Authors note: Hey! Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I updated, or have even gotten ON a computer. And the first thing I really want to say is; I'm SO sorry for all but forsaking Cast in stone. I know the only reason that I'm still breathing is because you guys don't know where I live. Hehehe!

Since this is the last chapter, or the epilogue, I'd like to say my thank you's quickly.

I'd first like to thank all of my reviewers and faithful fans, who have stuck with me during all of this time. I couldn't have done it without any of you, and I am extremely thankful.

I'd also like to thank a friend (I hope) who was once my student in writing, and my very best friend, who inspired me to write many things that I couldn't have otherwise. She helped kick my butt in gear, and, while we are still not really friends, I feel comfortable with the understanding we've developed. Thank you.

To my family, who through their ups and downs, helped me to be inspired enough to put my soul into what I love to do.

There are countless others who've helped me, but I think you guys have waited long enough to read this, so I'll write the rest of the notes at the end.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and related characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, not me.

(Begin)

It had been three years, three short years since they had defeated the witch. Inuyasha couldn't help but smile as he slipped out of the back door quietly, cringing as the door screeched on its hinges.

He padded smoothly towards old Goshinboku, the tree that watched his house and family in the very same way that it had always done. It swayed above him in time with the wind, smiling down on him like an old friend greets another. He nodded his head in reply, slipping his hands into his pockets.

His life was easily described as… quieter, than it had once been. He lived quietly with his wife and child, with no longings toward the perilous fights of his past. He found himself doing this often; sneaking out to drown himself in his retrospective thoughts. He had so much to look back on…

Miroku and Sango had, of course, gotten married, and had a few kids of their own. Sango was always pregnant, as would be expected with a guy like Miroku. Inuyasha himself often teased kagome that she would be looking as tired and frazzled as Sango, if he had anything to say about it. She would blush and elbow him in the chest, which made Inuyasha wonder to himself, why his wife was so damn cute.

Shippou was old enough to be able to hold up a steady job, but lived not too far away from the shrine. He still visited as much as he could, and was called 'Uncle Po' by little Ayeko, their two year old daughter. Shippou didn't mind the name as much as he minded Inuyasha's jeering. The two would often get into fist fights on the Higurashi floor. But everyone knew that it was no more malicious in either's intention, so kagome didn't bother breaking them up.

Kagome's mother and Souta had moved to a small apartment near the shrine, even though kagome had insisted that they stay. Mrs. Higurashi had left the shrine on good terms, saying that she wanted to give her daughters family room to grow.

That was not to say that they weren't over all of the time, because they were.

Sesshoumaru was fine… and while they weren't the most affectionate brothers around, Inuyasha was still grateful for his presence; even if he himself would never admit it.

The wimpy wolf had healed pretty well from his imprisonment with the witch, and now lived happily as ever with Ayame and their kids. He was a family friend now at kagome's insistence, and although Inuyasha may not have liked it, he had to deal with it for the sake of keeping the peace with his darling (controlling) wife.

Kirara lived with Miroku and Sango, living quietly as the family pet. She barely ever transformed now, and acted like a second mother to Sango and Miroku's kids. Herding them around like the gaggle that the family truly was.

After the witch had died, kagome had truly mourned for her grandfather. And she still blamed herself for his death. She was listless before Ayeko was born, but it seemed that her first child had lifted her veil of grief somewhat. It also helped that Ayeko was the most energetic child Inuyasha had ever known. So both Kagome and Inuyasha had no strength at the end of the day to think of hard things like grief and loss.

He shifted his stance, turning to look at the bedroom window that he knew was his little girls. She was probably still sleeping; he smiled at the thought of seeing her beautiful smile, that smile that reminded him of kagome.

When she had been born, Inuyasha felt a new feeling that overwhelmed him, much like his love for kagome had, once upon a time. He saw her sweet little face, and held her in his arms for the first time; and Inuyasha felt his heart burst with love and joy, at having a child. It was so unlike him, but Inuyasha didn't care. He looked at Kagome, who tiredly smiled back at him and took his free hand; and Inuyasha laughed.

"Hey…" He turned at the sound of his wife's voice, and smiled, taking in her sleepy yawn and disheveled figure. She walked to him and laid a gentle hand on his bare arm.

"What have I told you about walking out here without a shirt on, huh?" She scolded playfully, resting her head on his shoulder.

"So I forgot to put it on, sue me." He grinned down at her.

"The visitors to the shrine just might." She poked his muscled shoulder in good humor.

He wrapped an arm around her and kissed the top of her head,

"My thoughtful woman…" He said dryly.

She rolled her eyes and focused her attention on the tree before the both of them.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Everything, I guess…" Inuyasha sighed.

This early in the morning was a good time for him to think, no Ayeko to play with, and no alluring wife waiting for him in the bedroom when the time was right. He chuckled to himself and kagome sighed, knowing just what he was thinking. Deciding not to call him on his thoughts, she skipped ahead to the serious stuff. That she talked about from time to time with him.

"We've been through so much. I guess it's easy to just sit and think about it all."

"Yeah…" He answered, burying his nose in her hair and inhaling her heavenly scent. He was glad that she understood; she squeezed his hand and reached up to kiss his cheek.

She stood in silence with him, smiling because he was so close. Even after being together for three years, kagome still had yet to get over her fear of losing him from those lonely few months. Inuyasha didn't mind… He had no intention of losing her again either, and felt just as strongly as she.

Inuyasha, in these last moments of peace, before the day began; thought about his beautiful wife. Her vision burned into his memories of their wedding day, of every day they had been together.

He thought of how truly lucky he was to be with her, and how much he loved her. How much he thanked Kami above for her, and for their child. To say it shortly, he was glad, in every way possible

And like all husbands, he was quickly learning that saying 'I love you' was a helluva lot easier than showing it. But he thought he was doing a good job, and enjoyed the challenge of loving a complicated woman and a crazy, hyper little girl.

He looked down and noticed kagome shivering from the cold and smiled softly,

"C'mon kagome, lets get inside, huh?"

She nodded gratefully and turned with him to go inside. As they crossed over the threshold of the back door, he tossed a last glance at the patch of bushes that hid a small clearing that he knew very well.

Down a small hill and behind the tree's surrounding fences, a part of the ground lay grassless, evidence of something standing there for hundred of years, Five hundred years to exact.

He chuckled to himself as kagome got to work on breakfast and he sat himself down at the table to wait. He should know… shouldn't he, he thought dryly.

After all…

That was where he had been cast in stone…

(end)

Authors note: Whooooooooo! Done! You guys have no reason to kill me anymore! (Unless you want to exact revenge) It's finally done!

(Calms down) well, now that I've got that out of my system…

I guess it's time to let you know about my future plans in writing…

I'm collaborating with a friend of mine for a remake of Beauty and the Beast (Inuyasha Style). I've already halfway written the first chapter, so hopefully you won't have to wait too long. It won't use the exact script of the movie, I promise! It will be VERY different from your classic Beauty and the Beast fics.

I have a ton of one-shot idea's just waiting to be written and published and I'm also starting a multiple chapter fic, which involves World War 2 and Inukag fluff. Let me know if you guys are interested!

Also, please let me know if you are interested in continuing 'The Gardener'. I didn't get very good feed back, but I'm willing to continue if you are.

Again… thanks so much for waiting on me, and for reading when any sane person would have abandoned reading this. I owe you guys the world! Thank you!

I've also gotten some fan art suggestions, so if any of you wish to submit any, I would be proud to list the links on my profile. I complexly encourage it!

Anyway, thanks again! See ya in the next fic! (Blows a kiss good bye, as a brick hits her in the head)

Tootles!