I do not own Inu Yasha. But I did fall into his era once.
The Last Shard
By Shiara-dono
Chapter 3
As Kagome stepped over the crest surrounding the village, she was greeted by two, "Kagome!!,"s, and one, "Lady Kagome!" Sango, Shippo, and Miroku came running up and Kagome was almost suffocated by their hugs. She slapped Miroku for being his normal lecherous self. They were so busy greeting her that they didn't notice Inu Yasha until he leaped down from the overhanging tree. The trio backed up nervously.
"I… Inu… Inu Yasha?" Shippo stuttered
Inu Yasha had to chuckle. "Yes, Shippo. It's me."
"B… but, you're dead," Miroku said blatantly. "You had no pulse!"
"Correction, Miroku. I was dead. The Shikon jewel brought me back. He cracked his knuckles. "And what did I tell you about touching Kagome?"
Miroku swallowed hard and backed up further. Inu Yasha laughed and Kagome punched the half- demon in the shoulder. Shippo pounced over and, convinced that he was real, hugged Inu Yasha.
Sango still hadn't said anything. She had just stood watching Inu Yasha, but now she stepped forward. "Did you say the Shikon jewel saved you?"
"Yes. I guess once it was complete its powers were complete as well."
"Where is it now?"
"Well…" Inu Yasha faltered, looking at Kagome and blushing again.
"It disappeared." Kagome finished for him, also blushing and hoping no one noticed. Which, of course, they did. "The voice of the priestess said the demon was defeated and she could rest in peace.
"So it's finally over." Miroku stated, regaining his confidence. "So what will you do now, Lady Kagome?"
Kagome looked at the ground. "I… I don't know. I guess now that my duty has ended, I should return back home."
Inu Yasha jerked, and looked sharply at Kagome. Then, without a sound, he jumped up into the trees and was gone.
"Inu Yasha…" Kagome said sadly, watching the direction he had gone.
"He cares about you, Lady Kagome." Miroku told her. "More than he'll ever admit."
"I know. B… but, my family. I can't just forget them."
"I understand that. And I think he does too."
Kagome sighed, and put the prayer beads that she was still holding in her pack. "Guess I better say goodbye to Kaede."
Inu Yasha sat in a nearby tree. He was thinking about everything he and Kagome had been through. Then a stray thought crossed his mind. The Shikon jewel was complete and gone forever, and he was still only half- demon. "It's all her fault!!" He yelled to no one. But then, he had been wanting to be rid of her for a long time. Why now, when he finally got his wish, did it turn out he wanted her to stay? With him? He played the thought over and over. I want her to stay. To stay. To stay with me. I want… I want her! Inu Yasha stood up and leapt in the direction of the well.
Kagome stood staring at the well. It had been a tearful ceremony, saying good- bye to her feudal era friends. She sighed sadly. She knew she had to go, but to leave without saying good- bye to Inu Yasha… She knew it would be difficult to say farewell to the dog- demon that had pestered her continually the past year. Pestered her so much that she had fallen for him. "Inu Yasha." She whispered, knowing if he was nearby he'd hear her. "I'm sorry. I wish it didn't have to end like this." She sighed and turned to jump into the well.
"That's it then, is it?" A voice spoke softly from behind her. She turned around and there was Inu Yasha. His eyes were clouded and his hands trembled a little. "You pull me back from being dead just to leave me?"
"What choice do I have?!" Kagome cried, hurt by his words.
"You could stay here."
"And forget everything else? My school, my friends. My family? You expect me to forget my family?!"
"So, you would forget me for them?"
"No! That's not what I mean! Inu Yasha, please!" Help me. "Don't make me choose between you and them!" I want both.
A single tear ran down Inu Yasha's face. He turned away quickly. "Feh! I'm not making you choose. You're right. I don't need you! I don't need a weak mortal around me!" He choked up and fell silent.
Kagome's eyes glazed over with tears. "Inu Yasha. I'm… I'm scared."
"Sure you are. You're so afraid you're going to get a 'B' on some stupid math test!"
"No, idiot!" Kagome cried, grabbing Inu Yasha's arm and forcing him to face her. Gold eyes met green eyes. Both were tearstained, and full of hurt and misery. "I'm afraid that, once I go through that well, I won't be able to get back to you! My only tie to this world was the Shikon jewel, but now it's gone."
Inu Yasha regarded her carefully. "Then…… you really don't want to leave me?"
Kagome chocked on a sob and flung herself into Inu Yasha's arms. The two stood there in silence, crying, sobbing, and holding onto each other tightly.
It was Inu Yasha who broke the silence. "I don't want you to leave me." He told her, his was breath tickling Kagome's neck. "I love you, too."
This only made Kagome cry harder, her tears flowing into Inu Yasha's snowy mane. He held her for a while longer, then pushed her back and wiped the tears from her eyes. Then, so softly that it was almost non- existent, he kissed her. Kagome flushed a little. Inu Yasha laced his finger through hers, his claws making light indents on her hand.
Then, with one last piercing gaze at each other, the human child and the demon in love jumped through the well back to Kagome's time.
Gomen nasai, minna-san! I forgot all about finishing this story! Well, it's done now. Hopefully the last chapter was to everyone's enjoyment. Ja ne!