Disclaimer - I don't own InuYasha . . . although I wish for it every night.



Author's Notes - Whoa . . . that lemon took a lot out of me. Well, at any rate, this one is a short post, just to tie up the loose ends that were left. And now, for the really good news . . . I finally have a website set up : ) I'm so happy *claps for joy*. So, if you want a good look at all my writing, including some original work that will never be posted anywhere else, and a more orderly posting of this fic, with lemons, go to my information page and hit the addy. And now, on with the story.





Chapter 10 - In Dreams (part 3)



InuYasha awoke late the next morning, sunlight splashing across his face, his nose filled with Kagome's scent. 'My mate,' he thought possessively, his arm tightening slightly around her waist as she lay next to him. For once, his soul was at peace, and he was exhilarated at the turn his life had taken. Dark clouds hovered on the horizon, however . . . they still had to complete the quest and defeat Naraku. He frowned slightly, nuzzling the back of Kagome's neck softly, before planting a kiss on her shoulder. She moaned lightly and shifted, pulling the blanket closer. He grinned and rolled to his feet, pulling on his clothing thoughtfully. They would need to head back to the village soon . . . the others were sure to be awake and wondering where they were.

He sat down beside Kagome, studying her as she slept. How would this change things? She was his mate now . . . fully, completely, totally his. He sighed in contentment. She was so peaceful when she slept . . . he hated to wake her, but they needed to get going.

"Kagome," he murmured gently, making sure he stayed out of slapping range as he shook her shoulder lightly. The girl was a horror when it came to waking up. He was startled when she only rolled over and smiled at him, her eyes shining.

"Morning InuYasha," she whispered, rubbing her eyes.

"Well, that's new . . . for once you didn't wake up violent," he said. She grinned at him.

"That would be due to my expecting you to be there this time . . . rather then you startling me,' she said to him. Reaching out, she caressed his cheek gently before moving up to gently rub his ear. He rumbled deep in his chest, causing her grin to blossom in that smile he loved so much. "I love it when you do that," she murmured.

"Yeah . . . well, you keep that up and we won't be going anywhere for a while yet," he growled softly in reply. Kagome rubbed his ear one last time, then grabbed the clothes he handed her and got dressed. She blushed slightly when she turned to find his amber eyes watching her appreciatively. He walked over to her and pulled her against him in a gently hug, holding her close. "I love you . . . my mate," he murmured. She wrapped her arms around his waist, returning the embrace.

"I love you too, InuYasha," she whispered. "My mate." She could scarcely believe it. Not long ago she had been resigned to losing him, sure in the belief that he only considered her a friend and that his heart belonged to Kikyo. Now, here she was, her soul bound to his by an act older than time itself . . . she had never thought she would be so happy as she was here in his arms.

InuYasha, in turn, was thinking much along the same lines. He had no right to this kind of happiness . . . he'd had the belief that he was a worthless, disgusting creature pounded into him too many times for that. But this girl . . . no, this woman . . . had changed all of that when she appeared through the well and released him. Slowly, by accepting his as himself, she'd forced him to accept who and what he was as well. . . and to accept that he wasn't the forsaken thing he'd always believed himself to be. He owed her so much . . . and loved her so much more. Sighing, he released her and stepped back. As much as he would love to stay with her in his arms forever, they still had much to accomplish before they could live their lives anywhere in peace.

"We should get back," he murmured. Kagome nodded, and quickly stashed the blankets they'd used back in a corner. Turning back to him, she climbed up onto his back, sighing as she rested her chin gently on his shoulder. He gripped her behind her knees carefully, and took off. At the edge of the forest, he halted suddenly. "We've never been jumping before just for the hell of it, have we?" he asked her. She shook her head curious. Whenever InuYasha had carried her, he'd mostly stuck to the ground, and they had been in a hurry for some reason. She'd never had the time or the presence of mind to enjoy it. He grinned over his shoulder at her mischievously. "It's time we did," he stated cheerfully. With that, he leaped straight into the trees, and took off at high speed, Kagome clinging to his back, squealing.

Leaping high, he broke through the forest canopy, soaring over the treetops with an ease that belied the effort. Kagome relaxed, knowing he'd never hurt her intentionally, and looked around in wonder.

"InuYasha . . . this is amazing!" she breathed.

"I thought you would like it," he said, landing on a branch only to spring back into the air. Kagome laughed as the wind streamed through her hair, sending it to mingle and intertwine with InuYasha's silvery mane. The feeling of freedom was exhilarating, to say the least, and the fact that she was sharing this experience with the only man she ever loved made it all the more precious to her.

Too soon they arrived back at the village, InuYasha landing lightly on his feet near the outer edge to let Kagome off. They shared a smile, and side by side, walked back to Kaede's hut. Villager's called out greetings to them both as they walked, which Kagome answered with a wave and a smile. InuYasha just nodded at them, as usual.

Kagome caught a flying furball to the chest as they neared the hut.

"Kagome! We were worried!" Shippo cried, hugging her tightly. InuYasha just looked on in annoyance.

"Geesh, kit, it's not as if I wasn't with her . . ." he grumbled as Miroku and Sango approached them.

"So, where were you two all night?"Miroku asked, only to receive an elbow in the ribs. One look at Kagome's suddenly flushed face and InuYasha's golden eyes glaring at him told him everything he needed to know, and he suddenly fell quiet.

Sango just as easily put the pieces together and smiled. 'It's about time,' she thought. 'Those two belong together.' Kagome gasped suddenly, drawing everyone's attention to her.

"Oh no! My Mom! My family! InuYasha . . . they must be so worried . . ."

"Calm down, Kagome. I've visited your time and kept them informed . . . but you are right. We should go visit them and let your Mom see that you're okay." Kagome flew into the hut, and came right back out seconds later. InuYasha was eyeing Miroku disgustedly, to which the monk was only grinning in reply. Before Kagome's feet could even hit ground, InuYasha had swung her up on his back and taken off, heading for the well.

"InuYasha . . . what's wrong? You looked ready to kill Miroku back there," she said, curious. She caught brief grumbles.

"Miroku . . . damn lecherous . . . perverted . . . nosy son of a . . ." he grumbled. Kagome grinned. That explained a lot. InuYasha barely paused before entering the well, taking his mate back to her own time.





To Be Continued