A/N: Thank you kittyb78, Yuukiyanagi, Red-Smartiez, and Shidare.Zakura for the reviews!!!
Okay so All Grown Up has finally come to an end. I would like to thank everyone who took the time out to read, review, and fave my long ass story. Never thought it would go 60 chappies, but I'm happy it did. So here is the epilogue to this Naraku vs Sesshoumaru love story...but its DEFINITELY not the end for either man. Sequels galore, lol
"Hello and welcome to Radio City Music Hall in beautiful New York City on this very fine Saturday in late April. Its hard to believe that the time has already come but it is time for the 2010 National Football League Draft. Tom today is expected to be quite a showcase of talent, no?"
"That's exactly right Bill. Today, the best of the best of college athletes will be selected to play for thirty two NFL teams. The best of the best are in this room and I'm interested to see who these teams will pick."
"As am I Tom. A lot of talent came out of the NFL scouting pool this year. One big name expected to be drafted right away is the quaterback from the Shikon University Shikigami, Byakuya. Byakuya was the Heisman Award recipient for 2010 and won the national title his sophomore year under Coach Ryukotsuei. Byakuya is projected to be drafted first to the Atlanta Falcons who desperately need a quarterback."
"That's right Bill. Another big name expected to be drafted is Sesshoumaru of Yokai University. Sesshoumaru is the one who led Coach Inu no Taisho's Demon Lords to their first national title in eleven years just last year. Not only was Sesshoumaru on that history making team, but a lot of other draft hopefuls were as well. Hiten, Koga, Bankotsu, Suikotsu, and Naraku just to name a few.
"Yes, there should be a lot of Yokai University students drafted today but not only will that school have many draft picks, but Tama College in beautiful St. Louis should produce a few top picks as well. Star linebacker Hakudoushi of the Tama College Defenders who was MVP of the Jewel Bowl and helped to lead his team to this year's national championship. Hakudoushi is expected to be a top choice, possibly a favorite of the Baltimore Ravens."
"Well Bill, we won't have to continue to speculate for long for the 2010 NFL Draft starts now."
"Are you nervous sweetie? You look like you need a shot or two?" I asked my wonderful fiance of almost two years now as we stood in the hallway outside of the ballroom where the NFL Draft was held in. Naraku nodded weakly as he continued to shuffle a bit.
"Yes. I'm fine my dear," he said with a nervous smile. I knew he was lying. It was so obvious.
"No you are not baby," I said with great concern as I took a kleenex and wiped his forehead, "you're sweating. Calm down, okay honey? Let's go inside and sit down."
"Yeah man stop worrying so much," Bankotsu said as he came back over to us with a glass of water and a beautifully dressed Sai on his arm.
"I think I'm going to be sick," Naraku said, his skin getting a little pale. Bankotsu cringed as he took a step back.
"You throw up on me and I swear that I'll kick your ass." I narrowed my eyes at Bankotsu as I grabbed the glass of water from him.
"Here baby drink this and stop being so nervous. You'll be drafted. Its okay," I softly said, trying to reassure my love that he was only a few minutes away from reaching his dream. Naraku was so afraid that he wouldn't be drafted because unlike his sophomore and junior years in football, his senior year wasn't all that great. He had injured his right arm during the second game of the season against Hanyou Tech and his game had been very off ever since. Still, I was confident that his other two ass kicking years as the star receiver would save him. Even if he wasn't drafted in the first round, I knew that he would get drafted.
"Thank you my dear," Naraku said as he began to sip on the water. It looked as if it had helped him for he wasn't as shaky as before. I looked at Bankotsu and nodded my thanks. Bankotsu nodded back as he held his wife of now four months closer to him. I was so happy for Bankotsu and Sai. They had married in December and although the wedding was small and private, it was very beautiful. Naraku had been Bankotsu's best man just like Bankotsu will be his when he and I get married. I had wanted Naraku to marry me as soon as we got back together, but he declined. He insisted that I deserved the biggest, most beautiful wedding that a girl could dream of and he intended on giving it to me as soon as we had saved up enough money. Although the thought of a fairy tale wedding did arouse me a bit, all that really mattered was that Naraku was the groom. I'd be just as happy marrying him in a shack.
"You alright now man?" Bankotsu said with an amused smile as he took the glass away from him. Naraku nodded his head. Sai giggled.
"Good because you look too sharp to be this nervous," she said with a big smile. I giggled too for my man did indeed look very flyy. Black suit with red pinstripes, black vest, black shirt and red tie and hankerchief. Black and red aligator shoes and black stunna shades. I had to stop myself from jumping his bones when I saw him this morning. He was indeed looking very sharp, although it was typical for him to be stylish. Bankotsu rolled his eyes at his wife.
"Damn, I mean I'm standing right here darling," he said very sarcastically. Sai giggled and patted his cheek.
"I'm sorry Sugar. You look good too in that white." Bankotsu sighed and looked at his best friend.
"See Naraku, even now at twenty two years old, you are still doing what you've done since we were kids. You are always stealing my thunder. Damn you." Naraku laughed out loud at his best male friend. I smiled really wide for he was definitely feeling better now.
"I'm sorry man. I'll try to control my sexy," he said with a smile. I giggled as I gave him a hug and kiss.
"He's baaaack," I said.
After a few more moments out in the hallway, all of us decided that it was time for us to rejoin everyone back in the ballroom for it was now time for the first team to call out their pick. As we walked to our table, we passed Koga and Sesshoumaru's table on the way. I gave my ex a friendly but awkward smile and he replied with a simple nod. It had now been almost two years since we broke up and things were still very strange between us. We had become friends again, although we weren't very close and not nearly as close as we used to be. Even to this day, I still feel a little guilt for what I did to him...but...Naraku is the one whom I'm destined to be with. I just hope that Sesshoumaru finds someone soon. Someone that will be a better girlfriend to him than I was and someone who will love him just as much as he loves her. Someone who will be in love with him.
One person, however, that I hope gets everything that's coming to them is Tsubaki. I never ever thought that I would actually hate someone, but I really cannot stand her. As soon as sophomore year ended, Tsubaki transferred to Jewel University in Buffalo, New York. Kikyo was the one who gave me the news. She said that she guessed that Tsubaki had learned her lesson about playing with fire. I sincerely hope that Kikyo is right. I owe a lot to Kikyo, for if she would have never told Naraku about Tsubaki's dirty secret, I might not be with him right now. I just wish that somehow the spell that broke Inuyasha and her apart would be destroyed, although I could be wrong in thinking that. Kikyo and Suikotsu seem really happy together. Inuyasha and Kagome are still going strong as well. Koga and Ayame continue to be off and on as are Jakotsu and Yusuke. Hiten and Yura have since broken up and Naraku's family are their significant others now. Hiten is dating Kagura and Yura is with Muso. As for Sango and Miroku...well...lets just say that Sango got wind of his frequent Oasis visits and...put him in check. Miroku isn't quite as flirtacious as he used to be, but he's still got that wondering hand.
My family was doing spectacular as well. Li and Katsu had now been married for a little over two years now and a two year old Lelia was now ruling the home. Haikaru, now ten, was about to go start fifth grade and my feisty eighteen year old sister was a freshman at Yokai University and was just now getting something started with Sango's younger brother, Kohaku. As for Naraku and I...well, that needs no explanation. We have been engaged for almost two years now and are as happy as clams. Now at twenty one and twenty two years old, we still have as strong of a chemistry as we had when we were kids. Although...that chemistry is a little more...mature now. Naraku is such a loving and wonderful man and he is all that I have ever wanted. Ooooo and when we are all alone...oh my Kami! Naraku does some things...I mean some things that I...
"Naima?"
I mean he really, really does some things...
"Naiiimaaa?"
He does things...that I have...
"Naima?!"
"Huh?"
"Are you okay my dear? You looked like you were about to fall out of your chair. What's on your mind?" I smiled awkardly at my beautiful fiance. I didn't really want to tell him that I was being a mental pervert infront of everyone else.
"I-Its nothing sweetie," I said with a smile. Naraku smiled back as he gave me a gentle kiss on the lips.
"Yuck!" Bankotsu joked as he squinched his face up. Naraku was about to say something back, but the sound of the first NFL team announcing their pick stopped him. The whole room went quiet.
"With the first pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Byakuya, quarterback, Shikon U." The whole place errupted in applause and cheers as Naraku's cousin from Texas and the man who caused our defeat in the Jewel Bowl two years ago went up to accept his Falcon's jersey. Naraku stood to his feet and clapped for the cousin he was so fond of and Byakuya smiled as he waved to him from the stage. Byakuya was the first of many men to get drafted into the NFL, although no one from Yokai U was selected until the sixth pick of the day.
"With the sixth pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Sesshoumaru, quarterback, Yokai University." Both Koga and Inu no Taisho let out a loud yell as the very handsome dog demon went up to accept his light blue jersey from the Carolina Panthers. Everyone, including Naraku, from our school stood up to give Sesshoumaru a well deserved standing ovation. I was so proud of him, although I know that he would have loved to play for the Raiders even more. Sesshoumaru held his classic stoic gaze as he shook the hand of the Carolina officials and walked back to his seat. We made brief eye contact as he went to sit down. I could have sworn that he smiled a little, but could I have just imagined it.
As the first round continued, more and more of Yokai U went to the NFL. Koga was picked eleventh and went to the Buffalo Bills, Hiten was the twentieth pick and went to New Orleans, and Suikotsu was pick number thirty one and was now a Tampa Bay Buccaneer. By the end of the first round, the only Yokai U students left were Bankotsu and Naraku...but that soon changed as soon as round two began.
"With the thirty-third pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select Bankotsu, safety, Yokai University." Bankotsu nearly passed out as soon as his name was called. In fact, said had to whack him over the head so it could sink in. Of course we all were the first to our feet as the man whom Naraku and I have known and been close to since sixth grade went up to accept his Falcons' jersey. Bankotsu blew his wife a kiss after shaking the Falcon official's hands and Sai's beautiful face was lit up with the biggest smile.
"Congratulations man," Naraku greeted his best male friend with a high five and hug when he got back to our table.
"Aww dude thanks. Now all we have to do is wait on you. Go for Atlanta man so you be down there with me and 'Yak." Naraku chuckled as he sat back down.
"I'll do my best," he humble said.
As the second round went on, name after name was called...but none of them was Naraku's. I could tell that Naraku was beginning to get a little nervous again. He knew that he probably wouldn't be drafted in the first round, but surely in the second round. But soon the second round ended and Naraku had yet to be called. I held onto his hand and rubbed his arm to help try to calm his nerves as the third round began. I felt so bad for my baby. He was trembling and he was beginning to sweat again. He had dreamt of this moment and he was really afraid that he wouldn't be picked. He closed his eyes tightly and pressed his lips together when the commissioner of the Atlanta Falcons got up to announce their pick for the third round.
"With the sixty-fifth pick in the 2010 NFL, the Atlanta Falcons select Naraku, wide receiever, Yokai University."
"HELL YEAH!" Bankotsu cried out as he got up and practically pulled Naraku out of his chair. Naraku staggered a little but regained his composure and slowly began to walk to the stage to accept his jersey. I smiled so brighty as I watched Naraku take the red and black jersey into his hands and shake the Falcons' officials' hands. I had to fight back tears of joy for I was soooo happy for him. After years of struggle and hard work, Naraku made it. He was now an NFL player. My father would have been so proud. I know I was. Naraku was all smiles too when he came back to the table, proudly showing me the Atlanta jersey. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore as I warmly embraced him as a congratulations.
"I did it," he softly whispered in my ear. I giggled as I continued to hug him tightly.
"Yeah you did. I always knew you could...Superman."
After the draft was finished, Naraku, Bankotsu, Sai and I stood out in the hallway taking pictures for ESPN's Sports Center. They would show the highlights of the first four rounds of the draft later on that night. As we took pictures, I saw Sesshoumaru standing off a little to the side, standing with Koga. "Naraku, I'll be right back," I said to my fiance. Naraku nodded his approval and I slipped out of the picture and began to walk over to where Sesshoumaru and his best friend were. "Congratulations," I said to Koga with a huge smile as I gave him a hug. Koga laughed as he hugged me back.
"Thanks girl. I'm a Bill now! This is really the shit!" I laughed as I gave his jersey a good look.
"Yep you are. May the blackmailing commence."
"You wouldn't dare."
"After all those times you called me ugly and said that my head was the size of a..."
"...a casaba mellon! HA HA!"
"You must want your career to end early wolf boy."
"Ha ha. I'm just joking sweetie. You're not as ugly as you used to be...although you still have a big head." I gasped as I gave him a smack on the arm. Koga just laughed again.
"I'm joking girl." He then looked at Sesshoumaru for a few seconds before turning back to me. "I...I think I hear Ayame calling me. I'll see you guys later." I smiled and waved goodbye as Koga walked off. Sesshoumaru and I were very quiet as we stood next to each other.
"...Ummm...I just came over to say congratulations. I'm really happy for you," I said after a while.
"Thanks," he softly replied. Once again, silence fell upon us.
"...Well...good luck down in Carolina. I know that you'll make the Panthers look really good."
"Thank you very much. I...I hope you enjoy Atlanta."
"...So...I guess this is the last we will see each other then?" Sesshoumaru smirked.
"We still have a month until graduation. Plus, you do remember that Carolina and Atlanta are both in the NFC South. So don't worry...we'll see each other again. When I'm kicking your boyfriend's ass on the field." I chuckled a little and Sesshoumaru did too, suprisingly.
"...I hope...I hope that you can forgive me for..."
"Stop," Sesshoumaru said putting his hand up to cut me off, "...I've...I'm okay. Really." I gave him another good look before I nodded my head with a small smile.
"Well...I guess I'll see you on Sundays."
"Mmmm," Sesshoumaru replied with a nod. I gave him one more small smile before I turned and began to walk back over to the wonderful man in my life. He gave me a concerned look as he took my hand in his.
"You alright?" he asked. I smiled as I nodded my head.
"Yeah. Yeah I am. I'm happy that I have closure with him...and I think that he'll be okay. So I'm alright." Naraku gave me a soft smile as he rubbed my hair. I smiled back before pulling him down for a soft sweet kiss. He wrapped his arm around my back and I wrapped mine around his neck as we continued to kiss.
"Ay ay ay! We'll have none of that now! There's no kissing in tha NFL, boi!" I heard a voice all of a sudden say. Naraku and I broke the kiss to see that Naraku's cousin, Byakuya was walking over to us with a glass of wine in his hand along with two champagne glasses. Bankotsu and Sai were right behind him with glasses in their hands. Naraku grinned as he gave his cousin, that had a very heavy New Orleans accent, a big smile.
"What's good 'Yak?"
"Wass good with you man? I heard that you was gettin married to a pretty lady, but DAYUM she is foine!"
"Hey no way dude. You better calm down, Naima is mine." Byakuya laughed as he placed a glass in Naraku's hand and my hand.
"I was just kiddin cuz. I wouldn't dare impose on your territory. But just know that when we get to Atlanta, that's my territory."
"Yeah whatever you say man. Still as crazy as ever I see."
"You know it! Byakuya will always be a nut." Naraku chuckled as the kin spider demon began to pour wine in all of our glasses. After all five glasses were filled. Byakuya put the bottle on the ground. "So what should we toast to y'all?"
"Money, because we are paaaaid now," Bankotsu said with a huge smile.
"No no no," Sai replied, "how about love? That's something to toast to."
"Hell no. Football is what we're toasting to," Byakuya declared. "Tailgating, jerseys, pain, all that good stuff."
"I think marriage is what we celebrate. For in a few months, I'll be Mrs. Naraku," I declared as I gave my fiance a loving look and smile. Naraku smiled back as he gentley nipped my lips.
"I know what we should toast to," Naraku said after pulling away from me, "tonight...we toast to Atlanta. For our new lives will begin there. Lives of happiness, love, and success."
"Don't forget MONEY!" Bankotsu added. We all chuckled as we lifted our glasses to toast.
"Here's to the Atlanta!" Byakuya cried.
"To Atlanta," we all replied as we clinked the glasses of wine.
A/N: And they all lived happily ever after...or did they??? MWAHAHAHA!!!
So it seems as if Naraku and Sesshoumaru got drafted to the SAME division. Oooooo. That will play a role in the sequels. The sequels will be two seperate stories and there won't be a competition between Naraku and Sesshoumaru for love, BUT the sequels will interconnect at parts. Especially when...no I'm not telling what I have planned just yet, lol. You'll have to just wait and see :)
THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!
