A/N: Sorry about the long wait, hope you enjoy! Disclaimers and thanks to reviewers! ^_^

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome wobbled slightly as she stepped from the car, rolling her eyes as Inuyasha hovered beside her, swatting his hands away from her waist. "I can walk, I just haven't in a while, relax, dog boy."

Inuyasha huffed, slightly irritated that he'd been snapped at for trying to help his intended. "Wench," he warned, narrowing his eyes.

"I can do it," Kagome said stubbornly, glaring at him. She stalked towards the door of Takahashi Mansion, nearly toppling over when she tripped over a step. After regaining her balance, the young woman shot a look at Inuyasha, daring him to touch her before opening the door.

"KA-GO-ME!"

Almost immediately, a small shape crashed into her, sending her toppling backwards into Inuyasha and knocking him off his feet as well. Inuyasha's arm automatically went around her as he braced his other one to catch them from hitting the ground. "Shippo!" Inuyasha snapped. "Be careful!"

"Shippo!" Kagome cried, hugging him and ignoring Inuyasha. Tears spilled down the kitsune's cheeks.

"Do you remember us now?" he demanded, looking up into her eyes. "Do-do-do you remember being my teacher an' stuff?"

"I do," Kagome promised, her voice a soft whisper as she pressed a kiss to head. "I promise. I missed you so much, Shippo…" she tightened her grip around him, burying her face in his hair.

Inuyasha rumbled reassuringly, nuzzling her neck before helping her to his feet. "You okay, stupid?" he murmured in her ear. She nodded and he relaxed, his arms unwinding from her waist in favor of yelling, "OI! WHOSE HOME!?"

"I AM!" Sango's voice carried through the large home. "Hotaru and Miki are in here with me! Everyone else went out for a while!"

Inuyasha nudged Kagome in the direction of the young woman, smirking lightly. "At least you won't be glomped by my sister-in-law?" He said, sniffing the air as they walked through the halls of the Mansion.

"True," Kagome agreed. "Rin does get kind of crazy when it comes to things like that, doesn't she?"

Shippo buried his face in Kagome's shoulder, sniffling slightly as he hugged her. "We missed you!" he babbled, "We were sad when we found out you were hurt! And oh! I forgot to tell you! Guess what grade I'm in now? Guess, guess!"

Kagome laughed, patting the kitsune's head. "I can't. Tell me, silly!"

"I'm in second grade now," he said excitedly. "Inuyasha helps with my homework every night before I go to bed!" He became slightly serious. "They give way too much homework. Its way more than you gave us!"

Kagome smiled faintly, ruffling Shippo's hair as she sat him down. "Why don't you go keep Miki and Hotaru busy while we talk with Sango?"

"Okay!" Shippo zoomed off and Inuyasha murmured in Kagome's ear, his tone soft, "He hasn't been this happy in a long time, Kagome."

Kagome smiled, reaching up to tweak an ear. "And neither have you, obviously."

A smirk flittered across his lips and the hanyou grinned. "Damn right. I finally get to be with my mate properly for the first time in over a year!"

"Intended mate," Kagome corrected as they walked into the kitchen. "Nowhere near completely being yours yet," she added in a tease. "Stupid."

"KAGOME!"

Thump!

Once again, Inuyasha found himself on the ground with Kagome on top of him, this time being hugged by a fully grown and sobbing woman. Kagome laughed, helping Sango to her feet as she hugged her best friend tightly. "Sango!"

Sango clutched Kagome's shoulders, shaking her and glaring at her through her tears. "Don't you ever forget us again, do you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," Kagome sighed, reassuringly patting Sango's shoulder as they went over to where Miki and Hotaru were studying them, their eyes full of curiosity as they watched the new person that smiled at them. "They're cute," Kagome squealed, gently touching Hotaru's cheek, her gaze softening.

Inuyasha watched her, his ears pricking forward. Someday, she'll be taking care of my pup, he decided proudly, puffing out his chest. Kagome would be his mate and his mate alone. Nobody else's… But they still had to deal with Magatsuhi after they waited for the outcome of the police.

"Well? Where's Miroku?" Kagome asked, glancing at Sango. "And Rin and Sesshomaru?"

"Sesshomaru and Rin went out on a date," Sango explained, picking up the bottle she'd made to feed Miki and offering the other to Kagome so the latter woman could feed Hotaru. "Miroku went shopping for me. I needed a few things."

"I see," Kagome murmured, glancing at Inuyasha with a grin as she settled down to feed Hotaru. "You."

Inuyasha eyed her warily. "Yes, wench?"

"Go get my phone, would you?" Kagome asked, "I need to call Ayame and tell her I'll be coming into work tomorrow-"

Inuyasha bristled. "No," he growled, "That bitch knew! She and Jakotsu and Yura all knew that Magatsuhi was going to hurt you! You're not going back there! I'll get you a job at Sesshomaru's company, or I'll get you another teaching job!"

Kagome looked surprised at his sudden outburst. "Magatsuhi threatened them," she said firmly, "I'm not blaming them. Get my phone."

"Keh!"

"Sango?" Kagome asked politely, "Can I borrow your phone since Inuyasha won't get mine for me?"

"Sure," Sango laughed, pulling her iPhone from her back pocket and handing it to Kagome, ignoring Inuyasha's annoyed and furious look. "Inuyasha," she said firmly, "Kagome's relied on you more than usual since she lost her memories. Now that she remembers, she won't need you as much. You'll need to get over that."

Inuyasha scowled, flattening his ears as Kagome shushed them and said, "Ayame?"

"Kagome! Oh my god, you have no idea how sorry I am, I'll up your pay as much as you want, please forgive me!"

Kagome laughed, ignoring Inuyasha's small growl of irritation as she replied, "No need for that, I forgive you, Ayame. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be at work tomorrow."

Ayame was obviously surprised as she replied, "Oh. Well then. You're still getting a pay raise, you deserve it anyways."

Kagome laughed.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Later found Inuyasha sprawled out on his bed, smirking lightly at the young woman was curled up at his side, sighing softly. A small rumble came from his chest and Kagome mumbled, "You're making me tired. Stop."

Inuyasha snorted, nuzzling her head lovingly, an arm winding around her waist "Stupid."

"Yeah, I love you, too," Kagome huffed, snuggling against him with a sigh.

They were silent for a few moments, enjoying each other's company. Inuyasha kissed the top of her head gently, tightening his grip around her, scared that she'd disappear from his grasp. Kagome laughed quietly, turning her attention on his ears. "Come here, you," she murmured.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes, grunting as he allowed her to sit up. He kept his arms around her waist, burying his face against her torso as she began to rub his ears gently with her thumb and forefinger. "We need to do this more often," Inuyasha murmured to her, rumbling quietly.

Kagome smiled, nodding in agreement. "Guess we should-"

Suddenly the door flew open and something landed on Inuyasha's head, making him grunt in surprise as he found himself unable to breathe in Kagome's lap. Kagome flushed a pretty pink, looking startled as Shippo beamed at her, saying, "I wanted to show you my picture."

Kagome quickly moved Shippo off of Inuyasha's head, ignoring the dark growl he gave as she said, "Show me."

Inuyasha rubbed the top of his head as Shippo pulled out a picture and showed it to her, explaining the different things and their meanings that he'd put into it. Inuyasha was, surprisingly enough, surprised that his young cousin had come up with so much for a simple picture.

"Is it good?" Shippo finished, asking the question in a breathy, anxious tone.

"Very," Kagome told him, smiling as she kissed his forehead. "It's a very good picture that would rival some adults'. Noticing the annoyed look on her fiancée's face, she smiled, patting Shippo's head. "Why don't you go show Rin or Sango?"

"Kay!" Shippo tore off at full speed, tail poofed up with pride behind him.

Inuyasha scowled, glaring after him. "He ruined my fun," he grumbled.

Kagome tweaked his ear, replying, "Well I'm tired now, so let's get some sleep, okay? We can snuggle-"

"I don't snuggle woman."

Kagome snickered quietly, crawling under the covers and curling up into a ball with a smile. "Whatever you say."

Inuyasha sighed, sliding under them with her.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

The next morning found Kagome quickly scarfing down breakfast while Rin skipped around Takahashi Mansion in a fairly good mood. Kagome raised an eyebrow at Sesshomaru when said demon walked in, asking him, "Why is Rin running around the place first thing in the morning?"

Sesshomaru blinked, then immediately disappeared, most likely intent on finding his mate in the large building.

Next up was Miroku, who flopped down tiredly into a chair beside Kagome, chugging a glass of water with a yawn.

"The twins keeping you up?" Kagome asked.

"You have no idea," came Sango's voice as she appeared, digging around for some food, "They were up all night bawling. I'm surprised it didn't wake you up."

"Inuyasha was pretty intent on keeping my head covered last night," Kagome mused, thoughtful. "I bet that was why."

Miroku and Sango stared at her with raised eyebrows.

"Hey," Kagome protested, holding up her hands. "We were just sleeping. Jeez, I haven't done anything with him."

"Yet," Sango added, snickering as Kagome frowned, swatting playfully at her. "So you're off to work this morning?"

Kagome nodded as she stood, smiling. "Might as well. I have nothing better to do."

"Well, have fun," Sango said with a smirk. "Inuyasha's going to freak out when he wakes up and finds you gone."

"He can get over it," Kagome said, waving her off. "I told him I was going to work today. He should've gotten up when I did instead of trying to seduce me before falling back asleep."

Miroku roared with laughter, nearly falling out of his chair. "He tried to seduce you this morning? I have to give the guy credit, he's really trying!"

Sango hit the back of his head, shaking her head though she, too, was smiling. "Shut up, Miroku."

Kagome rolled her eyes, giving each a hug before scooping up her purse, phone and keys, waving before ducking outside, heading for her black pathfinder. She climbed in, started the car, and then pulled out of the long driveway that led to Takahashi Mansion.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Inuyasha grunted slightly as he stretched, nuzzling his face into his pillow, ignoring the annoying buzzing of his phone that greeted him first thing in the morning. Something was missing, but he could care less as he breathed Kagome's scent in deeply, a small rumbling spilling from him.

Kagome.

Inuyasha shot up; awake in an instant, growling as he sniffed the air for his wench. Finding her scent had faded, meaning she'd been gone at least an hour, Inuyasha flew out of bed, not hesitating as he tore down to the kitchen, where his brother and his mate, Sango, and Miroku were enjoying breakfast. "Oi! Where's my wench?"

Sango glanced up from where she was eating a piece of bacon. "Huh?"

"My wench? Kagome? Where is she?"

"Oh," Miroku laughed, "She went to work. Didn't she tell you that she was going?"

Inuyasha scowled, growling furiously. "I told her no, damn it!"

"Come on, you can't stop her from going to work," Rin told him gently.

"Hm…is the runt at school?" Inuyasha grinned evilly, glancing at his sister-in-law.

Rin narrowed her eyes warily. "School doesn't start till next week, Inuyasha. Now, what do you want with your cousin?" Sesshomaru copied her, though he glared.

"I want to take him out for ice cream…" Inuyasha was interrupted when Shippo came shrieking into the kitchen, launching himself at Inuyasha and scrambling onto his shoulder, still extremely small for his age.

"Please!" Shippo pleaded. "I want some ice cream, please! Let me go with Inuyasha, Rin?"

Rin sighed. "You better take that kid out," she told Inuyasha, "Or you owe me big time mister."

"YAY!" Shippo exclaimed, beaming. "Let's go, let's go, let's go, Inuyasha!" He leaped from Inuyasha's shoulder and took off towards the door. Inuyasha sighed, chasing after him.

~~OO~~II~~OO~~

Kagome smiled kindly, though fought the urge to smack the woman in front of her as she shook her head at the dress. "No, this one just…isn't the one," she said.

"We'll just find a different one then," Kagome replied, leading her back into the dressing rooms. She helped the woman out of it, then into a new one, leading her out for her friends' inspections.

What she expected to see was the bored sister, mother, and friends of the woman she was helping out, sitting there, yawning.

What she didn't expect to see was all of the women in the room up and surrounding two people had appeared, cooing over the child that was held by the taller form, a grin spread across his innocent face.

Kagome nearly toppled over. "Inuyasha!" She glared at him. "What are you doing here?!"

He looked at her innocently, shifting Shippo onto his shoulder, allowing the small boy to climb onto his head. The woman squealed at this sight, beaming. Inuyasha snickered quietly when he smelled Kagome's slight jealousy, ruffling Shippo's hair as he told her, "I was taking Shippo out for ice cream and wanted to know if you were done."

"One, I just got here less than an hour ago," Kagome said with exaggerated patience. "And two, I'm helping Miss Takeda with finding her dress…we have a few more to try on."

Inuyasha grunted, muttering something to Shippo. Shippo then looked innocently at the woman Kagome was helping. "But she looks pretty in that dress…and I really wanna go out for ice cream with you and Inuyasha, Kagome."

Kaori Takeda blinked in surprise, and then beamed, looking at her family who nodded their agreement. "This dress it is," she told Kagome.

Kagome looked startled. "Oh. Okay, then…I'll just take you to Yura and then we can go out."

About ten minutes later found Inuyasha walking down the street, Shippo on his left shoulder and Kagome walking on his right side, arms crossed and expression furious. "You can't just flatter Yura into letting me go out earlier, Inuyasha. It's not nice. I know you're rich and everything because of Toga-san's company, but come on. I want something to do."

"You could take care of Shippo," Inuyasha suggested. "That way Rin and Sango can keep an eye on you while Sesshomaru, Miroku, and I are at work."

Kagome shot the half-demon at her side a dark, furious look. "I want to work."

"Then we'll get you a job at Shikon Elementary. They rebuilt the place, you know."

"I seriously doubt Kaede-san will let me back in there to work after the incident with Naraku," Kagome chided.

"We can ask," Inuyasha replied with a shrug, raising an eyebrow. An ear tweaked and Kagome's gaze shifted to the said ear. She sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "We can," he insisted. "I can get them to let you work there. 'Sides, Rin works as a sub there sometimes. And we have a few others there."

"…seriously?"

"We were looking for you," Inuyasha said simply, his voice soft. "They liked it there and chose to stay."

"Oh," Kagome replied, smiling slightly. "I don't think I want that, Inuyasha. Thank you for offering that, though. I think I'd prefer to stay where I am."

He growled. "I'm not giving you a choice."

Kagome snickered quietly, reaching up and tugging on a familiar beaded necklace that was around his neck. "Don't make me say it, Inuyasha," she threatened. "I forgot a lot, but I know that this still works."

"Keh! You wouldn't do it in public." Inuyasha said confidently.

"Watch me. Shippo, come here, would you?"

"Don't you- damn it, runt! GET BACK HERE!" Inuyasha said, panicked as the kitsune scrambled into Kagome's arms.

"Do you give in?" Kagome smirked.

"Hell no," Inuyasha growled, "I just want you to be safe, you stupid wench!"

"…sit!"

Kagome smirked as she walked ahead with Shippo giggling in her grasp, Inuyasha lying on the ground face first with people staring at him, a few demons eying him knowingly.