Okay, well thanks to my cousin I was able to see up to episode 132 of Inu-Yasha!  I now have over 600 reviews!  Sigh, it's like a dream come true!  Anyway I decided since I got so many reviews that I would immediately start on the next chapter! 

Winter Wonderland

Chapter Twenty-Three

  Mrs. Higurashi glanced out the kitchen window, watching the snow softly falling from the sky as she did the dishes.  Grandpa was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper to see what was going on in the world, and Sota was in the living room playing his video game.  Mrs. Higurashi giggled as she felt Buyo rub against her leg, and then meowed loudly, begging to be fed.

  "One second Buyo," sighed Kagome's mom as she washed the last dish and then walked to the fridge to can Buyo a can of cat food.

  "I'm home!" came a voice from the front door.  Mrs. Higurashi immediately recognized the voice as Kaogme's.

  "Welcome home honey!" called Mrs. Higurashi.

  Inu-Yasha and Kagome walked into the kitchen as Mrs. Higurashi set a bowl of cat food on the floor, "Hi mom," said Kagome, embracing her mother.

  "Welcome back," said Grandpa from his seat at the table.

  "So, how are things in the feudal era?" asked Mrs. Higurashi, as she turned to Inu-Yasha and also gave him a hug as well.

  "We defeated Naraku and completed the jewel," said Inu-Yasha.

  "That's wonderful to hear!  So Kagome does this mean you're going back to school tomorrow?"

  "Yeah, is it alright if Inu-Yasha stays here?" asked Kagome.

  "Of course it is!  Don't ask such silly questions Kagome, he is after all you fiancĂ©!"

  Kagome nodded and headed upstairs with Inu-Yasha following her.  Just as the half demon was about to take a step up the stairs he felt something wrap around his waist.

  "Hey kid, how's it going?" asked Inu-Yasha, knowing that is was Sota clinging to him.

  "Inu-Yasha!  How long are you going to stay here?" asked Sota.

  "Quite a while I guess," said Inu-Yasha, scratching the back of his head.  Kagome had already gone to her room.

  "Do you want to come play video games with me?"

  "Actually I'm going to go spend some time with your sister,"

  "After supper?"

  "Sure,"

  Sota smiled, and released the half demon and then ran back into the living to play his game.  Sighing, Inu-Yasha leaped up the stairs and walked into Kagome's room, where she was putting her stuff away.  Inu-Yasha crept up towards the girl and wrapped his arms around her waist.  The smell of tears came to his sensitive nose, and it was just then that he realized she was crying.

  "Kagome?" asked Inu-Yasha, twirling her around in his arms.  Kaogme's face was covered by her hands, but her small sobs could be heard by his sensitive ears, "What's wrong?"

  He gently pulled her hands away, trying to look into her beautiful face.  Kaogme's eyes met his before she fiercely wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close to her.

  "Kagome?"

  She buried her face into his neck, "Inu-Yasha . . . I . . . almost lost you last night . . ." cried Kagome.

  Realization dawned upon Inu-Yasha of what she was talking about, and hugged her back, crushing her against his chest.

  "I almost lost you too . . ." whispered Inu-Yasha into her hair.

  No words were spoken as they held onto each other, for they had both experienced what it had been like to lose the one you loved, watching as they died in your arms, and you were unable to stop it . . . you were helpless to prevent it.  Inu-Yasha picked his mate up in his arms so they could sit on Kagome's bed, and cope with their thoughts and feelings.

  Kagome's tears started to flow more heavily as she remembered how she had almost died.  The coldness of the snow as they rolled down the hill . . . the pain of the pitch fork points piercing through her . . . and the thought of leaving Inu-Yasha alone in the world when she had promised she would always stay by his side.

  Inu-Yasha was having the same thoughts as his mate, but he kept his tears back.  He could still imagine the pain as Naraku's claws cutting through his body . . . the blood splattering onto his face . . . the thought of leaving Kagome . . . but what hurt him the most was that he couldn't protect . . . sure he had saved her a couple of times that night, but he had let her down twice that night.  He hadn't protected her when she died in that hut, and when he had drawn his last breath, in the back of his mind he knew that she was going to die by Naraku's hand.  He blamed his human body . . . if he had been a full-fledged demon none of this would have happen . . . he wouldn't have been human . . . their friends, and his brother wouldn't have died.  However . . . everything was alright.  Everyone was alive and well . . . Inu-Yasha shook his head, taking back the words he had thought only seconds ago.  If he had been a full-fledged demon what would have the outcome be of their fight?

  After several minutes, the tears were gone and there were no sad feelings or regrets.  Holding Kagome tightly, Inu-Yasha lay down on the bed with Kagome on top of him.  He didn't want to admit but, he was tired from the fight with Naraku, and the half demon had a feeling that his mate was tired as well.  Inu-Yasha ran his hands over Kagome's back, waist, neck and arms, rubbing against her aching muscles from their immense battle.

  "Feels nice," sighed Kagome snuggling closer to Inu-Yasha chest.

  "You must be tired,"

  "So are you,"

  "Feh,"

  "Why don't we get some sleep . . ." whispered Kagome.

  Inu-Yasha just smiled and nodded, before closing his eyes and drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

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Inu-Yasha eyed the strange food that sat before him on the table.  It had a cheesy scent to it, but he doubted that it would taste good, "Kagome?"

  "Yeah?"

  "What the heck is this stuff?" asked the half demon.

  "Kraft dinner," (I have a craving for that stuff right now)

  "Well what's in it?"

  "You know the Ramen noodles?"

  "Yeah . . ."

  "Well it's kind of like that but covered in cheese," explained Kagome.

  Inu-Yasha nodded, but still doubted that he would like it.

  "Say, did Sango, Shippo, and Miroku like their gifts?" asked Kagome as she passed her mate a loaf of bread.

  "Well Shippo loved all the crayons and paper that you gave him.  Sango wasn't quite sure what you had given her, and was thankful for the note you wrote on how to use make-up.  And Miroku was a little amused with the book you gave him,"

  Kagome laughed as she remembered buying that for the perverted monk, 'What Women Are Really Thinking'.  She hoped it would help the monk stop asking women to bear his child, but since he and Sango were already planning to be together, maybe it would help him understanding Sango's feelings.

  "Kagome, how long are we going to stay here anyway?"

  "Well the jewels complete, no more Naraku, I guess I'm not really in a hurry to go back," sighed Kagome.

  "It's too bad you missed New Years with us Kagome, we had a blast here!" said Sota.

  "New years?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "Yeah, it's a celebration when we start the New Year," said Mrs. Higurashi.

  Inu-Yasha only nodded and grabbed a spoonful of that Kraft Dinner.

  "So Kagome, when would you and Inu-Yasha like to have you're wedding?" asked Mrs. Higurashi.  (I can have that in this story, or if you reviewers like I'll make a continuation, doesn't matter to me)
  "Isn't it a bit early to be talking about that?" asked Kagome.

  "Not at all, but I guess I should be asking you if you plan to go to college or University or go back to Inu-Yasha's time and live there,"

  "I'm . . ." Kagome glanced at Inu-Yasha, "We really haven't discussed that yet,"

  "Oh, well when you two talk about it, let me know and then we can start planning,"

  "If you want my opinion, perhaps Kagome should just finish High School, that way if she wants to go to University she can, and if not, well then she won't," said Grandpa.

  "Kagome, how does that sound?" asked her Mother.

  "I guess that sounds alright," sighed Kagome, taking a sip of water.

  "Does this mean Inu-Yasha's going to be my brother-in-law?" asked Sota.

  "Yes dear," said Mrs. Higurashi.

  "So Inu-Yasha will you play video games with me now?"

  "I guess," sighed Inu-Yasha.

  Mrs. Higurashi stood and started to take everyone's plates to the kitchen sink.  Grandpa headed upstairs and Sota jumped up from his seat taking Inu-Yasha with him to the living room.  Kagome sighed and was about to help her mother, but there was suddenly a knock at the door, "I'll get it,"

  Kagome headed to the door and threw Inu-Yasha a baseball cap just in case the visitor decided to enter.  Opening the door, she saw her friends, Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi.

  "Kagome, you're home," said Yuka.

  "Uh . . ."

  "Your mother said you went on a small trip with Inu-Yasha," said Eri.

  "What . . . oh yeah I guess you could say that," sighed Kagome.

  "Oh my god is that what I think it is!" cried Yuka.

  Kagome was slightly confused, but when Eri took her left hand everything made sense.

  "You're engaged!" cried Eri.

  "To Inu-Yasha of course," added Ayumi, "I take it he gave you that locket too,"

  "Um yeah, they were both part of my Christmas presents,"

  "Oh, Hojo's going to be so mad," said Eri.

  "I think he's finally gotten over me,"

  "Did you here at the Banquet that Hojo and his brother gotten beaten up?  Hojo wouldn't say who did it though," said Yuka.

  "Oh, well yes I heard that,"

  "Tell us!" Her three friends gathered around Kagome, "Was it Inu-Yasha?"

  "Well, Hojo and his brother tried to attack him, so Inu-Yasha was just protecting himself,"

  "Is he here?" asked Eri.

  "He's playing video games with Sota,"

  "Can we see him?" asked Ayumi.

  "I don't know, I'll go ask him," said Kagome, disappearing into the house.  "Inu-Yasha?"

  "One sec!"

  Kagome walked into the living room and watched amusingly as her mate and brother were playing a racing motorcycle game, and it appeared at the moment Inu-Yasha was winning.

  "Inu-Yasha my friends are here, and they want to see you,"

  "Well I'm busy . . . can they come back later?"

  Kagome sighed and was about to head to the door, but almost screamed when she turned around and there was Eri standing right there.  Kagome thanked the gods that Inu-Yasha was wearing his hat.

  "So Inu-Yasha, you proposed to Kagome?" asked Eri.

  "Aren't you guys a bit young to get married?" asked Yuka.

  "Well . . . we're not getting married quite yet . . . perhaps maybe in the summer time?"

  "Shouldn't you guys at least wait till you're done University?" asked Eri.

  "Well . . . ah . . ."

  "And besides, how will he support you?  You need a good job, and to get that you need to go to University!  Unless he's already in University . . . Inu-Yasha how old are you?"

  "I'm sev . . . um twenty," said Inu-Yasha, thankful he caught himself from saying his real age.

  "So, you're done University then right?" asked Yuka.

  Ayumi glanced at Kagome, wondering how she would answer.

  "Um . . . yes he has . . . and once we're married we plan to move to America!" lied Kagome.

  "America!?" yelled Yuka and Eri in unison.

  "Well yes, you see that's where Inu-Yasha is from,"

  Inu-Yasha of course was confused beyond all reason, however trusting Kagome he played along, though he didn't know where the hell this Amerka place was though, "That's right, that's where I have my joob," said Inu-Yasha.

  Ayumi smiled, "You mean job?"

  "Yeah, of course that's what I mean!"

  "You're going to move Kagome?" asked Eri.

  "Yeah, but I'll come back on holidays and special occasions,"

  "So Inu-Yasha what kind of job do you have?" asked Yuka.

  "Oh, well he was working here with my Grandpa as a care taker of the shrine, but in America he's . . ."

  "He's a police officer," said Mrs. Higurashi, passing her son a bowl of popcorn.

  "Really?" asked Yuka.

  "By the way Hojo was beaten up, I believe that," whispered Yuka.

  "Well look at the time, Kagome I think it's time you're friends left, I'm sure you have plenty to do before you go to school tomorrow," said Mrs. Higurashi.

  "Sorry guys, but I do have some stuff to do, so I'll see you tomorrow at school," said Kagome.

  "I guess, see you tomorrow," sighed Yuka, as Eri and Ayumi followed her out the door.

  Sighing, Kagome took a seat by Inu-Yasha and rested her head on his shoulder while he still played his video game.

  "That was a little weird," said Inu-Yasha.

  "Yeah, but I'm just dreading tomorrow,"

  "How come?  Worried about your tests?"

  "No, Hojo will be out school,"

  "What!" asked Inu-Yasha, taking his eyes off the TV.

  "I won!" cried Sota, jumping up and doing a small victory dance.

  Inu-Yasha growled, stood up, took Kagome's hand, and dragged her upstairs to her room.

  "What do you mean Hojo's going to be there?" asked Inu-Yasha.

  "We go to the same school, but I'm sure he won't try to do anything, after all you did give him a pretty big beating,"

  "Well I'm going with you just in case,"

  "As long as you're not seen that's fine with me," sighed Kagome.  She took a seat at her desk and started to pull out textbooks and notes to go over, but stopped when she felt Inu-Yasha's lips against her neck, and his arms snaking around her waist.

  "You know . . . I was thinking . . ." mumbled Inu-Yasha into his mates ear.

  "What were you thinking?" asked Kagome.

  "The jewel is gone . . . no more danger . . . no more Naraku . . . so that means . . ."

  Kagome turned around in her seat, "Maybe so, but I still have school you know,"

  "So?  That never stopped you Christmas night,"

  Kagome blushed and turned back around, "Inu-Yasha . . ."

  "Just tonight . . ."

  "I guess . . . but just tonight,"

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  The stars shined brightly in the sky, although in Inu-Yasha's opinion, you could see them much better in his time.  The half demon stared out Kagome's bedroom window, gazing at the stars.  He still found it hard to believe he head everything he had ever wanted.  Inu-Yasha wondered at times how his life would have turned out if he had never met Kikyo, or when he was orphaned as a kid . . . most likely he would never had met her . . . his soul mate, Kagome.  He couldn't wait till she was done school, and then they would be able to get on with their new life.  Build their home, start a family, and live by each other's side till the end of their days.  Of course that was almost six month's away, and even though he was an impatient half demon, he would wait that long before they tried to have any children.  That night when they had been together last, Kagome had told him she was on some kind of birth controller thingy so she wouldn't get pregnant.

  A small groan reached his sensitive ears, which caused him to glance over where Kagome was still sleeping.  The thick blankets were wrapped around her tightly, keeping her warm from the winter night.  Smiling, Inu-Yasha headed back to bed as he slipped in beside Kagome, wrapping his arms around her waist.  He buried his face into her soft, silky hair and inhaling his mate's sweet scent.  Inu-Yasha's eyes narrowed as he remembered what was going to happen tomorrow.  He would definitely have to keep an eye on Kagome since Hojo was now back in the picture.  Erasing the thought from his head, Inu-Yasha just wanted to enjoy the moment of holding his mate in his arms.  She felt so warm and soft with her bare back against his chest.  Smiling, Inu-Yasha closed his eyes and fell asleep.

TBC . . .

  I feel so sick it's not even funny; I think I caught the flu or something.  I'm not coughing or have a stuffed up nose, but my body just hurts so much.  I couldn't sleep, so I decided to work on the next chapter.  Just review, and if I get enough, maybe that will make me feel better.

Lynns