Message from Goth Lolita!

I want to thank everyone who favorited this story, and all of you who left such awesome comments. It absolutely fills my heart with joy…if I actually have a heart, which is a subject of hot debate among my friends. BUT NOT THE POINT!

You guys are the coolest.

NOW, GO, MY MINIONS!!! GO, AND ENJOY THE THRILLING CONCLUSION TO 'BIRTHDAY PRESENT'!!

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Last time in 'Birthday Present'!

Naruto watched him go. When he reached the edge of the clearing, Naruto finally spoke. "Sasuke…what are you going to do?"

Sasuke turned. He smiled, but his eyes were empty, devoid of any real happiness.

"I'm going to cut a deal with death."

NOW…

Sasuke found himself in Kagome's hospital room. How he'd gotten there, without being seen, or captured, he didn't recall.

But no matter.

Getting out would not be an issue.

Sasuke clutched the Shikon in one hand, and brushed Kagome's hair out of her face with the other. In death, her features were peaceful.

'Do I really want to do this?' he asked himself, then answered himself aloud.

"Yes."

Gripping the Shikon tighter, he began.

'Shikon, my wish is for Kagome to be alive. I know you ask for a price. I offer my own life.'

And a woman's voice replied in his mind.

'Brave shinobi, we do not accept your price.'

'No! You must!' Sasuke insisted. The woman's voice was sharper this time.

'Do not presume to order us.'

'I presume.' Sasuke snarled. 'A life for a life. It is fair. Why will you not take my offering?'

'And why do you offer, brave little shinobi?'

He blinked, thrown by the unexpected question. 'Because…I think…she….I mean…I've fallen in love with her.'

'And that, brave shinobi, is why we do not accept your sacrifice.'

Sasuke fell to his knees beside Kagome. A tear fell to the tiled floor, then another, and another.

"I'm sorry, Kagome. I'm so very sorry. I couldn't save you. I was too weak to save you. And I never told you how much you meant to me…Kagome, I love you…I'm sorry I never go a chance to tell you that."

He heard a slight noise, but what did he care? Let them capture him. It didn't matter anymore.

Because Kagome was…

"But, Sasuke-sama, I love you, too."

He looked up from the floor, and met those kind, loving blue eyes.

"Kagome…" he said in a stunned whisper. "But…how?"

"A love such as yours should be nurtured, not destroyed." an unfamiliar woman's voice said.

Both Sasuke and Kagome looked up. "Midoriko-sama." Kagome said in awe, as she bowed her head respectfully. Sasuke followed her lead. He didn't recognize the woman, but her voice was the one he'd heard from the Shikon.

"Thank you for saving me, but…" Kagome trailed off.

"Do not thank us, little one. Thank your brave shinobi. It was because of his love that you were saved." Midoriko turned her attention to Sasuke. "We could not take your life to save our miko's, for that would be a selfish wish. You did not care what the consequences would be, you simply wanted Kagome to live again. But, is this not better? You are both alive and together, and we of the Shikon are free to rest at last." She began to fade. "Live well, little ones. And brave shinobi, take good care of our miko. Our blessing to the both of you."

And with those parting words, she was gone, tama and all, nothing left to say that it had ever existed.

Save for the reunited lovers, who's love had conquered death itself.

Kagome sat up to look at Sasuke, and a piece of black satin fell to the floor. She looked at it in astonishment. "Sasuke-sama, what do we do now?"

Sasuke looked from Kagome's former collar, to her face.

Without warning, he drew her closer to him, and pressed his lips to hers. The kiss lasted for a long, passionate moment, before they parted.

"Whatever we want, koi." Sasuke said in reply, Kagome nestled in his arms.

"Sasuke-sama?"

"Yes?"

"Aishiteru, Sasuke-sama."

"I know, koi."