Disclaimer: I don't own them, I just use them for my own sadistic purposes…heheh…

Note: It's difficult to write a love story about Kagome and Inuyasha and keep them both in character. I hope I've done an adequate job of that, especially in this chapter. It's also rather difficult to write Inuyasha and not bring out the horn-dog in him (hehe, "horn-dog". It's almost like a joke…never mind). But what can I say? Any of you had to go a long stretch of time without seeing your significant other? Trust me, all you want to do is jump into the first available bed with them and lock out the rest of the world for as long as possible, your previous sexual relationship notwithstanding. Actually, I'm rather impressed that the Inuyasha in my story was able to wait until nighttime. But then, he always was more patient with Kagome than anything else… Sorry, but no lemon for you. This is PG! Just a little bit of fluff.

I hope you've liked my little story. I hope you got as much happy-goodness out of reading it as I did out of sharing it with all of you. I don't write for myself. I've got a million different stories in my head and I can play them like a movie whenever I want. The real joy and reward comes from knowing that I was able to entertain you, even for a little bit. So, if you liked my story, thank you for being a part of why I love to write. If you didn't, there's always next time. Much love.

Sincerely,

Ashes

As always, reviews are welcome, encouraged, and you'll never know how much they are appreciated.

Enjoy this last little part of my little story.

Back To You

By Ashes

Epilogue: Vous Et Nul Autre

"Vous et nul autre…" Italian for "You and No Other", often found inside promise rings from antiquity

Kagome sat in the small room Sango and Miroku had given her, the screen door open to allow the cool night air to surround her. She stared out at the other tiny houses, candlelight flickering in only a few windows, and beyond them the forest and total blackness of night.

Tokyo at night would never have been this dark or this quiet. People would be bustling about at all hours and cars would be coming and going from place to place. But here, in this time, with Inuyasha…. She would never hear the noisy traffic, nor smell the exhaust, or see the bright city lights.

Before homesickness could overtake her, strong arms wrapped themselves around her shoulders. Sighing, she leaned back and let Inuyasha cradle her against his chest. As much as she would miss her own time, there was no going back for her. Not if it meant leaving Inuyasha.

"You should be in bed."

Kagome smiled at his scolding tone. "So should you," she answered.

"Hn. I made my way here, eventually."

She twisted her head around to look up at him. "Here?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "What makes you think you're sleeping in here?"

"Someone has to protect you. Besides," he said resting his chin on her shoulder, a serious frown creasing is brow, "after being without you for so long, Kagome, there's no way I'm letting you out of my sight."

"Never?" she asked. Inuyasha shook his head. "Not even when I have to go to the bathroom?"

"Smart ass," he mumbled.

"What about when I'm taking a bath? Or changing my clothes? A girl needs some privacy, after all, right?"

He grinned wickedly at her.

"Inuyasha! Si!"

But that wretched command never left her mouth. Inuyasha covered it with a toe-curling kiss that left Kagome dazed and breathless when he finally released her.

"First thing tomorrow," he said, working his way down her neck, "I'm destroying that damned well."

Her eyes shot open. "No! You can't!"

He pulled back and frowned down at her. "Why not?"

"If you destroy the well, I'd never be able to get back here." His face took on an even more confused looked. Kagome sighed. "The well has to stay intact in my time. If you destroy it in this time, I'd never be able to get here in the first place. I would never have come at all. So I couldn't be here now."

She looked at him, pleading him to understand. He growled. "Fine," he said. "I won't destroy the well."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Damn woman," he grumbled. "If I didn't love you so much, Kagome, I'd think you were a real pain in the ass."

She blinked. "You…you love me?"

"Of course I do, stupid. You think I crawl into bed with just anyone?" His eyes lowered as his hand crept up her loose night shirt. "Now. Speaking of going to bed…."

"Oh no you don't!" Kagome pushed him backwards. He landed on his back with a grunt as she quickly straddled his hips, preventing him from going anywhere, and pointed a finger at him, her other hand on her hip. "I want to hear you say it first, Inuyasha!"

"Aw, common! I just said it a second ago, what more do you want?"

"Yeah, right before you called me a pain in the ass!"

"Damn, woman, you are a pain in the ass!"

"Oh! You…you…jerk! AAAHHH!" Kagome shrieked as Inuyasha rolled them over and pinned her to the ground. She glared up at him.

"All right!" he said, exasperated. He looked her in the eye, his face turning serious. "All right. I love you, Kagome. I love everything about you. I've never met anyone with your courage and strength before, human or demon." He brushed a hair away from her face. "You could light up the world with just your smile and your laugh is warm enough to melt even the ice around my heart. I love you, Kagome Higurashi. You and no other, forever."

She smiled, unshed tears sparkling in her eyes. "That's more than I could ever ask for. I love you, too, Inuyasha."

He kissed her mouth gently. "Now," he said, grinning wickedly, "can we go to bed?"

Kagome's grin was just as wicked. "Yes. Now we can go to bed."

Note: See, Vivienne! I can finish a story!