The Darkness in Kagome's Heart

Chapter 10: Epilogue

"Bye everyone! See you when I get back!" Kagome hollered as she ran out of the house, back pack slung over her shoulder. Her small family of three waved her off before proceeding back into the humble abode. Her footsteps pounded against the pavement as she ran towards the well house, unsure if she was ready to immerse herself in the feudal era once more. An entire week had passed since the young priestess's heart was taken over by darkness, but after a few days of recuperation, Kagome had returned to her old self.

Pushing the doors open, her eyes fell on the well in the middle of the wooden shack. Light streamed through a few cracks in the walls and ceiling. "Kagome!" someone called from behind her. The dark haired student turned around and beamed when her friends came into view.

"Hey, you guys," she replied to the bubbly teenage girls before her. "Whats up?"

"We wanted to see you off," Eri said with a smile. The trio had bombarded Kagome with questions about the other side of the well nonstop for the past few days and finally the time had come for her to journey off once more.

"Here," Yuka said, handing the time traveling girl a pink camera.

"What's this for?" Kagome asked, taking it hesitantly.

"We want you to take pictures of everything and everyone you see." Kagome quirked an eyebrow. "Oh come on! You can't expect us to go by the information in our text books!"

"They don't even mention demons," Ayumi pondered.

"Oh ... okay ..." the young priestess sighed, slipping the camera into her bag. "I guess I could take a few pictures. Imagine what the others will do when they see this." She giggled quietly to herself as an image of Inuyasha attacking the poor picture taker with Tetsusaiga flashed through her mind.

"I wish we could go with you," Eri said solemnly. Ever since the trio discovered their friend's long kept secret, they had become obsessed with the feudal era.

"Me too, but you can't." Kagome placed a hand on her friend's shoulder for comfort. "Souta tried going through the well when I first discovered it, but it didn't work."

"Well, maybe it'll work for us," Eri piped up, a mischievous grin blessing her lips.

"And what makes you think that?" her time-traveling friend asked, swiveling her gaze to the short haired teen.

"Well, maybe the reason he could travel through it is because Souta is just a kid," Ayumi replied. Her friends gazed confused at the practical girl before shaking their heads in disappointment. "What? What'd I say?"

"Anyways," Yuka said, diverting the attention away from the bewildered student. "I guess all we can do is wish you a safe trip."

"Don't worry about any tests, either," Eri said with a smile. "We'll take plenty of notes for you so it won't be so hard to catch up."

"And make sure to come see us when you get back. We want to hear all the details," Ayumi exclaimed with a wave of her hand.

Kagome smiled. "You guys are the best." The four friends embraced before the young priestess took a step back. "Well, I guess I'll see you guys soon. Wish me luck!"

The trio said their goodbyes, following their friend into the well house. They watched in awe as she slipped into the dark abyss. A blue light enveloped her and then she was gone. "I hope she takes plently of pictures," Yuka mumbled.

"Ugh, made it," Kagome grumbled, hoisting her bag over the edge of the well. She pulled her torso over the lip of the well and sighed.

"Took you long enough," a masculine voice called to her. The young woman glanced up to see her beloved half-demon leaning against a nearby tree. "Feh, should have come to get you."

She giggled at the familiar stubborn attitude. "Hey, Inuyasha." He grabbed her arm to steady her as she heaved the rest of her body out of the abyss. Losing her balance, she stumbled forward and fell into his strong arms. She gripped his kimono and gazed up at him. A 'thank you' perched on her tongue, but her mouth couldn't seem to form the words as she tumbled into the twin pools of amber.

The sun burned brightly as it set in the west and the grass shifted silently in the breeze. Off in the distance, a flock of birds chirped and the sound of forest animals quieted as they bedded down for the night. The unlikely couple stood there in silence for what seemed like hours. Finally, Inuyasha tore his gaze from her eyes and dropped his arms from hers.

"Kagome," he began, gazing down upon the ground. "Why ... how was it that ... " He sighed in frustration, unable to form the question plaguing his mind since he left her a week before.

The young priestess shifted her chocolate spheres around the clearing, grasping what was on his mind. "Inuyasha ... you don't understand, do you?" His face contorted into confusion, glancing over at the dark haired beauty. Her head remained slightly bowed.

"What are you talking about?" His golden eyes held innocence as Kagome forced herself to meet them. She knew she had to tell him, even if it meant rejection.

Tears formed in the corner of her eyes. "I ..." The young woman was unable to finish her sentence as her beloved half-demon pulled her into an embrace. One clawed hand raked through her hair as the other rested on the middle of her back. Kagome placed her hands on his chest and grasped it, allowing the tears to cascade down her flushed cheeks.

"When I was in your time, I was afraid," he said quietly. She could hear the emotion in his voice and yearned to comfort him. "That ... light in your eyes was gone and you didn't wear the smile that brightened up the day. Your skin was pale and cold. I was terrified. I thought I was going to lose you ..." His grip tightened around her as she buried her face into his chest. Salty liquid continued to trail down her cheeks as she listened.

"Inuyasha ... I'm sorry ..." Kagome forced out, sniffling back her cries in between.

The half-demon was taken aback. Pulling the young woman away from his body, he held her at arms length, forcing her to look at him. "What are you apologizing for?" he asked, almost angrily, but Kagome could detect the sincerity beneath the surface.

New tears welled behind her eyes. "I was so angry at you for always running off with Kikyo that I began to hate you. I'm such a bad person ..." With those words said, the young priestss placed her head in her hands, covering her tear-streaked face as her slender frame wracked with sobs.

Sighing, he once again pulled her close, allowing her to cry. "Please don't cry," he begged. "It wasn't your fault. Naraku tried to control you; he put those thoughts in your mind." Her cries eventually stopped, turning into small whimpers.

"But if it wasn't my feelings towards you and Kikyo," she whispered, sniffling. "Naraku wouldn't have been able to control me in the first place ..." Aggravated, he once again pulled her away. Taking her chin with his hand, he forced her to look at him once more.

Kagome searched the golden spheres and noticed a familiarity about them, something only from her dreams. "Kagome, those are normal feelings that all humans have. It doesn't mean you're evil."

A ghost of a smile blessed her lips. I almost killed him and yet, he continues to comfort me, knowing I could hurt him again. Why? She willingly laid her head on his chest and allowed him to wrap his arms around her. After a moment of silence, the dark haired teen pulled away. "What is it?" Inuyasha murmured in concern.

"I can't stay here, Inuyasha." The smile vanished from her visage and her eyes filled with desolation. She forced her gaze away from him as she continued. "The Shikon Jewel is almost complete and Naraku is dead. There is no longer a reason for me to stay here. Kikyo can find the remaining shards." The half-demon gazed on, fear glinting in his eyes. He sensed the pain coming off of the young priestess in waves and yearned to comfort her aching heart. Sighing, she tried to pull her arms out of his iron grip.

"Inuyasha, please let me go. I have to go tell everyone goodbye. I have to go home, to live a normal life." New tears stung the back of her eyes, but she refused to release them. Why won't he listen? Can't he see I'm leaving him alone to go after Kikyo?

"Kagome ..." he began impatiently. She finally met his gaze. "You can't leave ..."

Her eyes flickered with anger. "Why not? You can't force me to stay here ..."

Inuyasha studied the enraged girl before him, a smirk threatening to fall upon his lips.

"Can I ask you something?" Kagome waited impatiently, somehow already knowing the words he would say. Her heart hammered in her chest as a lump stuck in her throat. "Will you ... stay here? With me?" His hands left the dark haired girl's arms and enclosed her dainty hands in his. Shock dwindled on her face.

"Why?" she managed to stammer out.

No words were able to express what the half-demon felt for the young priestess. Instead, he unexpectedly drew her into a passionate kiss. Her eyes widened with surprise, but slowly she relaxed and kissed him back. Her body shook with undefinable emotions and she willed herself to keep control over her hands, yearning to grasp his silver hair. After a moment, the couple unwillingly broke apart. Inuyasha laid his forehead against hers, looking deep into her eyes.

"Inuyasha ..." she breathed, pausing a moment to get her emotions under control. He understood what she was trying to say and smiled, giving her another tender kiss. She gladly returned it and wrapped his arms around his neck.

The golden rays of the dwindling sun landed upon the star-crossed lovers. Diamonds sprinkled the darkening sky and the sounds of nocturnal animals came to life. Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand and they began to walk towards Kaede's village, each of them smiling.

"Hey, Inuyasha," Kagome said after a moment, taking something out of her bag. He swiveled his gaze in her direction, his ears twitching curiously atop his head. She placed the pink camera to her eye. "Say cheese!"

A/N: Hope you guys liked the ending. Let me know what you think and please review. This has become one of my favorite stories and I hope some of you favorite it too. First completed fic on fanfiction; short but sweet.

Many thanks to:

*My amazing beta, Dani. Although, she didn't help directly with this story, she helped me overall improve my writing abilities greatly. Thank you for all of the tips and advice, not just on my writing, but for life in general. I owe you so much, not even words can express how thankful I am.

*All of my reviewers. You have really made this story soar far beyond my expectations. It is because of you I keep writing and push myself to do better. And even more thanks to those who have stuck with me since the beginning. Thanks for devoting a little bit of time every now and then to read my work. Just a simple review brightens my day immensely.

*All of my readers. Even though everyone didn't review, I'm glad you decided to follow this story and read it. Some of you put it under your favorites, put it on alert, etc. I appreciate your interest and I hope you find some of my other stories worth while as well.

I know, a little sappy. Oh well. I get emotional when a story comes to a close. Especially my first one. lol. Anyways, let me know how you liked/hated the ending. Love you all!

Sassybratt