Summary: AU. Anthropologist Kagome specializes in ghost towns. When she learns from a stranger that there's a ghost town nearby, she immediately goes to investigate the deserted town. But what happens when that town isn't as deserted as she thinks?

A/N: ahhh alas, I wasn't ready to leave this story be and I was too clingy to let this be over just yet. So, here's an epilogue! Thank you to everyone who has been with me since the beginning, and thank you to those who joined me part way! And, just to make sure I've covered everyone, a thank you (in advance) to those who haven't yet but will soon read Ghost Town! It's been a blast writing this. So, I present to you: The [very short] Epilogue

Ghost Town

Epilogue: 4 Years Later

"Dammit, Kagome, could you be any—"

Inuyasha burst through the bedroom door, snarling, and was immediately greeted with a high pitched scream and, a second later, a pillow in his face.

"Get out!" Kagome screamed, clutching her towel to her body. "I'm not done changing yet!"

Inuyasha scoffed but dutifully turned around. "It's not like I haven't seen what there is to be seen," he muttered.

"OUT!"

Fifteen minutes later, Kagome exited the bedroom wearing a light yellow sundress and light blue cardigan. She walked into the living room and found Inuyasha sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV. When she walked into the room, he glanced up at her, and she giggled at his wide-eyed gaze.

"You look beautiful," he murmured, springing off the couch and striding over to her in a few long steps. She blushed as he kissed her gently, careful not to smear the lipstick she had spent five minutes painstakingly applying.

"You don't look too bad yourself," she whispered huskily when they broke apart. She glanced down at his outfit— a fitted black dress shirt, black dress pants, black leather shoes, and a bright red tie— and grinned. All mine, she thought happily to herself.

"I always look good," he crowed, his ego swelling with all the attention she was giving him.

"Yeah, yeah. We should go."

He offered her his arm, and she took it with grace. Arms linked together, they strolled out of the apartment they shared and onto the street.

"Where are we meeting them?" Kagome asked, keeping an eye out for the telltale purple coat.

"The café down the road," Inuyasha responded. He glanced down at the woman at his side and smiled to himself. She's truly beautiful, inside and out, he thought.

The couple strode leisurely to the café where they had shared their first meal in the modern world together. Kagome chuckled quietly as she remembered the absurd amount of food Inuyasha had devoured. As the café came into view, her eyes caught a flash of purple.

"There!" she pointed, and Inuyasha followed her finger to the middle aged man in the purple coat, who looked up at her shout. The man's face split into a wide smile and he spread his arms in a welcoming gesture. Kagome and Inuyasha approached him, Kagome with a smile and Inuyasha with a neutral expression plastered on his face.

"Long time no see, Inuyasha," the man greeted. He clapped Inuyasha on the back and offered his hand to Kagome politely. "I'm Miroku," he said. Her eyes scanned over the wrinkles on his face and the lines at the corners of his eyes. He smiled a lot, apparently, and even though he looked almost elderly, his violet eyes twinkled with life and mischief.

She grasped his hand firmly, and smiled. "I'm Kagome, though I'm sure you already know that."

Miroku laughed heartily and nodded. "I've heard a lot about you from Inuyasha," he admitted. At the scandalized look on Inuyasha's face and the curiosity shining from Kagome's, he grinned. "All good things," he assured the woman.

"They better be," she said good-naturedly, elbowing Inuyasha lightly.

"Ha, ha," Inuyasha grumbled.

"Let's all sit down, shall we? I already ordered some iced tea for you, Lady Kagome, and a beer for you, 'Yash."

"Lady Kagome?" Kagome asked with a light laugh.

"Old habits die hard," Miroku responded, echoing her laugh. "Back in the day I referred to everyone as Lady and Lord."

"How interesting," Kagome said.

The three adults sat down at their table and sipped their drinks.

"So," Miroku said.

"So," Kagome echoed.

"So, Kagome, tell me about yourself."

As she launched into an abridged autobiography, Inuyasha stared absently at his bottle of beer. Miroku had asked to meet her a few weeks back, and Inuyasha had begrudgingly agreed. Having finally forgiven Miroku and Sango for what he saw as their betrayal, Inuyasha figured bringing Kagome into the group would act as a truce, or at least something like that.

In the past four years since Inuyasha first interrupted Kagome's presentation, the couple had become nearly inseparable. Despite their constant bickering and occasional all-out-fights, they cared for each other deeply. Occasionally, Inuyasha was sweet enough to do something romantic, like buy Kagome some flowers or massage her feet after a long day, but those things usually only happened after a big fight. Probably a coincidence, though.

Inuyasha had gotten a job at Sango's demon-slaying school as an instructor, and quickly became the most requested private instructor she had. Perhaps it was his charm, or his eloquent way with words— in any case, it helped pay the rent and Kagome wasn't complaining. As per Inuyasha's prediction, Kagome won the scholarship from the International Board of Anthropological Studies and was now an anthropology professor at an esteemed all-women's college in the neighboring town. She loved her job, and he loved his; what could be better?

Every morning, Kagome would wake up hours before her boyfriend— official boyfriend—and, before she left for work, would always make breakfast for him and leave it on the table. By the time she came back, exhausted, cranky, and ready for bed, he would be waiting at the dining table with dinner for two. They would antagonize each other over bites of food while playing footsies under the table; they would criticize each other to the point of redundancy yet hold hands the entire time. It was a weird relationship, but it worked and so long as it worked, he was happy. He could only hope she was just as happy.

"…and yeah. So, now we're living together."

"I see," Miroku said. He turned to Inuyasha, who had been staring at his bottle of beer for the entirety of Kagome's autobiography. "Kagome, would you mind grabbing the waiter? He's taking forever and I would love to try the new sandwich they advertised."

"Of course," Kagome chirped, and disappeared into the café in search of the same robotic waiter who had served her last time.

As soon as she was out of ear shot, Miroku looked at Inuyasha with a serious expression.

"I approve," he said solemnly.

"Huh?" Inuyasha's eyes snapped back into focus and he blinked at the violet eyes in front of him.

"I said, I approve. She's a wonderful lady."

"Keh, as if I was looking for your approval," Inuyasha scoffed, though he was secretly pleased that his lifetime friend got along with Kagome. It would've been awkward if they hadn't.

"When will you ask her?"

"Later today," he murmured, hand subconsciously moving to rub the edge of the velvet box hidden in his pocket. He had only bought the ring three days ago, and was still waiting for the right moment to ask her. Of course, he knew she would say yes but still, even after all these years together, he still despised having to put his emotions on the table. Why couldn't he just give the ring to her? Surely she'd understand what he was trying to say, right?

"I wish you luck, my friend," Miroku said, sitting back casually as Kagome reappeared with the disgruntled waiter in tow.

"Found him," she announced brightly, and sat back in her seat.

"No shit," Inuyasha muttered.

"Watch your language," she scolded him without heat.

He stuck his tongue out at her and she rolled her eyes, thankfully unaware of his pounding heart. By tomorrow, this wench would be his mate. Mate. His inner demon growled happily at the thought of Kagome as his mate. Mate. He could hardly believe it. It's been four years since I decided to leave that town, he thought. Thank goodness Kagome showed up; otherwise he was sure he would've stayed in Tessaiga, hurt, alone, and bitter until he died. Suddenly overcome with gratitude for the petite woman beside him, he grabbed one of her hands and intertwined their fingers. Kagome merely raised a curious eyebrow at him, but said nothing. The light blush that decorated her cheeks said it all.

He'll have plenty of time to show her how much he cared for her. They'd have all of eternity to figure out the fastest way to push each other's buttons, to learn each other's guilty pleasures, to show how thankful he was to have someone like her in his life. He could think of a few ways to demonstrate his gratitude, and he smirked as he imagined her reactions.

Yeah, he was okay with being stuck with this wench for the rest of his life, even if she did drive him crazy most of the time.

"Hello? Inuyasha? Are you alive?"

"Huh?" His eyes refocused. Kagome was staring at him, partially concerned and partially amused.

"It's your turn to order," she said, gesturing to the waiter she had dragged over.

"Oh, right." He turned to his menu and started reading through the selections.

"Don't tell me you haven't chosen yet," Kagome said, closing her eyes and pursing her lips.

"I just won't say anything, then," Inuyasha suggested.

"I'm so done with you."

"I love you," he offered.

Kagome paused, sighed, and begrudgingly let a small smile decorate her lips. "Unfortunately for me and luckily for you," she muttered, "I love you too."