InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Standing the Test of Time ❯ Chapter seven ( Chapter 7 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: sunstreak 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.27.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 206 | Status: Completed
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 08.27.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.3K | Visits: 206 | Status: Completed
Chapter 7: Friends are Forever but Love Lasts and Eternity
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Kagome asked as she scanned the man up and down. “Hojo?”
“Yes it has. Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you on graduating at the top percentile of your class. Good job!” He said and threw her a thumbs up. “I’ve got to get to work, I’m late, otherwise I’d stay longer. Maybe I’ll see ya later.” He said as he jogged off. Kagome waved at him and smiled, thinking maybe things would start looking up.
Hojo looked older, his shoulders were more square and he was quite a hansom man now. Kagome figured that he was probably the same age as her or maybe a year older, so she figured he’d be around twenty-four, twenty-five. His hair was longer, more business professional, and nicely slicked back. He truly was hansom and Kagome figured maybe she’d give him a chance and maybe even like him more than she did in highschool.
“Old friend of yours?” A rough, but familiar voice called from behind her. Kagome turned and to her surprise and relief, she saw an older and more elegant looking Inuyasha, leaning against the well house about ten feet from were she stood.
Kagome’s mouth dropped in absolute shock, she stared at him, wondering how did he get back? Was this just an hallucatnation? Her hand flew to her forehead and when she found she hadn’t been feverish, she then pinched herself and jumped as the pain set in.
“Inu-In-INUYASHA?!?” Kagome cried, snapping out of her daze.
“Last time I checked.” He said softly. He waited so long to finally hear her voice and to see her face. When he saw her smile and start crying, he simply stood and opened his arms without having to speak. Kagome sobbed happily as she stumbled towards him, her knees weak and shaky, and found herself holding her breath as she sunk her body into Inuyasha’s open embrace for fear that this was only a dream. She realized the second her face hit his soft firerat fur hoiri, that this wasn’t a dream. She threw her arms around him and started bawling.
“I thought I would live the rest of my life without you.” Kagome cried into his shoulder.
“You got my letter, right?” Inuyasha asked as he stroked Kagome’s hair as he rested his chin on her head.
“Yea, it just said ‘little love is the key’.” Kagome said as she brought her hands to Inuyasha’s chest and clutched the fabric, as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.
“Aiko.” Inuyasha laughed.
“Huh?” Kagome was now confused.
“Aiko means ‘little love’. What I didn’t tell you was she had later that day, told me that she just wished for me to be happy because I’ve always looked so sad, at that moment, the jewel around her neck flashed and a purple light came from the well, so I tried it and when I found I could travel, that was when I went back and buried the box in my time and left it, so it did survive over the years, but technically, I buried it only yesterday.” Inuyasha said as he hugged Kagome tighter.
“You clever little dog.” Kagome teased. “But thank you.”
“Would you like to meet Aiko?” Inuyasha asked.
“I would love to. I’ve missed you all so much, I can’t wait to see everyone.” Kagome bubbled.
“You did get my note about Kaede, right?” Inuyasha asked cautiously.
“Yes, I know she’s in a better place and is looking down on us.” Kagome said sadly.
“I’m sure of it. Come, let’s go back then.” Inuyasha piped up as he took Kagome’s wrist and half hauled her back.
They entered the well house together and Inuyasha picked Kagome up bridal style ‘just incase’ and jumped into the well. Kagome could feel her cheeks flush hot as she realized how close Inuyasha was holding her.
She saw that he had truly grown up, his features were much more mature and his eyes had soften with age, but still held that sparkle. His body had filled out, he no longer looked like a gangly teen. He wasn’t quite the same Inuyasha she once remembered, he was kinder, but still had the rough undertones to his deepened voice.
She hadn’t realized that they had reached the other side and Inuyasha had already jumped from the well until he asked, “something wrong?” and Kagome realized that she was just staring aimlessly at him as she took in the changes that he had gone through. The blush that had already crept across her face had deepened.
“No, I’m fine.” Kagome said.
“K, but you looked like you were lost in space or something.” Inuyasha stated as he put Kagome down.
“You could say that, I was just thinking.” Kagome said. She was a little wobbly on her feet yet and it took a moment for her to regain her balance.
“Yea? What were you thinking about?” Inuyasha said while he helped steady Kagome.
“I was noting on how you’ve changed. You’ve definitely grown. And you’ve had your hair slightly trimmed, I noticed that it looks much more clean-cut around your ears.” Kagome said. “I like it.”
“Yea, well, you’ve gone through some changes yourself. I can tell you’re taller and you’ve matured some yourself.” Inuyasha said with a slight blush himself. Even he couldn’t help but notice how maturity had been very kind to her. She was a very attractive woman now.
“Let’s go, I’m fine to walk now.” Kagome said, realizing her cheeks were blazing hot now. It had been quite a while since she had a real compliment.
They both walked side-by-side, talking, laughing and doing a lot of catching up. Inuyasha folded his arms into his sleeves and laughed while Kagome told him how her friends hopelessly tried to hook her up with their friends who just ‘happened’ to be single.
“And you believed that true love would actually just happen to come along on one of your blind date-thingies?” Inuyasha snorted after Kagome had explained the blind date concept.
“No, but I wanted to humor my friends, they had the best intentions, really.” Kagome laughed.
They had reached the village and Inuyasha lead Kagome to were Sango and Miroku resided with Aiko and Shippo. The villagers stopped what they were doing and would stand opened-mouthed or would immediately start talking amongst themselves. They were in utter disbelief that their lady Kagome had finally returned to them. But nobody would be as surprised as Sango, Miroku and Shippo.
“KAGOME?!?” Sango cried from the local well. She dropped her water bucket and came running. She stopped short of Kagome and looked her up and down in absolute disbelief. When she realized that it was Kagome and not Shippo playing up to his old tricks, she snatched Kagome up in a rib-crushing hug. “My prayers have at long last been answered. You’ve finally returned to us!” She cried happily.
“Oh, Sango I am so happy to see you again.” Kagome cried as well. Her heart was fluttering all around in her chest. She was so happy she thought that at any moment she could burst.
“Hey, Miroku, get our here! We have company!” Sango called to the hut that stood about twenty feet from the village well. Miroku came poking his head out of the straw mat that served as a door and his eyes bugged out of his head when he saw a much older Kagome standing with Inuyasha and Sango.
“Lady Kagome, welcome back. You finally found a way back, huh?” Miroku said as he approached Kagome and gave her a small and gentle hug. Nothing like the Miroku she remembered, who would have groped her with that opportunity.
“Well actually, it was your daughter, from what Inuyasha told me.” Kagome smiled.
“Yea, well, after Aiko’s party, she told me that she wished for me to be happy again, and the Shikon Jewel reacted to her wish and reopened the well and here she is.” Inuyasha explained, scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly.
“Kagome? Is that you? I thought I smelled you!” Shippo said as he happily bounded up to Kagome and caught her in a hug. Kagome hugged him back and realized that he was as tall as her little brother when she was still going through the well. Shippo looked like a preteen, he was taller and slightly gangly. He still looked like Shippo though, despite the fact that his voice sounded slightly older, still had that adorable tail that protruded from his back and his hair was longer now. He did look more grown up.
“Shippo, my how you’ve grown.” Kagome commented.
“Yea, I guess so. Hey! Wait until you meet Aiko! You’re going to love her. She’s so cute and she reminds us all so much of you. Wait right here and I’ll go get her, she’s in the hut.” Shippo said. He ran off towards the hut and Sango couldn’t help but giggle a little at Shippo.
“What’s so funny?” Kagome asked.
“He’s so cute sometimes. Since the day she was born, he promised to always watch over her and you know, I think he’s become more of her parent than us.” Sango mused. Just then the clouds that had rolled over started to drizzle on the village. Every one started running, using what ever they could to hold above their heads to keep them dry. It wasn’t raining hard, but it was a little cool. To Kagome it was clean and refreshing. She started to follow Sango and Miroku towards their hut to get dry when her arm was suddenly caught by Inuyasha and she was held fast.
“Kagome, wait.” Inuyasha said as he removed his red hoiri and draped it over her head to keep her dry.
“Thanks Inuyasha.” Kagome said as she faced Inuyasha. She noticed he had closed the distance between them and held her by her arms as he smiled down at her. “Remember the last time we stood in the rain like this? Without a care in the world?” Inuyasha asked softly as he raised his face to the sky, welcoming the falling water drops on his face. Kagome only looked at him in confusion. “The day we beat Nuraku, it rained lightly just like this and remember how the rain felt? It was so refreshing and that’s what today reminds me of.” Inuyasha smiled as he lowered his head back to Kagome and leaned his forehead against her’s.
“You’re right. It seems the rain does symbolize the end of our struggles.” Kagome said as she noticed her breath mixing with Inuyasha’s and before she new it, he captured her in a long awaited kiss. At that moment their entire world seemed to melt away around them and at first, they didn’t notice the bursts of cheers that went up around them from the villagers, but then Miroku cried,
“It’s about time Inuyasha!”
Kagome stared, wide-eyed in horror as she realized what just happened. She peaked out from under Inuyasha’s coat and when she saw that their first kiss was witnessed by the entire village, she buried her head into Inuyasha’s chest with his hoiri still draped around her head and cried, “I’m so embarrassed, I could just die right now!”.
Inuyasha tried to suppress a laugh, but all that did was evolve into a snicker then he started outright laughing as he wrapped his arms around Kagome and hugged her close. Even Kagome couldn’t help but laugh as she felt all the weights being lifted from her tired heart.
“Kagome, I know I’ve never told you before, so I might as well get it out before I miss the chance again, but, I love you.” Inuyasha said, he couldn’t help but blush as he spoke words that were so alien to him now, but at the same time, so relieving. Confessing his love to Kagome just felt right.
“Yay! Mommy, Daddy, my birthday wish came true! Not only is dear Inuyasha happy now, but he’s found someone to love like you guys!” Aiko cried as she watched the two embrace in the rain. Everyone burst out laughing at the bluntness spoken only by true innocence.
“Dear Inuyasha?” Kagome questioned.
“Yea, well, I like it better than ‘uncle’ Inuyasha.” Inuyasha smiled as he stared into Kagome’s gentle brown eyes with his own golden ones. “Kagome, there’s something else we need to talk about and I think now’s as good a time as any.” Inuyasha said as he winked at Miroku, who gave him a thumbs up and nodded.
“What are you up to?” Sango asked suspiciously.
“Shh, just watched.” Miroku said slyly.
Inuyasha’s face was burning red as his heart thumped loudly in his throat. “Inuyasha? What is it?” Kagome’s voice helped ease the pounding in his head as he regained composure.
“Well, I know that you’ve just come back after eight years of being separated, but I felt your presence with me all eight years and now it’s only right that you’re here with me and well, I guess what I’m really trying to get at...” Inuyasha said nervously as he took Kagome’s hands in his and suddenly bent down to one knee as Miroku once explained and he continued. “The last thing I wrote to you was ‘I will have you with me for the rest of my life’.” Inuyasha swallowed hard.
“Inuyasha, what are you trying to say?” Kagome asked with an expectant tone. She was trembling as she recognized the gesture of lowering one’s self to a knee.
“Kagome, would you marry me? As I am now and love me for who I was and who I might become?” Inuyasha asked, his golden orbs glistening with threatening tears.
Kagome went dead silent and hid her eyes under her bangs. Inuyasha’s heart dropped into his stomach. She shook her head slightly and raised her gaze to meet Inuyasha’s. Her face was unreadable, but Inuyasha became worried when he saw her start to cry. Was he about to be rejected? Publically humiliated? He held his breath and waited for the heavy blow.
Suddenly, Kagome started quivering as she began to half laugh and cry. Had she gone mad? Inuyasha looked up at her questionably when to his relief she was smiling. “YES!” She cried as she fell towards Inuyasha who was totally taken off guard by her sudden answer. He fell back on his bottom as he caught Kagome and after being momentarily stunned, he smiled brightly and began landing kisses in her hair as he took in her sweet sent.
“Yes? You said yes, right?” Inuyasha asked in utter shock. ‘She really excepted?’
“Yes, I’ll say it a million times over, Yes, I’ll marry you, Inuyasha!” Kagome cried.
The village had roared when Kagome accepted Inuyasha’s proposal and Sango was crying like she had when Miroku proposed to her all those years ago. The sky cleared and every one came out of their huts and flocked to the couple to shower them with ‘congratulations’. Kagome found herself being swooped up into a hug by Sango who really felt like exploding with emotions at this point. In one day her long departed best friend returns and she got to witness her first kiss with Inuyasha and now they’re engaged. It was truly a blessed day for the Inuyasha-taki and a day that would never be forgotten.
“Inuyasha, so when do you think we should return and inform MY family?” Kagome asked.
“Your grandfather too?” Inuyasha gulped.
“Yes, him too. I tell you what, we can do that tomorrow, I really feel like just staying here with you and our friends.” Kagome said as she hugged him again and nestled her head onto his shoulder.
So this day was spent carefree as the friends sat in Sango and Miroku’s hut and caught up on past events and of course Kagome had a lot of story telling herself, trying to catch her friends up on her life from the time she left to this point in time now. Inuyasha was correct when he had told her she’d fall in love with Aiko. She was as sweet and cute as little girls get. Everyone laughed when Kagome suddenly asked, “Inuyasha, you think our children will have your ears?” and tweaked his ears, something she had waited so long to do.
“Kagome, we haven’t even told your family and you’re already talking about children?” Inuyasha asked hesitantly.
“Why not? They will be in the future plan, right?” Kagome asked as she got right up in Inuyasha’s flushed face.
“Well, yea, but not until after we’ve married, that’s the proper thing to do, right?” Inuyasha asked.
Kagome laid down with her head in Inuyasha’s lap and mumbled sleepily, “when did you become so considerate?” and fell asleep.
“You’d be surprised how things can change when you think you’ve lost your whole world.” Inuyasha said softly as he stroked Kagome’s hair.
“Kids huh? That’ll make me an uncle twice over! I can’t wait.” Shippo bubbled.
Inuyasha jumped at Shippo’s comment. He had totally forgotten that Shippo, Sango and Miroku were listening the whole time. Inuyasha only smiled at the kitsune and nodded.
“Well, it’s getting late and I’m sure you’re going to have a big day ahead of you, so I think we should retire for the night. Inuyasha, you may stay here if you like.” Sango offered.
“No, I think I’ll take her to my home and let her sleep in a bed.” Inuyasha said.
“You had better behave yourself.” Miroku commented.
“I’m not a pervert like a certain someone.” Inuyasha gave Miroku an accusing look as he picked the sleeping Kagome up and left the hut.
Tonight he’d let her sleep and he thought he’d try to get some sleep himself, but he dreaded tomorrow for it seemed even sudden to himself that he had already asked Kagome to be his wife, but if she’s not worried, he didn’t see much of a reason to be worried himself. But he still couldn’t help worry about Kagome’s grandfather, if anyone would have a problem with it, he would.
“Sweet dreams Kagome. I love you.” Inuyasha whispered into her ear as he laid down on the floor and fell asleep.
...End of Chappy...
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” Kagome asked as she scanned the man up and down. “Hojo?”
“Yes it has. Just wanted to stop by and congratulate you on graduating at the top percentile of your class. Good job!” He said and threw her a thumbs up. “I’ve got to get to work, I’m late, otherwise I’d stay longer. Maybe I’ll see ya later.” He said as he jogged off. Kagome waved at him and smiled, thinking maybe things would start looking up.
Hojo looked older, his shoulders were more square and he was quite a hansom man now. Kagome figured that he was probably the same age as her or maybe a year older, so she figured he’d be around twenty-four, twenty-five. His hair was longer, more business professional, and nicely slicked back. He truly was hansom and Kagome figured maybe she’d give him a chance and maybe even like him more than she did in highschool.
“Old friend of yours?” A rough, but familiar voice called from behind her. Kagome turned and to her surprise and relief, she saw an older and more elegant looking Inuyasha, leaning against the well house about ten feet from were she stood.
Kagome’s mouth dropped in absolute shock, she stared at him, wondering how did he get back? Was this just an hallucatnation? Her hand flew to her forehead and when she found she hadn’t been feverish, she then pinched herself and jumped as the pain set in.
“Inu-In-INUYASHA?!?” Kagome cried, snapping out of her daze.
“Last time I checked.” He said softly. He waited so long to finally hear her voice and to see her face. When he saw her smile and start crying, he simply stood and opened his arms without having to speak. Kagome sobbed happily as she stumbled towards him, her knees weak and shaky, and found herself holding her breath as she sunk her body into Inuyasha’s open embrace for fear that this was only a dream. She realized the second her face hit his soft firerat fur hoiri, that this wasn’t a dream. She threw her arms around him and started bawling.
“I thought I would live the rest of my life without you.” Kagome cried into his shoulder.
“You got my letter, right?” Inuyasha asked as he stroked Kagome’s hair as he rested his chin on her head.
“Yea, it just said ‘little love is the key’.” Kagome said as she brought her hands to Inuyasha’s chest and clutched the fabric, as if afraid he might disappear if she let go.
“Aiko.” Inuyasha laughed.
“Huh?” Kagome was now confused.
“Aiko means ‘little love’. What I didn’t tell you was she had later that day, told me that she just wished for me to be happy because I’ve always looked so sad, at that moment, the jewel around her neck flashed and a purple light came from the well, so I tried it and when I found I could travel, that was when I went back and buried the box in my time and left it, so it did survive over the years, but technically, I buried it only yesterday.” Inuyasha said as he hugged Kagome tighter.
“You clever little dog.” Kagome teased. “But thank you.”
“Would you like to meet Aiko?” Inuyasha asked.
“I would love to. I’ve missed you all so much, I can’t wait to see everyone.” Kagome bubbled.
“You did get my note about Kaede, right?” Inuyasha asked cautiously.
“Yes, I know she’s in a better place and is looking down on us.” Kagome said sadly.
“I’m sure of it. Come, let’s go back then.” Inuyasha piped up as he took Kagome’s wrist and half hauled her back.
They entered the well house together and Inuyasha picked Kagome up bridal style ‘just incase’ and jumped into the well. Kagome could feel her cheeks flush hot as she realized how close Inuyasha was holding her.
She saw that he had truly grown up, his features were much more mature and his eyes had soften with age, but still held that sparkle. His body had filled out, he no longer looked like a gangly teen. He wasn’t quite the same Inuyasha she once remembered, he was kinder, but still had the rough undertones to his deepened voice.
She hadn’t realized that they had reached the other side and Inuyasha had already jumped from the well until he asked, “something wrong?” and Kagome realized that she was just staring aimlessly at him as she took in the changes that he had gone through. The blush that had already crept across her face had deepened.
“No, I’m fine.” Kagome said.
“K, but you looked like you were lost in space or something.” Inuyasha stated as he put Kagome down.
“You could say that, I was just thinking.” Kagome said. She was a little wobbly on her feet yet and it took a moment for her to regain her balance.
“Yea? What were you thinking about?” Inuyasha said while he helped steady Kagome.
“I was noting on how you’ve changed. You’ve definitely grown. And you’ve had your hair slightly trimmed, I noticed that it looks much more clean-cut around your ears.” Kagome said. “I like it.”
“Yea, well, you’ve gone through some changes yourself. I can tell you’re taller and you’ve matured some yourself.” Inuyasha said with a slight blush himself. Even he couldn’t help but notice how maturity had been very kind to her. She was a very attractive woman now.
“Let’s go, I’m fine to walk now.” Kagome said, realizing her cheeks were blazing hot now. It had been quite a while since she had a real compliment.
They both walked side-by-side, talking, laughing and doing a lot of catching up. Inuyasha folded his arms into his sleeves and laughed while Kagome told him how her friends hopelessly tried to hook her up with their friends who just ‘happened’ to be single.
“And you believed that true love would actually just happen to come along on one of your blind date-thingies?” Inuyasha snorted after Kagome had explained the blind date concept.
“No, but I wanted to humor my friends, they had the best intentions, really.” Kagome laughed.
They had reached the village and Inuyasha lead Kagome to were Sango and Miroku resided with Aiko and Shippo. The villagers stopped what they were doing and would stand opened-mouthed or would immediately start talking amongst themselves. They were in utter disbelief that their lady Kagome had finally returned to them. But nobody would be as surprised as Sango, Miroku and Shippo.
“KAGOME?!?” Sango cried from the local well. She dropped her water bucket and came running. She stopped short of Kagome and looked her up and down in absolute disbelief. When she realized that it was Kagome and not Shippo playing up to his old tricks, she snatched Kagome up in a rib-crushing hug. “My prayers have at long last been answered. You’ve finally returned to us!” She cried happily.
“Oh, Sango I am so happy to see you again.” Kagome cried as well. Her heart was fluttering all around in her chest. She was so happy she thought that at any moment she could burst.
“Hey, Miroku, get our here! We have company!” Sango called to the hut that stood about twenty feet from the village well. Miroku came poking his head out of the straw mat that served as a door and his eyes bugged out of his head when he saw a much older Kagome standing with Inuyasha and Sango.
“Lady Kagome, welcome back. You finally found a way back, huh?” Miroku said as he approached Kagome and gave her a small and gentle hug. Nothing like the Miroku she remembered, who would have groped her with that opportunity.
“Well actually, it was your daughter, from what Inuyasha told me.” Kagome smiled.
“Yea, well, after Aiko’s party, she told me that she wished for me to be happy again, and the Shikon Jewel reacted to her wish and reopened the well and here she is.” Inuyasha explained, scratching the back of his head and smiling sheepishly.
“Kagome? Is that you? I thought I smelled you!” Shippo said as he happily bounded up to Kagome and caught her in a hug. Kagome hugged him back and realized that he was as tall as her little brother when she was still going through the well. Shippo looked like a preteen, he was taller and slightly gangly. He still looked like Shippo though, despite the fact that his voice sounded slightly older, still had that adorable tail that protruded from his back and his hair was longer now. He did look more grown up.
“Shippo, my how you’ve grown.” Kagome commented.
“Yea, I guess so. Hey! Wait until you meet Aiko! You’re going to love her. She’s so cute and she reminds us all so much of you. Wait right here and I’ll go get her, she’s in the hut.” Shippo said. He ran off towards the hut and Sango couldn’t help but giggle a little at Shippo.
“What’s so funny?” Kagome asked.
“He’s so cute sometimes. Since the day she was born, he promised to always watch over her and you know, I think he’s become more of her parent than us.” Sango mused. Just then the clouds that had rolled over started to drizzle on the village. Every one started running, using what ever they could to hold above their heads to keep them dry. It wasn’t raining hard, but it was a little cool. To Kagome it was clean and refreshing. She started to follow Sango and Miroku towards their hut to get dry when her arm was suddenly caught by Inuyasha and she was held fast.
“Kagome, wait.” Inuyasha said as he removed his red hoiri and draped it over her head to keep her dry.
“Thanks Inuyasha.” Kagome said as she faced Inuyasha. She noticed he had closed the distance between them and held her by her arms as he smiled down at her. “Remember the last time we stood in the rain like this? Without a care in the world?” Inuyasha asked softly as he raised his face to the sky, welcoming the falling water drops on his face. Kagome only looked at him in confusion. “The day we beat Nuraku, it rained lightly just like this and remember how the rain felt? It was so refreshing and that’s what today reminds me of.” Inuyasha smiled as he lowered his head back to Kagome and leaned his forehead against her’s.
“You’re right. It seems the rain does symbolize the end of our struggles.” Kagome said as she noticed her breath mixing with Inuyasha’s and before she new it, he captured her in a long awaited kiss. At that moment their entire world seemed to melt away around them and at first, they didn’t notice the bursts of cheers that went up around them from the villagers, but then Miroku cried,
“It’s about time Inuyasha!”
Kagome stared, wide-eyed in horror as she realized what just happened. She peaked out from under Inuyasha’s coat and when she saw that their first kiss was witnessed by the entire village, she buried her head into Inuyasha’s chest with his hoiri still draped around her head and cried, “I’m so embarrassed, I could just die right now!”.
Inuyasha tried to suppress a laugh, but all that did was evolve into a snicker then he started outright laughing as he wrapped his arms around Kagome and hugged her close. Even Kagome couldn’t help but laugh as she felt all the weights being lifted from her tired heart.
“Kagome, I know I’ve never told you before, so I might as well get it out before I miss the chance again, but, I love you.” Inuyasha said, he couldn’t help but blush as he spoke words that were so alien to him now, but at the same time, so relieving. Confessing his love to Kagome just felt right.
“Yay! Mommy, Daddy, my birthday wish came true! Not only is dear Inuyasha happy now, but he’s found someone to love like you guys!” Aiko cried as she watched the two embrace in the rain. Everyone burst out laughing at the bluntness spoken only by true innocence.
“Dear Inuyasha?” Kagome questioned.
“Yea, well, I like it better than ‘uncle’ Inuyasha.” Inuyasha smiled as he stared into Kagome’s gentle brown eyes with his own golden ones. “Kagome, there’s something else we need to talk about and I think now’s as good a time as any.” Inuyasha said as he winked at Miroku, who gave him a thumbs up and nodded.
“What are you up to?” Sango asked suspiciously.
“Shh, just watched.” Miroku said slyly.
Inuyasha’s face was burning red as his heart thumped loudly in his throat. “Inuyasha? What is it?” Kagome’s voice helped ease the pounding in his head as he regained composure.
“Well, I know that you’ve just come back after eight years of being separated, but I felt your presence with me all eight years and now it’s only right that you’re here with me and well, I guess what I’m really trying to get at...” Inuyasha said nervously as he took Kagome’s hands in his and suddenly bent down to one knee as Miroku once explained and he continued. “The last thing I wrote to you was ‘I will have you with me for the rest of my life’.” Inuyasha swallowed hard.
“Inuyasha, what are you trying to say?” Kagome asked with an expectant tone. She was trembling as she recognized the gesture of lowering one’s self to a knee.
“Kagome, would you marry me? As I am now and love me for who I was and who I might become?” Inuyasha asked, his golden orbs glistening with threatening tears.
Kagome went dead silent and hid her eyes under her bangs. Inuyasha’s heart dropped into his stomach. She shook her head slightly and raised her gaze to meet Inuyasha’s. Her face was unreadable, but Inuyasha became worried when he saw her start to cry. Was he about to be rejected? Publically humiliated? He held his breath and waited for the heavy blow.
Suddenly, Kagome started quivering as she began to half laugh and cry. Had she gone mad? Inuyasha looked up at her questionably when to his relief she was smiling. “YES!” She cried as she fell towards Inuyasha who was totally taken off guard by her sudden answer. He fell back on his bottom as he caught Kagome and after being momentarily stunned, he smiled brightly and began landing kisses in her hair as he took in her sweet sent.
“Yes? You said yes, right?” Inuyasha asked in utter shock. ‘She really excepted?’
“Yes, I’ll say it a million times over, Yes, I’ll marry you, Inuyasha!” Kagome cried.
The village had roared when Kagome accepted Inuyasha’s proposal and Sango was crying like she had when Miroku proposed to her all those years ago. The sky cleared and every one came out of their huts and flocked to the couple to shower them with ‘congratulations’. Kagome found herself being swooped up into a hug by Sango who really felt like exploding with emotions at this point. In one day her long departed best friend returns and she got to witness her first kiss with Inuyasha and now they’re engaged. It was truly a blessed day for the Inuyasha-taki and a day that would never be forgotten.
“Inuyasha, so when do you think we should return and inform MY family?” Kagome asked.
“Your grandfather too?” Inuyasha gulped.
“Yes, him too. I tell you what, we can do that tomorrow, I really feel like just staying here with you and our friends.” Kagome said as she hugged him again and nestled her head onto his shoulder.
So this day was spent carefree as the friends sat in Sango and Miroku’s hut and caught up on past events and of course Kagome had a lot of story telling herself, trying to catch her friends up on her life from the time she left to this point in time now. Inuyasha was correct when he had told her she’d fall in love with Aiko. She was as sweet and cute as little girls get. Everyone laughed when Kagome suddenly asked, “Inuyasha, you think our children will have your ears?” and tweaked his ears, something she had waited so long to do.
“Kagome, we haven’t even told your family and you’re already talking about children?” Inuyasha asked hesitantly.
“Why not? They will be in the future plan, right?” Kagome asked as she got right up in Inuyasha’s flushed face.
“Well, yea, but not until after we’ve married, that’s the proper thing to do, right?” Inuyasha asked.
Kagome laid down with her head in Inuyasha’s lap and mumbled sleepily, “when did you become so considerate?” and fell asleep.
“You’d be surprised how things can change when you think you’ve lost your whole world.” Inuyasha said softly as he stroked Kagome’s hair.
“Kids huh? That’ll make me an uncle twice over! I can’t wait.” Shippo bubbled.
Inuyasha jumped at Shippo’s comment. He had totally forgotten that Shippo, Sango and Miroku were listening the whole time. Inuyasha only smiled at the kitsune and nodded.
“Well, it’s getting late and I’m sure you’re going to have a big day ahead of you, so I think we should retire for the night. Inuyasha, you may stay here if you like.” Sango offered.
“No, I think I’ll take her to my home and let her sleep in a bed.” Inuyasha said.
“You had better behave yourself.” Miroku commented.
“I’m not a pervert like a certain someone.” Inuyasha gave Miroku an accusing look as he picked the sleeping Kagome up and left the hut.
Tonight he’d let her sleep and he thought he’d try to get some sleep himself, but he dreaded tomorrow for it seemed even sudden to himself that he had already asked Kagome to be his wife, but if she’s not worried, he didn’t see much of a reason to be worried himself. But he still couldn’t help worry about Kagome’s grandfather, if anyone would have a problem with it, he would.
“Sweet dreams Kagome. I love you.” Inuyasha whispered into her ear as he laid down on the floor and fell asleep.
...End of Chappy...