Stolen Dreams

Author's Note/General Disclaimer: Greetings all. This is my first story, so go easy on me. Stolen Dreams is a continuation story, set about two years after Naraku's defeat. Kagome and Inuyasha decide to remain in the past and start a family, but one undead priestess is not about to just let them enjoy themselves. Please read and review. Obviously I do not own Inuyasha or any other characters, this story is simply for my own enjoyment and anyone else who might read it.

Chapter One:

Now it happened just two short years after the defeat of Naraku that Inuyasha stood waiting beside beside the Bone Eaters Well yet again. He tapped his claws against the wooden rim and puffed out his cheeks. Fortunately for the impatient hanyou, the one he was waiting for finally arrived. Her scent greeted him first, a soft pleasant aroma. Quickly, Inuyasha leaped down into the well to help his mate.

"You're late," he grunted, sliding his arms under her knees and hoisting her up. Kagome smiled. "I'll bet they started without us. Maybe we missed the whole thing!" she teased. The half-demon sent her a wry look and snorted, "I'm not that lucky." With that, he jumped back out of the well and into the sunlight.

Inuyasha set her down on the soft grass beside the well. His hand lingered on the small of her back. Kagome turned and smiled softly at her lover. Their eyes met; amber and smoky gray. The young woman from the future sighed, for in those brief moments when she and Inuyasha were alone, he let his guard down just enough for her to see how much he loved her reflected in his amber gaze. Inuyasha offered a small smile as he leaned down to kiss her gently. He lingered here too. Although it had been two years since he had confessed that Kagome "might, sort of mean a lot," to him, he still could not get enough of her. When Kagome felt a gently nip of fangs, she giggled and danced away. "Come on, Inuyasha. You're the one who was complaining about being late." "Feh." Inuyasha crossed his arms and turned his head to pout. Kagome gave one of his ears a quick scratch before heading off down the path ahead of him.

When they arrived at Kaede's, Kagome could see that the entire village had turned out for the event. There were tables set up outside laden with food, children were sulking in their newly cleaned clothes – unable as they were to go play in the dirt. Men and women milled about talking and laughing in the best clothes in front of a beautifully crafted wooden arch. Kagome pointed this last thing out and asked Inuyasha if he had helped Miroku to make it. The half-demon just blushed before bounding off to find the monk. The priestess smiled and headed into her mentor's home.

"You look so beautiful, Sango!" Kagome gushed. The demon slayer was dressed in the most elegant pink silk kimono Kagome had ever seen. Her hair was pulled back at the nape of her neck and in place of her usual pink eye-liner, her face makeup was soft and shimmery. Kaede was just tucking a blossom into Sango's hair when Kagome walked in. Sango broke into a wide grin and held her arms out wide. "What do you think, Kagome?" her voice trembled nervously. The young priestess put a hand on her friend's shoulder and replied, "Simply stunning, Sango. Miroku may faint when he sees you!"

The girls shared a laugh as they continued to help Sango get ready. Outside they heard music begin to play. Moments later, Shippo poked his head in. "It's time! It's time!" he leapt into Kagome's arms, nearly knocking her over. Both Kaede and Sango rushed forward to steady her. Kaede scowled at the young fox demon with her one good eye. "Ye should know better, child. Kagome's in a fragile state right now!" Shippo's big green eyes filled with embarrassed tears, "I'm sorry, Kagome. Did I hurt you? Are the pups okay?" The young priestess kissed Shippo on the head and lay a hand on her extra-round belly. "We are fine." Turning to Sango she winked, "Now, let's get you married!"

The ceremony ended and the sun went down. Lanterns were lit and the music continued to play. Kagome grabbed a plate of food and waddled of to sit under a tree and watch the festivities from afar. As she settled in, she felt the reassuring aura of her mate come to rest in the tree above her head. "It was a lovely ceremony," she remarked, "Sango looked absolutely lovely, and Miroku even cried a little." She ate a few more bites off her plate before glancing up at her lover. As she had expected his ears were pointed in her direction but his eyes and nose were alert for any possible danger. A slow melody drifted up to them. Kagome set her plate on the grass beside her and began to lever herself up from the ground. Instantly, Inuyasha was at her side helping her to her feet. The priestess leaned into her husband's strong embrace. For a moment, Inuyasha was a statue then he took her by the waist and began to sway with her in time to the music.

"You know, Inuyasha, we could just wish everyone to the future," The demon tried to pull away and look down at his mate, but Kagome just buried her head in his shoulder. "Kagome, we talked about this. You said you wanted to remain here, in the past," Inuyasha hated this discussion the first time and didn't like the idea of further arguing. "Besides, your family loves the idea of moving here. So what's wrong?" Kagome had thought a lot about it. Remaining in the past with all of her friends and family would be wonderful. All the fresh air, not having to worry about how people would react to the demons in her life. The feudal era really is a simpler time than the twenty-first century, but still wrought with danger. Dangerous and destructive demons, war, famine, plague...the more she thought about it the more she wanted to remain safe in the future. She told all of this to Inuyasha and stood waiting for a reply. Inuyasha continued to sway with her back and forth in time with the music. Finally he spoke.

"Kagome, I know that if we remain here that it would be dangerous. But, I know the dangers here. I can plan for them and protect you. But in the future, I don't know what could happen. I'd be..." he fisted his hands at his sides, stopping their dance, "I'd be helpless." Kagome's eyes shone with tears, partially from her hormones but mostly because she understood how difficult it was for Inuyasha to vocalize his fears and concerns. "Oh, Inuyasha, you would never be helpless no matter what time we chose."

Overcome with emotion, Kagome crushed her mouth to his in a passionate kiss. When Inuyasha deepened the kiss by nibbling on her bottom lip, Kagome allowed her mouth to open and invite his tongue in for a delicious battle. Their hearts beat in time, their breath panting out as Inuyasha pressed her back into the tree underneath which they'd been standing. They were far enough away from the festivities to avoid being seen except by someone who came looking for them. Inuyasha nipped at Kagome's soft neck while she ran her hands over his chest beneath his shirt.

In a single movement, Inuyasha had his mate up off the ground with her legs around his hips. Kagome clung to him for stability and in passion, marveling to herself at how much she still needed him, needed this. Then they were making love. Their coupling at once hot and needy and also slow and tender. Inuyasha's golden eyes focused on her as he whispered "I love you, Kagome."

When they had sated their lust, at least momentarily, the half-demon and the priestess sat down beneath the trees. Inuyasha pulled his mate into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. The same hands that could rend a demon in two caressed Kagome's swollen belly with the utmost tenderness. The priestess sighed and leaned against her husband.

"Inuyasha?"

"Hmm?"

"You're right. It would be better for the children if we remain here. We have no idea how my time would react to them. And I don't want our kids to have to hide who they are. Oh! It would be a nightmare!"

When Inuyasha didn't respond, Kagome thought maybe he had changed his mind about moving to the future. She glanced up at him then smiled. Her tireless protector had fallen asleep. Kagome snuggled deeper into his robes and prepared to do the same. Just as she closed her eyes, she heard a familiar voice call her name. With a sigh Kagome nudged Inuyasha awake before answering; "I'm over here, Sango!"

The demon-slayer bride came into view over the top of the hill. Sango paused to look down on the festivities from this new vantage point and smiled. "The view is lovely from up here," then she turned and smiled at Kagome who was being helped to her feet by her mate. "Miroku has made all of the arrangements for our honeymoon. Thanks again Kagome for the idea. Imagine, a whole week alone with my new husband with nothing to worry about." Sango sighed contentedly. Kagome nodded but her face was pale and beads of sweat had popped out on her forehead. "Kagome!" Sango rushed forward as Inuyasha steadied his wife. "What's wrong, Kagome? Inuyasha, what is it?" Sango demanded, concern evident "Should I fetch Kaede?"

Kagome panted a little, but offered her friend a reassuring smile. "I'm alright. All of the excitement has just worn me out, I think." Sango did not look convinced, but gave her friend a hug and promised to come straight over when she and Miroku returned from their honeymoon – after first offering to cancel and then demanding that Inuyasha take Kagome straight home. As soon as Sango wandered back down the hill, Kagome allowed Inuyasha to pick her up and carry her back to their home.

Their home was on the edge of the village facing the meadow where the well that had brought them together stood. Kagome and her mother had designed it, though Mrs. Higurashi had not seen it yet. It was modeled after an American home Kagome and Inuyasha had seen on their own honeymoon. To the other villagers it was a mansion.

Looking at the house you could see a covered garden on the left. A door led from the garden into a dry storage area and from there into a large kitchen. Inuyasha had build cabinets for dishes and storage and even crafted a sink for Kagome. He and Miroku had spent weeks working on an irrigation system so that Kagome could have indoor plumbing. The kitchen of course opened up to a large dining room complete with a large table and chairs and a small fireplace. Behind the dining room towards the back of the house was a spacious living room with comfortable chairs, soft rugs and another fireplace. Across the hall from the living room were two small guest bedrooms and a covered back porch. When Kaede had first seen the house she asked why Kagome needed so many bedrooms, Kagome had reminded her that Grandpa, Sota, Mrs. Higurashi and Shippo would all be living there. When Kaede had still looked confused Kagome had to explain that in the future everyone had their own room.

A set of stairs led from beside the dining room to the upstairs. Here were four more bedrooms – one for Shippo and Sota to share, one for Mrs. Higurashi, a nursery, and a large master bedroom for Kagome and Inuyasha. Of course, there was a separate bathroom for Kagome and Inuyasha's room, another one upstairs and one downstairs. Miroku had made Inuyasha promise to help him build a home for him and Sango as payment for all the hard work with the plumbing.

Inuyasha carried Kagome all the way up the stairs to their bedroom and laid her on the big bed. "Inuyasha, I'm fine!" Kagome scowled as her husband just glared at her.

"The babies are fine. I'm fine. Please don't worry." Her face softened as Inuyasha lay beside her on the bed and rested a hand on her extra-round stomach.

"I had no idea that carrying my pups would be such a burden," he admitted for probably the hundredth time.

"It is not your fault, Inuyasha!" The dog demon scoffed but was otherwise silent, his droopy ears speaking volumes. Kagome rolled to face her mate, taking his face in her hands and speaking from her heart, "There has never been another couple like us, Inuyasha. How were we to know that a priestess and a demon coupling would lead to a difficult pregnancy."

"Difficult!" he spluttered indignantly, "You have to fight not to accidentally purify our children inside you!"

Kagome shrugged, "It will all have been worth it when we meet our children. In the meantime, I just can't use my magic. It will be fine. Just six more weeks to go."

That said, Kagome kissed her husband lightly on the lips and rolled over to blow out the candle.