OMG, I know that this took a little more than forever. I'm not the best at finishing my own stories, and whats really sad is that I had this one written out already. I'm going to try to get a chapter every two weeks. Tis my goal, and I must accomplish it.

Disclaimer:I own none of thes characters, I just love them.

Returning Home

Kagome opened her tired eyes, and found herself in the darkness of midnight. She decided to take advantage of the event, and make a trip home without InuYasha being able to stop her. He hadn't wanted her to go to far from him, since the jewel had been completed, and she now protects it. She carefully moved out from under the blanket inch by inch, and quietly felt around the floor for her socks. When her fingers slid across the cloth, she grasped them and cover her feet. She was pushing herself off the ground when a hand wrapped itself around her wrist. A gasp exscaped her lips from the surprise.

"Come back to bed," he wispered. It sounded as if he were begging. Kagome willed herself to try to stand again. "Kagome."

The way he said her name made her heart skip a beat, and caused her breathing to falter for the briefest second. The thought of crawling back into her warms arms became nearley to strong to control. She couldn't do that though, she had to maintain control. "I can't." the words bearley cam out. She clearedher throat. "I haven't seen my family in two months, and all my clothes are filthy and torn."

"Ok, then we will leave in the morning, but lets sleep now."

"I have to go now." If she waited they probably wouldn't wake up until it got to late, and she wanted to see Sota for a little while before he left for his exchange program.

"Ok, then we will go now." InuYasha said sitting up.

"InuYasha you don't have to come. You could use the rest."

"I want to go," he said taking her hand. "Besides I can't sleep without you by my side."

Kagome's cheek became rosy. She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. InuYasha pulled her to him. "Nope," he wispered into her ear. Before Kagome could respond, he put his lips to hers and gave her a passionate little kiss. Her heart skipped again, and InuYasha chuckled as he stood up. He pulled on hi haori and Kagome's backpack. Just as Kagome had finished putting on her shoes, he picked her up. Kagome spent the short trip starring at him, and didn't even realize they were in her room until he put her feet on the ground.

She went through the bag and tossed the close into her laundry basket. She rumaged around until she found some clean clothes to sleep in. "I'm going to take a bath, make yourself comfortable."

The hot water felt amazing. All the sorness of last weeks fight melted away. A smile played across her face; things have become so amazing now. Naraku was finally dead, for good this time. Kikyo's pour soul has reached its peace which has brought peace to Kaede as well. Sango has someone to love and take care of her for a change. Miroku is now just monogomous monk with no looming death sentence. Last but not least, Kagome's and InuYasha's love has been aknowledged. Kagome closed her eyes and slid under the water to wet her hair.

'Knock-knock.'Kagome jumped at the sudden break in silence.

"Kagome, can I come in?" InuYasha's voice bearley crossed the room.

"Um, sure. I mean yes, you can come in."

InuYahsa slipped through the door and sat against the wall. His eyes stared at the floor. "Kagome, aren't you mad at me?"

"What, why would I be mad at you? I can't think of anything that you've done to make me mad."

"No. I mean, weren't you mad at me before. You know, when I was always chasing Kikyo and pushing you aside."

"No I wasn't mad." She stared at her fingers twisting around in the water. "I was sad, and confused, and jealous. I know that you loved eachother."

"I loved you too, and I love you now. I was blind to not notice before. I'm sorry I hurt you."

" I know. I also know that you didn't mean to hurt me." Kagome noticed that his eyes were still on the floor. "You know, I won't get mad if you look at me."

His face became a slight shade of pink, but quickly faded. He stood. "I'm going to go rest my eyes."He left, closing the door after him.

Kagome decided that she had been in the tub long enough. She dried and dressed, and went to the miror. Wet hair fell about her shoulders. This isn't the same girl that had been dragged into the Bone Eater's whell by some crazy cintipede demon. This girl had experienced greay pain as well as happiness. There is calmness in the eyes. 3 years ago this child wasn't calm about anything, emotions ruled her life. Now they just have a strong say in what the brain decides. This girl was also stronger, a great deal of running and fighting had managed that.

She finished brushing her hair and teeth and then traveled to the bedroom. She carefully opened the door so that she would not disturb InuYasha. She looked around her room but couldn't see him anywhere. She slowly scanned her bed, and saw him. He was almost completely cover up. Diliberate steps were taken so she wouldn't trip over anything. She crawled into the bed. Inuyasha put his arm around her waist and pulled her as close as possible. He burried his nose into her kneck and the two of them fell soundly asleep.