I Have Loved You All Along by Nile

I Have Loved You All Along

Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha. Copyright goes to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own "I Have Loved You All Along". Copyright goes to Nickelback. I do not make money from this. I am merely a fan.

This time, This place

Misused, Mistakes

Too long, Too late

Who was I to make you wait

He thought that she was going to make her journey out alive, but before his eyes, she lay dying. For about four years he had seen her grow from a child to a woman and secretly supported her. No one would have thought through his icy facade that he would have wanted any ningen to succeed. Of course, he had wanted to be the one to make the final blow to Naraku, but it was she who had and he had missed it.

All of her companions were strewn about the battlefield and had succumbed to their own deaths. The only survivor of their small group was back in the village with the elderly miko. It was the kistune known as Shippou.

The young miko lay upon the ground writhing in agony. One of Naraku's vile appendages, though ripped from the already vanquished hanyou, was embedded deep through her stomach. He could smell the scent of the acid from her stomach and the iron from her blood coating the ground around her dying body.

Besides the blood, her skin was scratched and bruised. He almost had to turn away from the sickening sight. He had lusted after her flesh many nights in his dreams. In the beginning, those dreams had made him angry as they left him wanting, almost seeming bewitched by the lingering of her blue- grey eyes within his mind.

Her raven hair was fanned on the ground. Throughout the past four years, she had left her hair grow. Instead of becoming straight as her predecessor, it stayed wavy and a bit unruly, but nevertheless, beautiful. Though he would have preferred more views of her graceful neck, her raven hair was almost as enchanting as most would say his own silver locks were.

To see her there on the ground on the last moments of her mortal life made his heart clench within his chest.

'No, she cannot die. She deserves to live.'

Just one chance

Just one breath

Just in case there's just one left

'Cause you know,

you know, you know

He found himself drawing closer to her fallen form and leaned down to pull her to himself. If he had believed more in mortal emotions, then he probably would have cried. She looks like an animal that had been mauled and was suffering to death.

"S-ssessh-sesshoumar-u," Kagome choked out, her bluish grey orbs focusing and unfocusing on him, trying to stay conscious.

'She is still fighting to keep living,' he noted to himself, and brushed away the blood that seeped out of her mouth.

"Hai, koi, it is Sesshoumaru," he answered, and cursed himself he wished he had his other arm to stroke her hair.

"K-koi?" she asked, then coughed, more blood dribbling from the corner of her mouth.

Sesshoumaru would not hold back what he had to say to her.

"Hai, koi. I have loved you from afar for far too long. It pains this Sesshoumaru to see you like this," he admitted.

Kagome smiled brokenly, "Arigatou, at least in the end, someone loves me for me."

That I love you

I have loved you all along

And I miss you

Been far away for far too long

I keep dreaming you'll be with me

and you'll never go

Stop breathing if

I don't see you anymore

He knew why she was so so broken. He had known Inu Yasha had been callous with her and often treated her between second best and dirt, while traipsing off to seek the presence of his former love. Inu Yasha had even been selfish to destroy the little miko's only way back home, devastating her in the end.

Another bought of coughing hit Kagome and it shook her fragile body. Sesshoumaru knew she did not have long.

"Please, Kagome, hang on a little bit more. If you die, this Sesshoumaru may be able to bring you back. Would you allow this?" he asked, hoping she would not refuse.

"H--ha-hai. If Tenseiga allows, then y-yes, but if not, do not... do.. do not be sad," she said, her voice barely above a whisper and even more broken than usual.

Her breath caught in her throat and Sesshoumaru's eyes widened. Despite seeing many deaths, hers was different. He loved her and this was one thing he was unable to control. Even Tenseiga was not cooperative with him. The sword, despite its amazing capability to revive and heal those who recently died, was a hit and miss type of deal.

That breath escaped from her slowly as her eyes remained unseeing and open, and her body limp.

Sesshoumaru could feel his inner beast beginning to stir in turmoil, yet he restrained himself and put Kagome to the ground with his only arm. He then unsheathed Tenseiga and held it over her body to look for the imps clamouring to take her soul away.

On my knees, I'll ask

Last chance for one last dance

'Cause with you, I'd withstand

All of hell to hold your hand

I'd give it all

I'd give for us

Give anything but I won't give up

'Cause you know,

you know, you know

'Please, in this moment, this Sesshoumaru asks for one thing. Restore this woman who is worthy of a demon lord. This Sesshoumaru has never asked nor wanted for anything but the wrong thing. If she lived, then this Sesshoumaru no longer needs to travel the path of conquest. This Sesshoumaru begs to any kami listening to let her live.’

He searched the sky as he waited for Tenseiga to pulse. As the time seemed to slow, he finally felt the pulse and was awash with relief.

He looked down and saw the death imps and gracefully in one swipe, vanquished them. It took a few moments, and her wounds disappeared and her lungs filled with air. He dropped Tenseiga and gathered Kagome to his chest.

‘She is alive. Yokatta!’

“You did it, Sessshoumaru! You saved me,” she said softly in wonder, putting her arms around him.

“Hai. It is a miracle. This Sesshoumaru wants for nothing but you, my little miko,” the demon lord confesses and pulls away to see her reaction.

Kagome’s eyes widen before she smiles and reaches up to brush something from his face.

“You cried for me?” she asked.

He had not realized that he had cried nor remembered when the last time he had done such a thing, but he would not deny it.

“Hai. For you, I would shed tears,” he said and leaned down to taste her lips.

He had wondered for the past year years on how they tasted and reveled on how soft they were on his. He broke away and put his forehead against hers.

So far away

Been far away for far too long

So far away

Been far away for far too long

But you know, you know, you know

“Be with me forever, Kagome?” he asked.

He did not know if she would say yes, but he asked anyway.

She moved her forehead from his and cupped his face on both sides with her soft petite hands. She tilted his head up to peer into his amber eyes and saw the sincerity within the fathomless depth. She did not see the coldness anymore.

‘He really wants to be with me.’

She smiled and slid her arms around her neck and hugged him happily as the tears fell warmly down her face.

‘Someone loves me for me. He brought me back because he loves me.’

“Hai! I will stay with you, Sesshoumaru,” she breathed out.

Sesshoumaru silently thanked any kami that had been nearby and hugged her to herself with his only arm.

“You have made this demon lord very happy. Aishiteru,” he replied, and breathed her wonderful scent deeply.

I wanted

I wanted you to stay

'Cause I needed

I need to hear you say

That I love you

I have loved you all along

And I forgive you

For being away for far too long

So keep breathing

'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore

Believe it

Hold on to me and, never let me go

Keep breathing

'Cause I'm not leaving you anymore

Believe it

Hold on to me and, never let me go

Keep breathing

Hold on to me and, never let me go

Keep breathing

Hold on to me and, never let me go