Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha OR the Nutcracker....

A/N: O.K last ch. for real...maybe I'll do another Christmas story next year lol...keep a look out ^_^. Thanks to all my reviewers...I love you all.

The Nutcracker Ch. 8

recap:

Kagome was laying on her bed looking up at the ceiling. She opened her presents, ate dinner with the family and then locked herself into her bedroom. 'So this is what it feels like to be in love, and then have your heart ripped into pieces?' she thought to herself as a tear slid down her cheek. "Inuyasha...." his name kept randomly leaving her lips today, and every time she said his name her heart broke more if it was possible. 'I'll always love you...Inuyasha"

1 Year Later

Kagome walked down the stair of Christmas morning, ever since coming back from what she believed to be all a dream, she hadn't been the same. Her smiles never reach her eyes and she constantly looks depressed. "Merry Christmas Kagome" Her mother brother and grandfather said in greeting. "Merry Christmas" she answered back.

They opened presents for the better part two hours and then began cleaning up all the wrapping paper. Just as Souta picked up the last piece, the door bell rang and Ms. Higurashi went to answer it.

Inuyasha, Sango and Miroku sat together in a circle around a campfire. It had been a year since they last saw Kagome and Inuyasha took it the hardest granted he didn't let it show.

"It's been a whole year, and we figured out NOTHING." Sango said sighing in frustration. She may have known Kagome for a couple hours but she immediately liked her. "So now what?" Miroku asked looking at the silver haired half demon. "I don't know." he answered looking up with pure sadness in his eyes. Miroku looked at him for a minute. "Inuyasha what were your feelings towards Kagome-sama?" Inuyasha growled at him. "None of your damn business monk" 'So you loved her then?" "I told you to mind your business" he said standing up now. "Just admit you'll feel better." Mirkou said with a smirk. "Fine...I love Kagome, O.K? Happy now?" Miroku chuckled "Yea".

But soon after Inuyasha sat back down a blue light shot up in the sky from the well a couple miles away, but the three friends were able to see it clear as day. Inuyasha was the first one to stand up. "It can't be..." He whispered. He took off like a bullet, and was at the rim of the well in ten minutes, Followed by Sango, Miroku and Kilala. The blue light began to fade from the well, and the three friends looked at each other before jumping in.

Ms. Higurashi opened the door and was met with three strangers. "Hi, may I help you?" The girl stepped forward. "Sorry to intrude on Christmas, but is Kagome here?" Ms. Higurashi examined the girl in front of her. She looked to be Kagome's age but she wore a Kimono that looked like it was from the feudal era. She took notice to the two men behind this girl and noticed they too wore kimono's that looked to be from Feudal Japan as well. "Are you friends of Kagome's?" she asked looking at the girl once more. She smiled sweetly "Oh yea we go WAY back." she said looking at her companions who smiled at the joke.

Ms. Higurashi nodded and allowed them in to the foyer. "Wait here and I'll get Kagome, though I must warn you she hasn't been herself for awhile." she said looking between the three. This time the guy in the red spoke up, "What do you mean?" Ms. Higurashi sighed. "Ever since last christmas, she seems distant. Like a part of her is missing. "I see..." The red clad boy said looking at the floor. "I'll be right back." She said as she disappeared behind a set of double doors.

"Poor Kagome" The girl said turning around. "It's O.K Sango she'll be happy to see us, I know that for a fact." said Miroku. She laughed "I know." Inuyasha stood there staring at the doors Kagome's mom went through. 'she's been upset a whole year? so she has feelings for me? don't worry Kagome I wont leave you ever again.' he thought to himself

Ms. Higurashi waled through the living room and up the stairs and knocked on Kagome's bedroom door. "Come in" Ms. Higurashi opened the door and leaned against the door jam watching Kagome tie her shoe. "There are three people downstairs to see you Kagome." Kagome's head shot up as she tightened the bow. "Who?" "I don't know one has long silver hair and these cute triangles on his head, and then..." But Ms. Higurashi didn't get to finish her descriptions of them due to her daughter running out of the room and down the stairs. 'Inuyasha?'

Kagome got to the last step in the living room and headed for the foyer where her mother left the guest normally if she didn't know them. She opened the double doors and her jaw dropped. There he was the man that haunted her dreams for a whole year. He turned around when he heard the door open, and smirked. "Hey Kagome, long time no see huh?" Kagome didn't say a word, she slowly walked up to him and when she was within arms reach she smacked his arm. "What the hell was that for wench?" He yelled slightly but stopped when he saw the tears in her eyes. "Why didn't you come sooner?" she whispered but he heard her perfectly. "I tried BELIEVE me I tried. The well wouldn't work not till today anyway." Kagome smiled tears still running down her face. "Well your hear now." She pulled him into a hug and wrapped her arms around him tightly afraid she was gonna loosed him again if she let go.

Inuyasha quickly wrapped his arms around her as well and placed his chin on her head. "I missed you Kagome." "I missed you too Inuyasha..." she pulled back slightly and looked to the left and then th right. "Whatcha lookin' for?" He asked even though he already knew. "Mom said there was three people, where's Sango and Miroku?" "We left Kilala outside so they went to get her they'll be right back" Kagome nodded and looked up at the man she loved. "Inuyasha I..." she started but stopped when she saw Sango walk in. She ran from Inuyasha's embrace and jumped on Sango almost knocking her over. "Kagome!" "Sango!" "Hey can I get in on this?" Miroku asked from behind the girls who stopped and glared at him. Inuyasha went over and smacked him in the back of his head. "Stupid Lech." Kagome ignored his comment and hugged Miroku too. "I missed you guys so much." She said smiling brightly, the real Kagome FINALLY returned.

The rest of the day consisted of Introducing her friends to her family and baking cookies and eating a big ham. Finally the day came to an end and Inuyasha and Kagome sat out on the front patio watching the sunset. "I missed you all so much, but I'm glad your here now." Kagome said randomly. Inuyasha admired Kagome and how beautiful she looked with the last bit of sun shining on her face. "Kagome?" He asked caking her look his way." "Yea?" "What were you gonna say earlier, before Sango walked in?" "Oh um...I was gonna...um..." noticing how nervous she was made Inuyasha smirk. Kagome blushed, 'why does he have to be so cute when he does that?' she thought. "It's O.K you don't have to tell me." He said and looked at the sun again. Kagome however looked at him now "But I'll tell you something...I love you Kagome..." He turned to look at her after telling her his feelings, and his eyes widened. tears rolled down her face as they did before when she walked in to the foyer. "you...You do?" Inuyasha nodded "Yup" Kagome just stared at Inuyasha and he for ionce in his life waited patitently for her to answer. "I love you too Inuyasha" he smirked and grabbed her hand. "I know.." Kagome looked at him "What? How?" "Just shut up and kiss me..." said pulling her into a passionate kiss. Miroku, Sango, , Souta and Grandpa stood behind them. "EWW..." Souta yelled causing them to jump back. "SOUTA! I'm gonna kill you!" Kagome said jumping up and running after her brother...

THE END!!!!

A/N: WOOT! Done ppl...hope you like it....review the last ch and I'll love you forever..oh and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! =)