Disclaimer: *sigh* no. I wish I could write this once, and be done with it. But no. I don't own Inu Yasha.

[Author's Note] A-a h-hundred forty-five reviews?? You guys are so great!! When I was first getting up the nerve to post this, I had no idea… *phew* Well, I am sad but pleased to say that this is the final chapter for my story. Maybe sometime I will try my hand at another one, or a sequel, or something… Of course, in my opinion, sequels are never that good… Anyway, thanks to everyone who kept me on track and updating and things through reviews. Enjoy!

Previous chapter: Miroku and Sango have their first heart-to-heart, and Inu Yasha was deciding whether or not to reveal his feelings to Kagome.

"…it was now or never…"

Chapter Seven

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As Kagome prepared to stand, she raised her eyes. Inu Yasha was standing before her. Her eyes moved up his body, going over his legs and up his torso to meet eye to eye. She was surprised to see that he had indeed decided to face her. Kagome could only hope he was going to say something about the dream.

"Kagome," he addressed her as she stood up before him, her face riddled with curiosity. "We… need to talk."

"O-kay," she said reservedly. Inu Yasha turned to face the same direction as she, and they began to walk together slowly through the forest. Neither of them saw an extra flicker of light appear among the treetops. After a few minutes of silence, Kagome was getting sick of waiting to hear what Inu Yasha had to say.

"So, what is it, Inu Yasha?" He had actually been deep in thought, wondering at how exactly he should tell her about his dream revelation.

"I… I dreamed something…" he mentally kicked himself for how stupid that sounded.

'YESS!!!' Kagome thought triumphantly. She remained silent, however, lest she break this rare moment of openness.

"My mother always taught me that dreams are very valuable," he trailed off, again deep in thought. Kagome had to call him back to reality once more.

"What was your dream, Inu Yasha?" Kagome knew full well what his dream was all about, but she didn't want to let on.

"I dreamed of Kikyou-" Kagome shuddered a bit, slightly worried about whether or not his ability to recall dreams was what she had originally hoped it was. Inu Yasha was too focused on recalling his dream to notice. "-And this isn't the first time I've dreamt of her pinning me to the Goshinboku tree. But," he continued, looking at her as they walked, "it was the first time you've appeared." Kagome stopped in her tracks and stared at him, open mouthed.

'So that's why he seemed like he was so surprised to see me! He does remember.' He stopped walking as well, and turned to completely face the girl before him.

"You- you saved me, Kagome. Even though I knew how much you were scared of her, you still fought with Kikyou- to save me." He looked down at the forest floor. "I know it was just a dream, but it made me realize that I needed to make a real and final decision between you and Kikyou." Kagome didn't move a muscle, for fear she might jinx whatever it was he was about to say. "And, in my dream, I made it." He paused again, thinking about just how he could say what needed to be said without compromising his macho exterior. Instead of words, he stepped toward Kagome, reached out, and drew her to him, his cheek brushing against her hair. He smelled fresh, and he was warm and comfortable. Kagome blushed, remembering what she did in his dream to get him to release her. But her thoughts were stopped when she felt his chest vibrate as he spoke.

"My mother, as I said, taught me about dreams. That they are from the heart. And in my dream, I realized that I need you near me." He continued to hold Kagome in his arms, relishing her soft scent and sweet presence.

"But what about Kikyou?" Inu Yasha didn't seem phased by her question. In fact, he seemed to have expected it.

"My only responsibility to her now is to see her soul put to rest. You-" Inu Yasha trailed off, and then quickly muttered under his breath, "are more important to me." Kagome almost didn't hear. What she did end up hearing was "mo- p-tant- me," but she took it how she got it, and hoped she heard it correctly. Her hands found their way to the other side of Inu Yasha, and she returned his embrace. After what seemed like a few minutes, they released each other gently. Kagome turned from Inu Yasha toward the village, and Inu Yasha watched her do so before following suit. They walked silently for a few minutes before Kagome finally decided to speak. After all, too long of a silence, even between her and Inu Yasha, could get a little awkward after awhile. So, placing her basket of berries and herbs on one arm, she latched on to Inu Yasha with her other. Inu Yasha visibly stiffened, but he quickly recovered so as not to make the situation even more awkward. Kagome smiled at this, feeling his bicep slightly swell and then relax.

"I'm starving. These berries are for pancake toppings. Are you hungry, Inu Yasha?" she asked innocently. He looked down at her with his sparkling amber eyes and smiled one of his rare smiles.

"Yeah." The two continued toward the village, and a pair of lovely sprite eyes watched from above.

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Inu Yasha and Kagome arrived at the house to find Sango and Miroku sitting around a fire, having a pleasant conversation. A very strange sight, since they would usually find Miroku out cold and Sango polishing her hiraikotsu.

"Ah, you're back," Miroku said, smiling. Kagome smiled in response, and looked toward Sango to see how things were going. The girls exchanged nods and smiles, almost imperceptible to even the demon eye. But neither girl needed to read minds to know what the other was thinking: although it wasn't the romance that they had in the dreamscapes, this was certainly a positive change. There really was hope for a future!

Miroku continued, obviously hungry. "What did you call them? Pan-cakes?" Kagome smiled at Miroku and nodded.

"Uh-huh," she said, and unlatched her arm from that of Inu Yasha. She sat down by the fire with her supplies, and proceeded to make pancakes for everyone.

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After breakfast, the group of five continued on their hunt for Naraku and the jewel shards. But none could escape the feeling that something strange happened at the village. Whatever it was, it was something good, and they all traveled with lighter steps and happy hearts. From high above, the demon sprite hovered and watched the group depart from the village. She laughed, happily observing the fruits of her mischief.

Shippou thought he heard something, and stopped, turning around for one last look at the village. At this, the demon sprite muffled her laugh, certain that the kitsune could not spot her on his own. Finding nothing, Shippou shrugged and turned around, proceeding to run off ahead of the two budding couples. The sprite nodded with satisfaction at her work and fluttered off into the forest. The two girls who had wanted so much to know what their men were thinking finally got their wish- not only in the dreamscape, but also in reality.

The End

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[Author's note] So… final reviews? Tell me what you think! Thanks everyone!!

~*karen~*