Here it is! This is the last chapter for this story! Hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did. I have a few more stories lined up to post and I hope you can follow those as well. Make sure to read the ending Authors Note before you leave. It might shed some light (; I hope you enjoy! Thank you so much to all the reviews for this story. You would always make my day and inspire me to keep up the writing for ya. Bye bye! (:

Chp 16; Mate's for life

Kagome's face froze before she ran out of her room and through the hallway to the kids. Inuyasha did his best to dress into something before following. Her breath was caught and her heart could be heard from across the estate. The kids room wasn't that far and finally she made it. This wasn't what she wanted to see. She wanted to find her daughter crying from a bad dream. She wanted to find her daughter awake because she was scared. She didn't want to find her son clutching her daughter because blood was staining Shiori's side. Shiori's eyes were closed and she wasn't crying. Shippo was standing in front of the twins on the bed. His face stained with tears but full of anger. Kagome's heart fell through her body. She turned and saw what did this. She saw the gun first and then the body that connected with it. At the moment she didn't care that it was still pointing in that direction she ran to her daughter and held on tight before facing the reason for every bit of hell in her life. She put Takumi and Shippo behind her and by that moment, Inuyasha made it to the room as well as everyone else who was in then house for the night. Kagome held onto her daughter but she was barely there. Her eyes were drooping and Kagome was trying to keep her awake.

"no no no no no no no.."

"What the hell DID YOU DO!" Kagome yelled starting to cry.

"Ki- Kikyo?" Inuyasha was stunned to see his ex girlfriend pointing what looked like a gun in the direction of his family. He went to stand in front of them.

"Please.. Please. NO! No no no no , baby please wake UP!" Kagome yelled at Shiori's body before looking at the door. Without caring that the gun was still pointed she grabbed Takumi's and Shippos hand and started for the door before another two shots were fired. She doesn't know where they went. All she cared about was getting her kids out of there and fast. She flew past Inuyasha's stunned parents and to the stairs. Takumi was crying but Shippo was pulling him with us. She past Kouga and Ayame. She said nothing but kept running. The first car she got to already had keys in it. She was stuffing the kids in the back seat when someone touched her shoulder. She flew backwards ready to attack before she realized it was Kouga and Ayame.

"Drive now!" she said pointing to the front as she climbed in back with Shiori. Taking one look at both of them and the blood on them was enough to get him to literally speed to the emergency center of the nearest hospital. No one said anything but Ayame took held of the boys as Kagome ran inside with Shiori. Someone started yelling something that Kagome couldn't here as one of those rolling things came by and Shiori was literally pried out of Kagome's arms and put on it. They were rolling her away from from Kagome and she fell to the floor. After what felt like years someone tapped on her shoulder once but she didn't move. They did it again and still nothing.

"Kagome.." Ayame said bending down to face Kagome who was still facing the hallway they took Shiori.

"Kagome, you need to let them help you.." she added

"th- they need to- to help Shi-" was all she said still looking down the hallway.

"Sweetie, they need to help you too." Ayame said

"What?" Kagome snapped to look at Ayame.

"Baby.. you've been shot" was all she said. Kagome looked confused and then looked down. Indeed, there were two spots where blood was staining her clothes through holes. One was just below her right shoulder. Another was by her lower rib cage. She couldn't believe it because she couldn't feel anything. Next she felt strong arms lift her up bridal style. She turned to find a serious Kouga before she felt a mat underneath her. She was being wheeled away before she went wide'eyed and looked at Ayame quickly.

"I will, I'll be here. We're not leaving.." was the last thing Kagome heard before doors doors closed she finally collapsed on the mat.

"WHERE'S KAGOME? THE KIDS!" Inuyasha ran into the emergency ward.

"Sir. please calm down. Give me a last name and I might be able to hel -"

"Inuyasha?" Ayame spoke up behind him.

"Ayame! where are they?" he ran to her.

"w-e we haven't heard anything. They.. they took Shiori and Kagome too " she would have kept trying to speak but the boys came up to Inuyasha sniffling and he bent down to hug them.

"Takumi! are you okay? Shippo- were you hurt?" he examined the boys up and down before finally embracing them and letting out a deep breath.

"Why did they take Kagome? Where did they take Shiori- tell me something Ayame, please?" Inuyasha looked desperate.

"Inuyasha.. Kagome was hurt too.." Ayame just stared at him as the realization hit him.

"as.. she was running. Shit, as she was running. we- we didn't know where they landed. shit shit shit, is she okay. was it bad?" he stood up to face Ayame.

"Kagome should be fine" Ayame choked not wanting to finish her thoughts but he knew them.

"boys, sit with uncle Kouga" Inuyasha handed them to Ayame before attempting to get something out of the staff.

It's smells weird, she thought as she tried to open her eyes. The moment she opened one she immediatly regretted it. She had a massive headache and it was way too bright where ever she was. All she knew was that it was cold and her right side was killing her. She forced her eyes open using her other hand to try and block the light. There was someone there, she could here footsteps. She turned and saw a nurse. Nurse? Nurses work in hospitals. why was she in a hospital, she thought. Then it came back to her and she shot up in the mattress. She startled the nurse who started to try and keep her in the bed.

"Miss, calm dow - you really need to- MISS stay down"

"Like hell! I need to see my kids" she got up looking for her clothes. She had no idea how long it's been but she needed to find the twins. Just as she got on her pants and shirt a man walked in.

"Miss Higurashi" he smiled.

"I don't have time to talk I need to find my kids"

"Just one last check up and some medication and your family is in the waiting room for you." he said putting his hands up in defense. She complied and he checked her off to go. She ran into the waiting room not caring about the pain on her side. First she saw Takumi and Shippo on the floor together and then Inuyasha. Takumi was okay but Inuyasha had some cuts and bruises. She went up to touch them when he spoke.

"She could pack a few mean punches, never knew" he joked and she hugged him. Everyone was in there and they all came up to her. The only person that was missing was Shiori. Inuyasha had told her that she was only on her own for about 2 hours. She had just ended up passing out when they had to fix her up so they gave her a room. She asked about Shiori and Inuyasha let her know.

Shiori had been hit underneath her ribcage on her left side. It didn't hit any major organs but the needed to go through surgery to check her and fix her up before letting her sleep it off for a while. Now it was just a waiting game before they let anyone in to see her.

Another hour went by and they weren't given any access. Kagome was just about ready to burst through the doors when someone else had that in mind on their way in.

"Kagome!" someone yelled.

"Rin?"

"Oh my god. Is she okay? Are you okay? Takumi? Shippo!" She examined every one of them before hugging them tight. Kagome winced at the pain it gave her side.

"I'm okay, Takumi's okay. Shippo's okay. Shiori should be okay" she said looking down.

"Should be?" Sesshomaru chimed in from behind her.

"They won't let us see here. They say we can't until she's awake" Inuyasha said putting his arm around Kagome minding her injury. Rin started to cry and Sesshomaru took her away. The waiting game came and it was another hour before they were told anything.

"So.." the doctor said.

"So? SO WHAT" Kagome demanded.

"She'll be fine. She's showing signs of consciencness so I think it'll be best if just the parents head in to be there when she's fully awake." He said pulling Inuyasha and Kagome back to the room with him. When they got there he left them inside and shut the door after himself. Kagome saw her baby and ran to her. Tears were escaping as she placed kisses all over the girls face. Inuyasha went on the other side and took Shiori's hand into his own before placing his forehead down on the bed. Kagome was still showing as much affection as she could when the little girl started to scrunch up.

"hmm, mamaa… no." She opened her eyes and scrunched her nose trying to pull away. Both Inuyasha and Kagome laughed. Kagome glanced at Inuyasha and saw that he had fallen tears but she had already known. She felt what he was feeling.

"Oh- baby!" Kagome wrapped her daughter in a hug and Inuyasha did the same with both of them right after.

"Daddy"

"Yea?" "Were you crying?" the girl asked

"Yes baby" Inuyasha laughed and the girl giggled.

"Why?" she asked

"Because I needed you to be okay, runt."

"I'm like you daddy. I'm okay" the girl pointed to her father's ears and smiled. Her parents laughed again.

"Mama?"

"Hmm?" she looked up at her daughter.

"I- is auntie Rin here..?" the girl asked looking down

"Yes baby.." was all Kagome said before going outside of the room.

"Rin!" Kagome called in the waiting room

"Yea?"

"She wants you" Kagome smirked as the brunette beamed.

"Really?"

"I told you to just give her some time, come on" Kagome grabbed Rin and everyone else followed to come into the room. Shiori got a million hugs and even the boys showed affection. Kagome was very proud. She was watching everyone around her daughter and didn't notice Inuyasha come up next to her until he grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.

"Come" was all he said before he pulled her down a few halls into a waiting area that was empty.

"Inuyasha, what is it?" She looked at him worried as he pulled her into a chair and bent down in front of her.

"I'm so- " Her put his head in his hands looking down at her lap

"Inuyasha?"

"I'm so sorry.." she could feel the tears streaming from his face. "If I had never hurt you. If I had never been with her to spite you I THIS would have never happened.." He continued to shake in her arms before she pulled his face up to look at her.

"Inuyasha! you look at me right now. Listen to me, none of this is your fault so don't go apologizing for things you have no control over!" She hissed at him.

"Bu- "

"No, do not apologize for all those years ago again. We've been through this and you've been forgiven. Don't apologize for dating her because at a point it's what you wanted. Don't apologize anymore when nothing is your fault." She brought his head to her chest and held on to him for dear life. She felt him starting to calm down and his breaths became even. She picked his head up and pecked his lips before pecking his nose and looking at him.

"You are an amazing father and you will only get better. If our lives didn't turn out the way it did we might not be here right now and we might not have three bundles of joy waiting for us in that room. Never apologize for what's already done. You need to focus on what can be done and that's being there for your family." She kissed him again before grabbing complementary tissues and wiping his face clear of the evidence. He smiled at her and hugged her as they stood up and walked back together.

When they got back inside people were smiling and laughing and it made both of them feel better. Someone had found a marker and they were already writing on Shiori's cast which made the little girl ecstatic. But when they entered, the little girl sniffed and her head popped up.

"mama?"

"Yes, baby?"

"You smell like daddy.." She scrunched up her nose.

"HEY!" Inuyasha went and messed up the girls hair, making her laugh.

"Why do you smell like daddy, mama?" Takumi looked at his mother.

"Well baby-"

"It means that you're mother is now stuck with me for the rest of our lives." Inuyasha cut her off and smiled at the kids.

"Ahem" Kouga coughed in the room.

"Oi, if you're sick you're going nowhere near my kids" Inuyasha barked at Kouga, playfully.

"Shut up dog boy" Ayame slapped Kouga for that one

"Anyways!" Ayame yelled cheerful "We have some news"

"Oh and what might that be?" Kagome smirked seeing Ayame's smile.

"We mated!" Kouga cheered and everyone clapped. Anyone with demon sense knew already and Kagome just wasn't too oblivious to notice.

"If we are congratulating mates today then.." Inutaisho stated "I should congratulate my son on finally mating the girl who was meant for him this whole time" Kagome went a deep shade of red and Inuyasha kissed her cheek, smirking.

Shiori and Takumi beamed with the news that their parents were together and everyone else congratulated both the happy couples. Soon everyone had to leave and Rin and Sesshomaru took the boys home. Inuyasha and Kagome were going to stay the night as Shiori wasn't going to be released until morning. The day had surely taken it's toll on them Kagome fell asleep on the bed with Shiori as Inuyasha fell asleep on a chair in the room.

The next morning started off smoothly. The doctor came in to give Shiori her last check up. He stated how it was obvious that the demon blood was working it's magic and she was already healing. Inuyasha's pulled up his car and he carried his little girl into her new car seat, courtesy of her father that morning. Shiori had all kinds of get well bears and balloons with her from everyone last night. She was ecstatic. When she was buckled in, the new mates climbed into the front and started driving home.

They got their quick and everyone was outside to greet the child in her return home. Kagome smiled as she helped her daughter up the stairs and back in the house. When they got inside Inuyasha's phone rang and he went off to answer it while the little girl was dragged by family to the living area for a certain surprise her mother was unaware of. Knowing her daughter would be okay she went to find Inuyasha. He was in his room ending the call.

"Hey" she called

"Hey" he smiled to her

"You okay?" she asked, concerned.

"Oh yea, no that was just the movie offer from New York." He said simply

"And?"

"What?" he asked.

"What did they say, moron" she laughed.

"Oh, they wanted to know how soon I could start filming and I said I would get back to them" he said looking down

"is this a bad thing? That obviously means they want you and soon" She smiled at him.

"Yea, i mean. I just thought things were going so well right now and I don't want to just pick up and leave to film for about a year." He admitted.

"Inuyasha" she said

"yea?"

"Where is the filming taking place?" she asked with a knowing smirk

"Uh, New York?" he was confused

"Idiot. Where do I technically still live?" She smiled at how slow he was.

"New York!" he finally caught on and grinned.

"You can be so slow sometimes" she teased messing up his hair before he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him for a quick kiss.

"We're going to be a family" Inuyasha smiled down to her. He looked dazed. He was looking forward to a life with her and more.

"That we are" She smirked. "Don't think you've got it easy just because I'm stuck with me" She walked to the door and looked back at him with a raised brow. Her hips teased him but her smile excited him for what was to come, no matter what it was.

"Wouldn't of dreamed it." He smirked before he started to chase her through the house back to their kids in the party downstairs.

AHHHHHHHHHHH, It's done! I know, I gave no warning. BUT! There will be a sequel. I can't give up the opportunity of a story about how life in NYC goes with Inuyasha. I mean really? Epilogue coming up! Don't go just yet (;