Natsu, Happy, and Lucy came across Rogue and Kagome some time later and quite by accident. Kagome was twirling happily in front of Rogue, who was watching her contentedly from his place against a tree. Waving her hand, Kagome sent out a burst of power that had the entire field blooming in gorgeous flowers. Grinning, she picked a large red one and then moved to straddle Rogue's lap. He let her, his hands sliding up to rest on her hips as her pet shadow climbed up the tree.

"Your dragon is happy today," she noted, lacing her fingers behind his neck.

Rumbling a laugh, Rogue stroked her sides. "Yes."

"Happy enough to skip out on that stupid mess Sting wants us to do later?" she asked hopefully, rubbing her cheek against the playful shadow.

"Why do you think we came out this way?"

Brightening, Kagome stretched up and pressed her nose to his. Rogue smiled at the action, then tilted his head to the side and kissed her.

Lucy dragged the two gaping males away before they could intrude any more. "I had no idea they were a couple," she whispered in shock.

Natsu scowled. "Man, what'd he do, soak her in essence of Shadow? She reeked of him, even as far away as we were."

"That might not be too far off," Happy pointed out. "He is a Shadow Dragon Slayer, after all. No doubt he'd want his scent permanently a part of hers."

"He looked way happier than I've ever seen him," Lucy stated. "And Kagome was glowing."

Shrugging, Natsu gave her that. "She's still too nice for him, I say. Even if he isn't such a jerk to her."

Lucy glanced back and found the Dragon Slayer tenderly holding Kagome to him as he tipped her back into the flowers. No, Rogue was very much not a jerk to the odd Exceed, and something told her that Kagome's influence had more of an impact on his life than they'd probably ever know. Turning to her teammates, she ran to catch up.

"So, Natsu, why hasn't your dragon claimed anyone yet?"

At his embarrassed, flustered flailing, Lucy could only laugh.

000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

The End! Short little epilogue. I'm on vacation next week, but as soon as I polish up my Kagome/Kohaku River fic, I'll get it up for you! I'll be posting it in longer chapters, probably.