Disclaimer: I don't own InuYasha and most likely never will…..Darn….O well

Chapter Seventeen: Returning Home and Flashback 7

"Let's hurry, Kagome. I don't care if your mother knows I'm human during the new moon, but we got to hurry." Kagome nodded and let go of InuYasha's hand. They started to race each other, laughing. Within minutes, they reached the well. InuYasha scooped Kagome up in his arms and dropped into the well. When they reach the other side, Kagome was put on the ground. She started to climb the ladder that made its home there five years ago. Kagome remembered when she sorted things through, once.

Flashback 7
"Mom, it only took a year to destroy Naraku. It was only two years ago when I was pulled into the feudal era. I love it there. When I graduate, I'm becoming shrine priestess here so that I wouldn't have to go to college. Sota can become the doctor," Kagome said, flipping through pictures she took in the feudal era. She had put them in a scrapbook. Kagome's mother shook her head.

"Really, Kagome. The feudal era was full of wars. You will starve to death," she scolded. Kagome smiled and shook her head.

"No, I won't. I'll be helping Kaede out at the village. I'll visit each day. Who knows? The future lies ahead."

"Kagome, I work and your grandfather lives off the little money he makes at the shrine."

"Actually, he makes more money now that I told him the tricks that Miroku did to get things. It works." Kagome's mom smiled and glanced at the photos.

"That's a lot of photos. Why are so many on InuYasha and Shippo?" Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Miroku and Sango got married. They are going to have a baby. I have a picture of Sango now." Kagome flipped to the picture. Kagome's mom looked closer. A long black haired woman was standing next to the god tree. She appeared pregnant. "I'll get one of their child when it is born. I can't get too many pictures of them."

"Kagome, must you continue to go back?" Kagome nodded.

"Now that jewel is complete and Naraku is dead, demons keep trying for the jewel. I try to go only on the weekends. I promise." Kagome's mom's face fell and she left. Kagome looked out her open window and jumped at InuYasha's suddenly appearance. "Hey!" Kagome smiled again. InuYasha chuckled.

"I see how you react to surprises. Now, I'm not going to give you what I have for you." Kagome glared at him.

"Fine. I just won't talk to you." Minutes passed by. "Ok, fine. What did you get me?"

"Well, today is your seventeenth birthday. Two years ago, we met. So, today is two special days in one. I got your brother Sota to help. I took some ancient things from the feudal area. Sota and I talked to the museum owners. I wore a hat and wore some of your father's old clothes. Don't get mad. Your mother said I could. Well, let's say I struck a deal and got enough money to get you three things. The rest of the money is in a savings account for you. Sota helped get them. Here." InuYasha handed a box to Kagome. Kagome opened it to find a ring box, a customized pen, and photo frame of InuYasha, Kagome, and the others. Kagome looked at each one in turn. She opened the ring box and gasped. It was an emerald ring.

"InuYasha, I can't. It is too much for me." InuYasha's smile disappeared.

"It means something. I told you my feelings." Kagome looked at the ground. "Kagome, I wish for you to sometime in the future marry me." Kagome looked up wide-eyed. "Kagome? I mean it." Kagome cried out in joy and tears flowed down her face. InuYasha's smile faltered even more into a frown. "Don't cry. I don't want you to cry." Kagome laughed through the tears. InuYasha didn't understand.

"I'm crying tears of joy, Dog Boy." InuYasha's smile grew and he scooped Kagome up, waiting for her answer. "Dog Boy, I say hai." InuYasha was really happy, which was very unlike him and kind of scared Kagome. He spun around before landing on his butt on Kagome's floor. Kagome's mom ran in and was all wide-eyed at Kagome and InuYasha.

"What is going on?" Kagome blushed and stared at her mom.

"You forgot that today is my birthday. InuYasha just gave me his gift. I think it is adorable." Kagome showed the customized pen and the photo frame. InuYasha noticed that the ring box was under her desk. He wanted to frown, but didn't want Kagome's mom questioning him.

"Kagome, I gave you that camera."

"Like last year."

"Well, you'll have to wait and see what I got you." Kagome's mom turned and stormed out of the room. InuYasha picked up the ring box and handed it to Kagome.

"Why didn't you show her?" Kagome gave him a stern look.

"My mom would cry. I mean it as in not for joy. She would try to keep you away and get me married to someone like Hojo. She would even take away the ring and take it back for the money. The money would go to my college funds." Kagome touched InuYasha's ears before taking the box away. He shivered and she placed the box in a drawer in her desk.

"You have to stop that. It kind of tickles." Kagome started to giggle and stroke InuYasha's ears. He shivered and slapped her hand away. Kagome looked like she was pouting. He rolled his eyes and kissed her.
End of Flashback 7