AN: Well I got the ten updates I asked for in less than a day. Wow some of you people must really wanna see them get back together. So here's the next chapter.

CH: 7 Coming Home

Kagome looked around for Sesshoumaru but noticed he had left. She felt her heart sink. She had used her new found powers to heal the others once she had gotten rested. She noticed that Kagura had stayed. She had taken an almost finished Shikon no Tama from the where Naraku had once stood and purified it. They had found Kohaku's remains among the many bodies and Inu Yasha picked up the body saying that they could give him a proper burial at Kaede's village. Sango had been broken, but happy he was no longer under Naraku's control. Miroku comforted her, putting his joy of being cured aside. The group continued to Kaede's village and the well.

"Why are you still here Kagura?" Miroku was the first one to voice the question that everyone had.

"I do not know." Kagura was confused as to why she had stayed. She was free and could do what she wanted, but felt the over whelming need to stay. She felt that tug everytime she looked at the hanyou.

They all settled into Kaede's hut, but Inu Yasha and Kagome. They traveled up to the well. "Umm...Kagome, about what I said. I-I really do love you. Will you stay with me?"

"I can't Inu Yasha. And before you say anything it's not because of school or my world, I actually kind of plan on staying in Sengoku Jidai. I already failed all my exams back home, I'll never get into highschool. It's just that, I don't love you that way anymore Inu Yasha. All the drama with Kikyou was just too much...and I think I fell in love with someone else." They had reached the well and sat on the edge.

"Sesshoumaru."

"How'd you know?"

"I'm not blind Kagome. I could tell and it hurt when I saw it. But if you're staying then we can still be friends, right?"

"Of course." Kagome smiled, but then her smile faded. "But I don't even know if Sesshoumaru feels the same way. I mean he left right after the fight."

"Trust me Kagome, he feels the same. I mean he brought me back to life and trust me it wasn't because I'm he's beloved little brother. It was because I was your friend. And even though I hate the idea of you wish Sesshoumaru I want you to be happy."

"Thanks Inu Yasha" Kagome hugged him and then jumped into the well.

Inu Yasha stared down into the well wistfully. "It hurts doesn't it?" Inu Yasha turned and saw Kagura.

"As if you would know."

"True. But I did warn you."

"That doesn't make it hurt any less." Inu Yasha sighed and went to a try to sit under it. He was holding back tears and Kagura could tell. She didn't know what to do. She sat next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. Inu Yasha turned and looked at her and for the first time didn't see an enemy, but a normal young hanyou. 'Kagome healed from seeing me with Kikyou, maybe I'll heal too...in time.'

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"Okaasan, I'm home."

"Kagome!" Three voices yelled and her family rushed to meet her.

"What happened?" Souta asked. They all settled around the kitchen table and Kagome's mom got them something to eat.

"Well, we finally defeated Naraku, so we don't have any big competition for the rest of the shards. And there should only be about five shards left." Kagome showed them the almost completed jewel.

"Great then you can stay soon."

"Umm...about that, I kind of want to live in Sengoku Jidai. I mean I already failed getting into high school and I have a lot of friends there. Not to mention Shippou who practically considers me his mom. And the jewel will need to be protected once it's finished." Kagome could see the sadness in her family's eyes. "I'll visit, I promise."

"Well, Kagome your old enough to make your own decisions I think. You have matured greatly with your travels. If you want to stay you can, but I insist on a visit atleast once a month." Kagome's mother was certainly saddened by her daughter's decision, but seemed intent on supporting her. "Can you two please leave so I can talk to Kagome alone?"

Souta and Kagome's jichan left the room after making her promise not to leave before they got a chance to say goodbye. "Kagome, what is it you're not telling me?"

'She always could read me like an open book.' "I'm in love."

"Is it Inu Yasha?"

"No, his older brother, Sesshoumaru."

"Isn't he the one who tried to kill you before?"

"Yeah, but he saved my life twice and let me stay with him. I really do love him."

"Well, if you love him then I support you whole heartedly. Does he love you?"

"I think so. I'm going to find out once I get back." Her mother hugged her and helped her pack for her journey back. Kagome decided to stay the night and would leave the next day.

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Sesshoumaru was standing in the garden remembering all the times he had spent there with Kagome. Rin was running around him in circles. She had been excited when he had returned and had yet to calm down. She had been somewhat sad that he hadn't returned with Kagome. He felt the same way. 'I hope she's happy with the hanyou. As long as she's happy I can deal with it.'

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After a very teary goodbye and promises that she would return, Kagome jumped into the well. Shippou was there to great her. They went to Kaede's hut and greeted the others. She gave Inu Yasha a lot of ramen and told everyone her plan of heading west. She said there were still a couple shards left and that she knew that Kouga still had his two. She knew his clan was on the way west. Half way through her explanation Inu Yasha interrupted her.

"Kagome, just go straight to the castle will you. I'll get the shards from the wimpy wolf."

Everyone else nodded their heads and Kagome smiled. "Thanks Inu Yasha."

"Kagome, can I come too?" Shippou looked up at her.

"Of course, my little pup." Kagome smiled and Shippou jumped onto her shoulder.

"Come find me when you get the rest of the shards and then I can purify the whole thing. So what are you going to wish for Inu Yasha, still want to be a full youkai."

"Not really so much anymore. You can keep it. Why don't you wish for something."

"Like what?"

"Like a longer life considering Sesshoumaru is a youkai."

Kagome thought about it and decided it might actually be a good idea. "Thanks Inu Yasha."

Kagome walked out after saying goodbye to all her friends and giving Inu Yasha a few pointers after seeing the way Kagura kept looking at him. She laughed as she remembered how red he got.

She stopped as night began to fall and made camp. Shippou helped gather fire wood and she hunted with her bow and arrows. Getting to the castle was going to take forever. "Umm...Kagome, can I call you mommy now?"

"Sure Shippou."

"So does that mean that Sesshoumaru is going to be my dad?"

"I don't know Shippou, but I really hope he wants the job."

The two of them went to sleep. They didn't really fear the creatures of the night anymore. Once you had fought Naraku there wasn't really much out there that scared you.

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It had been days since he had last seen her and she still haunted him at every turn. He would think of her every where he went, and little work was getting done. Rin constantly asked when Kagome would be coming back and Sesshoumaru did not have the heart to tell the girl that she may not return. He sighed. Her scent still lingered throughout the castle. He leaned on the railing of the balcony and looked out into the evening sky and again wished for her return.

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Finally Kagome could see the castle and it was good thing too since night would soon be falling. She ran the rest of the way and was greeted with a more irritated than normal Jaken. Kagome ignored him and ran past him. She was then greeted by a hyper Rin. She asked Rin where Sesshoumaru was and then left Shippou with her to play.

Kagome went up the stairs and calmed her self. She began to think of all the hidden fears she had. 'What if he doesn't want to see me?' She came to the door to his study and slowly opened it.

Sesshoumaru was so deep in thought he didn't notice she was there until she was about three feet into the room. He turned and she ran to him wrapping her arms around his torso, tears fell from her eyes. To say the demon lord was shocked would have been a great understatement. He wrapped his arms around her shoulder and pulled her closer to him. Her scent filled his senses.

"Why'd you leave me?" Kagome whimpered into his chest. She pulled back to look into his eyes. They seemed to be filled with so many emotions, confusion, joy, relief,...love.

He didn't know what to say. "I-I...you and...the hanyou..." Sesshoumaru was silenced by a desperate kiss. He tasted the saltiness of her tears and a sweetness that could only be Kagome.

"I love you not anyone else. I want to be with you." Kagome waited for Sesshoumaru's response.

'She loves me?' Sesshoumaru felt a warmth inside him that he had not felt since he was a pup. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. "I love you too Kagome." He whispered into her ear. He pulled Kagome back a bit and looked into her face. Her hair was mussed and her face was stained with tears and yet he couldn't help but think how beautiful she was. He kissed her tears away and then brought his lips to hers.

"Kagome, will you be my mate?" Sesshoumaru asked as he pulled back from the sweet kiss. He saw the shock that passed over her. 'Did I ask to soon?'

"I think there are a few things you need to know about me first..." Kagome told him all about the well and where she was from. Sesshoumaru merely listened to the tale.

"That does not answer my question." He said when she had finished.

Kagome looked up at him and smiled. "Yes, Sesshoumaru, I'll be your mate." She pulled him down to her again and they shared another kiss. Kagome then buried her face in his kimono and held him tight. She let out a slight yawn do to all the hard traveling. Sesshoumaru let out a small chuckle and scooped the girl into his arms. He left the study and went in the direction of his room.

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Kagome woke to see a pair of deep golden eyes staring back at her. "Ohayou."

"Ohayou itoshii." Sesshoumaru said and buried his face in her hair taking in her scent. He still found it hard to believe that she had chosen to be with him. He had been relieved when he had awoken that morning to see that it was not a dream.

Sesshoumaru gave Kagome a deep kiss and rolled on top of her. "What are doing?" Kagome managed to say once she regained her breath from that kiss.

"Merely claiming you as mine." Sesshoumaru began to place small kisses of her shoulder. Soon the room was filled with gasps and low moans.

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Okay hope you're all happy that they're together. I'll make an epilogue and then it'll be done. Hope you all enjoyed so far and many thanks to all my great reviewers.

Review responses:

Meamiko: well they're together, please don't hurt me. lol

Thekiit: don't worry as you can see it is a Sess/Kag fic

Shadow of the God Tree: heartache's gone, don't be sad

Crystal-kitty2003: I know, I'm so evil to keep you guys hanging

Kawaiikitsune: Yay, Kikyou's dead. Thanx for the review, you're one of my most loyal fans.

Miko-chan: they're nice and happy now so please don't hate me.

~*Shichan