A/N: Here it is! The final chapter, the I dos and I love yous. Just a quick reminder that full sentences in italics are a character's personal thoughts. Happy reading!

EPILOGUE part 1

Reunited

Kagome glanced over at Sango with an admiring gaze. She still couldn't believe that she was back in the feudal era. "Your home is so cozy Sango," Kagome complimented.

"Thank you, Kagome," Sango beamed while she refolded a blanket. "But I believe Miroku charges quite a bit when he goes on demon exterminations. It's a wonder they keep asking him to come back," she sighed. Kagome smiled knowingly. Even though Sango was always busy with her children, she seemed truly happy to be married to the monk. And Kagome had no doubt in her mind that Miroku was just as happy.

"Charge them? He's basically robbing them," Shippou declared loudly, peeking his head into the house.

"I don't see you refusing your share when you tag along," she scolded him.

But Shippou pretended not to hear her, "Kagome, come here I want to show you this new trick I learned," he said, while ducking back outside.

Kagome laughed, even Shippou had finally learned when to hold his tongue. Once back outside, Kagome discreetly looked around and searched for prying ears, specifically eavesdropping dog ears. "Hey Sango, I've been meaning to ask you. How was….."

"Kagome! Kagome!" The sound of her name interrupted her question for the third time since arriving. Kagome sighed and looked over to see Rin running up to Sango and Miroku's house. "Kagome! Kagome!" Rin yelled again, turning her head in search of the young woman, her face lighting up when she spotted her. "Oh Kagome, it's time, it's time!" the young girl bounced around with excitement. "Rin will show you the way. Rin helped Kaede prepare tonight's dinner," she beamed.

Sango's girls chanted together, feeding off of Rin's contagious excitement, "Dinner! Dinner! Dinner!" Kagome giggled, truly happy to be back in the feudal era.

To honor her return, Kaede had invited the entire group over for dinner. Rin was overjoyed to show Kagome how much she had adapted to living amongst humans again. "Everything is ready," Rin beamed, tugging on Kagome's arm.

"Okay, I'm coming," Kagome smiled, allowing the girl to pull her in the direction of Kaede's hut.

Inuyasha immediately stood up, in a half annoyed yet alert manner. Since pulling Kagome out of the well he had ensured that she remained within sight or hearing distance at all times.

"A little on edge my friend?" Miroku asked the half demon, knowing full well how Inuyasha felt. Even without close observation, anyone could pick up on the small shifts of movement Inuyasha made in response to Kagome's every move. Miroku grinned slyly, which only annoyed Inuyasha further.

"Keh, whatever," he scowled, stuffing his hands in his sleeves and following after Kagome anyway. He didn't care who knew it, he wouldn't let her go again.

Kaede's hut was just as Kagome remembered it. So much had changed and she was grateful for the familiarity of the things that hadn't. "Kagome, where's your backpack?" Shippou asked, looking around the room for the yellow backpack known for its generous supply of candy, cup of noodles, potato chips and on special occasions, fun toys.

Kagome felt a twinge of guilt and fidgeted with the hem of her sweater. Not only had she not said goodbye to her grandfather and brother, but she had also come back completely empty handed. Her eyes focused on the floor as she explained, "I didn't have time t-to grab anything. I didn't know how long the well would stay open." Inuyasha's left ear twitched, honing in on the anxious tones in Kagome's voice.

"Stupid, you're not a kid anymore. You don't need anything from Kagome's time," he reprimanded the fox demon in his usual uncouth manner. The half demon folded his arms in annoyance, but kept the rest of his thoughts to himself:

Stupid kid can't even understand the sacrifice Kagome just made to come here. She chose us over her friends and life there. She even chose me over her own family. I won't allow anyone to make her feel insecure about such a life changing and selfless decision.

Time flowed smoothly as they exchanged stories of what happened while she was gone. Miroku and Sango told Kagome about their wedding ceremony and children. Shippou enthusiastically explained how far he had advanced in his fox magic training, clearly bragging about how much stronger he had become in her three year absence. Rin was also very talkative and shared stories about Sesshomaru's visits to the village. But the one person Kagome wanted to talk to, was rather quiet. The half demon sat patiently next to her, but glanced every now and then out the window at the darkening sky. She could tell there was something on his mind, but she wouldn't ask him about it yet. He was obviously waiting for when the time was right.

As the fire died down and the last streaks of light faded into the night sky, the flap to Kaede's hut abruptly flew back. "Kaede, the baby is coming!" a young boy from the village shouted with urgency. He was a little stunned to see so many people within the house and quickly muttered a hello and an apology, as he retreated back outside. "I had a feeling the baby would come tonight," Kaede said calmly. "Rin, would you like to help me?"

"Oh yes, Rin wants to help," she beamed, standing up promptly and grabbing Kaede's basket. "Don't wait up for us, we won't be back before daybreak," Kaede sighed, as she walked out of her house with Rin on her heels. Kaede's words made Kagome realize that she hadn't thought about where she would be sleeping for the night. Sango and Miroko naturally had their hands full with the kids and as far as she knew, Inuyasha was most likely sleeping outdoors like before, but she didn't voice these concerns out loud.

"You know, I think it's time to get the twins to bed," Sango suggested, looking at the sleeping girl in her arms. Sango handed her over to Miroku so he had both girls and stood up. She picked up her sleeping son and fastened him to her back in a carrying cloth. Before taking one of her daughters back from the monk, she hugged Kagome. "I'm so glad you're back," she smiled, happy to have her old friend back. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?" Kagome nodded and hugged her again.

Miroku also hugged her briefly. "Have a good night Kagome," he said innocently enough, but Inuyasha thought he had detected a sense of lewdness to it and elbowed the monk in the ribs.

"Hmm, where should I sleep tonight?" announced Shippou loudly. At this statement, Inuyasha shot daggers at Miroku.

"Where do you normally sleep Shippou?" Kagome asked, unaware of Inuyasha's sudden change in temper and dangerous glare.

"Uh..Shippou, didn't we tell you, you're staying with us tonight?" the monk said nervously, while feeling Inuyasha's wrath directed at him.

"Are you sure because…"

"Yes," interjected Sango now, giving Shippou a stern look. The small fox demon still didn't seem to get it, but he knew better than to argue with Sango.

"Oh, okay," he agreed warily. He hopped up into Kagome's arms and gave her a hug too. "I can show you my new tricks tomorrow," he said proudly.

"I'd love to see them Shippou," Kagome smiled. He hopped down and they all exited Kaede's hut. Kagome and Inuyasha watched as Shippou, Sango, Miroku and their family set off down the path towards their house. In Inuyasha's opinion, they seemed to be walking rather slowly, as if hoping to listen in on what happened next, but he didn't care, he had waited long enough.

Kagome realized that she was suddenly alone with Inuyasha and she wasn't sure what to say or do. But to her relief, he did.

"Will you come with me somewhere? I want to show you something," he said simply, hoping that he didn't look nervous.

"Yes," Kagome nodded shyly. This was it, she thought. She had been waiting all day to be alone with him. To ask him questions and find out everything she had missed. But instead her nerves rendered her speechless and she silently followed after Inuyasha in the opposite direction of her friends.

Sango and Miroku's slow pace back home was quite intentional. They kept glancing over their shoulders at the pair wondering what they were going to do next. "Oh look," whispered the monk excitedly.

"Do you think he's taking her there?"

"Yes, I do," the monk answered.

"I don't know why he's taking her there now," chimed in Shippou, "He's just going to have to walk her back here again," he said, while skipping up ahead.

When the fox demon was out of earshot Miroku simply said, "Most likely not."

"Well that's pretty progressive even for him, don't you think?"

"Sango my dear, 3 years is long enough to wait. I certainly couldn't have waited that long for you," he said, squeezing her butt.

"Miroku," she said threateningly.

"I know, I know. Not in public," he said grudgingly and withdrew his hand.

"Well, we are on our way home," she said seductively.

"We have to put the kids to bed first," the monk smiled, but quickened his pace.

-X-

"Inuyasha, where are we going?" Kagome asked curiously as they walked deeper into the woods. She wasn't afraid, for she knew Inuyasha's sight was much better than her own, but the silence between them was almost suffocating.

"You'll see," he answered. Her need to ask him more questions grew, but she resisted. She still felt shy in his presence and simply followed his lead. Inuyasha continued to walk in the direction of the Bone Eater's well, but where she normally would've kept walking straight the half demon reached down for her hand and pulled her towards the right down a lightly worn path.

"Uh.." she said surprised by their sudden hand holding.

"It's a little tricky in the dark," he lied, squeezing her hand gently. Kagome remembered a time where she led him by the hand once. It felt nice to have his warm hand in hers. In the night that stretched out before her, she couldn't make out anything besides his long, silvery hair cascading down his back. But when a cool breeze brushed across her face, she thought that the trees must be thinning out. They started to walk uphill and just when she mustered up the courage to ask him something, he stopped abruptly.

"Wait here," he instructed, letting go of her hand and leaving her standing there in total darkness. It was eerie, but her curiosity peaked when she heard the sound of a door flap. Self consciously, she patted down her skirt while she waited and fixed her bangs. A moment later, a light illuminated from within a hut. Kagome watched as Inuyasha's silhouette emerged in the doorway of said hut and extended his arm to her. She closed the distance between them and took his hand without any hesitation and stepped inside.

The room she had stepped into was rather large compared to Kaede's. There was a fire pit on the opposite wall and one additional room to her right. A rolled out futon lay on the floor before her next to a wooden chest and two low stout wooden stools were pushed up against the wall to her left. Behind the stools, she noticed that Tessaiga was now leaning up against the wall behind the stools.

He normally never took it off, she thought.

Kagome turned to look at the half demon. He seemed to be watching her reaction while she looked everything over. "Do you… do you live here?" she asked, surprised, "Is this your house?" The last thing she expected was for Inuyasha to have his own house. Stoically the half demon nodded, wary of Kagome's opinion of the dwelling that he had personally designed. Kagome glanced back at the modernistic stools again. "Did you build chairs?" she asked, astounded.

"I thought if you ever came here that you would like that better than sitting on the floor," he said meekly. "I had to do something with the money I earned," he added.

Kagome smiled and pure happiness filled her heart. He had built a house to suit her. He had built this house for them. "I love it," she beamed, "It's perfect." Inuyasha's heart lifted out of his chest. For three years he had pondered over whether or not Kagome would like the house and now, he finally had an answer. Her statement had unlocked something inside him and his feelings poured out of him like an overflowing watering can.

"Almost every night I dreamt of seeing you again, that I almost couldn't believe it, when… when that gust of wind carried your beautiful scent to me. I thought I was dreaming again. But then you were really there and you grabbed my hand," he said, looking down at his hands like they had performed a miracle while tears gathered in his eyes. "I'm just so, so….grateful."

Kagome threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly, "I'm sorry Inuyasha, I wish I could've come to you sooner. I didn't know how."

"I didn't either, but that doesn't matter anymore. You're here now." Inuyasha hugged her even tighter, afraid that she would disappear again. Kagome took a moment to breathe in his familiar scent. Sure she couldn't smell as well as him, but she wanted to savor what she had been missing for 3 years. And as much as she resented pulling away from him, she urged herself to do it. There was something she had to say too and there was no point in putting it off. He had been open with her first and now it was her turn.

Kagome pulled back from him and looked into his beautiful amber eyes. The same eyes that she thought she'd never see again. She had dreamt of meeting him over and over again, but what she had planned to do and say when that time came, seemed to slip her mind completely. She knew only one thing, that she was overjoyed to be by his side again. Finally, there was some relief from the pain of separation, relief from the loneliness, relief from longing to see him just one more time. Kagome forgot about the rehearsed words she had practiced time and time again and leaned in and brought her lips to his. Unprepared for this, Inuyasha clumsily kissed her back at first, but quickly recovered. The past memories of stolen kisses between them flooded back to him, rekindling the lust he had for her. How he had yearned to taste her sweet lips and feel her tongue in his mouth. He wanted to get lost in the moment, to kiss her endlessly, to swirl his tongue against hers, to make her his forever. But instead, he did something rather contradictory and stepped away from her.

"Kagome, this isn't what I had in mind."

Kagome's brows immediately furrowed together, clearly confused. "Um, what do you mean?" she asked rather taken aback. What the hell was he thinking? She had crossed over to the feudal era with one thing in mind, or rather one person. She didn't come all this way to be rejected. She thought he had felt the same and was starting to feel a little stupid and naive. Inuyasha watched as Kagome's intimidating air of annoyance washed over her face and he resisted the urge to smile. No way would he admit that he actually missed their bantering, well at least not at that very moment.

The half demon took a deep breath to compose himself and closed the distance between them again, taking both of her hands in his. He noted how smooth and soft her skin was compared to his. "I want…. to ask you properly. I need to do this properly," he went on, thinking back to the emotional rollercoaster he constantly put her through in the past. She definitely deserved more than just a physical commitment on the first day he saw her again. Inuyasha took a deep breath again, willing himself to get the words out of his throat. "There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think about you Kagome. It always felt like you were just out of my reach, but no matter what I did, I couldn't see you again. I couldn't hear your voice. I couldn't protect you. I can't tell you what it means to me that you're here right now. If this isn't what you want," he hesitated and swallowed the lump building up in his throat, "i-if you don't want to be with me, t-then you have to tell me now." He paused to see if she had anything to say and when her expression didn't change, he asked her the question that had been swimming around in his head since she arrived. He wanted to be clear about what he wanted.

"Do you want to live with me and be my wife?" he proposed, squeezing her hands affectionately.

Inuyasha had practiced this speech almost as often as he went into the Bone Eater's Well over the last couple of years. And now he wished that he had thought of more things to say. He was never good at communicating his feelings and he was overcome with anxiety that he was somehow coming off as pathetic and desperate. He'd had plenty of time to think of something really impressive to say but this was all he had. It took everything he had not to break eye contact with her.

Kagome looked at Inuyasha admiringly, he had indeed grown up in the time that they were kept apart and she looked forward to learning just how much more he had changed. What he said had lifted her heart and ensured her that coming to the feudal era was the right decision. She looked up at him lovingly, a smile spreading across her face. "Inuyasha, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Seeing you everyday is what will make me happy. I want you. I wan…" But Kagome never got a chance to finish her sentence, for Inuyasha smashed his lips against hers, overcome by the sincerity of her confession. He had heard what he wanted: Permission to love her, permission to claim her as his, permission to be her everything and that was all he ever wanted. Whatever else she had to say he was sure he'd agree with her. Every feeling, every bottled up unexpressed emotion was poured into that kiss.

But as stubborn as she was, Kagome wanted to tell him everything. About how she felt and that she wanted a family together. But it was near impossible to pull away from the electrifying connection that flowed through the both of them. "Wait," she said, separating her lips from his.

"No more waiting," he breathed heavily and pulled her head to his, reclaimed her lips and thrust his tongue in her mouth. He pressed her body closer to his with his right hand firm against the small of her back and she melted in his arms, their tongues exploring, gliding and satisfying this long awaited moment. There was nothing holding him back anymore: she wasn't 15, Kikyo was at rest and Naraku was defeated. There would be no more restraining himself like countless times before. He'd be as gentle as possible with her, but he wouldn't wait any longer.