Disclaimer: Hello, everyone! Hope you're all having a good Memorial weekend. It's been pretty OK for me, I suppose.

ARE YOU ALL EXCITED! I AM! THE FINAL CHAPTER! (Trumpet plays in the background as confetti falls.) I'M SO HAPPY! But, I'm also sad at the same time. I'm happy, and I'm sad. I guess you could say I'm all around confused. Oh well!

As mentioned before, I have enjoyed writing this story so much. It's been one heck of a ride, let me tell you. But, in my opinion, I've got to say that the ending is the best part. How about I stop bragging about it and just show you? HERE IS THE FINALE OF Always There But Never Noticed! Enjoy!

Kagome stopped crying after about two minutes. She wasn't a cry baby, as some people call it. I think it's pretty brave to cry, or to show any of your feelings for that matter.

"You were right." She had said to me. "I should have listened to you. He was just another jerk who liked using girls for a night of fun. Why are all guys such bastards?" My sweat dropped at that moment.

"Uh, Kagome. Not all guys are bad, ya know."

"But some can be real big time bastards."

"You don't have to tell me twice. I know how they are."

"How come you're not like that?" Because I have you in my life, I thought. Because you changed me for the better. Because you made me want to be someone better, just for you. That was the obvious answer. That was the answer that I didn't dare leave my lips.

"Because, girls don't deserve that. If some girls want that, then they can go ahead and take it. But, I'm not going to be like that and breaks some girl's heart." She leaned her head on my shoulder and sighed. My arm wrapped around her as I got ready to speak again. "I'm glad you're safe, Kagome. If he would've. . . I don't know what would have happened to me if you hadn't punched him."

"He's a lot weaker than I'd thought he'd be." I just had to grin down at her. She thinks she can rule the world now, I bet. "Really. He passes off as such a tough guy but he was out in a split second when I punched him. . . I wonder if I gave him a black eye. . . I hope I did."

"Well, if you didn't, don't worry. I'll get him for you." She gave a small laugh. I was so worried that I would never hear that laugh again. I pulled her slightly closer, hoping she didn't mind. Thankfully, and surprisingly, all she did was settle her head on to more.

"Why are you so good to me, Inuyasha?" Because I love you too much to treat you any differently, unless it's better. That's another obvious answer that I shoved to the back of my head.

"You deserve it. I know you do. You deserve better than Koga, better than the boys at our school. . . Better than me-"

"Don't say that."

"What?"

"That I deserve better than you."

"Why? I know it's tr-"

"I need you, Inuyasha. You're my best friend. You're the only one I can talk to about my feelings. You're one of the only people I can trust."

"There's probably somebody who's a lot better than-"

"I don't care. I don't want someone else. I want you." If only she meant it as something more than just a friend. I guess that's all I'll ever be. Just a friend. A friend that's always there but never noticed. As long as she's happy, I thought. I don't care if she's just my friend. I'd rather be in her life as just a friend than not at all.

And, that concluded my Friday night. I spent the night comforting Kagome. It wasn't really comforting, it was more like convincing her not to go and kick Koga in hos private part the next time she sees him. When she fell asleep, I couldn't help but wonder if when she said she wanted me, she meant it more than just a friendly I want you. . . Even though those words don't seem very friendly. The obvious answer was no, but I still couldn't help but wonder. She got so emotional when I said there was someone better than me and the way she said, I want yousounded so. . . Different from her usual tone of emotion. I must have still been shaken up by the rough night. That's the only explanation I could come up with.

I had spent the rest of the weekend with Kagome. On Friday night, I spent the night at her house. This time, though, I slept on the couch. But, at around mid-night, she went downstairs to talk to me and ended up falling asleep next to me on the couch. I took her back upstairs before her Mom woke up. I guess she was just as shaken up as I was. After all, she was the victim. She had every right to be shaken up.

Monday soon came, which meant it was time to go back to school. I had to admit, I was a little excited. I was sort of hoping Kagome would hit Koga in the. . . You know where. If not that, I at least wanted to see what she had done to his face. That would definitely make my day.

Going into class was easy. Kagome and I walked in and sat down as we always did. Ever since Friday, Kagome had stuck to my side like glue. I guess it was because Koga would try to come after her again while she was alone. I wouldn't let that happen, whether she was alone or not. She knows that. And I sure as hell know that too.

It was 8: 57 and there was still no sign of Koga. Had he skipped school? Ha! And I called myself a coward!

Just as the bell rang, Koga zoomed into the room. He sat all the way in the back and stared down at his desk as he sat down. He had black sunglasses on and a cap that shaded his face. He kept his head low the entire time. When the teacher caught him, though, he nearly had a fit.

"Koga, since you are not yet accustomed to the school rules, I'll have you know that sunglasses and hats are strictly prohibited. I'll let it slide this time but if I catch you with either of them on again during class, you'll have two weeks of detention with me. Now, remove the glasses and the hat." I watched excitedly as Koga hesitated. He removed his hat first and I saw a bit of a brownish, purplish mark forming near his right eye. When he took of his glasses, I nearly busted out into a fit of laughter. His entire eye was swollen and purple! I have no idea what Kagome did but I don't think she needs any protection from me. I looked away and to the side, trying to calm down. When I looked at Kagome, she was wearing a proud smile on her face. Nicely done, Kagome, I thought, smiling a bit myself.

I really had to try not to laugh every time I saw Koga. The fact that Kagome, the girl who I thought wouldn't even dare to hurt a fly, did that to a guy like Koga, who may I remind you is on the football team, is just way to hilarious. I didn't laugh, of course. I had some decency and kept my laughter to myself.

I have to say, I'm really proud of her. I'm glad she defended herself. If she were like half of the other girls in the school, then, I would have something to worry about. Thankfully, she'll never be like that. I know she won't change into a weak girl. Especially not after what just happened. She can be naive at times, sure, but I know she's smart. She knows how the world works. She won't be pushed around. And, I'm glad for that.

The day passed by and I took Kagome home as usual. Today was different, though. She looked like she had something on her mind. Something she wanted to get off her chest but didn't know how to. Boy, did I know that feeling.

When I pulled up in front of her house, she immediately turned to me and said, "Walk me to the porch?" I nodded and got out of my seat. As I walked around the car towards her side, I wondered what was going through her head. I opened the door and we walked silently towards the house. When we got to the porch, I expected her to go right in and say "Good-night", but, of course, Kagome was always full of surprises. Instead of her usual actions, she turned to me and smiled before saying something.

"You know, I only went out with Koga to make someone jealous." She said, her bright and happy smile very visible. I felt a slight pang in my chest but I gave her a confused smile.

"Really?"

"Yup. It was all for a guy. Silly, huh?"

"Extremely." I muttered and she let out a giggle.

"I'm in love." She simply said. I could have broken down and cried at that moment, but I just kept silent. "I've been in love with the same guy for about two years."

"That's a little long to wait for someone." I said, trying anything to make her think that the being with the guy was a bad idea.

"I know, but he was worth it. He's always so kind to me. He can always find a way to make me laugh." So what? I can do that, too! What's so special about him? "There's only one problem." Well, if there's a problem, then maybe you shouldn't love him so much. "He doesn't notice how much I love him." See? He's blind! I would never ignore you or your feelings! You know that Kagome.

"I don't think you should be with such a stupid boy." I muttered. She let out another giggle.

"He also gets jealous very easily."

"He could end up hurting you with all that jealousy." She giggled yet again.

"He won't. He just starts muttering stuff about the guy when he doesn't know he's him."

"See? He really is stupid. I don't think he's such a good idea, Kagome. He might do something stupid one day and hurt you." My brain racked with ideas of trying to convince her to not like this guy. I leaned against her porch banister and sighed. She came up next to me and gave me a small grin.

"I wouldn't talk so bad about yourself like that if I were you." She said in a giggle.

"I can't help it! How could you fall for such and idiot? What's he got that's so- Wait, what?" I think I have something stuck in my ear. . . Did she say not to talk about myself.

"What?" She asked as she bit her lip.

"What did you just say?"

"What do you mean?"

"Tell me what you said before."

"He gets jealous easily?"

"No, after that."

"He starts muttering stuff?"

"A little more after that."

"I wouldn't talk about yourself so much if I were you?" There! Right there! What did she mean by that? Don't talk about myself so much. . . At that precise moment, my heart burst into happiness. Realization must have shown on my face because when I gave Kagome a grin, she smiled happily.

"Is there something wrong, Inuyasha?" She asked me curiously. As if she didn't know! I just gave her the same grin.

"Get over here." I said before I took her arm and pulled her to me. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her as lovingly as I possibly could. She loves me! She loves me! She loves me! I can't believe it! She's been in love with me for two years and I didn't notice a thing!

I lifted her off of her feet and I felt her smile into the kiss. How could I not have noticed. I've been so stupid. I thought she always thought of me as a friend. I've been an idiot for so long. And, yet, she still loves me!

I put her down and soon pulled away from her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and smiled up at me.

"I love you, you idiot." She whispered and I let out a laugh.

"I know. I'm sorry I made you wait so long." She smiled and stroked my cheek.

"It was worth it. You were worth the wait." There was one thing left to say at that moment. One thing I had been waiting a long time to say.

"I love you, Kagome." I whispered, giving her a small grin. She grinned right back and leaned up to give me a peck on the lips.

"I love you, too, Inuyasha." Those three words, eight letters, made me the happiest man in the entire world.

And, that's the end of my story. It's been a while since then and I still remain the happiest man alive, all because of Kagome. If you're wondering why I love her so much, well, it beats the hell out of me. But I know that every day I've spent with her has made me happier than I can or ever will be. She knows what I've kept inside for so long and now I'm finally with her. I'm just going to say the thing that I've been saying through out my story. The three words that I couldn't stop saying to her since I first said them. The three simple words that I was never able to say but I now say them without any fear.

I will now and forever love you, Kagome Higurashi.

A/N: FIN! AND THAT'S THE END OF THE STORY! I think it went well. Sorry if it's a little. . . Eh.

But is it really the end. . .? I think not! Is anyone up for an epilogue? Leave a review and tell me what you think!

Finally, I wanna thank all my reviewers! You've all been so supportive. Without you guys, I would have never been so inspired to keep on writing. Thank you all so much for keeping up with the story.

I'll see you all very soon! Good-bye!