Kagome's boots barely echoed softly through the kitchen of the empty restaurant. It had been kept sparkly clean, smelling strongly of bleach, each surface shining and lonely at the same time without food on the countertops. She knew that hours had been reduced until the Higurashis were to return.

She lowered her hood, brushing snow from her arms. She was moving mechanically, as if displaying overly human actions would verify her racing heart and anticipation. For the first time in six months, Kagome was about to see the friends that had brightened her world, and the man she was impossibly in love with.

After countless late nights spent speaking quietly over the phone to him, just about how their days had gone, something funny they'd seen, anything that anyone could talk about, she was finally going to see Inuyasha again, face to face.

He didn't know that, though. Of all Shippo's schemes, this surprise was her favorite. Apparently, she was to be Inuyasha's Christmas present, a role she was all too happy to fill.

The Higurashis had finished moving back to Chicago just yesterday, into a nicer house this time. The rent was surprisingly cheap for such a decent neighborhood (compared to the last, at least.), and Kagome didn't bother voicing that she was sure the landlord name "Nonemu" was code for "Sesshomaru trying to not look nice."

She startled at the sound of the bell jingling from the front, her frenzied heartbeat coming to an abrupt halt. And then she heard it in person, his gruff and so, so loveable voice only meters away.

"This had better be good," grumbled Inuyasha's voice. Her breath caught. The sound of clomping snowy shoes on the welcome mat. "Comin' in on one of my only days off…"

"I promise, your Christmas present will be worth it," Shippo said firmly.

"Why aren't Sango and Miroku here? Didn't you get something for them?"

"Of course I did! But this is just for you. They'll come a bit later, give you some time alone with your present."

"What? Why would I need- Ugh, Shippo, did you dump five gallons of bleach in the place? I can't smell a thing!"

Kagome smirked; Shippo had really thought this out.

"Stop whining! You're about to get the best Christmas present ever."

"Sounds cocky. I once got a whole sock from my brother."

"I'll just assume that's a 'Wow, that sounds so thoughtful, Shippo! I don't even need a present because your friendship is enough of a gift.' I'll be back in about twenty minutes."

"Wh-wha-you're just leaving me here? You're just planning on locking me in here, aren't you?"

"For fuck's sake. Just… stay here. As one Inugami to another, just trust me."

"...fine."

A second jangling of the bell-Shippo had left. Kagome breathed in slowly, steeling herself, shaking out her hands as trying to rid them of water. She paced to the door that led to the dining area. Each step seemed to take too long and not long enough.

Finally, Kagome pushed the door and immediately saw him, standing with lowered ears, hands in his pockets, characteristically annoyed. Affection swelled in her chest, seeing Inuyasha in that red jacket, beat up boots tapping on the cracked tile. It was as if she'd been blocking out how much she cared for him, and the waves how much she'd missed him crashed over her in an instant. But she was frozen, hardly able to breathe until he finally caught sight of her.

His jaw dropped, and a startled sound seemed to stick in his throat. But he wasn't still like her-he immediately came forward and leapt over the counter. In an instant, he was embracing her, and she had forgotten how warm, safe, smelling like leather and wind and-

"Home," she murmured into his chest. "I'm home."

"I love you," was all he said back. "I love you."

Six Years Later

There was a jangle from the front door, and Kagome looked over to see one of their regulars, Joseph, walk in, smiling and pulling a brown-haired boy behind him. The second boy looked skeptical and closed off, scrutinizing every wall and inch of the ceiling. Kagome watched her husband turn and regard the boys, resting his arms on the bokken that laid across his shoulders.

"Oh, a newb!" Shippo whispered to her in excitement. "Oh boy, Inuyasha is gonna do the thing! I love this part."

Kagome allowed herself a small smile of agreement. She'd seen such a scene many a time before, but it was always inspiring to witness it again. This was the purpose of the Inugami now, after all.

"Hey, Joe," Inuyasha greeted, giving a nod. "Who's the kid?"

With mildly hidden enthusiasm, Joseph tugged his friend up behind him. "This is my buddy, Derek. He's the one I talked to you about last week. I talked about Inugami a bit with him and he was thinkin' about joining. Ain't that right, Derek?"

Derek huffed, "Tch," as he was pushed forward to stand about four feet away from Inuyasha. The boy shoved his hands in his jean pockets, clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes up at the older man.

Inuyasha, in turn, stared down at Derek, golden eyes sharpening and chin raising. Finally, Inuyasha growled, "Don't gimme that entitled teenage bad boy shit face, kid. If you wanna be Inugami, we've got a code to follow. So are you gonna listen up or get out like a loser?"

A pause. The boy seemed startled by Inuyasha's attitude, but soon realized that Inuyasha was truly waiting for an answer. "Uh… Okay, I'll… listen," Derek mumbled back.

"What was that?"

"I'm listening."

"You're listening…?" Inuyasha drawled, gaze biting.

"S-sir. I'm listening, sir."

"Alright." Inuyasha took the bokken off his shoulders, slamming it to the ground at his side. Derek startled backwards into Joseph, who hid a snicker. "The Inugami have self control. The Inugami do not involve themselves with gangs or gang activity. The Inugami don't smoke or do that drug shit or even vape. I hate the damn smell and they make you weak. The Inugami don't drink underage and if they are of age, they don't drink irresponsibly like a deadbeat. The Inugami go to school and do their damn best in it. The Inugami do not fight unless in defense of self, defense of another, or a controlled spar supervised by an Inugami leader. The Inugami do not steal. The Inugami do not threaten, intimidate, or hurt others. The Inugami respect all humans, demons, and otherwise equally. The Inugami do all they can to help their neighbor. The Inugami keep a cool head and don't respond to fucking morons that are trying to provoke them-"

Beside her, Shippo coughed in a way that sounded a lot like the name, "Koga?"

"-Inugami don't whine about shit or think they're entitled to shit. The Inugami work hard, challenge themselves, and don't blame other people for their problems. The Inugami accept their cross to bear, their responsibilities, what can and cannot be changed, and their duty to become the best they can be."

Inuyasha walked up close to the boy, staring down at him with an intense light in his eyes that Kagome had fallen in love with. Derek backed up even further, stumbling, but Joe steadied him. Inuyasha's bokken was back in its sheath, and his powerful arms were crossed as he went on, "Now, if you think you're incapable of those simple, moral and reasonable rules, if you just wanna be born as a street rat and die a thug that didn't leave the world any better than it was when he was popped out of his poor mother's womb, then you can turn your ass around and get straight back out that door. I ain't here to give you free shit or coddle you or let you do whatever the fuck you want, whatever feels good."

Tilting his head, Inuyasha said more quietly, "But if you stay… The Inugami is here to support you in doing shit that does good. The Inugami will have your back, teach you defense, give you a place to go, and make you something to be proud of."

Inuyasha pulled the bandana off of the handle of his bokken; Kagome knew it was situations like these for which he always kept an extra red bandana around. The red cloth was held out to Derek, who was eyeing it wide-eyed and white-faced.

"So?" Inuyasha said, hand open. "You gonna stay or go?"

Kagome clenched her fists, an excited smile bursting on her face.

Derek stared down at the bandana, back to his friend, and then up to Inuyasha. "I… I'm gonna stay."

Finally, Inuyasha gave the kid a quick, rare grin. "Good choice. Here." Derek took the red bandana, gripping it tightly. His friend gave a whoop and clapped him on the shoulder while Inuyasha dug around in his bag for the registration.

"Just a little stupid paperwork, brat," Inuyasha explained, holding the paper and a pen out to Derek. "Liability shit, and we wanna be able to contact you if you need help. I'll give you my number, and the other four Inugami heads will probably give you theirs eventually. What are you doin, signin' that already?! Always read a contract before you sign it, idiot. There ya go…"

By the time Derek was finished registering, the other Inugami had begun to file in, ready in their training clothes and chatting with one another comfortably, about twenty-five of them today. Kagome couldn't help but smile at all of them, greet a few; these teenagers, all coming in here trying to make their inner-city life better, to improve themselves. These kids were the dreams of all the original Inugami, and it's why she came every day without regret.

Inuyasha was talking to some of the kids. When he looked over at her, beginning to start her stretches on the bench next to Shippo, his entire body seemed to relax, and he returned a smile. But when he started to make his way over…

"Whoa," she heard Derek say quietly, not too far away, to Joseph. He was pointing at her. "Who's the chick? I'd tap that so hard."

Joe looked panicked and was about to answer, but that's when Inuyasha hit Derek in the back of the head, causing a resounding SMACK followed by a high, "Ow!"

"She," Inuyasha snarled, "would me my wife."

"Shit," muttered Derek.

"I guess since you haven't seemed to catch on to the specifics of 'respect all humans, demons, and otherwise' and you have a problem with thinking with your dick, I'll have to add that the Inugami men are not fucking perverts or fuckboys. The Inugami other than me do not even think about daring to touch her in a way any more than a consented hug. Do I make myself clear?"

"Y-yes, sir! Sorry, sir!"

"Don't apologize to me, boy; apologize to her!"

"R-right." The boy turned quickly and practically bowed to her. "I-I'm sorry, um…?"

Kagome smiled in amusement. "Mrs. Tashio will do."

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Tashio."

"I forgive you, Derek. Welcome to the Inugami!" She stood and held out her hand, which he shook tentatively. "I'm so happy you've joined us. Oh that's right, I made cookies today! Do you like chocolate chip? You can have some-"

"Kagome," Inuyasha sighed, looking only minisculely more grumpy than usual. "It's like you're rewarding him!"

"I am!" she said with a huff, putting her hands on her hips. "He joined us! He apologized for what he said, so I think he should get a cookie. Besides, I tried this new recipe and I want the kids to say if they like it…"

"You made it. Of course they'll like it."

Her heart swelled. "Oh Inuyasha, really? You think so?"

His cheeks were turning about the color of his bandana that was tied around his head. "Keh, you know I think so."

Kagome gave him a long kiss for that, and then went back to find the cookies in her bag. As soon as she found them, she began passing them around (with intermittent munching on her own part).

She pretended not to hear Derek whisper to Joseph, aghast, "How did such a cranky, terrifying dude end up with an angel?"

"No one knows exactly how it happened, but Papayasha and Magome are super into each other," Joseph answered with a shrug. "Also, don't count on the angel thing. I chose to challenge her to a fight one day and it was the worst decision I ever made."

"...what did she do to you?"

"I don't remember much, but I remember that I sure as fuck didn't like it and felt it for the next week."

"Inugami!" Inuyasha boomed. "Assume the position!"

The students scampered into a circle around Inuyasha, Shippo trailing behind, who began to explain what techniques they would be learning that day. As this process commenced, the charming tone over the door chimed, indicating the entrance of Miroku, Sango, and the twins. Both were dressed in gym clothes and each carried an eager toddler, looking windswept and tired, but both smiled at the sight of Kagome waving to them.

Sango hadn't changed much in six years; despite having two children already, she kept up with her training well, especially now that they had two extra giggling girls that liked to ride on their parents' backs during push ups. Miroku had cut his hair to keep the babies from tugging on it incessantly (he'd insisted for months that he'd felt some spiritual energy leave him as it was cut and therefore he was the reincarnation of Samson), so that he looked far more mature than he actually was.

Kagome greeted them both with a hug and lifted the most wiggly kid from Sango. "Hi guys! So glad you could make it on such short notice!"

"Ah, we wrapped up the latest case this morning anyway," said Miroku, setting down his daughter so that she could join in on tackling Shippo. "First case in nearly a year where Sesshomaru hasn't poked his nose into our P.I. business-not our fault people around here don't trust the cops and we make major bank." Miroku rolled his shoulders, stretching out the gun holsters that decorated his sides on straps. He shot a winning smile. "Just surprised we have a short notice call that wasn't: Help, Inuyasha got poisoned, or help, Kagome was kidnapped, or help, Inuyasha got tackled by a furry convention and is now setting them on fire-"

Sango jumped in before Kagome could stop them, "Help, Kagome put a force field around the pie until I apologize, or help, Inuyasha is out of the dorm room because we were canoodling too long in the library make out corner, or help, Kagome heard me sleep arguing with the drapes and now thinks I have a secret Japanese lover-"

"Yes, okay, noted that we need to call you guys under better circumstances," Kagome covered hastily. "But this is a great circumstance, I promise!" She stuffed another cookie in her mouth, eyes gleaming. "Cookieh?"

They took a cookie.

Another chime of the door, and Emma came skipping in, her stoic father gliding behind her. Sesshomaru looked emotionless and statuesque as ever in his full Commander's uniform, an image of intimidation marred only by the flower crown perched atop his silvery hair. Judging from Emma's matching set, it was of her creation and insistence. All the teenagers glanced at him or even flinched as he came in, indicating that the cuteness did not, in fact, ruin his effect. Kagome was impressed.

Sesshomaru beelined for Kagome as soon as his icy gaze found her, and he stopped abruptly several feet away. "What is the urgent matter of which I must attend? Emma and I were on our way to the park. I would prefer if this afternoon activity were not interrupted by my brother's next grievance."

Kagome laughed him off. "Oh no, no grievance. Just something we wanted you to be here for and then you can be on your way!"

A half millimeter quirk of the eyebrow. "Why."

With a nervous laugh, Kagome scurried closer to the circle of students and waved a hand over their heads for Inuyasha's attention. Best not to trust dog demons to be patient, she'd found.

His white ears perked up, and he stopped in the middle of demonstrating a new headlock on Derek. "Everyone here?"

"Yep!"

He released the teenager to his half laughing, half pitying peers, and pushed through to her. "Before I get on with the lesson, Kagome and I have an announcement that we wanted you all to be here for." He put an arm around her, "It regards why she won't be helping with any sparring from now on."

The collective "aww" that arose from the kids actually touched Kagome, though she ignored Joseph's not-so-subtle, "Thank God."

Inuyasha looked to her with those shining, golden eyes, prompting her to say, "'Papayasha' is gonna be an actual Papa."

The gasps and happy shrieks almost covered Inuaysha's groan of, "Why are you encouraging them to call me-?"

Sango grabbed her shoulders. "You're pregnant?!"

"Yup." Kagome patted her tummy. "Can't fight any of you-Magome's got one in the ol' incubator."

Sesshomaru was grimacing. "I feared this day. The day in which an army of small Inuyashas are born. I surrender. You can keep the sword. I recognize when I am outnumbered."

Shippo was in full on tears, clutching his face. "Tiny Inubabies with puppy ears and without Inuyasha's horrible personality… adorable!"

Miroku only shrugged. "I'm honestly just surprised it took this long. You guys are like Catholic rabbits."

Sango smacked him, but Kagome was too busy laughing. Surrounded by love and her growing family, she felt so far from that scared, weak girl she had been all those years ago, who felt so far from home. Home was something she created, right here, with her Inuyasha, and with the Inugami.

Hello loves!

Sorry for the eternal wait to wrapping this story up...but over my quarantine, I found some time to finish it! Here's just a little quarantine gift for you to help you stave off the boredom and worry. I hope you and your families are healthy and financially alright as well.

It's finally finished! I'd like to thank Akela-Nakamura for beta reading this again. Can't believe what that lovely waifu has stuck with me through! She actually read part of this a long time ago and then I didn't get around to completing it until now-thank you my friend! I hope you're doing okay.

I hope you enjoyed the fluffy-ass ending-I know I did XD Alas, that's how I like all my endings. A penny for your thoughts? I'd love to hear your impressions of the ending and critiques, as well as how you're holding up through Coronapocolypse 2020!

Have missed you all, and thank you for reading.

Mizpah,

Ry