InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Needing It ❯ Chapter Eleven ( Chapter 10 )

Disclaimer: Not mine, not mine, repeat it enough and I'll never believe it…

 

A/N: Its finally here! The ending to my first story! Have fun and I'll see you at the end.

 

Chapter Eleven: Redemption

 

Gods damn it all! She did it again! The moment she had run out after Inuyasha Shiori had felt hope in her heart. They would make up, kiss, and realize they love one another and all would be right with the world again. But when she had come back alone, still blushing slightly, then heard the subsequent closing of the door (so softly she almost burst into tears then and there), the elder Higurashi could only feel the same empty rage she had felt that night when Betrayal reared its cruel face. Before she could even think about it she was on her feet.

 

~*~*~*~*~

Kagome never saw the slap coming. She swore the world itself shook when the hand slammed into her face. Fire erupted in her cheek, scalding and causing her to cry out. The emotional roller coaster that she had been riding since touching the cute guy's ears ground to a halt and all she could feel was shock. A memory bounced to the surface only to sink back into the haze. Intelligent response, need to say something. She's mad, do something!

“Mama, what's going on?” The woman was trembling, and Kagome could see that she was using all her strength not to cry. Her struggle was even more apparent in her voice when she spoke.

“Are you going to let it happen again?”

“What do you mean?” This time Shiori did sigh in exasperation. Her hand flew to the table and grabbed something and thrust it into her daughter's hands. The tears burst forth this time.

“Remember, Kagome! Don't let him walk away again! He's no doubt suffered so much to bring this to you! And you! Don't you remember how heartbroken you were to know he was gone? I mean, for months all you ever did was cry and recount every adventure you had gone on! Damn it, Kagome, I won't stand for it anymore. Recall it now, because I don't think he'll come back after this.” The same nostalgic chord struck again and a memory materialized, but it was too fuzzy, out of focus. Feeling weight in her hand she looked at what the guy had left her for the first time. It was a jewel, a round pink pearl that shone with its own light. It was mesmerizing. It pulsed then, beating with her heart. The light enveloped her again, sinking into her skin, down to her soul. It slammed against the wall of suppression and released what lay within. Images, smells, memories, feelings, they all crested and submerged her. Sango, Miroku, Shippou, Kaede, Shikon, Naraku, Kikyou, Kohaku, INUYASHA! His smile, his anger, loneliness, sadness, death, life, a sealing arrow, golden eyes, white dog-ears, everything returned to her then. She staggered under the weight in her hand and the gates opened, gushing through her eyes onto the table and floor. Sweet agony gripped her heart to feel the same hopelessness and guilt and to finally understand the lonely nights, the red and white figure of her dreams with the sad eyes, and the pain of her homecoming.

“Mama, mama,” it was a soft plea for solace, for forgiveness, and Shiori answered it with a watery smile.

“Go to him. Go before he leaves forever.” Kagome's blood turned cold at her words and she was out of the house instantly, forgetting her shoes. Stepping out into the sunlight she felt her heart stop to find the grounds deceitfully silent and empty. It started up again when she saw a red-clad outline over by the Goshinboku. Walking slowly, the miko could see that it was Inuyasha. He was kneeling before the god tree, his head bowed. Then she heard it. Whimpering. The sound was so low it could almost be mistaken as passing fancy. Yet the tone was clear, its depth abyssal.

Like a puppy kicked by the master it had loyally followed.

The whimpers became words and Kagome could feel her heart break under the guilt.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Sacred tree, help me please. I can't take it any more. She's forgotten me, and it hurts so much. Please, let me do the same. I'm not strong enough for this. I don't want these memories anymore. I want to wake up from all this. Please, make it all be a bad dream. Let me open my eyes and see her again, her smile, her love, her anger, her scowl, her tears, anything. I've never gotten anything I wanted; but just grant me this one thing and I'll never live again. Please.” He couldn't even see the tree anymore; the red and golden haze was blurring it out. The sound of his breathing rose above all other sounds, erratic and pained. Then Inuyasha felt a body slam against his back and heard that sweet torturous voice that had haunted his dreams since that night. His body trembled violently, one last stand, a final exertion of emotional and physical energy against oblivion, before shutting down in defeat to the insult. Youkai Inuyasha howled and screamed, shaking his head from side to side in mad rage while Human Inuyasha just sat on his knees in supplication, face in his hands and tears falling free, begging for the pain to end. The words seemed to come from a cave to his ears, hollow and melancholic, artificial.

“No! No, don't cry, please, don't cry for me,” and it was another twist of the sword. Now he couldn't even grieve for his loss, just bottle it up and let it rot, like all the same whips, the same burns, the same incensing ear pulls, it wasn't FAIR! The haze closed in around his body showing him thousands of images, timeless and eternal. The sun, swaying trees, lazy clouds, a simple grave, continuing on from Sengoku to Modan Jidai and the tall metal huts, the loud smelly horses, so many visuals he couldn't sort out or pinpoint. And at the center of it all shone Kagome, bright and cheerful as always. Her star bright smile filled his heart with pain and the world fell away.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sobs wracked her frame, a physical pain that she welcomed. The weight of his words was like the entire world's pain on her back. Her soul shuddered to think what must have happened to him to bring him to such a heartbreaking display of vulnerability. How could she have been so cruel? So hard were her tears that she did not feel his body grow limp for some time, she just relished in his heat, his scent of sandalwood and the forest in the sunrise, and the love that had never died bursting from her and into him. However, when she felt his head slide lifelessly to the side she realized it. Calling out for her mother, the two women lifted the unconscious hanyou and led him to the living room. Kagome struggled to control her emotions so as not to become a useless heap of weeping flesh. The look of stillness on his face made her heart stop and start up erratically and she couldn't look for too long. Instead, she kneeled on the sofa and brought his head to rest on her lap. Her hands ran over his face and hair even as her eyes remained closed in fear, the warmth of the skin reassuring her immensely.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Strange dreams chased him, pictures of a cloudy future juxtaposed by the fiery past. Running on a forest path, cherry blossom trees on all sides, winding, twisting, everlasting. The foliage was in full bloom, the petals falling like pink rain, dancing in the silent wind as he ran, ran, ran, searching for that elusive—. Above the boughs and leaves he could see flashes of memories, snippets of battles long won and yet to be fought. They meant nothing to him, even as their importance and message throbbed beneath his eyes, pulsing with the gravity of bygone times. Still he ran, knowing that what he sought lay deep within the labyrinth of trunks. Passing glances identified jasmine at the base of each tree, and the scent caressed his nose. It smelled of home, of comfort, of belonging, and it only made him run faster, the petals interrupted by his movement and following after him angrily in a flurry of activity. A name pushed through the haze of pink and hazel, splitting his heart in two with bittersweet joy. This name was bliss, it was pain, it was peace, and it was all the things he had resigned to never again feel since the flames of hatred had seared his soul. This wasn't real, eighty years of nothing, empty words, empty gestures, empty lives, and empty hearts, empty, empty, empty, that was all it was, just fucking emptiness! The pink darkened then to a deep red, the color of blood. All the images above vanished, the trees parted to reveal a clearing covered entirely by the same crimson petals, and the same taciturn wind waged war on his haori even as the fabric blended with the floor and sky. The haze crept like a monster among the trunks of the trees and slithered into the clearing. It concentrated in the center to form the figure of a woman. Black hair fell in waves down her back, a short green skirt hiding the bare essentials and revealing long toned legs. A white blouse with green bow and collar filled the ensemble that was making his heart skip. He knew this woman, this goddess that had yet to open her eyes but he knew instinctively that they would be dark blue. A fear clutched his spine then as her face came to lock with his and Inuyasha could see a single tear on her cheek. The flames, petals burst into flames and she stood there, why didn't she move? Why did she stay? Didn't she see the truth, that there is no such thing as love, friendship, or loyalty? There's only your reflection in the lake, in the mirror.

All other entities in this world fade away in pairs.

Only You were born not to love.

Only I will live and die alone.

The flames spiked around her legs and he could see her legs glow with the light. Soon they would consume her beauty and she would be left with nothing but her tears. No, he couldn't let her die, couldn't let her burn in the pit of his sins and indecision, she deserved happiness, happiness, HAPPINESS!

`For chaining her to me…'

Light and color bled together, the watercolor masterpiece of a madman.

Song of the ancient past, scent of jasmine, and warmth on his face.

He awoke then, feeling relief flood him. It had all been a dream, a sad nightmare that had gripped him and refused to let him go. But, like so many times before with the children and villagers, she was there to make it better, humming that same lullaby that always calmed him and dried his tears, gave him the strength to continue repairing his soul and hope. He inhaled to give a sigh of relief and caught that unmistakable scent. Eighty years returned in a flash. And the final portion of his life sat with his head in her lap, humming that special lullaby. She didn't know, couldn't know the song she was purring with so much emotion. He felt the back of his eyes burn as he looked up at her to see her closed lids, the calm rise and fall of her chest, and the small smile, knowing that he was not the cause, merely the recipient of her personal nirvana. The burn intensified until they were tears staining the fabric of the pants she was wearing. `Kagome…'

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The song was soothing, an ancient caress of the ears for any child because of its hope and she felt it lift her heart. Her hands wandered through the forest of white, their journey ending at his ears. A spike of intense joy made her hands tremble to feel their velvety softness and she ran fingers softly over the edges. Thumbs kneaded within, relieving any stress he might have. Her actions took all of her concentration and it was some time before she felt cold moisture pooling near her knees, right where Inuyasha's head was…. Her actions faltered as her eyes fell to the hanyou. She had not known he was awake but the liquid at the corners of his shut eyelids made the gaping wound of her heart bleed freely once again. He didn't rage, didn't scream or howl his anguish, not even those heartbroken whimpers she had heard at the tree escaped his tightly pursed lips. There were only the tears, and it spoke louder than anything. Before she could even think she had his head in her arms and cried just as soundlessly. He stiffened in the embrace and with her ears so close she could hear his nose flare, smelling her sorrow and who knew what else? But she wouldn't move, he was too close, too real right now.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

He would have to be a fool not to recognize the salty tang of tears, but he could not for the life of him perceive what was causing them. Her hands that had been on his ears softly stroking now held his head as if it were a prized possession, the Shikon No Tama itself. It confused him so much it literally stopped the raging pain within as both Youkai and Human Inuyasha stepped forth to offer any comfort to the grieving woman. Instinct, primal and ancient, past down through generations of adaptation, revealed itself.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Shiori watched the two on the couch from the door leading to the dining room with a weary smile. `Finally, after so much pain and misunderstanding, all will be right again,' she thought before closing the shoji and hustling the other Higurashi members out of the house to give the healing lovers privacy. Within twenty minutes the trio was shacked up at a hotel for the night, Souta and the eldest Higurashi muttering darkly while Shiori merely enjoyed the lights of downtown Tokyo.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome was at a loss. Inuyasha had been the first to move, breaking the hold she had on his head and turning to face her. A strange emotion she couldn't place lingered on the surface of that wall she now recognized that had been looking at her since she had arrived. Without a word he reached up and licked the tearstains on her cheeks. His rough tongue then dropped to her chin and softly licked. What did it mean? It wasn't a human gesture; even if it was five hundred years ago she had never seen this happen! So if it wasn't human… her mind flashed a memory of a documentary she had seen two months ago about wolf packs. On the screen she had seen a wolf walk up to the alpha male of the pack and lie down in front of it, then began licking the cheek of the leader. The narrator's voice spoke then.

When a pack member is faced with banishment from the pack it will walk before the alpha and submit to its leadership by lying down before it. It then proceeds to lick the alpha's lower jaw in supplication…

The pieces fell together and she realized what he was doing. Inuyasha, the proud Inuhanyou that for almost a century had lived alone, was submitting to the very race that despised him, to the woman that had betrayed him. Its poignancy brought a fresh batch of tears to her eyes, but the miko pushed them back. `No more right now,' she thought resolutely and she mustered the courage to begin the talk three years in the making.

“Inuyasha,” she said, amazed at how steady and loud her voice was. His ears swiveled to listen and his eyes opened, the emotion gone leaving only the wall staring back at her. “We have to talk.” She opened her mouth to say more, but the strength it had taken to initiate had left her feeling weak. There was so much to atone for, so much to explain. How could she get through it with her sanity and soul intact? He merely continued his silent stare, that wall ever present. She had seen this wall before, back during that unstable period after she had freed him from his slumber. It had masked the pain and loneliness, but she had seen it break with Urasue's magic, could clearly see the years behind those golden orbs. That barricade was flimsy compared to the one he now sported and she couldn't help but wonder if she were in any way responsible for it. Her mind burned with the need to know and the question left her lips before she could properly word or even think about it, “Where have you been all this time?”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Inuyasha pondered on how to answer. There were two options: he could either balk and act as usual and close up, or he could just tell her everything. There was really no point to the former. After all, it wasn't like he was going to come back. Her face was scrunched in worry and subtle curiosity, but he could sense no disgust or impatience. He stamped ruthlessly down the hope bubbling within. `She didn't want me three years ago, why in the hell would she want me now,' he thought bitterly before initiating his tale.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Kagome regretted asking the moment he began recounting all he had done. He talked of his visit to his mother, the fight with that `damn wimpy wolf,' the death of Kikyou, her gift, and the lonely quest to complete the jewel. The complete omission of Sango, Miroku, Shippou, and Kaede did not go unnoticed, as their names never once left his lips, but he continued on and she did not interrupt. His eyes were distant, as was his tone, and she knew he was there; reliving it all and it was almost too much to bear. But she stayed still, not daring to move or cry out at the heart wrenching pain when she heard of the cruelty of the villagers. He had moved during his narrative, sitting up and unconsciously pulling her into his lap, until his baritone voice fell on her ears through her black tresses. It sent shivers down her back to hear his heart pounding steadily, and the warmth of his haori enveloping her in a cocoon of crimson security. His voice died away into incoherent mumbling, the tale winding down to this very moment. Silence reigned as she re-memorized everything about him. By then he had realized their position and she tensed when his hands gripped her shoulders, no doubt to push her away. A wild scream tore her throat in response to his rejection. In a split second Kagome switched it to words, the fear of never feeling his warmth again crushing her heart.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Inuyasha could feel her tense at his touch. Before his mind could interpret anything he heard her voice, each word a hysterical plea.

“NO! Please don't push me away! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry for what I did that night! Please, listen to me! Don't, don't, please don't. Give me a chance to explain!” Through her frenzied tirade her hands fisted in his haori and he felt her face burrow into his chest, the tears piercing cloth and touching skin. The rejection he had been anticipating to his touch gave way to perplexity. Why was she apologizing? She hadn't done anything; all she did was live how she wished! That was no sin, even if it did break his heart to see it, but he couldn't hold it against her. It had been his mother who told him that to love someone is to be willing to give them anything at all, even to deliver him or her into the arms of another. Absurd as it had sounded back then, he could see the truth in it now. It was all about happiness for that person, because that's what love is: selfless sacrifice. Although he and his heart wept, he turned away from everything he treasured for Kagome's joy. Now he sat in her lap after three years of maddening loneliness and it was she who asked for forgiveness and he just couldn't understand why. In the end, the mind and soul knew what to say. During his entire introspection she had been clutching his haori and rambling apologies and mumbled explanations, but it ceased instantly when he took hold of her cheek and brought his lips to hers.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

The world ended at their contact. It fell away into the void, leaving just them floating alone. His lips seared hers, shooting millions of electric shocks down every inch of her body. A heat blazed in her veins, burning so hot she could feel herself tremble under its intensity. His hands clasped her waist almost lovingly as he angled his head to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted in an unconscious moan that gave the hanyou she loved complete access. The need for air was the only thing that separated them and boy did they breathe. Kagome felt like she had run a lap around Mt. Fuji only to find herself still in Inuyasha's lap. Feeling the dazed euphoria ebb away she looked up at him and could feel the guilt return stronger than before until she felt like her body was sliding to the floor and into Hell. The wall was gone; exposing all the raw pain and the maturity only a traumatic experience could produce. But behind all of that, pumping and surging she could see the hope, the joy, and the desire. But, as was Inuyasha's way, his words destroyed the mood.

“Why are you apologizing,” he asked, and she held her breath at the confusion and guilt she could sense in the tone. “None of this is your fault.” Oh no, he was going to do it! She had to say something before he forgave her everything. He had to know all the facts, so that the next decision he made would be fair for both.

“I'm apologizing for your suffering. What you saw that night at the dance wasn't real. I'm not going to say that kissing Houjou was a dream, but you have to understand why I did it.” That didn't help; she could see it in his slowly darkening face. “It's just that the atmosphere was so romantic and the music was flowing and I thought of the past and how much I wished it was you dancing with me then.” He stiffened then as if his entire body had been stricken with rigor mortis. The color drained from his face until those golden eyes seemed to shine from behind a white curtain. His hands that had not left her shoulders fell away. The fear returned, fierce and immobilizing. Kagome knew that she had said something possibly life-changing. It was up to Inuyasha now.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Turmoil. He had heard right, he trusted his ears. That hateful night replayed and she saw the kiss, felt the pain, but then the new information assimilated itself into the memory. That damn Hobo human shifted, grew taller, his hair became long and white, two white triangles appeared from the mass of silver, and that same black suit the bastard always wore bled and billowed out. Now he stood before Kagome, feeling her lips and relishing in her love. It was so good, such a wonderful vision. But almost a century's worth of prejudice and conditioning were not easily forgotten, and that voice which fifty years before had silently tormented him to near madness rose again, balking at the perfection.

`You delusional son of a whorish bitch, you are not worthy of such things. Nothing but a hanyou, you should have been drowned at birth! Turn away and never look upon her again. Unworthy, useless, wasteful, horrifying, vile filth!'

Anger bubbled suddenly. She was mocking him! After all he had endured to fix the damn jewel, the friends he had pushed away, she was undermining it all by saying it was all her fault? That he had been wrong in his assumptions, that she too had suffered, and she…loved him? NO!

“Why Kagome,” he asked, all his anger bottled, conquered by his new self-control. It festered, and it hurt, but inward it would remain until he knew. “If you wished it was me, why did you kiss him?” Her breath hitched and he could smell fresh tears arise before she hastily wiped them away. But she said nothing, just looking at him with pleading eyes. It lashed his resolve, igniting his anger and passion. She wasn't going to get off that easily! “Tell me!”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

She had to fix this. Kagome had seen the anger clearly and it took all of two seconds to figure out why. He had taken the next step, the ball was in her court, and what she said next would make or break everything. She wanted extra time, but when he screamed, a mixture of rage and desperation, the words just poured out.

“Because I love you! And I was angry! We had fought, and then you didn't come, and all I wanted was some payback. I know that I have no excuse for what I did and I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. And I suffered for it, just like you. It hurt so much that I subconsciously forced myself to forget, but my soul remembered. Now I'm here with tears in my eyes and breathing in everything that is you, and I'm asking, no, begging, for your forgiveness. I love you so much, and I'll spend the rest of my life proving it to you, if you'll let me.” His breath hitched at the confession and she could see the anger ebb away and he looked so weary. His arms moved, wrapping around her waist and pulling her closer, until his nose was up against the junction of neck and shoulder blade. The simple action gave her hope, not much, but it was better than pushing her away. Then he spoke.

“I dreamed of hearing you say that, of feeling your lips against mine, your soul fusing with mine, and I dreamed of all that would happen afterwards,” she said, and the heat that Kagome had felt during the kiss pooled slowly at his words and the soft puffs of air on her suddenly sensitized skin. “I had hoped it would have been beneath the Goshinboku with the full moon and the stars that would twinkle at my happiness. I knew I didn't deserve it because of my worthless hanyou blood, but it didn't hurt to dream, did it? Then I saw you kiss that guy and it hurt me, because it was the world twisting it to me one more time, proving that I'll always be alone. I wanted to hate you then, knew I should have after all our traveling and how hard I was falling in love with you, but I just couldn't. You see, all I could really think about was you, and whether living here in this time would bring more happiness than constantly fighting demons with three friends and a hanyou at the Sengoku Jidai. But it was the worse decision I ever made. I wanted your company, needed that bright smile that kept the sun shining. I need you. Kagome, I… I love you.” The response was her lips crashing headlong with his, the tears breaking free as her hands gripped his face. `He loves me, he loves me, he LOVES ME,' was the only thought that flitted in her dizzy and heated mind. When air became an issue they parted slowly. Kagome couldn't stop the giggle even if she wanted to. Her eyes, which had drifted close sometime during the kiss, opened to lock with his. The heat vanished to see the amount of pain in his eyes. It overwhelmed her; its intensity and utter lack of hope made her lungs seize and pushed all of the air they had just taken out in a gasp. Did he have to live like this; was his life seen only through these eyes? She was so shocked that when he spoke Kagome almost didn't hear it.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

“Is this real?” It seemed foolish to ask, since he could still taste her on his lips, yet it had not stopped him from suddenly thinking whether this really was real. After all, only a dream could have given him the courage to say what he did, only an illusion would be so hellishly positive, a hallucination the only thing capable of dangling such a desolate hope just out of reach, how could it be real? Her tears then fell on his cheeks, cold and filled with the scent of salt and sorrow. In a sudden move she pulled his face to hers in another kiss. It was much shorter than the last but contained that same warmth as with all of the others. Yet when she pulled away Kagome spoke, her words puffs of breath on his lips.

 

X~*~*~*~*~*~*~X

 

“This is real--I'm real--I love you too--I love you so much--this is real,” She said softly, each phrase sealed with a kiss. Positions shifted, until Kagome was now facing him while sitting on his lap. The kisses never stopped, nor did the words. “Let me show you, let me make you feel again.” Her hands ran along his face to his neck and into his haori, fingers blazing hot on his skin. In retaliation Inuyasha ran his tongue along her lips, an instinctual entreaty. Kagome gasped with delight and the kiss deepened into a passionate duel for supremacy that she gladly lost. Arousal swelled and crested inside her and she fought the urge to claw and bite the gorgeous man beneath her, whilst he wrestled with the demonic lust that screamed for him to take her, take her, TAKE HER! In his struggles to maintain control, he suddenly remembered his surroundings. Surprisingly, it was Kagome who spoke first.

“Wait, someone might see,” she said in a heated whisper as she stood. Inuyasha felt the place she had vacated cold and very rigid. Grabbing him by the hand, she led the dazed hanyou through the house, up the stairs, and straight to her room. His ears caught the click of her lock and her soft footsteps. Turning to her he saw the crimson blush on her face and the way her body heaved and fell with deep breaths. The rigidity below tightened at the sight of the woman he loved breathing heavily before him. She shivered under the intensity of his gaze before kissing him once again. The battle resumed full force as the two moved haphazardly around the room until they fell on the bed, Kagome on her back with Inuyasha supporting himself with his hands. The miko wrapped her legs around his waist and he grinned at her. “What are you doing,” he asked, his voice as even as he could possibly make it. Her eyes clouded further as she lifted her lips and hips to him again. Her mind fought to think of a clever response, but in the end she said what felt natural.

“Just trying to give you a hint.” His eyes bugged out and she giggled before licking his chin. All at once he stopped his movements. Confused, she lay back to see what was wrong, only to find his face deathly serious.

“Are you sure about this, Kagome? Because, if you aren't….” She shook her head to cut him off.

“Of course I am, Inubaka! I love you and right now I need you to take care of this flame that's burning inside of me,” she said, her voice gradually dropping to a seductive purr in his ear. “Love me Inuyasha, please. I need you.” Inhaling deeply he felt the scent of her arousal permeate his skin. It awoke the lust he had always felt for her and brought it to the forefront. His soft growls made their chests vibrate as he licked where shoulder met neck. Sparks of lightning made the mike's body jump and tremble with every new sensation as that rough tongue memorized her taste. Whimpers dribbled from her lips as he continued his exploration from her neck down her chest. Without a moment's hesitation he tore her clothes down the middle whilst their lips wrestled. She barely noticed the loss, her conscious mind slowly eroding away by the waves of heat coming from the apex of her legs. Their lips broke apart with a loud smack and for one brief second their eyes met, his golden hues laced with crimson lust and her stormy blue, before the hanyou moved down her body. Rough fingertips, hands of one who had lived his entire life fighting, raked over the swell and cleavage between her breasts, making her arch off the bed, moaning louder.

The sounds coming from his mate made Inuyasha's blood boil. He basked in the heat of her arousal, licking, nipping, and tugging with unconscious ease. Through all her cries he made sure to keep his claws away from her skin, but just as he reached that enticing spot where that musky scent originated from his hand trembled with anticipation causing the nails to rake against her inner thigh. Dread at the thought of hurting her filled him, causing a little reason to return to his feverish mind. Her reaction however made the shred disintegrate instantly.

It had been so immediate, so unexpected, and so erotic that she almost fainted then and there from pleasure when his nails slid against her thigh. It ripped the air from her lungs, made every muscle tense, and that feeling which had steadily coiled thanks to his actions twisted almost unbearably tight. A deep growl left his lips even as he licked them and it was teasing oh so teasing to see the motion and please God let him get back to what he was doing! Sure enough, his nails once again made goose bumps and moans ensue from her lithe body. Her hands searched frantically for a handhold, finally disappearing in his silver mane.

He felt her frenetic pleas and tugs leading to that intoxicating center that made the haze deepen until there was only Kagome in the void, shining like a heavenly maiden blessing his worthless existence with her light. So it was with worshiper's reverence that he gave that region a tentative lick.

It was an explosion of light and sound. Her back arched so much that she was sure she had broken it, but it didn't matter. Only his tongue and its slow uncertain movements, only his presence, only his love mattered now. And that silver-gold coil twisting tighter and tighter, the peak she sought made her cries louder and louder with every step closer to the edge. `So close, so close,' was her thought as she looked down at him only to find his eyes staring directly at her. There was doubt, inexperience, old pain, but behind it all she could see such joy, and it was too much. Tears sprang blissfully from her eyes as a loud scream announced her release. The coil sprang and she leapt.

The rest was silence.

Inuyasha had felt it just seconds before, a primordial thrill that told him his lover was about to experience something very good. So he looked up, wanting to see her through, be with her at the edge and hold her hand as she leapt. Sure enough, their eyes met, she screamed, and a whole lot of things happened at once. Her body stiffened, her hands clenched, and a sweet tangy something splashed him in the face. Then she went limp, her body shuddering occasionally. The wondrous scent and waves of desire in her aura receded somewhat and the hanyou stood to look at his Kagome. Her eyes were closed and he could see tears falling softly, but there was no scent of sorrow, just the salty tang. Still, he tried to comfort her by licking the stains on her cheeks. The motion made her eyes open and all at once she embraced him.

“Oh Inuyasha I've never felt that before! It was so wonderful,” she said, soft whispers in his ears. Her voice reminded him then of his own arousal, which was poking her leg rather rudely in its quest for attention. Yet he merely held her, knowing that this was probably going to be the only thing he could have. He satisfied her, what more could she want from him? His thoughts were halted however when she suddenly kissed him, her tongue sliding against his. It almost broke him then, his control hung by the faintest thread, but he held on as she gingerly undressed him. When the final garment was removed she stopped and stared intently, her eyes drinking in the perfection before her. As he was about to protest her obvious scrutiny, she reached down and grabbed him, instantly drowning his words in a gasp.

It was incredible how quickly the heat returned when she embraced him. It was almost as if the very scent of sandalwood and morning dew made her mad with desire. Not to mention the thought of what was underneath those billowy clothes. When he laid naked beside her she let the image sear into her mind before reaching down. Any other time the young virgin would have been mortified to even think about such a situation, but she had to quench this heat and drive away the pain of separation. His gasp only made the flames burn brighter within. She kissed him again as her hands simulated the act to come whilst his hands roamed her body once more. The temperature rose around them as they burrowed deeper and deeper into the bed until Kagome lay beneath Inuyasha, their bodies mere inches away from joining. He seemed to hesitate and when they locked eyes, Kagome could see the doubt in them. Knowing what to do, and desperate for relief, she spoke clearly and with all the love she had.

“Make me complete.” The statement was like a starter's pistol. Inuyasha's lips crashed against her, swallowing the moan of pleasure as he imbedded himself in her. The flames lashed her again, driving her near-mad with their ferocity. His pace was slow, as if he were struggling to keep control. She couldn't endure it any longer and acting out of pure instinct she nibbled his chin affectionately. Inuyasha felt this signal and lost it, his demon impulses finally seizing control. The force of his thrusts was earthshaking and Kagome met each one easily. Their rhythm was ancient, timeless, and perfect. The miko could feel her body shake violently in preparation of the orgasm and with a loud cry it came, cresting rushing crushing her. Inuyasha bit his tongue quickly and kissed her before following suit, letting the blast of euphoria send him to another world. Kagome swallowed reflexively in an effort to breathe and a bright light shone from the joined lovers for a brief second before darkness enveloped the room. Their breaths were harsh and heavy as they came down in each other's arms. The moon shone on their sweaty bodies, the stars twinkling just out of view.

 

X~*~*~*~*~*~*~X

 

The sun rose breezily, shining its light into Kagome's window and falling on the bodies of the lovers as they slept, the miko in her beloved hanyou's strong embrace, the crimson haori draped over both. Kagome was the first to open her eyes and she drank in the vision of Inuyasha sleeping soundly after three years of pain. The image made her realize that it had been the same for him, and it just made her happier to know his pain had ended. The night before returned to her in a rush of heat and she smiled as his confession replayed endlessly in her mind. With the confession came the culmination and the heat slithered lower, making her thighs rub together to quell the sudden sensation. His arms around her waist and his breath on her neck did nothing to help the situation. Before she could fall back asleep and avoid further embarrassment, she heard his voice trail fire down her neck.

“Well, since you don't want to fool around, we'll just have to get down to business,” he said and she could almost see his smirk, but his words served to make her face burst into crimson flames. Feeling him move behind her she shifted and turned to face him as he sat on the edge of her bed, her sheets preserving modesty. Their eyes locked and before she could even think she had thrown herself at him. He caught her body without so much as a flinch and said nothing, just waited out her much-delayed tears.

“Oh gods I had no idea how much I missed you. All those years I wandered, incomplete, and not knowing why! Now you're here with me, next to me, and I've never felt so happy,” she said, after the sobs subsided enough to let her speak, sniffles interrupting occasionally. He inhaled the soft sweet scent that was only Kagome and sighed; letting his actions comfort her while he sought his own from her words. Once they had both calmed down Inuyasha remembered the reason he had woken in the first place.

“Kagome,” he said softly, waiting patiently for her to move away. “It's time to finish the ceremony.” Her eyes clouded with confusion. “Once an Inuyoukai has chosen a potential mate, there's a ritual that has to be performed in order to make it final. It started last night when you licked my chin, a sign of submission and acceptance by the female to the male.” Kagome sorted through the haze of the night before, pinpointing the moment she licked and Inuyasha's reaction. Before she could blush, he continued. “After the submission the two must join together, share their souls, intertwine with each other's…”

“Okay Inuyasha I get the point!”

“Anyway, just before orgasm the male must transfer his blood to the female. So far we've done all that. There's only one more step left before the mating is complete.” He said this last part haltingly, almost as if he was hesitating.

“Inuyasha? What is it,” Kagome asked, crawling across the bed closer to him. His ears perked up at the mention of his name and she couldn't resist. Her fingers massaged the sensitive white triangles lovingly. He shuddered before speaking quickly.

“I have to mark you with a symbol using my blood. After that, you'll be my mate for life.” She felt joy swell in her heart to hear it, but it did not stop the knot forming from his obvious hesitation. Could it be that he didn't really want her for that long? Hoping to prove herself wrong, she smiled brightly.

“So what's the problem,” she asked cheerily. He sat stunned for a second before dropping his gaze to the floor.

“I just don't want to bind you to me like this if you don't want to.” For a moment she did not hear him, merely watched the same dull pain she had seen last night when he challenged reality creep into his eyes. Then his words sounded like the lashing of a whip and she just embraced him, burying her face in his neck. He stiffened for a split second before surrendering to the comfort.

“I love you Inuyasha, and I won't leave your side ever again. I'll be yours until my last breath,” she said, a soft smile on her face whilst her cheek stayed warm on his bare chest. To her surprise she heard him chuckle faintly.

“Then I need you to lie down koi,” he said and gently placed her on her back on the bed.

 

Two weeks later…

 

The sun rose joyfully in the Sengoku Jidai and Sango stood at the entrance to her hut to watch it. Soft snores behind her heralded the activities of the night before, causing a furious blush to cross her face along with a smile. She had never declared her love for Miroku so many times in such a short span, and the memory of what he had been doing to warrant such words from her lips made the blush burn hotter. At the same time though, she was glad it had happened. Maybe now, during this time of peace after the death of Naraku, it would be safe to have a child. Of course there was the imminent argument over what the child would be. Sex was not a factor, but whether to be a taijiya or monk, now there lay the war. `Oh well, let's make it into pregnancy first,' she thought with another wistful smile. Roaming her eyes over the landscape she caught the figures of Kohaku and Shippou playing at the forest edge. The first few days after he had returned the boy ran to a corner in the hut and wouldn't be moved without intense persuasion, and only from Sango. Eventually the loving care from his older sister and true friendship of Shippou and the village children finally served to heal his battered soul.

And it was all thanks to him. Sure, the villagers had nearly deified Miroku and her alongside Shippou, but she knew the truth. Inuyasha had done it, had suffered the most, walked the farthest, fought the hardest; he was the true hero. To fight with a broken heart takes courage and she hoped to one day thank him for his sacrifices.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Within the Forest of Inuyasha, the Bone-Eater's Well which up to two weeks ago had been unused and before that sat alone for three years, glowed blue with its time magic. A red and white blur leapt from its depths. Inuyasha placed his love on the floor and she stood up. Taking deep breaths, Kagome felt tears come to her eyes.

“It's good to be home after all this time,” she said. His hand silently found hers and they started the long trek to the village. The trees thinned agonizingly slow, as if they wanted to extend the moment before having to release her from their grip. But finally she could see the clearing leading straight to Kaede's village. A powerful wave of energy submerged her, filling her heart with a feeling of peace. She was truly home now, and the jewel hanging from her neck pulsed accordingly. Back in the future they discussed what to do with the jewel and both agreed it would be an insult to her friends to make a wish without them present, so they decided to wait until the entire group was reunited. Of course this task was easier said than done. Her lover had matured in his time alone, but at the same time she could see he was unwilling to return to Miroku and Sango. For a week he just flat out refused but after an extensive conversation and more “physical” forms of persuasion, the hanyou finally relented. Her giddiness then destroyed the memory of walking with him into the village as she broke into a run toward the mass of huts, leaving Inuyasha far behind as he continued his slow walk. The homes and villagers were blurs. Only one stood out among the blend of colors and movement. It was quaint and appeared small next to the mountain steps that cast its shadow on it. Without as much as a warning she burst through the screen and entered Kaede's hut. After many hugs and excited murmurs by the distant relatives the young miko ran out of the hut in the direction of the rice fields.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Shippou ran around in circles in his effort to keep out of Kohaku's reach. They always played like this, running around in lines and zigzags trying to catch other. It was training, it was fun, and sometimes the other village children participated. `Well, this is a little boring,' the kitsune thought as he easily dodged another carefully dodged leap from the taijiya apprentice. `Let's switch the playing field.' Turning so sharply his legs trailed dust and grass behind him, Shippou changed course and ran into the forest. Kohaku chuckled and leapt into the tree line to give chase.

The kitsune had not taken two steps before he felt youki clash with his own. All the joy left him and his hand reached for the Byakkoken. The energy was everywhere and it felt incredibly strong. Fear gripped his heart for a moment, causing him to take a step back to the security of the clearing. As a result of his lapse into panic Shippou took a deep breath and was met with that familiar scent again.

And there he was among the trees, walking slowly with head bowed toward him.

Inuyasha was here.

A battle began within his heart. Joy rose to the surface, but Rage was not far behind. They tousled for supremacy and in the end the kitsune unsheathed his blade and rushed the red figure.

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

Sango could have screamed, truly and loudly. The truth of the matter, though, was that she honestly didn't believe it. Kagome, of all people, was running straight at her with arms out and tears in her eyes. `It's just an illusion, that's' all,' she thought miserably. All thoughts ceased however when she felt a body slam into her so hard it pushed her into the hut and to the floor. Time resumed its normal pace, bringing with it bone-shaking realization.

Kagome.

SHE'S HERE! The next five minutes were a blur of tears, hugs, and excited exchanges of information. Basically, the two women were trying to fit in three years into as little time as possible. Miroku, attracted to the buzz, stood from his mat to investigate only to be swept up in the chaos. For once, his hands stayed firmly on their backs. The happiness was broken quite suddenly, however, by Kohaku bursting into the hut.

“Shippou's fighting a demon!”

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

He had a feeling this would happen. It was demon instinct after all, even if he was just a runt. Now all he had to do was find a way to end it without injuries. The poor kitsune had seen him and, seeing as his scent was no longer impressed on the village or the surrounding area, had seen him as a threat. `I wish he didn't use his sword though,' he mused as he dodged another well-executed slash.

No one knew what to say as Kohaku led them to the clearing where the village's young guardian was locked in mortal battle. The opponent moved so swiftly he was a fury of red and silver. It was Miroku who realized it first (Kagome already knew after all) and he instinctively reached for his wife's hand. The gesture forced the realization on her as well and she almost couldn't believe it.

“Hey! What do you think doing Inuyasha,” Kagome said as she took a step to interfere, but the taijiya had recovered her wits enough to place a halting hand in front of her friend.

“Don't worry Kagome-chan, he will not hurt Shippou,” she said with a knowing glance to which the miko reluctantly obeyed. She instead focused on the almost impossible battle. When did Shippou become so adept at fighting? And where did he get that sword?

 

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 

`Just a little while longer,' Inuyasha thought as he dodged the attacks. He could already sense the runt's stamina and anger ebbing rapidly. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the others appear in the clearing. He inhaled deeply and caught Kagome's worry so he decided to step it up. Using the Tetsusaiga as a pole, the hanyou lifted his body up and over the kitsune's reach. Landing on his hand he spun his legs low on the ground which caused Shippou to flip three feet in the air, after which Inuyasha grabbed him by the tail, and with a flick of the wrist whipped him into the ground. He heard his mate gasp but she held fast, thanks in large part to Sango's arm tight around her waist. `Just hang on for a second, koi. It'll be over soon.' When he saw Shippou try to stand, the hanyou knelt and placed his hand on the kitsune's neck and growled low. The runt's ears twitched at the sound but he continued to struggle. Growling louder, Inuyasha squeezed and bared his fangs. He knew it must've been hard to see but it was the runt's fault for being so stubborn. He maintained the pressure for a while longer before finally he felt the kitsune go limp under his grip. Submission completed, Inuyasha stood up to let the pup up. For a moment he didn't stand but with a flash he was leaping up to the hanyou, clutching his neck with desperate need. Unintelligible yells and curses dribbled from within the haori, but one name rang clear. It wasn't hard to discern. With a smile as he held up the kit from under his rump, he whispered one sentence.

“Take a sniff, runt.” Breathing reflexively Inuyasha smiled wider when he felt Shippou stiffen then felt his arms fall when the kitsune vacated his presence only to land with a loud sob in Kagome's warm embrace. There was another round of hugs and incoherent mumblings while Inuyasha slowly retrieved Tetsusaiga but made no move toward them. He merely stood slowly sheathing his sword watching as Sango broke from the group and walked to him. Keeping his head bowed he turned to face her. When she was directly in front of him, he could feel his breath leave his lungs. Then, with a speed he knew all too well, she moved.

SLAP! The sound made all the villagers look up and caused Inuyasha's head to snap to the side, an angry red welt on his cheek. His heart sank at the obvious sign of anger and felt his eyes grow heavy. Then, in the same moment he felt arms encircle him.

“Don't you ever do that again, you damn baka,” he heard the taijiya say and she squeezed tighter. Another arm fell heavily on his shoulder and Inuyasha smelled meditation incense, followed by a soft plop and purr on his other shoulder. Damn them, beating on his defenses like this! But it wasn't until the sweet, wonderful scent of his mate joined this mingling of familiarity that he couldn't hold it anymore. His rigid spine was the first to give as it bent toward them, then his arms wrapped loosely around Sango, and his head sagged until it landed squarely on her forehead. When Kaede came upon the hill she couldn't help but smile at the beautiful reunion.

The sun set on the Sengoku Jidai and the subsequent `welcome-back' party hosted by the villagers began winding down, leaving just a few lagging old drunkards and tipsy aspirant geisha. Among them sat the group encircling a robust fire. Kagome and Sango talked and giggled as if the last three years had not occurred, Shippou and Kirara sleeping in their respective laps. Inuyasha and Miroku sat on the sidelines in companionable silence with their weapons draped over their shoulders. As for Kohaku, he was the odd man out sitting with his knees up closer to the hanyou than anyone else. Wise old Kaede tended to the fire and relayed any and all drunken congratulations. The peace enveloped them steadily until they all knew it was time. The men opened their eyes and the women turned to face the fire.

“So what do we do with it,” Kagome said as she reached into her blouse to pull out the completed Shikon No Tama. It glistened pink and red, beckoning to the collected to take it, wish on it, and defile it. All eyes gravitated to the wondrous jewel capable of making any problem go away.

“I think the more pressing question is what we could wish for that could make the jewel disappear,” Miroku, ever the wise old lecher, said.

“That doesn't make it any easier, bouzo,” the hanyou said, but his eyes were thoughtful as he stared at the fire as if it contained the answer.

“None of ye have any thoughts on what to with the jewel,” Kaede asked a little incredulously. “What did ye plan on doing with it once thy journey had ended?” They all looked at each other for a moment before smiling.

“All of our wishes were fulfilled,” Sango said, looking over at her silent brother and beaming. “There's nothing this jewel can give us.” Silence overcame the group as they all accepted the statement. Then the answer was upon them, but it was Inuyasha who spoke first.

“Since the Shikon no Tama can't give us anything then why not wish for something else?”

“What do you mean,” Kagome asked, although she had an idea what he was going to say. Instead of answering, the hanyou stood. Without missing a beat the others stood, Kirara and Shippou awaking to stand by the legs of the women. Inuyasha grabbed the mystical jewel and held up to the sky.

“I wish that the battle raging within be ended and that the miko that fought for so long finally find rest.” A bright light blasted from the orb and enveloped them. Each of them felt a warm sensation fill them and the ground fell away. The group now floated in a world of pink peace. Yet from the infinity a woman appeared. Her miko robes were encased by armor that was filled with cracks and the signs of battle. Her jet-black hair floated in the void and her violet eyes looked on the all. When she spoke, it seemed like their very souls heard the words.

“Brave warriors, champions all, you who have completed the jewel and stand ready to purge it from this world, hear me. My name is Midoriko. I am the priestess from which the Shikon No Tama emerged. For centuries my soul and the souls of the youkai battled within its confines, each one working desperately to maintain the upper hand. Now, with the scourge Naraku destroyed and the jewel once again purified, I can now go to rest. Your wish has freed me. May the Kami bless you for the rest of your lives and may we someday meet again. Until then-” here she turned to Inuyasha and a soft smile graced her features before she bent to kiss his forehead. “You have my protection.” The light appeared again and the group felt the warmth disappear and they were back around the fire. For the longest time none of them said anything. It was Kagome's turn to speak first.

“Is it over?” The question broke the trance and they all cheered. It had finally ended. The toil and pain caused by the Shikon No Tama was finally at rest, and the bonds it had helped to forge now lay before Kaede's sagely eye. These traveling companions had journeyed full circle to stand before the dawning of a new future. Miroku reached for his wife with his Kazaana-less hand, Sango embraced Kohaku with one arm while Kirara sat on her shoulder, and Inuyasha stood with his haori draped over his mate as she cradled a sleeping Shippou in her arms. Centuries later Shiori would reach into her attic where all the Higurashi heirlooms lay and pull out a dust-filled painting with an ornate border of gold and silver. And in this painting she would smile at the exact same scene that Kaede beheld all those years ago.

 

Pain had separated them, love had brought them together, and now time would seal their tale in paper and stone. And it was all because of a kiss, the pebble on the pond.

 

 

So there it is, the finale to Needing It. Thanks to all the people who stuck by me to the end and I hope you enjoyed the ending [but if you didn't, too bad (just kidding)]. For those of you who loved this pile of steaming (expletive), then do me a favor and spread the word! I would really like some of the more seasoned writers to take a gander at this (not that I don't value everyone else's opinion…). Anyway, just to reiterate, thanks so much and I'll see you at my next story! Ja ne!