"Please, calm down. I don't want to have to call security." The doctor threatened.

"I can pay the rest." Inuyasha whispered, not even realizing the words had left his mouth until after he had spoken them.

"What?" Kagome spun on her heel, staring at Inuyasha with raised eyebrows.

"I'll pay for the rest, the two thousand dollars." Inuyasha replied, blinking and saying it louder than a mere whisper.

"No, I can't accept your money." Kagome shook her head, "I can make the money myself."

"You had no problem stealing my car and making money off of it, so why can't you let me pay now?" Inuyasha smirked at Ms. Higurashi's reaction to his words. She hadn't actually believed that Kagome had stolen a car when she heard it before.

"Because, it's just not right. I worked to steal the car." Kagome almost laughed at how stupid her words sounded.

"Just take it." Inuyasha dug in his pocket for his wallet and credit cards, "You can pay me when you get the money, but Souta needs surgery as soon as possible. He can't wait around for you to make it all in one second and I won't let you go and steal another car."

Kagome glared at him, crossing her arms. "You can't tell me what to do or not to."

"You're lucky I didn't turn you in." Inuyasha retorted. "Anyone else and you'd be behind bars."

"Oh, you're sooooo nice." She mocked in return, "Why don't you call the police now Mr. Big Shot? Maybe I'll go steal one of your snotty friend's cars."

"Shut up," Inuyasha cursed, feeling his quick temper rising as he tried to restrain from using cuss words, "They'd turn you in as soon as they caught you, but they'd probably beat on you before the cops arrived."

"Fine, I don't give a crap as long as my brother's okay and I make the money." Kagome grabbed at Inuyasha's shirt, both of them readying to fight one another.

"We'll take the money." Ms. Higurashi broke in between the two, smiling lightly at Inuyasha.

Inuyasha grinned in triumph and reached into his pocket. "Wait a minute…" His fingers were touching only material, not his leather wallet.

Kagome grinned a few feet away from him, his wallet dangling from her fingers. "Drop something?"

"You took that from me!!" Inuyasha lunged to grab it but Kagome stepped back, causing him to trip forward but he managed to catch himself just in time. Kagome tossed the wallet to him and he barely caught it.

"Don't lose it a second time." She laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.

Inuyasha sneered at her before he dug through his wallet then pulled out his checkbook. He grabbed a pen from the doctor and quickly began to scribble out a check for two thousand dollars. Finally, he finished and ripped it from the rest, handing it over to the doctor.

Kagome pulled her stack of money from her pocket, not noticing the white sheet of paper that tumbled to the floor but Inuyasha did. She handed the money over to the doctor.

Inuyasha picked up the sheet of paper that Kagome had dropped, intending to hand it over to her but something caught his attention.

The name Mr. Gean and a number was scribbled on the outside. Blinking, he looked around then unfolded it, his jaw dropping when he realized what it was.

It was his contract, waiting to be signed and returned to Mr. Gean.

"How long have you had this?" Inuyasha waved it in front of Kagome, remembering her saying she had gotten rid of everything in the car.

"I don't know." She shrugged, ignoring him in her excitement for her brother and yet, a large part of her was very afraid. "I found it and kept it, don't know why."

Inuyasha smiled widely before he grabbed Kagome, pulling her roughly to him. He leaned down, planting his lips tenderly against hers before he pulled away. "YES!!!" He clapped his hands together loudly before he burst out laughing. "Thank you!!"

Kagome stood there staring at him in shock while she absently ran her finger over her lips. She looked down at her finger, blushing while a tiny smile graced her face. She was brought back to reality by the words of her mother.

"So when can you start the surgery?" Ms. Higurashi asked.

The doctor looked over a few papers, "We can do it in three days. That'll be the fifteenth."

"We'll do it then." She nodded nervously.

"I'll need you to fill out some papers," The doctor began to walk down the hallway, "If you'd follow me this way…"

"Sure." Ms. Higurashi stepped forward, trailing next to the doctor.

Kagome sighed, turning and collapsing in a chair that was lined up with a few more down the hallway. She ran her fingers through her hair, closing her eyes and reopening them as she tried to calm down from the recent scare. She looked up at Inuyasha to find he was busy talking to someone over his cell phone. Seeing a nurse leaving Souta's room, Kagome jumped up. "Excuse me, can I go in now?"

"Of course dear, but don't stay in too long, he needs his rest." She pattered Kagome's shoulder in a way that made her feel as if she were being pitied. Smiling, even though she felt sick to the stomach, Kagome entered Souta's room, growing dizzy from the strong smell of chemo and other medications. She sat down in a chair, pulling it close to Souta's bed. He was sleeping quietly as she reached out carefully and gently wrapped his tiny, cold hand in hers. She held on but not too tightly as she gazed down at him.

No, she didn't pity her brother. She looked up to him for all he dealt with. Even when he was diagnosed, he still smiled. Even when he was in pain, he smiled. Sometimes…she knew it was fake…she knew he smiled to reassure her and their mother…but that was okay. She forgave him because she understood that everyone needed a little reassurance every once in a while and right now, Souta deserved all the reassurance in the world. She squeezed his hand lightly, resting her head on his bed next to him. She blinked when she felt Souta squeeze back.

"Hey…how are ya'?" Kagome whispered, watching as his eyes cracked open only a small bit. She rubbed his hand with her thumb softly.

"'kay…" Souta managed to mutter, despite the tub in his mouth and the pain it caused even to breath.

"You shouldn't talk, just rest." Kagome watched him with caring eyes, "You really gave me a scare, you know that. Guess what? We've got the money so you can get your surgery. You'll be okay…"

The corners of Souta's lips curved up a wee bit but it almost gave him a bitter appearance, as if he doubted her words of being okay.

"I promise you." Kagome tried to swallow the sudden lump that had formed in her throat, "I promise you…I won't let you die…I won't let you die…" She kissed his hand, sniffing as tears threatened to spill over.

Souta nodded, unable to speak. He closed his eyes, drifting into much needed sleep.

Kagome closed her eyes also, burying her face in the hospital bed sheets and her brother's hand.

She wasn't sure how long she had slept, but after a while, Kagome began to rustle. She blinked, breathing in a strong plastic smell. Sitting upright while something slid off of her, much to her backs protests, she observed that she was still in Souta's room but she wasn't alone. Behind her, a blanket had fallen off of her and in the corner of the room Inuyasha was slumped over in a chair asleep. Kagome let a sorrowful smile pass her lips as she walked over to Inuyasha, wrapping her blanket around his shoulders. Stepping back to Souta, she gave her brother's cheek a quick kiss before she left the room in search of her mother or at least some decent food.

~*~

Inuyasha wasn't sure but it seemed the next couple days passed by him in a blur. In the last few days he had managed to arrange a meeting with Mr. Gean and he was now on his way to becoming an NHL player. When he wasn't on the phone working things out, Inuyasha was with Kagome. She was extremely happy for Inuyasha and his new career but part of her was afraid he'd forget her and leave her behind. Either way though, they went to the movies, the park, sat at home, restaurants, mainly any quiet place where they could both relax and talk but they spent most of their time with Souta. Every second he swore Kagome had some new surprise for him, causing him to laugh or smile. It was bliss and yet he was afraid if something were to happen to Souta. Today was the day of his surgery…

He met Kagome at the hospital. She had gotten there sooner and they were wheeling Souta out of his room, preparing him for the operation.

Kagome ran to him, smiling when she saw him. "They're going to have to keep him isolated for a few days afterwards until he begins to recover."

That was when Inuyasha noticed a tall, dark haired male behind Kagome. He was coming towards them and he quickly wrapped his arm around Kagome.

Kagome sighed, rolling her eyes. "Inuyasha, this is my friend Kouga. Both of you be nice. Kouga, this is Inuyasha." She introduced the two but neither darned shake the others hand and decided to glare at each other instead.

"Want me to grab you a soda?" Kouga looked at Kagome, his face softening.

"Sure, thanks." Kagome replied, turning back to Inuyasha when Kouga had left.

"I don't like that guy." Inuyasha crossed his arms stubbornly, sticking his nose up in the air.

"Well be nice, he's a good friend and he's been helping me out for a while." Kagome shook her finger at Inuyasha, ordering him to listen to her.

"I don't take orders from you." Inuyasha sneered at her smugly then blinked when she leaned up and kissed his cheek tenderly.

"If you don't be nice…no more of that." Kagome chuckled, turning and walking away from him while trying to sway her hips without looking too idiotic. As soon as her back was turned though, her smile was wiped off of her face. She was just using both of them as a distraction- a distraction from what she feared- a distraction from her worry over Souta.

Kagome's mother walked towards her down the hallway, stopping in front of her. "Souta's in surgery now, they've started." Taking her daughter's hand, the two found a chair and sat down in the waiting room. Inuyasha and Kouga fought for the other seat next to Kagome but she made them settle it out with a game of rock paper scissors. Kouga managed to beat Inuyasha's scissors with his rock, and so he sat there with his arm slung around Kagome's shoulders while Inuyasha continuously glared at him. But the raven-haired girl noticed none of this, as she seemed to slip in and out of sleep, downing soda after soda while never letting go of her mother's hand. After many more hours, a doctor emerged from the surgery room, walking over to the group.

Kagome's eyes snapped open, as well as everybody else's. "How is he? Is he okay?"

The doctor waited a moment before he spoke. "He's doing fine. As far as we can tell, the cancer has been stopped and is deteriorating. It should be gone soon…right now they're moving him over to isolation. I'm sorry, but no one is going to be able to see him until he is released from the room- we can't chance someone going in and contaminating him."

Kagome and her mother nodded, understanding. The last thing they wanted to do was to get Souta sick.

"Why don't you all go home and I'll call you if anything comes up." The doctor smiled, leading them towards the door out.

"But…" Ms. Higurashi trailed off. She shook her head, "Kagome, come on home with me." Kagome nodded that she would before she turned towards Inuyasha and Kouga.

"Kouga…I'm going to move back home after Souta is released. Mom'll need all the help she can get…plus…I've got work and more college to worry about. Thanks for everything…and don't worry, I'll keep sending my fair share of the rent." She held onto his hand, pulling him towards her for a long embrace, something that was beginning to tick Inuyasha off even more.

"I'll miss you…it won't be the same without you." Kouga frowned, "Are you sure about it?"

"Yeah." She smiled weakly. "Plus, you might want your girlfriend Kagura to move in soon!" She chuckled softly.

Kouga blushed, "If it's what you want…and it makes you happy…then do it. And don't worry about the rent, just make sure you visit me a lot!" He hugged her again before he turned, exiting the hospital and heading down the street. "Love ya Kag!" He called over his shoulder.

"You too." She watched him go until he disappeared from sight. Turning back to Inuyasha, she yawned. "You can come home with me if you want unless you've got other things to do."

"No, I want to be with you." He smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and walking out with her. The whole time Ms. Higurashi could only smile at the couple. "I want to be with you always…" Inuyasha let go of Kagome, turning around in front of her. Getting down on one knee, he blushed and fumbled around for words. "Ever since I met you…Kagome Higurashi …you've changed my world upside down. Well, truthfully…we started off on a bad foot but things had a funny way of working out…and now…here we are. We're both ready to start our own futures and yet…I can't imagine my future without you…which is why…I want to a-ask you…to m-marry me." Pulling a black velvet box out of his pocket, he opened it up to reveal a simple golden band with a tiny diamond in the center. "And no, you can't pawn this."

Kagome stared in complete awe and shock at Inuyasha. She had no idea what to say…it seemed so…so sudden…

Inuyasha watched her nervously, hesitantly raising his eyebrows. "I'm not saying we have to get married this instant….what I was thinking of was…being engaged for a year or two until we're both ready…that is…if you want to?" Inside, he tried to stop himself from just exclaiming, "SAY YES!! BE MINE!"

Tears welled up in Kagome's eyes as she flung herself towards Inuyasha, wrapping both of her arms around his neck. She breathed in his sweet scent while she buried her face in his hair; murmuring to him, "Yes….yes!"

Shock then bliss coursed through Inuyasha, as he pulled apart slightly, staring down into her eyes. "I love you Kagome Higurashi…"

"I love you too…Inuyasha." She whispered before they both came together, their lips pressing against one another as they locked in a tender kiss.

~*~

Souta sat upright in his bed at home, smirking at his sister and Inuyasha. "That's gross!!!" He scrunched up his nose as he watched Kagome and Inuyasha kiss, then blush.

"Oh hush up you!" Kagome pounced on the bed next to her brother, tickling him as he wiggled to be free of her grasp.

"STOP!!" Souta gasped, pushing her away gently. After he calmed down, he turned to Inuyasha. "So when can I start my hockey lessons Mr. NHL?" He giggled, flexing his arms.

"Not until you get your FULL strength back." Inuyasha retorted, giving him a fanged smirk.

"See, wasn't I right about you becoming my brother? I'm ALWAYS right!" Souta kneeled on his bed, still not allowed to be up and about a whole lot until he finished recovering. The cancer had been eliminated and he had later been sent home after his white blood cells built themselves up again and they were sure he could be released. It had been almost a year but it was a slow process- the hospital wanted to be SURE ALL the cancer was gone before he was released. He was still a bit weak from the whole ordeal and the many tests he had to take but he was growing stronger every day. Sinking back into the bed, he smiled. "Thanks for everything sis…"

"Any day, any day…" Kagome flashed a genuine smile back to her brother before she was swept up into Inuyasha's arms, their lips finding one another again while Souta make 'eeewww' noises in the background.

"Dinner's ready!!" Souta and Kagome's mother called to them from downstairs.

"Coming!!!" Kagome yelled back, smiling warmly as Inuyasha picked up Souta, saving him from using up his energy. While Inuyasha was carrying Souta piggyback style, Kagome wrapped her arm around his waist happily. For once, she was the greedy one now. She had everything she wanted and more.

Sure, money made the world go round but in the end…people don't look at how much you owned or how much money you had…they look at the person you were and the good that you have done. Time had slowly passed by each of them, healing old wounds and new. The internal and external scars would always be there but they were more of a reminder. A reminder to never forget to live your life to the fullest and to never take it for granted because one day you could be on top of the world…and the next…your car could be stolen with your future inside. But then again, who knows which different pathways it could lead you down…

-Fin-

I'd like to dedicate this to my grandmother, who has been fighting colon cancer for six years and counting. She's a strong woman and we know it won't just go away but at least we can slow it down. Everybody deserves a bit of hope…and this has been mine because people CAN win, people CAN beat it. Just to clear anything up, I'm not sure if Souta's surgery is possible but I do know they do surgery where they target the chemo directly at the tumor. And yes, chemo can lower your white blood cells. This story has really been a personal one for me because instead of putting myself in the character's position and trying to imagine their feelings, I was able to know many of the feelings because of my experience in the past with this subject, although I'd have to scratch the poor part and the stealing stuff. I don't promote stealing and I hope everybody knows that stealing is wrong, it's bad, so don't do it! ^_^; Hope you enjoyed it, I know it went kind of fast but I didn't want this story to be some long one like my others are! I'm thinking about in the future making this into an original story, extending it and forming my own characters for it- what do you think? Possible publication? Eh? Comments? Please review and thank you again!