InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Reminiscence, Prevention, and Protection ❯ …With all my Heart ( Chapter 15 )

 

Chapter 15: …With all my Heart

 

With all said and done, everything turned out just fine. Kikyo and Kouga were both sent to jail for a long, long time, Kagome didn't have to worry about those near death experiences ever again, although those feelings will still burn inside her. Ayame is having no trouble keeping the hush-hush about the proposing but it's not easy when two of your friends are looking at you suspiciously and they're the ones you have to keep away from. Sango and Miroku are steadily progressing in their relationship and Miroku is feeling tense about proposing to her but feels confident that she'll accept him, lecherous hands and all. She's still beating the crap out of him and now he doesn't stray to other women now, because the price if he does: instant death from his dangerous girlfriend. Sango has no clue to his suspicious actions nearing the end of the school year and is being more touchy and affectionate, which is scarring the crap out of her and she's usually never so worried over this type of thing, especially if it's about Miroku.

 

On the other hand, Kagome and Inuyasha are getting more and more time together, despite the frequent protests from her father and the nagging that comes with it. Now with the school year drawing to a close, Inuyasha is having trouble bringing up the question before her parents and he knew he must do it soon otherwise putting it off more and more. Kagome can sense the uneasy tension from her boyfriend and figures what could make him feel so edgy. She knows that he's usually not this uptight but can't help but wonder that something could happen between now and the time graduation rolls around. They carried on with their usual routine: dates, usually dinner and their favorite spot under their tree, reminiscing about what their childhood lives were like. Sango and Miroku would usually accompany them, usually at the town's festivities and gatherings. Ayame was keeping with her new so called boyfriend, who was much better than her disgusting excuse for a boyfriend and was becoming happier and happier. Once in a blue moon they would all go out together.

But Kagome and Inuyasha would often spend much needed time alone, sometimes `romancing' but none went too far as that one special evening. Often she reminisces about what her life was before he came back to her. She was prevented from seeing anyone with demon blood and because Inuyasha was the gentleman that he was, most of the time, Dad couldn't say no anymore, with much convincing from Mom. They nearly spend every waking minute together, never wanting to leave the other, but still squeezed some time with their other 3 friends. This was the most perfect world that no one would tear apart from the two lovers.

Finally the time was drawing near when Inuyasha would ask Kagome to marry him and the complicated troubles about telling her parents. School was ending in a mere two weeks and couldn't hold it in any longer. Miroku decided now would be the best time to tell Sango's parents too, so they advised Ayame to take the girls out while the boys made their move.

Once the girls were out of sight, with much confusion and frustration to poor Ayame, they made their move.

“Good luck, man.” Miroku said, putting a hand on his friend's arm. Inuyasha gave a smile and replied,

“You too, make sure you don't foul anything up.” Miroku rolled his eyes.

“Very funny, seriously, this is something that has had my stomach in knots all week.”

“Me too. Just going in there has my heart beating in my chest so fast I can't concentrate. I just want to do this right.” Inuyasha was shaking now.

“That makes two of us. See ya, man.” Miroku then got out of the red convertible and walked to Sango's house and you could tell that he was sweating with every step.

He saw him go into the house and then decided that if Miroku was going to do it, then he sure as hell could do it. He gave Miroku credit sometimes but when it came to a woman, that's another story. He sighed and got out of his car and slowly and nervously walked up to the house. Both Kagome's parents were home and that's what he wanted to see. Sudden fear struck him at seeing the stern and scary look of her father and that made him cower. He made it up to the door and hesitated to ring the doorbell.

`Come on, you can do this. Stop being such a baby and tell them. I'm not a chicken, I'm not a chicken….Oh, who am I kidding? Hell, I'm scared beyond all hell!' He took a long, deep breath, and decided to take the plunge.

He waited for a few seconds and the door opened to reveal Kagome's mom.

“Ah, Inuyasha, come on in. If you're looking for Kagome, she, Sango, and Ayame just took off not too long ago.”

“Actually, that's not what I came for, and I needed Kagome out of the house so I could discuss something very important with you and Mr. Higurashi.”

Mom looked very strangely at the boy and called for her husband. Dad came in from his study and stood beside Mom.

Mom whispered to Dad and he gave off a similar look of confusion. They went into the living room and got comfortable, well, Mom and Dad anyway. He sat across from them, with his hand in his pocket where the ring box was safely tucked in. `This is it. No turning back now. Hopefully it won't turn out the way I keep thinking it would.'

“Well, Inuyasha, what's so important that you would want to talk about with us? It must be something big, I bet.” Mom started the conversation.

He looked straight at them and looked as serious as he could.

“I wanted to talk to both of you about…something that's been probing my mind for a long while. You see…Ever since I met Kagome at the beginning of the school year, I knew that she wouldn't want to leave my side, and me not leaving hers. I deeply care for her and have protected her with my life. We have been through so much in such a short time and dreaded on loosing her once I head for college next year…and I don't want to loose her.” He then pulled out the box from his pocket and opened it to reveal the platinum diamond ring. Mom quickly covered her mouth in shock and pure joy, trying not to burst into tears. Dad was astonished; eyes wide open, trying his best not to burst out at the boy.

“I would love, very much, to ask for her hand, in marriage.” He simply said. `There, I said it.' He kept his breath in until he could see the reactions from the parents, especially the soon to be `father of the bride.' Mom couldn't hold back anymore and the tears came flowing down slowly.

“Oh my, god...” She gulped down hard.

“Honey, what do you think? Honey?” She looked from Inuyasha to Dad, who was holding his head in confusion but inwardly ecstatic at the same time. Since he didn't answer her, she got up and pulled him to the side, trying to get his focus back on track.

“This is way out of the blue, coming to us and asking for Kagome's hand, it's way too much for me.” He said, glancing at the waiting Inuyasha for a brief moment.

“I know, I could barely grasp it myself, but he means it, just looking at the ring made me stop breathing. I think he's looking towards you for approval, seeing that you are the father and sensing the uneasy tension.” She told him, with a stray tear streaming down.

“He loves her, you know that. No one can prevent them from marrying, even you, but honey; he wants your approval more than anything. Just look at him.” They both looked him, staring at the treasured piece in his hand. Dad changed expressions dramatically at that moment.

“This year has been strange for all of us, I admit, and seeing that loving passion those two have for each other, it's going to be hard letting her go but I didn't want to face that time when it was upon us.”

“Me neither, but it happens when they find the love of their life and it just falls into motion.”

He nodded and slowly proceeded with Mom behind him and approached the anxious, nervous, and fidgety hanyou.

Dad had a small smirk on his face and that made Inuyasha less tense.

“Son, this has come of a bit of shock for both of us and indeed was perplexed as to why, but seeing that it would come to this eventually, I, with much persuasion and clarity from everyone around me, approve of you taking my daughter's hand.” He then reached out his own hand, sealing the deal.

Inuyasha stood up and gladly took and shook his hand, smiling with pure contentment. They shook for a while before letting go.

“But, there are many things we need to discuss before any action takes place and it will have to take place after she graduates, seeing that she'll still be in school. I make that clear now.” Dad said firmly, Mom gently shaking her head in agreement.

“No problem, sir. I was planning on asking her at the after graduation party, along with Miroku, who is at this moment talking with Sango's parents about the same thing.”

“So Sango is going to be asked as well?” Mom surprisingly asked.

“Yes and the only one who knows about this is Ayame and surprisingly she's kept that mouth of hers shut from both of them.” He snickered.

Both let out a soft chuckle as well. “Poor Ayame. That's why Sango and Kagome were called out to the mall by her and they should be home in a little while.” Mom said, looking at the clock.

At that moment, Miroku busted into the foyer letting out an excited scream while Sango's Mom and Dad walked in behind him.

“Judging by that sudden outburst, Miroku, I could guess that they gave you their approval.” Inuyasha asked.

“You bet! I'm assuming you had the same fortunate luck as me, my friend?” Miroku asked, looking up, exhausted from his sudden situation, trying to catch his breath.

“Definitely. It looks like we're going to have a double wedding after all.”

“Hold on a minute, you two.” Dad stepped in, putting excitement on hold for a minute.

“There are many things that need to be worked out in the meantime. Although a double wedding would be splendid, several factors remain in question that need to be solved.” Sango's Dad added. He looked similar to Kagome's father, but slightly taller; he had darker brown hair and had a stricter face. Like Dad, he can be calm and happy at times with that face.

All nodded and now that everything was out in the open, the planning needed to begin as soon as the girls were asked and both sets of parents would keep this from their daughters, knowing that it would be better that the boys would want it like that. After a few minutes, Inuyasha's cell rang and answered a much stressed Ayame.

“Inuyasha, you and Miroku need to split A.S.A.P because Kagome and Sango are heading back that way, wondering what's going on! Get your butts out of there!” She exclaimed into the phone, sounding exasperated.

He nodded and hung up and turned to everyone.

“That was Ayame. The girls are on their way back and we need to lickity split, like now!” Inuyasha told Miroku, who was now rushing to get out just as quickly.

Both parents said their quick goodbyes and saw the two boys rush out of the house, falling and stumbling all the way to the red car and rapidly made their quick escape.

Unfortunately for Ayame, both Kagome and Sango awkwardly wondered why they were dragged out of the house to the mall at a weird time and after an hour; they rushed back to the house and found nothing out of the ordinary, just watching both their parents talking about something unfamiliar to them and decided to not question them and simply dropped it. Deep down, both thought everyone knew something that they didn't and wondered what the big deal was, even Ayame was acting strange.

 

 

As the graduation took place on that sunny June day, parents of graduates and friends couldn't help but clap for joy and shedding tears of pure happiness as they saw the said people walk on the stage, receiving their diplomas. Graduation is a time of celebration and rejoicing on the accomplishment of seniors and passing a small stepping stone to your future and waiting what's out there for you. Knowing that 12 long years of history, math and many subjects and passing them would lead them to this, long awaited time.

Kagome, Sango, and Ayame were at the stands, applauding every person that walked across the stage and applauded more when Inuyasha and Miroku appeared and received their diploma and couldn't help but let out a few sniffles.

As soon as the graduation ceremony was concluded, all went to the Tukashi household and celebrated both Inuyasha's and Miroku's achievements with an after-party. The house was filled with the families of Kagome, Sango, Ayame, Miroku and even Rin and Sesshomaru made an appearance, along with many other family members and friends. It was a time to relax and enjoy what was there now before they would go out into the world.

Everyone was celebrating, eating, drinking punch and all was right for now. Mom and Dad were leaning against the wall, with a cup of punch in hand, just looking at the commotion before them.

“I can't believe that our little girl is going to be married. I always dreamed that she would be asked by the man she loves and it now appears that it will happen soon.” Mom said. Dad just nodded, not wanting to believe it was true.

“I didn't want her to grow up so fast. She's our only daughter and I want to be there for her, and seeing her now makes me think of how small and fragile she is. It was hard to accept Inuyasha but now that it's almost time for her to leave the nest, I see that he can fully take care of her when she finally moves out with him. No matter how I look at it, she's still my baby girl and always will be.” Dad concluded, taking a sip from his cup.

“I know.” They then watched as they saw the two teens, just talking and laughing. Kagome just fed him a piece of cake and flicked his nose. He started to argue while Kagome was giggling. He then wrapped himself around her waist from behind and she was now arguing to let her go while struggling to get loose. She eventually gave up and leaned into him while he kissed the top of her head.

Inuyasha's mother then walked up to Mom and Dad and started a conversation.

“You know about the whole proposing thing then?” She asked.

“Yep, she doesn't know what's coming and thinking about it makes me want to cry.” Mom said, sniffling. Dad put his arm around her shoulder.

“It won't be long now, I can feel it coming.” Dad said, while they walked over to where Sango's parents were standing and joined in a conversation too.

 

“Kagome, here you are. I haven't seen you since this whole thing started.” Sango called out, while making her way too them. Miroku was behind her.

“Well, it's pretty hectic now, who knew that many people would show up?” Kagome responded, while still being hugged from behind.

“Why don't we go find Ayame and see what's she doing? Mr. Groper here behind me hasn't let me out of his sight and won't leave me alone!” Sango pleaded, sounding desperate to get away.

She nodded and motioned for Inuyasha to let go of her and reassured him that she would be back. She then left with Sango and searched in the horde of people for their missing friend.

Miroku looked back at Inuyasha and stood beside him. Both were now nervous wrecks at this point and couldn't take it much longer.

“So when are we going to do this, man?” Miroku asked impatiently.

“Anytime you're ready. I don't want to hold it off much longer and besides too many people is here and that makes me more on the edge. I just want to get this over with.” Inuyasha responded, gulping down nervously.

“Let's go get my mom and start this whole thing.” Miroku nodded and followed Inuyasha and they found his mother with Sango's and Kagome's folks and announced that it was now or never. She nodded and motioned for everyone to gather into the living room so that everyone could hear. When it settled, she began her short, but pleasing speech.

 

“Hey guys, I know you're having fun and before this gets out of hand, there are a few things that I want to say. First, seeing my youngest son graduate is something I wanted to see for a long time and knowing that he's full grown makes me want to turn back time and start all over. I'm sure that some of you know what that feels like.” Some people in the crowd nodded. “Second, moving back to this small town was a relief for me and my son and seeing how he comes home everyday with a smile and relaxing attitude, is all I need to see. I know that this might be awkward for me to say out loud, but a mother can't help but express her emotions to her children that are full grown and starting lives of their own” She then looked to Sesshomaru and smiled. He gave her a small quick nod with a smile, showing acknowledgement.

“My oldest son, Sesshomaru, who is here now, has a wonderful life ahead of him, with his girlfriend, Rin at his side.” Rin just chuckled and Sesshomaru held her closer. She paused for a moment and gave a deep sigh. “…And my other son, Inuyasha, who also has his lovely girl, Kagome, has a great looking life ahead of him also.” She concluded and stepped down and received many claps and shouts of agreement.

That was his cue to step up and take the stand.

 

“I'm sorry folks but if you could hold on for a minute longer, there's something that I wish to say.” He looked straight at Kagome, who was standing at the front of the crowd and reached out for her hand, which she confusingly took, having a dazed look in her eyes.

Mom took hold of Dad's arm and gripped it. Dad held on to her, feeling her nervousness as well as his. He took a shaky breath and watched before them.

The room was silent. Inuyasha still had a hold of her hand and smiling lovingly upon her. “Kagome…I know that we weren't together for a long time, but I can't help but wonder what I would have felt like if you weren't here now. I need you with me. I can't face the future without you. I had a feeling that you were different, when we first met 11 years ago as kids. I didn't know what to think of it until I saw you again. I love you, with all my heart. We've been through thick and thin this past year and with you being at my side gave me the strength to face it head on and I'm grateful for that.” Despite being surrounded by a large crowd, he thought it was going smoothly so far.

She just stared at him, wondering what was happening to her. She started to silently cry now, letting a few slip done her face. She wiped them off and waited for his next move. She was nervous at this point, Sango was trying her best not to explode with anticipation, and Ayame was smiling and trying to hold back her own tears. Miroku was silently pleading for him to go own. Afterwards, he would do the same thing with Sango. The pressure was thick in the room and left many people whispering to one another.

Inuyasha then got down on one knee and got out the ring box. She gasped and was breathing with some difficulty, shaking at the same time. She covered her mouth with her free hand while her other was still being held. He managed to open the ring box to reveal a stunning, platinum diamond ring. Everyone gasped at this while staring at the beautiful ring. It was obvious what was about to happen next.

“Will you, Kagome Higurashi, remain by my side for eternity? Will you marry me?” He asked as sweetly and as lovingly as she ever heard him say to her. She, on the other hand was silently crying, not believing what was happening to her. `I knew he cared, but I never knew he would care for me this much. He wants to marry me. I never thought that it would be so fast and quick. Now it makes sense, after all this time, it was leading up to this.'

 

She couldn't find the words because she couldn't speak. Sango however, on the other side of the room, couldn't hold it in anymore.

“WILL YOU JUST ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION AND KEEP US OUT OF SUSPENSE?!” She shouted, capturing the attention of everyone.

“WILL YOU SHUT UP, SANGO?! It's emotional and it's pressure and doesn't need to be rushed so keep your big mouth shut!!” Ayame shouted back, getting a few laughing people for that.

Kagome couldn't help but smile at that, too. With everyone staring at her and Inuyasha, Sango's sudden outraged outburst was something that she desperately needed to ease the tension. She then turned back to the man before her and began crying again. She then wiped her face.

“Inuyasha, nothing would make me happier than to stick by you, now and forever. YES, YES I WILL!!” She let all of her tears go and saw the magnificent ring being placed on her finger. Everyone cheered as they saw them kissing and holding each other, lost in the scene before them.

 

To Be Continued…

 

 

 

 

Please tell me what you think! Like I first mentioned, this is my first ever fanfic and I worked hard on it. I had to correct a lot of errors and have it revised, but I would appreciate comments.

~romancefreak~