Yosei: alright! Here it is! The final chapter! Chapter seven!

Ambereyes: yea…at last…

Yosei: well its been a fun run! I love all of you guys! Thanks a billion for all of your reviews we highly appreciate all of you input! We also hope that you will read the sequel…once we write it…

Four Months Later

Kagome shoved her backpack over the rim of the old well, it landed with an audible thud on the ground. Kagome swung her leg over the side and climbed out.

"Oi Kagome. You could have waited on me."

"I knew you were right behind me. Besides it was a race remember?"

"Yeah but Shippu kept blasting me with fox fire!"

"Well you're demon, you'd have won any other way. And its good practice for him. You have to admit he's getting very good at his magic."

Kagome said all of this while leaning over the lip of the well looking down at the half-demon there. Both of them spoke of the kit in parental pride, knowing that they were sort of the boy's adoptive parents. Inuyasha smiled slightly.

"Yeah the brat's getting good. If not for my fire rat I'd of been toast."

"Which is why you should let him practice on you. You're the only one with immunity to his attacks."

"Okay fine. When we go back I'll take the kit out somewhere…"

Kagome grinned and gestured from him to come up. One leap later he was balanced on the side of the well eye level with her. Kagome blinked back surprise at his sudden entrance to her personal space. He just smirked.

"Thank you Inuyasha."

"Keh. Whatever."

The two of the left the well house and walked across the yard to the house. Kagome pulled her winter jacket tight around her shoulders, not matter what time period winter was always cold. Inuyasha was unfazed by the fridged snow drifts that he walked through barefoot.

"Mom! I'm home!! Inuyasha's with me!!"

"Inuyasha!!"

The sound of her little brother pounding the steps reached their ears. Souta coasted into the foyer and ran to his hero.

"Hey Inuyasha I just got a new game! Wanna play?"

"Am I going to lose again?"

"No! This one's a fighting game! I got it especially for you!"

"Oh in that case…"

Inuyasha followed the younger boy into the living room where the TV and the game console was. Inuyasha grinned at Kagome as he walked away. Kagome shook her head and walked to the kitchen. She met her mother coming out to greet her.

"Oh good Kagome you're back!"

She kissed her daughter and took her bag from her. Kagome followed her mother intent on helping unpack the huge yellow sack. They worked while talking about what had happened the past four months. Kagome told her mother that Shippou was learning quickly and that she would need to get some more of her old school books for him. And Sango that absolutely loved the scented soaps, her mother told her she had gotten some more of those with the young demon huntress in mind. Kagome related a few funny stories of their travels, mostly of Inuyasha and Shippou's antics. With a few of Sango and Miroku moments. Her mother laughed at them all.

"Mom? When did you realize that this was no longer my home?"

Kagome asked quietly, as she put some of the dirty clothes in the washing machine. Kagome's mother turned thoughtful a moment. Then spoke.

"Well dear, I suppose it was about a year ago. You came home talking about the hut that was being built next door to the elderly Keade that was going to be just for you and your friends. You were so excited and talking about things you would like to take from you room to the new house. It was then I guess. I had a flashback to when I first moved out of my home and into my first apartment. I was in college. And I acted just the way you did. It was then I realized that my baby had grown up. She had just done it sooner than most."

Her mother finished with a smile. As she dumped some trash into the trash can. And then turned to wash some of the dishes.

"I didn't mean for it to-"

"Oh don't apologize Kagome. You had no choice I know. And I also know that even if you did, you would have made the same decision. Its just who you are. When I think of you I think of my all grown up daughter who is making it on her own in the world."

Kagome's mom turned to face her wiping her hands on her apron. She walked over to her and took her hands.

"Granted its not this world, but that's okay. I know that your home is there now. But I also know that you realize that this place is always open."

She said leaning her forehead against her daughters and looking her in the eyes. Kagome smiled brightly as did her mom and they hugged one another. The moment was broken by someone ringing the bell. They broke and Kagome's mother went to answer it. Kagome's bag was all unpacked so she decided to see what the boys were doing.

"NO! how did you do that!!"

"Hey its skill kid. You have to understand the way momentum works and stuff."

"No fair! You have more experience than I do!"

"Yup."

Kagome entered the living room to see Inuyasha leaning against the couch a controller laying next to him. He looked pretty satisfied with himself, much like he did after killing a demon or something along those lines.

"Okay so who did you beat?"

Kagome asked walking around the couch. Souta got up and said something about getting a snack and he'd be right back.

"Huh?"

"That smug smile means only one thing. I just beat the hell out of something bigger than me."

Inuyasha mock pouted and looked up at her.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Kagome laughed.

"Oh yes you do Inuyasha. Because I have seen many times in our three years of knowing each other."

She sat down on the couch behind him and began playing with his ears. This was a recent thing, but she only did it when no one was looking. That way Inuyasha could enjoy it. He loved having his ears petted, he just didn't like anyone knowing the fact.

"Whatever."

He lost all will to fight the moment she began stroking his ears. He closed his eyes and let himself enjoy it.

"Kagome! Your friends are here and they want to talk to you!!"

Kagome's mother yelled. Both Inuyasha and Kagome froze and looked at each other. Kagome quickly got up and Inuyasha did so as well. He looked at Kagome expectantly.

"Go into the kitchen and get Souta to find you your bandana, then meet me back here okay?"

Inuyasha nodded and darted out into the hall and ducked into the kitchen. He used his demon speed so that the girls in the foyer wouldn't see him. Kagome rose and went to meet her guests.

Eri, Ayumi and Yuka were all standing the foyer, her mother was taking their hats, coats and umbrellas and putting them in the closet to the side.

"Come on in you guys. The living room is nice and warm."

The three girls followed quietly, not making eye contact. They all sat around the table on the floor. Kagome leaned her hands against the wood and the girls were looking at their hands in their laps.

"So, how are you guys? Are you okay? I'm sorry I wasn't here afterwards but I had to go to Kyoto."

"No need to apologize Kagome, and we are fine, thanks to you, and your boyfriend."

Yuka said quietly. She was the first to look up and face Kagome.

"We are the ones who should apologize. I am real sorry that I had anything to do with trying to set you up with that jerk Hojo. I should have backed off when you said that you were in love with another guy and that you didn't like Hojo like that. I hope you can forgive me."

Kagome smiled.

"Of course! What makes you think I wouldn't? Yuka, you said you were always on my side. And I know you always were. You were just doing what you thought was best for me."

"I know. But that's still no excuse. I should have trusted your judgment about your boyfriend. Your mother told us about him, how he travels with you everywhere you go for your illnesses. And that when she and your grandfather can't take care of you he does. I should have listened to you."

Kagome reached over and put her hand on the girl's shoulder. Ayumi cleared her throat and caught Kagome's attention.

"I'm next, I'm so sorry Kagome. Really I am. I just got so caught up in trying to make a perfect match I guess I didn't see one had already been made."

Ayumi smiled slightly, and Kagome answered in kind.

"Its okay Ayumi, I know you're a romantic. So am I. I would have done the same thing you guys."

Eri finally looked up.

"That may be, but you wouldn't have planned like we did. You wouldn't have forced your friend to be with a creep. I'm so sorry. I thought Hojo was perfect, and I wanted you to have the best. Because you're my best friend Kagome."

"Oh Eri…you guys its okay, I promise. I know why you did what you did. And I'm touched that you guys care so much about me. But you guys are just going to have to trust my judgment okay?"

All three girls nodded strongly and moved closer for a big group hug. Sniffles were heard as the four embraced each other. This moment was broken by the sudden entrance of Inuyasha who had slid the door open rather loudly. Kagome had a feeling he had been listening for the right moment to come in. It struck Kagome that he might know she was in love with him now, but she saw his face, she knew her secret was still safe. Inuyasha came over and sat Indian style near Kagome, the girl in turn scooted slightly closer to him.

The three girls all were focused on him now, and he felt their stares. He finally looked up to meet all of their gazes.

Silence passes for a long moment. Kagome sat, tense, waiting to see what would happen.

"Thank you Inuyasha-san, for saving us."

Eri made a small bow of respect, with the thank you. Ayumi and Yuka chimed in their thanks as well, accenting with a bow of their own. Inuyasha merely blinked at them. Kagome discreetly elbowed him in the ribs for get him to speak.

"Don't think anything of it."

He said gruffly before turning to look in a different direction. His cheeks a little pink. Kagome grinned.

"That means your welcome. In his language."

She said playfully. Inuyasha glared at her but she just smiled innocently and batted her eyelashes. Inuyasha had to fight a smile down. Kagome's friends all watched this exchange with interest. It was the first they had personally seen between the two (and still remembered clearly) and they weren't about to miss an opportunity to see what love looked like.

Yuka noticed that the boy's eyes had a soft look in them whenever she was the center of their attention. Which, Yuka also noticed, was a lot. He was just as in love with her as she was him. She smiled. This guy was okay, and if he did have a temper, it was probably only in Kagome's defense, like her mother had told them.

Eri and Ayumi turned to conversation towards the trip Kagome just returned from and also about school that she would be starting after the holidays. Yuka remained quiet and observed. The feeling that Kagome was still holding something back was still there, and now after seeing Inuyasha she was sure of it. There was something off about his appearance, the old style of clothes, the fact that he was always barefoot, his strange eye and hair color, and why every now and then she could swear that bandana twitched.

She knew there was a story waiting to be told there. Yuka also knew that Kagome would one day tell her what it was. In the mean time, she would trust Kagome in her decisions and always be supporting her. After all the ties that bound her to her friends were still as strong as the day they were forged.

And she had a feeling they would stay that way.

Yosei: that's a wrap peeps!

Ambereyes: thank god…

Yosei: lots of love to you guys!

Ambereyes: well, that's all, the sequel will be out sooner or later…

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