Disclaimer: I do NOT own Inuyasha

Chapter 3: A lifetime.

Hi dear all, thanks for your reviews. Purposely stopped previously as it was a hot chapter and the happening at the end was to cool you all down. Haha. Well, actually was thinking that something should happen between them although this is a short fic. This is the last chapter though. Will try to work on my other fics as well. Thank you so much for reading this.

Realization hit Kagome like a brick. She felt slapped. So that was what Inuyasha was trying to do. He was getting his revenge by making me fell in love with him, had the best night of my life and … Kagome trailed off from her thoughts as tears welled up. Her heart ached, and felt like someone had just gave it a real hard squeeze, leaving it bruised and pulsing in pain. Suddenly realized where she was, she swallowed back her tears and looked into the gorgeous pair of golden eyes, which seemed to be colder than winter.

"I see," her voice came out steady, although inside she was pain beyond pain. "I'm sorry for what I had done before. Guess I should not explain myself why I slapped you, since it would only made the matter worse. I'm sorry for … for falling in love with you. Guess you were more disgusted than happy."

Swallowing another lump of saliva, Kagome continued though her facial expression started to contort into a painful one. "Thank you for giving me the best night … guess this is goodbye," Kagome said, as the last part came out slightly above a whisper. "Goodbye then, Takahashi."

With that, Kagome picked up her clothes scattered around the floor, dressed in a hurry and left the room and all the exotic and heated memories behind.

The door clicked behind Kagome, leaving Inuyasha. His back was still facing the door as he sat at the edge of the bed. His white mane spilling over his shoulders, covering his face like a protective curtain. The bangs covering his pair of regretful and tortured golden eyes. Kagome. Oh gosh, what have I done? Inuyasha questioned himself. I don't love her… right? I can't be in love with her too. Shaking his head, he placed his hand on his left chest, feeling the slow heartbeat from underneath and the wrenching ache that spread all over his body. I … love her. With that, Inuyasha laid down on his bed with his face pressed down on the sheets, trembling in regret and pain. Beating himself to death inside, Inuyasha lay still on the bed, unable to get to sleep as his head was filled with the crying faces of Kagome's. Kagome.

Kagome woke up early next morning with puffy red and swollen eyes. Looking at her hideous face reflecting in the mirror, Kagome could not helped but chuckled slightly. I looked hideous. Sigh. Have to think of an excuse if Sango asked about it. With that, Kagome took one last look at her and got ready for school. Her mother already knew what had happened and had tried to console her daughter as best as she could. Seeing her daughter up that early in the morning with puffy eyes and fake smile wasn't the best image a mother loved to see.

Kagome finished her breakfast and headed straight to school, never mentioning anything about last night. Worried as her mother could be, she could only wish that Kagome could straighten out her thoughts.

In School

"Kagome, are you alright? What happened?" concerns filled Sango's voice as she sat herself beside Kagome in class.

Kagome managed to give a weak nod and smile. "I'm fine. Just a bad night that's all." The nicest and the worst one. Sango was unconvinced but understood that Kagome would tell her if she was ready to share. With that, Sango left the topic there and talked about something that they both were interested in, clothes! Kagome was grateful towards Sango and the change in topic.

The school time passed really quickly. Then suddenly, it happened.

"Hey, have you seen? THE Inuyasha Takahashi is surrounded by our bunch of Kendo club boys just off the street outside school!" shouted some random girl at the corridor of Kagome's classroom.

The news brought Kagome to attention. Well, actually it was the mention of his name that made her tensed and attentive. Fear shot through her. Although she knew he was strong, her school's Kendo boys were ranking second after him. If he was surrounded, then maybe he would not be able to get out without some serious injuries. But he said cruel things to you and I don't think he would want to see you again. Don't go! A voice inside her head told her. But if he was hurt, then it would not make a different whether he was cruel to me or not.

With new determination established, Kagome turned her way out the classroom door with Sango trailing at her heels.

Inuyasha wasn't difficult to find since he was surrounded by a gang of boys just outside the school. Reaching, Kagome stopped just behind the boys.

"What are you guys doing?" shouted Kagome as she moved a step towards the surrounding boys.

On hearing Kagome's voice, the boys and Inuyasha turned towards her. At that one moment, their eyes met; brown met gold. Nothing seemed to matter at that moment except the feelings reflected in their eyes. The hurt. The regret. The torture. The pain. The want. The need. The … love. The unspeakable was reflected in those eyes, as they looked at each other with such intensity.

"We were just trying to teach this arrogant boy how to mind his own business," said one of the guys in the group, challenging Kagome.

The connections between their eyes were broken as Kagome glared at the gang.

"Well, I think you all should mind your own business first before teachingothers," replied an equally angry Kagome.

"Why you little …"

The guy was cut off his words as Kagome's fist came into contact with his cheekbone, causing his sudden lost of balance and landed on the floor with a loud thud. Seeing one of their companions down, the rest of the guys turned their attention fully towards Kagome.

"Bitch! You don't know who you are messing with!" shouted one of the guys.

"Oh yeah?" although feeling kind of nervous, Kagome held her poise and prepared herself in a fighting stance.

"Haha, this little girl wants to fight all of us. Us! The Kendo experts," laughed the guy who shouted at Kagome.

"Well, she is kind of cute and her body is hot! We could always play with her a little," suggested another, who was still holding a death grip on Inuyasha, whose bangs had covered his golden eyes.

Shivered slightly in fear, Kagome braced herself for any attacks coming forth. Suddenly, a low and deep growl was heard. The growl got louder and then the guy who was holding Inuyasha down was thrown over the shoulder and slammed onto the cemented floor. Inuyasha revealed his angry pair of golden eyes, as he growled low in his throat and moved towards the guys who were advancing towards Kagome.

"NO ONE! NO ONE TOUCHES MY KAGOME!" grabbing a guy by his collar, he continued. "DID I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" Inuyasha's eyes were flicking between gold and red.

"C…clear, sir," answered the trembling guy. Dropping him on the floor, the guy picked himself up and called out a weak "disperse!" before running out of school with his companions trailing after him.

Still growling slightly as his eyes followed the running boys, Kagome came forth and placed her cool hands on his right arm. "Inuyasha, it's alright now. Thank you for your help."

Feeling her touch on his arm got Inuyasha to calm down. Her voice seemed to bring him closer to calmness. It was like a cool breeze in a tropical deserted beach, so smoothing and relaxing. Turning to face her, Inuyasha was once again attracted by her eyes.

"Kagome…" holding her hands in his, he tried to find words to explain his feelings. Those feelings that he had tried to seal away after being slapped by Kagome. Those damn feelings that made him act the way he did whenever he was around Kagome.

"Inuyasha… erm, thank you for what you did. Think I should be going now," with that, Kagome tried to get out of Inuyasha's grasp. "Inuyasha, let go."

The only answer she got was a shake of his head representing no, and the increasing tight hold on her hands.

"If you are worried that I will avoid you, then I can tell you not to. Although after what happened, it's hard for me. But I will still love to be your friend," Kagome babbled, though being friends would definitely not be enough for her. "So, don't worry. Let me go now."

The tightness on her hands increased if it was even possible.

"Kagome… I don't want to be your friend. It's… it's just not enough. Please listen to me," Inuyasha took a deep breath and continued, still staring into her brown eyes, now filled with sorrows and confusions. "I was badly affected when you slapped and scolded me during our childhood days because… because I had always been looking at you. I've always been noticing you, hell, admire you. How your eyes shone with justice and anger everytime someone was bullied. How your eyes shone with happiness when you have saved someone and got a thanks in return. Nothing more, just a "thank you" made you happy."

Don't know what to do or how to react, Kagome stood still and looked into his golden eyes, listening to his every word.

"Don't you get it Kagome? I was badly affected because I loved you then, hell, I love you even more now. Your personality had not changed after all. Just the way I was attracted to. You were beautiful then. Now, you are more than just beautiful to me. You are wild and sexy, yet are equally kind and gentle. You are so much more than what I could ever ask for. So much more. Sorry for getting back at you. For all the harsh words I've said. I just want to apologize and confess. Kagome Higurashi, I love you. I love you then, and I love you now. I promise my love for you will not fade, will love you in the future till death. Even death could not separate us. Please Kagome, be with me," taking another deep breath, Inuyasha continued to look into her eyes, searching for signs of acknowledgement.

Inuyasha's heart pounded so loudly in his ears that he almost missed Kagome's response.

"W…what did you say?" Inuyasha asked, moving his face closer to Kagome.

Smiling up gently at him, Kagome repeated. "Yes."

Inuyasha's eyes widened, filled with emotions for this girl in front of him. This girl who stole his breath away. Who was in his mind all these years. Kagome smiled wider at his reaction and waited for him to get over his astonishment.

"C..could you repeat it again?" Inuyasha asked, his smile widen and his golden, honeyed eyes filled with glee.

Breathing out, Kagome repeated while smiling. "Inuyasha Takahashi, I will be with you. I love you. Got it?"

Smiles widened. Turned into laughter. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome and held her up, spinning her in circles. Their laughter rang through the entrance of the school. Clapping and cheering could be heard, congratulating the couples. Sango was holding back her tears, happy for her friend who had finally found someone who cherished her.

Inuyasha stopped spinning and dipped down towards Kagome, capturing her lips in a mind-numbing kiss. Smiling through the kiss, Kagome willingly parted her mouth for Inuyasha. Their tongues wrestled and finally parted as they both panted for air. Knowing smile spread through Inuyasha's face as his hazy eyes met Kagome's equally hazy ones. Inuyasha grabbed her hands and led her out of school, dragging her along the street, grinning like some lunatic. Kagome giggled, seeing as how Inuyasha was so motivated to get home.

Home.

Bed.

Kagome.

Sex and Kagome.

Those were the only words in his mind as he dragged an equally willing Kagome towards his apartment. Fumbling with his keys and finally twisted the doorknob to allow them in his room, he flung Kagome onto his bed and came down with her. The heated kiss continued as the two was lost in heat, passion, lust and most of all, love. The wrestling continued through the night as both were determine to let the other know how they felt and how much they wanted each other.

This is the start of a lifetime.