wanted it to end.
S.T.
Well, bunnies, that's that. I hoped you enjoyed this epic (as Concealed Rose calls it) tale, and tune in to my upcoming fic. Can't wait to hear from you all, and thanks again!