A/N: And we are back. I have been able to write at work the last few days so I have some chapters written out. We are approaching chapter 100! Crazy that as of late this is my second story to hit that number. The word count on this though is nuts.

I keep coming up with ideas for this universe so as long as all you are still interested I will keep writing. Thank you everyone for enjoying this story so much and sticking with it.

Enjoy!

Rin bid her goodbyes to Kaede hugging her extra tightly just in case she never had the chance to do so again. Turning to see Izumi and Kohaku parting ways with Sango they seemed ready to leave.

"Thank you for your hospitality Lady Kaede." Izumi said respectfully.

"'Tis nothing my lady. Ye are welcome anytime." Kaede replied.

"Lord Sesshomaru is at the tree of ages waiting for us with Jaken and An-Un." Rin adjusted Hotaru better in the sling she carried her in giving one last small wave to Kaede before they headed out.

"You seem to be feeling better." Izumi commented as they went.

"I do." Rin nodded her head. "I am so happy to be going home. It's funny how I spent such a large portion of my life here but I don't feel like living here anymore."

"How come Rin?" Kohaku questioned curiously.

"I missed all of you tremendously. Here, it was nice to visit and to spend time with just my husband and Hotaru but it also made me realize that I am different from them. I do not think the same way as they do or act as they do."

She thought it out before continuing. "I have become accustomed to the closeness we all share and the others here, they do not seem to understand that."

"Did the villagers say something to you?" Izumi asked glancing at her as they walked.

"It doesn't matter." Rin smiled at her softly. "When I get home I am going to hug and cuddle with everyone in the pack."

"Maybe I should go ahead and warn everyone." Kohaku teased.

"I am certain that everyone will be very pleased to receive you back in to the household." Izu shot an eye at her mate and shook her head slightly.

Coming up to the sacred tree Sesshomaru stood staring at the sky unblinking as he did taking in their surroundings to figure out what their best way back would be.

The wind was picking up and going against them. It would take a bit longer but it would be best to travel on the land as opposed to the air. Turning his attention to them as they approached he held his hand out to Rin.

"Jaken is in the clearing with the dragons. Are you all set?" He asked of her as she gripped his hand tightly.

"Oh yes my lord. I am more then ready to return." She answered exuberantly.

With a slight nod Sesshomaru led the way with Kohaku and Izumi behind them. Rin glanced down at Hotaru as she looked up at her and gurgled when she saw her mother paying attention to her.

"I wonder if everyone will be surprised with how much Hotaru has grown. Maybe she is bigger then Emi and Mitsuos children now. Hm, do you suppose they are crawling now Lord Sesshomaru?"

"Crawling?" He queried glancing at her.

"Yes, most human infants crawl on their hands and knees before they learn to walk. Hotaru is nearing an age where she will be sitting up on her own and then crawling." Rin said.

"Hm." Sesshomaru looked ahead again as they came to the clearing. Jaken greeted them all being on his best behavior and held the reigns on the dragons.

Pulling them down An and Un laid down to allow Rin and Izumi to climb in to their saddle. Sesshomaru lifted Rin placing her with her legs hanging off the side while Izumi climbed up with Kohakus help as he wanted to do so.

Sitting behind Rin Hisashi whined from his carrier poking his head out and excitedly yipped and howled as he tried to fight against the cloth he was held in.

"I think he wants to travel with you Sesshomaru." Izumi said trying to calm him by scratching at his ears.

"Stay with your mothers pup." Sesshomaru copied her action before gently grasping his sons muzzle to play with him.

"That is not helping." Izumi looked at him as Hisashi became more riled up at the action. Smirking Sesshomaru went ahead of them as the dragons stood with Jaken guiding them and Kohaku at the rear.

"Rin! Wait!" Kagomes voice sounded as she came from the forest crashing through the clearing. "Hey! I didn't get to say goodbye to any of you."

"I did not think you would want too." Rin replied.

"That isn't true at all. Look, I may not understand your family dynamics but that doesn't mean I don't love you or Kohaku any less. I care care about Sesshomaru and you, Izu." She appealed. "All I want is for you to be happy and I know you are but I just, I had to say it. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings Rin."

"You have every right to your opinion." Rin stated. "I am glad that you told me and I hope that it doesn't affect our relationship going forward."

"You kidding me? There's no way I would let anything get in the way of being able to see you and your kiddos." Smirking she took something out from her kimono. "Here, this is for all of you. It's a tea I have been working on and thought you'd like to try it."

Izumi reached down to take the small wrapped package from her and gave an appreciative nod.

"Thank you Kagome. I hope to see you again in the coming year." Rin smirked back at her.

"Absolutely." Saying her farewells to Sesshomaru, Kohaku, and Jaken they began to move out as Kagome went back towards the village.

"I should have known it was Kagome." Izumi stated softly. Glancing at her Rin sighed.

"Yes." Looking back at her she took the tea from her sniffing at the fabric it was wrapped. "Oooo, smells like apples and blossoms. When we get home we can invite the other women in to have tea with us."

"They will be happy to see you back." Izumi finally settled Hisashi down in to his carrier but he still bit at the fabric.

"It feels like I have been gone for so long. Much longer than just the season."

"Yes it seemed so. Rin, I know that I said you could take your time but now in hindsight I don't think I meant it."

Laughing Rin took her friends hand and held on to her tightly. "I promise that the next time I go away for so long we are all going together."

"Good. Next year I really should go east to see firsthand what has been happening in the last year. I very much would like it if all of us went."

"Oh yes Izu. I would love to see your land and meet your people, see where you lived." Rin nodded happily. "It will be a good trip."

"Should be." Izumi replied closing her eyes and taking a breath.

"Are you alright?" Rin asked concerned.

"Yes, I am. It is such a relief that the three of you are returning." Reopening her eyes she gave the small smirk she had offered when they first met, barely there.

"There is nowhere else right now I would rather be." Looking up at the sky Rin was glad to be returning home.