Disclaimer: No! No! No! I won't say it! ...lawyers flock down and begin shouting complicated legal phrases at me... What? Stop it! Speak English already! ...keep talking all scarily, waving papers around... Ah! Oh fine! I don't own Inuyasha!

Author's Note: I did promise a dedication, didn't I? Well, before I announce the winner, I want to say- THANK YOU(!) to everyone that took the time to enter my contest! It was a lot of fun to see what you all came up with. I'll post every response at the end of this chapter, so you can all see what the rest of you thought up to explain my muse's unexpected absense. However, I have decided to dedicate this chapter to... CrimsonEnchantress! Congratulations!

OOOOO

Kagome kept an eye on both Zara and Kaede during their climb. Inuyasha was obeying Zara's orders and keeping close to the group- although he continued to insist he could go up and get the ring with no trouble.

Zara refused to let him get two feet away, she continued to keep a glaring eye on him at all times. Rather than tire, the child seemed to thrive even as the others began to falter.

They had to stop numerous times in order for Kaede to catch her breath. Despite her protests to the contrary, the climb was beginning to wear on her. She wasn't as young as she was before, and Kagome was worried she wouldn't make it to the cave mouth.

Zara remained impassive through each of these stops, although Kagome wondered how she was taking it. Being so close to the one thing that she needed more than anything- and being delayed time and time again.

As everyone rested on a ledge Inuyasha had sighted some time ago, Kagome wandered over to the silent child, carefully gauging her reaction as she settled herself down near her still form.

"Are you alright?"

"I know what you're thinking." Zara murmered quietly. "The emotion is so thick it's like a scent. You can stop being so worried. I've waited this long to reach it. I can wait a bit longer."

Kagome nearly shivered at the matter of fact sound in the child's voice, but managed to stop herself at the last moment.

"You're so calm." Was all she said. "If it was me, I don't know if I could be so..."

"It's alright. Each of you has shown me more compassion in the last few days than I have felt since my parents were alive. Staying with you a few more minutes is no hardship."

Zara leaned against Kagome with a tiny smile. "You especially. I met you all because of you. Your heart was the one that prompted me to trust you all. When I saw you sitting on the temple stairs, your emotions in a mix... It called to me. Somehow, I knew I could trust you.

"Since I began travelling with you and your friends, I actually felt human again, rather than a pawn in some game. You all have helped me to discover myself again. Who I used to be rather than who I've become."

Tears moistened Kagome's eyes, as she stared down at this little girl who had been through more than anyone could have ever guessed.

Terror, hurt, betryal. Every terrible thing possible had been shown to this child, and to know that she had done something that came so easily to her and have it treasured like a gift was beyond her comprehension.

"Thank you Kagome. You have no idea what you have done for me."

Zara slid away from Kagome's grasp, her serious gaze washing off her face like water, a smile replacing it instead. "The others are ready to continue. Let's go."

She scampered away, as sure-footed as a mountain goat, leaving Kagome wiping tears away.

"What did she say?" Inuyasha stooped down next to her, laying a hand on her shoulder and wiping away the last of the tears.

Instead of responding, Kagome pulled him closer and gave him a long, sweet kiss, in full view of the rest of the group.

When they parted, Inuyasha's cheeks were ruby-red and he darted a look at the rest of the group, before looking back at Kagome.

"I love you Inuyasha." She said with all the feeling she could muster into her shaking voice. "And I don't want to die without letting you know."

Inuyasha's thought were spinning. Kagome loved him? His thoughts wouldn't settle. He had long ago decided that same thing about her, but he had never thought that she would have felt the same about him.

Gentle tinkling laughter interrupted his thoughts. Except, he could hear it in his head, not with his ears.

Well, say something! Don't just leave her hanging there! The least you can do is kiss her again.

He glanced around hurriedly, seeing Zara looking directly at him with an expression of expectation on her face.

Yes it's me. Now stop looking over here and tell Kagome how you feel already!

Inuyasha looked back at Kagome, who was starting to look a little sad.

"If you don't feel the same way I understand..."

He silenced her by setting his hand over her mouth.

"Kagome..." It was hard to concentrate with her breath tickling his palm, but he had to try and say what was on his mind. "I... love you too."

He removed his hand in time to see her shocked expression before a huge grin spread across her face and she yanked him closer for another kiss.

OOOOO

Miroku glanced over at Sango with a longing look in his eye. She was watching Kagome and Inuyasha with a completely happy grin.

"Finally!" Not really sure of what she was doing, she threw her arms around Miroku, hugging him happily. "They finally told each other!"

Just as she was about to pull away, Miroku put his arms around her and kept her in his arms. "Sango, I need to..."

She looked up at him with a slightly shocked expression on her face.

"I havn't really made it a secret how I feel about you, but I don't think I ever told you how I feel. Sango, I love you. And I wish I could have had the courage to say it sooner."

Her shock faded as he leaned down and gave her a quick kiss.

"Oh Miroku..." Despite how they had first met, Miroku had became a valuable friend and had always been there for her. Sometimes she felt closer to him than any of the others, even Kagome.

"I love you too." Happily, Miroku picked her up and spun her around, careful not to step over the edges of the ledge.

"One more thing..." He stooped, taking her hand in his own. "Sango..."

"Would you bare my children?"

She began to laugh as she pulled him to his feet, the sound breaking through the silence that had developed after all of their confessions.

Zara watched from an over-hang a few feet above the rest of them, a completely serene look falling over her features.

"If that is done then..." Kaede said a little stiffly, beginning the climb up the mountain once again.

From that point on, Kagome rode with Inuyasha and Sango and Miroku climbed steadily, side by side.

Zara hung back, watching them with a mixed amount of envy and contentment. I wish I had had the time to find someone to share my life with... Saddened she looked down at her child-like hands. Time is all I've ever had.

Finally, they were close to the peak. The air had grown thin and each of them were panting for breath, the climb and lack of air affecting all but Zara and Inuyasha, who's half-demon body gave him a greater resistance to the climb.

Inuyasha slid down the slope carefully, Kagome on his back, and lept to the ledge the others were resting on as Miroku pulled Sango over the edge to safety.

"I can see the cave from here. It's only about ten feet up. That overhang is sheilding it from the rest of you, that's why we couldn't see it from the ground. It's pretty well hidden. If you weren't looking for it, you might pass right over it."

Zara nodded slowly. "We're nearly there, then..."

The others looked around at each other each remembering the times they had spent together.

Inuyasha was yelling at Shippo... Kagome shooting a purifying arrow... Kikyou coming back to life... Sango flying around on Kirara... Kaede mixing herbs... Sitting around a fire talking... Inuyasha discovering the wind-scar... Sesshoumaru attacking... Naraku being revealed as Onigumo... Miroku grabbing Kagome and Sango... Laughing with each of them... Kagome sitting Inuyasha... Watching out for Miroku while the girls took a bath in the hot-springs... Sleeping out under the stars... All of them arguing over one thing or another...

They might never see each other again.

The thought struck each of them like a blow. It hadn't really hit them until they reached the cave. They had thought about it of course, but it never really seemed real until this moment. One of them was going to die.

Everyone exchanged looks around the circle of people. And each knew that they would do anything to protect each other.

A silent understanding passed between them all, the emotional link passing over Zara like a wave.

Then it was over and they all began to climb to the cave.

OOOOO

Author's Note: FLUFFY! I'm not too good at the big emotional scenes, so I hope it wasn't too sappy. This chapter didn't quite turn out the way I had hoped, but still- the next chapter will be the last. And extra long. It has been great fun writing this story and being able to hear everyone's coments and critiques. You all have been the best reviewers I have ever had.

Okay- enough of the sap. First the review responses, then the contest responses: wolf enchantress 340 (Thanks for reviewing! You know I always value your comments!), StarfireRobin (You know, after I saw your review, I went back and read over the lines I used for the fluff. I'm glad you liked it! I always worry that it sounds silly when I'm writing romantic scenes!), Angeloflight (Thanks for the encouragement! I love to hear that the story is a good one!), Dark Inu Fan (I have read your story. That's the one where Kagome's father was a dog-demon and the birth mark is in the shape of a dog's paw, right? Oops! Better not give away any more of the plot line. I'll do a formal review soon and let you know what I think!), CrimsonEnchantress (What will I do without your support?! It's so sad that I won't be able to know what you think any more! You've been one of my major influences during the writing of the story and I'm so glad you decided to review. So, I'll send you off with my heart-felt thanks. I'll miss your critism and compliments... Remember to keep reading, even if you can't review.)

Okay- contest time! Thanks again to all participants! (I'm just copying and pasting, so if it's spelled wrong, it's not my problem...)

wolf enchantress 340: Perhaps your muse is angry with you for going on vacation and decided to leave to punish you. I know its not that exciting of an idea but I'm trying to be a bit logical for once in my life.

StarfireRobin: Ok this excuse for your muse's absence probably sucks, but... um... she went to Vegas and is at one of those all night parties? Oh, I don't know! lol... pretty pathetic excuse, huh?

Dark Inu Fan: You want your muse returned? If you do, read my story birth marks and give me ideas. I don't have her, but it would help me ;)

And the winner- CrimsonEnchantress: I think that thinking about the sweet, wonderfully amusing romance between Sango/Miroku and Kagome/Inuyasha has made her a little bit lonely too. So she's gone to find her little source of inspiration and love. Be prepared! Because she just might come back with a boyfriend...or an illicit lover...

...my muse is fluttering around happily with her new 'friend'... No! He is not living here! One is more than enough! Get out now! ...they ignore me and continue to laugh and jabber at each other in their high-pitched voices... No! I won't have it! I can't take another one! You're annoying enough by yourself! ...laughs at me and flits down to whisper in my ear... You wouldn't! You little black-mailer! ...whacks muse across the room causing the other one to start yelling at me and flitting down to yank my hair... Ow! Stop that! Oh lord... It's like living in a room full of car-alarms...

MysteryMaiden7