Disclaimer: Inuyasha isn't mine.

A/N: This is it everybody, the last chapter! Thank you so much to everyone that read, reviewed, favourited, followed and enjoyed! A particular thank you to a Guest for reminding me that I hadn't finished this one quite yet, so here you go!

The next few days seemed to blend together. Despite their reclaimed freedom, not a single vassal had left, choosing instead to repair and brighten up their home. Shippo spent hours frolicking in the grass and enjoying the sun's warmth. Sango and Miroku were excitedly making wedding plans and, Sango had admitted shyly, going to try having a baby. Inuyasha was still on the mend, but under Kagome's attentive care, she was sure he'd be back on his feet in no time. Kagome could find no other way to describe the change than to say it was as if a dark cloud had been lifted from the castle. Well, for most people.

She slid the door open and carefully carried a fresh poultice and a bundle of fresh strips of linen for bandages. Inuyasha was sitting up and offered her a shy smile. Not much had been said, since the revelation that the curse had been broken. His immediate reaction of joy and disbelief had been expected, but he had quickly faded back to a state of almost melancholy. He was a co-operative patient, and he would answer politely when spoken to, but that was exactly what made it weird to her. After everything they'd been through, why did he seem so uneasy around her? Her feelings had been backed up by remarks from Miroku and Sango that such formality usually meant he was troubled by something and didn't want people to ask. Miroku had joked that Inuyasha using good manners was just plain uncomfortable; he'd rather be yelled at. They hadn't talked about much, other than his health.

"How are you feeling?" Kagome asked, kneeling beside him.

"I'm fine," He muttered in response, "Can I get up yet?"

"How the hell should I know?" Kagome asked, hoping her teasing tone and foul language would ease the tension. "I've never had a poisoned half-demon for a patient before."

"Keh." Despite the petulant look on his face, he obediently stayed still while Kagome changed his bandages. He did look much better; the wound was almost completely closed, and the surrounding skin was only a little more purple than it should have been. Kagome knew she should hope that it wouldn't scar, but if she was being honest, she thought scars were sexy. But that was hardly the issue here. Something was bothering her beloved hanyou and she wanted to know what it was.

"Inuyasha? Are you alright?"

He blinked, snapping out of the faraway look he'd had a moment ago.

"Huh? Yeah, yeah." Kagome raised an eyebrow. Somehow, she wasn't convinced. Thankfully, he gave in without a fight, for once.

"Ok, fine." He grumbled, "I've been thinking about something." He took her hand and explained why he'd been acting this way and what he wanted to do about it. When he finished, Kagome wiped the tears from her eyes and kissed him gently on the lips.

A day later, everything was prepared. All the castle residents gathered at dusk, dressed in their best. Inuyasha cleared his throat nervously.

"I'm crap at speeches, as you all know." He began, rousing a giggle from the crowd. "But I'll try. I know you've all heard some version of the story, but I wanted to make things clear."

"We are here today, to pay our respects. Fifty years ago, I sent Koga to check on Kikyo after I kicked her out. He was found and murdered by a monster named Naraku. This bastard took Koga's appearance and took his place here at the castle, biding his time and doing what he could to screw me over. Koga's reward for his loyalty was to die alone and unnoticed in the forest for fifty fucking years."

Shippo buried his face into Kagome's shoulder. Sango and Miroku joined hands, their expressions solemn. Kagome wrapped her arms comfortingly around the child, but her eyes were on Inuyasha. His eyes may have been dry, but his voice betrayed his grief. Inuyasha turned to the funeral pyre they'd constructed.

"You may have been a pain in the ass, but you deserved better, Koga. I'm sorry. One day, I'll find Naraku again and make him pay. I swear."

On cue, Ginta and Hakkaku approached, each holding a flaming torch.

"To Koga," They whispered together, lighting the pyre. The mountain wind fanned the flames into a roaring bonfire that lit up the darkening sky. The wolves threw back their heads and howled. Around them, hidden by the gently swaying trees, other wolves joined in, creating a beautiful by haunting harmony.

Kagome made her way to where Inuyasha was standing and entwined her hand with his. Shippo clambered onto his head.

"That was perfect," She told him quietly, gazing at the flames. "I think he would have approved." Inuyasha exhaled, guilt still evident on his face.

"Naraku managed to mimic Koga's personality, appearance, even his scent. But I still feel like I should have figured it out sooner." He squeezed Kagome's hand, "This was the least I could do."

Kagome couldn't think of anything to say, so she didn't. He was still healing in more ways than one. As much as she wanted to start talking about marriage and children with him, she could wait. There was no need to rush.

They had time.

FIN

Thank you, thank you again! I'm on a bit of an AU kick at the moment, stay tuned for my next one: Hanyou of the Opera! (May change title)

Enjoy!