They ride quietly back to the village.

As they make their way through the forest, blue sky sparkles where it peeks through the burning canopy of autumn above them. It's a different kind of peace, and Kagome sinks back against Sesshoumaru's chest, soaking in these last minutes alone as the wind gusts through the leaves and lulls her senses.

"I'm not ready to go back," she says, pulling his arm more tightly around her.

Sesshoumaru hums his agreement, his hand finding its way under her shirt to settle warmly over her stomach.

The voices of the villagers come too soon.