Chapter 20

"I wonder where Inuyasha went." Sango muttered as she poked at the fire with a branch, attempting to spark a bigger fire. Miroku sighed as he sat next to Sango.

"Who knows? All we can do is wait patiently for his return." he replied. The wind picked up, and Sango shivered. It's so cold... Miroku went back inside Kaede's hut. Real nice, houshi. Leave me alone. Honestly, he can't even stay with me for more tha- Sango's thoughts were cut off as Miroku emerged from the hut with a blanket in his hand. He carefully draped it around Sango's shoulders and sat back down next to her.

"Thank you..." she murmured. Miroku smiled and put an arm around her.

"Any time." Miroku cracked a smile.

"You know, Miroku? I miss the group being together... but it's also nice... just like this. With just you and me." she smiled and rested her head on his shoulder.

"It is, isn't it?" Miroku sighed happily. "I want to just stay like this forever."

"No complaints here." Sango smiled. The two eventually fell fast asleep by the campfire. (A/N: Yes, I know this is a KagxInu fic... but these two also deserve some love 3)

-------------------------------------------

"So, shall we head back to Kaede's? I should probably see everyone else and ask them what they think of my youkai exterminator idea!" Kagome chirped. Inuyasha laughed.

"Sounds good." he smiled, baring a fang. "I'm sorry I didn't stay with you. It... it just took me a while to figure out that you are my home, not the feudal era. Wherever you are is home to me." Inuyasha confessed. Kagome smiled and grabbed onto Inuyasha's hand.

"And my home is wherever you are." she replied, gripping his hand tightly. Inuyasha held onto her hand tighter and looked up at the sun.

"For the first time in my life..." he began, "I have a place I can call home. A place where I don't have to be afraid of not being accepted."

"I'm glad you can open up to me." Kagome grinned. "You want to carry me? We'll get there faster." she pointed out.

"Keh! We'll take our time walking. There's no real rush. I just want to spend time with you." he blushed. Kagome laughed.

"Good answer." she whispered as she gave his hand a tiny squeeze. The two of them had finally opened up to each other and admitted their feelings, and they both reveled in the feeling of being loved by the other.

-------------------------------------------

"I know you have the jewel, miko! Hand it over!" the snake youkai hissed.

"Stay away from her!" Inuyasha roared. Stupid youkai! He's not touching Kagome! Inuyasha quickly disposed of the threat, leaving only a pile of bones that began to dissintegrate with the wind.

"Hmm. This only further proves the need for a youkai extermination." Kagome pointed out.

"No kidding! This is the fourth time we've been attacked within two hours!" Inuyasha cried. Will Kagome be able to be safe like this? Keh! Of course! I'll be here to protect her.

"Mmhmm! But I know we won't have a problem because you're always there to help out!" she smirked.

"What about my human nights?" he asked worridly. "I have one coming up soon... maybe tonight, i'm not sure."

"I'll check my calendar, but so what? You're still ten times stronger than these pathetic youkai, even in your human form!" Kagome stated.

"Thank you, Kagome. Thank you for having so much faith in me." Inuyasha breathed as he held her close to him.

"I will always have faith in you, Inuyasha." she replied. "No matter what happens. I'll always be here by your side."

------------------------------------

"Kagome!" Shippou cried. "YOU'RE HERE!" he screamed as he ran into his adoptive mother's arms.

"It's good to see you, Shippou!" Kagome exclaimed as she placed a tiny kiss on the kitsune's head.

"Inuyasha said you weren't coming back, but I knew you would!" he said proudly.

"I wasn't going to come back... but i've decided to live here!" Kagome smiled. Sango and Miroku, who had come outside to see what all the commotion was about, heard these words.

"KAGOME!" Sango cried as she hugged her best friend.

"Lady Kagome!" Miroku laughed. "It is good to see you again!"

"It's so good to be here! This time, i'm never leaving!" she cried. Inuyasha's eyes flickered with joy and contentment when he heard her say the words never leaving. He growled happily and hugged Kagome from behind.

"Inuyasha?" Sango asked curiously.

"Haha! Seems Shippou was correct! So you both have admitted everything?" Miroku asked. Kagome and Inuyasha both blushed furiously as they nodded.

"That's wonderful!" Sango cheered.

"Keh! Kagome has an idea for all of us. So shut up and listen." he growled, still smiling uncontrollably. Kagome rolled her eyes and laughed.

"Well... since i'm here for good, I brought tons of ramen and pocky, but I also have an idea." Kagome smirked mischieviously. "Since Naraku is dead, a lot of the lesser youkai will run rampant. People will be in dire need of youkai extermination- so, I was thinking, perhaps we could all settle down here in this village and build huts here, but travel as youkai exterminators for pay."

"That would be awesome!" Shippou cried.

"I agree. I'd like to live here... and I want to help get rid of the youkai." Sango said.

"Count me in! Wherever Sango goes, I go." he smiled. Sango blushed, but quickly recomposed herself. Kagome clapped her hands together.

"Excellent!" she cried. Inuyasha smirked.

"So I guess we'll start building huts tomorrow. How many huts do you want?" he asked the group. Miroku immediately spoke up.

"Two. One for Sango and I, and the other for you and Kagome." he smirked. Everyone blushed.

"What about me?" Shippou whined. Sango laughed.

"You can live in both huts! Travel between both!" Sango giggled. Shippou smiled

"Okay!"

"Alright. Tomorrow we'll start. Once the huts are done, we'll go kill some youkai!" Inuyasha cried. The group cheered, and decided to just enjoy the rest of the day sitting and talking by the Goshinboku. Miroku sat beside Sango, and Inuyasha beside Kagome. Inuyasha leaned his back against the tree, and Kagome rested her back against his chest. Inuyasha pulled her closer to him protectively. Sango and Miroku laughed.

"Guys... tonight's my human night, I think." Inuyasha explained. Kagome nodded.

"I checked the calendar." Kagome noticed the worried look on Inuyasha's face. "Don't worry, Inuyasha! It'll be fine." she soothed as she scratched behind his ears. Inuyasha growled happily and leaned into her hand.

The sun set that evening, and Inuyasha's hair had faded black; his claws retracted, and his ears transformed into a human's. He growled in frustration as he watched his appearance shift.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked sweetly.

"Keh! I hate being human! I feel so weak!" he muttered. He looked at the frowning girl. "I'm not saying that human's are weak, because you aren't, Kagome. I'm just not used to having this severely limited strength. Plus, I can't even use Tetsaiga." Inuyasha explained. Kagome smiled sympathetically.

"I know, Inuyasha... but I trust you. I trust in your strength, even when you're human. It doesn't matter if you can't use Tetsaiga- it's what's in here..." Kagome pointed to his heart, "... that enables you to win a battle."

"Kagome..." Inuyasha whispered. "I love you more than anything in this world." he breathed as he held her close, and for the second time since they had admitted their love, they shared a tender kiss that showed to each other just how much they meant to the other. Though they were interrupted by the screams of the villagers.

"YOUKAI!" NEKO YOUKAI!"