InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Aftermath ❯ When You Say Nothing At All ( Chapter 4 )
The last chapter of this short songfic series. Kagome and Inuyasha have met up again, but some last ends have to be tied up.
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Drama | Type: Songfic | Uploaded On: 06.09.2005 | Pages: 3 | Words: 4.6K | Visits: 409 | Status: Completed
A/N: *starts singing* Guess who's back? Back again? IC's back, with a fic! *stops singing and smiles widely at everyone* Yes, I am back and I have brought the final chapter to 'The Aftermath'! This chapter shall reveal the answers to (hopefully) all of your questions.
What was Kagome doing with Hojo? Why didn't Kikyo just drag Inuyasha down to Hell by force? What happened to Kaede-baa-chan? And Jaken, too? Okay, so not many people really care for that old toad ("Hey!" shouts Jaken from offstage), but let's just get on with the story, shall we? ^________^
~ I. C. All
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Inuyasha, nor do I own Ronan Keating's song, 'When You Say Nothing At All'. I merely own the plot and all of the made-up characters. *glances fondly at Renzo, Taro, Yuriko, and the rest of those cute little rascals* ^.^
Dedicated to: Gammi, who greatly helped me with my Social Science homework! ^_^ Love ya, Gammi!
Special Thanks to: Tricky-the-kitsune-youkia - Yes, my condolences to Miroku (even though he deserved it ...). Thanks for the review!
Three-Letter-Word - Arigato! I'm very proud of the jingle. I settled for 'share-a' after flipping through the dictionary for the second time. o_O
Morning Fox - Thanks! I'm glad I made people laugh. I found it really fun to explore Shippou's childish curiosity. Kids are so fun to play with! ^.^
kitty132 - Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked it! ^_^
It's amazing how you
Can speak right to my heart
Without saying a word
You can light up the dark
All was seemingly normal in the living room of the home of the Higurashi's. The room was still dark, as it was only 5:02 AM, yet it seemed to glow with an inner aura. Various pictures littered the walls and surfaces of the room, containing happy memories of the Higurashi family. Only the two occupants of the room seemed to be out of place.
On the small loveseat lay an odd couple - a man with dog ears, long silver hair, claws and other unusual features, and a human woman with long, dark hair and wide brown eyes - huddled up beside each other. The man's arm was wrapped possessively around the woman's waist, his face buried in her raven hair, while the woman lay in content silence, eyes fixed on the window and watching the world outside, waiting for the sunrise.
Kagome smiled and snuggled deeper into the hanyou's arms. She listened to his heartbeat, the steady thumping lulling her into a half-doze. In her semiconsciousness, she mused about the earlier events that eventually led them in this predicament ...
Kagome grew quiet as Inuyasha entered the house, still carrying her. Behind him, Buyo crept into the house and clambered up the stairs with a yowl, obviously happy to be out of the rain. The mood turned solemn and slightly awkward when Inuyasha sat on the small sofa, sitting Kagome on his lap.
Unable to bear the uncomfortable silence, Kagome finally asked the hanyou timidly, "Inuyasha, what happened while I was gone?" She winced at the sound of her voice, mentally beating herself over the head, but all the while, waiting for Inuyasha's response. Inuyasha's gaze kept focused on the floor, but he answered in a neutral, quiet tone.
"Kaede-baba passed away last summer. Miroku and Sango mated - they have four pups. Shippou lives with them. The okami mated with that Ayame girl, and they have two pups. So did my brother and that girl that traveled around with him. That creepy retainer of his still serves him, taking care of the pups."
Kagome smiled softly at the news, saddened by the fact that Kaede-baa-chan had moved on to the afterlife, but happy for her old friends, even for Sesshoumaru and Rin. Though it was unexpected, she somehow knew that the two were going to be very happy with each other.
But her brow soon furrowed, realizing that Inuyasha had left out one important person. "Inuyasha ... What of Kikyo?" she asked hesitantly. She quickly regretted her asking - he clearly hadn't gotten over whatever had happened between them. Her gaze fell to her lap, fiddling with the blanket still wrapped around her body.
She looked right back up at him when he started to speak.
"Kikyo is gone," he whispered softly, his voice coming out in the same throaty rasp as earlier. Kagome gaped up at him in complete shock. "She’s ... gone?" she stammered foolishly. Inuyasha nodded shakily, his amber eyes clouding over, turning a molten gold.
"W-Why?" Kagome finally managed to say, her russet brown eyes fixed on him with a mixture of awe and stupefaction. Inuyasha exhaled, silvery bangs shading his eyes from her view. "After she purified the Shikon no Tama, she tried to get me to come with her ... I didn't notice that her time was running out and she finally gave up, unable to get me to come with her in time. She descended on her own."
"Why didn't you come, then? What distracted you so much to take your mind off her?" Kagome inquired breathlessly. Inuyasha kept his gaze averted, his voice soft and low, but his answer was as clear as day.
"You, Kagome."
Try as I may, I can never explain
What I hear when you don't say a thing
Kagome's jaw went slack and her eyes widened so much that they were in danger of bugging out of their sockets. Inuyasha shifted uncomfortably, very much aware of the fact that she was staring openly at him.
"W-What?" she uttered. Inuyasha dug himself further into the sofa, but continued to answer her. "I didn't know why you left me - us ... It drove me crazy, trying to find out the reason you left ... I - I missed you, Kagome ..." he mumbled, ears drooping slightly but still waiting for her reaction.
After a few moments of silence, the hanyou risked a look up at her. To his surprise, she too was avoiding his gaze. Long bangs fell across her eyes, making it hard for him to tell what she was thinking. Testing the air, he discovered the scent of salt mixed in with her fragrant scent.
Inwardly, he panicked. He always had, everytime a girl (especially Kagome) cried around him. "O-Oi! Don't cry!" Inuyasha stammered, grasping her shoulders to try to comfort her. Without warning, she lifted her head to reveal the tear tracks that had made their way down her face - her angry face.
"Inuyasha no baka!" she exclaimed, before throwing her arms around him and sobbing into his haori once more. Poor Inuyasha was left bewildered and clueless, but no more words were needed. The inu hanyou tenderly wrapped his arms around her, attempting to comfort the girl.
The smile on your face
Lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes
Saying you'll never leave me
"Shh ... Come on, Kagome. Stop crying, silly girl ... You'll tire yourself out."
Kagome hit him lightly, but eventually calmed down to a few occasional hiccups. Inuyasha continued rubbing her back somewhat awkwardly, but all in all, it was a sweet gesture, considering that it came from one of the most stubborn creatures in the whole Sengoku Jidai ... And the 21st century, for that matter.
"Inuyasha ... Really?" she said hoarsely, her own voice worn out from her crying fit. "Yeah ... Why did you go, Kagome?" he asked, still patting her back soothingly. Kagome thought out her answer, before finally replying.
"I saw you with Kikyo at the Goshinboku tree," she said quietly. Now it was Inuyasha's turn to be surprised, and he abruptly stopped rubbing her back to pull her away slightly, enough to be able to look into her eyes. She stared right back at him determinedly.
'It's true ... She's not hiding anything ...' he thought somewhat reverently. "Old habits never die, I guess," Kagome continued, laughing hollowly. "Actually, I'm not completely sure why I left ... I think that I felt I didn't belong there anymore. I'd fulfilled my duty to complete the Shikon no Tama ... What other purpose was there for my living in the Sengoku Jidai?"
The touch of your hand
Says you'll catch me, wherever I fall
You say it best
When you say nothing at all
"To stay with me, baka."
Kagome's head snapped up to stare openly at him again. Inuyasha faltered slightly under her gaze, but quickly recovered. He had to tell her. He had been taught this lesson - what? Three times already. First with Kikyo, second with Kagome and third with Kikyo once again.
He couldn't mess this up again - he had to tell her his feelings ... "Kagome ... You have to listen, okay? This isn't exactly the easiest thing in the world, but you have to promise to shut up and not react until I'm done, alright?" the hanyou said quickly, golden eyes focused on her brown ones. Kagome stared a bit more before nodding hesitantly.
Inuyasha exhaled. "I know I haven't been the best companion in the whole world. I know that we've fought more times than I've ever thought possible ... And I know that I've made you sad more than just a few times," he managed, swallowing hard.
"I also know that I'm not the best choice for a ... boyfriend," Inuyasha continued, making a face at the word. Kagome's breath hitched in her throat. 'Kami-sama ... Is this really happening? Have I just eaten too much ice cream again? Oh, gods, please let it be real!' she thought frantically, her heart thumping like mad.
"I'm a hanyou, inferior to youkai and never accepted by humans. But even though I may be half and half ... I hope that you'll accept me, Kagome ... 'Cause ..." Inuyasha trailed off, mumbling the rest. "What, Inuyasha?" she asked as she leaned in closer, eyes fixed steadily on his face.
"Aishiteru!"
Kagome stared blankly at him for a few seconds. Inuyasha watched in awe as a myriad of expressions fell across her face. Realization, shock, anger, confusion, acceptance, ecstasy ... All right up to the part where she knocked him over onto the couch and hugged him so tightly, he could hardly breathe.
But it was alright, as he hugged her just as tightly, joy spreading once more over his features. He felt the now familiar wetness spread over the cloth of the haori on his shoulder and he rocked her back and forth, calming her down. "Aishiteru, Inuyasha," she sobbed, though his canine ears managed to catch the words just as easily.
For the first time in years, Inuyasha smiled genuinely once more.
All day long, I can hear
People talking aloud
But when you hold me near
You drown out the crowd
Kagome smiled to herself, snuggling deeper into the hanyou's warmth. As it turned out, they both fell asleep on the couch, too tired to go upstairs and get into bed. She breathed his earthy scent in, letting his aura envelop hers and merely enjoying the simple pleasure of being able to lie next to him.
When she was a little girl, she recalled her father tucking her in at night. Even though her mother spent all of the day with her, it was always Papa who was there to steal the last moments of the day, just to tuck her in with a nice bedtime story and to kiss her goodnight.
Her bedtime stories were all fairytales about princesses, dragons and the brave knights that always came to rescue them. Kagome remembered the fantasies she used to have about her being a princess and her knight in shining armor coming to save her and take her to his faraway kingdom to live happily ever after.
Then she met Inuyasha.
So, he wasn't exactly the most chivalrous of men, and he certainly didn't go around riding on a dashing, white horse and wearing heavy steel armor, but he was always there to save the day. He was the sweetest guy in the world (at times), though fiercely possessive. He touched her as no one ever did before - even one look, one touch, one breath was enough to blur everything else in the world but him.
And after all the trials and hardships and whatnots that they had gone through, it was only logical that they would finally end up together.
Thank Kami-sama for happy endings.
Try as they may, they can never define
What's been said between your heart and mine
To put it simply, Kagome couldn't have been happier in her whole life. No matter how corny it sounded, she had missed Inuyasha with all of her heart and soul. Even after all of the blind dates and set-ups her friends put her through, Inuyasha was still her number one.
It had been heck trying to live without him. She had been so depressed after she returned that she had to take a few more days off before she could return to school. It had all been rather exhausting - faking smiles through the days, endless tears at night. The cycle continued on and on.
No one understood her. They weren't aware of the connection between her and the inu hanyou. They didn't comprehend that love could indeed cross all boundaries. They didn't know that their relationship could have shattered every 'rule' in the book, if given enough time and care.
Kagome felt Inuyasha stir behind her and she suppressed a smile as she turned in his grasp to face him, barely catching his amber eyes flicker open and gaze warmly down at her. His ears flicked atop his head as he grinned widely at her.
Gods, she had missed that smile ...
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes saying you'll never leave me
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me, wherever I fall
You say it best when you say nothing at all
"Morning, Kagome ..." he murmured, pulling her close and pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. Kagome smiled widely and hugged him with all her might. "Good morning, Inuyasha," she whispered back, snuggling closer to him.
Inuyasha returned the smile down at the young woman in his arms. Way back in their traveling days, he used to wonder what made Kagome smile so much. It was really strange - she had been thrust at least 400 years before her own time in a dangerous world where she was entrusted with the safety of an extremely powerful jewel and her life was constantly in danger, yet she still managed to smile.
Her eyes were another puzzle. For some reason, those hazel eyes seemed to express more emotions than he ever thought possible. You could practically read her like an open book if you simply gazed into those two orbs. Inuyasha considered it a sign of weakness. In the battlefield, showing emotions could prove fatal. Your opponent could take advantage of your distraction and wipe you out.
But when she turned that soft gaze to him, showing the tenderness, adoration and affection that he had rarely been shown before, Inuyasha found that he didn't really mind at all.
Inuyasha turned his amber gaze down to her hands. Those tiny hands that were enclosed in his much larger ones. Compared to his hands, which were rough, calloused and rugged, her hands were, soft, fragile and delicate. Her touch was filled with warmth and compassion, like everything else about her. He traced tiny patterns on her palm, smiling when she shivered slightly.
She was finally all his ...
Well, excluding that stupid Hobo boy ...
Inuyasha stiffened, a possessive rumble starting up in his chest as he remembered the scene he witnessed that night ...
Oh ...
The smile on your face lets me know that you need me
There's a truth in your eyes, saying you'll never leave me
Kagome looked up at the inu hanyou, frowning when he tensed.
"Inuyasha, what's wrong?" she inquired. Inuyasha made a face when he heard her new nickname for him, but proceeded to tell her of his ... dilemma. "What about that Homo wimp?" he forced out through gritted teeth, spitting out the name like something vile.
Kagome blinked, and started to laugh. The hanyou looked down at her in bemusement. "What the hell is so funny?" he demanded. "You're still as jealous as ever, aren't you, Inuyasha?" she grinned. Inuyasha started growling again.
"Okay, okay ... First of all, it's Hojo. Secondly, Hojo's just a friend! He's even married!" Kagome explained. Inuyasha sputtered in shock, but quickly recovered. "W-Well, how about when you kissed him?!" the hanyou demanded.
"Kissed him?!" Kagome shrieked, causing Inuyasha's ears to flatten on his head. "On the cheek, but you still kissed him!" the hanyou defended. The dark haired girl stared at him in shock. "How did you know that?" she whispered. Inuyasha fidgeted under her gaze. "Inuyasha, tell me," Kagome said in a foreboding tone.
"I sneaked out of the friggin' well, okay?! I saw you and the stupid Hoho - Hojo jerk and you were kissing him!" the hanyou blurted out. Kagome sat in silence for a few moments, trying to digest what he had just said. Inuyasha looked down at his lap, his ears flattening on his head in shame.
A gentle touch on his chin caused him to stare directly into soft, brown eyes. "Inuyasha, I've said it before, but since it seems like it didn't quite get through to you the first times, I'll say it again," she said softly, but determinedly.
"Hojo-kun is just a friend. That night was our graduation party, and he offered to drive me home. The kiss that I gave him was a friendly one - a goodbye kiss."
Inuyasha searched her eyes, but there was no trace of lies in them, or in her scent.
All that was there was complete trust, faithfulness and ... love ...
The touch of your hand says you'll catch me, wherever I fall
You say it best, when you say nothing at all
The hanyou growled possessively, tugging her close and wrapping his arms around her. "Fine, but you'd better not be hanging around any wimpy human boys again!" Inuyasha said, holding her close.
Kagome merely laughed and closed her eyes, leaning closer to him. His amber eyes slid closed as well, and their lips trembled, right before they made blissful contact. Their arms wrapped around each other, holding the other tight as if they never wanted to let go.
The kiss was electrifying, sending little shivers down Kagome's spine every time her hanyou's lips moved over her own. She pressed herself closer to him, trying to return the pleasure that he was giving her. Her lips parted slightly, allowing his tongue to slide in smoothly.
He groaned, exploring her mouth with his tongue and tasting her sweet flavor. The hanyou almost gasped in pleasure as her tongue trailed over his fangs. He growled lowly, catching her surprised gasp and held her tightly against him. The scent of her arousal hung heavy in the air and mixed with his own.
His clawed hands trailed up the shirt of her pajamas, stroking her back gently, evoking more of her sweet moans. Her body instinctively pressed up against his. In response, he grinded his body against her, the excitement of their bodies evident in the air.
Reluctantly, he pulled away from her sweet mouth, allowing her to catch her breath. She grinned up at him, her pretty face rosy. "Kami-sama, that's enough to make me swear off humans for good!" she grinned mischievously.
"Keh! It'd better ..."
The miko laughed again, her voice a soft, tinkling melody that he once thought was lost to him forever.
The smile on your face
The truth in your eyes
The touch of your hand
Lets me know that you need me
She rolled over in his arms, and together, the two watched the rising of the sun. "Wow," Kagome breathed as the sun's rays fell across the room, slowly making their way across the space and filling it with light.
"It's beautiful, ne, Inuyasha?" she smiled, looking up at her hanyou. Inuyasha looked back at her tenderly. "I've seen more beautiful things down on Earth," he replied softly. Kagome reddened visibly, but smiled up at him all the same. "Thank you, Inuyasha," she smiled, caressing his cheek gently.
"You know you don't have to do that," Inuyasha reprimanded lightly. "Do what?" she asked bewilderedly. "You shouldn't thank someone, just for telling the truth," he smiled affectionately. Kagome's eyes sparkled, and she threw her arms around his neck, suppressing the flood of relieved tears once more.
It was as if her life was complete once more. Her support beam was back, and she felt better than she ever had in years. It was strange and awkward, knowing that she still needed him after all of the years.
But one look at his amber eyes told her that he needed her just as much as she did him.
And she loved him even more for that.
You say it best when you say nothing at all
You say it best when you say nothing at all
"Kagome?"
"Hn?"
"I love you."
The dark haired woman looked up incredulously at her hanyou. "What? Just wanted to say it, in case you went away again," Inuyasha defended himself. Kagome grinned and turned to face him once more, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Koi, you know you don't have to do that," she mimicked him.
Inuyasha grinned back at her. "Do what?"
"Tell me you love me, just in case I go."
The inu hanyou raised an eyebrow at her. "And why not?"
Kagome smiled tenderly, leaning against him. "Because I'll never leave," she whispered.
Inuyasha beamed and leaned closer to her face. "And I'll never let you," he whispered, before claiming her lips once more.
Kagome returned to the Sengoku Jidai with her beloved hanyou, and the two were officially mated in both times, at the insistence of Kagome's mother. Jii-chan didn't agree entirely at first, but once his first great-grandchild was born, he softened up and took to lecturing the pups everytime the two visited. Souta, of course, was completely overjoyed to finally be related to his hero, and assumed the role of 'doting uncle' very enthusiastically. The spell that was cast upon Rin was also cast upon Kagome, allowing her to remain human and still age with Inuyasha.
The couple settled down at Inuyasha's old home, a special hidden refuge built by his father specially to hide Inuyasha and his mother. Occasionally, they would travel to visit Sesshoumaru, Rin and their family, and even Kouga, Ayame and their steadily growing pack.
They had many pups, most sporting black or white furry little dog ears, much to the delight of Kagome's mother. Their second daughter mated with Renzo, Sango and Miroku's third son, while their third son mated with Hinoki, Kouga and Ayame's eldest daughter. Their other offspring also mated with his or her own special someone, lucky enough to find those who didn't hate them for their heritage.
Kagome continued on with her job, bringing special trinkets from the Sengoku Jidai every now and then to give to her colleagues to examine. This earned her plenty of renown and the world was amazed at her published books on the Feudal Era, which gave more information on the subject than any other previous research.
With all the awards she had been bestowed, Kagome was lucky enough to retire early, allowing her to devote more time to her mate and children. She insisted on her children getting an education, so they all graduated from college in all sorts of courses, but came back once in a while. After all, you can't hold back an inu youkai's blood.
Then, she, Rin and Sango persuaded Sesshoumaru to pass a law, taking down the hateful barriers between humans and youkai. It saddened Kagome to think that they would eventually fade into myths, but at least it was better than the two species fighting against one another.
Kagome and Inuyasha both lived long, happy lives, passing away some time after the second millennia. They were even lucky enough to witness the fateful day where Kagome fell into the dry well. The two were buried underneath the Goshinboku tree, where they first met. A special scroll was also written and laid in the shrine, in honor of the couple.
The inu hanyou, shunned by humans and youkai, and the girl from the future, the reincarnation of one of the most powerful mikos, brought together by the love that transcended all boundaries.
So, in the end, they all lived happily ever after.
A/N: *sniffles into a tissue* And that concludes my first major project, 'The Aftermath' ... *brightens immediately* Woo hoo! *blows a party horn as fireworks go off in the background*
Okay, so it may have been just a bit lousy, but it's the best I can do with fireworks going on and off outside, and 'Barbie and the Nutcracker' on the telly. o.O'
Well, I hope everyone enjoyed it! Domo arigato gozai masu ... Thank you very much! Ja ne, minna-san!
~ I. C. All
Quote of the Day:
(Three baby monkeys have sealed a huge rock to Inuyasha's hand. Sango and Miroku are thinking on what might happen if the seal is never broken ...)
Sango (facing a centipede youkai): Hiraikotsu!
Miroku: Kazaana!
Inuyasha: Get down, Miroku! (readies his new attack) Sankon ... Gansou! (means 'Soul-Shattering Boulder Claw')