InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Corporate Deception: Fate of Her Land ❯ My Savior ( Chapter 17 )

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

Naraku is defeated, but the Taisho Clan is left to pick up the pieces after his reign. Who has survived the final battle? With the Shikon no Tama's legendary wish waiting be used, will Kagome make a wish worth granting, or will the jewel rebel and throw them back into a life of fighting youkai? Epilogue to follow this second to last chapter of Corporate Deception.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 08.01.2005 | Pages: 11 | Words: 12.1K | Visits: 1.5K | Status: Completed

Corporate Deception: Fate of Her Land

Chapter 17: My Savior

By: TruSuprise

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and all affiliated characters belong to Takahashi Rumiko. The views expressed herein are solely those of TruSuprise.

His mournful roar still echoed across the battlefield as Inuyasha forced himself to pull back together. He had to be strong for his mate, still cradled in his arms and he had to gather his remaining pack members and figure out how to escape the Higurashi Shrine. Though their enemy, Naraku, had been defeated, it was certain that the throngs of media and police were still on the other side of the dead miko's barrier. Thankfully, Kikyou's soul was still tied to the mortal world and it continued to hold the kekkai in place until they were ready to leave.

A faint groan laced with pain traveled to Inuyasha's sensitive ears and the fuzzy appendages flicked erratically as he placed the voice. “Sango.” The Inu-Hanyou identified.

Kagome sniffled and wiped tears from her bloodshot eyes. “She's okay?” She asked hopefully.

Her mate nodded, a tangled, blood coated lock of hair falling across his hopeful, yet obviously exhausted golden eyes. “Lets go collect our pack.”

Kagome couldn't help but smile as Inuyasha set her down on the ground and stood. The woman looked up at him, taking in the blood that coated his skin, the holes and tears that peppered his hi-nezumi garb, and his rapidly healing wounds. She took his hand and he helped her to her feet. Kagome sensed that, though Inuyasha was in much physical and emotional pain, her mate was trying to be strong for her, but at the same time, he needed her to be strong for him as well.

As Inuyasha latched his arms around Kagome's waist and helped her walk towards the house where they had left Sango and Miroku to recover, Kagome did her best to be as small a burden as possible, walking with her own strength despite her previously wounded hip and the various scratches and bruises she had recently acquired. She had to remind herself that of all her family who had entered battle, she was the one least injured physically. They solemnly skirted Kikyou's dead body and Kagome said a silent prayer for her cousin's soul.

* * *

Sango's world swam as she wearily crawled on her knees. Slowly, she inched over to Miroku's injured form as she fought back waves of nausea caused by the immense pain that seemed to come from every inch of her body. Yet the taiji-ya forged forward, her fear she felt for her friend lending her energy she didn't even know she had.

Only mere feet from the houshi's body, Sango collapsed back to the ground, a small, defeated whimper escaping her lips as the wind was knocked from her chest. Her vision fading in and out, she again summoned what little strength was left in her shaky arms to raise her body to her hands and knees again. Just a little more and she'd be there. Her stiff movements were indicative of the pain she had suffered from Naraku's shouki bolt, yet as she got closer to her fallen friend, it was apparent that Miroku's wounds had been more severe.

Finally reaching Miroku's limp body, Sango sat back on her feet. Fearing the worst, salty tears bit at her bloodshot eyes as the taiji-ya held her hand to Miroku's bloodied face, brushing his bangs from his forehead. Tears began to roll down her face as his still form made her anxiety grow.

They had shared so much. Years of trust and friendship that just recently grown into an unspoken physical relationship, all with the pretenses that once their lives had settled down, they would make their courtship official. But now, with the quiet hush that covered the battlefield with what Sango assumed was Naraku's defeat, could her chances with Miroku have slipped through her fingers? She couldn't bring herself to imagine a life without her best friend, without her lover.

Suddenly, a gasp escaped Sango and her eyes widened as Miroku's eyelids fluttered. Fighting back her anxiety, Sango's hope blossomed as the man fought against the pull of unconsciousness that had previously held him captive.

“San…go…” Miroku muttered brokenly before coughing in the acrid air, his eyes finally opening and recognizing the woman who knelt over him worriedly.

“Miroku!” Sango cried, her voice harsh from the efforts of battle as her body erupted into frame shaking sobs. She threw her arms around Miroku's chest, embracing him closely. “Don't you ever leave me like that again!”

The houshi was caught off guard by the taiji-ya's explosive display of affection. His arms weakly wrapped around Sango's shoulders to comfort her as the woman cried into his collarbone. “It's okay.” He said weakly, stroking her back. “I'm alright.” Yet his words didn't seem to soothe her.

“Damnit Miroku, I was so scared! I can't lose you now that I know I love you!” Sango cried.

The houshi froze at the sudden, blurted confession from the unusually emotional woman. It was apparent that Sango had been really worried that she might have lost him. The houshi had been right, the night before, the taiji-ya had been ready to confess her love to him before they had been interrupted. He evilly considered playing more injured that he actually was to get her to continue to fawn over him, but found he couldn't be that selfish when she was in such pain. Instead, he held her closer, ignoring the agony in his exhausted muscles.

A small chuckle escaped Miroku's lips. “I love you too.” He whispered in return.

The man then groaned in pain as Sango crushed him harder and the houshi knew almost certainly that his ribs were at the very least fractured from battle. Yet even through the pain, the monk couldn't hold back his basest of instincts. By nature, Houshi Miroku had always been an opportunist.

“Houshiii-saaamaaa…” Sango growled menacingly in his ear, sitting up to take her weight off of him, yet the pervert's hand was still attached to her rear end.

Miroku shrugged below her, knowing the coming punishment. When it didn't come as expected, he arched an eyebrow in confusion.

Sango smiled and shakily stood, reaching her hand down towards the man she loved. “Get up.” She commanded, for once allowing his trespass to slide, simply happy that he was alive.

Smiling hopefully, Miroku utilized Sango's help and slowly rose to his feet, fighting the dizziness and darkness that claimed his vision and threatened to cause him to black out as blood rushed to his head. He tipped forward slightly, loosing his balance, his hands gripping around two large, round, pleasant objects.

“Houshi-sama!” Sango yelped and delivered a brutal slap to Miroku's already injured face. Yet the blow served to knock him back on his feet as he once again found his balance.

“Keh. Some things just never change.” A gruff voice interrupted the houshi's punishment.

Sango turned and blushed wildly, meeting the gaze of her pack beta and his mate. “How long have you two been there?” She asked hotly.

“Oh, only since the, `I love you.' part.” Kagome revealed simply, a smile on her face.

Sango smiled in return, happiness and relief filling her features, elated to see that her best friends were still alive. Obviously in pain, the taiji-ya awkwardly crossed the distance that separated them to embrace Kagome tightly. “I'm so glad you're alright.” She whispered. “Tell me, is it really over?”

Kagome shut her eyes and leaned her head into her friend. “It's over. We made it.” She whispered in return, squeezing her pack sister tighter for effect.

Miroku slowly hobbled towards them and Inuyasha frowned. “Keh, don't think you're getting a hug from me.” He said guardedly.

Miroku smiled knowingly, understanding that Inuyasha was happy to see him alive, even though he so adamantly denied it. Sango laughed and released herself from Kagome to support the houshi should he need it.

“What of Sesshomaru-sama and Kagura-sama?” Miroku asked, suddenly serious.

Inuyasha frowned. He could feel his brother's jyaki in the back of his mind. The Western Lord was still alive, but he had seen with his own eyes Kagura's death. He preferred his pack to find out for themselves. “Let's go find them.” He said simply, slowly leading the way back towards the remnants of the battlefield, carefully skirting around stagnant pools of blood and slimy chunks of youkai flesh.

Sango and Miroku couldn't help but notice Kikyou's unmoving form crumpled on the ground, though they kept their thoughts and prayers to themselves as they continued. The hurt and avoidance, though clear understanding they saw on the faces of their leaders before them assured them that the former miko's death had not been in vain.

Kagome's voice pulled each of her friends from their thoughts. “There he is.” She gasped, her stomach turning at the sight of their pack alpha and his intended mate.

Sesshomaru's form lay still on the ground mere feet from Kagura's mutilated body, the Western Lord's form lying in a pool of his own blood, flesh and small tufts of white fur. Scratches and gaping holes peppered his body, his elaborate adornments ripped and torn. His left arm was completely missing, only a bloody stump showing where the strong appendage had once been. His one intact arm reached out to Kagura, resting on her stomach as though he refused to let her go, even in the face of death.

“He's alive.” Inuyasha confirmed. “Although it's weak, I can still sense his jyaki.”

Kagome nodded. “I wish I could heal him, but my strength is so depleted…”

“Don't you dare.” Inuyasha commanded authoritatively, knowing that Kagome's life would be on the line if she even attempted to use any more of her miko's healing skills after the energy she had expended purifying Naraku.

Miroku and Sango kneeled down next to their leader and the houshi extended a shaky hand toward Sesshomaru, hoping to use any of his remaining Buddhist strength to assess the situation.

“Don't touch them!” Kagome urged, causing the houshi to recoil as if he'd been burned.

Her pack looked at her questioningly and Kagome continued. “I think their souls are communicating. If we were to touch one of them, their link would be severed, causing Sesshomaru to return to the land of the living and Kagura to continue to the land of the dead. It would be dangerous for either one of them if we were to try to bring him back before they're ready.”

Inuyasha nodded, trusting his mate's instincts as he finally noticed that his brother's sword, Tenseiga, his father's fang attached to Sesshomaru's hip, glowed with an unearthly light.

“Then all we can do now is wait.” Sango summarized as she sat back on her heels.

* * *

The border between life and death was not as he had imagined it. It was quite dull, really.

The Western Lord walked forward, unencumbered by his worldly injuries in the strange land where only souls existed, his pristine form moving through the thick, almost tangible purple-hued fog as he searched for his chosen. He could sense her closeness. When he finally stepped into a clearing in the mist and found the wind youkai's soul, he was relieved to see her once again, yet his stomach sank as Kagura's crimson eyes avoided him.

“Why will you not look at me.” Sesshomaru demanded, rather than asked.

“Because I failed you. I failed Kanna. I failed myself.” Kagura replied in shame, her normally fiery tone thick with disappointment.

“Do not pity yourself, Kagura. This Sesshomaru did not accomplish his goal either.” The Inu-Youkai admitted gruffly, receiving a shocked expression from his chosen. “Yet I assume that Inuyasha has succeeded in defeating Naraku, for I am not yet dead.”

Kagura's eyes widened and she finally made eye contact with the Western Lord. “You're still alive?” She asked hopefully. “Then how are you here?”

“Tenseiga.” Sesshomaru assumed. “On my request, Tenseiga sent me here to allow me to bring you back. It's not too late for me to save you if only you'll allow me.” He said, knowing that Kagura would likely have doubts about returning to the land of the living even though he was still alive, and in that condition, just as Kanna had refused life, his sword could not bring the wind youkai back without her consent.

“But our mortal bodies in the living plane are in so much agony from battle.” The wind youkai lamented, proving her intended's assumption correct as she searched blindly for reasons to not return.

“Don't make excuses for yourself. This Sesshomaru is not so weak as to shy away from pain and neither are you, Kagura. That's not like you at all.” The Inu-Youkai countered her disappointing comment.

Kagura continued to avoid him, being held back by her own deeply rooted fears that tried to overpower even her love for her intended. “But wouldn't it be easier to stay here and go to the next world together?” She asked, sliding into Sesshomaru's arms.

Wondering why he would only wrap one arm around her, Kagura pulled back questioningly. It was only then that she realized that the great Inu-Youkai was missing his left arm.

“Naraku claimed it.” Sesshomaru spat, indicating his armless sleeve.

Kagura looked away. The injury that Naraku had dealt to her chosen was an anchor that forced her to face the issues that she attempted to hide from. “It's my fault.” She said softly.

Sesshomaru grabbed the wind youkai by the chin and required her to look at him. “Don't say that.” He commanded.

“But if I hadn't been so weak as to become Naraku's slave in the first place…” Kagura began, thinking of her youth when she and Kanna had believed that the dark hanyou had wanted to help them, that Naraku would be the savior she had been looking for, not another slave master.

“Then I would have never met you. I would have never met my chosen.” Sesshomaru finished, directing her initial thought in another direction. “My pack would have become tangled in Naraku's web regardless, but now he is defeated and my pack once again needs me to lead them, and I need you with my pack.”

The wind youkai choked on a lump in her throat, a sound somewhere between a sob and a cry echoing in the otherworldly atmosphere. She wanted desperately to comply with Sesshomaru, her very soul urged her to, her chosen was practically committing himself to her right then and there.

Yet she longed for an easier existence, one where things would be so much easier in the static world between life and death where her sister already resided, where neither of them would ever become another's puppet again…

Sesshomaru extended his hand to Kagura and he spoke as though he had read her mind, his voice soft with a hint of emotion, a rare occurrence for the apathetic lord. “Come back with me, Kagura. Let me give you the freedom you deserve.”

The clouds surrounding the chosen couple suddenly brightened momentarily, causing the two of them to shield their eyes. When they could again reopen them, Kanna's ethereal form stood next to her sister.

“Kanna.” Kagura said breathlessly, finally finding her sister in the afterlife.

“Do not let this chance to return to the land of the living pass you by.” The void youkai said quietly, not one to beat around the bush.

“But you chose death, Kanna!” Kagura exclaimed. “You refused to be revived.”

Kanna nodded slowly. “Death is my place, not yours. That was my decision. But the land of the living is where you belong. With Sesshomaru. I know what you're thinking, and you're right. Life with your memories of Naraku won't be easy, but I'm sure Kagome will help you, just as Souta helped me. The Higurashi are strong. Even now, Kagome prays for you.”

“Praying? For me?” The wind youkai asked, astonished.

Kanna almost chuckled. “The depth of that girl's purity is unrivaled. Now don't keep her waiting. You owe her more than you will ever know. Go. Be with your chosen, with your pack. Be free, nee-chan.”

Kanna's form began to fade and Kagura began to cry.

“Do not cry.” Kanna's dissipating form called out detachedly. “Here I am happy. Here I have found my absolution. But yours is to be found in the land of the living. I did what I needed to do, and now it is your turn to make your own decision, unhindered by a master to direct you.”

The void youkai spared her sister a slight smile, the first and truest smile that Kagura had ever seen from her.

Kanna's body finally vanished, pulled back to her own world but her voice had one last thing to say. “Sesshomaru, this is the second time I ask this of you, please help my sister.”

The Lord of the Western Lands nodded stoically as the void youkai's youki vanished completely.

Drying her eyes with the long sleeves of her kimono, Kagura smiled back to the emptiness. She was finally at peace with herself and at peace over losing her sister. Now she was ready and willing to move on. Taking a deep breath, Kagura took Sesshomaru's proffered hand and afforded him a smile of her own.

“Take me back. Take me home.” She whispered, newfound tears of happiness framing her crimson eyes.

* * *

Sesshomaru groaned and rolled over, coughing blood onto the ground. Returning from the spirit world where his bodily injuries couldn't affect him was a shock to his system and it felt as though he was reliving his wounds all over again. As quickly as the pain slammed into him, he could already feel his injuries begin to heal, burning and itching as muscle and tissue began to weave back together.

The Inu-Youkai could vaguely hear voices swarming around him. His pack, he placed them instantly, and he forced himself to pull together. His desire to get up and resurrect his chosen burned deeply within him, yet he knew there was one task yet ahead of him before he could do so.

`Hold on, Kagura.' He said to himself, reaching out with his aura in hopes that his chosen would understand his imminent delay. `I'm coming.'

Finally opening his eyes, Sesshomaru blinked in the bright, purple atmosphere. The Inu-Youkai was then met with the same amber eyes as his own. The Western Lord frowned and with his one good arm, he pushed Inuyasha away from him and struggled to sit upright. “I don't need your concern, whelp.” He barked.

“Keh.” Inuyasha muttered as he picked himself up off the ground, his slanted eyes glaring daggers at his brother. Yet he understood from the lack of power the stoic Lord had used to push him down that the gentle shove was a form of thanks.

The Inu-Youkai slowly stood and tried to make order of his tattered clothing and disheveled appearance. The eyes of his pack members glued to him, he finally gave up his futile attempt. “You've defeated Naraku.” He assumed coldly, addressing Inuyasha.

The Inu-Hanyou stuttered for words in his brother's fierce, suddenly seriously guarded glare. He wondered what the Western Lord's sudden problem was. “I, well, it was-”

Inuyasha was abruptly cut off when he heard Sesshomaru's secondary sword being unsheathed. He barely raised Tessaiga in time to protect himself as the others of his pack cried out in confusion for Sesshomaru to stop. Kagome's voice rang in her mate's ears.

The clanging of their swords filled the battlefield as Inuyasha backed up, simply defending, amazed that even after having lost an arm, his brother's motions had not slowed down. “What the fuck is your problem?” Inuyasha snarled in confusion.

“You've defeated our clan's greatest foe. Surely you'll now challenge this Sesshomaru for the position of pack alpha.” Sesshomaru stated, never slowing in his attack, his expression icy and unforgiving with his perceived assumption.

“Pack alpha!?” Inuyasha exclaimed, not believing the words from his brother's mouth. For the first time in his life, the Lord of the Western Lands felt threatened by a power greater than his own. Inuyasha looked his brother in the eye and suddenly threw Tessaiga into the ground at his own bare feet.

The Inu-Youkai paused and snorted. “You think yourself so great now that you will fight this Sesshomaru unarmed?” He spat, trying his best to ignore the pain and exhaustion that plagued his still healing body as he held his sword at the ready in front of him, a mere swing away from his brother's body. Without warning, he launched himself at the Inu-Hanyou.

Inuyasha heard his mate scream as he deftly leapt into the air to meet his brother. He caught the dull side of Sesshomaru's blade with his foot and managed to kick it out of his grasp. A quick kick from Inuyasha's other foot threw the Inu-Youkai's unbalanced body to the ground with his own form on top, his weight pinning his pack alpha to the ground.

“I don't want to fight you at all, you arrogant asshole!” Inuyasha barked at his brother. “I didn't beat Naraku all by myself and even if I had, I wouldn't have wanted your damn alpha position anyway!”

Sesshomaru finally deflated under the pressure of his brother. Yet although he was relieved that his position wasn't being challenged, his pride had been dealt a blow. Inuyasha may not want his rank, but the Inu-Hanyou adolescent had just proven himself the stronger of the two of them, even if he had required help to defeat Naraku.

“Kikyou and I both attacked Naraku, but Kagome was the one to purify him and finally kill the bastard.” Inuyasha snapped moodily.

Sesshomaru's golden eyes searched for Kagome and he found her close by as always, ready to help her mate, obviously upset that they were fighting.

Kagome cringed under the Inu-Youkai's intense gaze. “Just because I purified him doesn't mean I want your position either!” She clarified hurriedly, innocent, open palms displayed in front of her submissively.

A lop sided smirk tugged at the Western Lord's lips at the naïve woman who had turned his entire pack, not to disclude himself, upside down. He turned back to his brother, meeting him with once again apathetic eyes. The moment was over.

“Get off of me, you runt.” Sesshomaru said cooly, pushing his brother off of him and onto the ground once again. “I have more important matters to deal with than my pack beta.”

* * *

The Taisho Clan gathered around their leader anxiously.

Tenseiga in his one remaining hand, Sesshomaru stood stiffly between his pack and Kagura's body. His father's fang glowed with a ghostly blue aura as the weapon trembled in his grasp, eager to serve its master.

The Western Lord kept his eyes trained on Kagura's mutilated and torn form, the demons of death still crowding her body, protecting her from life. The disgusting little creatures crawled on top of her, hissing at the great Inu-Youkai that stood before them.

Tenseiga screamed as Sesshomaru leapt forward and with one swipe, banished the demons that had come to take Kagura's soul. The healing glow of Tenseiga immediately enveloped and illuminated her body and though blood she had already spilt still covered her skin and her clothes remained torn and soiled, the wind youkai's body lifted off the ground. Slowly, death was unraveled as her form pulled itself back together, bone and flesh reuniting to form the beauty that was Kagura.

The rolling of her eyes underneath her eye-shadow accentuated lids was indicative of the wind youkai's return to consciousness and suddenly, her crimson eyes finally shot open as her soul snapped back into her body. Tenseiga's other-worldly light faded from her now intact form and finally, accompanied by a gasp of shock from the Taisho Clan, her levitating body unceremoniously dropped back down to the hard earth below her.

Sesshomaru was there in an instant, his father's fang already back in its sheath as he knelt next to his chosen, learning for the first time to pick up her familiar, petite frame with one arm. He held Kagura to his chest as she groaned in pain faintly. The impact of her return to the land of the living and the process of healing from the wounds of death had obviously taken its toll on her.

Kagura finally found the strength to look up into the amber eyes of Sesshomaru, affording him a weak smile. Her crimson eyes thanked him wordlessly and he relayed his silent understanding, his aura reaching out to comfort her own. He was pleased when she readily accepted his concern for her.

The wind youkai's wandering eyes then found the rest of the Taisho Clan to her side, crowding around her and Sesshomaru as close as they'd dare approach the protective Lord. She was overjoyed to see each of them alive, though they all wore concerned expressions for her, even if Inuyasha's was hidden behind a mask of apathy.

“Don't look so disappointed, Inuyasha.” Kagura teased weakly.

The Taisho pack breathed a collective sigh of relief. Their unofficial pack sister, Kagura, had returned. Inuyasha, however, held empty hands up in defense, worried that his brother might have taken Kagura seriously, but the wind youkai's quiet laugh eased the entire clan.

“I'm just glad you're all okay.” She admitted to everyone. “And that you kicked Naraku's ass.” She added with conviction.

“We couldn't have done it without you, Kagura.” Kagome said thankfully, stepping forward and kneeling down to meet the wind youkai's eye level.

A confused expression twisted Kagura's pretty face. “My help? But I barely put a dent in Naraku.” She said, a hint of disappointment lacing her voice.

“You're wrong.” Kagome said softly. She turned to address her entire pack. “Each one of you played a critical role in Naraku's defeat, Kagura. Without each of your efforts, teamwork, and dedication to each other, Inuyasha, Kikyou and I never would have been able to come together to defeat Naraku.”

Kagome allowed the others to think about that for a moment before turning back to Kagura. “Thank you.” She said, addressing the wind youkai. “Thank you.” She repeated, addressing the rest of her pack, each one of the rag tag individuals that compromised the Taisho Clan equally important. She squeezed her mate's hand tightly for emphasis.

The Western Lord sighed quietly and examined the purple barrier that surrounded the Higurashi Shrine, contemplating their situation. “And what now?” Sesshomaru proposed awkwardly, not used to having to seek direction.

Inuyasha's eyes were drawn to his mate's hand, a gentle pink light glowing through the cracks between her fingers. “The jewel.” He whispered, addressing Kagome. “As long as you hold onto the Shikon no Tama, this struggle will never end. Youkai will continue to search it out now that it's active.”

“Then how do we get rid of it?” Kagome asked anxiously, eager to be rid of the curse that any youkai would claim as its greatest gift.

“The only way to make the Shikon no Tama disappear is to take its wish.” Sesshomaru offered, quoting the five hundred year old legend.

“But what would I wish for?” Kagome asked, her gaze glued to the pink orb.

“Women, riches, and alcohol.” Miroku stated eagerly before he was swiftly elbowed in his injured ribs.

“What he meant to say was peace, love and happiness.” Sango offered between clenched teeth.

“I'd say wish for the demise of any remaining youkai in the Southern Lands.” Sesshomaru offered politically.

“Or death to all captors and manipulators like Naraku.” Kagura spat.

Kagome's head spun as her family offered more and more choices, save Inuyasha who remained strangely silent, a growing disturbance marring his aura. “All of you have great ideas, why don't one of you make the wish?” She suggested, not thrilled with the responsibility of the jewel's reward.

Sesshomaru shook his head authoritatively. “If I remember correctly, it's stated that only the purest of souls will make the jewel disappear forever. However… there is a catch.”

“A catch?” Kagome said, unsure of herself.

“Yes.” Sesshomaru replied. “The catch is that the jewel's master must request a wish worth granting, a wish deemed appropriate by the Shikon no Tama itself. Its long life is indicative of the fact that there are very few correct answers.”

“Oh.” Kagome said, at a loss for words, suddenly feeling very unworthy of the position placed upon herself. The jewel had existed for at least five centuries without a wish being granted. How was she to be pure enough to ask for a wish worthy of the Shikon no Tama's acceptance? She detachedly heard her pack members continue to express their ideas, quarrelling over each other's selections as her own anxiety began to grow. In her hands she could feel the Shikon no Tama pulsing with the arguments around her, feeding off their emotions.

`Keh.” Inuyasha spat quietly and before anyone could stop him, he had picked Kagome up and with a few bounds of his leaping stride, escaped his suddenly confused pack.

* * *

“What did you do that for?” Kagome asked, though she was happy that her mate had taken her away from the tedious situation. She was relieved to find that the jewel had quieted in her grasp.

Inuyasha set his mate down carefully on a thick limb of the Goshinboku, an irritated expression on his face. “Their suggestions were only making this task harder on you.” He grumbled, a deadly serious edge to his rough voice, his clawed fingers not letting go of his mate in consideration of the drop below their feet.

Kagome sighed, happy that at least Inuyasha seemed to understand her anxiety. “I don't know if I can live up to this expectation.” She admitted. “How can I choose a wish pure enough to be accepted by the Shikon no Tama?”

:Mate can do it. Only mate can do it. Pack knows.: Inuyasha urged.

Kagome blushed at the compliment but still shied away from the responsibility. “What would you wish for, Inuyasha?” She asked tentatively, somehow sure that she would fear his answer.

The Inu-Hanyou took his mate's hands between his own, feeling the purity of the Shikon no Tama as merely an extension of Kagome herself. “There's only one right answer and I think you know what it is.”

Kagome's head shot up, concern in her eyes from Inuyasha's melancholy tone and the waves of resignment she suddenly sensed through their link. “Inuyasha…”

The Inu-Hanyou suddenly avoided contact with his mate. “I think you need to wish to have time altered. Wish the Shikon no Tama out of existence so that even our ancestors had never even met.”

Kagome gasped, considering the implications, but Inuyasha spelled them out for her, his head held low, unable to meet her eyes as he spoke. “The lower youkai that compromised Naraku though Onigumo would never have been created. Youkai factions would have never fought over your land and Kikyou would have never strayed from her miko role. You could have gone to college to become a teacher like you'd always wanted.”

Kagome shook her head and Inuyasha did his best to ignore her silent protest as tears began to well in her eyes. “The world would be safe and so would you, Kagome. The pain, the anguish, the hurt, the ruin to our reputations, you would have experienced none of this. You would have had the quiet, uneventful life you'd always dreamed of.”

Inuyasha watched as his mate processed his proposal. He tried desperately to hold back his fear, his anxiety, every fiber of his being that screamed at him for even suggesting that his mate leave him, start a new life without even a single memory of what they had shared, what they were to each other. Surely now that he had found his chosen, Inuyasha knew that he could never live without her.

But it had been Kagome who had shown him what it was to live, what it was to trust, what it was to truly love. And even if he had to watch over her from afar, never allowing himself to intrude on her newly forged life, he would continue to protect her and ensure her happiness.

Because Inuyasha loved Kagome.

He wanted the best for her, even if that meant a life without him, and Inuyasha was sure that his ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate test of his love for her would spell out his mate's happiness. The Inu-Hanyou bit his lip with his sharp fangs as he swallowed a painful lump in his throat, trying with all his will to remain in control, to transmit the opposite of every emotion he was currently feeling.

But understanding dawned on the young miko, and Higurashi Kagome couldn't be misled. She smiled gently at Inuyasha, causing the tightly controlled frown on his pursed lips to twitch. One hand slowly rose to cup her mate's face, her soft skin warming Inuyasha's chilled skin.

:No. Will not leave mate. Will not leave pack.: She urged softly, defying him.

“Stupid bitch! Don't you know what's best for you?” Inuyasha exclaimed, though his voice didn't come out quite as harsh as he had hoped it to as he tried to reinforce his will while Kagome's words and actions threatened to break his brittle resolve.

Kagome threw her arms around Inuyasha's neck and collapsed into his chest, mindful that they were many feet off the ground. “No. I will not leave you and I will not leave my new family. I will not abandon you, Inuyasha. You've become my savior, the one who has broken the monotony of my boring life. What would I be without you, Inuyasha?” The young woman asked quietly, relaxing as she felt her mate slowly give in and return her embrace.

Inuyasha's clawed fingers wove through her dirty hair as he held her close, amazed that his mate felt no differently for him than he had felt for her. Yet he refused to believe it. “Keh. You're my savior. I've done nothing for you but change the course of your entire life.”

Kagome sighed and looked up at her Inu-Hanyou. “And meeting you has been the best thing that's ever happened to me, Inuyasha. Before I met you I was lonely, bored, struggling to make ends meet and missing something I never knew existed before we met. You alleviated my boredom, you helped my business thrive, through you and your pack my brother and I once again found a family, and… in you, I found love.”

Smiling sadly, Kagome whispered, “Inuyasha, I can't live a life without you. I can't ask the Shikon no Tama to grant your wish.”

Inuyasha finally broke down and squeezed his mate to him, an unchecked tear sliding down his cheek. “I don't want you to use my wish.” He admitted. “I want you to stay with me, always.”

“I know that, baka. I can read you like a book.” Kagome chuckled.

“Keh!” Inuyasha exclaimed, attempting to hide a face-fault. And he had thought he had done a good job of hiding his true feelings to help her make what he had thought would be the right choice. “That's the last time I ever give you any suggestions.” He muttered.

“Tell me that's a promise and not a threat.” Kagome said in a deadpan tone. She then stuck her tongue out at Inuyasha, who couldn't help but return the smile at her antics.

“Besides, even though we've all suffered so much, think of how those events changed each one of us personally. Not just our own pack, but Kikyou, Onigumo, Kagura and Kanna. Even Naraku, in the end, understood where he had gone wrong. Each one of us has truly grown. Would you take that away from them?” Kagome asked imploringly.

Inuyasha shook his head in understanding at the woman in his arms. :All because of you. Your strength.:

Kagome blushed at the compliment.

“So then what will you wish for?” Inuyasha finally asked, taking the time to memorize every last detail of his mate's face, just in case the gods that decided to grant him Kagome in the first place realized what a terrible mistake they'd made to give him such an amazing woman.

A small smile spread across Kagome's face. “Do you trust me?” She asked whimsically, suddenly, finally sure of herself.

Inuyasha returned her contagious smile. “With my life.”

:Love you.: Kagome urged her mate through her soul-voice.

:Love you.: Inuyasha returned.

A bright, pink light erupted around their bodies as Kagome stood on the tips of her toes and gently pressed her lips to her mate's.

* * *

“Here they come!” Sango exclaimed, pulling Miroku, Sesshomaru and Kagura out of their thoughts as she indicated Inuyasha and Kagome's approaching forms.

The four limped to meet their two rogue pack members, the Western Lord leading. “We saw the eruption of light and the disappearance of Kikyou's barrier. This Sesshomaru assumes you made the wish, Kagome. Was it the right one?”

Kagome nodded her head and showed her pack her empty palms, indicative of the disappearance of the legendary jewel. She rested her head on Inuyasha's shoulder, exhaustion setting in.

“The Shikon no Tama is no longer.” Miroku said with a sigh, his houshi senses acknowledging the jewel's absence.

The pack heaved a collective sigh, but their obvious question hung in the air and was finally answered by Kagome. “I asked the jewel to nullify all of Naraku's wrong doing. To restore the lives he had taken, save those that wish not to return, and to retract the political messes he had made of our lives. The battle that just took place here and the entire struggle over the Higurashi shrine was wiped from the memories of all humans outside of the Taisho Clan.”

Inuyasha nodded, continuing for his tired mate. “Kagome and I shouldn't be hunted by the police anymore. The media isn't out there waiting for us since the whole situation's been wiped from their memories, and since the majority of the youkai of the Southern Territory were killed in battle, there is no heir to Naraku's lands. His legacy is over and now we can freaking get back to our lives.”

“But your shrine is still in ruins, Kagome-chan.” Sango pointed out sadly. “Why was it not restored?”

Kagome sighed, taking in the sight of the demolished grounds. At least it didn't look so bad without the scores of dead youkai that had once littered the ground. “I think the Higurashi Shrine will be considered a victim of natural disaster. Perhaps the government will classify it as an earthquake.” She smiled at her pack. “The Shikon no Tama must have recognized this place as both Naraku's and its own resting ground. I don't think it had the power to repair the damage. It will have to be rebuilt.”

Miroku raised his hand, a goofy smile on his face. “I'll grab the paint and the brushes.” He said cheerfully, remembering a time long past.

“I'll go find Kouga-kun to help us.” Sango chuckled.

“Keh.” Inuyasha spat at the name of his one time rival. He reminded himself to thank the Northern Lord for going against his promise and allowing Kagome to come after him. “I think what they're saying is that we'll rebuild it.” He said gruffly.

Kagura smiled softly. “I'd like to help, too.”

“And you'll have This Sesshomaru's support as well.” The Western Lord offered.

Kagome smiled broadly as she looked at each member of her family. Her mate, her alpha and his intended, and her pack sister and pack brother. Her grin widened as she thought about the three children who no doubt eagerly awaited their arrival; her brother, her niece, and her adopted son. Hopefully, poor Jaken had lived through their torture.

“Let's go home.” Kagome whispered to her family.

By the light of the full moon overhead, the Taisho clan slowly made their way down the deserted shrine steps, eager to start their lives together anew, free of the hardships that Naraku had brought them, and blessed by the newfound happiness that they now shared. After all, who knew what the future held in store now that the five hundred year old curse of the Shikon no Tama had been lifted?

One thing was for certain, they were all eager to find out.

* * *

Author's notes:

Wait, it's STILL not over! No, really, I've got an epilogue coming along, so stick around.

Please leave a review. I've put a lot of time and effort into Corporate Deception for the past year (I can't believe its been a full year already!) and it really has been quite the trip. I've gotten a lot of great feedback, and I appreciate hearing from each and every one of my reviewers. If you've stuck it out this far and read this mammoth effort of over 300 pages, I'd love to hear what you thought of it. Nothing makes an author happier to know that their work was enjoyed, so thanks, everyone.

As always, a special thanks to my beta and KS, YoukaiMusashi, you mean the world to me, girl!