Before You Go
Author: Videl BriefsWords: 5,884
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Kagome's getting married--but not to Inuyasha! Inuyasha won't take this sitting down, no way! He refuses to let this wedding go forward and will do anything and everything to get the girl that got away back. When it comes to love, playing dirty is the way to go!
BEFORE YOU GO.
A/N: I don't own Inuyasha. This was a one-shot, but I decided to make an epilogue for it. Who would have guessed it would have come out so long? Feedback would be highly appreciated. I think I might lower the rating to PG, I'm not sure.
Please Note: / lyrics / and thoughts are in italics. Yeah, it's a song-fic, but I normally don't do this but I heard the lyrics and they do apply to the story. It's kind of fluffy, I guess.
Summary: Kagome's getting married--but not to Inuyasha! Inuyasha won't
take this sitting down, no way! He refuses to let this wedding go forward and
will do anything and everything to get the girl that got away back. When it
comes to love, playing dirty is the way to go!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/Are those your eyes? Is that your smile?
I've been looking at you
forever, yet I never saw you before.
Are these your hands...holding mine? Now
I wonder how I could've been so blind.
For the first time, I am looking in
your eyes. For the first time, I'm seeing who you are.
Can't believe how much
I see, when you're looking back at me.
Now I understand what love is, what
love is. For the first time. Oh yeah./
Flashback
"I hate you!" she had cried pounding her fists into his chest. "I'll never be her! I don't want to be her! I want to be myself! Why can't you accept that! ..."
She grew still in the arms that held her. She began to pull away, her voice soft and bitter. "J-just go to her-see if I care!"
End of Flashback
That was three years ago.
June 12th, 1999
"Inuyasha!" exclaimed the impatient voice from below.
Inuyasha was sitting up in a tree looking extremely bored, which was the norm for him lately. Lazily, he cracked one eyes opened, "What?"
"He's taking it awfully well." Miroku muttered. "Ouch!" he nursed his ribcage that had been jabbed twice by his companions.
"Though we swore we wouldn't talk to you after...well you know. But..." Shippou grunted.
"Well, aren't you coming?" Sango finished.
"Where?" Inuyasha still looked uninterested in their conversation. It had been three years since they had shared any words amongst themselves. So why the sudden change? He had no clue. He did notice that they were all dressed up and the old woman was sitting by the well trying to look bored but he could tell she was actually a bit excited about something.
Odd.
"You mean you don't know?" Shippou questioned. "Wow, you're an idiot."
"What was that fox?" Inuyasha scowled and got up but remained in the same spot.
Shippou gulped, "N-nothing." he hid behind Miroku and said remained silent. For Shippou, even after three years and growing a few inches, only a fool would insult Inuyasha when he was annoyed and frustrated like he was now especially when one couldn't say the "s" word and make him eat dirt.
Sango frowned for a moment. "I thought Kagome told you. She came back two years after... 'The incident'..." Sango explained. "You do know that she's not coming back..." she got no response from Inuyasha so she took a deep breath and tried to drop this bomb on him as delicately as possible even though he'd practically ripped and stomped on her best friend's heart. But she knew he'd been a confused about his feelings at the time and being the very prideful and arrogant man that he is, he hated to admit he was wrong. No matter how much of a bastard he'd been three years ago, he deserved to know. However, neither Kagome nor Inuyasha deserved the pain they were still feeling.
"Because she's...well, Inuyasha the bird has flung the cope," she ignored their confused expressions and decided not to use such an analogy like that again. She decided, being blunt was the only way to get it out and in the open. And if they were lucky, she, Miroku and Shippou would be able to scurry behind a tree or bush before Inuyasha exploded!
She cleared her throat and cast her gaze onto the purse that was in her hand. "Err...what I meant to say is that Kagome is-"
"-getting married Inuyasha." Miroku finished and ducked just in time, missing Sango's fist but he didn't miss her yell.
"Miroku!"
"What?" Inuyasha growled and was on the ground in one second flat. "What did you say monk?"
Not one to be so easily swayed by Inuyasha's temper, Miroku held his ground. "I said she's getting married."
How could she do this to me? I knew I shouldn't have listened to that stupid flea, a flea of all things, and let her go off like that! Damn it all! Inuyasha thought angrily.
"When?" Inuyasha demanded.
Miroku paled. "At-" Miroku was jabbed in the ribs by Sango.
"Miroku." Sango said in a warning tone. They knew it might be best if Inuyasha didn't go for only Kami knew what he'd do to Hojo if he found the boy anywhere near Kagome. Even if they didn't tell him, he knew Kagome's scent like he knew his own; and from his tone, he looked ready to kill and how he was growling with frustration, he'd damn well do it.
Ignoring Sango's protest, Inuyasha gripped the monk by his collar. "You've got five seconds to spit it out."
"I really don't approve of violence--"
Letting his temper get the best of him, Inuyasha dismissed this. "1. 2. 3. 4."
"Gah-Kagome's getting married today to Hojo-what's-his-name at 12:00 pm at this really big white church in the middle of Tokyo. It's right across from the local Deli." Miroku said this all without taking a single breath, fearing for his life when he'd heard Inuyasha say "4." Without a second thought, Inuyasha dropped him and the monk fell onto his butt grumbling something underneath his breath.
"You ok?" Sango kneeled by him.
"I'm ok since you're here." Miroku smiled and patted her hand while Sango waited for him to do anything ill-mannered such as groping her right then and there.
"Shit." Inuyasha growled, clenching and unclenching his fists.
I gotta stop her. Inuyasha thought. She is marrying that silly clumsy little human boy when she should be marrying me! Me! How stupid can she be? How stupid am I to have listened to that stupid flea! I should have asked anyone else, even the old hag! Doesn't Kagome know that I...
"Uhm...Inuyasha...?" Shippou peeked out from behind Sango's leg. Inuyasha didn't reply, instead he started running as fast as he could towards the well, his only chance of reaching Kagome.
"Inuyasha, where are you going?" Miroku yelled.
"Isn't it obvious, idiot?" Inuyasha snapped not slowing down, if anything he moved faster.
Shippo blinked as he saw Inuyasha's form becoming smaller and smaller. "Well, it's not to me." he muttered.
"It wouldn't be seeing that you've never been in love before." Miroku replied.
"Love huh?" Shippo looked a bit baffled. If that was true, Inuyasha sure had a weird way of showing it. "So uhm... love makes you push away the one you love even though you know you're being stupid? Is that right?"
"Uhm...well..." Miroku blinked. "In this case, yes. Come to think of it, they do have the oddest relationship."
"But it's quite humorous to watch." Sango smiled and the trio headed to the well to attend the wedding. Better hurry Inuyasha.
----
/ Can this be real. Can this be true?
Am I the person I was this
morning, and are you the same you? It's all so strange.
How can it be, all
along this love was right in front of me. And for the first time, I am looking
in your eyes.
For the first time, I'm seeing who you are. I can't believe how
much I see, when you're looking back at me.
Now I understand, what love is,
what love is./
Kagome looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. She was really going to do this. Get married to Hojo, she was to become his wife. She looked beautiful dressed in the white wedding dress with the matching earrings and necklace. Kagome hung her head down. What was wrong with her? This was her wedding after all, so why wasn't she happy?
"Kagome?" her mother appeared at the door.
"Momma." Kagome greeted her mother with a smile, though it lacked its usual warmth.
Her mother kissed her daughter on the cheek and with a comb from the dresser; she gently combed her daughter's hair. "You look beautiful; you know that, don't you?"
She nodded.
"Kagome..." her mother turned her around so they could see eye-to-eye. "No one is forcing you. We want what's best for you. You don't have to if you don't want to..."
Kagome blinked. "What? No, I want to. It's just cold feet, it's normal, right?"
Her mother frowned for a moment and then said, "Yes...normal."
"Hojo and I belong together." Ahh, you're starting to lie to your own mother! She choose to tune out this little voice and continued," He's dependent, practical, smart, he's really thoughtful and is cute..." And so boring and totally not Inuyasha! I-Inuyasha...still I think about you...still yearn to be with you...Kami, you sound pathetic! Now stop thinking like that. Kagome sighed and stared out the window for a few seconds. "He's like my other half, I'd be lost without him, couldn't live without him."
Kagome's mother seemed to take notice of the change of tone. "We are still talking about Hojo...aren't we?"
Kagome blushed. "Of course." Kagome said firmly. "Of course we are! Who else could I possibly mean?"
"Kagome." her mother said softly. Her mother smiled suddenly and drew a chair up. "Did I tell you how your father and I become a couple?"
Kagome shook her head. How odd. And just right out of the blue too.
"Your father and I knew each other when I was fourteen. He was quite popular and a bit arrogant, which is typical for a 16 year old boy. When we met, he was such a jerk. He did the most childish things you'd expect from a little kid but as time went on we became best friends. We were so close but even then I didn't know how he felt about me. I went out on dates and he went out on his own. We'd talk like best friends did about those dates and why those people didn't fit what we wanted in a life partner. A few years past and I was twenty-three and engaged to Yukshi Humisho, a very important man in Japan at the time. Your father got so jealous when he was about at times they'd compete to see who was better at this or that."
"Dad did that?" Kagome blinked completely shocked! She couldn't imagine her father acting like that...well, he was quite fun to be around when he didn't have all that work and had time to go play with her. But still! Was her mother making it up for her benefit and was trying to tell her something, but she doubted that for when she looked into her mother's eyes for just a moment, she saw it was indeed the truth.
"Oh yes. I thought he was being a bit too overprotective but finally I thought he drew the line when he nearly got arrested for trying to beat up Yukshi. I was so upset that I ran home and cried under the family tree. That tree did wonders."
The same tree Inuyasha was pinned to 500 years ago... Kagome thought and stopped herself from going down memory lane.
"He came there and started to apologize but I wanted nothing to do with him, I told him t-that I hated him for breaking up Yukshi and me. He started to blush and looked a bit uncomfortable as he took a seat beside me. He told me he was jealous and thought Yuski wasn't good for me, that I deserved someone better, someone who'd protect and love me. He told me he loved me. He said he'd loved me since the very moment we met. He said he was too big of a jerk to stand a chance with me and when we got older I would think he was joking because I considered him a friend and at most, a big brother."
Kagome's mother's face lit up as she chuckled lightly. "I conked him on the head in a playful manner and called him an idiot. We started to laugh and then looked at each other in the eyes and kissed for the first time." she sighed and touched her lips, remembering that very special kiss. "Soon after we confess our love to each other and right under that tree he proposed to me. I could almost swear that tree had something to do with it. Something about it pulled us together like never before." her mother sighed. "And to think I would have lost such a man. Yuski was one thing, rich and sophisticated but your father made life have meaning, made me laugh, made me happy, and yes, even sometimes he made me angry but in all, he made me feel love. I never felt this way before and I know I never will." Kagome felt her vision blur with forming tears. She missed her father, but not nearly as much as her mother. Kagome's mother sighed, her eyes moist with forming tears. "Excuse me. My makeup will start running." she hurried out of the room, but not before Kagome could hear the high-pitch sob coming from her.
"Momma." Kagome murmured.
---
The room was empty except for two gentlemen who were dressed in tuxedos. The younger man looked confused and a bit upset as he gestured wildly to the empty chairs before them.
"What do you mean? Where are all the guests?" Hojo asked his best man, who simply shrugged.
"Your mother called from Tuyjoi Road." he said.
"But that's all the way across town!"
"She said someone called and said the wedding was moved to another church."
"But that's crazy! Who would-!"
"Hojo, the cake! See? Someone totally destroyed it. Look at my cake! My masterpiece is ruined!" a caterer complained, running up to the two. "We don't have enough time to make a new one and it's totally damaged." the man looked really distressed.
"We're fifty chairs short." a woman in a dark red dress cried as she continued to apply blush to her pale face. "They're all broken into what I'd call firewood."
"Erica's dress is ruined. It's been torn into shards." one of the bridesmaids ran into the church. "She refuses to step foot into this church until something can be done. And speaking of that, the flowers are late. We had to order some more because it got delivered to an abandoned warehouse!"
"Who could have done it and in such a short amount of time?" the best man questioned.
Hojo frowned. "I don't know about you, but I'd say, what could have done it?"
It's simply impossible...is Kami working against me? Have I done something horrible in the past few months? No, I haven't done anything wrong. But I love Kagome...is that such a crime? Why would someone ruin this for us? What is going on? Hojo asked himself.
How was he going to break the news to Kagome? She'd be crushed! This once perfect day was turning into the perfect nightmare!
---
"All right, ten minutes...you can do this." Kagome sat in front of the mirror and smoothed out the gown then she straightened the head piece that would trail behind her as she walked down the altar.
"Humph, didn't know dresses of this time were so big."
Kagome turned around and couldn't help but smile, looking at the half-demon who was perched outside the window in the tree. All the hurt, the memories of those tears, the scornful words...all of them flew out the window that very moment.
"Inuyasha."
...were so big.
Kagome glared at him. "HEY! What's that suppose to mean?"
"Nothing. Gees. Don't get your undies in a bind."
Kagome blinked, "I beg your pardon?"
"Feh. Miroku says that all the time now after he repaved through that dinky-book of yours."
"O-k." Kagome frowned. "Where are Sango and the others?"
Inuyasha crawled into the room. "They're about two blocks from here probably looking at the 'attractions' of your time. They should be here shortly." he stood a few feet from her and in a very intimidating manner; he folded his arms across his chest. "Why."
Kagome blinked. "Why what?"
"Rugh! Why didn't you tell me you were getting married to Hoho or whatever his damn name is?"
"His name is Hojo and don't go insulting people like that, it's rude!" Kagome rubbed her temples. "Calm down, Kagome. Why am I arguing with you? This is my wedding day."
"You're making a big mistake." Inuyasha said simply.
Kagome looked up and glared at him. "Says who?"
"Says me! That's who."
"Who died and made you the boss over my life?"
"Kagome-!"
/For the first time... Such a long time ago,
I had given up on finding
this emotion ever again.
But you're here with me now; yes I've found you
somehow.
I have never been so sure.
For the first time, I am looking in
your eyes.
For the first time, I am seeing who you are./
"Oh no you don't, you had your chance. Both you and Kikyo can-!"
"Damn it, Kagome. There isn't any Kikyo and me. We've been over fifty years ago. Kikyo is dead, Kagome. She's gone and has been avenged. It's over. You hear me?"
Kagome scoffed.
Inuyasha sighed.
He knew he'd hurt Kagome during the time when his heart had been torn, but it was no longer. Long ago it had chosen the woman before him. If only he'd been brave enough to say those words that his heart begged of him to say, that his mouth wanted nothing more than to proclaim his love for her and no other. He had been afraid at the time that he'd repeat what had happened fifty years ago and that scared the hell out of him! Except for one thing that kept his hopes up, there was something different between what he and Kikyo had had and what he and Kagome did have. Something he'd foolishly had taken for granted, but no longer.
Inuyasha looked at her and said, "Remember that time you and Sango were discussing relationships from that mag-what was it? Magazine?"
"Yeah, I remember." Kagome answered not knowing where he could possibly be going with this.
"You were talking about what made a successful relationship, remember?"
He was listening? And here he said it was nonsense. "Yes, I remember. There were .I think seven things. Respect, teamwork-"
"-Trust." Inuyasha cut her off suddenly that it shocked Kagome.
She regained her composure quickly and nodded, "Y-yes, trust was one of them. Then there was..."
"No, trust is what I'm saying. Kikyo and I never really had trust. If we had it, I wouldn't have been sealed onto that stupid tree." Kami I hated that tree with all those damn-.
"Inuyasha..."
"Kagome, I never knew what love was until recently. I knew the love between mother and child because that's all I ever truly could count on. It was everything to me. And I never trusted anyone until you came Kagome that you must know."
He's getting really emotional. He might say something h-he might regret. "Inuyasha, I-"
"I didn't know. Sure, I got the hang of friendship, it was easy, but not love. I guess I was scared. I'm always so damn scared. My mother loved my father and she died because...and I didn't want that to happen to you. I care way too much about you. Kagome, I know I'm not the best with words, hell I'm no poet. But you accepted me for who I was half-demon, human and even full-demon. You didn't care who or what I was. And I...I guess all these years since my mother died, I was searching for someone who'd accept me for myself and not try to change who I was. I was searching for someone like my mother, someone like you. Even when I promised I'd become human for Kikyo, the jewel would have known it wasn't my heart's desire and it would have caused nothing but destruction. Though I cared for her, I knew it wasn't right of her to ask this of me, but at the time I wanted what would keep the only person that I had at the time. I knew it was wrong and that made me just as selfish. I know that now."
Inuyasha held her hands and gazed into those warm depths of her eyes. Everything felt so strange but oh so right. So damn right.Kami, I better hurry before I lose my courage.
"Kagome.so much has changed since you came into my life. You've healed me in many ways that I have yet to comprehend. And I thank you for that." he pulled her close and took in her alluring scent, a scent he'd never forget, not matter what. "Kagome.you told me once that you loved me, that you wanted us to be together. But I never got the chance to tell you how I feel."
Oh Kami. Kagome blushed, "I-Inuyasha..." He placed a finger on her lips and she looked up at him with those sweet parted lips of hers and didn't say a word. How could she when her heart was started to flutter like it did whenever he was near. She was sure he could hear it too. Oh my.
"And I think, no I know that I love you Kagome. I know that this is the real deal. This isn't some infatuation or me going by the flutter of simple affections."
You're starting to rave on again! Shut up before she thinks you're some blabbering fool! Shut up! It seemed though; his mouth had a mind of its own, or was working alongside his heart and wasn't about to quit until it got everything out-with or without his consult.
"I thought for the longest of time that I'd never feel this emotion that those villagers whispered about or feel the love that only you could give and that I could give you in return. I never felt this way before, never felt this complete before. I love you too damn much to see you throw your life away...I know that you might be thinking I'm such a jerk to be bossing you around, but I care enough about you to let you make the final decision. And even if I never see you again, I can still cherish all the memories we had with ever fiber of my being, Kagome. I swear to you. This may sound corny, but I don't care. I-I just wanted you to know that." he looked away and his blush was redder than the ripest of apples.
Ah, damn. The silence is killing me. Say something Kagome before I embarrass myself even more by kissing you.
Don't be such a proud fool! Memories can't keep ye warm, Inuyasha. Remember that. They are nice to have, but the real thing is all the sweeter. Kaeda had said earlier before turning from him to address the others about something.
Kagome stiffened in his arms. He couldn't possibly love her, he can't. Can he? This could be it, at long last. Perhaps he's left the past where it belongs, in the past. He knows I won't force him to do anything he doesn't want to. I love the man too much, but he can't expect me to sit back waiting as he goes back and forth between Kikyo and me. It's not fair.
But he was looking at her with such love and such adoration that her heart cried out proclaiming it's unyielding love for him but those moments when he was with Kikyo came back with vengeance, as if her heart had frozen over in the past three years. He's not seeing me, is he? Is he still seeing her? Has nothing changed in the past years? But he has yet to mention that woman. Perhaps...
But it's only a matter of time. A voice taunted her and it sounded almost like Kikyo. She ignored it, or at least she tried to.
I must be going crazy? Perhaps I'm senile or I'm just so upset that she I'm hearing her now too? Am I being so selfish now? Never have I been this way. Am I more than a reincarnation that I am able to hold onto this anger for so long? I should be happy, happier than I've ever been. B-but those horrid memories of seeing him with that woman won't go away! I won't be used as a replacement, I refuse to be one! I want to be loved for me, not because I look like some dead woman! Besides, he's had his chance...didn't he? It's too late now...isn't it? Inuyasha is always so...late.
Don't let go! A voice said, but this time she didn't listen at all.
"Inuyasha...w-we can't. We just..." she backed away from him and looked towards the ground. "We just can't." Why is my chest hurting me so badly? I've never felt so much pain since.three years ago.
Inuyasha looked away for a moment and asked something that took all of his will power and yes, courage too, to ask. "Do you love him?"
His question completely threw her. "In...Inuyasha." Kagome said in a pleading voice.
Inuyasha swallowed. Damn.
"Please. I need to know the truth. That way...I c-could leave..." he looked at her straight in the eyes. "I have to know." his eyes were shimmering and it looked like he'd actually cry right then and there. She wanted nothing more than to go and hug him tightly and if anything, cry with him.
"Inuyasha, I-the thing is..." she toyed with her necklace. Just say it before he misinterprets it. You've thought about it for so long, felt it too. This is it. Open your mouth and say it before, idiot!
Inuyasha looked away again and closed his eyes tightly as he tried to banish the pain that shot through his heart. I am not that weak of a man, damn it! "I-I see..."
"Huh? What?" See what? Alarmed, Kagome looked up. "Inuyasha, you didn't let me-!"
"Stop! You don't have to say it..." he scowled for a second. "You're just trying to protect me. Don't." His gave her his 'I-don't-need-your-sympathy' look.
She pulled him into her arms and rested her head on his chest. He didn't hug her back. She hugged him tighter until he slowly began to hug her back. "Inuyasha...please understand that even though what you had meant the world to me and things got out of hand a few years ago, I still-" she didn't finish, he kissed her on the lips ever so lightly and released his hold on her, taking a step back.
"Wait! Don't." She reached out to touch him, to hold him-he pulled away. "Please, let me-"
He unclenched his fists. He looked at her straight in the eyes and said, "I love you Kagome...I-I wish that was enough..."
Please don't go...I have to tell you..."Inuyasha?" she called but he kept walking. He closed the door behind him, closing the door on them. Kagome felt her tears becoming too overwhelming to control.
Her body couldn't move. NO! "Inuyasha!" he didn't respond. Inuyasha...I love you.
---
"I do." Hojo said.
Did I really give Inuyasha a fair chance? I always seem to push him away and yet, he hasn't once returned to Kikyo or mention loving her. It seems his only obligation was protecting her from Naruku until she was avenged. So he's free to love me without feeling any guilt...?
"Kagome?"
Kagome blinked. "Huh?"
"Do you take Hojo...?"
This isn't right. This was suppose to be our wedding, Inuyasha and mines. Not Hojo and me. It would never work between Hojo and I...how could I have been so blind? I won't ruin our lives like this. Hojo needs someone who will love him like how I love Inuyasha. For Inuyasha, I can wait forever. And if he is able to let go of Kikyo and love me as Kagome, then it's worth it. We belong together. I won't lose him, not again, not this time!
"I-I..."
To her, it seemed like everyone had leaned forward.
"I-I..." I Love you Kagome, I wish that was enough.
Inuyasha... "I-I do-not." Kagome pulled away from Hojo and ignored the gasp coming from the guests and the low murmuring of their voices.
Hojo looked upset though he tried to keep himself from showing his distress any further. He held onto her hand, "K-Kagome, why?"
She looked at his face, seeing the pain there that made her heart reach out to him. But she couldn't live a lie. "I don't love you Hojo..." she said softly but loud enough only for him to hear. "And I.I never did. I shouldn't have led you on like this. I never meant to. I'm sorry but I can't do this. I really can't. I can't do this to you and I can't do this to myself."
"K-Kagome." It looked like his heart was breaking.
A-and I'm responsible for it. Why do I keep hurting people when I don't mean to. It's got to stop, starting with telling Inuyasha the truth. I hope I'm not too late!
"I'm sorry." Kagome kissed him on the cheek. "Goodbye Hojo."
Hojo was speechless as he watched Kagome run from him, tossing the bouquet behind her and leaving the church.
"My word." some woman commented. A teenaged-girl in the third row had snickered and then had yelped when one of Kagome's friends had stomped on her foot.
Kagome's mother picked up the bouquet. "Kagome."
"She really loves him...doesn't see..." Hojo sighed looking sadly at the small cake, something that the caterers had quickly but beautifully made.
Kagome's mother, standing beside him, nodded. "Yes."
Hojo stifled another sigh. "I guess it would be for the best. If I couldn't have her heart then what would be the point?"
She patted him on the shoulder and stared at the ceiling for a moment. "Love has a strange way of telling you where you'll find it and with whom."
Hojo nodded. Take care of yourself. I know you'll be happy Kagome-san.
---
"Inuyasha!" Kagome called and kicked her shoes off feeling the heels were slowly her down. She lifted the hem of her dress up and continued to call out at him. All the while bystanders gawked at the bride that was calling out someone's name out as the walked down the shrine's steps. She paid them no heed. "Inuyasha please answer me!"
He never did.
Did he.? She looked at the well and took in several deep breaths. A few drops of perspiration resided upon her forehead as her heart continued to race. Her eyes fell upon the cap that he'd always worn when he came to her world, cast aside at her feet.
Inuyasha, did you really mean goodbye forever? Kagome shook her head. No! I'm not going to let you leave me... Somehow.some way, I'll fine you. B-but what if you don't want to be found?
---
Kagome sniffed and looked down the well. So if he really did go, that means it is truly over? But they never got a chance to be together. and I. She walked out and wiped her tears but the more she wiped, the more that came. I'm too late. I didn't even get a chance to tell him before he went...
"I-Inuyasha." she whispered, pleading but knew he wouldn't answer. What false hope.
"No matter how much I try, wrench, somehow I always seem to make you cry." a voice from above replied.
Kagome blinked and turned around. She saw him there, sitting in the tree in his usage manner with his arms crossed. She smiled a watery smile in fact and remembered everything, how much they loved each other, how much they deserved to be with each other and how much emptiness would engulf her body without him. Everything else just didn't seem to exist, the heartache, the world, everything.
Inuyasha.wait, take it slowly, Kagome. She reminded herself.
"Inuyasha." Kagome said this softly, "Do you believe in destiny?"
What? He looked surprised by her question, but shrugged. "Yeah...I do." He said giving nothing away.
Kagome walked closer to the tree, her eyes never leaving Inuyasha's. "Do you believe that everything happens for a reason?"
"Sure."
Her smile grew wider. "Do you love me?"
He didn't respond and for a moment her hopes shattered. He opened one eye and smirked. "Hell yeah."
He chuckled at how her face had gone through several expressions within such a short time span. Before she knew it, he was there before her holding her, taking in the scent of the woman he loved, the first and the last woman.
"Yasha." She murmured.
He hadn't heard her use that nickname in such a long, long time. And from that moment he knew he'd missed it, but had missed her more. "You gotta love the dramatic effects." He said. She wanted to punch him or "sit" him for that but she couldn't help how her happiness let her dismiss that.
"I don't know how I survived without doing this." Inuyasha hugged her tighter.
Kagome smiled. "Me either."
"All right then." He grinned. "Let's not waste anymore time." he leaned down and kissed her.
She could hear the distant laughter of happiness of her parents long ago coming from the tree. And she knew instinctively that their children would hear theirs when they met their own mate. This tree held the power to bring people, even the most stubbornness, together. Her mother had been right.
"Inuyasha," this voice sounded like Kikyo, she sounded like she'd finally found peace. "At long last, you're free now. To live, to love and to be loved, I am happy for you. Goodbye Inuyasha." And that was the last time they heard or saw Kikyo.
It seemed everyone had found their place in life and their peace. Inuyasha and Kagome with their declared love and family that would soon come and Kikyo, having her death avenged with Naraku's and having the peace she'd been disturbed from three years ago. Everything was the way it should be, with a few bumps and detours that is.
/Can't believe how much I see...when you're looking back at me.
Now I
understand, what love is, what love is.
For the first time...for the first
time /
THE END?
