What Relationship?

- - - -

Note: Inuyasha is not mine and belongs to the respective copyright holders. Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

- - - -

Chapter 20: Conclusion...

- - - -

"Why did Kikyou just give you the Jewel? I thought she wanted to take it with her into death." Shippou asked.

"Maybe she felt sorry for Kagome. It was because of Kikyou that Miroku..." Inuyasha said but stopped himself mid-sentence.

"No, it's not Kikyou. It was Naraku. And Hakudoushi... He didn't understand just what Naraku had done when he tricked Houshi-Sama into absorbing Hakudoushi..." Sango said.

"Kohaku gave his life for this. So did Kouga." Inuyasha stated.

"The Jewel can't be used to bring the dead back, can it?" Kagome wondered.

"I doubt it. We'd probably have to cut it up and insert Jewel shards into people and then we'd just have the same problem we had before." Inuyasha said.

"Kikyou probably gave you the Jewel since you brought it here from your realm." Sango theorized.

"So I have to take it back with me and use it there, huh." Kagome said.

"This won't be the last time we see you, will it?" Shippou asked.

"Oh Shippou, of course not." Kagome said.

"C'mon Kagome, let's go." Inuyasha said.

Kagome was confused but decided to follow Inuyasha across the well. "Bye guys." She said as she jumped down the Well with Inuyasha.

Emerging on the other side of the well, Inuyasha picked Kagome up and leaped out of the well. "What's going on?" Kagome asked.

"Haven't you realized it yet? Once the Jewel is used, its power will fade and the connection between this world and my world will be gone." Inuyasha said.

"Huh? Is that how it works?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha franticly started sniffing the air and then ran to the Tree and started digging. "Inuyasha, what is it?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha found a small box buried only a few feet next to the tree. "What is that?" Kagome asked.

"It's from Sango." Inuyasha said.

"You just found this now? You've been here plenty of times before." Kagome said.

"I always knew this was here. But I always thought the time wasn't right. I uumm... found this before and buried it again. It's Sango's goodbye to you." Inuyasha said.

Kagome opened the box and found a letter inside. "Should I read this aloud?" Kagome asked.

"Nah, it's fine. I've already read it." Inuyasha said.

"Dear Kagome-chan,

I know you said you would return that day Kikyou handed the Jewel to you but you did not. I don't understand what happened but I guess once you took the Jewel with you, you closed the link between our times. I finally understand that you came from the future to help us. I'm sure the future is a great era since people like you live there. Please do not worry about me. Losing Houshi-Sama and Kohaku has been very hard but I will find my place in this world. Be sure to take care of Inuyasha, he needs you to look after him.

Sincerely,

Sango"

Inuyasha noticed tears falling from Kagome's eyes as she read Sango's letter. "Hey, I'm sure Sango turned out okay. You know how strong she is." Inuyasha said in an attempt to comfort Kagome.

"But... Sango-chan lost..." Kagome just couldn't continue speaking as she continued to cry.

"I know." Inuyasha said as he wrapped his arms around Kagome.

"So, you knew all this?" Kagome managed to ask.

"I found that letter long ago. I've been trying to fight it. Thinking of ways to save Miroku. But it just wasn't gonna happen." Inuyasha remorsefully replied.

"You're still here, though. You can't go back. What are you gonna do now?" Kagome asked.

"I ain't turning into a human and I ain't gonna become a youkai. I want to be me." Inuyasha stated.

"So what do we do with the Jewel?" Kagome asked as she finally managed to stop crying.

"I don't really know. But the Jewel came back from here so I guess Kikyou thought it had to come back here to take care of it." Inuyasha said.

"And what about us?" Kagome asked.

"I've thought about us too." Inuyasha said.

"And?" Kagome asked.

"I want to stay myself. I'm gonna be alive for a very long time. You'll die long before I do." Inuyasha said.

"I don't care." Kagome stubbornly protested.

"I know." Inuyasha responded.

"Then... what does that mean?" Kagome asked.

"It means... we'll cross that road when we come to it. How long have you known me? I never think things through." Inuyasha said with a wry smile on his face.

Kagome started crying again. "DAMMIT! WHAT DID I DO NOW?" Inuyasha screamed out.

"Nothing. It's okay." Kagome told him.

Inuyasha let go of Kagome. "Keh, who do you think I am, anyways?" Inuyasha said.

Kagome responded quite quickly. "My boyfriend!" She said just before she moved faster than ever before to give him a quick kiss.

Inuyasha was slightly embarrassed by Kagome's kiss. "Keh, you act like I should care about this kinda thing." Inuyasha gruffly stated.

A wry smile on appeared on Kagome's face and she could only respond by telling Inuyasha. "Oh, you do. I know you do."

The End...