A/N: Wow! Time certainly has flown by me! I'm so sorry I've let this story fall to the wayside! Needless to say this semester has been a little crazy...and I'm prepping for a solo recital that's about a week away! I'm not out of the woods yet!

In any event, this will be the last chapter to this story. I really hope you have all enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I've got another story posted and another in progress (that I've completely lost track of...) for your reading pleasure. Thanks for bearing (rawr!) with me!

xoTrebleMaker

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There was a sudden stillness and quiet thundering that echoed almost painfully loud within Miroku's ears as he treaded lightly from the stream behind the elder priestess' home. He walked slowly, his back bent from the weight oftwo buckets filled withwater staying in equilibrium thanks to a sturdy piece of wood slung across his shoulders. There was a clattering noise as the buckets slipped from his grasp in the houshi's attempt to stop the silence from echoing so loudly within his head.

Something's not right. This...this isn't natural. I'm not going deaf. What is this pressure I feel?

Miroku shook his head and scanned the river bed for any signs of Sango or Shippo. To his relief, he saw the kitsune curled up comfortably in the taijya's lap.

At least they're unaffected...

The monk smiled leisurely at the taijya when she turned to his warm face and he continued toward's Kaede's home with as much speed and careful poise as he could. It was obvious to him that something powerfully spiritual was occurring and he knew that only he and Kagome would feel the intense pressure. He climbed the small path behind the elder priestess's home, carefully avoiding grooves in the path that would cause him to spill the gathered liquid within the buckets upon his shoulders.

There was a violent surge in pressure, sending Miroku to his knees as he neared the hut; he panted on the ground just trying to resist its enormous force. He twisted his gaze back to where he had come, searching for the taijya and the kitsune once more. He sighed in relief as he found them both resting peacefully as they had been before. Miroku smiled a bit, thankful that they were not afflicted with the magnanimous presence pressing into him as he turned his gaze back towards Kaede's hut.

Miroku shielded his eyes almost immediately as his gaze fell upon the brilliant light that engulfed the elder miko's home. Dazzling white rays streamed upwards towards the darkening sky, looking like icicles of pure energy hanging in the sky. Through squinted eyes, he was able to endure its unearthly glow and he watched in awe as the light began to grow and transfigure itself into a recognizable shape.

It stretched and pushed the air around itself as arms sprouted from the glowing fog followed shortly there after by a beautiful face with lidded eyes. The houshi's mouth was left agape as an elegant female form began to take shape within the energy and an audible gasp escaped his lips as another form began to grow and surround the woman that was developing.

It...It c-can't be!

Slowly, the houshi dropped his hand, forgetting to shield his eyes from the intensity of the light that was very slowly beginning to diminish. His gaze was transfixed by the deity that had revealed herself to the houshi, complete with her dragon familiar.

B-benzaiten! But she's the goddess of-of love! One of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune! What on earth is she doing here!

"Indeed, houshi," chimed the goddess, "What am I doing on this human plane?"

She stood before him, her eyes still lightly closed, as nude as the gods had intended every living creature to be. Slowly and with an ethreal poise and confidence, she began to sit; reacting immediately, the great dragon coiled beneath her,cradling her body as she lounged within its protective scales like he were a hammock.

The monk felt himself trembling as she spoke, but it wasn't until he had fallen upon his rear that he noticed the full effect of her presence upon him. He stared at her, wide eyed and feeling as if she could see see through him just as he could see through spring water. Moments later, he reached his hand up to a flowing warmth that had begun working its way over his cheeks and spilling past his chin.

I...I'm weeping? I...I haven't felt this vulnerable since my father...

With the realization of his words, Miroku dropped his hands and averted his gaze from the goddess before him.

So then she really can peer into my soul...

"Hai. I can and do gaze into your spiritual half, houshi...and it is beautiful. Please do not doubt that about yourself," answered Benzaiten without having the question asked aloud.

Miroku dragged the sleeve of his shirt across his face before once again returning his gaze to the deity and speaking. He smiled lightly and sighed a bit, feeling at peace with himself and the deeds he had gone throughout his life.

"I. Well-I," he stuttered, "Thank you, Benzaiten-sama. It is a great honor t-to be in your presence and hear those words from your own lips."

"It is a deserved statement, monk. Your soul is pure, although I do also see that you have the actions of alecherous man," she said with a hint of a laugh in her voice.

Almost immediately, Miroku began to blush. He recounted the numerous times that he had groped Sango's rear, the many attractive village women that he had carelessly toyed with, the many instances that he had gone to town with Mushin-san... Mirou found his face becoming hot as he worked his hands deep within his sleeves to keep from idly toying with the grass beneath his feet.

Kami! No wonder Sango was always so upset with me...

Miroku looked up to Benzaiten and swallowed hard. He suddenly felt guilt and extreme embarassment with the images that ran through his head as well as the feelings of perversion that it had stirred within his blood. He found himself laughing nervously as he ventured one hand behind his hand to smooth his hair.

Turning towards the monk beneath her, Benzaiten spoke, "Houshi. Do you wish me to look into your heart?"

"D-Do I what now?" replied Miroku tensing with nervous anxiety.

"Do you wish me to look within your heart--to view the maiden that has stolen your affection--to see if your intentions are returned?" she questioned with her voice enver quavering.

Mirokue sat for a moment with energy thrumming through him.

Do I want her to tell me how Sango feels? Or do I want to find out on my own? Then again, should I really turn her down? She is one of the Seven Gods of Luck...

Musical notes resounded in the air as Benzaiten laughed and Miroku found himself shivering as they danced through his ears. It seems that the goddess of love was also the enchantress of music.

"I will not spurn you or turn your good fortune for ill, monk," she said and to Miroku's surprise, her eyes began to open.

Miroku gasped and felt the world stand still as the goddess before him gazed into his eyes--gazed into every crevace of his heart. He could not tear his gaze away as she searched every dark area, every area filled with light, every area filled with compassion for his friends and new found family. He could feel her peeling away the layers and leisurely glimpsing through the memories and emotions that he was only himself beginning to grasp.

It was only then that Benzaiten closed her eyes and reclined into the coils of her dragon once more. Miroku panted heavily, not realizing that he had been holding his breath, and neverbefore feeling quite so naked or transparent as he did instants before the colors and sounds of the world around him returned.

"Ah. A strong woman indeed you have settled on. One with great spirit and great sorrow," she began simply and with great thought going into every word, "Nay, she is notoneto be tamed."

Almost immediately, Miroku's heart sank into the ground.

She...She can't be tamed. Sango. My love. I...I don't deserve you.

"Wait a moment, monk. I merely said that she was not one to be tamed," she responded serenely and paused making Miroku squirm, "She's not one that craves a master. She yearns for an equal partner in mind, body, heart and soul. She yearns for you, houshi."

Miroku felt himself smiling and complete astonishment and joy filled his entire being. He wanted to scream and yell and run to his taijya, but his self control, fortunately, held him back.

"Oh thanks the gods!" cried Miroku in his joy and his danced in the angelic music that spring from Benzaiten's lips as she too relished in his excitement.

"Go to her, monk. Be patient with her and prove to her that you are both equal," she responded before she turned her lidded gaze to the hut below her, "however, I must get back to this pair and lift the curse that was placed upon the hanyou. With their love found, they too should relish in the joys, don't you agree?"

Miroku watched with wonder as the goddess of all things fluid and flowing opened her eyes once more and gazed upon the hut. He watched as everything within thrummed with an enigmatic and thrilling energy and all at once, the goddess shimmered and disappeared from the world around her.

"Miroku?" was heard at long last as Inuyasha emerged from the hut with Kagome's help. Afterall, his leg was still broken and it would be quite a while before him or the rest of the gang would be shard hunting.

"Inuyasha! My good man, its great to see you again!" cried the houshi as he waved at the two of them. He smiled thoughfully and quickly realized the words of wisdom that Benzaiten had left with him. He grinned broadly and pulled himself to his feet, brushing off the dirt and dust that had settled upon his garments.

"I'm going to go see if I can't find Shippo and Sango," he said and lazily turned around to search for his equal.

Kagome smiled and snuggled into Inuyasha's side as he left. She felt so exhausted but somehow calm about the events that she had lived through. She blushed slightly and subconsciously tightened her grip on Inuyasha as she heard the words that Benzaiten had left for her.

"You ok, Kagome?" asked Inuyasha with tenderness and genuine concern. He felt a shiver run down his spine as honey met with amber. A perfect blend of warmth and sincerity in a single glance.

"I'm fine, Inuyasha," she said as she turned to face him, "I'm with you."

They smiled at each other with a slight pink staining both lovers cheeks.

"Inuyasha?"

"Yea, Kagome?"

Kagome's eyes flickered for a moment as Benzaiten's words echoed within her head.

"Hold onto him, miko, and never let him go. Not everyone could have melted the ice set around his heart, nor could they have earned his trust in such an honest manner. If you haven't found it by now, Kagome, you two are meant to be together--in past, present and future. Cherish him for he cherishes you."

Inuyasha tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, smiling in earnest as he too relived the words shared with Kagome in his head as well. Benzaiten had allowed him to hear her heart's desire, only because she could sense that their hearts had already become one. He smiled and placed a rough hand gently against her cheek.

Smiling and taking his hand within her own, Kagome spoke, "I love you, Inuyasha. I think I always have."

"I love you too, Kagome," replied Inuyasha as he gently kissed her.

I love you more than you'll ever know...

-Fin-

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A/N: Well, there you have it. Another fluffy Inuyasha/Kagome fan-fic posted on I really hope you enjoyed reading this. If you have any questions about this story or anything else that's posted here, feel free to message me. See you all next time!

xoTrebleMaker