The dust had settled over the courtyard before anyone moved. Kagura ran to Sesshomaru while Inuyasha grabbed the dark jewel and jumped to where Kagome was pressing it into her hands. Miroku and Sango stared at the unblemished skin on Miroku's hand. He was saved. Kagura was pulling hysterically at Sesshomaru pointing toward Kanna's mirror. Mamoru slammed the sword into its sheath and grabbed both it and Dawn and hugged her to his chest. He stumbled to the mirror and the others all began to assemble there. It was hard to believe it was over. Naraku was dead though so it had to be real. Sango sobbed as she clutched her brothers body and gently removed the jewel from his back and handed it to Kagome as well. Miroku hugged her and soothed her hair away from her face.
Dawn lay in the middle of the group unconscious and smoke continued to rise from her burned hands. Her skin was deathly pale and Mamoru had entwined his fingers in Dawns red hair and would not let go. Everyone was staring at each other and the shimmering mirror waiting for someone to say something. Inuyasha broke the silence. "What now?"
I groaned and rolled over and winced as my burns pressed against cool wood. When I looked up seven pairs of eyes stared down at me. "Take a picture. It will last longer." I groaned as I got to my feet. Almost immediately Mamoru pulled me into his arms so hard I squeaked. "What is it?" I asked worriedly, "Are the children alright?" I looked around at the other adults. I had been moved into a small hut somewhere.
"Rinji, Nagisa, and Rin are alright. But…Nozomi disappeared." Kagura said her face shadowed as she ducked her head. "The kids are sleeping in another hut with Kirara, Jaken, and Kohaku watching over them."
"Disappeared?" I repeated shrinking into Mamoru's arms. My first daughter was missing, this couldn't be happening.
"When we were fighting Kanna, her mirror sucked both of them into it." Kagura said.
"Where's the mirror now?" I asked sitting up straighter and raising my chin. I would not be weak…not yet.
Sango unwrapped it and laid it at my feet. "It was humming just before you woke up."
I looked up into the swirling depths then glanced at the others. I frowned when I noticed that not everyone was there. "Where are Kouga and Ayame? Are they alright?"
Kagome nodded tiredly from Inuyasha's arms. "They went home to lick their wounds. Shippo went along with them to make sure."
Mamoru kissed the top of my head. "We were lucky." He said softly. We really were, one casualty. Suddenly the mirror made a loud bang and we all stared down into the glass. Nozomi and Kanna looked back out at us. "Hello!" Nozomi said giddily.
"What the hell?" Miroku said echoed by Inuyasha.
"Hello sister!" Kanna laughed.
"Excuse me?" Kagura said taken aback by the emotion in Kanna's voice.
Nozomi cleared her throat. "Turns out the mirror is a portal; it goes between our world and Inuyasha's fathers grave. We are alive and we can even get home once we find the exit. Naraku put Kanna's soul in this place to make her 'thevoid'. Now that she's here she got it back. I was right about how to fix her, I just got pulled in with her."
I sat heavily on the ground pulling Mamoru down with me. Looking at Nozomi's smiling face I gasped out laughing and yelled, "You little brat! You scared us horribly!"
"We'll be home as soon as we find the exit." Kanna said as Nozomi laughed.
"I don't think it will be that easy." Sango said ignoring the commotion from me.
"Probably not but at least we are alive and can come home. Fortunately I was holding Ebony so it came with me." Nozomi said. "We aren't giving up until we get home."
"You need to break the mirror though. It's formed a little bubble force field inside this world." Kanna said.
"You sure?" Inuyasha said.
"Yep, it'll be alright and we'll see you soon." Nozomi said waving. "Love you all." The mirror went blank.
Sesshomaru looked at me thoughtfully. "Your children all seem extremely independent."
Inuyasha laughed. "I wonder what that means my children will be like."
Kagome rolled her eyes as she sat by my side. "Attitude-y and loud."
Inuyasha tried to look offended but laughed. "Maybe but they'll get the loud from you."
Sesshomaru had a slight smile on his face which stopped everyone's responses. "We will be leaving now."
Sango impulsively gave him a hug. "Thank you and take care of Kohaku for me." He nodded and Kagura and he left. Sango turned to me. "Kohaku was killed and Rin begged Sesshomaru to bring him back to life to be her companion."
A moment later the twins came bursting into the room. "Mommy!" They shouted throwing themselves at me. Sango and Miroku disappeared to go to the other hut in the commotion. They began talking excitedly to me while Inuyasha took the mirror outside to break. Kagome laid out blankets and by the time Inuyasha returned we were all piled up ready to sleep.
Miroku and Sango took their leave of us the next day. They had decided to go back to Sango's village for a few days and they would meet up with us at Kaede's village after that. By the time we had reached the village we were exhausted and ready for a nice long rest. Kaede greeted us at the edge of the village. "How are ye?" She asked giving us a smile.
"Tired Kaede." I said sighing. I looked to our house and my eyes widened when I saw it was gone. "Umm…where is our house?"
Kagome and Inuyasha looked at the empty space where our house would be as Kaede chuckled. "Ye house was destroyed a week ago when a demon attacked."
"Why is that funny hag?" Inuyasha snarled holding Kagome closer.
"We have built ye a new house." She said and turned to lead the way. She led us into Inuyasha's forest and far deep inside there was a large mansion. My jaw dropped when I saw the sprawling palace.
"How did you manage…" I started to ask then stopped when Sesshomaru and Kagura walked out the front door.
"Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha said confused.
"You are Inu clan, not peasants. You will live as such." He said simply before headed off into the woods.
"I made Sesshomaru's servants build and furnish this place. My wedding gift to you all." Kagura said and waved before running off after her mate. "We'll visit soon." She said waving over her shoulder.
Kaede waved them as she also headed back to her home. "We will be bringing ye supper later." And disappeared.
The six of us stared at each other than headed into the house. Rinji and Nagisa ran around and started squealing when they found the nursery and jumped onto their beds. Mamoru found two master bedrooms not far from each other but far enough that there was privacy. One was full of my things and the other was full of Kagome's belongings. Beside the nursery there was a room with Nozomi's things and there were still plenty of other rooms as well as two baths. Kagome dragged me off to one of them and Mamoru and Inuyasha headed to the other as the children began to look through the toys in their room.
"I plan to mate with Inuyasha tonight." Kagome whispered to me as she sank into the warm water in the tub. "Will you help me…get ready?"
I nodded and headed back to her room and searched through her clothes. I found a pretty white blouse and a cute red skirt. When I joined her in the bathroom I helped her dry her hair and dress before rubbing lilac on her temples and neck. "Inuyasha would never hurt you."
Kagome know looked at me startled. "I know that."
"Follow your instincts Kagome. They will tell you what to do and help you along." I said pressing my forehead against hers and gave her a hug before leaving her to herself in her room. I passed Inuyasha on his way in and gave him a quick hug as well. "Go with what your heart tells you bro."
He gave me a half-smile, "That's what Mamoru said."
"Well we both can't be wrong so we must be right." I winked and shooed him inside grinning as I saw one of Kagome's brushes in his hand. I walked into the nursery where I found Mamoru and the kids playing. Rinji leapt into my arms and I gave him a kiss. "Hey sweeties."
"Mama, why do you wear daddy's sword now?" Rinji asked as he bumped the hilt of the sword when I put him down.
"Daddy gave it to me." I said giving Mamoru a smile. He shook his head and sighed, he didn't want me using it but it had bound itself to me and he knew that it would be impossible to undo that. "We are going to get him a new one.
Nagisa nodded sagely, "Daddy couldn't use the Fire Blade cause he's earth. But Mama isn't so she can use it."
Mamoru tickled Nagisa. "How did you know that?"
"I touched it and it didn't like it. Fire doesn't like water that much. Aunt Sango told me." Nagisa said squealing.
I grinned, "You're a smart girl aren't you?"
"I'm yours and daddy's daughter! What did you expect?" She said seriously.
I laughed and tousled Rinji's brown hair. "You're right. I love you all so much."
"Of course you do." Rinji said smiling.
"How could you not?" Nagisa added impishly.
Mamoru grinned and tickled Nagisa. Rinji leapt to his sisters defense and I went to help my mate.
Inuyasha's Point of View
Kagome was sitting on the edge of the bed and I could smell the nervous and excited energy coming off her skin as she stretched her legs out in front of her. I had never seen the outfit before but she looked beautiful in my colors. When I had entered the room with my shirts in my hand and only my pants on her head had jerked up like a startled deer. I shifted under her gaze and held out the hair brush. "Would you…brush my hair out?" I asked shyly, I could feel the blush on my cheeks and I cursed in my head. I didn't want to scare her so I was trying to take things slow like Mamoru had said.
"Follow you're heart Inuyasha but take it slow. Kagome is probably more nervous than you are. Have her brush your hair or something so you guys can talk about your futures before you act."
I let a small breath of relief flow out of me as Kagome gave me her smile and held out her hand. I sat on the floor in front of her and threw my shirts into the corner. I could smell her even better from here but I knew though she was excited she was still really nervous. But she wasn't afraid. A rumbling growl escaped from my chest as I felt her run her hands and the brush through my hair. I would have to have her do this more often. It felt wonderful.
"Inuyasha?" She asked hesitantly.
"Hmm?" I said opening one eye and looking at the mirror across from us to see her face.
"What do you want to do with the jewel? It's yours." She said softly. The whole jewel glowed against her chest and clicked against the necklace I had given her as she moved. The whole time traveling back she had prayed over the jewel every night until it was completely purified.
"I want you to decide Kagome." I said turning slightly to touch her cheek. I had so much to tell her but I didn't know how. Oh well here goes. "I don't want to be a full demon anymore. I'm strong enough on my own, you showed me that." I kissed her palm gently and tried to force out the last bit. "You've shown me I'm never alone."
A few tears leaked from Kagome's eyes as she leaned her forehead against mine. "I love you Inuyasha."
"Feh," I muttered trying to sound like my normal self. "I love you too stupid."
Kagome laughed and threw her arms around me and I landed softly against the ground shielding Kagome from the impact. I protected her just like I always would. She kissed me gently and I kissed her back. The smell of desire in her overwhelmed her nervous scent and she ran her hand down my naked chest. Slow…we need to go slow…I thought trying to control the demon in me. And he did, by the time he allowed himself to enter Kagome, she was writhing in impatience, "Inuyasha…" She moaned pulling me down onto her. I muttered "mine" before biting sharply into the courting mark and letting myself go. She cried out my name in her climax and I moaned hers. We pulsed twice and the Jewel rolled from its chain out into the middle of the room. I jumped to my feet and managed to wrap a weak Kagome and myself in blankets before an image popped out from the jewel.
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