InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Remembering You ❯ Finally ( Chapter 13 )

Author Notes: I know, I know. . . where the hell have you been Hoshi?! I'm really sorry, I just kept on getting distracted! Especially with fanart! I had this chapter done 2 weeks ago, but my brother came home from college and thought that the internet at home (which is sadly only at dial-up status) was all for him. . . so I have been banned to the unknown. . . well, more like really bad reality television (which I hate). Anyways, I would like to thank you all for your patience! You are all saints! (or whatever your religious beliefs makes you. . . just you know, something patient) Well without further ado, my new chappie! I hope you enjoy!

 

Disclaimer: Inuyasha belongs to Kagome. Miroku to Sango (despite the fact that she may deny it). So who belongs to Hoshi?. . . uh. . . can I get back to you on that one?

 

“. . .” dialogue

`. . .' thoughts

-. . .- the creepy voice guy

 

Finally

By Hoshi-ni-Onegai

 

Ofuda: a religious paper with things written on them to ward off bad spirits (demons)

 

#warning: curse words come up here and there b/c that's Inuyasha's character and I tend to swear in real life. . . sorry#

 

“Miroku's coming over today.”

 

They were on their way back from the Higurashi Shrine when Inuyasha broke the silence.

 

“Miroku?”

 

“Yeah, you know the lecherous monk.”

 

Kagome huffed, “Yes, I know who Miroku is. My question is why is he coming?”

 

“I called him this morning to put up ofudas around the house. I don't want something like last night to happen again.” He snarled at the memory of the moth demon taking Kagome away, right out of very own kitchen no less.

 

“I guess it's safe to assume that things like that aren't a common occurrence at your residency?”

 

“Most youkai aren't dumb enough to try to get anywhere near my house to pose a threat. You heard what Guy said, just by age standing I'm one of the most feared and respected youkai there are.”

 

“And I'm sure your short temper and brute strength has nothing to do with it.”

 

He grumbled as he steered around a corner, “It's not my fault if a lot of people piss me off.”

 

Letting out a bursting laugh she shook her head, “Everyone pisses you off!”

 

“You don't.”

 

She smiled at that, “You're sweet. A terrible liar, but sweet. Inuyasha, I think I tick you off more than the rest of the world population combined.”

“Well, you're infuriating sometimes.” He pulled up the car to the house gates and parked by the garage.

 

Getting out of the car Kagome answered back, “Well, you're a jerk sometimes.”

 

“Only because you're so infuriating.” He trailed after her as she made her way to the side door that entered into the house.

 

Entering the door that lead into the decimated kitchen Kagome turned around with both hands gesturing for him to embellish. “Tell me Inuyasha, what about me is so infuriating?”

 

“You don't listen when it's good for you, and you have way too many insecurities about how I feel toward you.”

 

She threw her hands up in the air, “Well isn't that the pot calling the kettle!”

 

“Pot? Kettle? What are you making tea? Don't change the subject!”

 

“You don't listen or pay attention and you're insecure about my feelings too! So don't go around accusing me of things you're guilty of too!”

 

“I listen!”

 

With her hands on her hips she stepped toward him, “When?”

 

“I always listen and pay attention!”

 

She leaned back and looked at him critically, “Really? Prove it.”

 

He was struck dumbfounded. “Prove it?”

 

“Yeah, tell me an instance where you used those dog ears of yours to listen.”

 

He growled, “Fine. If I didn't listen or pay attention how do I know that while you were in the feudal era you had a test to take for math every other Thursday? That your favorite color is blue and hated the fact that you had to wear a green uniform to school everyday? That you carry an extra stash of ramen around that you don't tell me about, so that you can bribe me with it later on? That you have a recurring dream about playing a game of chess with a monkey and losing?”

 

Kagome's eyes widened, “I never told anyone tha-”

 

As if she hadn't interrupted, he continued, “That you talk in your sleep? That if you think you gained a gram of weight you give most of your food to Shippou thinking we wouldn't notice?”

 

Kagome shook her head, “How do you know all this?”

 

“I told you. I pay attention. When it come to you, I'm always paying attention.”

 

She didn't know what to say. What was she supposed to say something like that? The guy did prove his point well. And she blushed at how much Inuyasha knew about her. “When. . .”

 

“When what? `When did you get so smart Inuyasha'?” He smiked down at her, knowing that he had proven her wrong.

 

She shook her head gently, “No. . .”

 

“Then what? If you have a question: ask it.”

 

Staring up at his face hesitantly she let out in a breathy whisper, “When did you fall in love with me?”

 

Stepping back a step due to the unexpected question, Inuyasha's eyes widened and he stammered, “W-what? What kind of question is that?”

 

She looked to the side and glanced at the gaping hole in the wall that the kitchen now sported, “Please, just answer. . . when was it?”

 

Gathering his wits he went up to her until they were centimeters away from each other. Tilting her face up by the chin he searched her eyes. “Does it matter?”

 

Before she could answer a resonating chime echoed through the house.

 

“That's probably Miroku.” He stepped away from Kagome to go answer the door but her hand stopped him by grabbing his wrist.

 

“He can wait.”

 

The bell rung again.

 

“The ofudas are really important Kagome.”

 

She tugged on his wrist with pleading eyes, “So is this.”

 

The ringing of the front door became incessant. He snarled at her through clenched teeth, partially at the door and partially at Kagome. “What you're asking me isn't fair.”

 

She suddenly let go of his wrist as if had burned her. Stepping back she looked away, “I'm sorry.”

 

“Ka-” The doorbell kept ringing and he growled, snapping at the door. “I'm fucking coming! Hold on!”

 

Swinging the front door open he growled at Miroku, “Only have to ring the damn thing once you moron.”

 

Shrugging Miroku made his way into the house, “Thought it might urge you to open the door faster. . . obviously, it doesn't work.”

 

Taking note of the staff that Miroku carried Inuyasha took it from him, “Why the hell are you carrying this around after all these years? You haven't used this thing since the turn of the century.”

 

“Hearing about your bout with a demon last night I thought it best if I brought along a weapon I felt comfortable with.” The calm former-monk snatched the object in question out of the half demon's hands.

 

Huffing Inuyasha led the monk back to the kitchen where Kagome waited, “That's not a weapon. A sword is a weapon, a bow and arrow is a weapon, heck even a giant boomerang is a weapon! A holy staff is not a weapon.”

 

“Ah, but I remember a time when I could block the attacks form your tetsusaiga with this staff.”

 

Inuyasha growled, “That was before the wind scar.”

 

“But I have smacked some sense into your head with it since then.” Seeing Kagome standing in the kitchen Miroku smiled. “How are you this fine evening Kagome?”

 

Returning the smile she answered, “As good as can be expected.”

 

“Well, let me make it better by putting the ofudas up.” With this he pulled out a good stack of ofudas. “With a piece property this large, it will take a while.”

 

Kagome took half the stack. “I'll help.”

 

Miroku raised an eyebrow, “You know how to use ofudas?”

 

Inuyasha spoke for the first time from his place in the doorway, “I was meaning to ask you about that. You got rid of that leprechaun in office. How did you learn to do that?”

 

“A leprechaun? Those are some tricky demons, you must be skilled in your use of them.”

 

Kagome shrugged, “If you say so. Ofudas went along with my miko training, but when I got involved with the Underground, Guy introduced me to an old monk that taught me all he knew about them.”

 

“What is his name?”

 

“His name was Sakae-sama. He passed away last year.”

Miroku nodded, “I knew him, not very well, but I knew him. He was a good man. I had heard rumors that he picked up an apprentice for his final years; however, I did not hear that it was a female, let alone you.”

 

“He and Guy thought it would be best if less people knew my name. We didn't know why I had so much power, so we decided the best thing to do was to keep it under wraps until we knew why. . . well, at least now I know why.”

 

“It must have been a confusing time for you.”

 

She smiled, “Well, confusion ensues where Kagome goes. Now, let's get these things up.”

 

“Very well. I'll take the bottom floor. Will you mind doing the second and third floor with Inuyasha? Then perhaps have him jump on the roof with you so you can seal that area as well?”

 

“Sure thing.” Walking past Inuyasha she smiled up at him as if nothing had happened before at the shrine, or in the kitchen. “I'll go get started on the windows.”

 

The hanyou nodded and stood there as she left to go up stairs. He was pulled out of his wandering thoughts by Miroku's voice.

 

“You know Inuyasha, this gets old very quickly.”

 

Turning around he saw that Miroku had started out by putting the ofudas up in the kitchen. “What the hell are you talking about?”

 

“Your inability to converse with Kagome. It is really quite extraordinary how much miscommunication occurs between the two of you.”

 

“We don't miscommunicate. We. . . just. . .”

 

The monk smiled knowingly, “There is no need to tell me anything. Look, I will finish up as quickly as I possibly can down here. Then, I'll leave so that you two can talk and yell in peace to each other.”

 

Inuyasha sighed with a smile, “Thanks.”

 

“No problem. And this way, if you two make up and decided to do so in the bedroom you have no worries about me overhearing your excursions.” Miroku was met with a deftly aimed chair leg to the head.

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

Inuyasha caught Kagome in the hallway moving from one room to the other. “Kagome.”

 

She turned toward him and tilted her head. “I still have a few more rooms to finish before you have to take me on the roof. Until then, you can keep yourself busy.”

 

She stepped into the room across the hall from her own. Inuyasha followed her in and watched as she pulled out one of the ofudas and chanted as she held it in a practiced manner between her index and middle finger. As she continued with her chant the strip of paper waved about until with the final word form her mouth it seemed to spark and straighten like a pole as she slapped in onto the window.

 

Hearing applause from behind her she turned.

 

“Wow Kagome, that was pretty impressive.” He stopped his applause to smirk at her.

 

She shook her head, “You saw me using an ofuda at the office already.”

 

“Yeah, but it didn't do the wave and spark thing that time.”

 

“This one's a bit different. . . a lot stronger. This will keep out even the strongest of demons.”

 

She walked over to the window next to it and once again started chanting. When done Inuyasha questioned, “Am I going to be able to get back into my house if I leave?”

 

Kagome did a third chant for the wall between the two windows and turned to smile at Inuyasha. “Probably not, if Miroku had written the ofudas in the conventional way, but he added exceptions.”

 

“Exceptions?”

 

“The ofudas will let you, your brother, Shippou, Myouga, Kirara, and Kouga in.”

 

“Oh God. Why couldn't he have still kept my brother and Kouga out? I really don't need to see there asses around my house anytime soon.”

 

“He's your brother.”

 

“That used to spend his free time trying kill me!”

 

“And Kouga's your friend.”

 

“Since when? He's more of a rival then an enemy.”

 

“A rival for what exactly?”

 

He raised an eyebrow at her, “Are you actually asking me that question?”

 

She huffed and made her way past him to get to another room. “You really need to get over that. There was never anything between Kouga and I and you know it!”

 

“Keh.” He continued to follow her from room to room as she put the ofudas up one by one.

 

Inuyasha watched as she chanted and the ofuda she was concentrating on would flicker and spark. It felt odd to him. The last time she had seen Kagome in the feudal era she was nowhere near as trained as she was now. Quite frankly, the only things Kagome could do with her power was to sense the jewel shards, purify them, pass through the well, and shoot purifying arrows. Just what he had seen her do since their fateful meeting three days ago he gathered that she could heal the injured, was skilled with the use of ofudas, and could control her miko energy. Was all of this power coming from the fact that she now had the whole Shikon no Tama within her possesion?

 

That thought made him freeze. He had completely forgotten about that. His thoughts and words in the feudal era had always been about finding the Shikon no kakera and making the jewel whole again. Inuyasha had wanted to become a full demon so that he was no longer shunned by the demon society, but now he was still a hanyou but stronger than ever. The Shikon no Tama had plagued his thoughts for years. Then how had he completely forgotten about it when he met Kagome again? His driving goal for many years had been that blasted jewel, but now. . . it was Kagome. But the question now remained and loomed over him. Where had the Shikon no Tama gone?

 

“Hey Kagome?”

 

She turned toward him, “Yeah?” She gestured for him to follow her to the next room so she could finish up.

 

“Where's the Shikon no Tama?” Inuyasha was obviously not one to beat around the bush.

 

She froze in mid-stride of pulling out another ofuda, “Why do you want to know?”

 

He shrugged even though with her back turned to him she wouldn't be able to see the gesture, “I don't know. After years of hunting the shards down I just wonder where the thing went. . . Oh, and don't forget unspeakable power that any youkai can acquire with the possession of it.”

 

Kagome didn't immediately answer and went about sealing the room. With that done the second floor was done and she headed up the stairs to the second floor where Inuyasha's room resided.

 

Hot on her heels as she climbed the stairs he spoke in an irritated voice at her, “Do you plan to answer me anytime this century?”

 

“Look, the Shikon no Tama is safe and that's all you need to know.” She snappishly answered.

 

“The hell?” The confused hanyou stomped after into his room.

 

Ignoring the topic she looked around the room that was the largest bedroom in the house where it also had it's own independent balcony but much larger than the one in her own room. In the middle was a four-post canopy bed with a beige comforter and white silk sheets could be seen peeking out from around the edges of the unkept bed. The walls were painted in a smoky light red and the carpet was a lush off-white. Occupying one corner was a desk and on a wall was displayed the sheathed tetsusaiga. The room led to its own bathroom and a spacious walk-in closet.

 

“I like your room.” She wandered around the room checking out his digs as she set about putting the ofudas up.

 

“You were in here this morning.” He growled at her.

 

“I was too worried about you, I didn't get a chance to really look around.”

 

 

“Well then, by all means.” He answered sarcastically as she finished putting up the scared seals and continued looking around his room.

 

Stopping in front of the tetsusaiga she spoke to him while facing the sword, “Why don't you carry tetsusaiga around anymore?”

 

Still pissed at her previous response he snapped at her, “In modern day Japan? You're fucking insane.”

 

Turning she raised an eyebrow. “Let me guess, you're mad.”

 

“No shit Sherlock.”

 

Letting out a sigh she avoided eye contact. “Be mad then. I really don't know what to say to you.”

 

“You could tell me what you know about the Shikon no Tama! Why the hell won't you tell me?”

 

With the final ofuda in place she whirled around to glare at him. “So you can wish to become a full-blooded demon? Not over my dead body!”

 

Inuyasha was smacked back into place by shock and whispered, “Is that what you're worried about?”

 

Her face scrunched up ready yell again when she drew back. “No, you told me yesterday that you don't want to be full demon any more. . . but. . . what if you change your mind?”

 

He walked over to her and pulled her into a tight embrace. “I won't change my mind. God, the last thing I want is for you to be is afraid of me.” Bringing his hands up to her face he leaned his forehead against hers, “Anyways, I can kick any full demon's ass any day. I'm stronger now than I ever thought I could be when I was younger.”

 

“What about Sesshoumaru?”

 

He growled, “Freaks don't count.”

 

She smiled, “Okay.”

 

He smirked then gave her a fanged kiss on the forehead. “We really need to sit down and have a long talk. I'm tired of all this miscommunication.”

 

“Let's get these ofudas on the roof than we can have that talk.”

 

“Sounds good to me.”

 

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

Stretching his back and hearing it give a resounding crack Guy let out a sigh. A new case had made its up to his office desk, a rarity being that he was the head of the Tokyo police department. The only way that the case even got his attention was the name that was tagged along with it: Kagome Higurashi. Guy had gotten the case regarding Hojo's death, being that he made it imperative that any case involving Kagome be sent to him immediately he had gotten it the moment Inuyasha made the call. Although Guy had known about Hojo's death he did not want to bring it up when speaking to Kagome. She would tell him about the death of one of her best friends when she was ready. He and Kagome may be close, but he never got around to associating with her friends. Sure, he met the guy a couple times when he went to Kagome's apartment but he never really got to know him.

 

 

And so, due to the case, he had to haul his ass into the department on a Sunday afternoon when he had gotten a call about new development within the case. They finally got a lead to the death of

the poor man. In effort to nor cause a mess with “Who killed the guy? And why?” only youkai police officers were assigned to the case. All of them knew that it was a youkai that killed Hojo

and a Touken brother that had killed the youkai. Only Guy knew it was specifically Inuyasha and not Sesshoumaru.

 

Taking the coat from the hook by his office door he pulled it on and brought along files of the case as he head out of the department. Making his way toward his car he glanced at his watch. He had gotten the memo from the nervous and completely frightened Underground phone

operator telling him that a Touken brother told/threatened him that any leads were to be reported to him immediately.

 

Guy wondered if he should call up the overprotective hanyou at that very moment. . . then again, what does “immediately” mean really? He decided to call Inuyasha about the case tomorrow.

There really wasn't much they could do that day anyways.

Guy grinned, wouldn't Inuyasha be surprised finding out he was on the case?

 

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

The clocked ticked away on the mantel of the fireplace in the living room. Kagome fidgeted around in her seat on the couch next to Inuyasha. It was easier said than done. . . or said as the case may be. They had decided that after the house was sealed they would get around to having the long put off conversation. About what? Everything that really mattered.

 

“So. . .” Inuyasha turned slightly in his seat to face her.

 

 

She kept looking forward, knowing that eye contact would be her undoing. Why did the man have to have the most beautiful eyes she had ever seen? And why was he able to drag practically everything out of her with just a look? Must be a talent.

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Should we get started?”

 

She continued to look forward twisting the hem of her shirt within her hands. “Where do we start?”

 

“What needs to be said?”

 

Kagome let out sigh, “There is too much, we need a starting point. . . How about if I ask you a question?”

 

He gave a half smile then leaned back against the armrest to be facing her. “No better place to start.”

 

Taking a deep calming breath she asked the question that had been bothering her for the past hour. “When did you fall in love with me?” She squeezed her eyes shut as if waiting for a blow as she fisted her hands in her skirt.

 

 

He winced at the question, “Maybe there is a better place to start.”

 

“So you won't answer.” It was a statement not an answer. She gave a pained smile as she looked over to him, “You're right, it's not fair. How about if I answer your question about the Shikon no Tama?”

 

His eyes widened, “Then you know where it is?”

 

She silently nodded her head.

 

“Where is it?”

 

Taking in a shaky breath she turned so that her body was facing him. With her head still tilted down she reached for Inuyasha's hand that had been resting on the back of the couch. She pulled it so that she held it within her grasp and he leaning closer to her with a questioning look on his face. She traced the claws of his hand and she turned it every which way. She remembered when his claws had been longer and deadly as they ripped flesh while in his full demon form. Did he really want to stay a hanyou forever? He had said so earlier but would he one day want the demonic blood within him to fully take over?

 

She smiled down at the clawed hand and brought it up to her chest and placed it palm flat just above the valley between her breasts.

 

Inuyasha blushed but then it soon disappeared as he whipped his head up from where he was staring at his hand. “H-here?”

 

She nodded nervously, “I think it sunk into my chest when I came through the well the final time. It's exactly where it would have been if it was hanging from my old necklace.”

 

His hand remained where she had placed it. “I can feel it. . . not physically, like there is lump there or anything. . . but it's there. I can feel the aura but only after getting this close. . . is this what you felt every time we went shard hunting?”

 

“I guess. . . I don't know what it feels like to you.”

 

“Kinda like a hum.”

 

“Then yeah, it's the same.” Kagome looked down with a woeful expression.

 

Bringing his hand from her chest to cup her cheek to tilt her face toward him. “What's wrong this time?”

 

“You know where it is now.”

 

“Did you want it to be some big secret?”

 

“The only thing between you and the shikon no tama is flesh and bones. All you have to do is tear your hand in and rip it out with your claws. It's not that hard.”

 

He retracted the hand that was rested on her cheek as if it burned. He stood up just as quickly and backed away with wide disbelieving eyes. “You actually think I would do that?”

 

“It's the only way that I could think of.”

 

“Only way to what?! Kill you?!” At that moment Inuyasha could not remember a time when he was as furious as he was now at Kagome. “What the hell is wrong with you?!”

 

Wrapping her arms around herself she looked away from him. “It's the only way for you to be happy. The legend says that the hanyou pinned to the Goshinboku lived a happy life with the original miko that guarded the jewel.”

 

“The legend isn't right! You know it and I know it.” He kneeled before her, “Is this what it's about? Some stupid legend that has the facts all wrong?”

 

A tear made it's way down her face, “But you can get the jewel out of me and make a wish. Make a wish to have Kikyou back.”

 

Inuyasha roughly grabbed her upper arms and shook her, “We're back to this again?! God Kagome! Let it go! I don't love her!”

 

“I'm leaving!” Her shout echoed through the house and stabbed Inuyasha's heart.

 

“What?”

 

Taking in a shaky breath she closed her eyes and let another lone trail of tear fall. “Seshoumaru told me about Wakahirume. That means that I'll be leaving after my second calling is over. Then you'll be alone here again.” She opened her eyes to stare at his molten stare, “I don't want you to be alone again. You deserve to be happy. If you take the jewel and make your wish to have Kikyou back you'll have her with you. Like you said Inuyasha, she was your first friend. That has to mean something.”

 

“I love you. Not her, not anyone else. That means something more to me.”

 

She brushed back his bangs and gave a sad smile, “You'll learn to love her.”

 

“No. I won't Kagome. If you're gone or dead or whatever, I won't move on. I've been alive for five hundred and sixty something years and I've only loved one woman. Do you actually think that I can just `learn to love' someone else? God Kagome. You're the only one.”

 

“I don't want you to be alone.”

 

“You don't have to worry about that.” He pulled her into a tight embrace. “I'm never letting you go. Damn the gods, goddesses, and all their rules to hell. I'm keeping you with me forever.”

 

“How can this work?”

 

He heard the desperation in her voice and tightened his hold around her, “I don't know but I'll find a way. I'm not losing you after waiting this long.”

 

Tears poured out of her eyes as she grabbed onto his shirt as if someone was ready to pull her away at that very moment. “I don't want to go. I want my forever to be with you.”

 

“I know the feeling.”

 

“Do you have a plan? Do you know how to make this work?” She gazed down at him expectantly.

 

“Do you want this? I don't want to push. You told me not to push.”

 

Searching his eyes Kagome smiled. Leaning toward him she allowed her mouth to meet his. There was still so much left unanswered. If Kagome was a goddess then that means that when her next calling came she would leave in the end. She didn't want to go back to her divine family. Why would she go back to a place she did not remember? Her family and friends were here. Inuyasha was here. But the prophecy stated that Wakahirume would return to her `family,' then she would be ripped away from here. They would find a way to make it work right? Until then, Kagome was determined not to waste time beating around the bush.

 

She broke away from the kiss and stared at Inuyasha for a reaction. He opened his eyes then smirked, “Is this permission to push?”

 

Grinning she kissed him again. This time Inuayasha raised slightly off the floor to lean forward and push her into the cushions on the sofa. Moving his lips against hers the kiss grew more intense by the second. Moving the right hand that had been cupping her face he allowed it to slide down her neck and arms, then to rest it upon her hip. Stroking her over the fabric of her clothes he asked silent permission to go farther. Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him further onto the couch, forcing his right knee to rest on the edge between her spread legs.

With her encouragement he licked her bottom lip as his hand made its way under her shirt, still innocently stroking her hip and going no further. Parting her lips to allow his tongue entry. This was unfamiliar territory for them both but they went on with fervor.

 

Inuyasha tried to memorize the inner contours of her mouth and she responded with equal passion. When his fang scraped across her lip, a delightful shiver went down her spine. However, he thought it was one of disgust and broke the kiss panting out, “I'm sorry.”

 

With daze glossed eyes she looked at him with a quizzical face. “About what?”

 

“My fangs. I'm sorry.”

 

Raising an eyebrow she rested her self on her elbows as he remained leaning over her. “For what? Having them?”

 

“In the jist of it? Yeah.”

 

She smiled and tilted her head up to kiss the fang that had been peeking out over his bottom lip. Wrapping her arms around his neck she grinned back at him. “I like your fangs. If I was kissing you and didn't feel the fangs, it wouldn't be kissing you.” Tilting her head to the side she stroked his left ear. “I want some fang-action when we're kissing.”

 

He let out a chuckle, “Fang-action?”

 

“Yes. Action with fang. There are only a few men I know that can give me that.” Hearing his growl she kissed him again then whispered in his ear, “And you're the only one out of them that I want it from.”

 

“So this can happen again?”

 

She tilted her head to the side, “What?”

 

“The kissing.”

 

Smiling she brought her lips to his, “Does that answer your question?”

 

“I may need further clarification.” He leaned forward and started up another searing kiss.

 

After a few minutes of a heavy, much over due, make-out session Kagome pushed him back. Drawing in much needed breath she smiled, “As much as I love doing that, there's still so much to talk about.”

 

Leaning his forehead against hers he closed his eyes and nodded slightly, “Yeah. Talk. Talking is good.” Opening one eye he peered at her, “You do know I've been waiting five hundred years for this right?”

 

A panicked look entered her eye and she shoved him away. “W-waiting for what?” Pointing a shaky accusing finger at him she nervously scolded at him, “Y-you know w-we can't have. . .” Looking around the room to see if anyone was there, then she said in a harsh whisper. “Sex.”

 

Letting out a laugh he pulled her back to sit next to him on the couch. “You don't have to whisper about it.”

 

“B-but what about the whole `burning of the soul in the fires of the deepest level in hell'? I personally like my soul. . . intact.”

 

Smiling he brushed back her hair, “I like your soul intact too, but I'm sure talking about sex won't destroy it. I'm sure the act is what does people in.”

 

“So do you think I am the goddess Wakahirume?”

 

A tense silence stretched on until Inuyasha finally answered, “I don't know. If anything I wish you weren't.”

 

“Me neither.” She rested her head on his shoulder, “Do you know a way we can find out for sure?”

 

“Like what? A goddess test? I don't think you can get those at the drug store like the pregnancy tests Kagome.”

 

She huffed, “I didn't mean something like that!” Letting out tired sigh she cuddled into his side even more. “Do you have any contact with Midoriko? She might be able to answer some of our questions.”

 

“Sorry, the last time I saw her was right after you left through the well.”

 

She turned slightly forward to look at him surprised, “You mean you've been living for five centuries equipped with only with the knowledge that you may contribute to my second calling? You've been driving blind all this time?”

 

He shrugged, “I guess so. But not completely blind. I knew I'd meet you and that was enough.”

 

Letting out a `awwwe' she kissed him on the cheek. “That was so cheesy, but still incredibly sweet.”

 

Feigning annoyance he turned his head away from her, but in reality to hide his blush. “Keh. Look, if we need to talk then we should talk. Get this over with.”

 

Nodding in agreement she let out a sigh, “I just wish we could figure this whole goddess thing out. It's not bad enough that I'm one of the few real mikos left but I may be a potential goddess. You know, these kinds of things don't happen to other girls.”

 

“Other girls wouldn't be able to handle it.”

 

“. . . I used to be one of those other girls. . . it's so odd how much life can change in one day. One day I'm a normal teenage girl with normal teenage problems. Then I'm suddenly pulled into a well and meet up with a grumpy dog demon that drags me across the ancient Japanese countryside.”

 

His eyebrow twitched in annoyance. “Grumpy?”

 

“Well, most definitely not cheery.” Laying her head on his shoulder she tapped her chin, “When do you think my second calling will be?”

 

“I don't know. Hopefully not for a while. If this goddess theory pans out to be true I don't want you to leave so quickly. I just found you. . .”

 

“But shouldn't we prepare for it? My last one wasn't exactly a walk in the park.”

 

“How do you want us to prepare? Stock up on semi-automatic machine guns and heaping piles of C-4?”

 

She shrugged, “Enough firepower to blow up half of Tokyo was no exactly what I had in mind, but isn't there something else I should be doing? Shouldn't I be learning some new tricks? And taking up karate or jiujitsu?”

 

“You want to learn to fight?” He leaned back away from her to look at her face in surprise.

 

“I'm surprised I haven't already. Sure I can shoot an arrow like no one's business but when it comes to close range fighting I'm as useful as a you trying to negotiate.”

 

“Hey! I can negotiate!” He declared, sputtering indignantly.

 

“Yes, you're oh-so-rational with your policy of `beat to unrecognizable mass of flesh now, ask questions later.'”

 

“Give me some credit, I wasn't that impulsive.”

 

“That's exactly why our first meeting was filled with tea, crumpets, and idle chatter.”

 

“You can't hold that against me, that was a long time ago.”

 

She grinned at him and patted him on the head as if he were an obedient puppy, “And we're so proud that you've grown up!”

 

“Don't patronize me.”

 

Sigh for the umpteenth time Kagome settled back to sit at his side. When she didn't say anything Inuyasha peered down at her and noticed she was deep in thought. Probably worrying about her godly status and imperative need that came about to find out to the truth. Lapsed into silence, Inuyasha ran over all their options, and vaguely on how much ramen was left in the cupboards.

 

Nothing was said for a good period of time until Kagome sudden jumped up from her seat and whirled around to look at him with a hopeful and maybe overly enthusiastic look on her face. “If we can't contact Midoriko why don't we go to the source?! We can try to contact Amatersu-sama!”

 

When Inuyasha had seen that look of unperturbed hope beaming from her face his hope rose as well; however, with the quick blurt of the nonsense from her mouth it sank like the mighty Titanic.

 

“You're kidding right?”

 

She shook her head with unwavering exuberance, “Who better to supply us with goddess-related questions then a goddess herself?”

 

Leaning back he rolled his head along the back of the couch, not really listening to her anymore. “What makes you think a goddess is even going to give you the time of day?”

 

“Well according to Japanese mythology Wakahirume is her younger sister and she grieved for her enough to hide behind a boulder and bring darkness to the world. Now, if I am said sister that is loved so dearly, why wouldn't she meet with me?”

 

“That's a great idea!” But his excitement completely fake, “You know what? We'll swing by Amaterasu's apartment tomorrow after work and I'm sure she'll fill us in on everything.”

 

Kagome glared at him, “Now you're just abusing sarcasm.”

 

He shook his head, “That's beside the point. Sure you could be her sister and all, but how in the hell do you plan on contacting her? As far as I know, no mortal has ever been able to meet her. Did you expect her to suddenly appear because you yell out `big sis! I have a word I'd like to share with you'?”

 

“Don't be smart-ass Inuyasha. This is what I figured. The gods really don't make contact with the human world, they seem to avoid it like the plague. But remember the hamaya? It was one of the few times gods ever sent a message to this world. Being that I can shoot sacred arrows I can tie a plea to meet me on the arrow and shoot it in the sky. If it fails. . . well, there's no harm in trying.”

 

“Except that there would be a stray arrow that could fall anywhere on earth and also the perfectly good arrow you wasted to shoot into the sky.”

 

“It's worth a shot isn't it?”

 

“I'm hoping that wasn't a poor attempt at a pun.” When he saw that she was waiting for a serious answer from him he rolled his eyes and nodded. “Fine, we can try it out.”

 

“I wasn't waiting for a your permission Inuyasha. I thought you might actually see my reasoning behind this. I would have done it even if you thought it was ludicrous.”

 

“So are you going to carry this plan out tonight?”

 

She sat back down next to him, “No, I thought it would be better if I did it during the day. Since Amaterasu-sama is the goddess of the sun and well. . . the sun is out during the day.”

 

“Then I guess we'll be shooting an arrow at the gods tomorrow.”

 

“Not tomorrow. I just started working at your bank. I can't go around shirking my responsibilities so quickly.”

 

He raised an eyebrow at her, “You plan to wait till the week end?”

 

“No, I plan to call in sick on Tuesday. That way I can try to get two days worth of work done tomorrow and not leave Mr. Williams completely hanging the next day.”

 

He smiled, “Your habit of worrying about other people is one day going to bite you in the ass.”

 

She grinned back at him, “I think it already has a couple times. But it takes a couple times of me getting burned to realize not to touch the stove when it's hot.”

 

“That could easily be labeled as insane. And you do realize you just told your boss you were going to take a sick day even when you really weren't?”

 

“You're the one that's been telling me to skip work every other day Inuyasha. Also, I think world peril and my godly status is a little bit more important than your bank's overseas accounts.”

 

“Whatever. So. . . are we done? Is there anything more we have to clear up?”

 

Smiling, she humorously rolled her eyes. “I don't think we'll ever be done clearing this up, but I think we made good progress.”

 

“You make it sound like some kind of home makeover project.”

 

“Relationship makeover. . . that sounds odd. . .”

 

“Everything you say sounds odd.” He stood up and pulled her along with him. “So, what do want to eat?”

 

“We're eating? Again?”

 

He looked her quizzically, “I don't know about you Kagome but I eat three meals a day.”

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

 

-That was sickening sweet, disgusting really.-

 

Inuyasha let out a groan as he lay back in bed for the night with only a pair of long flannel pants and boxers on. He let out a frustrated sigh and growled, `What the fuck do you want?'

 

-I thought you would get used to hearing from me when you were alone by now. You're apparently too dense to see a correlation between the times I come by.-

 

`Leave me the fuck alone. Don't you have anyone else to torture?'

 

-I only have impending business with you.-

 

`Goody.' He shook his head trying to rid the voice but to no avail. `What the hell do you want from me? Drive me insane?'

 

-I guess you're not as dense as I thought you were. I must give you some credit for figuring that much out.-

 

The hanyou's eyes widened. He had just said/thought that in pure sarcasm but he hit the nail right on the head? The guy wanted to drive him insane? Wasn't telling the target his goals the worst thing he could do?

 

-Not really. It's still pretty impossible to avoid insanity all together.-

 

`Get out of my head!'

 

-Alas, I can't do that can I? Wouldn't be able to achieve my goal and all.-

 

`First thing tomorrow I'm asking Miroku about you.'

 

-You actually think that monk can save you? That the ofudas you put around your house will keep you safe? That it will keep Kagome safe?-

 

That was when flashes of heinous images were forced into Inuyasha's mind by the intruding voice. The previously pristine white room that Kagome was staying in had splashes of red and the sheets on the bed were drenched with blood. Blood. There so much of it. Too much to not be fatal. On the bed lay Kagome her eyes wide and frozen as her body was poetically lain across the sheets in a relaxed manner. Her throat had been ripped out, he life's liquid still slightly oozing out despite the fact that she had been cold and dead for a while now. Remnants of her trachea, esophagus, and vocal cords were adorning her neck like haphazardly thrown on necklace. Claw marks could be seen as the cause of the mutilation of the body. Multiple slashes were apparent on her abdomen as well. The place, that if she had been left to live, would have one day probably carried her child. But what horrified Inuyasha the most was not the image of Kagome, but the one of himself. The vision of himself sitting on the bed beside her, stroking her cheek with his elongated claws that were clearly covered in her blood. His eyes red, pupils blue, fangs long that it protruded out of his mouth due to a lack of space, and the facial markings. With an insane and possessive look in his eyes he stroked her cheek as he smiled down at the dead miko. “You're mine. You can't leave me anymore. We can be together forever now. You're mine. You can't leave me anymore. We can be together forever now.” He continued to say in a calm manner as if a mantra.

 

At that moment Inuyasha steeled himself and used all his mental resistance to push the image out of his head. Letting in a gasping breath he shot up from the bed he had been laying on and sprinted down the stairs. He had to check. He had to know for sure that it was only a trick. Something a sick bastard was forcing him to see. He had to know she was okay. That he hadn't killed her in an insane need to have her by his side no matter what.

 

Slamming the doors open to Kagome's room he ran to her bedside. She had been suddenly awakened by the sound of the doors and Inuyasha charging into her room. Sitting up slightly she turned to look at Inuyasha that was now at her bedside. His eyes racked over her body, checking for signs that of any claw marks. Seeing none he let out a breath he did not realize he had been holding. Reaching out a hand to cup her cheek, his legs let out from under him and he kneeled on the floor next to her. “Y-you're alive.”

 

She tilted her head to the side in question. “Inuyasha?”

 

“You're okay.” He pulled her down in an awkward position where her lower body remained on the bed and her upper body was crushed in an embrace. “You're okay.”

 

 

“Inuyasha?” When his grip didn't loosen nor did he answer she called his name again, “Inuyasha? What's wrong? Why wouldn't I be okay?”

 

He pulled back slightly and held her buy the neck, then pulled her forward to crush a desperate kiss on her lips. After receiving the assurance that he need he pulled away. “I didn't kill you.”

 

Seeing the forlorn expression on his face she pulled him onto the bed with all her strength and held him as he gripped onto her, convincing himself that the steady heartbeat he feels from her is not an illusion.

 

“Inuyasha, calm down. It's okay. I'm fine. Everything is fine.” After a few moments and his previously erratic breathing was steadied Kagome pulled back to look him in the face. “Now, tell me what's going on.”

 

Closing his eyes and concentrating for a moment he responded. “There's this voi-” He suddenly cut himself off. He didn't want to tell her about the voice, not until he was certain what it was. According to him, Kagome had enough to deal with: the sudden memory gain; taking over a large role in a bank; finding out if she is a goddess; testifying against Hizuki Matsuhito; the death of her roommate (whose funeral she had said she would be attending on Wednesday); someone from the underground putting a price on her head; and the second calling. It was insane the amount the young woman had to shoulder, and Inuyasha wasn't about to shove more weight on them. “I had a nightmare.”

 

Letting out a slight sigh of relief she smiled, “No offence or anything, but I'm glad it was only that. I was convinced that you had another dire situation to tell me.”

 

He shook his head, glad that he avoided telling her the truth. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

 

She nodded, “So, what was the nightmare about?”

 

He hesitated a bit then answered, “I kinda don't want to tell you.”

 

Kagome shook her head vehemently, “Nuh uh buddy. You barge into my room in the middle of the night scared out of your wits. You're going to tell me what it was about.”

 

“Forget it. Just drop it. I really don't want you to know.”

 

Resting her hand on his upper arm she made him lock eyes with him. “Look Inuyasha, from what I can piece together from what you said, you killed me in your dream. Now, knowing the main part of the dream that disturbed you I'm sure you can tell me the rest of it.”

 

“What else is there to say. I killed you: end of story.”

 

“You wouldn't panic so much if it was just you killing me. Tell me Inuyasha, trust me, it'll make you feel better to talk about it.”

 

He glared at her flatly, “People only say that when they want to get the juicy details out of someone.”

 

Letting a small smile trace her lips Kagome shook her head, “True, but I'm serious. I used to do this with my father when I was younger, it helps.”

 

“I still rather not.”

 

Coming down to her last resources she pushed one more time with the ultimate weapon: guilt. “I thought we were close enough to trust each other with these kinds of things. . . apparent I was greatly mistaken.”

 

Groaning Inuyasha replied, “That's not fair. How the hell am I supposed to say no to that?” Raking a hand through his hair he sighed, “I. . .”

 

“No matter what it was Inuyasha, remember, it was only a dream.”

 

Nodding he continued, “I guess I had turned into my youkai form. . . then. . . I had killed you. I think I was afraid you would leave me. . . so I had murdered you.”

 

Taking in a breath she pulled him into her arms, “It was only a dream.”

 

“God Kagome, it was so real. So much blood. All of it was yours and coming out of cuts I made. You were dead.”

 

“Forget about it. It was only a dream. I told you Inuyasha, I know you would never hurt me. Not you, not your youkai form.”

 

“You don't know how powerful the blood is. . .how wild it is.”

 

Shaking her head she held him, “And I know you can control it. Youkai or not it's still just Inuyasha. My Inuyasha.”

 

Pulling back and looking at her, he felt safe. Not just safe in her arms, but safe that he could hold her in his without worry. She was right, he would never kill her for trying to leave. No matter what form he was in. “You're right. I won't kill you. I'd rather kill myself than end your life.”

 

Leaning her forehead on his she gave a soft smile and closed her eyes, “You don't have to worry about anything, I'll never leave you. I love you too much to ever leave you.”

 

Eyes widening he took a shaky breath and cupped her face in his hands, “You love me? You know now? No doubts?”

 

Eyes still closed she shook her head, “No doubts.” Opening her eyes to lock gazes with him she smiled wider, “I don't even know why I even had to think about it. You're the one. I mean, we're soul mates! How much more confirmation do I really need?”

 

“That's what told you?”

 

“No. I think I always knew I loved you. I was too afraid. Caring for you was easy. Falling in love with you was even easier. I didn't notice when our friendship turned into love.”

 

“So when did this revelation happen?”

 

“When you were wolfing down ramen yesterday.”

 

He shook his head, “You're serious?”

 

Smiling back at him she nodded, “Deadly serious.”

 

“Are we together now?”

 

She stroked his cheek with her thumb, “Honestly, I can't really remember a time when we weren't. Sure, when we were younger it was on thin ice. But there was always something there.”

 

He kissed her softly then pulled back and grinned. “Finally.”

 

“Finally what?”

 

“After all these years. . . You're mine, and I'm yours.”

 

With that said Inuyasha pulled them both under the covers and both dozed off peacefully.

 

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

 

A/N: I named the chapter `Finally' for what Inu says in the end, and for all of you. Finally! The chapter is up! Again, I am deeply sorry for how long it took for this chapter to come out. I find it harder and harder to write on a deadline. Must be my senioritis kicking in outside of school work. I'll try harder to get the next chapter out to you guys sooner! Thank you for being so patient with me!

 

 

Thank you to all my reviewers!!!!

 

ff.net reviewers:

 

sweet-Inukag: if one soul dies does the other one die when they are soulmates? I never heard of that, but that is an interesting angle. . . but for the sake of not complicating an already complicated story let me skip over that detail if it is true. . . thank you for telling me though! ^o^

 

dinaboo: my favorite candy is chocolate (like any other girl) *wink, wink*

 

Darkest Raindrop: although there was no new time traveling going on in the fic (just good old father time doin his job) I do enjoy the compliment!

 

t1nkerbell: i'm glad someone thinks that this story is worth the wait! Thank you!

 

Tsuki Karasu: children!? not for a very long, long time

 

Inferna: I think i may have confused you. . . inuyasha doesn't have 'power' he just conducted miko energy through him, kinda like a conductor of electricity

 

Miko Kagome Archer: awesome

 

mrsjenthornton,karmarox, Fan of Inuyasha, Serina Tsuki, Inuchic515, KuTiExAzNxAnGeL, Haru, Miny, junyortrakr, Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85, Drake Clawfang, humble-bumble, and soul-simplicity thank you so very very much!!!!!!

 

mm.org reviewers:

 

Inusgirll89: thank you for being patient and waiting for my update

 

RavenShadow: next time get more sleep! the story will still be there the next morning! Thank you for sacrificing your night and reading it though! ^o^

 

MyogaM34: updated. . . late

 

Ryguy5387: muhahaha. . . yes, at the prime of my angst!

 

cutie_kirara_13: see what happens! -.-

 

 

Till next time (when ever that is. . .) c ya!