Disclaimer: Good day, everyone! I hope you've all had a wonderful weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all those amazing mothers that we have. I know I wouldn't be the person I am today without my mom =D

Anyways, my story is coming to an end =[ Yes, I am sad. But, there will be many other adventures in other stories so do not worry ;] Only 2 chapters left until the end of the story. Make sure to vote for which story I should start next on my profile.

That's enough of my blabbering. I'll give you what you really came for now. Chapter 17! Here we go!

Here it is. The day that I have been dreading since I received news about what was going to happen. The day most people find as a relief. I used to as well, but, now, I fear it.

It's Friday. The day that Kagome will be going on her date with Koga. Kami, give me strength.

The worst part of it all is that I haven't talked to Kagome since Wednesday! Yes, like I said before, I'm a coward. Give me some credit, I couldn't just see her the next day and pretend that everything was okay when I was about to kiss her! It wouldn't have made a difference. Whatever I say, it won't change her mind. If I had talked to her yesterday, she still would have gone on that date with Koga. What could I have possibly said? Nothing. It was hopeless. . .

Kami, Look at how we're talking! We can't just give up hope. We have to keep fighting for her until the end. What happened to the love-struck fool we used to be? The one that wouldn't give up hope? We're the only ones that can help each other in this crisis situation. Countered my conscience.

Good Kami, I need mental help. I'm arguing with myself for crying out loud. But, my conscience is right. I can't give up. I have to keep fighting for the woman I love. Even if it is hopeless.

Stop talking like that! My conscience spoke up again.

"Oh, quiet you." I muttered under my breath. School had ended for the day and everyone had gone to party, just like they always did on Fridays. Kagome had informed her date with Koga was at eight o'clock. It was six twenty-three. This was my last chance to stop this. I have to give it my all.

I was already driving towards her house. Three hours of doing absolutely nothing around my house was enough. Plus, I had to face her eventually.

As soon as I parked in front of her house, I stepped out of my car and ran towards her porch. When I knocked on her door, instead of her answering, Kagome's mom answered.

"Oh, Hello Inuyasha." She greeted me in her soft, sweet voice.

"Hey, Mrs. Higurashi. Is Kagome here?" I asked, peeking behind her quickly to see if Kagome was on the couch before looking back at her. Sadly, she wasn't there.

"Yes, she's in the backyard. I'll go tell her you're here."

"It's okay. I want to surprise her." I insisted. Mrs. Higurashi gave me a warm smile that I usually saw Kagome give me. Now, I know where she gets it from. She closed the door and I headed around the house and towards Kagome's backyard. There was a big, baige, wooden door that was the entrance to the backyard. I took off the lock and opened the door slowly, making sure that the door didn't make a sound as I opened it. As I walked through the door, I saw Kagome swinging herself back and forth on a deep green porch swing. She was watching her feet as she moved the swing. She didn't seem to notice I came in, so I inched myself a bit closer before making her aware of my presence.

"Hey." I spoke casually, not too loud but not too soft. She looked up and gave me the exact smile her mother just gave me.

"Hi." She whispered in a sweet voice. She must have been in deep thought before I walked in. Her voice is usually like that after she wanders off in her mind. I approached the swing and took a seat next to her.

"What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside, you know. . . Getting ready." The last part I said with much less enthusiasm than how I usually spoke.

"It's warm out so I decided to come out here and get some fresh air. I must have been out here for a while now. I changed out of my school clothes and came out here. I started swinging myself for Kami knows how long and, well, here I am, still swinging myself." She explained in a tone that did not at all sound like her. I didn't want to ask immediately what was wrong with her, since I knew she was going to deny the fact that something was wrong, but I would lean into that subject.

"What've you been thinking about?" I pressed on, wanting to know what was bothering her and if I could fix it in any way.

"Oh, just some things here and there."

"Like?"

"Nothing really." Well, the indirect approach doesn't seem to be working out so well. But, I do have other tricks up my sleeve.

"I know how to get the truth out of you. It's better to just say it then make me use force." She gave me a smirk as if daring me to do it, and, boy, did I want to. It was fun to tease her in the way I'm talking about. She always comes right out with what she was thinking about and I could always fix her problems. What would be so different this time?

"You wouldn't." She said, adding on the dare with her new tone of voice. I knew that behind her smirk, she was scared of what I would do. She refused to tell me and now, she must suffer the concequences. I gave her a grin and, in an instant, my arms went behind her to her lower back and began tickling her. She squealed and giggled and laughed as she struggled to break free. I kept my hold on her, laughing as I did so.

"Ready to give up?" I asked over her laughter. She continued moving around in my grasp and laughing hysterically.

"No!" She squealed and laughed afterwards. I increased the tickling and moved my fingers from her back to her stomach. She laughed loudly and leaned back, trying to escape. I just leaned forward with her until her back was pressed against the seat of the porch swing. In her attempt to get me to stop, she gripped my arms and dug her nails into them. Althought it did sting slightly, that didn't stop me from toturing her. She hands moved from my arms and towards my chest so she could push me off of her and get me to stop. It didn't make me move but the feeling of her hands on my chest was absolutely heavenly. So amazing that I actually slowed the tickling down before it came to a complete stop. She was panting, her hands still on my chest and I could feel her heart pounding since I still had my hands on her stomach.

"Now?" I said with a slight grin. She grinned back, still panting, and shook her head. My grin settled into a soft smile. It wasn't until that moment that I had realized the position we were both in. Her legs were parted slightly where I had placed myself. I had my hands on her stomach and she had hers on my chest. She was panting and I had to admit I was a little out of breath. The way that we were looking at each other in that instant would make anyone think that we were about to. . .

I put myself back into reality and when I did, I found it to be a big mistake. In that moment where I had stopped thinking, my eyes glued themselves to hers and I couldn't find the will to pull myself away. Before I could even move, I felt something crawl up from my chest to my neck all the way up to my face. Kagome's soft hand stroked my cheek softly and I sighed inwardly, my eyes closing by themselves. I let her caress my cheek for what seemed like forever. The feeling was too good to pull away from and I was to weak to be the one to do it.

Suddenly, Kagome's hand shot back and she sat up. I moved back so our faces didn't collide, though I wish they did.

"I have to go. Koga's going to come and I need to get ready." Kagome said frantically and stood from the swing. This was it. She was going on that date and she'll fall for him and leave me in the dust. And I have to stand by and watch. Something inside me just made my nerves twitch and I grabbed her arm. She turned around at once. I stood up so I could face her more properly.

"Don't go on that date with him." I told, or begged her.

"Why not?"

"Please, Kagome. There are tons of guys out there that are so much better for you than him." She laughed halfheartedly and looked to the ground.

"Yeah, like who?" She murmured under her breath. I lifted her chin up and gave her one of the biggest hints ever.

"You're looking at one." I said, looking directly into her eyes so she could know that I was telling nothing but the truth. She bit her lip, as if hesitating whether or not she should do something.

Then, Kagome's backyard door opened. I let go of her chin and turned around to see Mrs. Higurashi.

"Kagome, Koga called and said he'll be coming in an hour."

"Thanks Mom." Kagome whispered before Mrs. Higurashi left again. I looked to the ground. I was right, no matter what I say she'll still go on the date. I felt to soft lips touch my cheeks before Kagome walked passed me and out of her backyard.

I lost. I lost my best friend. I lost the love of my life. I lost my whole world. I made my way to the door of the backyard and got into my car before driving back home. I parked my car in front of my house, walked lifelessly into my house, dragged myself up the stairs, and threw myself on the bed. I covered my head with a pillow and fell into darkness where I could not feel the pain that was pounding through my heart.

What had caused me to wake up was my phone vibrating on the bed. I groaned and looked at it. Though my vision was a bit blurred because I has just woken up, I saw the 'M' at the beginning and knew it was Miroku. I pressed the Talk button and pressed the phone to my ear.

"Inuyasha!" Miroku yelled, blasting my ear drum.

"Oh, what is it Miroku!" I yelled right back at him through the phone.

"I've got some bad news. It involves Kagome." I sat up in bed and threw the pillow I had put on my head aside.

"Speak."

"Koga started a bet with one of his friends and he bet that he could sleep with Kagome. He asked her out on a date and planned to take her to a hotel." I glanced at the clock quickly and nearly cursed. It was more than an hour after Koga was supposed to pick up Kagome.

"Which hotel Miroku?"

"The big, five-star one near your house."

"Thanks a lot Miroku." I quickly hung up my phone and jumped off of my bed. Now, he's DEAD. The nerve of this guy trying to get Kagome into bed with him. Sweet Kagome. Pure Kagome. My Kagome. I don't care if she will never love me and always hate me for separating her from Koga but I can't let him do it. I can't let this ignorant, peice of shit bastard waltz in and steal Kagome's virginity.

I jumped down my stairs and sprinted out of my house and hopped into my car. The moment the engine started, I drove like a mad-man towards the hotel. I surely passed the speed limit by a lot and if someone got inmy way I would most likely kill myself in the accident, but if I didn't make it to Kagome in time, I would kill myself.

Barely parking correctly in the hotel parking lot, I kicked my door open, leaving the car keys in the car, and dashed into the hotel. I rammed myself at the front desk and took in a few breaths of air. The manager, who was attending the hotel counter, looked at me as if I was crazy.

"Sir, can I help you with something?"

"Yes!" I responded without breath. "I need to know what room a man named Koga is staying in."

"I'm sorry, Sir, but those files are classified. You could--"

"Look! This is a matter of life and death, okay! He has a girl up there and he's going to do very impure things!" The manager stared at me, now slightly scared. He quickly went over to the computer and typed in some code. The computer beeped and he looked back at me.

"Koga has not yet checked into his room. He canceled his reservation about fifteen minutes ago." I slight feeling of relief washed over me but I still didn't know where Kagome was and if she was safe or not. I ran out of the hotel and got right back into my car. I pulled out of the lot like and drove towards Kagome's house like a complete maniac. It only took me about two and a half minutes to get there. I threw the door open, taking my keys this time, and ran to the house. I rang the door bell several times, rapid-fire. Mrs. Higurashi opened the door again.

"Mrs. Higurashi, where's Kagome?" I asked quickly before she could say a word.

"She's upstairs. She came back from her date about thirty minutes ago." Again, relief washed over me.

"Can I see her?" Without answering, Mrs. Higurashi moved aside and let me in. I raced up the stiars, my heart pounding against my chest. I swung Kagome's room door open and saw her sitting on the bed. She looked up, tears in her eyes and gave out a sigh. She got up and ran into my arms. I wrapped my arms securely around her and closed my eyes. Thank Kami she was safe. I shushed her softly and soothed her back.

"It's okay. Everything's going to be alright."

"Y-You were right. I should have never gone on that date." She stuttered softly, her voice cracking. Fear shot through me again and I looked down at her.

"Did he. . .?" She shook her head and I gave a big sigh of relief.

"I punched him in the face when he tried to force me to go to the hotel." She answered, and, if it weren't for the current situation, I would have smiled. After that, she buried her face into my chest again. "I-I'm so sorry for not listening to you." She wept into my chest. I kissed her head softly and continued rubbing her back.

"As long as your safe, I don't care about what happened before." I loosened my grip tightly only to feel her grip me tighter.

"Don't leave me." She whispered, now trembling slightly. I tightened my arms around her and hushed her.

"I'll never leave you, Kagome. Not now, and not ever."

I love you so much, Kagome Higurashi.

A/N: And there's Chapter 17! Yay! Only one Chapter left and one question remains: Will Inuyasha and Kagome finally end up together? Get your votes in for the next story! Tune In For The Last Chapter of Always There But Never Noticed! Until Next Time!