Susie202: Glad you liked it! I was a bit nervous because I had to write that quickly and with my mom in the room—and she has no idea what I was doing. And so I really didn't have a lot of time to reread and edit it because she kept on telling me to get off the computer. Sheesh.
Sesshomarubride: I think I'm only going to add the Epilogue (this chapter) to Dream Lover…and that's it. But I will try and write other stories or oneshots so keep an eye out for me! Lol.
Ghost101: The Epilogue happens next. Lol.
Ayame Ito: I know, I sorta worried about that fact myself; but the point is that I hadn't intended for this to be a story. It was supposed to be an oneshot; but I was asked to make more chapters, which is why it seemed so quick.
SurferChik8882: Don't cry! PLZ don't cry!—hands you handkerchief looking very much ashamed.
Kaiyou87: I'm glad that I didn't disappoint you and that I (holds onto crown with both hands, glaring at anyone who would want to snatch it away from me) get to keep my title!
Kira the Mizu Ryuu: Read and see! Read and see!
Bakura's Girl88: I missed ya girl! Lol. Yep, Naraku got what was coming to him, didn't he!
Liizziioo: You evil thing you—taunting Naraku as he BURNS! Mwuahahahahahahaha cough cough I gotta get that evil laughter thing right!
Animegirl2004: I'm so glad you like this story!
The Squabbit: Um, I don't think that I'll write a sequel. (sad) But I'm going to think about writing Fanfics about Kagome and other leading men. But then again. If I made a sequel it could be about the children…interesting idea…maybe I'll think about it. .
Brac3 Fac3: Interesting name. What made you choose it?
Kari Konoko: Bows as the crowd cheers. Back to reality
Hermonine: Don't fall off your chair! I don't think insurance can cover that! And think of the scandal that would cause! 'death by chair…suspect one shadowglove. Interrogation to follow by angry reviewers worldwide.' shivers
Tnkrbell: Glad to see you, my new reviewer! Here's the update you requested.
MacDuffyGirl: Yes, I always wondered why Naraku was so evil—especially since he was so cute. …cough…cough… shouldn't be talking like that about the guy I just deep-fried.
SesshieKamatotoGirl: Thanks.
Darkest Goddess: I LIKE YOUR NAME! Laughs Ya, you're right about prophesies. They're just a way for someone who died long time ago to say "I TOLD you so". Lol. Wow, thanks for all those reviews! I like how you think. Lol.
To my WONDERFUL, MARVELOUS, EXTRAODINARY, SUPPORTIVE READERS AND REVIEWERS: I want to thank you all so very much for coming all this way with me, encouraging me, giving me your ideas, and DEMANDING quicker updates! Lolol. Wouldn't have been able to get this far without you all… (Hugs every reviewer) you're my angels! Honestly! Oh well, here goes nothing.
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Screaming, Kagome came awake in a jolt. Looking around the dark room, she panted heavily, trying to remember where she was and how she had gotten there. Sweat covered her body and the sheet was damp. Her head ached, and her lungs demanded air. She didn't know what had her so frightened. All she knew that she had sensed evil. Pain. She'd sensed torture and she'd been looking into crimson eyes as they disappeared in a howl of pain.
"You had the dream again, didn't you?"
Jerking at the sound of that voice, Kagome saw Sesshomaru lying down next to her. Her fear immediately left her and warmth returned to her body. The sheet rode on his hips covering the bottom half of his gloriously naked body. His eyes were closed and his face was smooth. If he hadn't spoken she wouldn't have ever known he was awake. The Lady of the Western Lands tried to smile, but she was still too shaken up by the dream to do so. "Yes." Her voice was rather breathless as she shook her head weakly.
His eyes opened then, and they pierced the darkness. "Come." When she was lying in his embrace, with her face hidden in his chest, Sesshomaru held her tightly against him, and Kagome couldn't help but feel so at peace and so protected. "Try calming, my love. That happened many years ago. Naraku has been defeated and there is nothing that should frighten you."
"I know, but whenever I have the dream, it's as if I'm still there." Snuggling deep in his warmth, a teasing smile touched her face. "I should go check on the children—those three are always such early risers like their papa."
Her husband snorted at that. "Why else would I allow your family to come to live in the Western lands if not to keep you company and to help with the care of the pups? Why else would I give your mother a room right next to the pups?" Sesshomaru wanted to know in a voice low with sleep. "And if your mother needs any help, Rin and Shippou have always proved themselves willing aid when it comes to their three little siblings."
The smile grew on Kagome's face as she remembered how her mother, father, and Souta, had decided that they missed her so much that if she wouldn't make her life in the future Tokyo, they'd make theirs in the Feudal Era. Her grandfather had become the elder of the temple, teaching the newest priests some—err—interesting new thing from the 'advanced future'. Her mother stayed with her at the mansion in the forest—which was where they all lived now. Even Sesshomaru lived here, only going to the palace when he had meeting with the other Lords. And Souta? Well, Sesshomaru had been impressed with Souta's videogame skill (which he still called combat skills) and had him trained as a warrior—to Souta's glee. Souta was now one of Sesshomaru's most trusted and gifted warriors. "And little Akina is the most responsible of the three. Even though she is younger than the boys by a year, she always has the power to control her brothers."
Sesshomaru's smile grew slightly at the mention of his little four-year-old daughter. That little girl had the fierce Lord of the Western Lands wrapped around her little pinky—even though he did his best to make sure no one noticed. "Yes, well, our little daughter takes after her mother."
"Why you little--." Kagome giggled, playfully nudging him for insinuating that she was controlling. "So I guess that our danger-prone sons Taro and Jiro, get their stubbornness and irresponsibility from their father?"
Acknowledging the tease, Sesshomaru's smile grew a bit wider as he tried in vain to keep a straight face. "Of course not. They get that from their uncle."
At the mention of Inuyasha, Kagome was silent for a moment. It had been hard for the hanyou to get over his mourning for Kikyou. It had hurt Inuyasha the most that he had been the one to slay her, but in time he came to terms with it and knew that there had been no other alternative. He'd left for a while, saying that he needed time to think things over and straighten his heart out. After a year of wanderings, the Inu hanyou had returned—much to Kagome's relief—for she had been worried for him being all alone. But when he returned he hadn't been alone. He'd brought a blushing Fusako and their baby. Kagome had been about to give birth to Akina at that time.
As promised, after the battle with Naraku Sesshomaru had liberated Fusako and she'd returned to her village—where she'd met up once more with Inuyasha, and the romance had blossomed. Now the dog youkai lived in the village close to the mansion, and Kagome was glad that she had another friend—and her children their cousin—nearby.
Oblivious to her thoughts, Sesshomaru continued, closing his eyes once more. "I don't know if the Huntress's son with the ex-monk would be the best responsible friendour pupscould have. And if he turns out to be as fast-handed as his father used to be—well—we're going to have to get Akina some female friends."
Giggling like a little girl, Kagome smirked. "You will do no such thing—the boys all love Akina and take wonderful care of her. And she loves them dearly and would be sore at you if you even thought of doing that. Plus, Inari is female—and she's always with Akina and the boys. You're going to have to let go of your little girl sooner or later. Because, before you know it, she'll be grown and will want to get married."
Frowning at both being told that he couldn't do something, of his daughter being sore at him, and at the thought of his little daughter getting a mate and moving away, Sesshomaru shook his head in fatherly denial. "Utter nonsense. You're spending too much time with your mother."
Kagome's body shook with suppressed laughter. "If you say so, my love."
"I do."
Snuggling even more, Kagome enjoyed his arms around her. She loved their pillow talk. "I was speaking to Sango the other day. She was telling me how little Toshi and his father have different views on what life Toshi should lead. Miroku wants his son to become a monk, while Toshi wants to become a warrior like Souta is."
He thought this over. "Well, I do sense something great in that human boy."
She blinked in surprise; he'd never told her this. "Really? Do you really sense that?"
He nodded. "Yes, I sense that in him and in Inuyasha's daughter Inari."
Thinking this over in silence, Kagome decided that as soon as she visited Sango today, she would tell her what Sesshomaru had revealed to her. Sango and Miroku (and Kohoku) lived in the same village as Fusako and Inuyasha—so Kagome could easily see them whenever she wished. Sesshomaru had seen to this so that she wouldn't begin withering as she had when they'd first been mated.
Kagome's smile reached her eyes as she remembered how Sesshomaru had used to his sword, Tenseiga, to revive both Kohoku and Miroku. Any doubts Sango might have had about the Lord of the Western Lands had disappeared completely, and she nearly worshipped him—which caused Kagome to feel slightly jealous. But since Kagome knew that what Sango felt was mere gratitude, she didn't let her mild jealousy get in between their friendship.
A weak and frightened Sesshomaru had also had to use Tenseiga to revive Kagome herself. The necklace had been her link to Naraku, and when he'd been purified to death—death had claimed her as well. The only thing she remembered about death was meeting Kikyou. Not the clay pot that she'd known, who was full of anger and hatred. No, this was the Kikyou was the pure heart and breath-taking smile. And, Kagome hadn't met her in Hell. It had been a beautiful field with flowers and Sakura blossoms. She knew that Kikyou and herself had spoken for a long while, but Kagome couldn't remember a word of the conversation she'd had with the mikofrom whom she'd been reincarnated. She just knew that Kikyou's spirit was at peace—and it had helped Inuyasha when she'd told him of this.
From that thought, Kagome's mind skipped to another one altogether. It had been some time since she'd visited Kaede in her village, and Kagome felt rather guilty. But then she remembered that she had been waiting for Akina to turn four before taking her to see the wise old woman. And the young girl had just turned that age last week. They'd go soon.
"Sesshomaru?"
"Yes?"
"I love you."
"I love you too." This time he allowed the smile to appear on his face before beginning to lick around her neck. He was sniffing her again, and she blushed, knowing exactly what her smell would betray. In seconds Sesshomaru growled playfully, running his tongue over her skin. "This Sesshomaru demands to spend his leisurely hours with his mate."
And she squealed when he began his agonizingly pleasurable attack on her body. Yes. She'd been right all those years ago—the night when she'd first become his mate:
Life was good alongside her Dream Lover.
Fini
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There it was. My first finished fanfic! Wow… I hope all of you really liked this—because you're the reason why I fought and bled and snuck around to get this story done! LOL. Okay, maybe I didn't bleed—but I did fight and sneak around! Lolololol. I'm going to see where inspiration takes me and who I'll write about next. I hope that you'll all read my next stories. I really loved your reviews. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING WITH MY THIS FAR! YOU ARE ALL GREAT! (Sends everyone hugs!)The Squabbit's question about a sequel has me thinking...maybe...maybe not...not sure right now.
Oh well, our trip with Dream Lover ends here…or does it?
Shadowglove
