InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Go Home Kagome ❯ Forever Love ( Chapter 24 )

 

 

Chapter Twenty four: Forever Love

 

 

Kagome stood on the temple steps looking out on the God Tree. The pink light of dawn had long ago crested and the branches of her beloved tree stood empty swaying slightly in the breeze.

 

She sat on the cold stone steps and pressed her face into her knees. This was much worse than a broken promise. For Inuyasha to not be at the tree can only mean his death. There are so many graves all over the temple grounds. How will I ever find him?

 

Kagome gave into spasms of chocking coughs. She held her sides until it passed. Ridiculous regrets pummeled her common sense. Why didn't I just let Kikyo have him? Then I could still get down…the well. She pushed her hair back from her sweaty face. But who's to say he didn't have a long life or even a good one. This is a selfish grief.

 

Her realization brought her no comfort and Kagome broke down into great heaving sobs. Inuyasha! How many times must I lose you? I must be the stupidest woman alive.

 

The sun rose in the sky, bathing the temple in it bright sunny tones of warm light. It was the most dazzling yet bleakest dawn Kagome could remember. Her newly awakened senses enhanced every color, sight and sound.

 

A jogger circled the temple but Kagome was too upset to feel self conscious. I guess it's really over. There's nothing I can do to ever go back. The man paused at the bottom of the stone steps and he glanced up momentarily meeting Kagome's eyes. A brief instant of the man's life flashed before her eyes. His wife is having their baby today…this is his last jog before the caesarian operation. She was surprised by this knowledge and found it unsettling. He smiled at her and Kagome nodded.

 

 

The bus pulled up at the stop in front of the temple. The first of the early morning commuters pushed in through the narrow door of the bus. Kagome watched cautiously through her fog of grief. The figures were blurs of modern day clothing. Her heart leapt at the sight of the familiar red but it was only an old woman in a red sweat suit. Her aura was dark and Kagome realized she was ill maybe even dying. She squeezed her eyes shut.

 

Damnit! How is this fair? We've given up so much. Does fate expect me to stay here and tend the shrine? Darkness engulfed her and she was filled with an incontrollable rage. Kagome sat on her hands lest she was tempted to raise her fist and curse the gods themselves.

 

I thought freeing Kikyo would solve everything. But instead I've just signed on for the permanent position of shrine priestess. But without Inuyasha is there anything worth fighting for? My soul is tethered to this place a mere breath away from what I could've had...

 

Kagome pounded her closed fists on the stone slab steps and her rage manifested in the form of an ear splitting screech. The birds perched in the God tree were startled into flight.

 

Kagome picked up a smooth stone and lobbed it at the hated tree with all her might. It bit into the ancient bark before bouncing off and striking the ground.

 

Kagome stood but her knees refused to support her. She fell back onto the steps and gave in to her sobs. A pair of white high topped sneakers stepped into view. Oh great, now Souta's gonna wanna know what's wrong. Kagome guarded her expression and kept her eyes on the ground at her feet.

 

“Why is it every time we meet, you start crying?”

 

Kagome sniffled and slowly lifted her head. Inuyasha leaned back on his heels crouching before her in slightly baggy light blue jeans and a beautiful long sleeved white button up shirt. His silver hair hung loose down his back in one long length, his fetlocks gone. Bangs brushed his forehead and dark eyebrows perched above his luminous, gilded eyes. His ears perked attentively in her direction.

 

Her dry lips formed the word. “Inuyasha…you came.”

 

“I told ya I wouldn't miss this.” He knelt before her than leaned forward and pulled her into his arms. Kagome pressed her face into his shirt and he held her while she cried.

 

“Kagome.” Inuyasha pressed his face in her neck drinking in her scent. It had been ages and he'd never forgotten. He'd made it back to her on faith alone.

 

They sat in the silent embrace. Eventually Inuyasha broke away from Kagome and gently sat her back on the steps. He reached into his jeans pocket and removed a worn leather wallet. He flipped it open and passed it to Kagome.

She wiped her eyes on her shirtsleeve. “What's this?”

“My movie rental card, library card and my driver's license; it's official I'm legal and gainfully employed to boot. Your mom's gonna love that.”
 
Kagome stared at him. “How did you remember I said that? It was last week to me but for you it's been five hundred years ago!”

He shrugged. “Ya know what they say…time flies and all. But it's always easier to remember the important stuff.”

Kagome studied his license and recognized his address. “You really did it. You waited for me… all this time and you were just around the corner…” Just a breath away, he's always been just a breath away.

Inuyasha took her hand in his. “Yeah the last twenty years have been the hardest knowing you were so close. But waiting was the right thing to do.” He wasn't capable of describing the ache that filled him during the past centuries.

Kagome studied his features, his face was slightly more angular but other than that he was unchanged. She asked. “So what have you spent the last half a millennium doing?”

He reacted as though he'd been away only a week and waved his free hand. “A little this and that.” Do you have to ask? You were the inspiration for everything I've ever done.

Kagome turned his chin so she could see his ears. A thin gold ring sat low in his right ear. “You pierced your ear? Didn't that hurt like hell?”

Inuyasha glanced at his feet then looked back at her face. “Yeah…and that was the last drop of alcohol I've had since.”

Kagome tilted her head and brushed her fingers against his soft ear as she studied it. “I think I like it. Though isn't your ear…sensitive?” It's sexy as all hell!

“Yeah and you tugging on it doesn't help a damned bit.” He brushed her hand away from his ear.

Kagome was honestly surprised. How much have you changed? I can't imagine you subjecting yourself to mutilation for the sake of fashion.  Just a few days ago you refused to let me stick you with the needle and draw your blood.

Inuyasha shoved his hands in his pockets and then burst into unexplainable spontaneously laughter. “Wanna hear something funny?” His laughter was free, how long had it been since he'd felt this way …if ever?

Kagome blinked away her tears. “What?”

“Your mom invited me to your house for dinner last night. I called off but I took a rain check. Care to cash it in for breakfast?” He offered her his arm but she was too shocked to accept.

Kagome's mouth fell open. “You work with her accountant.” I was rushing out the door when she was trying to set me up with you? Maybe I should have stayed for dinner after all.

Inuyasha grinned. “Yeah, I'm his new partner. You might say I kinda own the place.  I like numbers, turns out they can't talk back to ya. Unlike certain fifteen year old mikos.”

Kagome slapped her forehead with the palm of her hand. “Mom told me that if I didn't want you then she was keeping you for yourself!”

He frowned, and then his lips spread into a wide leer as he wagged his eyebrows. “Well I guess one Higurashi woman is as good as another.” As if anyone could ever replace you.

 

Kagome scoffed and gently elbowed him in the side. She was so glad to see him. Relief and excitement flooded her whole being; she didn't think she could ever lay hands on him in anger.

“But Mom knows what you look like. How did you fool her?”

“Easily enough, I had the spell on your prayer beads augmented and it only allows people to see what they expect to.” Inuyasha pulled them out from under his shirt. They were smooth and shiny from centuries of wear and looked exotic against his freshly pressed white cotton shirt.

Augmented? My, my, what a vocabulary we have. And Mom knew what she was talking about. Her dinner guest was just my type after all. Someone's spent the passing years learning.

Kagome asked. “So once she realizes it's you, then the spell will fade?”

“Exactly.” He gave a firm nod.

 

Kagome stood on tiptoe and fingered the beads. Inuyasha's warm scent engulfed her except it was changed with the subtle undertones of deodorant and a light citrus aftershave. She smoothed the palms of her hands over his jaw and felt…the beginnings of light stubble. This was new…I think I like it too.


Kagome took a deep breath and narrowed her eyes as she brushed her knuckles across his face. “Inuyasha, then how will I ever know if I'm seeing the real you?”

He took her hand. “Because you always have. If the spell worked on you then you wouldn't have noticed the earring.”

 

Inuyasha pulled her against his chest as he had many times in the past in his red fire rat robes. “Kagome, you've spent two of your last three lifetimes telling me you love me just as I am.” He scratched his ear. “I decided to start listening.”

Kagome's tears rained freely down her face as he tilted her chin up and claimed her lips with his. She answered his call and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands found her rear and he lifted her off the ground into his arms.  

Inuyasha growled low in his throat. “Careful woman, it's been a VERY long time and I'm damn near out of my mind.”

 

“I still don't know how you did this for me…Five hundred years that's almost ten lifetimes.” She felt her throat closing.

 

“I gave you my life. I would never go back on my word. Besides I knew you'd be here.” He laughed and he gave her butt a fast pinch and was momentarily reminded of his old friend the monk. How long had it been since he'd died? “You were a sure thing. Even if every woman in the past five centuries refused me I always knew you were here waiting.”

 

Kagome's eyes widened at these words and she gave his ear a hard tug. “Easy now…” He whispered against her lips. “You know I was kidding. Surely you've realized by now Inu yokai mate for life.”

 

Kagome felt ridiculous. This obvious fact had never occurred to her before. Inuyasha had been truly torn. While he cared for her, Kikyo's resurrection revived his promise to her, that he would stand by her side and give her his life. As long as her soul lived he would not turn his back on her for another. His father Inutaisho died defending his mother and Inuyasha was no different.

 

Now that she thought about it, Sesshomaru had never been seen with a lover. Koga was a wolf not an Inu yokai but his persistence was never ending. All the pieces fell neatly into place. Inuyasha wasn't indecisive; he was man of his word. How could I have ever doubted him? He will always come for me.

 

A quick anger burned through her but dissipated. “Why didn't you ever tell me that? I was just a stupid kid. How could I have known?”

 

Inuyasha sighed and turned his gaze to the Scared God Tree. “I didn't understand your world like I do now. Telling you something so simple was the equivalent of pointing out the sky was blue. It was common knowledge; I just thought you knew…”

 

Kagome's eyes cleared and she felt the burden of a heavy stone of doubt slip from her shoulders and crash to the ground. He must have thought I was such a selfish bitch, and he loved me anyway! “I'm so sorry, I never knew… But it makes sense. I feel kinda silly.”

 

Inuyasha surprised her by squeezing her shoulders. “Kagome don't waste anytime feeling bad. We've our whole lives ahead of us. I've waited for too long to waste a moment of it on regret.”

 

 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_

New York City 12/29/2005 The Waldorf Astoria Hotel:

Kagome sat in Inuyasha's lap firmly ensconced in his arms when the door to their suite flung open. She cursed herself for forgetting to lock it but brightened when she saw her friend.

Boog stood in the doorway with both hands on her hips.  Her blonde hair was longer and she wore a black dress with heels but other than that she was the same old Boog. “Well please don't get up on my account.”

Kagome laughed, leapt off Inuyasha and ran to Boog. They squealed and hugged each other as they bounced around the room.  Inuyasha was immediately glad this girl lived on the other side of the planet. His poor hanyou ears couldn't take the racket.

Boog turned to Inuyasha and Kagome introduced her. He offered her his hand along with a pleasant smile. “Pleased to meet you.” Kagome was thrilled with his new found manners but she felt she'd never get used the changes in him.

Boog frowned for a moment then accepted his hand. Her lips broke open into a huge toothy grin. “May I?”

Inuyasha, who had no clue as to what she was asking, was nonchalant, “Sure.”

She leaned forward and tweaked his ears. His face turned red and he did a vertical jump out of the chair and landed on all fours on the leather head rest. Kagome smiled at the sound of shredding leather. Now this was her Inuyasha.

“What the hell was that for?” He was confused, why wasn't the damned spell working? He was wearing the stupid beads. He pointed to Kagome and said in an accusing tone. “She can see me!”

Kagome crossed her arms over her chest. “Of course she can see you silly, you aren't invisible.”

He snapped. “Keh, you know that's not what I meant.”

Boog giggled. “Sure I can see you. Contrary to whatever Ka-Go-Mae has no doubt told you, I'm not stupid or blind.”

He regained his composure and slid back into the leather chair while making a note to flip the cushions before they left in attempt to hide the damage. “So what are you?”

“Excuse me?” Boog feigned offense.

He gestured towards her with a clawed hand. “Cut the shit. You can see my true form. How?”

She shrugged. “I dunno. I've seen stranger things though. Like Kagome first in the morning.” She shuddered. That is much scarier than you.”

Inuyasha cocked a dark brow. “Can't argue with you on that one.” Maybe this girl wasn't so bad after all. Course if she was here to take Kagome shopping without him then she was his new best friend. He hated lugging bags through crowded stores. The worst part was getting sprayed by the perfume ladies. His missed the open fields and woods of the Warring states but nothing brought it out faster than a jostling crowd of angry, stinky shoppers. He still didn't like being separated from Kagome but after two days of solid shopping he was willing to suffer it. It wasn't as if she wasn't capable of defending herself to some degree after all, he had the bumps on his head to prove it.

Boog sat on the leather ottoman facing his chair. “It's not like you're the only supernatural thing on the planet. Back in high school the guy I took to prom turned out to be a possum demon. Talk about freaky. He wasn't cute like you.” Kagome frowned at the image of a short, round man with a bald, pink, scaly tail jutting out the seat of his tux pants.

Inuyasha sniffed indignantly and replied.  “I'm over 700 years old, I'm not cute.”

Kagome laughed and waved her hand at him dismissing his protest. “Sure you are.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yeah I'm fucking adorable. Thanks for noticing.”  

Kagome leaned over the chair and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “You're such a good sport Inuyasha.”

He growled low in his throat and pressed his nose against her neck. “Only for you Kagome. Everyone else can go to hell.”

Boog crossed her legs. “So before you two give me cavities…When am I gonna get to see the wedding photos? It makes me sick you snuck off and didn't even invite me.”

Kagome gave a nervous grin. “I swear it wasn't personal. We've just been through so much we wanted to marry as soon as possible. It was quiet and at the court house. There are only a handful of photos.”

 

She'd always dreamed of an elaborate Shinto wedding and a luxurious honeymoon but when faced with putting off her life with Inuyasha to obtain these material things, those dreams fell away and the bigger picture took hold. She had what she wanted. Him. After all a fancy party does not a marriage make.

Boog pursed her lips. “Mama Higurashi wouldn't let you get it on until you were good and wed huh?”

Kagome looked at the floor but Inuyasha answered unabashedly. “Fuck no! Sometimes I still think she's still got it in for me. But it didn't matter. I'd already waited long enough.”

“Yeah three years is a long time to be apart.” allowed Boog.

Kagome stated. “You've no idea.” Then she shot Inuyasha a dark look. Sometimes, I can't take you anywhere!

Boog clapped her hands. “Great! Then it's settled.”

Inuyasha was suspicious, this girl was crafty and he didn't trust her. “What's settled?”

“As you know Paul and I are getting married during the big ball drop on Saturday night. I've asked the preacher to stay late and marry you two again in front of everyone. It's our gift to you.”

Kagome protested. “We don't have a license and aren't even US citizens!”

“Doesn't matter, Dr. Scott is an old family friend and an Episcopalian priest. He knows you are already wed and doesn't care about your paperwork. This one is for you, not the government.”

Kagome sat down on the arm of the leather chair. She didn't know what to say; a real wedding with all of her US friends, it was so unexpected.  Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her down into his lap. He hated fancy affairs almost as much as he hated sharing Kagome but this was different.  He saw she was speechless and turned to Boog. “We'll do it.”

 

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_
And so 12:05am on the morning of New Years day,  beneath the cold winter sky of the brightest city in the world, second only to her beloved Tokyo, Kagome accepted Inuyasha as her one and only love for the second time. But if the truth be known she could have done it a thousand times.

Dr. Scott surprised them by performing the San-San-Kudo or ceremony of the three times three exchange of the cups. He performed the ceremony in his full Scottish kilt complete with white priest collar and presented them with tiny cups of sake. After exchanging vows they each held a cup for the other to drink from.

During the exchange of the rings, Dr. Scott had collected them prior to the ceremony, they recited their own vows.  Inuyasha took Kagome's hand and held it tightly in his. “My Kagome, no matter where or when we are in time, I will always come for you.” He slid the modest thin gold band on her finger.

Kagome took a deep breath and looked in to his eyes. Their golden depths were so intense her stomach fluttered as much as it had on her first wedding day.  She took his hand and was reminded of the day she found a boy pinned to a tree by an arrow. I've loved you for so long. “And I will always be here waiting Inuyasha. My faith in you is never ending.” She slid his ring onto his finger and he pulled her forward to his chest holding her tightly against him as he always had.

The crowd was disappointed; they'd been expecting a passionate kiss. If anyone thought the vows were unusual they didn't show it. Eventually Dr. Scott cleared his throat and announced. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Everyone stood and clapped as Inuyasha leaned Kagome back in a passionate embrace. His hair fell in a curtain over their faces while he kissed her. Paul stood behind him as best man and wagged his brows at Boog, who still in her wedding white stood behind Kagome.  It was the night of the new moon so the dark hair that fell over their faces hiding them from view was very real. Even so when Kagome pressed her hand to his chest she still felt the outline of the prayer beads under his suit.

Boog's mother came around with champagne glasses and everyone toasted the new couples and 2006. The view from the Waldorf Astoria balcony overlooking Park Ave was breathtaking. The whole city was alive with lights, music and revelry. Even from high above the crowds and ten blocks from Time Square, they could hear the people in the streets cheering.

 

In the end they were true to their vows. Inuyasha always came for Kagome and she never stopped waiting.

 

C'est la vie!

 

 

Notes:

This chapter was based on the Josh Groban song Forever Love.

New Years Eve this year will take place on the night of the new moon.

 

I dedicate this chapter to my mom, who has started reading this stuff and doesn't even know who Inuyasha is. Just like Inu, she is also freaking adorable in her own right.

 

I did this whole story just so I could write this last chapter.

Yeah there was some OCC but this is fanfiction and it's supposed to be fun. I couldn't stand how Kagome's mom behaved in the anime. I'm twenty some odd years old and my friends are all new parents. It was hard not to breathe some life into Ayumi and show her as a real person. But I think I accomplished that here and I just love how it ended. I hope you did too. If you did, warning shameless plug ahead…then please read my other stories and check out my website hedgehogmadhatter dot com. Thanks and good night!

 

>>bows and the curtain falls<<.

 

Fin