Okay, this is the last scene.I'll kick my Muse around and see if it'll give me a sequel. Or maybe I'll go back through my original paper copy and see if I can come up with some one shots or something. All in all, it has been a long project and I haveenjoyed all your feedback.

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, or will do so in the future. If you're new to reading this story, please don't hesitate to let me know your thoughts.

I hope this ending won't disappoint anyone.

Scene 65 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Garden Suite

When Inuyasha enters the main door he follows his senses out onto the patio. He just knows that Shippo's eyes are bugging out when they find Sesshomaru sitting out under the shady tree playing with Rin and the puppies. The game is tug o'war with one of his sashes. He is holding one end as Rin and the pups struggle at the other end. The Inu Lord glances up at his returning mate. It is his turn now to be surprised when he sees Shippo perched on Inuyasha's shoulder.

Sesshomaru- Welcome back, Puppy.

Shippo crosses his arms with a quiet huff.

Shippo- I'm a kit, not a...
Inuyasha- That's his nickname for me, brat.

Inuyasha chuckles and reaches up to rub Shippo's head affectionately.

Sesshomaru- Alright, children. Enough with this. I have someone I want you all to meet.

Inuyasha comes over and sits down beside Sesshomaru. He then places Shippo carefully into his lap. The seven pups all sit on their haunches and look at him.

Rin- I already know who he is.
Inuyasha- Yeah, but they don't.
Sesshomaru- Pups, this is Shippo. He's a new member of our family.

Shippo looks up at Inuyasha over his shoulder.

Shippo- Can I say their names? I think I remember them.
Inuyasha- Sure, give it a shot.

Shippo looks back at the puppies.

Shippo- Wow, they do mostly look alike... You..

Shippo points to the black pup.

Shippo- I know that you're Kuromaru.

The black pup yips enthusiastically. Each pup after him answers to his or her own name, too.

Shippo- The oldest is Sesshinumaru... Then there's Kyo.. Ko..
Inuyasha- Kyoukomaru.
Shippo- (Nods) Yeah.. Next is a female... Mishumaru... Ah, then the next girl is named after Sango.. Sangomaru...

Shippo looks up at Sesshomaru timidly.

Shippo- Thank you.

Sesshomaru tilts his head obligingly.

Shippo- Then there's Rakkimaru.. And the last girl Joufumaru... Did I get them right?
Inuyasha- Just about perfectly... Now, why don't you go play with the pups.. Maybe you can show them some of your tricks.

Shippo hesitates, then stands. He turns to face Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.

Shippo- Miss. Lohana says that you rescued all of us and killed Naraku, Sir.
Sesshomaru- That's right. I used Tenseiga to heal you... The b------ had your head full of so many nightmares your body actually shut down... But you'll be just fine now.
Shippo- N-nightmares? Y-you mean... None of that was.. true?
Sesshomaru- Most likely not.. It was a very strong miasma surrounding that dire place.

Shippo scratches his head.

Shippo- Things.. seemed so real...
Inuyasha- You know that creep loved to play with people's minds.

They both watch Shippo sigh and relax visibly.

Sesshomaru- Go on and play with the pups.
Inuyasha- I'll even let you teach them some of your tricks when they get older.

Shippo turns to look at the seven puppies.

Shippo- You wanna play catch or something?
Inuyasha- One, two, three! Get Shippo's tail!

Shippo yells and runs as the pups all pounce toward him. Inuyasha smirks.

Inuyasha- That'll keep 'em busy for a while.

The hanyou looks up at his mate.

Inuyasha- So you killed Naraku and all his creeps, made peace with that mangy wolf, who's now a territory Lord, and sent the cats packing... Anything else I need to know about while I was snoozing?
Sesshomaru- Rin purified what we have of that jewel you went all over the country searching for.

Inuyasha looks at Rin who smiles brightly. Shippo comes over with a small, leather bag.

Shippo- Is this yours, Sir?
Sesshomaru- You may call me Sesshomaru, kit.

Sesshomaru takes the bag. Inuyasha sniffs it.

Inuyasha- It smells like Kouga.
Sesshomaru- Where did you find this?

Shippo motions toward the spot where Sesshomaru and Inuyasha had confronted Kouga. Sesshomaru opens the bag and dumps the contents out into his hand. Two jewel shards and a folded piece of parchment. Inuyasha's eyes widen immediately and he grabs up the small note that that was inside.

Inuyasha- I'm strong enough now so I don't need these anymore. Take care of them for me, Muttface...

Inuyasha looks at the lightly purply-colored shards. Rin reaches out her hands.

Rin- Want me to see if I can do that trick again?

Shippo notices the pups sneaking up on him and takes off running with another yell. Sesshomaru takes the almost completed, pinkish orb out of one of his pockets. He places it in one of Rin's hands and the shards in the other. Rin looks down the them then slowly presses her hands together. Once more Rin giggles as the Shikon Jewel purifies and assembles in her hands. When the energy dies down and she opens her hands Inuyasha reaches out and takes the orb. As he examines it he notices that there is still a small part missing. He and Sesshomaru look at each other, both knowing where the missing shards must be.

Both- Kagome.

As soon as they say her name the orb begins to vibrate and hum. Shippo hears the hum and hurries back to see what is going on. They all watch the Jewel begin to glow as it starts to rise up off of inuyasha's hand. When the Hanyou starts to reach for it Sesshomaru stops him mentally, 'No, Pup... I feel that we should let it go'. Inuyasha glances over at Sesshomaru. Then they all continue watching mesmerized as the jewel rises higher and higher into the air. Then suddenly it spins. It goes faster and faster until it finally just disappears with a bright flash.

Shippo- Hey! Where did it go!
Rin- Home.

They all look at her. Rin is still staring into the sky a couple more moments, then she smiles brightly at them again. Suddenly she gasps and leaps to her feet.

Rin- I'm late for my schooling! See you all later!

Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, and Shippo watch the human girl skip off toward the patio doors happily. Inuyasha then looks back at Sesshomaru. Shippo breaks the silence with a yelp when Kuro latches onto his tail. Sesshomaru smirks as Inuyasha laughs until he rolls backward. Shippo runs in circles trying to get loose. Inuyasha soon finds himself pounced upon by his other six hungry pups.

Inuyasha- Oi, you're all hungry again? Feh..

Inuyasha chuckles and opens his top to let them nurse. Kuro quickly releases Shippo's tail and joins the others. Shippo sits down to watch the happy scene as he rubs his tail. Sesshomaru returns to his stoic expression as he cautiously scans the area for any danger that might interrupt the happy scene, but all is quiet and peacefully normal for miles around.

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The End