Cursed

A/N: Yep, this is it. The last chapter. I always get butterflies when finishing a story. This is actually the one that started me writing in the first place. I read an unfinished Ranma/Inuyasha crossover, first fanfic I ever read(it hasn't updated in overthree years) and the idea wouldn't leave me alone until I wrote one of my own. And from writing this story, came the Daimyo stories, and from the Daimyo stories came Youkai and the Exterminator.
Must thank everyone who left such kind and encouraging reviews, especially Kittyonnails for her patient persistence in wanting this story finished and Maxv for the amazing job of translating this into Russian and Riosaku for translating it into Spanish. You guys rock. Nuff said.

*****


“I wasn't dead!”

“You were too dead!”

“Then how come I'm sitting here talking to you right now?”

Akane folded her arms and fumed silently. Her eyes were still swollen and red from crying. She didn't want to think about it anymore and if Ranma and Ryoga didn't stop their stupid arguing, she was going to scream. She'd almost had a heart attack when she'd woken on the floor of Kaede's hut and looked up to see Ranma grinning at her. He looked absolutely normal, perfectly healthy, and every bit as infuriatingly stubborn as ever. It had taken her a good hour to stop crying from sheer shock and joy that he was back from the dead.

Inuyasha had just shrugged and said a single word of explanation. Sesshomaru. Kagome, Miroku, Sango and Shippo had all said “Ahhhh,” as if that was all they needed to believe a person could come back to life and not show any sign of their former status as a corpse. Now Ranma sat on the floor and shoveled food in his mouth as fast as he could, complaining that he felt like he hadn't eaten in days.

“You don't remember being dead?” Ryoga asked doubtfully. It seemed that Saotome was so very dense that even what should have been an earthshaking experience didn't make an impact.

“I don't remember anything,” Ranma answered around a mouthful of rice. God, he couldn't believe how hungry he was. It was the truth, he remembered going to see the old woman in the mountains, he remembered getting some kind of weird crystal pendant from her. After that, things got a bit fuzzy.

On the upside, he'd finally gotten a piece of luck. Whether or not he'd really been dead, and Ranma personally doubted it, he'd woken up to find that his demon blood had subsided. He looked like himself again and best of all, he felt like himself too. Guess he wasn't as cursed as he'd thought he was.

“I can't believe I wasted time feeling sorry about you being dead,” Ryoga snarled. “If I'd known you'd wake up and be just as much of an asshole as ever, I wouldn't have bothered.”

“Who you calling asshole, pigboy?” Ranma spluttered. “I didn't ask you to come here in the first place!”

“Shut up!” Akane shouted. “I'm sick of hearing about Ranma being dead, I just want to forget it ever happened.”

Ranma snorted and started shoveling food in his mouth again. “Whatever. I've already forgotten it. I don't remember a damn thing.”

Shippo bounced onto his shoulder and stared hard at him. “You really don't remember turning into an evil crazy demon? You don't remember attacking us and the village? You don't remember that you killed Ak...”

Inuyasha moved swiftly and swatted Shippo into the wall. “You talk too much, Shippo,” he growled. “If the punk doesn't remember maybe you should just shut your hole.”

“Kagome!” The kitsune bounded into her lap and sniffled against her shirt. “Why is he being mean to me? I didn't do anything to him!”

“Inuyasha is right,” the girl said quietly. Shippo looked up at her and saw the serious look in her eyes. “If Ranma doesn't remember what he did, maybe that's for the best.”

Silence reigned in the small hut and Kaede went about fixing more rice. Human or demon, Ranma could eat like no other. Kagome had quietly mentioned that she would be bringing more supplies when she went home and Kaede was grateful. The village was too poor to support the feeding of so many newcomers.

A light rain had begun to fall almost as soon as Inuyasha and Ranma had returned. Kagome wasn't entirely surprised that Ranma had no memories of the evil things he had done and she sincerely hoped that it was going to stay that way. If he and Inuyasha couldn't remember the atrocities that they had committed, so much the better. There was a lot she herself wanted to forget. She looked up and met Inuyasha's gaze, only to have his eyes slide away from hers as if he also was hoping to deny what had happened.

Ranma belched and sighed. After eating, he felt much better and leaned back in contentment. Honestly, did they think he was really dead? He had sure never felt better, and now that he wasn't starving, he was looking forward to a nice sleep before heading home in the morning. This had been one misadventure after another.

He yawned and stretched. “Okay. I'm gonna be glad to get home after this mess. Right now I don't care if I ever remember what really happened. I'd like to forget everything that happened on this stupid trip.”

Akane stared at him. “Everything?” she asked softly.

Ranma grinned. “Yeah, as far as I'm concerned I'm gonna pretend like I never even turned into a demon.”

Now what had he said? Akane's face flushed bright red and her lips started to tremble. “You don't want to remember anything at all?”

“No. Why would I?”

Akane jumped to her feet, tears starting to sparkle in her eyes. “That's fine with me,” she shouted. “I wish I could forget everything too! Don't worry, I'm never going to talk about this again!”

She spun around and dashed out the door into the rain. Ranma's mouth dropped open in surprise. Crazy girl, what was her problem now? All he said was that he wanted to forget everything that happened. Suddenly it came to him, the two of them together in the darkness of the forest, a tide of demon blood and the scent of her hair. His face turned pale and he suddenly knew what she'd been thinking of.

“Uh, I gotta go after her,” he muttered, climbing to his feet and heading for the door. He really was a stupid ass. Ryoga was right, he didn't deserve someone like Akane in the first place.

Ryoga started to follow him as Ranma went outside, but Kagome reached for his arm. “No,” she said, her eyes shining. “Let them go.”

He plopped back down. He couldn't have gone after Akane anyway. It was raining. Ryoga sighed and propped his chin in his hand. “Stupid Saotome,” he muttered.

Akane didn't go far, she had too much sense to venture deep into the forest at night, but she couldn't stay in the hut. Not with Ranma wanting to deny everything that had happened between them. She couldn't blame him for not wanting to know about the terrible things that had happened, she could understand why he wanted to forget about becoming a demon. But he wanted to forget everything and she couldn't ever forget about how they'd kissed each other with so much passion. It wasn't fair, he was such a stupid jerk. Nothing had changed between them and it was obvious that Ranma was fine with that.

“Akane!”

She turned when she heard her name, water streaming down her face and mixing with her tears. “Just leave me alone!” she shouted, pushing her wet hair out of her eyes. Akane kept walking until she was beyond the edge of the village and the trees were between her and the soft lights of the villagers' cooking fires. It was a little chilly, out here and wet in the rain, but it was better than facing him.

“Hey, Akane,” Ranma called. “Please don't run away, I didn't mean it.”

Oh, now he was going to say he didn't mean it. Like he always did, as if her feelings were something she could turn off and on like a light. Akane hid behind a tree. She didn't want him to know that she was crying over it.

Ranma followed her anyway, stopping on the other side of the tree. “I'm an ass.”

“No argument there,” Akane snapped.

“I didn't mean that I wanted to forget everything.”

She smiled bitterly. “That's what you said, Ranma. I heard you. You want to forget it, that's fine. It's probably for the best anyway.”

Ranma stopped, hearing the pain and humiliation in her voice. “I'm so sorry, Akane. I didn't mean that I wanted to forget what happened between us.”

She peeked around the tree. “It's okay if you do,” she breathed. “I...I know you weren't yourself. You had all these demon feelings and instincts going on inside you.”

“No, Akane. It wasn't the demon that made me feel like that. It was you. I know I'm dense and stupid and too stubborn for my own good. What I do remember is that you stuck by me through this, just like you've always stuck by me through everything.”

“Ranma.” Akane came around the tree and faced her fiance. Wet red hair was streaming down Ranma's face and regret was vivid in the young martial artist's eyes. “I don't know how to say I'm sorry, but I am. I don't know why you've ever put up with me, why you've always been my friend. All I do is get you into trouble and this time...I think it almost cost you your life.”

“I'm alive,” she said simply. “So are you. That's enough for now.”

“No, it's not,” Ranma said fiercely, taking the girl by her shoulders. “I always say the wrong thing, Akane. I always hurt your feelings and I know I'm a fool. But I don't want to forget the way you make me feel, the way you've always made me feel. You're the truest friend I've ever had and the only one who believes in me sometimes.”

“What are you saying?” Akane whispered, slipping her arms around Ranma's waist and pressing herself closer. She needed to hear it, needed to hear the words.

“I'm saying that I love you, Akane Tendo,” Ranma whispered. “I know we're already supposed to be engaged but...will you marry me?”

“Of course I'll marry you, Ranma Saotome,” she breathed. Her arms went around Ranma's neck as their lips drew closer. “You're the only one for me.”

Ranma held Akane tightly, kissing her lips, her face, her neck. Hands drifting over her body in a long slow caress that she eagerly answered. Moist lips parted, tongues darted in exploration and this time Akane didn't have to be wary of fangs. Ranma pressed her gently against the tree, taking the time to enjoy the taste of her, the softness and spice that was Akane. Together, they sank into the wet grass, heedless of the light rain as warm bodies pressed together in delicious agreement.

Akane lay on top of Ranma, whispering as her fiance's hands roamed over her body. Together, they were at last truly together. As she'd always dreamed. Well, not exactly as she'd always dreamed but it was enough for the moment and Akane gasped as her fiance's soft lips found the tip of her breast and she arched against the wandering, exploring hands. Her body was crying out, singing for the person she loved with all her heart and Akane found she didn't mind the rain at all.

Two pairs of eyes watched as the young couple held each other passionately in the soft, wet grass. One pair was violet, the other gold and the monk sighed in pure contentment at the beautiful sight before him.

“I think I've waited my whole life to see something like this. If the wind tunnel were to take my life at this moment, I would die a happy man.”

Inuyasha snorted, blushing as he looked away. “Hentai monk, let's give them some privacy.”

*****

Asariko moved slowly to tend her fire. It was getting colder, winter came early for those who made their homes in the mountains. It seemed like every year the cold was a little more bitter, her body ached a little more fiercely. She was youkai, if she had not been so badly damaged as a young girl she might have kept her health and her vigor for many years. As it was, she was hardly better than a human and an elderly one at that.

For all her body was scarred and aged, withered and pained, her memories remained sharp. She still remembered her father, her people and her beloved sister, Seshiko. She made sure to keep her memories alive with her anger and her bitter, unrelenting hatred. Her body creaked as she knelt before her fire and tried to warm her withered hands. It was still so very long ago.

He'd come like darkness and death from the borders of their territory, his armies laying waste to everything within sight. She'd been just a girl, hardly more than a child but that wasn't what had saved her. The demon lord that had destroyed her clan had killed women and children alike. His vengeance was purposeful and absolute. The Azaryu were to be exterminated, eradicated from the earth for the treachery that had been committed against their Daimyo.

One frail hand went to touch her face, feeling the old scars that covered most of her body in a map of anger and despair. Once she had been beautiful, as lovely as the dawn, a nearly perfect copy of her sister who had been reputed to be one of the most beautiful demonesses ever born. Asariko had never considered herself to be her sister's match. For all they were alike in coloring and shape, she had been timid where Seshiko had been fierce. She had been the one to cling to her mother's side, hide her face against her leg when others came near.

Seshiko had been bold from the moment she had been born. A true warrior, she had been close to their father, Kashikoto, and he often loudly remarked that sons were overrated if he could produce a daughter like Seshiko. Skilled in battle, leading men into war with the confidence of a demon prince, her sister had also been a powerful sorceress. She used her youki to make talismans of pure hatred and malice, things that could twist the minds and hearts of the strongest demons.

That was where she'd gotten the amulet. It had been used once before, used to twist the heart of the half breed brother of a powerful demon lord. Just before her people had been attacked, Inoki had returned the amulet to her father. She often wondered if he'd known it was her sister's spell that had distorted his mind, turned love to hatred and made him betray his beloved brother. She found out many years later that Inoki had not only betrayed his brother, he had slaughtered his family in a rage. His wife and children had born the final brunt of Seshiko's malice and Kashikoto's treachery.

And like a wild storm out of the West, like an avenging horror, the dark demon lord had come to punish his wife's people for the loss of his brother and family. In that respect, Asariko couldn't find it in her heart to resent Inutaisho. She would have done the same in his place.

Was she couldn't forgive was that she had been left alive, spared by a furious lord for no other reason than she looked like her sister. When her father's men had been defeated, and the slaughter had been almost complete, Asariko had been discovered cowering in the deepest caves of their homes. One of Inutaisho's men had recognized her for her resemblence to her sister and taken her by the hair, dragging the girl kicking and screaming to be thrown at the feet of the conquering lord.

Asariko still had nightmares about that moment, huddling afraid on the ground at his feet, looking up at the man her sister had been forced to marry. He was as beautiful as the rumors said, with snow white hair and eyes like the sun. A huge, impossibly huge, blade had been leveled at her and she stared up at him, seeing no regret, no pity in those cold eyes of gold. It would only be moments before her head was freed from her body, she decided and resigned herself to her fate.

Then Inutaisho had paused, looked down the blade of the Tetsusaiga at her and the rage seemed to dim slightly. “You are her sister,” he murmured. “You remind me of her.”

“I am Asariko,” she whispered fearfully.

He smiled bitterly and sheathed the great sword. Asariko stared up at him. “Go,” he said, turning away.

“My lord?” The soldier who'd found her frowned at his lord. “Are you sure?”

“I am sure, Ari,” the great lord said. “I think enough blood has been shed to slake my thirst for revenge. If I kill her now, I will see her face in my dreams. She looks too much like her sister.”

Asariko couldn't move, her legs were frozen and a rough hand took her arm and helped to her feet. For all the hand was rough, there was no cruelty in the soldier's actions. “Run, girl,” he whispered, his dark hair brushing her nose as he leaned close to her ear. “Run before he changes his mind.”

She had run for her life, stumbling down the mountainside as the army moved off. That's when it had happened. Maybe she hadn't run fast enough or far enough, maybe she was just unlucky. But Inutaisho had destroyed the former seat of the Azaryu clan with a huge burst of youki and shattered the mountain in his rage.

Asariko had been caught in the backlash, pure youki fire had raged over her body as she tumbled down with a landslide. Her skin was burned horribly, her limbs shattered and her body broken. If she'd only been a human, she would have died instantly. Instead her youkai heart kept beating, kept her alive in spite of the agony, trapped for days in piles of rock and screaming for death to come and claim her.

Eventually, the rock had shifted and she'd managed to crawl away. Only thinking of finding a way to die, she'd crept into the nearest forest and laid down, hoping that the end would be swift now that her strength was exhausted. She didn't want to survive.

She wished Inutaisho had killed her. Like he'd killed her father. Like he'd killed her sister.

Ironically, it was humans that had saved her. Not recognizing her as a demon, they'd thought she was simply a mortal girl and taken her to a village. There they'd treated her wounds and murmured that she'd survived at all. Asariko never told them what she really was, letting them think she was a human and made her home with them until the day when they realized that she was outliving everyone else. It had been a peaceful life, but that peace had shattered and Asariko sought the isolation of the mountains.

So it had been for nearly a century. Sometimes humans came to see her, an old witch that lived alone and knew things about demons. Once even demon slayers had come to find her and she had taught them the ways of making poisons that would work against youkai blood. Asariko despised demons, even being one herself, she despised them. They were all vicious and power hungry, violent and sadistic.

They were all Inutaisho to her.

So when Naraku had appeared and offered her revenge against Inutaisho's descendants, his brother's descendants, she had taken to his offer. She did not care how it served the strange demon, only that the dog lord's sons would suffer. It was the only revenge she'd ever have for her father, for her sister. For herself.

But there was one son of Inutaisho she had no desire for revenge against. He was also the son of her beloved Seshiko and the old woman wasn't entirely surprised when she looked up and saw him standing in her home.

The resemblence was startling and eerie. He looked like a mixture, a blend of the very best of his parents. He had his father's coloring, his mother's markings. His silky hair reminded her of Seshiko, but the cold remote expression still chilled her. That was how Inutaisho looked when he'd spared her life and Asariko sighed as memories washed over her in a tidal wave of fury, despair, and even love. For she know faced the only remaining member of the Azaryu clan and the culmination of her father's plots and plans that had so devastated everything he'd held dear.

Her nephew was her only living relation. He'd known of her existence she was sure and he had never sought her out.

“Old woman,” he said, his voice as chill as the grave. “You have been meddling in affairs that are not your concern.”

Asariko nodded. “I have, nephew,” she answered. “Have you come to claim vengeance for your half blood relations?”

“Those fools,” he sneered softly. “Fools to take a talisman from one such as yourself. Fools to be so trusting of an unknown, too eager to think of the consequences. My younger brother is not one for thinking.”

“He was suspicious,” Asariko murmured, staring into her fire. “The other was less hesitant, too eager to have a cure for his 'curse' as he called it. I hope you've come to tell me they've both found their graves.”

Sesshomaru smiled faintly. “One did, but out of respect for what my father would have wished I restored his life. Your vengeance was futile, old woman.”

So she had failed. Asariko found that she had no taste for revenge after all these years, just as she no longer had taste for food or life. They should have come to me when I was younger, she mused. I was better able to hold my hatred then.

The demon lord held out his hand, a pendant dangling from his fingers. “My mother made this, did she not?”

Asariko nodded. “Yes. It was meant to destroy your father, but instead she turned it on his brother. She bought his destruction and her own with her betrayal, just as my father bought the death of his clan.”

“And you have not forgiven,” Sesshomaru said quietly. “I would not have forgiven under such circumstances.”

“You are Azaryu,” she said. “We are born knowing how to taste revenge and how to hold it in our mouths for years while waiting for the moment.”

He smiled again, such a soft and wistful smile. She wondered where he'd gotten such an expression, rarely used and horded like a miser hordes gold. It was not her sister's smile and she had a feeling it didn't belong to Inutaisho. It was all his own and it brought winter's chill into her small hovel of a home.

“Have you come to kill me, nephew?” she asked. Her death was something she eagerly awaited, having been denied so long ago. She held her breath with anticipation of his reply.

“Yes.”

The old woman sighed with relief. “Good. This is as it should be. Tell me only one thing, Sesshomaru, son of my sister. Why did your father spare me so many years ago? Why didn't he let me die at his hand like the rest of our people?”

He'd wondered about that himself and finally shrugged lightly. “He may have thought he was being merciful, it may have been pity. My father,” his voice had a slight sneer, “liked to think of himself as compassionate, as generous with his mercy. In truth, he was neither and it was his sentiment that cost him his life.”

Sesshomaru moved closer until he was standing over the aged female. “Or it might have been that he knew in leaving one survivor of the Azaryu clan, there was a chance for you to claim revenge for what he did. Your attempt...would have amused him greatly. My father had a taste for irony.”

With those final words he raised his hand and sent a pulse of power at her, watching with no expression as the old woman's body dissolved under the corrosive nature of his youki. When there was nothing left of her, not even ash, he lowered his hand again. At long last, Inutaisho's sentence on the Azaryu was complete. It was time to leave.

“Killing old women now, cousin?”

A voice he hadn't heard in the better part of a century made him scowl. Asariko was right, those with Azaryu blood were exceptional about holding a grudge. Sesshomaru turned slowly, his eyes full of anger. “Naota. I would have thought you'd have better sense than to venture into the West again. I've already destroyed one blood relation today, do not make it two.”

Naota smiled, a faint gleam in his eyes. “I don't remember you having such self restraint. A mark of maturity, cousin.”

“Do not mock me,” Sesshomaru hissed, his eyes flashing with fury. “I have not forgotten your betrayal, Naota. Consider it out of respect for my father that I've never hunted you down and made you suffer as you deserve.”

“I would have welcomed it,” Naota said softly. He tilted his head to the side and looked at his cousin with the same dark eyes Sesshomaru remembered from childhood. There had been mischief in his expression back then, it seemed to have aged away to be replaced by bitter humor. “Your hatred for me is justified.”

“I don't need you to tell me that,” Sesshomaru hissed. Old anger was seething inside him, it was taking much of his self control to keep his voice level and his rage in check.

“I made a mistake in not being honest with you,” Naota said.

Sesshomaru's lip curled in contempt. “I care nothing for your honesty. Your betrayal sent the West into a civil war that could have been avoided. Because of your mistake, I had to take my territory back piece by bloody piece. You are a bastard of a coward, Naota. Better that you had never survived the slaughter that destroyed your family than to have lived to disgrace our bloodline.”

Naota sighed and leaned against the wall. “I've had a lot to live with over the years,” he said, his voice soft and cool. “But I don't regret my decision.”

“See to it that I don't regret mine in letting you continue to live,” Sesshomaru snarled, sweeping out the door with an angry swirl of silk and fur. “Don't ever show your face in this territory again. The next time we meet, I will kill you. I swear it by my father's grave.”

Naota stood for a few moments after his cousin departed, mulling over the conversation. Sesshomaru was still the same haughty bastard he remembered, that much hadn't changed. A wry smile twisted his face as he headed outside, staring up at the starlit sky.

“Good to see you again, cousin. I have missed you as well.”

*****


Kagome grunted, climbing up the side of the well with a massive backpack. Maybe she overdid it a little on the supplies. But it would be worth it. She had bought plenty of extra rice to pay Kaede back for her generosity. In addition, she had a ton of candy for Shippo and the village children, tasty snacks for Sango and Miroku, and a full supply of ramen for Inuyasha. Her friends deserved the treats and Kagome liked being able to splurge on delicacies that no one in the feudal era would otherwise experience.

After returning, she'd given Ranma and Akane both affectionate hugs to say what couldn't be said with words. Ryoga had blushed furiously when she'd hugged him too, after all, without him they might not have Akane. She still wasn't sure who the young man reminded her of, but he'd grinned shyly at her hug as if he wasn't sure how to respond.

Kagome had to smile to herself, thinking of the way Ranma and Akane had left, walking hand and hand instead of bickering. Something good had come out of this, but she didn't miss the wistful look that Ryoga gave the couple. She hoped everything would work out well for her friends.

She was almost to the top of the well, panting hard from the sheer exertion of climbing, when she suddenly felt herself lifted into the air by the straps over her shoulders. She looked up as her feet dangled in the air and met Inuyasha's gaze when he gently deposited her on the ground.

“About time you decided to come back,” he said gruffly.

She smiled. “I told you I would be a week. You wouldn't believe how much homework I have to do. My teachers decided to load me up for being gone all that time.”

He snorted at the mention of her schoolwork, not understanding why she bothered; he never did. Kagome stared at him. “You got your haori back,” she burst out.

Inuyasha made a rude sound. “You think I'd let Naraku keep my clothes?” he asked sarcastically.

That made her grin. “How did you get them back?” she wanted to know. Inuyasha slung her backpack over his shoulder as they headed for the village.

“I went to where his castle was,” he confessed. “I wasn't really after my clothes, but that's what I found. The buildings were gone, but I guess the miasma doesn't eat firerat fur and he didn't want to keep them.”

Kagome stopped, staring at him. “How did you know where his castle was,” she asked softly. Inuyasha didn't look at her, avoiding her eyes.

“I remembered.”

“What else did you remember?” She dreaded the answer, she didn't want to deal with this. It was too soon, somehow she'd managed to accept it and wanted to move on. It hadn't been Inuyasha that had hurt her, she knew that. He hadn't been in his right mind, the spell that had captured Ranma had distorted his mind and Naraku had blocked his memory. There was no way she could hold him guilty of what he had no control over.

Inuyasha sighed heavily, still staring at the ground as he set her backpack down and slowly turned to face her. “I remember everything. Everything I did, everything I said.”

“It wasn't you,” she said fiercely. “Inuyasha, don't...”

“It makes me sick what I did to you,” he hissed, his eyes glinting dangerously. Unconsciously, she took a step backwards from his tone and saw a flicker of pain in his eyes.

“I don't blame you for being scared of me.”

“I'm not,” she burst out. “I know you, Inuyasha. You would never have done those things if you'd been in your right mind.”

“Doesn't change the fact I did them,” he answered, flushing with shame. “Kagome, I can't ask you to forgive me. I don't think I can even forgive myself.”

She closed her eyes at the pain in his voice. This was what she'd been afraid of, his memory returning and him not being able to get past it. “Please don't do this to yourself,” she begged. “It happened, we can't change that. I still trust you.”

Kagome opened her eyes when she heard a strange sound, like small beads clicking together. Inuyasha stood before her, his eyes dark and troubled as he held up the rosary. She was surprised to see it. Naraku must have left it behind with the firerat clothing, not understanding that it was significant. That rosary defined their relationship in so many ways. For all that they'd been through, it was a symbol of how much he had changed since she'd first met him, a wild half demon who cared nothing for anyone, cared for nothing at all but his own selfishness.

She gasped as Inuyasha looked fierce again and before she could stop him, he'd pulled the beads over his head. They glowed brightly for a second, then subsided as if they'd accepted their renewed purpose. “Inuyasha,” she breathed.

“You can say you trust me,” he said in a voice tight with pain and self loathing. “You're like that, Kagome. You trust, you forgive. I'm not like that, I'm...I'm not like you. I can't just pretend it didn't happen. I know better, I know what I am. I can't trust myself, not if it puts you in danger.”

He turned away and Kagome choked back a sob. She darted forward and grabbed his hand, squeezing it as hard as she could with both of hers until he met her eyes. He blushed furiously when he saw the warmth in her gaze.

“I do trust you,” she said, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Until you can learn to trust yourself, I'll trust for the both of us.”

Then she pulled him along the path, heading for the village and their friends. Hand and hand, the hanyou and the girl from the future walked together and Inuyasha felt his heart lighten. Her small hand was warm in his and he smiled faintly as the sun teased highlights from her hair and a gentle wind whispered through the peaceful forest trees.

The End

A/N: Well, that's it. That's the end of Cursed. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Please review and let me know what you thought about it. Thanks!