Disclaimer: Nope I don't own Inuyasha

Okay, the last chapter...I think I'm going to cry....*tear*...the ending such sweet sorrow....Aw well, thanks and thanks again to all my reviewers cause you guys are what makes fanfics great!!!! And you boost my self esteem which, I'm told, is good for me. See you all in my following stories if you feel like sticking with me!!!

Chapter 21: The Love of Years

Han pulled the ship expertly into Hium as if he had done so a thousand times before.

The crew was slightly subdued, though still happy to be home. They disembarked to the joyous calls of loved ones who gave them food and drink, and Inuyasha was struck forcefully by a feeling of loneliness, not for the first time.

They had searched for hours, the entire crew with Han calling out loud enough to make his head hurt. They had not found Kagome. She had disappeared beneath the waves without a trace. They searched for days when Inuyasha had finally given in and ordered they be set for home. No one wanted to go, but they all knew, even if she had died, her body had already been carried out to sea.

Sango hadn't smiled once, Shippo was inconsolable, and even Miroku had not groped anyone in the weeks in the time it took to get home. Han had only spoke what was necessary.

Inuaysha was the last to leave the ship. He had spent more time in his cabin than anywhere else. The place where they had spent many happy hours, particularly that last night.

"Captain." A man, Gertude by name and the village headman when he was out, ran up to him followed by families Inuyasha had never seen before.

"You won't believe it, captain. These people, they....they are Singers." he said smiling happily.

"What....?" Inuyasha asked not sure he had heard correctly.

"They have been showing up by the family for three weeks now." Gertude summoned the oldest man, easily 80, over to him.

"We recieved a message." He said his eyes sparkling happily. "From a lady with long black hair and pure white eyes. She said to come here, and we would find safety, and peace and no fear of our gift."

"That's right." Inuyasha said, numb. "How many...?" Inuyasha seemed unable to put two words together.

"Seven families thus far." Gertude said excitedly. "Two loners, and a newly web couple."

Inuyasha couldn't believe it.

"Look, there's more!" Herena called out pointing to another boat on the horizon.

Inuyasha could hear the symphany of many voices blending together as the boat came with more speed than any he had seen, save Han.

It was a full ship too, all of them Singing, changing the tune as soon as they saw people.

The families on shore Sang back and the people on board cheered, docked and got off happily.

Children ran past him giggling, smiling, and carefree. Elderly left the ship assisted by younger people who looked relieved and worn down by everything. Pregnant women and women with still nursing children, fighters, scholars, Singers.

The last off was a family of three. An old man, stooped with age, a young lady, and a boy who could only be her son.

She came down the plank and right toward Inuyasha.

Before he could say or do anything, she reached back her hand and slapped him with all her might, which was rather alot.

The entire village, previously cheering and yelling happily, got quiet and even Inuyasha was a little shocked.

He looked to the women about to demand an explanation when he saw her face. Chocolate brown eyes, raven hair, a sweet kind oval face slightly marred by anger. That scent of flowers and peace, she could only be Kagome's mother.

She saw the recognition in his eyes and nodded furiously.

"Yeah, that's me. Where is she?" she demanded her body tense and her fists balled up.

Inuyasha looked down not sure how to tell her.

"Where is she?" She demanded again her eyes swimming with tears.

"I'm sorry." was all he was able to whisper.

"NO! Your lying!" She beat on his chest tears streaming down her face. "I know she's here! She can't be....Where is she!?"

Inuyasha did nothing to stop the assault, his people seeing this, also did nothing.

Eventually her fists stopped coming and she was just crying on his chest. Inuyasha rubbed her back knowing it did nothing to stop her grief.

Sango finally started crying too, something she had not done yet which Miroku thought was good for her. He held her close and for once, his thoughts really were all innocent.

Shippo started bawling again and everyone knew something was wrong.

"She is gone, isn't she?" Gertude asked his happiness finally fading. "The lady, Kagome."

"We lost her to the sea." Inuyasha said quietly.

Her mother sniffed once and pulled back from him. "Then that's alright." Her voice was shaky and sad as only a mother who had experienced loss could be. "She always loved the sea, she will be happy now."

"I think so."

"Half-ling." an all too familiar voice said making everyone jerk their heads around trying to find the source. "Her wish was to see all her people safe and happy." the voice seemed to be coming from the water itself. "I needed her to tell them where to find their safety and happiness, now, you may have her back."

A wave large enough to loom just over the dock came rushing toward them and splashed down on the wood. Every one instinctively covered their eyes with their arms to avoid the water.

When Inuyasha moved his, he saw Kagome, laying wet and sleeping, on the wood of the dock.

"Kagome!" he ran forward and lifted her back up gently.

Her eyes stirred and she opened them wearily. "Inuyasha." She smiled happily up at him, before her memory came back and she frowned. "What...."

"Kagome." her mother said weakly kneeling next to Inuyasha.

"Mom!" Kagome said a little shocked. "What are you doing....Where are we."

"Hium." Inuyasha said hugging her close. "Hium sweet hium."

"Home." Kagome leaned into his and whispered to his neck, just loud enough for him to hear, "You better get the wedding ready." she said.

"Huh?" Inuyasha drew back. Of course he would marry her but...

She grabbed his hand and placed it on his stomach.

He was confused only for a second, before his eyes widened in disbelief.

"What....No way..."

"Kagome, your pregnant." her mom said. Both of them could feel the new life getting developed inside her.

The other Singers cheered as one by one they felt it too.

Inuyasha picked her up and spun her in circles. "I'm going to be a father." He yelled happily. "Hey Ya'll!" He called to his people who seemed to have already found out. "I'm going to be a father!" At this news the whole village, Singers included, cheered. A cheer which only increased when Inuyasha brought Kagome's mouth down to his for a passionate kiss.

"I'm going to be a father." he whispered to her, his forhead touching hers.

"And so," The old man finished the tale to the children. "They married. They had many more children, and their children had children. And one day, with a storm outside, he told his tale to all his grandchildren."

The kids screamed happily as the door opened and their parents came in.

"Mom, Dad." Junichi, their oldest said kissing Kagome's withered cheek and clasping Inuyasha on the back. "Heck of a storm. Even Han was getting tired.

"Where's mommy and daddy." a girl asked. "Mikera and Hena are helping Sango and Miroku. His arthritis is acting up again so they had to come in from the fishing boats.

"Granpa's Arthretis?"

"No baby girl." Junichi picked up Sango and Miroku's grandchild. "It's arthritis."

"Oh." she said holding onto his neck.

"Where's that wife of yours." Kagome asked bringing in the dinner she had made into the room.

Junichi's eyes filled with love as he thought of the girl he had wed. "Keni is fine. She's at home with the baby."

"And so you should be." Kagome chastised. "You get that from your father. Now go down and change a diaper or two. It wont kill you."

"Yes, mama." he smiled, kissed her cheek again and left dutifully.

"Hey, it stopped raining!" one of the boys pointed out. "Can we go play?"

"If you get muddy your not coming back in." Kagome said handing her husband his dinner.

"Okay!" They agreed and ran outside. Even Inuyasha's favorite grandchild climbed out of his lap and followed her family demurely.

They smiled at each other, their gaze filled with love only years of being together could bring.

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Well their you are. Another end to another story. Hope you all enjoyed and maybe, if I'm lucky, you'll continue to read me. Bye-Bye!!!