I just wanted to take a few lines to thank all of you wonderful people who have been commenting. They honestly keep me going when I feel doubts about what I'm writing or the direction that I take the story in. I guess I just want to say you lovely commenters give me life. I legitimately squeal whenever I see that I have a new comment.

We're also coming up on the end of the story! Which is sad but also happy! This will be my first time actually completing a written piece, so I'm very excited about accomplishing this new achievement.

So without any further ado, enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter Ten: Tale as Old as Time

Kagome reached the final stair and took InuYasha's offered arm, smiling so hard she felt like her face might split in half. "What is all this for?" She whispered under her breath, tucking her hand into the crook of his elbow. She smiled at the happy faces surrounding her.

"This is a thank you party," InuYasha said, leading her towards the center of the ballroom. "A thank you from everyone here in the castle. You have been so wonderful to everyone and they all wanted to thank you. Especially me. You helped me get back to the person I was always meant to be. Words will never be able to express how thankful we are for your help."

They were stopped every few steps by random members of the castle staff. Some shook her hand while others enveloped her in hugs.

"Dear girl, thank you for bringing a smile back to our Lord's face. It has been too long." Lady Kaede said clasping Kagome's hand in her own. "Far too long."

Kagome felt her heart swell in her chest and wrapped her arms around Kaede's shoulders. "You all are really being far to kind. It's not like I intentionally came to the castle for the soul purpose of breaking the curse. I just kind of... ended up here."

Kaede smiled and cupped Kagome's cheek with one hand. "I know, child. I doubt any other person but you could have melted InuYasha's frigid heart."

InuYasha gave a sharp feh and scratched at the side of his head. "Well, it doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

Kagome and Kaede shared a look before laughing. She slipped her arm back into InuYasha's. "No, I suppose it doesn't. I would choose you again though. If we had to do it all over again, I would still take Grandfather's place. And not just because he's my Grandfather... Because I saw something in you that needed me. Something I think I knew deep down I needed too."

InuYasha stopped in the middle of the ballroom, taking one of her hands in his and lifting her other to his shoulder. Kagome felt her cheeks heating up when he placed his other hand on her waist. I suppose this shouldn't embarrass me so much... She glanced around the room at the expectant faces of her friends... No, my family.

"And what do I need?"

"Oh, nothing anymore. You already have it: love."

The small band in the corner began playing and Kagome was swept off her feet. She smiled as she followed his lead, not even trying to hold back the tears that were forming in the corner of her eyes.

"What's the matter?" InuYasha asked, watching her with worry in his eyes.

"I'm just so happy." Kagome glanced around at all the smiling faces dancing along side them. "No one has ever done anything like this for me before. And I've never seen yu so happy being surrounded by so many people." She met InuYasha's eyes and smiled at him. "Thank you."

The song picked up to a fast paced tempo and Kagome felt her feet being lifted from the ground as InuYasha spun her around in a sweeping circle. She laughed and closed her eyes, relishing in the sensation of trusting the man she loved.

"That's better."

Kagome opened her eyes to look at him, still pressed against his chest, feet dangling in the air. Her hands rested on his shoulders.

"This is how you should look all the time."

Kagome quirked a brow.

"Happy."

Kagome smiled and pressed a light kiss on his lips. The room broke out in claps and oohs of approval and Kagome felt heat in her cheeks. She pulled back a bit and pushed on InuYasha's chest lightly. "Okay you can put me down now."

InuYasha laughed and began spinning her around again. "No, never. I'm never putting you down ever again."

"Well, life is going to be a little bit difficult if you're carrying me around everywhere." Kagome giggled, placing a gentle kiss on his cheek.

InuYasha sighed dramatically and set her down on her feet. "Okay, I guess I'll have to settle for holding your hand."

"And never let it go?" Kagome asked, smiling.

InuYasha smiled back at her. "Never."

"You should guard your words more carefully, Lord InuYasha. A young maiden such as myself might get the wrong idea."

The fast paced song ended and was replaced by a slow waltz. He pulled her closer, Kagome resting her cheek against his chest. "And what wrong ideas are my words portraying to my poor, young maiden?"

"Well, it almost sounded like you were-"

"Kagome, my dear!" Grandfather bumped into them, wrapping his arms around their shoulders. "You don't mind if I cut in, do you?" His old eyes twinkled up at InuYasha.

"Of course." InuYasha passed her hand off to Grandfather. "Just bring her back quickly."

Kagome allowed herself to be pulled away, still wondering if he was going to do what she thought he was going to do. She glanced back and watched him caress the front of his jacket just over his breast pocket.

~InuYasha~

InuYasha watched Kagome leave, fingering the lump in his breast pocket. His anxiety welled up in chest and made its way into his throat. He took a steadying breath. Quit freaking yourself out so much. You already know how she feels about you. I just need to take the initiative and get over myself.

He was smacked on the shoulder, drawing his attention to Miroku, the offending hand himself. "So, you're still going through with it, right?"

InuYasha sighed, running his hand through his bangs briefly. "Yeah, I just can't believe how nervous I am."

"Well, I can't blame you. This is a pretty big step forward in your relationship." Miroku slung an arm around InuYasha's shoulder. "Actually, this is your first real relationship, isn't it?"

InuYasha glared at his friend out the corner of his eye. "Says the man who married the first woman he courted."

Miroku laughed. "Now, now, we're talking about your love life, not mine."

Sango sidled up beside them. "Where did Kagome run off to?" She tilted her head, searching the room. Her mouth was twisted in frown. "Whatever you do, you have to be sure to do it here. In the ballroom. Everyone wants to see this. Don't you dare do it anywhere else. I will hurt you."

She would, too, wouldn't she. InuYasha sighed again, anxiety rising. He searched the room, trying to find Kagome in the crowded ballroom. Where did those two go?

"I'll be right back," he said, shrugging out of Miroku's grasp.

"Don't forget!" Sango called after him. "Do it here!"

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you."

He navigated the ballroom floor, searching for any sign of Kagome. Where the hell did that crazy old coot take her? He climbed the grand staircase, peering over the edge of the railing. The room was a bustle with the sound of people talking and the blur of dancing couples. He took in a deep breath trying to track down her scent. It's no use, there are too many people here.

"Master InuYasha, is there something wrong?"

InuYasha turned to see the man that he'd seen Kagome with in the stables. What was his name again...? "Hojo!"

The young man jumped, clearly surprised. "Oh, you remembered my name."

"Right, um, have you seen Kagome?"

"Oh, yes, she seemed quite pleased with all the preparations you've made!"

"Hojo, please, I'm trying so hard to be civil right now. Where is Kagome?"

Hojo's face fell.

"I'm only joking Hojo."

His face relaxed.

"But really, have you seen Kagome around recently?"

Hojo frowned for a second, searching his thoughts. "Right! I think I saw Lady Kagome and her Grandfather heading towards the roof-"

"Thank you, bye!" InuYasha called out over his shoulder, heading towards the roof.

She always picks the most inconvenient times to disappear.

~Kagome~

"Grandfather, where are we going?" Kagome giggled as he led her out of the ballroom and up a flight of dark stairs.

"You'll see soon, my dear."

They reached a door and Grandfather pushed it open, revealing the roof of the castle. The cool air felt good on her heated skin and she took a moment to absorb the feeling.

"Ahh, this feels nice." Kagome sighed and leaned against the nearby railing. The moon is so full and bright tonight, and there's not a cloud in sight.

"You look so much like your mother, child. Just as beautiful... if not more."

Kagome turned to look at him. "Oh, Grandfather don't make me blush." Kagome placed a hand on one of her heated cheeks.

"Oh but it's true!" Grandfather leaned against the railing beside her. "There's something about a woman being in love that just makes her that much more beautiful."

"Is it really so obvious?" Kagome laughed. "And here I thought I was hiding it so well."

Grandfather laughed heartily, holding onto his stomach. "Trust me, it is quite a thing to hide. Impossible, really."

"I've just never felt this way about anyone before. It's kind of... exhilarating."

Kagome felt her heart leap in her throat, thinking about her feelings for InuYasha. I really do love him. I just hope he feels the same way.

"You don't doubt your feelings for him, do you?"

"No, of course not. I've told him countless times already how I feel..." Kagome glanced down at her laced fingers.

"But?"

"I just wish he would be a bit more open with his feelings. I know it's not an automatic thing, opening your heart up to someone you've known for a few short months. And he is getting better!

"For the longest time, he thought beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was somehow his fault that I was attacked. That it was somehow all his fault that my life was in any sort of danger." Kagome smiled softly.I'm just so glad that the misunderstanding has finally been cleared up and we're back to where we belong... Together. She could practically feel the pieces of her life falling into place.

~InuYasha~

InuYasha took the stairs three at a time, feeling his anxiety grow. He was ready. Beyond ready. Ready to devote his life to Kagome.

To tell her how much he loved her.

To ask her to be my wife.

InuYasha had never felt so happy, so full... Just full of life and... complete in every way he'd never thought possible. He needed to tell her these feeling before his stupid brain got in the way and screwed everything up. Like it always messes everything up.

He threw open the door to the roof and sighed in relief. She's here. Then he felt his anxiety bubble up in his throat. Shit, why does this have to be so hard? His fingers went to the lump on his jacket again, trying to calm himself.

~Kagome~

"What if it was his fault?"

Kagome frowned, turning to look Grandfather in the eyes. "How could you say such a thing, Grandfather? That's not even a funny joke."

"No, think about it, dear girl: you were never in any danger until you came to this castle. Not once."

I can't believe what I'm hearing right now. Kagome shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous. InuYasha would never do anything to put me in danger. If the past month has taught me anything, it's that."

"That's all well and good. But the moment you enter this... evil place, you are attacked by wolves, placed under a curse... How many more times do you have to almost die for you to see what is going on right under your very nose?"

"Grandfather, what's the matter? You don't sound like yourself."

Kagome watched Grandfather's mouth twist into a smirk.

"You always were a smart child. Naive, but smart."

Kagome looked on in horror as the skin on Grandfather's face melted and twisted in place, oozing down around his entire body.

"You should have said yes to me while I was being nice, Kagome."

The molten flesh settled and reformed around the man in front of her. "Naraku."

"If only you had come to me when I asked so nicely... None of this would have happened." His purple eyes lit with an evil glint. "But look what you've gone and made me do."