A/N: Thank you guys for the wonderful reviews! We passed 300 with the last chapter. I am rewarding you with the FINAL CHAPTER! AAAAAHHHHH! *runs out of room*

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

Epilogue: The calm after the storm

I looked at the court house warily as I gulped. Today was the day of Naraku's and Takeshi's last trial. This trial would determine whether they walked free or would be thrown in the brig. Kikyo wasn't being tried anymore because of her health. At her first trial, the jury only deliberated for about five minutes before coming out and giving the verdict. They declared her not guilty by reasons of insanity. Kikyo wasn't going to jail, but she would spend her whole life in an asylum. She had gone mad and lost her sense.

Serves that slut right.

I glanced at Inuyasha, who wore his finest suit. He could've walked out of The God father. He looked a lot like his father that way.

"Inuyasha, what if they can't get them in jail?" I whispered my biggest fear to him. Inuyasha smiled softly and held my hand.

"It's okay, Kagome. They will be brought to justice." He pulled me to the steps and we climbed them, entering the intimidating building.

Almost immediately, the press and paparazzi bombarded us. Flashes of light were everywhere and I gripped Inuyasha's hand tighter. I didn't answer any of the question the reporters asked, nor did Inuyasha. We both knew that the press could distort our words. I closed my eyes and imagined them gone.

We entered the court room and sat down in the first row. We weren't going to be called onto the stand today. We had already given our testimonies at the first trial.

Naraku was on first. They pulled him out, and the moment he did his eyes were glaring death at me. I glared back as much as I could, finding some courage. After him, they brought Takeshi. His hair was combed and he still looked as handsome as the first day I had met him. But I knew what kind of madness lurked inside those alluring, deep violet eyes.

The trial went on and on. It felt like forever. The defense spouted things like how they contributed to the public, blah, blah, blah. . . I wanted to punch them. What 'good people' would try to kill me? Idiots.

The jury didn't take long. It was barely ten minutes when they came back. I glanced at Inuyasha and I grabbed his hand for comfort. He squeezed mine back.

"We, the jury, find Naraku Onigumo and Takeshi Terra," They paused. I was at the edge of my seat. "Guilty of premeditated murder."

I couldn't believe my ears. A smile was on my face and I felt the tears of relief come down. I closed my eyes and leaned into Inuyasha. I buried my face in his chest.

"It's over. Finally over." I whispered, all the anxiety and fear gone.

"Kagura, how are you?" I smoothed her blankets, giving her a warm smile. She smiled back as she re-positioned herself in her bed.

"I'm fine."

I smiled and nodded, sitting down on one of her chairs. Kagura wasn't in a hospital anymore, but she wasn't healed totally either. The bullet that went through her, almost hitting vital, major organs of her body. It did tear muscle ligaments, which rendered her immobile for a while. The doctor said that she could leave the hospital as long someone would take care of her.

But she didn't have family, or at least, family that she wanted to stay with. She was still hurt from when they sold her to Naraku. So instead, she's living with us now. After hearing her story, my mom redecorated the guest room that we had and that's how Kurena came to live with us.

"Kagome, how are you friends? I haven't heard anything except about the court case that I watched on the news."

The reason she wanted to know about my friends was because she had met them and she liked them. They met her at the hospital after I explained what she did. They were grateful for her sacrifice and to them, that meant she was part of the group.

I stood up and walked to the dresser, where my mom had left some food for Kagura on a tray. I picked it up took it to her. "I'll tell you, if you eat."

Kagura gave me a knowing look, but accepted the food. "You win, then." She paused to bite a rice ball. "Start."

I sat down and told her. "Well, Inuyasha and the rest of my friends are graduating soon, so we're planning this huge party." I smiled at the thought of my friends. "Actually, Inuyasha went back to the little cottage he and his mother had and spruced it up. Sango and Miroku are together officially, and Ayame and Kouga are getting married soon."

Kagura smiled, her mouth full. "Wow, you're friends got a lot going."

I sighed. "Yeah, they do."

"What about you and Inuyasha?" Kagura asked.

"There hasn't been much, but we're a whole lot closer now." I thought on how he was everywhere with me now and we always held hands when we could. I felt safer with him.

Kagura nodded. "I hope you the best, Kagome." She took one of my hands. "I wish your dad was here to see how strong you are."

"I wish that a lot too."

"Kagome, we need to talk." Inuyasha said seriously, leaning on my register. My head snapped up at his words. The first thing that went through my head was that he wanted to break up with me. Please, let my thoughts just be stupid thoughts.

"Oh?" Was all I was able to respond.

He nodded. "But not here, not now. After your shift is over, I want to take you somewhere." I scanned his face, but it didn't betray a thing. He straightened and excused himself. My break was over so he had to leave.

Now, you know me by now. You know I jump to conclusions. And of course I did! I couldn't concentrate at all at my register, not even when some old lady asked me where the eggs were. Instead I had directed her to the 'restricted area' where perverts like Miroku would consider a haven. The poor woman ran out screaming and went straight for the door.

I hid for a while after that.

Then, when Shippo came to visit, he kept having to wave his hand because I was spacing out. He told me that I needed to stay awake so I could play with him. I couldn't blame him for reprimanding me, but I just couldn't keep my head straight.

Finally, my shift ended. I was wringing my hands like crazy, something that both Ayame and Sango caught.

"Don't worry, Kagome." Sango has said, after confessing my worries to her. "He probably doesn't want to break up. You guys are the closest couple I've ever seen." She gave me a smile and I knew she was being sincere. But what did he want to talk about?

Ayame laughed when I told her what I thought. "Kagome, it's clear that Inuyasha is in love with you. He wouldn't dream about breaking up with you." She turned away and then muttered darkly under her breath. "At least, if he values his life. . ."

I just turned and walked away as Ayame emitted a dark aura.

I punched out and waited for Inuyasha. I'd had an early shift, so the sun was almost setting. I watched the colors as I waited. Finally, Inuyasha pulled up.

"Hey," I slid in the passenger seat. He smiled, but he seemed a little reserved. He didn't greet me back. He didn't even talk to me. The awkward silence was killing me. It felt . . . suffocating. I looked outside the window and I noticed the scenery as it passed by. It looked vaguely familiar.

It was the river that made me realize that we were going to the little cottage he had. I sighed in relief. He wouldn't break up with me here, would he?

"We're here, Kagome."

I turned to see that Inuyasha had already gotten out of the car and was opening the door for me. He grabbed my hand and led me to the cottage. He took out the key for the lock and opened it. He pulled me in, a slight smirk on his face.

The cottage seemed to have been revitalized. The plastic covers were gone, the windows were shining. I couldn't even see a speck of dust.

"Inuyasha, the cottage looks great!" I exclaimed, forgetting my worries for a minute.

"My dad said I could have it." He explained. "Kaede's happy about it and I am too."

I smiled and sat down on the sofa. "Do you really like it?" He asked eagerly, after a moment of silence. I nodded and then he sighed.

"Good," I heard him say.

Suddenly, my previous worries came back. I folded my arms. "What was it you wanted to talk to me about anyway?"

"Us," His lips curled into a smile. "But probably not what you're thinking."

I rose from my seat. "And how would you know what I'm thinking, huh?" I asked, a hint of disbelief in my voice.

He smirked. "I can see it in your eyes."

So he thought he was sly, huh? "Oh you think you're so sl-" I was cut off by Inuyasha, who moved in front of me and pressed his lips against mine.

For a minute, I was upset. He was avoiding my displeasure by kissing me! But then I closed my eyes and forgot what we had been talking about. About a minute later, he pulled away.

"You're not off the hook that easily," I scolded him, but I couldn't help but smile. He laughed and pulled me close again for another kiss, but before he could, I put a finger to his lips. "So what did you want to talk about?"

He smirked again and pulled away. "I'll be right back." He disappeared into the hallway off to the right. He came back with a something is his hands, but he wouldn't let me see it. "I have to put it on you," He explained.

"What is it?" I asked, thinking he had bought me some kind of necklace. I was dying to see what he was so eager not to show me.

"Inuyasha, if this is a joke, I swear you won't live to see tomorrow." I crossed my arms impatiently. Inuyasha chuckled.

"I don't think I would joke about this." I heard him open something behind him.

"C'mon, Inuyasha." I whined. I was not a patient woman and Inuyasha knew that. He smirked and brought his hands from behind him, fisted.

"Inuyasha. . ." I said his name menacingly.

He smiled and opened his right hand.

I gasped when I saw the ring. It was beautiful, and the design was elegant. I glanced up at Inuyasha, who was beaming at me. My voice couldn't find the words I wanted to ask, but finally I coughed out something.

"Is this….?" I whispered, pointing to the ring. Inuyasha nodded and proceeded to baffle me more as he got down on one knee. I was frozen from the shock.

"Kagome, I know it's been less than a year that we've been together, but I know what I'm feeling. After your kidnapping, I knew then that I couldn't live without you. It was the whole reason I risked my life to get you back. I love you and that will never change,"

By now there were tears in my eyes. I was so happy I couldn't contain myself as he asked the next question.

"Kagome Higurashi, will you make me the happiest, and luckiest, man in the world by giving me the honor of becoming my wife?"

I nodded, not being able to speak. He stood and he kissed me. We kissed for a long time, until we broke away, each of us gasping for breath.

But a thought occurred to me. "Inuyasha. . . We're not even out of high school! How can we get married?"

Inuyasha held me closer, embracing me. "The wedding is after the graduation, of course, and don't worry about your mom. I asked her already too and she said she was for us all the way. She said something about that she wasn't getting younger and wanted grandchildren."

I laughed. That was something my mom would totally say.

"Then I guess, it's settled then." I pulled away from him, smiling at him. "We're getting married."

Inuyasha leaned his forehead on mine. "That's why I re-did this place. I want us to live here."

I laid my hand on his cheek. "I would love to."

He smiled and we stood there until the sun was gone and the stars and the moon made their entrance, sparkling. It seemed as if they were giving us their blessing. And I was sure my dad and Inuyasha's mom were the cause of it.

"Kagome! You have to hurry!" Sango pushed me out of the room I was in. I nodded, but then realized I was missing something.

" Sango, please tell me you have my flowers!" I turned to her. She smiled and threw me a bouquet of sweet-smelling pink Peony and white Stephanotis.

"You're lucky I got your bouquet before I walked out. You would've looked weird holding that potted plant near the door."

"Then I'm glad I chose you to be my maid of honor." I laughed.

We stopped at the door to the entry way to the door where the altar was. Sango looked me over once more, smoothing my hair and my dress. She gave the ok.

"Kagome, I have to go now. I have to get in my place before you walk down that aisle." She grabbed me by my shoulders. "Don't worry, ok? You might get nervous, but just remember. Inuyasha is out there."

She smiled and gave me a quick hug. I nodded and waited for my cue.

Hopefully you guessed right and realize that I'm at my wedding. If not, then I have nothing to tell you.

So now that I'm standing here, I guess I'll tell you what I'm doing after this. Inuyasha and I still plan to go to college, of course, so we're planning to attend the same one. Sango and Miroku are going too. They're engaged now, but we'll see how long it'll take them to just get married. My mom can't wait for the grandkids. She's dreaming of silver-haired children with my colored eyes. She's not in the least bit worried. I'm going to live with Inuyasha in the cottage, so my room will be going to Kagura.

I myself have waited for this day for weeks. So why am I getting nervous now? Because I don't know what might happen. Life is unpredictable and you don't know where you'll end up. Like how my life has been the past few months, it can go from calm and normal, to crazy and hectic. And life doesn't tell you when, it just happens.

That's why I want to be with Inuyasha. When life gets that way, I don't care what might happen, if I'm with Inuyasha, I can handle it.

I hear the organ music change, so I have to go now. I take a step and walk out, everyone's eyes on me. I look straight at Inuyasha and I know I made the right decision. I smile at him. To some people, this is the end of their freedom and what not, but not to me.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life.

A/N: This is where we end this story. I am so glad you guys took the time out of your day to read, and some, write me a review. I never would have made it without all of my faithful readers, so consider this chapter dedicated to all of you who are reading this now. Thank you.

But hey, don't cry! I still write, you know, so this is not the end of my totally cool stories. In fact, there's one I just started that you guys might like. It's called "Two spies are better than one," It's a Romance/Adventure but there's a lot of humor in it. Read the first chapter and review to tell me how you like it!

Ja ne!

~Daichilover

P.S: Peony means "Happy marriage" and Stephanotis means "Happiness in marriage". It's also used a lot in wedding bouquets.