InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Dusk Curse ❯ Chapter10 ( Chapter 10 )

Chapter 10: Dusk is the Time

 

~Jaffrey, NH. Mt. Monadnock.

~7:25PM, June 2, 2004

 

It had only taken him a little over an hour to make the hour and a half drive. He openly admitted to a little bit of speeding, perhaps more then a little bit. He couldn't recall exactly how fast he had been going, because his mind had been focused on one thing: getting away from her.

 

Dammit, she still loved him! He had been wrong, he had seen her all wrong, and now he was the one suffering for it. His weaknesses kept catching up with him, one after another. Mistakes could be fatal, mistakes on judgment, including how he had judged her. Which he had no right to do in the first place. She was beyond him, beyond anything he had every imagined. Her loyalty in her belief in love had lasted her through four agonizing years; the same four years he had let slip by him without blinking.

 

He watched as the sun slowly approached the horizon, moving, although you could not see the movement. But, in fact, just like many things, it was an illusion. It was not the sun that moved at all, but the planet on which he stood that turned its back on the sun for a little while. The glowing ball of fire had not yet touched the earth; it was still holding its own, staying above the horizon for as long as it could. It golden rays touched his face, but did not warm him. The only thing that could ever warm him was freedom, a freedom he could not allow himself to permit. And of course, with freedom would come Kagome's warm arms around him, claiming him in the same way he wished to claim her.

 

But he would not have her. He did not deserve her, not at all. He had been forced to leave the room when she had admitted she still loved him, because his whole being shouted for the freedom it craved. His very soul screamed to take her and tell her the same she had told him, to admit it to himself and to her and to anyone else who happened to hear. For a stunning moment, he had almost done that, he had almost taken her in his arms and promised her all of the things she deserved from a man much better then him. But then his common sense had prevailed and he had wrenched himself from the idea by taking the book and fleeing her as fast as he could.

 

He did not know how he had ended up here. He had not meant to come here, but at least it was improbable she would follow him here. Not that she would follow him here anyway. She was probably so angry with him that she hoped to never see him, talk to him again. And her friend Sango would definitely be doing everything she could to stop her from going after him if she had any inclinations to.

 

Why would she follow him anyway? To yell at him some more about what he had done to her? To complete his guilt in the matter? Perhaps she would try to take back what she had said about loving him.

 

And yet, when surprisingly he recognized the black Ferrari coming up the winding road twenty minutes later, it was not a sinking in his heart that he felt.

 

No, the goddamned hope soared so surely in his chest he nearly stopped breathing. Perhaps he did and that was why he was so lightheaded and was shaking so badly. It sure as hell would explain quite a lot.

 

Maybe she was just an illusion. Maybe he was the one who was losing it.

 

But illusions didn't walk like she did; they didn't look nearly so worried or so goddamned real. Maybe she really had followed him to complete her tirade. If so, he would deal with it, because he knew he sure as hell deserved it!

 

~**~

 

~Same place, twenty minutes before sunset.

 

His eyes were so shocked; she never knew he could be so…

 

Emotional?

 

She could see the pain in his eyes, the denial, and the resignation. She wondered what he was thinking; maybe he questioned what he owed this visit from her to. Was he angry because she had followed him? There was anger in the hard lines of his face, but somehow she didn't think it was directed at her, but only at himself. Blame, that was the other emotion she could see swelling within his gaze, but once again it wasn't for her.

 

Thank god she had guessed right. When she had gone to his house and found that was not that place he had fled to… she could still feel the hopelessness that tried to eat her heart. But he was here, she had been right in assuming he would be driven here as she had been.

 

She got out of the parked car quickly, not bothering to remove the keys. She tried to walk steadily toward him, but she stopped dead when he spoke.

 

“Why did you follow me?” There was no accusation, no anger, not even curiosity. His voice was low and so even it seemed toneless. A jumble of thoughts seem to organize themselves in her mind and she realized he did want her, he did feel something for her. He still didn't want her to know, didn't want to face those feelings and accept them openly. If he couldn't even allow himself to love her, how could he ever allow her to know?

 

She almost let her fear and better judgment take over her mind at that point. But her courage reasserted itself aggressively. She would not run home now, she couldn't turn away now. She would make him see; make him understand how she felt and how she wanted him to feel. She would make him see that she knew what he felt.

 

“Why do you think I followed you?” She returned quietly. His eyes flashed with rage she knew was just below the surface.

 

“How the hell am I supposed to know? My best guess is that you came up here to declare yourself thoroughly hurt and wronged and to expect me to come up with some sort of answer I haven't got.” He said clipped, tightly, holding back what he really wanted to say.

 

“But you do have all the answers, Sesshoumaru. You just refuse to see them.” She fired back, her voice still soft. He glared at her, but something made him pop off a question she knew he didn't mean to ask her.

 

“Do you really still love me?” Immediately he looked like he wanted to take it back. Yet his bright, burning eyes pleaded for it to be the truth.

 

Her feet decided they were shortening the space between them, no matter what she told them to do. Suddenly she was right in front of him, her hand lifting to touch his face gently. She could not control herself, and then she didn't want to. She saw the clear pain in his eyes, the hope.

 

“Don't you see it in my eyes? Can't you tell from the things I've said? Or the things I've done?” She cried, but her voice was still soft. She watched him for a reaction, seeing the lean, smooth lines of his face of his face work to keep his expression neutral. It did not work. There was a softness in his eyes, in his mouth, his jaw, that told her millions of words he did not speak.

 

“I still love you. I'll always love you.” Her thumb caressed the side of his face, enjoying touching him again. She tipped her head slightly. “And I think you love me too.”

 

“How could you?” Hoarsely, his words broken, his eyes pleading, he framed her face roughly with his hands. Before she could try and understand, he was speaking again. “How could you make me love you? I swore… I promised myself I would not do that to myself again. I did not want to relive that pain. And yet, here I am, tearing myself apart because of you. Why? Why does this have to happen?” The words seemed to pour out of him before he could stop them.

 

And suddenly she did understand.

 

“Sesshoumaru, this is not the same as what happened to you before. I know what happened, I understand.”

 

“No, you can't possibly. I never knew that my brother was only my half brother, not until that day she brought us together and told each of us what was going on. I never knew she was fucking my father as well. I gave my heart to her, just to have it ripped out when she revealed her plot to us. My father couldn't believe it; he turned to me for confirmation, when I was doing the same to him. And the whole time while she watched our family destroy itself, our hearts shatter, she smiled.” He snarled. “She smiled.” He repeated, the hatred and self-loathing deep in his tone. “If only I could have seen what she was doing, but she fooled me. I swore I would never be the fool again. And in the process, I made you the fool instead and made myself an even bigger fool. A weak fool.”

 

“She was Inuyasha's mother? Your father had an affair? And then she tried to seduce you as well… what a horrid woman.”

 

“She didn't just try.” He snarled. “She succeeded. The whore made me think she loved me and wanted me. All she really wanted was revenge on my father for ending the affair and taking her child. She used me.”

 

“I do understand, Sesshoumaru. I know what it feels like to be used, to be suffering such pain.” She reminded him gently. He gaze, which had been directed over her shoulder, now locked on hers. His fingers wound into her hair and he gently tipped her head back even more bending until their faces were inches apart.

 

“I did the same to you, and you still forgive me?” She nodded slightly. “You would still have me, despite what I have done to you?” Again she nodded, not wanting to speak and break this spell that had made the words flow from Sesshoumaru's mouth. And then, suddenly, the spell was broken and his slipped his fingers from her hair, pulling back away from her. His expression closed off again and she nearly screamed.

 

“NO! Please…”

 

“I don't deserve your love.” He moved back another step from her. “I don't deserve you.” She panicked, feeling as though if she didn't do something, the moment would be lost. She would lose him, and the thought of that sent her pelting desperately into his chest.

 

“No, I won't let you do this. I won't let you!” She cried into his chest. She felt his hand on her waist, trying to push her away, but her arms locked around his chest. She held him as tightly as she could, her face buried in the cotton shirt he wore.

 

“Kagome…”

 

“I won't let you hurt like this.” She interrupted savagely. “I won't let you hurt me like this. I don't care if you think you don't deserve me. I don't care what happened before. I'm selfish as all hell and goddammit I won't let you go!” She screamed into his chest. His hand on her waist stilled, his whole body seemed to go completely and utterly motionless.

 

“I can't stand the thought of seeing you on the street and not being able to smile at you. I can't even deal with the thought of living alone because you don't think you deserve me! I want you, I want everything, I want to talk to you about the bookstore, I want to see you across the dinner table and hear about what happened during the day for you, I want you to hold me at night and make all my worries disappear as we make love.” She turned her face up to look into his eyes. “I won't settle for less knowing I could have had all of that!”

 

When she unwrapped one hand from his chest to slip it around his neck, she found he was as pliable as silk. She pulled him down and lifted her face to meet his lips, fury washing through her. The fury seemed to ignite something else as she found his lips just as sweet and soft as before. His hand slipped around to her back and he held her hard against him, giving in with a groan. The other hand buried itself in her hair and he yanked it back, bending her backwards at an impossible angle before turning his head and kissing her deeply. She accepted him, welcoming him home as she opened her mouth and let his tongue plunder her mouth. Her body melted into his, fit against his like two pieces of a puzzle.

 

This was what she wanted. This and so much more.

 

She pulled back and locked her hands around his neck, keeping her eyes firmly on his. She did not say a word, but let her eyes tell all. All of the sudden he lifted her off of her feet and swung her legs up into his arms. She tried to protest but he heatedly covered her mouth with his when she did, effectively shutting her up. When they got to the grass on the edge of the parking lot he lowered himself to the ground, sitting with his back to a boulder and her across his lap. For a moment he just stared at her, his eyes shining with deep emotion. She smiled tentatively at him, hoping, pleading…

 

“You pain in my ass. I give up. I can't fight you anymore. But,” She almost shriveled in the moment when he paused, afraid of what he was going to say. She braced herself for the rejection she was sure was coming now.

 

“But, I will not ask you to marry me.” He grinned as she frowned and opened her mouth to protest. He lifted a finger to her lips and the protest died on her lips as she saw the slight smile on his face. She couldn't look away. She hadn't seen him smile many times, and now that she had, she wished he would smile like that, just for her. It lifted the coldness from his face, warmed his features so much she found she wanted to touch them and make sure they were really his.

 

“Not yet, anyway. I will be a proper gentleman and court you first, of course.” He had an amused glint in his eyes and she smiled.

 

“Bullshit, Mr. Proper. I've waited four years for you. So, when can I move in?” She smiled sweetly and he chuckled. He pulled her up but instead of kissing her he just held her tightly to his chest, as if afraid he would lose her. She clung to him like he was her life-saving raft in the middle of an ocean. His breath when he spoke tickled her ear and she pressed her whole body even closer to his.

 

“Damn, your right.” He arms convulsively flexed around her before he continued, his voice low and husky. “To hell with proper, how does tonight sound?”

 

She giggled and then composed her face, pulling away from him enough to look into his eyes, searching them for any hint of doubt. When she found none she smiled back at him playfully. “Tonight sounds absolutely perfect.”

 

In the dark orange, gold, purple and pink rays of the sun, they kissed a kiss of gentle acceptance. Suddenly, Kagome got up and stared around, looking anxious. Sesshoumaru followed her, doubt shadowing his eyes. He was afraid she had changed her mind after all. That was, until he realized that the whole setting was very familiar. He stared around, blinking, trying to place it…

 

“My dream.” Kagome whispered. “This is just like my dream.” She whirled around to face him. “Your were standing right where you are, and I was standing just here, and the book… I just remembered the book. Stay there.” She ran towards his car and he was about to go after her but something told him to stay where he was. And then he realized that this was so very familiar because he had also dreamed of this, the colors, the way the trees bent with the wind, the sun halfway gone over the horizon. Kagome was wearing the same dress she had in the dream, but he had never seen that dress before today. How had he dreamed of that dress if he had never seen it before? The same blue, long and flowing, with high slits up to her thighs.

 

What the hell was going on here? Maybe they were both losing it.

 

Perhaps she had led him on the same way Inuyasha's mother had, maybe she was getting out of here to complete her revenge. He felt the anger, and the awful pain inflate in his chest and swallowed. He watched her open the passenger side door to his car and had hope. A nice view of her rear end had his eyes pinned to her as she leaned into the car, searching for the book. It was in the backseat, and when she emerged from the car, she held it in her hand like a trophy. She started to rush back towards him but slowed down when she saw the intensity of his gaze. He saw a blush darken her cheeks and he nearly chuckled at the shy invitation in her eyes.

 

The thought of being able to accept that invitation nearly sent him for her, but he restrained himself. He watched her approach carefully; noting how her hips seemed to swing more when she knew he was watching, how her strides slowed and her eyelashes lowered some. He loved the way she smiled just for him, telling him that she was his. There was also possessiveness in her eyes he appreciated. She had claimed him the way he had claimed her.

 

Finally she seemed to remember what she had been doing and she hurried toward him, smiling as she walked right past him. He turned and watched as she set the book down on the boulder. As soon as she set it down the wind blew it open. Kagome turned her back on the rock. And Sesshoumaru experienced a deep dizzying sensation of De-ja-vu. The world seemed to tip as he noted each and every detail that corresponded with his dream, each and every thing that was exactly the same, even the feelings he was experiencing. He felt like he had been lifted free of the ground and allowed to fly, and yet there was something that was troubling him. When he thought about Kagome he felt profoundly relieved and extraordinarily happy.

 

Kagome stared at Sesshoumaru, slightly dazed. She felt just like in the dream; light, airy, and yet impossibly strong and certain. She slowly made her way to him, until she was standing hardly an inch from him, their clothes brushing each other in the slight wind. She smiled at him and he arched a brow and grinned.

 

“A dream, eh?” He said, his voice low, his eyes obviously questioning. She smiled back.

 

“Humor me and go with it.” The grin fell from his face and he groaned, bringing their faces inches apart.

 

“You asked for it.” He slipped his arms around her and lowered his mouth to hers. The heat between them seemed to flare with twice the life as usual and he pulled her hard against him. She gasped and felt her body melt into his as their mouths melded together. His tongue danced over hers and she thrust her tongue into his mouth in return. One of his hands slid up to the back of her neck to deepen the kiss.

 

The wind around them picked up and howled. The pages of the book turned back and forth as the wind changed direction over and over. The two in their steamy embrace did not notice any of it, even as their clothes whipped wildly on their bodies and Kagome's dress lifted itself around her thighs and wrapped around the both of them.

 

Kagome desperately tightened her arms around Sesshoumaru, urging him to drink more from her, to take more and allow her to give more. And he did, his hands sliding up and down her body, hot tingles following the path his hands forged over her heated skin. She felt something tug insistently at her, pulling her away from him, telling her to step back for just a moment. Annoyed, she tried to ignore it, but she felt her hands sliding from Sesshoumaru's neck and then he was being pulled away from her, looking angry and slightly afraid. Finally it dawned on her what was happening, and she saw the same comprehension on his face. They exchange a look, a look that explained what each was thinking.

 

The curse was real.

 

She stopped fighting the pull on her being and found herself on her feet right beside Sesshoumaru, facing the setting sun. The wind materialized in front of her, turning into two beings, two forms. The same ones she had seen in her dream, replica's of her and Sesshoumaru. The wind slowly died and Kagome was surprised that there was a difference this time. They both were clothed in some extraordinary material that seemed to be so flimsy and yet she was not able to see through it. It was similar to but yet was not fine silk, or any other material she knew of.

 

The black haired woman, her eyes closed, her hair and dress fluttering wildly around her, was to the right of the silver haired man, who was also being effected in such a way by the wind around them. And then, everything was still once more, the book on the rock, the trees, everything except the two figures. They seemed to be moving even though they stood totally still.

 

“Who are you?” Sesshoumaru demanded, sounding uncertain. One of his arms had slid around her waist in protectiveness and she smiled at the gesture.

 

“Sesshoumaru! Didn't you read the book?” She poked him in the ribs and was surprised when he gave way a little before shooting her a look. She nearly laughed. He was ticklish!

 

There were more important things to do right now then find out how ticklish Sesshoumaru was. She turned back to face the two entities that were definitely not human.

 

“Are you the ones in the book?” She gestured to it with her right hand. The woman smiled brilliantly and nodded.

 

“Yes, and it is thanks to you and your young, fine gentleman and that we are finally free.” She turned her eyes onto the man next to her, her adoration for him obvious. He was returning her look, though there was no smile on his face. The beautiful woman reached her hand up and lightly caressed the side of the man's face before slipping her hand around his waist and turning back to them. Kagome almost laughed when she saw the man, she supposed his name must be Nocte, slide his arm around the woman's waist in the same possessive way Sesshoumaru did.

 

“So you are Raya of the Sun Family, and you are Nocte of the Moon family. I believe that I am properly chastised.” Sesshoumaru glanced at Kagome with a slightly apologetic look. She smiled in return and leaned her head against his shoulder, just because she could.

 

“You are correct.” Nocte answered. “We are deeply indebted to you for freeing us, and I believe we have decided upon a gift to give you for all of your hardships.” He glanced at Raya who nodded.

 

“Brother, you don't even know the half of it. Talk about hardships.” Kagome grinned and rolled her eyes. Nocte frowned but Raya smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

 

“Yeah, actually, we do know. We were with you, all the time actually.”

 

Kagome felt Sesshoumaru bristle.

 

“So you have been there during every moment? You know every single event in our lives?” Sesshoumaru looked slightly startled and even more so disgusted and angered by this.

 

“Yes.” Nocte answered, his voice just as dangerously low pitched as Sesshoumaru's. “We have. Since the time you were born, if you read the book. We were born with you. It is not something we had a choice in.” Nocte's voice was sharp and accusing. The two men glared at each other, both looking ready to grab the other's throat. Kagome grinned at Raya, and Raya back at her. They broke into a fit of laughter.

 

“Excuse me?” Nocte didn't seem o see what was so funny. Neither did Sesshoumaru. Kagome managed to sputter in an undignified way.

 

“Both of you… your so alike.” Chuckle. “You both are so freaking stupid and compulsive and,” She sputtered and the men glared at her. “And you both get so angry about the stupidest things! I mean… come on!” She shook her head and tried to stop laughing. Sesshoumaru and Nocte were both watching them with disgusted looks that almost sent them off again.

 

Finally Kagome and Raya managed to compose themselves. Immediately Kagome thought of a question.

 

“Hey, how come it doesn't say anything in the book about the two of you being freed? Because, well, if we are incarnated from you guys, then we would get your souls, right? So how are you here?”

 

There was silence for a moment.

 

“Didn't you read about the spell of Amendment?” Nocte finally asked. Sesshoumaru shook his head but Kagome's eyes brightened.

 

“Oh yeah, I remember seeing a couple of references to it. But there was no explanation of it, so I had no idea what it was. What does it have to do with it?” Slowly, her eyes widened. “Wait, was there some sort of counter curse or something? Like, a spell that changed the originally spell some? An amendment to it.” Raya was smiling and Nocte was nodding slowly. Sesshoumaru had turned his sharp eyes on her, studying her and analyzing every word she said.

 

“Nocte's father had also gotten wind of our relationship and had come to confront us about it that same evening. But unlike my authoritarian mother, he was willing to accept it. He got there just as my mother was finishing with her spell. Immediately he understood what had happened and he performed a quick counter-curse. He could not undo my mother's curse, but he could alter it enough to allow us our own happiness if the curse were broken. Instead of being reincarnated into the bodies, we were to watch over them. We could do nothing except watch, and hope.” Raya had a small, sad smile on her lips, but her eyes were troubled.

 

“I see.” Sesshoumaru said, his arms tightening around Kagome. He was slowly accepting the fact that they could not help having been witness to his private life, his secrets. Kagome turned her head to smile up at him, but his gaze stayed focused on Nocte.

 

“Et-hem.” Raya was watching Nocte. He gave her a quelling look, but she elbowed his ribs lightly and raised her eyebrows. “The gift?”

 

“Yes, the gift.” Nocte replied tiredly, shutting his eyes and holding out his hands. They were glowing within seconds. “The gift of giving shall be yours. We will be there if ever you implore. Our powers are ours to share. You may use them, if you dare.” His eyes flicked open, glowing briefly amber, and then the glow lessened until he was back to his earlier state.

 

“As I will, so mote it be.” Raya said out of the side of her mouth. Nocte glared at her.

 

“What?” Kagome asked, looking slightly confused.

 

“Raya has a habit of using the end to a Wicca spell. It does nothing; she just likes to say it.” Nocte said. Raya glared at him, but then shrugged.

 

“Yeah, well.” She smiled.

 

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. “This spell, it is the gift? To what purpose does it serve?”

 

“Ever hear the saying `Never look a gift horse in the mouth?” Kagome asked.

 

“What good is a gift, if you do not know what to do with it?” he retorted. She nodded.

 

“You know, you're right.” She turned to Raya and Nocte. “May we know more of your gift?” She asked.

 

Raya laughed. “But of course!” She produced a beautiful jewel from absolutely nowhere. It was strung on a silvery cord, which she lifted over Kagome's neck. “This is the Jewel of Four Souls. If you call upon this jewel in times of need, Nocte and I will assist you in any way we can.” She glanced at all of them. “Our souls, all four of our souls, are tied to this jewel. Care for it well.” She stepped back, taking Nocte's arm. They seemed less substancial then they had a moment ago. They were slowly fading.

 

“Wait! Please!” Kagome reached toward her counterpart, but her finger brushed through warm air. Raya was smiling, and Nocte's face was peaceful.

 

“We shall be near, if you are ever in dire need of us.”

 

And then the wind came back full force and shattered their image into a million little pieces to sparkle on the air for a moment. Then they were gone.

 

Kagome turned to Sesshoumaru.

 

“So, shall we go down and tell them? My mother would love to know that the curse really was real.” She stared up into his eyes. It was still a bit surprising when he pulled her close.

 

“I've a better idea. Lets take our cars back to my house first.” He said huskily in her ear. She pulled back to see the look in his eyes.

 

And smiled. “Yes. Lets.”

 

~*~

 

~North Newport, NH

~10AM June 3rd, 2004

 

“Ready?” Kagome asked. They were parked in front of Kagome's house, about to go inside. Sango's car was still in the driveway. Kagome was tired beyond belief, having stayed up half the night alternately making love, and making small talk and futuristic plans.

 

She could feel unease wafting off of Sesshoumaru. It was understandable. He hadn't done anything redeemable in her mother's eyes yet, and in fact had kept her daughter out all night. And Sango… Well, Sango was a little protective.

 

Sesshoumaru nodded curtly and grabbed the door handle to open it. Kagome grabbed his shirt on impulse and pulled him back across the seat for a breif, heated kiss. She smiled and let him go.

 

“Don't worry.” She said and slipped out of the car. Sesshoumaru was beside her in seconds, his arm around her waist and his face down in her hair.

 

“I'll get you back for that later.” He promised, his breath tickling her ear.

 

“I thought payback was a bitch?” She joked lightly.

 

“No.” He said, his voice low. “Its just satistfying.”

 

Kagome was blushing pink as she opened the door. There was a loud thump and quickly padding feet heard. Before she had gotten the door closed behind them Sango and her mother were gliding into the room. Her mother looked as serene and peaceful as always, but Sango was glowering.

 

“If you guys went and eloped or something, I'm going to be seriously pissed. I've been planning out how I'm going to talk you both into this fabulous wedding and Dammit if we did all that planning for nothing-“ She stopped because Kagome was laughing too hard.

 

“Of course I couldn't have my wedding without you as my bridesmaid, Sango.” She said and hugged her best friend. Sango hugged her back, but drew away frist.

 

“You know, you should have called and said you weren't coming home.” She reprimanded Kagome like she was still a teenmager and not a capable adult. Kagome just laughed.

 

“Sorry Sango.”

 

Kagome's mom beckoned them into the living room, plying Kagome and Sesshoumaru with drinks and biscuits. When they were all settled, Kagome began recounting what happened up on the mountain. Sesshoumaru sat back and just listened to the sweet dulcets of her voice.

 

She finished the story and then launched right into an explanation of where they were last night, leaving out certain parts, but explaining her idea to go and live with Sesshoumaru after he kicked Inuyasha out.

 

Sango stopped them. “Oh, no. If you kick Inuyasha out, the first place he'll go is to my house, and that slob is not living with me!” She declared. Sesshoumaru sat forward to speak.

 

“Our inheritance is lucrative enough that Inuyasha can easily afford his own apartment for quite a while.” He said, and sniffed. “Knowing that whelp, it will be gone far too quickly, which is why I am going to offer to help him buy a home.” He sat back again comfortably. “I can afford it, I sold my computer business for a hefty sum.” He had an arrogant smile touching the corners of his lips as he locked eyes with his future mother-in-law. “You and your daughter will want for nothing.” He pronounced with pride.

 

Kagome hit him in the arm. “You say that like I'm just going to roll over and let you take care of me.” She glared at him. “I'm still going to run the bookstore, you know.”

 

He frowned. “It is not necessary. The amount of-“

 

Kagome interrupted him forcefully. “Necessity is not the issue! I made that bookstore, and my plans for it will not change regardless of what happens in the rest of my life!” She said, indignation touching upon her voice.

 

 

Sesshoumaru stared hard at her for a moment. “My lady, if that is your wish, then let it be so. But perhaps a helpful investor will get your bookstore a little more profitabilty?” He asked.

 

Kagome smiled. “Done.”

 

Sango cleared her throat.

 

“Sorry!” Kagome turned to her friend. “Of course, it has to be alright with my partner…”

 

“Its fine.” Sango said. Then her face slip into an excited grin.

 

“So whens the wedding!”

 

~**~

 

Okay, I know the ending was sloppy and hurried, but at least I'm finally adding the ending, right?

 

Just got the epilogue left, guys!

 

Riasha