InuYasha Fan Fiction / Yu Yu Hakusho Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of the Night ❯ Night MMLXXX: Until the End ( Chapter 40 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Title: Night MMLXXX: Until the End
Disclaimer: I claim no ownership of Sengoku Otogizoushi - InuYasha or Yuu Yuu Hakusho. InuYasha belongs to Takahashi Rumiko, Shogakukan, Viz Media, ShoPro Entertainment, and Shounen; while Yuu Yuu Hakusho belongs to Togashi Yoshihiro, Shueisha, Viz Media, and Shounen. No profit or money of any kind is made from this fan-created crossover.
Warning(s): Fluff; The End of the Fic


Genkai's old shrine fast became their haven much like it was for the youkai whom could not fit in with human society, yet did not want to go back to living in the Makai.

Kuwabara and Shizuru would stop by in March before classes started again and while Hanami viewing was ideal. It was their break from Tokyo, and a much needed reprieve for their developed sixth senses. Yuusuke would often stop by at the same time for a good sparring session or just to goof off with his old friend and rival. Other times, Yuusuke would just appear one day and claim that he needed a day or so away from Keiko, lest she send him to his death for a third time. Souta and Yukina would often retreat to the shrine during school breaks to enjoy the peace. Though they both loved Tokyo, they both cherished the quietude of shrines more, having both spent so much time at them.

Kagome, Hiei and Kurama could often be found there at any given day. So could Shippou since he loved to use the shrine as an easy crossover point. Kurama and Hiei would use it as a place to spar without having to restrain themselves. Though the first time they had sparred, Kurama had walked away with a very nasty bruise and a possible jaw dislocation. Kagome would not admit to being oblivious as to why it had escalated to that point: Kurama had put his neck on the line the most, and in the worst way, in order to push her and Hiei back together. All the innuendos, Shippou's illusions, nights spent walking home... They all led to a jealous Hiei, and when jealous Hiei had a victim to take out that feeling on, it never went well. The fact that Kurama was still alive spoke volumes about their friendship, though.

After that spar, it seemed as though all had been forgiven between the two of them. It was odd to Kagome, but she figured they had the strange sort of relationship Inuyasha and Kouga had had toward the end of their adventure.

And she came out whenever she had a free weekend. Her brother was fine running the shop, which is a bit what she wanted him to do. The long nights, the stress--they were things she did not want or need. When he graduated from high school, she was considering giving him it while she would just make what they sold. Though they mainly came out to the shrine because Hiei wanted to; she figured he enjoyed the scent of the Makai air, the ability to slaughter rogue youkai intent on causing trouble after having had to spend five days in the clogging presence of humans. And where Hiei went, she usually did as well.

It was different from their previous relationship. They did not cling to each other, they were not dependent on the presence of the other. They spent time together, though they were not always together. They were comfortable enough with and trusting enough of each other to do so.

She would live through the past six years the same exact way if it meant this relationship would happen. All the tears, the uncertainty, the baggage, the breaking of relationships, the renewal... Each one she cherished and had grown from.

A little over six years ago, they had met. He had not been hers, and she had not been his. Six years seemed like such a short time when spoken, yet there was so much life that they had both lived with and apart from each other in the space between those words. Six years ago, she had thought that he had never been hers to end with either, just that she had had him for a handful of months between their first meeting and parting. Then they had met again on a much warmer night seven months ago which almost proved her wrong. And now, so close to Christmas--a Christmas she had been resigned to spend alone again--they were together again. She figured that once you had had someone, they were yours forever in some part. Or at least in their case.

And she had a feeling, or just her early Christmas wish, that this time, they would stay together like this always. So long as she was in his heart as she kept him in hers, that was what mattered most. It had only taken her six years to figure that out, but at least it had not been too late.


A version of this chapter was posted to the livejournal community 30_Nights for their theme #010. Together itsumo (Together always).
Word count: 759

So this is really the end of this fic. It has only taken me a good twenty-three months to finish this, and for those of you who have been reading/waiting for updates for this fic since August 2008, I cannot express me thanks enough in words. I hope you have enjoyed this edited version. I am so sorry about tonight's mass of updates on edited chapters--I had some things pointed out to me by awesome reviewers that needed to be fixed. If you have read this fic closely enough, you'll notice that everything mentioned/brought up (from certain pieces of narration and character's thoughts to objects and themes) have been brought full circle.
I would also like to thank those, whom know who they are, who nominated this fic's first version (and the first twenty chapters) for Best Other Romance at the IYFanguild for the 4th Quarter 2008, and then those who voted for this fic in the 1st Quarter 2009 so that the first twenty chapters won 3rd Place Best Crossover. Again, words are not enough to express my gratitude.
To A Few Reviewers:
Madmiko: Thank you so much for your in-depth reviews of the chapters. I am so glad you pointed out some of the flaws of some of the earlier chapters, without that I would not have been able to edit them into their present-day look. So thank you so much.
Jjvalour: Thank you so much for your reviews, and for pointing out the implausibility of a scene in chapter eight. It has been fixed, and I am so grateful you pointed it out to me. Thank you.
Lizz: Thank you so much for pointing out my misuse of "all ready/already". I feel so embarrassed that I made such a mistake, but I wouldn't have noticed it without you pointing it out to me. So thank you so much for it (and they have all been fixed).

With that written, honestly, I can't begin to thank all you reviewers/readers/favoriters enough. You guys make my day, and make me smile so much, even when you're pointing out my mistakes. You guys are my betas as I have none. I write because I enjoy doing so, which is why your reviews/faves/alerts make my day because I don't expect you to. Which is why I take my time to respond to your reviews personally, and I have come to know quite a few of you through them. You guys are amazing, and the reason why I'm sad to end this fic.

So, one last time: You guys are amazing, and Thank You So Very Much.