InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Ripples ❯ I Swear ( Chapter 11 )

Chapter 11: I Swear

Bodies of dead demons littered what was left of Naraku's fortress. Kagome stood in the middle with an arrow notched, her eyes sweeping the battlefield. Sango, holding her side, limped over to the miko. Miroku's arm and back were bleeding heavily as he, too went to stand with the Guardian. Sesshoumaru was all ready beside her and she examined him for injury.

"I'm fine," he assured her as Inuyasha made his stand as well.

There was only one creature left to kill and the group watched as it made its way slowly out of a nearby hut. Shedding his baboon pelt, Naraku walked out to face them. Miasma suddenly spewed forth toward the group. Everyone covered his or her nose, but found that it was unnecessary. Kagome was purifying the air and making it breathable. Naraku growled in anger.

"Come face me, Guardian. Let's see what strength you posses when you're all alone."

Kagome stepped forward, away from her friends. "I am never alone."

Sesshoumaru restrained himself from going to his mate. He clenched his sword tightly and his claws were drawing blood from his balled fist. Inuyasha noticed this and tried to reassure his brother.

"She's gonna be fine. Gome's too stubborn to be defeated by that thing."

The older brother didn't glance away from his mate, but he did loosen his fist.

Sango looked at her friends. "Should we help her?"

"Iie. She must do this herself."

Miroku looked at the taiyoukai, but nodded.

Suddenly Kagome's eyes were glowing pink and Naraku's were flashing black. Where hers were sparking pink lightening, his were leaking black ink. They were a study in opposites. Kagome reached her hand forward and the half Shikon no Tama Naraku had shot to her.

"NO! IT IS MINE!" He shouted as his tentacles thrust toward her.

They hit a pink shield and were obliterated. The miko floated four feet above the ground as the pink energy crackled around her. Her hair swirled around and her friends stared as the true power of the Guardian was released onto the monster Naraku. He screamed as his flesh burned away and the pink power cut off his head. When nothing was left of the former Guardian, Kagome drew the power back into herself. Vaguely, she felt herself falling. Sesshoumaru rushed forward and caught her before she landed and cradled her against his chest. Slowly, she opened her eyes and smiled at her mate.

Reaching a shaky hand up to stroke his face, she said, "I love you, Sesshoumaru."

Sesshoumaru's heart beat loudly as he kissed her soundly. Inuyasha looked from a wildly kissing Sesshoumaru and Kagome to a wildly kissing Miroku and Sango. Maybe Sesshoumaru was right, maybe it was time for him to take a mate. He looked at Kilala.

"Feh," he said. Maybe not.

A long time later, when both couples came up for air, they found Inuyasha fast asleep with Kilala curled up on his stomach. Sango laughed and woke the two up. Sesshoumaru helped Kagome to her feet and they waited until they had everyone's attention.

Miroku, unconsciously rubbing his former wind tunnel hand, walked over to them. "Kagome-sama, shouldn't you fix the Shikon no Tama now?"

Her smile faded, but she brought out the two halves and put them together. Then she brought out one last shard and looked at Sesshoumaru.

"This is the shard that was inside me. Once I put it with the rest, the jewel will be complete."

He understood what she was saying and nodded as she said goodbye to her friends.

"Sango, I'm sorry I never got to know you better, I'll miss you."

Sango hugged her friend and rasped out a teary goodbye. Miroku joined the hug and for once didn't grope anybody.

"Goodbye, Miroku-sama. Take good care of Sango-chan."

He smiled and nodded. Then she turned to Inuyasha and gave him a hug.

"I won't say goodbye to you, dummy, cuz I'll see you again."

He laughed and released her. She looked at him seriously. "Take care of Sesshoumaru for me until I can."

"I don't think he needs it, but okay. I'll see ya in about five centuries, huh?"

Kagome laughed a small laugh and nodded before she hugged Kilala and turned to Sesshoumaru. She didn't know what she could say to him so she just threw herself into his arms. He hugged her tightly and Tail seemed to be shaking with sorrow. Kagome rained small kisses on his face before giving him a passionate kiss.

"Wait for me."

His eyes looked strangely wet as he cupped her face. "You know I will. Always."

She gave him a watery smile and stepped back. Holding up the jewel, she merged the last piece into place. Light erupted from her and the group watched as the jewel was absorbed into her body. Her battle worn appearance disappeared and a beautiful Fairy was left in place. Her battle clothes were gone, giving way to a shimmering pink dress that flowed around her. Soft leather slippers adorned her feet as she took on a fresh, clean appearance. She looked at Sesshoumaru, tears streaming down her lovely face, as she began to fade away. She saw his face fill with pain as he stepped toward her vanishing form.

"I'll wait for you, koi."

She smiled at him and was gone. Sango, Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kilala watched as Sesshoumaru dropped to his knees and began to shake. Suddenly, he had transformed into his youkai form and was howling in anguish. Sango buried her head in Miroku's shoulder and wept as the taiyoukai continued to howl and paw at the place his mate had disappeared.

**Kagome appeared in her own time and crumpled to the floor. She was weeping and shaking as she hugged herself and curled into a fetal position. Suddenly, shoes appeared in her line of vision. Her eyes followed the shoes up to immaculate pants and then up to a spotless white shirt.

"Sesshou?"

And then she was in his arms and the rest of the world didn't matter, She was with her mate. He was kissing her neck and-wait-was he crying? Kagome pulled back and looked at him. Sure enough, there were two tear tracks on his face.

"What's wrong, Sesshou?" A sudden fear seized her and her heart shattered. "It's all right, I understand." And she scrambled to her feet. She found she was in Sesshou's apartment and headed toward the door.

Sesshou's brows drew together in confusion. What did she mean `she understands?' He reached out and spun her around to face him. Her head was lowered and he couldn't see her eyes. He handed her a handkerchief and watched as she dried her lovely face.

"Where do you think you're going?"

Finally, she looked at him. "I-I was leaving, I mean, 500 years is a long time to wait and all, so I don't blame you if you changed your mind."

With a jerk, he had her in his arms again. "Kami, Kagome how could you even think that? I love you, so don't you even think about leaving me again. I don't think I could stand another half millennium without you."

Kagome held him tighter. "I love you, too, Sesshou and I don't think I could stand another minute without you."

He laughed and looked down at her. "You were, right, you know."

"Right about what?"

"When you told my past self that you had put me through Hell, you were right. It was the hardest thing in the world for me to have you right in front of me and not be able to touch you."

Kagome brought his hand up to her cheek. "You can touch, now."

Sesshou leaned down and kissed her hard. When he pulled away, she whimpered, but he resisted kissing her again. She looked down and then her eyes flew to his.

"You still wear my ring."

His eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Of course I do. I have your mark as well. Rin still wears the locket you gave her. I think she's a bit antsy to talk to you about the past."

Kagome, in a move that left him speechless, ripped open his shirt and sent the buttons flying everywhere. Then she pulled him down so she could look at her mark. He grinned and pulled back.

"I rather liked that shirt. You could have just asked."

She smiled, "Where's the fun in that? I had noticed the mark before, but I didn't know what it was."

Sesshoumaru walked over to his stereo and popped in a CD. Pushing play, he returned to her and bowed slightly.

"May I have this dance?"

She grinned and her eyes got big when she heard the music. It was the same song they had danced to in feudal Japan with her stereo.

"Sesshou! You remember the song."

He nodded and pulled her to him as he began to lead. "I waited a long time for it to be released. Almost as long as I waited for you."

Kagome put her head on his shoulder and let him dance her gracefully around the room. She was humming and he was purring to the rhythm of their favorite song.

When you're feeling lost in the night

When you feel your world just ain't right

Call on me, I will be waiting

Count on me, I will be there

Anytime the times get too tough

Anytime your best ain't enough

I'll be the one to make it better

I'll be there to protect you, see you through

I'll be there, and there is nothing, I won't do.

(Chorus): I will cross the ocean for you

I will go and bring you the moon

I will be your hero, your strength, anything you need

I will be the sun in your sky

I will light your way for all time, promise you

For you I will

I will shield your heart from the rain

I won't let no harm come your way

Oh, these arms will be your shelter

No, these arms won't let you down

If there is a mountain to move

I will move that mountain for you

I'm here for you, I'm here forever

I will be your fortress tall and strong

I'll keep you safe, I'll stand beside you right or wrong

(Chorus)

Lay my life on the line, for you I will fight, oh

For you I will die, with every breath, with all my soul

I'll give my word, I'll give it all

Put your faith in me, put your faith in me

And I'll do anything…oh…

(Chorus)

For you I will

When it was over, Sesshou had her on his bed and was kissing her tenderly. Slowly, he began taking the pink dress off of her. Kagome looked over and noticed it was 10:00 in the morning. Giggling, she thumped her mate.

"Sesshou! It's 10 am. Don't you have to be at work?"

He nipped her collarbone. "Kagome, I've waited 5 hundred years for you. Work can sod off."

She laughed and relented, but the phone rang. Cursing like a sailor, Sesshou got up and answered it because it was his private line in which only a few had the number.

"This had better be good," he snarled into the phone. Kagome watched as he stiffened and looked at her. "Yeah, she's here, too. No, I'll take care of it. Yeah, meet us at the café and bring her family." Then he hung up the phone.

"What was that about?"

He crawled onto the bed and kissed her. "It seems I must wait some more to have you. That was Inu with news that Koga is snooping around trying to find out where you live. I'm having Inu bring your family to the café so we can discuss wedding arrangements. In the eyes of youkai, we are bonded, but we have to appease the mortal world as well. Besides, I thought you would want a wedding."

Kagome graced him with a brilliant smile and kissed him. "I love you, Sesshou."

"I love you, too, koi."

They rose and Kagome got him another shirt to wear while he called the office. Soon they were on their way.