HERE IT IS! The FINAL CHAPTER!!!!

Chapter 26:

Maybe, She Wouldn't Be Gone

Inuyasha watched from a distance as the village went to the funeral hut to pay their last respects to Kagome. 'You stupid girl! How could you do this to me! We had a plan! I was suppose to wish you back!'

He looked away from the hut and walked towards the sacred tree. "This was your plan all along, wasn't it." He looked down at the ground, trying to stop the tears from falling. He didn't know what to do. Before, he had a plan, kill Naraku and bring her back with the jewel! Now Naraku's dead and the jewel no longer existed! And he was alone.

He sat under the tree and rested his head on the trunk. "What do I do now?" He whispered.

"Inuyasha quit being so lazy! Get up and help me!" Inuyasha's ears perked up and his heart skipped a beat. He looked over at the clearing and saw Kagome! She was dragging her yellow bag from the well! She was alive! She looked at him and smiled sweetly. Then Inuyasha noticed, her school uniform. She disappeared. Inuyasha growled.

She was EVERYWHERE! Dreams, Awake, Thoughts, He couldn't escape her. But the true question was. "Do I want her to leave me?"

He pressed the palms of his hand on his face and groaned. "Kagome..."

It had been two days since she died. When they returned with her, Kaede had already had the hut prepared. Like Kagome already told her what was to happen. Shippo wouldn't talk to Inuyasha. He blamed him for everything. Inuyasha didn't really blame him.

Sango was so happy to have her brother back. It was like a light in her that had been turned off for so long was turned back on. And Miroku was excited about no longer having the curse and being able to marry Sango. Though all of that would wait. Because Kagome, was lying in a futon, dead. She wore a Miko outfit. She had cherry blossoms around her body. And she looked at peace.

Sango saw Inuyasha at the tree and walked over to him. "Are you going to say goodbye, they're about to end the ceremony." Inuyasha winced. He knew that that meant, they would burn Kagome's body. He didn't want them to do that. He sighed. He had to see Kagome one last time though. He nodded and follow Sango to the hut. The hut was empty of people. But there were many things around the bed. A drawing Shippo made, herbs and treasures from the villagers, Miroku's prayer beads. He saw that Koga had left a little bag of those herbs that Kagome loved so much. Sango left a picture of just her and kagome. Inuyasha let out a shaky breath.

"Umm...Hey Kagome." He choked. He couldn't do this, but he had to. "Ummm...well I guess I should've known you wouldn't listen to me. You are the most stubborn person I ever met." He snorted and looked at her peaceful look. "I love you." He whispered. Rubbing his hand down her cheek. Tears started to running down his face.

"Kagome I...I wanted you to know, that, I've loved you for so long. In fact if you knew how long you'd say I was ridiculous. I always thought that...Kikyo, she was my one and only. That I LOVED her. But I guess, I didn't really understand love. Because, the way I feel about you, feels so much stronger than anything I've ever felt with her. You're my whole world. Whenever I hear you voice...see you smile...hell even when you're angry at me. My heart still feels like it's going to explode." He choked back a sob and looked up at the roof, the tears kept pouring.

"It wasn't suppose to end this way!" He cried. "Kagome, I wanted you to be with me, I want us to be together forever, I wanted to have kids, to wake up and see you next to me. Kagome, please...just wake up. Just tell me its a dream." He put his hands in his face and cried. "Please..."

"Inuyasha?" His head snapped and he turned towards the door. Miroku walked in. "Inuyasha, it's time." Inuyasha kissed kagome's forehead and stormed out of the hut and down to the river. When he got there he saw the last person he'd thought he'd see.

"Kikyo?" Kikyo turned towards him and smiled softly. "Hey." She walked over to him. "Why are you? I thought?" Kikyo smiled. "She's strong, she came closer, but, she didn't kill me. I lied, her power exceeded mine 100 times. She knew that, but she didn't want to kill me, because of you."

Inuyasha looked away. "Why are you here?" He stated. He suddenly felt like talking to Kikyo was betraying Kagome, and he could do that.

"You love her..." Inuyasha's eyes widened. He gulped. "I...I do." Kikyo's eyes saddened. "She's very lucky." She said and touched Inuyasha's cheek. "I'm sorry for everything Inuyasha. Now it is time for me to go. But first, will you walk me to Kagome's hut, I want to say goodbye."

Inuyasha wanted to tell her to fuck off. But her smile, and her sad eyes. He sighed and walked her to the hut.

Once there, everyone gasped as they saw Kikyo. Kaede looked at her sister. "Kikyo, what are ye doing?" Kikyo placed a hand on her sister's shoulder. "Tell the men to leave her body in there. I want to pay my respects."

Kaede nodded and the men left the hut. Kikyo walked in alone.

Inside the hut Kikyo looked down at Kagome. "Kagome, you didn't deserve this. If I hadn't tricked Inuyasha, your life wouldn't had been cut short. He loves you and misses you dearly. And I am tired, and ready to move on, I'm ready to rest in peace. Just promise me you'll take care of him."

She looked down at the girl and smiled. "I knew you would."

Kikyo place a hand over Kagome's heart, and one over her own. "Good thing you never took your whole soul back." The room filled with a blue and pink aura. Then it exploded.

"WHAT THE? Kagome?" Inuyasha was ran into the hut, as well as the rest of the group. When the went in there they saw a pile of ashes on the ground with a leaf on top and Kikyo's clothes laying next to them. Kagome was laying in bed. Seeming untouched. Inuyasha walked over and looked at Kagome. 'What did Kikyo do?'

Then his heart stopped. Did he hear that? Was his mind fooling him again. A breath? No...she's dead.

Then he heard it again. And another. And another. Then,

"Inuyasha?" Tears welled up in his eyes. He looked down and saw stormy blue eyes staring up at him. "K-Kagome?"

"Kagome sat up slowly and looked around. "Who died?" She asked curiously. Sango ran over and hugged her. "Kagome! You did! Remember the jewel?" Kagome thought for a moment. That's right, Kohaku. She looked around and saw Kohaku standing near the door.

"But how am I.." Miroku walked up. "I believe Kikyo had something to do with it." They gasped. Inuyasha looked at Kaede who was placing Kikyo's ashes in a urn. 'Kikyo, you gave Kagome back her soul, so she could live, for me.' He smiled and hugged Kagome tightly.

'Thank You.'

Later that night, the group finished a meal and Kagome walked outside. She stretched her body and looked at the setting sun. She undid the kimono top and looked at her abdomen. The scar was gone. She smiled and looked at her chest. It was still there. 'I guess I can live with that.' She gave a small laugh.

"What's so funny." She jumped and smiled as Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her waist. "Just life." Inuyasha nodded and kissed her neck "I love you." He whispered. Kagome smiled. "I love you too."

She turned around and looked at him. "Never leave me again." He stated. Kagome smiled. "I promise." He nodded and bent down and kissed her softly.

'Thank you Kikyo.' The both thought.

R&R