InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Foreign Exchange Orphan ❯ Epilogue: The Return ( Chapter 26 )

Foreign Exchange Orphan

By: Jazmin Turner

Chapter Twenty Six:

Epilogue: The Return

A.N.: The ending for the technical last chapter was so sad that I mustered up some energy to write another one real fast.

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha! So just shut up and leave me alone! *growls*

Warnings: VERY short chapter. Kawaii, fluffy, sweet, filled with confessions and tender kisses! Sorry, but barely any M/S, I love I/K mores.

~*~

It had been six months. Six months since he had left her for Japan. Her heart was empty, and fragile, like a wine glass teetering off the edge of a tabletop. But, Inuyasha had kept to his promise. He wrote a letter every day, and there was always a gift in them. Like Hershey Kisses, mini stuffed animals, cute jewelry, and a beautiful, blood red rose that she kept in her room in a pot. It sat lonely in its jar, filled with freezing water. A few shriveled petals fell from it, and coated the nightstand. It was nearing the end of January. It would be his birthday soon. Kagome wished she could attend it, he would technically be a "man." She almost laughed at the thought. That immature little puppy…

"Wishing about it won't bring him back," Kagome mumbled, peeling a crisp petal from her nightstand, and rubbing it between her fingers. A few hot drops of water ran down her cheeks and pelted her pale, trembling hands. "I only wish that he would visit, if only for a day. So I could just see his face…"

"Kagome!" Ms. Higurashi called from the bottom of the steps. "Letter!"

"'Kay mom!" she yelled, tossing the rose petal behind her to dash out the door. Her mother smiled, handing her a cold, white envelope before shuffling off. Kagome eagerly tore it open, but frowned, finding it very short. It read:

Dear Kagome,

It will be my birthday soon. In one week! Can you believe it? I'll finally be getting out of the orphanage, though, I don't know where I'll stay, I mean I'm not allowed to work, but I'll figure something out. How have you been doing? I hope Souta isn't driving you crazy. Well, I read a book the other day - *gasp*, big surprise, right?! - and it said, 'Do not fear, for after dark there is always light.' So, that's what I'm saying to you. Think about it for a bit, okay?

Love,

Inuyasha

P.S. OXOXOX J

Kagome smiled after reading it, hugging it to her chest.

"Do not fear, for after dark there is always light," she recited, turning it over in her mind. "I don't get it. Not at all." She shrugged, and skipped up the stairs, feeling lighter than she had in days.

***

She woke to find the sun shining meekly on the horizon.

"I'll think I'll go outside today." So, she got up, showered, brushed her teeth, grabbed a quick breakfast of toast, and tossed on a snow jackets, boots, gloves, a scarf, and a small, pink hat. Kagome ran downstairs to find Souta asleep, popping little spit bubbles and her mom reading Tokyo Times while sipping some fruit juice from her mug. "See ya mom! I'm going outside."

"Okay," Ms. Higurashi replied, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. Kagome opened the door, feeling the frigid, frosty air sting her cheeks, turning them pink. A strong gust of wind blue up little white snow crystals; a few coating her hair. She smiled a little, and trudged through the snow, and opened the fence to the Goshinboku tree. Kagome ran a gloved hand over it as an electric tingle shot up her spine, making her feel fuzzy.

"Man, I sure do miss Inuyasha…" she muttered, lowering her head. Then…splat! Something icy, cold, and raw hit her hat, and exploded. She shivered.

"Ha! You should have seen your face!" I know that voice…but it can't be, I mean…She turned around, praying that this wasn't a dream, only to see a smirking hanyou looking at her, hands on his hips.

"INUYASHA!" Kagome screeched, jumping the fence, and ran into his arms. Even in this freezing weather he was all warm and snuggly. She felt his arms encircle her, pulling her closer. "You don't know how I've missed you!"

"Yeah I do! Ahem…" He put on a high-pitched girly voice. "Man, I sure do miss Inuyasha…" Kagome shoved him, making him stumble back three feet in the snow. "Geez, I was just kidding!"

"Eighteen years old, and you're still a big-headed jerk!" she yelled, laughing at his cute, confused face. He pouted. "Anyways, Happy Birthday!"

"Whatever, wench," he replied, sticking his nose in the air playfully.

"Hey, I thought you stopped with the name calling!" He hugged her again, silencing her, breathing in her sweet jasmine, honey scent. He sighed.

"Stupid baka, I've missed you, too," Inuyasha growled, purring as she pushed aside some of his hat to rub his ear.

"Yeah, I wanted to pet these ears forever."

"Hey! Is that the only reason?"

"Maybe…" Kagome giggled, but stopped when she saw his sad face. "Inuyasha no baka! Of course I missed you! I would with or without the ears."

"Duh, anyway, Kagome…" If possible, his cheeks reddened even more. "I have to tell you something." His voice was now whispery soft.

"Like what?" she asked, finding herself lost in his warmth and scent, floating in sparkling pools of amber. The way he talked was so soothing.

"Like how much I lo-"

"HENTAI!" someone screeched. *WHAM* They instantly released each other and grinned.

"Give you three guesses who that is."

"Definitely." A furious, blushing Sango dragged an unconscious Miroku through the cold snow.

"Stupid pervert…" she mumbled, but brightened when she saw Inuyasha and Kagome. "Hey guys!"

"Sango, what's up! How are you?" Kagome inquired. Inuyasha just smirked at the unconscious monk.

"We were having a nice heart-to-heart, when his old, perverted habits started up again," Sango explained, as Miroku regained his senses, groaning as he rubbed an enormous lump on his head.

"Lady Sango, why must you hit so hard?" he whimpered.

"I wouldn't if you didn't deserve it."

"What?"

"Anyway, I see you're back, too Inuyasha," Sango said. They shook hands.

"Looks like the gang is all here," Kagome said, smiling again. "Anyone want hot coco?"

***

"I am so glad that every one of you is reunited," Ms. Higurashi cried happily, as she grabbed a bag of Mr. Fluff's marshmallows from the cabinet.

"Yeah, it's great that everyone is now here," Kagome replied, mixing in some sugar.

"So, Inuyasha, are you returning to Japan?" He looked up, eyes suddenly sad.

"I haven't even thought of it yet. I don't have any money to get back on the plane, or any money to rent an apartment…" He blushed. "I wasn't allowed to work, so I'm broke." Everyone looked at him apologetically.

"How about this," she began, sitting down next to her daughter, passing around the marshmallows. "You stay with us, until you get some money." Inuyasha and Kagome instantly blushed deep red.

"Y-You mean it? It wouldn't be too much trouble?" he asked.

"No, not at all, that is, if Kagome…"

"I don't mine!" she chimed happily.

"I promise to pay you back every penny once I find a-"

"Job," she finished, dismissing him casually. "Don't worry about it. Any boyfriend of Kagome's is a friend of mines."

"MOM!" Kagome cried, covering her ears, blushing from head to toe.

"Well, Ms. Higurashi, you see-"

"No need to be embarrassed." And it suddenly clicked. It's now or never.

"Uh…Kagome will you come outside for a moment please?" His voice, which had deepened since she had last seen him, was now resembling a squeak.

"Are you okay Inuyasha?" He nodded, blushing fiercely. Kagome bit her lip, a million possibilities running through her head, as she pulled on her snow gear.

"Looks like something's up," Sango whispered.

"Yeah. Wanna go spy?"

"You bet."

***

They were out in the snow again, the wind pounding mercilessly against their huddled forms. Inuyasha was cradling Kagome against him, using her scent as a solace.

"Kagome…I've been meaning to tell you this for a long time." Fear darted through her. Was he leaving? Did he hate her?

"Inuyasha…" she mumbled.

"I don't want you to hate me after I say this." The seriousness in his voice startled her and she winced. "I don't know when this started, or how it happened. It's been confusing me, and I haven't figured it out until now. Don't fear, because after dark there is always light." She smiled a little bit against his jacket, but felt cold settle around her. What was he going to say? Her throat suddenly wouldn't work. "It doesn't matter if you hate me for this afterwards, but the fact is I love you Kagome." There I said it. She froze in his arms and went stiff. "I'm sorry."

"You baka! Inuyasha, I love you, too! I have since I first met you." And their lips met in a sweet, chaste kiss. When they broke apart, they hugged again. They were the happiest people on earth, until…

"BUWAHAHA! THAT WAS FUNNY! A KODAK MOMENT!" came Miroku's perverted voice. They turned, blushing.

"Shuddup Miroku! But that was priceless!" Sango cried, springing from her hiding place, as Inuyasha and Kagome inched apart. She threw something at her, and it hit Kagome square on the face. She yelled.

"You really should see your face!" Inuyasha smirked, and then…a dangerous grin appeared on her face as she balled something up in her hands. "What's that look?"

"Inuyasha…" she said sweetly. "Think fast!" SPLAT!

THE END

There, it's over! You guys were so torn apart by the last chapter, I just HAD to write this one soon. I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SAD! This is the end of Foreign Exchange Orphan! But, it was a nice, cute, long story that I'll always remember. Now I have two fics finished, three more to go, and five more ideas for new stories! Think of the possibilities! *cackles* Well, aloha for now!