InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Don't Promises Last Forever? ❯ What's Love got to Do with it? ( Chapter 22 )

What Does Love Got to do With it?

"Lord Sesshomaru! Please, sir, Master Inuyasha has asked to speak with you."

`Great.' Sesshomaru thought. `This Sesshomaru wants to sleep this one night, and my idiot brother wants him.'

"What is this disturbance about, Jaken? It had better be worthwhile…" he growled. It was one in the morning. He did not want to be bothered.

"Jaken believes Inuyasha wants to talk about him, m'Lord. He who has taken…" the servant said, his voice shaking slightly.

Sesshomaru shot up in his bed. The fact that he was half-naked and not in any state to receive visitors was of no importance.

"Send them in, now, Jaken." He said, cutting off his servant abruptly.

"Yes, m'Lord/"

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"A few words of advice, Kagome. Sesshomaru is one who commands high respect of those below him. No offense, but to him, you're pretty low on the scale." Inuyasha started.

"Inuyasha, please spare me. Sango has drilled demon hierarchy into my brain while studying to be an exterminator. I know I'm vermin to full demons, or to most demons at all, and expect to be treated as such. I will also act as such. You have no reason to worry." Kagome said, flatly.

"Fine. And another thing." Inuyasha added.

"What?" Kagome asked, irritated. This was becoming annoying. She knew how to handle herself.

"Don't use me as a role model."

She answered with a smirk. "Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

"Wench."

"Idiot."

"Baka."

"Erhem." A small toad-like thing appeared before them. "Lord Sesshomaru will see you now."

The toad turned and walked away. The pair followed.

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"Sesshomaru!"

"Inuyasha. And who is this you have brought before this Sesshomaru?"

At even being acknowledged, Kagome sank to her knees. One was tucked under her, the other bent before her. Her right arm was next to her right knee. She looked at the floor, head bent, hair flowing in front of her and covering her face.

"At least the girl knows how to address this Sesshomaru." He said, eyeing the girl. He was impressed. A miko, human nonetheless, had some intelligence. She had shown great respect to the lord by assuming this position. "Rise, girl."

"Yeah, Kagome, get up." Inuyasha said. She wasn't kidding about knowing about the demon hierarchy. She had even assumed the correct position for her purpose of being here. Humans knew it as a warrior's and fighter's submissive position. Also, to demons, it was one of those who were looking for council. She was all three.

Kagome rose slowly, but her face still looked at the floor, covered in shadow.

"This Sesshomaru does not have time for formalities. You do realize it is past one."

Kagome spoke. "We have come to seek your council, m'lord." She had yet to look up.

"Kagome, let me - " Inuyasha started.

"No, this is my battle, I think. I don't really know anymore." She turned to Sesshomaru. "M'lord, Master Inuyasha found me earlier this evening as a subject of pursuit by a being known as Naraku and a woman, Kagura. The master suggested that you know something that may aid me. Although, m'lord, I am aware that you do not usually deal with mikos, much less humans, it seems that I am not his only victim. A girl named Rin…" Kagome said, cautiously.

"Rin!" Sesshomaru's cold and emotionless appearance broke. Although it was not much of a change, a look of concern and worry briefly flashed across his face. "What do you know of Rin?"

"I know nothing. One of the men ordered after me mentioned her."

"Inuyasha, this girl may be of use to me. You were wise to bring her here." He then turned to Kagome. "You are a miko, no?"

"A fairly inexperienced one, but yes."

"Do you know how to purify something?"

"What?" Kagome asked, confused.

"Good. Do you know how to use the memory retrieval technique?"

Inuyasha looked at his girlfriend and his half-brother. This was bogus. They were talking as if they were making a business deal. Sesshomaru never dealt with anyone this way. Most humans would be dead by now.

"Yes, I am fairly good at it. I was able to use it with a young kitsune earlier this evening. I did not harm him." She replied, calmly.

"Good. Use it on me. There is something this Sesshomaru wants to show you."

She followed his instructions, and placed her hands on Sesshomaru's temples.

"Kagome, what are you…?" Inuyasha asked.

"Master Inuyasha, this humble miko asks you to please shut up. I do not mean any disrespect but I must concentrate. Lord Sesshomaru is proving to be much more formidable a mind than I expected." Kagome snapped.

"And stop calling me `Master!' Quit the formalities! You're freaking me out!" Inuyasha said, spazzing.

Kagome sighed and removed her hands from Sesshomaru's temples. "Please excuse me, m'lord."

"As you wish."

She turned to Inuyasha. "Fine, Inuyasha. Then shut up, sit downand wait until I say otherwise! And if you don't, I'll make sure -myself- that you are quiet! Understood?" she said, her tone threatening.

"Thank you. And fine. Shutting up." Inuyasha replied, dropping to a cross-legged position on the ground.

"I'm sorry you had to see that, m'lord." Kagome said gravely, turning back to Sesshomaru.

"It's fine. This Sesshomaru would have done it himself if you had not taken care of it." He said, his face still showing no emotion. "Now, please continue."

Kagome did as she was told. She found that without Inuyasha peering over her shoulder, she had a much easier time.

When Kagome accessed the memory, she found something she hadn't expected. A girl, obviously Rin, with shining eyes and a beautiful smile, looking upon her, or more like Sesshomaru. She mouthed something like 'Thank you' and then attached herself to Sesshomaru, wrapping her arms around him, who was looking down at her. The girl looked a few years older than Kagome, maybe 20. Rin then pulled away slightly from the hug and looked up. She opened her mouth to speak, but no sound came out. But the words that her lips formed were unmistakable.

"I - love - you."

Kagome pulled away at this, a slight shock given to her fingertips. A signal for her to get out of his head.

"So, what happened?" Kagome asked. Obviously, Rin was at one point Sesshomaru's girlfriend.

"Naraku took her." Inuyasha piped up. "Two years ago. He has something against me and him." Inuyasha nodded toward his half-brother. "He steals away the one thing we truly love and care about. You see why I got that look that morning you told me about the shadow?"

"And why he took you here." Sesshomaru added.

Kagome contemplated this for a moment. "Inuyasha, last week, after I had left your house, I returned to my own to find it had been broken into. My little brother said they were looking for me. Whoever it was left a note saying they'd come back for me. I'm assuming that was tonight. And how does he know you truly love and care about me? Not even I know that. You're my boyfriend of…how long?" she asked, her words simply flowing out. "Could he possibly be after my power?" she asked again. Too many questions were coming out of her mouth, but she had no control at this point. It was as if the filter between her brain and her mouth had been removed.

Sesshomaru looked at Inuyasha. At her first question, the look on her half-brother's face was unmistakable. It was the one that was on his face when he figured out what happened to Rin, and that there was nothing he could do about it. Hurt and betrayal. Despair. Uncertainty.

"Woman, it may be better if we continue this tomorrow." He said. Even though his voice still held the emotionless tone, it had more of a gentle feel to it. Not so commanding as it was before. "Inuyasha, please take her to your estate. I will be by at noon tomorrow."

"Fine, Sesshomaru." Inuyasha didn't feel like fighting. He was a little shocked at Kagome's statement. 'How does he know you truly love and care about me? Not even I know that.' Because he knew he truly loved and cared about her. He just wasn't so sure about the reciprocation of the feelings. After all, he had messed up majorly in the times he'd seen her. "Let's go, Kagome." He said, flatly.

"Ok. Until next time, m'lord." She said, bowing deeply. Her composure had returned, and for that she was grateful. "And sleep well." They then left.

`Maybe there is still hope for Rin. Naraku said he would keep her alive, as long as I stayed away…But that miko, that miko may be the key to end all of this.' Sesshomaru thought, as he sank into his sheets.

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"So, Inuyasha." Kagome said. She was on his back again, him rocketing to his home only a few acres away. It felt good to have him so close.

"Kagome, wait until we get to the house." He said, not wanting to talk.

"Ok." She replied, snuggling into his back. The adrenaline of the chase and the meeting of Sesshomaru had receded, leaving exhaustion in its place.

`Should I tell her?' he asked himself.

`You might as well. I mean, she should know. Naraku is now officially after her.' He answered himself. `You may not be able to get another chance.'

`You know, you're right.' He thought, in his first mindset.

`I know I'm right. I'm you.' It finished, returning to where ever it had come from.

"Hey, Kagome?" he asked. He had been struck with an idea.

"Yeah?"

"You wanna stay at the cabin?"

"It's a bit far, don't you think?" she asked.

"Don't worry about it. We'll be there in no time."

"Well, sure then. Whatever you want."

"Ok. We'll stop by the house to get some food. Then we'll head over. We'll probably be there in a half hour?"

"Mmm…'kay." Came the sleepy response.

`Heh. She must be exhausted.' He thought. He wasn't tired. Or not really. He probably had another six hours in him if this about of stress was put on him. 12 if he was relaxing. And then another 24 before he would really need sleep.

They stopped by his huge house, and picked up some midnight snacks and food for breakfast the next morning. He wanted to treat her again. He knew what his brother was gonna put her up to, and he was positive she'd come out of it ok, but this was just in case she didn't. He wanted to show her exactly how much he loved her. Which was with every piece of his being.

When they got to the cabin, now lit with the moonlight, he smiled. It was funny he thought, that he could see three pups running around in this clearing, two girls, one looking exactly like Kagome, and one with his hair and ears and attitude, but Kagome's big eyes and beautiful smile. There'd also be a boy, the spitting image of himself, and a mirror of his attitude. Except, he had Kagome's heart deep within him, so he was also a caring and kind soul. Inuyasha would have loved that.

"Hey, Kagome?" he whispered.

"Yeah, Inuyasha?" Her voice was breathy and husky, but not sexy. More like extremely sleepy.

"We're here." He said, crouching so she could get off.

"Ok." She said, climbing off of him. She stumbled a few steps, then leaned on him for support. Her legs were better off as jelly.

"Let me carry you." He said, swooping her up, bridal style. "You don't seem to be in any position to walk."

She clasped her hands around his neck. "Mmmhmm," she sounded, leaning her head onto his chest.

He walked into the house, the food back now on his back. He laid her on the bed, half asleep, and went to put the food by the stove. When he returned to the room, he found Kagome under the blanket, her outer clothing neatly folded on the floor next to the bed.

"I hope you don't mind. I only wear my underwear when I sleep."

"Nah. I only wear boxers anyway." He replied.

He shed his clothing, kicking it by where Kagome's were, but his were in a heap, in opposition to hers that lay perfectly folded.

He climbed into the bed, lying next to her. He then wrapped his arms around her, spooning her. It was really nice, being near her, just him and her, doing nothing but enjoying each others company as they waited for slumber to take them.

"Hey, Kagome?" he said quietly. He wasn't sure if she was asleep yet.

"Yes, Inuyasha?" she answered, cuddling closer into him, if it was possible. He was so warm and comforting. He loved it.

"You…you do know that I truly love you, right? Otherwise, I don't think Naraku would be after you." He said, unsure of her answer.

"Inuyasha, I've known you've loved me since I regained consiousness after the bar." She started. "I heard it all." She paused, waiting for a reaction. When she got none, she continued. "And, Inuyasha, I've been in love with you for as long as I've known you. I need you too, Inuyasha. I don't know why. I don't know how. All I know, my dear Inuyasha, is that I've been madly in love with you as long as I've been capable with the feeling. And I don't ever intend of not being in love with you." She turned around in his arms so she faced him, his eyes now visible to her. "I love you, Inuyasha. I truly love you." She then closed her eyes, and nestled as closed as she could into him, falling fast asleep, not even waiting for an answer.

Happiness welled up inside of Inuyasha. He hadn't felt this happy in years. Not since the first day he had met Kagome. He had done something back then, but he didn't want to do that now. He was older now. More mature.

`Oh, screw that crap.' He thought to himself. He slipped out of bed and pulled on a pair of sweats, and walked outside, the moon shining above him. His eyes glimmered in the moonlight, reflecting the immense joy that was collecting in his heart.

He sat down, and looked up at the moon. He closed his eyes, tilted his head back, drew a long breath, and let it out as a long howl, breaking the silence of the night.

Almost immediately thereafter, a chorus of wolves and the dogs in town responded, joining Inuyasha as he proclaimed to the world that he had found his true love.

`I swear, Kagome,' he thought, as he let out his declaration, `I swear to love you and protect you as my own forever. You're mine. I love you.' And finishing that thought, he drew another breath, and let out another howl.