Once Shippo had gotten home Inuyasha had decided to go for a perimeter check around the village and his forest. He had been protecting the People and livestock of the village he now called home. After the attack of Naraku, the village had been pretty much wiped out. At first, he watched as the villagers worked hard, repairing the land around them and he felt that he should do his part and help out where he could. Giving him the status of village protector, he didn't mind though, everyone in the village had started to grow on him after he had his time of self-reflection. As much as he wanted to stay by Kagome's side for the day, oh Kami leaving her was hard, but this was something he had to do. He thought it would be nice to let Shippo have a few moments alone with her as well. He thought of her as a mother and missed her just as much as Inuyasha did. He could share... for now... he thought.

Inside the house, she now called home Kagome was sat down talking to Shippo, he spoke about the exams and lessons he was receiving, showing her some of his new tricks and telling her about all the successful pranks he had managed to pull on Inuyasha. He talked and talked until he started to nod off, falling asleep in Kagome's lap, she stared at his little sleeping face and lightly kissed the bridge of his nose, trying to stifle a small giggle, she whispered,

"I missed you too Shippo." She didn't have the heart to move him, so she sat in front of the fire, getting lost in thought while the kit slept on her lap.

After about an hours time Kagome heard a knock at the door,

"Come in!" Kagome called out, trying not to wake the sleeping fox kit which was still snoring away.

Sango, Miroku, the kids, Kaede and Rin, started to peek through the door,

"Is this a bad time?" Sango asked, scanning the room for the hanyou.

"No don't worry come in come in, Shippo was going to have to wake soon anyways, my legs are long past numb" She chuckled.

Sango walked over to Kagome, scooping the fox kit into her arms and went to place him in his bed. 'Why didn't I think of that?' Kagome questioned her self but gave Sango a smile of thanks as she started to stretch her legs out to regain feeling. Miroku asked Rin to take the twins outside to play for a bit while they let Shippo sleep, he knew that Shippo didn't sleep very well last night and had to leave for a lesson soon. Rin pouted a little before she gathered the twins she surprised Kagome with a hug from behind,

"Rin is happy you are back" Rin whispered as she squeezed Kagome a little tighter. Kagome placed her arm over the smaller arms that embraced her, "I missed you to Rin" Kagome smiled. Rin released Kagome and started to heard the twins outside to play.

"Kagome it is great to see you again, do ye fare well?" Kaede asked as she sat across from Kagome. Sango and Miroku had sat on either side of their returned friend, sitting around the fire, like the old days.

"It's nice to see you to Kaede, and I'm so happy to be back and be able to see everyone again. And yes, I'm well just a bit tired today". Kagome smiled toward Kaede.

"Ah yes, well that's understandable, I'm sure this has all been a little overwhelming for you since your return," Miroku said with his fingers on his chin as if he were deep in thought.

"A little but I'm ok," Kagome said while watching her soul sister get up and go into the kitchen, "Do you need any help Sango?" Kagome asked, watching her friend dig through her kitchen to make some tea for everyone.

"No it's fine, you sit there. I want to hear how you have been and see you for a little bit before we have to feed the kids lunch and put them for their naps."

"Yes, you two look like you got your hand quite full," Kagome said, letting out a small laugh.

"I blame the Monk," Sango said, joining in the laughter.

"Hey, now wife! I can't be solely to blame" Miroku said as he wiggled his eyebrows in his wife's direction, earning him a smack on the back of the head as Sango served everyone tea.

Inuyasha came home to a beautiful sight, his friend's and his soon to be wife sat around the fire, laughing and enjoying everyone's company. Rin, Hinode, and Nikko were sat in the taller grass making flower crowns with the newly bloomed flowers of the season. Inuyasha felt his heart melt, just a little, not that he would ever admit it but seeing a scene he had imagined in his head multiple times finally come true made him a very happy hanyou.