Okay dudes, this is it, the last part. I know, I know, I said there would only be three parts but I couldn't bear to end it where I did. And besides, every story needs an Epiliogue. Okay, not every story but... you know.

Deds:

DemonDog113 - You do, huh? Well, I've got two one-shots to write, so keep yer eyes peeled!

naughtybynature - Hello, newbie! Welcome to my small space on the 'Net. It was lovely to read your comments, which were wonderfully enthusiastic. I hope I don't disappoint you with the Ep. Enjoy, and thank you!

Mystical Hanyou - You must be psycho- I mean, psychic. Lol, that was a funny scene, huh? Sango got a bit hoochy on Taichi, haha! It wasn't her fault she was being a hussy, tho. It was his, all his!!! Men suck!! Lol, just kidding. They can suck, tho. Wish they'd just blow!

Nimeway - Weird looks from yer co-workers, huh? That sounds interesting. I wish I could read fanfiction at work, but I don't think the old people would appreciate my sitting at a comp somewhere and neglecting to serve them food, lol. I'm collaborating with my buddy on your one-shot, she's coming over tomorrow to help me sort it out, and it's probably going to be a laugh riot, so, keep your fingers crossed, and hopefully we'll get it going soon!

XxBLACK-MAGICxX - Are you closet Sess/Kag lover??? Omg, I hear ya! I love that pairing, but its so hard to write, cuz he's sooo... not mushy! Oh well, its still fun, and Resmiranda has mastered that pair, I'll tell you that. Check out her stories man, if you like that kind of pairing. It's friggin' awesome!

Jennie - Hehehe, don't worry, I'm brainstorming a Sess/Kag-shot for you, its just a little slow going. I'm trying to work out all the knotty details, and if all goes well, it may turn into something longer, you never know! It's good to hear about you, I hope you find a job you like! Pics are always good, and I hope you enjoy the final installment!

Well, everybody, it's been real. I am hard at work writing, so if you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my other works, no charge! Lol, just kidding. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, and even those who didn't, and... yeah! Enjoy, my pretties!!

Last of the Dogmen

Epilogue: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Kagome spent a peaceful two weeks at home. She played video games with Souta, hung out with her girlfriends, and slept in as late as she pleased. It was as if the Feudal Era and her adventures there never existed.

Of course, she missed Sango and Miroku and everyone back in time, but it was nice to take a breather from them, especially after all that had happened. Her mind felt much clearer, after she thought the whole situation through. She'd cried a lot, but felt much better afterward. Every morning, on her pillow, she would find a perfect pink rose, and she would smile. Inuyasha had put it there, she knew; she suspected he stayed over every night and watched her from the tree outside her window, and she remembered how she'd thought he hadn't looked after her, and felt terrible for even thinking that.

He wasn't letting her see him, but she knew he was there, and the thought was comforting. Houjo had come by several times since she'd been home, but every time she'd come up with some excuse to get rid of him. He was nice, but denser than a door. She just knew she wanted so much more in a man than he had to offer.

She thought about Taichi a lot, too, and wondered if he was still on that island, missing her. She shook her head as she watched the rain drip from the eaves on a Saturday afternoon, just lying on her bed and staring into space.

He's likely forgotten all about you, she told herself, then shook her head again. What was she thinking, anyway? Even if Taichi could get off the island, and turn humanoid, he was way too old for her, anyway. Inuyasha's face flashed across her mind's eye and the blush that followed was immediate. When she thought about Taichi, that didn't happen.

Sighing, she rolled over and changed into a pair of old jeans and a black sweater. It was getting cool outside, and she missed her friends. It was time to return to Feudal Japan. Her era was just so... boring!

Pulling her pack down the stairs, she thought she saw a flash of red go past the patio doors, but couldn't be sure. She just smiled. Inuyasha, sometimes you're so sweet.

"Mom, I'm crossing over!"

Mrs. Higurashi called from the couch, "Okay, hun! How long will you be gone?" Her favourite soap opera was on, and nothing would move her until a commercial came on.

"I don't know. Sooner rather than later, hopefully."

"Alright, there's food in the fridge if you're hungry that you can take with you."

"Thanks, Mom. Love you."

"Love you too, sweetheart. Hurry back."

Kagome took the food and flung the bag over her shoulder with effort, her legs bowing under the weight. Now would be a great time to show up, Inuyasha!

Hobbling through the rain to the Well, she tossed the pack in, then followed directly.

Her arrival in Feudal Japan beamed golden with sunlight.

It's unfair, that it rains so much in my time, but hardly ever here.

Sitting on the lip, exhausted from lifting her stupid backpack, and vowing to invest in something not only more fashionable but more practical, she looked up to see Kikyou watching her.

What does she want?

Standing, Kagome watched Kikyou come closer and almost, it seemed, inspected her person.

"Um, Kikyou? What are you doing?"

"You appear unharmed." Kikyou stepped back a pace and looked at Kagome critically. "I heard you were kidnapped."

"I was, yes." The silence that stretched out between them was awkward. Finally Kikyou simply nodded and walked away, her shikigami joining her as soon as she re-entered the forest again.

Kagome lifted a brow. She might look like me, but I have no idea what goes on in that woman's head.

Shrugging, she didn't get two feet before she sensed an aura, close by. An aura that belonged to a certain hanyou.

Smiling secretly, Kagome decided to bring him out into the open, whether he wanted to be seen or not.

Quite deliberately, she accidentally-on-purpose tripped, and flung her arms out in front of her, but she never touched the ground. Suddenly he was there, and she got more than what she bargained for.

"Kagome," he whispered in her neck, holding her like he'd never see her again. She was taken aback. She thought he'd simply catch her, tell her to quit being dumb and move on, but this was nice, too.

"Inuyasha," she breathed, worried. Why was he going emo on her like this?!

"I'm sorry," he said, and held her tighter. "I'm sorry I took you away from that place, but I just wanted you to be safe." I love you.

"Oh, Inuyasha, that's alright," she replied, hugging him back, "I just didn't want to leave that demon behind while he was so wounded. He saved my life so many times, I just... I had to help him."

He listened not only to her words, but the inflections in her voice as she spoke, and detected a bit a hesitation behind her tone. What was she unsure about?

Pulling back, so he could see her face, but keeping the space between them to a minimum, he said, "You were right. That demon is my grandfather."

She frowned. "You're sure?"

At the risk of losing her all over again, he told her the truth. He'd debated a long time as to whether or not he should, but figured she'd run into Taichi at some point or other. It was safer just to tell her and be safe, rather than not and regret it later when they did meet.

"He told me. He got off the island, Kagome."

She could hear the pain in his voice, and the fear. Was he afraid that she'd choose Taichi over him?

She couldn't really blame him for thinking that. She hadn't been at all certain of her feelings herself at the time, either, but she'd had two weeks to think it over, and she realised that what she wanted was a closer relationship with Inuyasha, like the one she'd briefly enjoyed in Taichi's company. She'd never stopped loving Inuyasha; she'd just been confused.

"Oh yeah?" She realised what that could mean to him. "Did he tell you about your father?" She smiled, hopeful. Inuyasha had so little when it came to remembering his father.

He smiled back, and replied, "Yeah, he's a font of information. It's nice."

She grinned, and flung her arms around his neck. "That's great, Inuyasha! I'm so happy for you!"

He squeezed her, and let his hand cup her shoulder blade before rubbing her spine in slow circles. It felt nice to have her back in his arms again.

"Yeah... Kagome, you weren't... you know... in love... with him, were you?"

She heard the insecurity in his tone, and held him tighter to her, tracing her own lazy circles on his back. "I was confused, Inuyasha. It was great being with him, despite the danger, and being separated from you guys. Don't get me wrong, I didn't want it to end." She backed up and took his cheeks gently in her palms. "But I never loved him. I liked him, because he was... well, he was so much like you, only twice as much so, but less overbearing. Probably because he couldn't talk," she laughed, and he felt his heart warm at her great smile. "It was just... different."

He let his eyes wander to her lips, and her delicate chin. The temptation to kiss her was becoming hard to ignore.

She saw his desire, and closed the gap between them, sifting her hands through his hair and wrapping her legs around his waist when he picked her up, sitting down on the edge of the Well to hold her in his lap.

When they parted, each took a breath, and he confessed, "I was so afraid, Kagome. I didn't know what had happened to you, where you'd gone... it scared me."

She made a sad face at him, and reassured him of one thing. "Inuyasha, demons may come and go, and we may understand and defeat them together, but you'll always be first in my heart." She'd taken the plunge; would he fall in with her?

He looked at her in earnest for a moment, and she held her breath, waiting.

"Do you mean that, Kagome? Do you... love me?"

I've gone this far, she thought, her small smile growing, might as well finish what I've started.

She nodded, twisting a lock of his hair around her finger.

He broke into a grin, and he picked her up and spun her around the meadow, whooping for joy. She loved him!

Kagome laughed, and releasing his neck, splayed her arms out as he spun her, letting the breeze lift her hair against the constant pull of gravity. Soon, she got dizzy, and laughed, "Inuyasha, I'm going to throw up!"

He laughed too, and slowly came to a stop, holding her tightly. "Kagome, I..."

Now was the moment of truth. He'd never come this close to admitting his feelings for her before, and she held her breath once more. "I... love you, too."

Ecstatic, she kissed him again, long and soft, and he laid down on his back in the grass, letting her straddle his thighs. Letting him go, she stood up and took his hand, her eyes wild. Eagerly, he allowed her to lead him.

She took him to the nearby hot spring, and slowly stripped him of his garments. He was nervous at first, but her steady hands reassured him. Before she could finish, however, he was undressing her, and they sunk into the spring together.

As they floated, blissfully absorbed in each other, she whispered, "I'm sorry, too, Inuyasha."

He asked, "What for?"

She replied, "For making you doubt my feelings for you."

He chuckled, and twirled them around in the water. Jokingly, he told her, "You haven't seen him in his human form yet. You might still change your mind if you meet him."

She shook her head, resolute. "Nope. He probably looks like Sesshoumaru anyway. Only you will do for me."

He couldn't describe how happy he felt. After all this time, all it took was a misunderstanding to set them straight about each other. In the back of his mind, Inuyasha silently thanked his grandfather. If not for his intervention, and his concession, he might never have held his Kagome in his arms like this.

They made love for the first time that night, and when morning came, Kagome smiled into Inuyasha's eyes.

She had no regrets. Not this time.

She never would again.

Well, my lovlies, that's it. You know what to do, and see you at the next story. Love you guys, and thanks again!