Disclaimer: Nope still don't own, but sure wish I did. At least I get to borrow.
A/N: Wow, you guys are in for a treat, barely three days for an update. Guess my creative juices were flowing this weekend. Thanks for all the GRRRREEEEEAAAAATTTTT reviews!
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Chapter 26 - Lessons
Inu Yasha unceremoniously deposited the kit on the ground.
"Hey!" Shippo sat up rubbing his head, which he'd landed on. He made a face as the older hanyou squatted down doggy-style beside him. "Why'd you drag me all the way out here, anyways?"
Inu Yasha scowled. "Do you want to know how we became mates or not?"
Shippo blinked. "You're going to explain it to me?" He was torn between surprise, hope and something akin to disbelief.
Inu Yasha snorted. "Yeah, so?"
Shippo grinned. 'This might be fun.' "So, how did you become mates?"
Inu Yasha blushed feverishly as a memory he could almost taste flashed before his eyes. "Well, uh…." He struggled for a starting point that the kit would understand. "You know how your parents were mates, right?"
Shippo rolled his green eyes. "Yeah, I'm not stupid. Of course, they were mates."
The hanyou scowled. "Give me a break, runt. I ain't exactly an expert at this." When Shippo grew silent again, Inu Yasha continued. "Well, you don't think they were always mates, do you?"
Shippo frowned. "I guess not."
"They were little squirts like you once too. They didn't become mates until they were older and met each other." Inu Yasha smirked to himself. 'This ain't as hard as I thought it'd be.'
"So how do you become mates?"
Inu Yasha swallowed hard. "Um, you see, uh, when a male and female…get to know each other really well and they, uh…." Again he blushed as the memory flashed before him. "Well, with demons the male has to mark his mate." He tugged down the shoulder of his shirt to reveal his mate-mark.
Shippo hopped up on his knee for a better look. "Wow, so how do you do that?"
"Um, well, it's different for different kinds of demons. Most canines bite their mates."
Shippo's eyes widened. "You bit Kagome! Inu Yasha! I can't believe you hurt her!"
"Oh, shut up. It only hurts for a moment and she probably barely felt it considering…."
Shippo cocked his head to the side. "Considering what?"
Inu Yasha flinched. "Never mind." He stood to leave, but Shippo jumped up and down impatiently.
"Where are you going! You still haven't told me when I'm supposed to mark my mate!"
Inu Yasha chocked on the air around him, which was suddenly very stifling. "Look, kid. You'll know that when you're older. It's not something I have to explain to you, you'll just know."
Shippo thought about that for a minute and his eyes lit up at a memory. "Is it when you hug real close with no clothes on, like I saw Mama and Papa doing beside the stream once?"
Inu Yasha's eyebrows twitched. 'Oh, Kagome so owes me for this one!' "Yeah, hugging, that's right."
Shippo hopped up on his shoulder. "So, you and Kagome hugged like that too?"
"Um…"
"Hey, did she bite you too? Is that how you got the mark on your shoulder?"
"No, it automatically appears when hers does."
"So, are you and Kagome going to have pups?"
"Uh…"
"How do girls get pregnant anyways? What do you have to do to make that happen? Or does she just get that way?"
Inu Yasha was now on the edge of a freaking out. 'How did that old flea put up with this with me?' He knocked the kit off his shoulder. "All right that's enough! No more questions!" He turned again to stomp away.
"Hey! You said you'd explain stuff to me!"
"No way, I'm done!"
Shippo jumped in front of him. "I'll just ask Kagome then, or maybe Miroku." He started to dart back towards the hut, but was caught by a very annoyed hanyou.
"Oh, no you don't. Kagome would never forgive me, if I let that pervert explain this to you." He tucked the kit under his arm.
"So, you're going to tell me where pups come from?"
Inu Yasha groaned. "Feh, fine." He turned and stomped off toward the fields of rice.
Shippo blinked when he was plopped in the grass on the bank beside the fields of rice. "What are we doing here?"
"You know how rice grows, right? Well, it's the same thing with pups. You have to plant a seed, only then can it grow."
Shippo watched as the farmers planted seeds in the muddy earth. "Oh, I see. So, how do you plant the seed?" He blinked innocently up at what was now his 'adoptive father'.
"Um, that's just something you'll know when you get old enough to do it." Inu Yasha stuttered.
"Oh, okay. I guess, I understand."
Inu Yasha let out a sigh of relief. 'Thank Kami, that's over!'
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"Well, we can't stay long, just the night. I have some tests to study for and then I'll be all done with school. Inu Yasha and I'll be gone for another two weeks." Kagome explained.
"Speaking of Inu Yasha, you know, I could've explained things to Shippo." Miroku offered from his place beside Sango, who promptly knocked him on the head for even suggesting such a thing.
"She wants him to learn the right things, not just the perverted ones."
Kagome giggled at the two. "I assume Sango will be the one to explain these things to your children." Sango and Miroku had now been married a mere three months. After the defeat of Naraku, they had waited only a few months before they wed. It had been a lovely ceremony with Kaede acting as go-between.
Sango blushed a little. "Yeah, we wouldn't want them to turn out like him." She shoved a thumb into Miroku's chest.
"Hey, you like me the way I am." Miroku pointed out.
Sango smirked. "That was only after I had you trained."
Miroku pouted as Kaede handed them each a cup of tea. "Do ye plan on wedding in the human fashion?"
Kagome looked down into her cup of tea. "Well, we haven't really talked about it." She shifted a little uncomfortably, her grandmother's words running through her head. 'I dare say it would be a good idea to get the union legalized. It would protect both of you, if there ever came a need for it.'
"I would be honored to perform a ceremony for the two of ye." Kaede sipped her tea.
Kagome smiled at the older miko. "Thank you, Kaede. I'll keep that in mind."
A few moments later the door mat was pushed aside and Inu Yasha entered followed by a rather pleased looking Shippo. He scurried over to Kagome. "Kagome, can I see? Can I, please?"
"Huh?" She blinked down at the boy that was now in her lap.
"Inu Yasha said he marked you. Can I see it? I've already seen his." He tugged at the front of her shirt and Kagome blushed a little.
"Um, I guess so." She pulled down the shoulder of her blouse to reveal the silver half moon with the single violet jagged bolt through it.
Inu Yasha smirked proudly as their companions looked on with aw. "I've heard that youkai mates mark each other, but I've never seen it personally." Sango commented.
When their eyes had lingered a little too long, Inu Yasha growled sharply and stomped over to sit behind his mate. He pulled her blouse back over her shoulder. "Alright, enough gawking." He wrapped an arm around her waist knocking the kit off her lap and drawing her back into his chest.
"Ow!" Shippo whimpered.
"Inu Yasha!" Kagome scolded.
He snorted. "You better get used to it, runt. Kagome's mine now."
Tears welled up in the fox's eyes. Kagome scowled over her shoulder at her mate. "Inu Yasha, don't be cruel. He's still just a child." She scooped the teary-eyed boy into her arms and hugged him. "It's okay, Shippo. You'll just have to share me, okay?"
Both the fox and the hanyou frowned and grumbled. "Can I still sleep with you at night?" Shippo asked.
"No!" Inu Yasha snapped.
Kagome glanced over her shoulder at him. She frowned a little at the determined look in his eyes. "I don't know, Shippo."
"Just for tonight, then? I've really missed you, Kagome." Shippo blinked his bright emerald eyes up at her.
Kagome gave him a small smile. "Alright, but just for tonight."
"Yay!" Shippo hugged her warmly.
"What!" Inu Yasha fumed.
"Inu Yasha, calm down, it's just for tonight." She patted his cheek gently.
"Feh."
"Speaking of night, it's already getting late. Kagome, would you care to join me for a dip in the hot-spring?" Sango stood and without giving her friend the opportunity to answer, grabbed her arm and dragged her out of Inu Yasha's embrace, dumping Shippo onto the floor again.
"Hey!" Both males protested.
Kagome paused to grab her bag of soaps. "I'll be back in a little bit, you two behave."
"Can I go?" Shippo piped up.
"No way!" Inu Yasha barked. "Kagome, this is where I put my foot down! He's too old to be bathing with you and Sango!"
Kagome frowned. She reached down to ruffle Shippo's hair. "Sorry, Shippo, he's right. You have gotten too old to be bathing with us."
"But…but…." Shippo stuttered.
"No, buts. You stay here with the others. I won't be long." Kagome turned and hurried after Sango.
After a long, hot soak coupled with a long and desperately needed girl talk, the two women returned to the village. As they approached Kaede's, they could hear Miroku's voice.
"Oh, come on, Inu Yasha. You can tell me, man to man. How was it?"
"Watch it, monk, the kid's still here." Inu Yasha growled.
"I thought you explained things to him today."
"I did. It doesn't mean I drew him a picture." Inu Yasha grumbled.
"A picture? Oh, could you draw me one, Inu Yasha?" Shippo's innocent request echoed through the hut, followed by Inu Yasha's bellow.
"No! And don't you even think about it, you pervert! Or I'll tell Sango and then you'll really regret it." The hanyou threatened.
"Oh, come now. The boy has a right to know just how delicious women can be." Miroku's lecherous grin was the first thing the girls saw as they entered.
"You'd better stop right there, if you know what's good for you." Sango stood glaring down at her husband. He gritted his teeth as she snatched him by his ear. "I'm taking him home, before he can cause any more damage." She smiled warmly at Kagome as she dragged him towards the door. "See you in the morning."
Miroku staggered after her. "Sango, my love, please, my ear!"
Kagome giggled as she settled down beside Inu Yasha. "Where'd Kaede go now?"
"Some kid fell down a hill and got scraped up pretty bad. She went to give his parents some herbs." Inu Yasha explained.
She yawned and stretched. "It's been a long day. I think I'll turn in." She pulled out her sleeping bag and unrolled it. "'Night, Inu Yasha." She leaned up and kissed him warmly before settling down into the bag. Shippo smugly trotted over and curled up against her side. Inu Yasha suppressed the growl at the little kit as he seated himself beside her against the wall. Kaede returned not long after and surveying that her companions were asleep or trying to, she quietly settled herself onto her own futon.
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Inu Yasha shifted again. It had been what seemed like hours now and he still couldn't get comfortable. Sleep was as elusive as the mist outside the hut. He glanced down at his mate. Kagome seemed just as restless in her sleep as he felt. Her face was currently scrunched up as if she were upset or having a bad dream. Slowly, he reached out and unzipped the sleeping bag. He reached over her and shifted the fox away from her some. 'She said he could sleep with her, she didn't say on top of her.' Then he slipped in beside her.
Kagome immediately turned towards him and buried her face in his chest. Her features smoothed and she even smiled a little half-smile in her sleep. He smirked and responded by burying his nose in her hair and wrapping his arms tightly around her. Somehow he'd gotten so used to holding her that he couldn't sleep without her held safely in his arms, pressed firmly to his heart. Her scent filled his lungs and relaxed his muscles. Even though she'd bathed, the lingering scent of their union early that day still clung to her, and it was simply intoxicating. His eyes slid closed for the first time in hours and he began to rumble his contentment softly.
Morning brought a very annoyed kit, who'd discovered his Kagome had been stolen in the night. "Inu Yasha, what do you think you're doing! Kagome was supposed to sleep with me!"
Inu Yasha clamped a hand over the boy's mouth. "She did sleep with you, but she slept with me too. Now, quiet or you'll wake her up." He ground out between clenched fangs. But it was too late, the young woman in question was already stirring.
She snuggled a little deeper into him. "Mmm, Inu Yasha….what's all the yelling about?"
"See?" Inu Yasha hissed. Shippo folded his arms and pouted. Kagome was now looking up at her mate with drowsy chocolate orbs. "Um, you said Shippo could sleep with you, but you never said I couldn't."
Slow comprehension dawn as she blinked up at him, then turned her gaze to Shippo. The boy had tears welling in his eyes. "Shippo, don't cry." Kagome sat up quickly, knocking Inu Yasha in the jaw with her head as she went. He grunted and she flinched. "Oh, Inu Yasha!" Shippo wailed loudly as the tears broke free. "Shippo, calm down, it's okay." Her mate grumbled behind her as he sat up, rubbing his chin. She turned to him and touched it gently. "Inu Yasha, I'm sorry." Shippo continued to cry a little louder. "Shippo, please! It's too early for this!"
"But you said I could sleep with you and Inu Yasha took you from me! Now I won't get to sleep with you ever again!" The little kit cried.
"You did too sleep with her and you're damn straight, you're not sleep with her anymore!" Inu Yasha pointed a clawed finger at the boy. This only increased the kit's keening.
"Stop it, right now!" Both males shrunk away from the clearly irate miko. Kagome was near tearing her hair out. "Look, Shippo, you've slept with me nearly every night for the past three years. You're big enough now to sleep by yourself. Okay?"
His eyes filled again with big tears. "But you're….you're my mama…" He began to sob again.
"Aw, Shippo, don't cry." She promptly scooped him up and hugged him to her chest.
Beside her, Inu Yasha's ears dropped. "Hey, runt, look it ain't so bad." He growled when the boy continued to weep into his 'mama's' chest. "Stop that will you! Men don't cry!" After he'd wound down to sniffles, the hanyou added. "Look, if I'm away for any reason you can stay with Kagome."
His red head swiveled up to reveal his bloodshot eyes. "Really?"
Inu Yasha nodded. "Sure, you can protect her while I'm gone."
That made him perk up. "Wow! Oh, boy! I promise I'll make sure to take care of her for you!"
Inu Yasha smirked. 'Not that you'll get much of a chance to do that. I don't plan on ever leaving Kagome alone.'
"What is going on here?" Kaede sat up on her mat. "The sun has barely risen and ye three can't see fit not to argue."
"Sorry, Kaede." Kagome squirmed until she was out of the sleeping bag. "Inu Yasha and I should really be going. I promised Mom I'd be home early, so we could go to the school and get my books."
Inu Yasha unzipped the bag and slid out, so Kagome roll it back up. She set it in the corner next to the spare futons. There was no use in carrying it back and forth, thus Kaede had agreed a long time ago to let her leave it there while she was in the modern era. The couple said a hasty goodbye and hurried out in the direction of the well. On their way they met up with Sango and Miroku.
"What was all that shouting earlier? Miroku and I heard it all the way at our hut." Sango strolled along beside her friend.
Kagome gave a little sigh. "Boys will be boys."
Sango nodded. "I see. They're still having trouble sharing you."
Kagome nodded. "You could say that. But I think they've come to a bit more of an understanding." She glanced back over her shoulder to see Shippo riding on Inu Yasha's shoulder. She smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure things will work out."
Sango nodded as they stopped beside the well. "See you in two more weeks." Kagome was scooped into Inu Yasha's arms.
Shippo hopped from his shoulder to Miroku's. "Bye, Kagome! Bye, Inu Yasha!"
Kagome waved as the two disappeared into the well where the blue light swallowed them.
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Kagome rubbed her eyes. 'What time is it?' She glanced at the alarm clock on her bedside table. 'Seven already!' She groaned. It had been a week and a half of non-stop studying for her and it was beginning to fry her brain. 'There's just no way! I've studied nearly everything and I still feel like I'm forgetting half of it!' She closed the book and leaned back in her chair. "I need a break. I wonder where Inu Yasha is?"
He'd kept his word and stayed away during the day to allow her time to study and would return every night to hold her as she slept. She wondered sometimes what he was doing to keep himself busy while she locked herself away in her room. Sometimes he would show up with damp hair and his clothes still clinging to him, or with scraps on his hands. When she'd questioned him about them, he'd just shrug and say they were nothing. She really hadn't had the time, nor the energy, to pressure it out of him. So, she just blew it off. If it was something important, he'd tell her.
There was a firm knock on her door and a familiar voice came through it. "Kagome, enough studying! You'll rot your brain that way!"
She rolled her eyes, but got up nonetheless to unlock the door. She'd had to lock to keep Sota and Gramps at bay. Inu Yasha usually used the window. Why had he used the door just now? She opened it and frowned up at him. And why was he wearing that cap again? "Inu Yasha, I have my first three tests tomorrow!"
He folded his arms. "And you've done enough studying. Do you even know what day it is?"
"Yeah, it's Tuesday. So?"
He smirked. "You really have been cooped up in here too long."
Kagome scratched her head. 'Did I loose track of time somewhere. I know I've been studying really hard, but still….'
Inu Yasha watched as several emotions flickered over her face – confusion, fear, more confusion. He chuckled. "Calm down. You're right, it's Tuesday, but that's not all." She blinked and she tried desperately to think of what he meant, but all that kept popping into her head were formulas from math and science. He chuckled again. "Don't strain yourself."
Kagome snorted indignantly as he pulled a piece of cloth from his haori. "What's that for?"
"Just close your eyes." He tied the cloth over her eyes in a blindfold and then scooped her into his arms.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Not far." Kagome relaxed against his muscular chest as they descended the stairs. He paused a few paces later and set her on her feet.
"Inu Yasha, why did you have to blindfold me to bring me into the living room?"
"Oh, I don't know, seemed like fun."
"Seemed like-" She gasped sharply as he pulled the blindfold away.
"Surprise!" The living room full of people cried in one voice.
Kagome took a step back and a pair of strong hands covered her shoulders. She glanced up at her mate, who merely smirked.
"Happy birthday, sweet heart!" Iki pulled her surprised daughter into a warm embrace.
'Birthday? Birthday! Oh by Kami, I forgot my own birthday!' Kagome hugged her mother back. "Thanks, Mom. It was really a surprise."
"Don't thank me, dear. It was Inu Yasha's idea." Iki replied before she returned to her guests.
"Inu Yasha…" She turned to gaze up into his honey filled eyes.
He lowered his head to whisper in her ear, his warm breath tickling the inner hairs. "Happy birthday, koi." She shivered and he growled softly at the shift in her scent. She turned her face to his to reward him with a passionate kiss, but it never happened as three familiar voices called out her name.
"Kagome!" Eri, Yuka and Ayumi appeared out of the crowd.
Inu Yasha groaned. Kagome patted one of his cheeks while kissing the other quickly. "Be nice. They're our friends after all."
"Your friends." He corrected as the three girls came to a halt before them.
"Kagome, it's so exciting!" Eri exploded.
"You're so lucky!" Yuka cheered.
"Yeah, I'll probably never get the chance to backpack around Europe and America!" Ayumi chorused.
Kagome blinked and she glanced first at her mother across the room, then at Inu Yasha. He cleared his throat. "Yeah, we're really lucky to get to go on this trip for who knows how long. Right, Kagome?"
The clouds parted and the sun shone inside her mind. She grinned broadly. "Oh, yes, definitely very lucky."
"So, your mom says you're testing out of your senior year so you can go." Yuka commented.
"Yeah, it would be a little hard to do school work and travel." Kagome smiled. 'Not that I haven't been doing that for the past three years anyway.' She leaned back into Inu Yasha's chest and his arm wrapped around her waist.
"And you get to go all over America and Europe with your hottie boyfriend." Ayumi sighed. "My mom would never let me do something like that."
Kagome could almost feel Inu Yasha blush behind her. 'Poor thing, I'll have to make this up to him. He did go through a lot of trouble for this party, I'm sure.'
"We will miss you at graduation, though." Eri said a bit mournfully.
"You'll take plenty of pictures for me, won't you?" Kagome chimed.
"Absolutely!" The three sang.
The party ran till just before ten. After the last of the guests had left, Kagome stood from the couch and stretched. She yawned broadly, catching the attention of her hanyou. "You should get some rest. You've got those tests things in the morning." He was currently helping Iki remove the dirty plates and cups that had been left by their guests.
Kagome sauntered over towards him. He set down the plates he was holding to welcome her into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him. "Inu Yasha, this was the best birthday I've ever had. Thank you."
He nuzzled his nose against hers. "You deserve it."
She rose up slightly and captured his lips. Fire ran through her veins as his arms tightened around her. A hungry growl resonated in the back of his throat and vibrated through her body. If only they weren't still standing in the middle of her mother's living room…. Kagome slowly drew away, a bit breathlessly. "'Night."
"I'll be up in a little while."
She smiled over her shoulder as she left the living room. "You'd better. I never sleep as well when you're not with me."
He watched her disappear up the stairs. "Neither do I."
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Inu Yasha waited impatiently outside of Kagome's school building. It was already growing dark, when the young miko finally stumbled out the door. "Inu Yasha?"
He frowned. She looked simply exhausted. Her eyes were half-shut and there were little bags under them. She hadn't slept the previous night, not much anyway. He'd had to force her to put the books away and lie down for an hour or so before her last string of tests. In truth, it'd probably been the only thing that had given her the energy to finish her last test.
He grabbed her hands and pulled them over his shoulders as he squatted down to pull her legs into his hands. "Inu Yasha," she mumbled, "what if someone sees you carrying me?"
"Feh, who cares? You just rest and I'll get you back to the shrine safe and sound." Kagome didn't argue as she snuggled into his back and buried her face in his hair. "So, how did you do?"
Kagome yawned. "Two B's and four C's, but it was passing, so I'm all done."
Inu Yasha smirked. "I knew you could do it."
Kagome smiled as her eyes slid shut, allowing Inu Yasha's steady heart beat and the feel of his hands wrapped securely around her legs sooth her. "I wasn't even sure I could do it myself. But you did and you even left me alone, so I could study. Thank you."
"Feh."
She chuckled. "I hope you weren't bored."
"Nah."
She lifted her head a little. "What were you doing the whole time I was studying?"
"Nothing important. Now, lay down." He ordered softly.
Kagome complied by resting her head against his shoulder. "Are we going home tomorrow?"
Inu Yasha smiled at the way Kagome had referred to the feudal era as 'home'. "Yeah, once you get everything you need." The truth was that Iki had already piled dozens of supplied into his arms for the past two weeks to take to the other side. The thought of her daughter stranded on the other side of the well without modern medicines scared her. His smile broadened at the thought of what awaited them in the past – a surprise for his beloved.
They reached the shrine in short time and Inu Yasha carried his sleeping miko up to her room, where he helped her off with her shoes and backpack without waking her. He didn't bother to undress her as he climbed in beside her on the small bed and wrapped an arm securely around her.
Morning came with the sun, which was all too soon for Kagome, who tried to bury herself between the matrice and her mate. Inu Yasha smiled at the top of her head, but he didn't try to wake her like he normally did. She was exhausted and he knew it. She'd barely slept the last three days and he'd had to remind her to eat quite often. He stroked her hair while he wondered if it had all really been worth the effort she'd put in. He rumbled softly as he buried his nose in her hair.
He smirked as memories of the past few weeks danced through his mind. It had been barely a month since they had admitted their feelings to one another and less than that since they had become mates. But already it felt as if they had spent many lifetimes together- many happy lifetimes.
Kagome stirred and lifted her face to smile sleepily at him. "Morning, koishii."
He kissed her forehead. "Morning." She frowned as she woke a little more. "What's wrong?"
"We're going home today."
It was Inu Yasha's turn to frown. "You don't want to go?"
She quickly shook her head. "No, that's not it. I do…It's just…I'll have to say goodbye to Mom, Gramps and Sota."
He stroked her cheek gently with his thumb. "It won't be forever. Remember, we're still around in this time. You'll get to see them again, even if the well does close."
"Yeah, it just seems like a long time to wait."
Inu Yasha nodded. "I won't lie, it is a long time. But I'm sure we can find ways to pass the time." He gave her a lecherous grin.
She grinned back as she patted his cheek. "I think you're turning into Miroku."
Inu Yasha snorted indignantly. "Miroku!"
Kagome squealed as he began to tickle her ruthlessly. "Inu Yasha, stop!" She gasped between giggles.
"Not until you take that back, wench! I am not like that pervert!"
Kagome laughed harder as he found the soft spots along her ribs. "Okay….hehehe…okay! You're not like Miroku!"
He smirked as he finally released her. "Good."
Kagome's smirk was just as big. "Yeah, you're not like Miroku. You're much cuter." She tweaked one of his ears.
He grinned. "Damn straight!"
The pair finally climbed out of bed and Kagome ran through her list of necessities. She multiplied every item by at least ten to make sure she had enough in case the well closed on her before she could come home again. Unlike Inu Yasha, Kagome was very certain that it would. The only hope she still held was that they could return before they purified it and just maybe it would still be open. Somehow, though, she knew deep down that there was little chance of her being able to return.
At last they stood beside the mini-shrine. Inu Yasha had returned for the last time from carting over Kagome's supplies, complaining about being a pack-mule the whole time. But now he had returned for the last thing- the only thing he really cared about- Kagome. She was presently hugging her grandfather and whispering in his old ear things that brought tears to his eyes. Then she turned to Sota and hugged him. And for once he didn't struggle when she did it, instead he hugged his only sister back, trying to fight down his own tears.
Inu Yasha ruffled the boy's hair as Kagome turned to her mother. "Don't worry, kid. We'll see you later."
Sota rubbed at his eyes. "Promise?"
The hanyou frowned a little. "I promise we'll try." Sota sniffled and nodded, taking what he could get.
Kagome hugged her mother tightly. "I love you, Mama. I'll do my very best to come back, I promise."
Iki kissed her daughter's cheek. "I know you will, sweet heart. But remember, just in case, how much I love you. You're my only daughter."
Kagome stepped back tears spilling from her eyes. Beside her, Inu Yasha frowned and she quickly wiped them away. Inu Yasha turned to Iki and outstretched a hand. He was surprised when she wrapped her arms around him and hugged him just as fiercely as she had Kagome. "Take care of my daughter, Inu Yasha. And take care of yourself. I love you both very much."
Inu Yasha blushed and slowly returned the hug. It had been such a long time since he had been held in a motherly embrace such as this one. He blinked several times to clear the mist from his eyes. "I will." He stepped back and slipped a comforting arm around Kagome's waist. He nodded at her grandfather. "See you later, you old coot."
Gramps pointed a gnarled finger at him. "You come back, so I can try some stronger sutras on you."
Inu Yasha allowed a smile to grace his lips. "I'll do that, old man." Then he turned his attention to the lovely creature beside him. "Ready?" Kagome nodded and he turned them and began to walk into the well-house. But Kagome turned after a few steps and dashed back out to hug her mother once more.
"Bye, Mom!" She called as she turned again to rush back to her mate. Iki smiled slightly as her daughter grabbed Inu Yasha's hand and together they disappeared into the well. The scene was eerily familiar. Kagome had done the same thing nearly every time she left for the feudal era and each time she had returned home. Maybe, just maybe, this time would be the same.
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A/N: Needless to say I've left a lot of loose ends, so yes-for all of you that have been asking- there will be sequel. "There shall be an epilogue!" sayeth the author.
