Chapter Sixteen-Homecoming

"It's so good to see you're well." Sango told Saraku the night they returned. "We were worried."

Saraku smiled. "I was okay. Kouga was really nice. He even taught me how to hunt,and I've got my own spear." She brandished the spear to show Sango.

"That's a nice one. Just the right size for you." The demon exterminator humored,shifting Chibi on her lap. "Where did Miroku go? It's his turn to change her."

"Let me hold her." Saraku took Chibi without waiting for an answer. "Hey there,Chibi. I missed you so much! There was a baby in Kouga's group,but you are so much cuter!" She snuggled the infant,who squirmed a little in protest. "Alright alright. I'm sorry." She loosened her grip,and looked down,feeling a nudge at her knee. "Kilala!" She set Chibi down in front of her,and smiled at the cat creature. "I didn't forget you either. I named my wolf cub after you." Kilala pawed at her,and she giggled.

"I think she's missed you a lot more than you know." Sango chuckled.

"I think you're right." Saraku replied, as Kilala climbed into her lap. She glanced over at Inuyasha,Kagome and Sesshoumaru. "What are they talking about?"

"I think thier trying to decide who you're going to live with from here until it's time to switch." Miroku replied,coming up behind Sango. "Kagome's about to make them play a game called Rock Paper Scissors."

"Never heard of it." Sango replied.

"Me either." Sara admitted. She watched the group in fascination,as they all did something funny with their hands. "Is that the game?" She whispered to Sango.

"I think so..." Sango made a face. "Miroku,it's your turn to change Chibi."

"Consider it done." The monk carried Chibi off to their little area,and set to work putting a fresh diapering cloth on her.

Sara watched him with amusement,then turned,when she heard Inuyasha call her. "Well,I guess they've decided.."

"Let's go see." Sango took her hand gently in Saraku's,and they both walked over to where the others were.

*************************************************************************************** " You're coming home with me." Sesshoumaru told the girl as she approached. "We've got one more season before I return you to Inuyasha."

"Okay." She looked at Shippou. "So,I guess I'll see you then....."

"Yeah...." Shippou looked up at her. "I have missed you though. You won't forget about me in that big castle of yours,will you?"

"Are you kidding? I'll be wishing you were there!" Saraku hugged him tightly, as Sesshoumaru pulled Ah-un up.

"Come,Saraku. I want us to get as far as we can before dark." He put both her and Rin on the beast,and carefully led them away. "We shall see you in a Season,Inuyasha."

"Make damn sure she's taken care of!" Inuyasha replied. He looked at Kagome with a sigh. "We never got to give her that locket, you know."

"I know." Kagome shrugged. "At least we'll have something to talk about when she comes back."

"Yeah. So,when is your final?" Inuyasha pulled her down to sit next to him by his favorite tree.

"Two days from now. I'm ready for it." Kagome told him. "I'm ready for it all to be over,so we can spend our lives together."

"That makes two of us,Kagome." Inuyasha replied,pulling her closer to him. "I never would've found the good side of humanity without you. I love you for that."

"I love you too,Inuyasha." Their sweet words melted into a tender kiss,and before they knew it,the two of them were in thier tent,consumating their relationship for the first time.

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Moraine watched from a high tree,where she'd been sitting for the better part of the day. So,these are the people who have been raising my little neice. A bunch of demons and a girl? Well,this won't do for a priestess. I have to find a way to get her back,without their interference. I highly doubt she'll remember me,since I wasn't in her meddlesome father's caravan. That sneaky little cunt! He decided to steal into the night with his daughter so that we of the Fire Grove could not take her for training. Well,we shall see what happens now!

She looked over at her handmaid. "Cecily. I want you to follow that two headed beast discretely,and take note of the path he takes. We're going to pay my niece Sara a visit."

The young girl nodded,and hopped down silently. "I shan't fail you."

"Good girl. Now go on." She watched the girl skitter off,and smirked. Very soon,Sara, you will be where you truly belong.