Chapter 38: Epilogue

The next morning, Kagome wakes up ever so slowly. Coming back home for such a long time worn her out. She moves to get herself to sit up, but a strong hold on her waist stopped her. "You're not ready." Inuyasha whispers into her ear from behind. Kagome looks down to see his hands are indeed holding her waist. With such intimacy, Kagome face blushes as well swallowing a lump in her throat. "I just wanted to get up." She said to him.

Kagome rolls her eyes and grabs his hands to release her. Inuyasha couldn't help but grin and keep his hold sturdy. "Like that's gonna happen." He replies and rolls onto his back and have her onto his chest. "I can smell your mother coming up." He murmurs to her. Kagome silently cries, to hear that her mother is home. "As well as your brother, grandpa and our friends." He adds to the statement. Kagome nods for her response.

To be on the safe side, Inuyasha immediately released Kagome, missing that lustful warmth just from her. Kagome decides to stay in her pjs and puts on her pink robe. She spots Inuyasha putting on his haori. "Ready to see everyone?" Inuyasha asks as he is about the open the door. Kagome nods nervously. "Why are you being shy?" He asks her. Kagome looks down to her dwindling thumbs. "I'm just nervous for what everyone would react to find us back home." She replies to him. Inuyasha shakes his head and takes hold of her chin. "You have no reason to be nervous about this. I promise you that they're going to be thrilled to see us home." He assures her. Kagome nods. "Let's go." She smiles and opens the bedroom door to get out.

Outside, Miroku is meditating under the Sacred Tree. Sango is on the other side of the giant tree polishing her weapon. She saddens her expression, which gets Miroku's attention. "Sango, why the long face?" He asks as he sits by her side. Sango sets down the damped cloth onto the Hiraikotsu. "I just miss Kirara." She said to him. Miorku know for sure that Kirara means a lot to Sango. She allowed her feline companion to accompany Inuyasha to the Academy where Kagome was sent to against her will. He wanted to cheer her up but decided that it's best that he didn't say anything.

But then all of a sudden a mew gets their attention. Sango turns towards the source of the mew. She widens her eyses to see her furry little friend running to her. "Kirara!" She stands up and opens her arms to let her cat demon jump into her hands. Kirara purrs like crazy as well licking Sango's cheek. "Oh, I'm so glad you're okay." Sango smiles as she sits back down. Kirara lick's Sango nose and sees Miroku walking up to them. She jumps onto his shoulder and purrs to let him know that's she alright. Miroku strokes her neck. "It's good to see you again." He said to the feline.

In the Kitchen Ai is making breakfast for the family, while Grandpa is reading the paper. "Do you know what might be going on at the Academy?" Ai asks her father. "I'm not sure, Ai. I just hope Inuyasha and Kagome are okay." Grandpa Higurashi replies. Ai smiles sadly. 'I hope you're right about that.' She thought to herself as she resumes cooking. Sota runs into the kitchen, "morning mom, morning gramps." He greets them. Ai turns around with a forced smile. "Morning, sweetie. Ready for breakfast?" She greets back as she fixes a plate for him. "Yep." He gladly takes the plate and sits at the table to begin eating his breakfast. Ai turns back to the stove and prepares herself something.

A pair of footsteps get their attention. "Mom." Kagome calls into the kitchen. Ai, Sota and Grandpa gasps. "Kagome." Ai quickly turns off the stove and rushes to hug her daughter. "I thought I'd never see you again." Ai cries. Kagome hugs her back. "Same here, mom." She agrees. Inuyasha can see the bond between the mother and daughter. Sota and Grandpa Higurashi hug the two. Sota break the hold and walks up to Inuyasha. Inuyasha kneels down to the small kid's level. "Thank you so much for saving my sister." He smiles up to his hero. Inuyasha grabs hold of his head and ruffles his head. "Sure thing, kid."

They all head outside to see Miroku and Sango with their little reunion with Kirara, but there's one person missing. "Where's Shippo?" Kagome asks Sango. Sango smiles and hugs her so called sister. "It was best we had Shippo back at Kaede's hut. We thought that the more time he's here, the more upset he might get." Miroku answers the question. Kagome nods. "I see. We should head back there to make sure that we're okay." She suggests as they all head into the well house.

Back in the village outside of the forest of Inuyasha, Kaede is outside pulling out any weeds that might damage the plants. While doing so, Shippo sniffles. "Shippo, I know it's hard. But you must have faith in Inuyasha's quest to bring Kagome back home." Kaede said to the little fox child. "I know. It's just that Kagome's like a mother to me." He sighs to stop his sniffling. A gentle breeze brings in a scent that Shippo could detect. He stands up, "What is it Shippo?" Kaede asks as she stands up. Up on the hill stood Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, and Kagome.

Shippo runs as fast as he can to jump into Kagome. "Kagome. I'm so relieved you're okay." Kagome nods and hugs him like he was her own son. "It's okay, Shippo. I'm here. For sure." She cries as she kneels down. "This has drastically delay our search for the shards." She stands up again with Shippo on her shoulder. Her friends agree. "We also near to find Naraku as well." Inuyasha walks up to the front. "Well then, let's stop what we're doing and be on our way." Miroku said as he takes Shippo off Kagome's shoulder and hopes onto Kirara's back behind Sango and head up down to Kaede's hut.

Kagome got confuse for that was al about. "I made sure Shippo didn't see this." Inuyasha said to her. She looks up to him. "To see what?" She asks him. Inuyasha takes her, carry her bridal style and run up to the highest branches of the Sacred Tree deep within the forest that bares his name. Once he gets comfortable, He made sure Kagome it's safe in his arms. "On our back, I told Miroku and Sango to take Shippo with them to the hut so he couldn't see us doing this." He grins down as he takes a hold of her chin to make sure she's looking at him in the eye. "Doing what?" Kagome asks him with her one eyebrow raised. Inuyasha closes the gap by pressing his lips onto her own. Instinctively Kagome wraps her arms around his neck to stay up, while Inuyasha holds her with on hand behind her head. "Us kissing?" Kagome asks when they break. Inuyasha nods, "Yes. I wanted to do this when I found you at the Academy but I couldn't risk of me and Kirara getting caught." He explains to her. Kagome smiles, "It's a good thing you found me." She rests her head onto his shoulder as they watch the sun set giving the sky a vivid magenta orange color. "It sure is." He agrees as joins the sight.

THE END

Alright, that's the ending of my story. Sorry for the delayed due date because of the month I could write down the chapters of the stories. And for that, I suggest you leave me reviews and such for this amazing story I've worked so hard on.

InuyashasGrl26