Chapter Twenty-One
Coming to a Close

Kagome sat in Yuuki's room. She would have stayed in the guest room, but it was currently being occupied by Ichiru. Yuuki was not staying there, and Kagome could not sleep with Zero anymore. The Chairman thought it improper. As soon as the Chairman found out that his "little girl" was not so little anymore, he was reduced to a pile of weeping goo. She tried to rectify the problem she created and called out to him. The moment he heard her call to him with his endearing name, he was upright again and attempted to give her a hug. His plan was foiled when Zero snatched her out of the Chairman's line of attack, and safely into his arms. It didn't bother him any as to the position they were in, and Kagome liked being in his arms as well. But it didn't make it any less embarrassing when the others made comments or sounds. Miroku's waggling eyebrows and lewd comments did not help at all.

They had returned to the house – after telling the students that the danger was over – to settle down as Kagome and Zero made dinner. It was made in silence, but Kagome could not stop sending glances in his direction. She loved watching him work in the kitchen. He seemed so much more comfortable in a domestic setting than he did while killing vampires. Each time she looked at him, she would stop momentarily what she was working on just to watch him. He would catch her staring of course, and that would cause her to blush a few shades before turning away from him, conveniently ignoring his amused smirk. The night continued on much the same way. They each kept glancing at the other, and turning away as if nothing ever happened. Dinner was surprisingly quiet, especially since they had so many more guests than usual. They invited Toga, Sango, Miroku, and Yuuki to eat with the four of them, Ichiru had woken up and was getting use to his healthy, new, vampire self. Kaname had not returned yet, so Yuuki was going to stay with them for dinner.

The evening passed by fairly smoothly, Kagome retold her story to those that had not heard it, and added details she left out while telling Rido. The had a light dessert of ice cream, and soon it came time to go to sleep. Kagome remained standing as the others left to their own sleeping quarters. Yuuki left to the Moon Dorm to wait for Kaname to return. Kagome would have followed Zero, but the Chairman warned against it. The Chairman offered her a pair of Yuuki's larger pajamas, and they fit almost perfectly. They were a bit tight, but at least it was better than sleeping in her other, dirty clothes. Not that she would have minded sleeping in one of Zero's shirts, but she didn't feel like asking him for one.

Giving a sigh as she sat despondently on her bed, Kagome couldn't seem to get to sleep. She had already tried lying down, and though she was a vampire and shouldn't have to sleep at night, her old schedule mixed with the day's earlier battle; made her body want to crumple from sheer exhaustion. But when she lied down, she could not fall asleep. So she sat up to think of a way to help her fall to sleep. Contrary to popular belief, counting sheep did little to help her fall asleep. So she was trying to think of other methods to help in her endeavorer. The obvious answer was a couple doors down, but she was not sure if he would approve.

After another half-hour of sitting on her bed, Kagome gave a huff and stood to leave the room. It didn't matter anymore if he didn't want it. She was tired, and she couldn't sleep without him in the room anymore. When had she become so dependent upon him?

Shaking her head of her thoughts, Kagome moved quietly through the door and down the hall, taking extra care not to wake the others. She made it to his door and only hesitated for a moment before opening it and walking in.

She was not surprised to see him in bed, but she was surprised to see him feigning sleep. Holding in her amusement, Kagome glided over to the bed. And without further adieu, she slipped beneath the covers and gave a contented sigh at the warmth that seeped into her skin. She cuddled closer to his heat, and had to hold in a giggle when she felt him stiffen beside her. A few minutes later, and Zero was relaxing against her. She smiled when she felt him bring his arms around her and hold her close.

They remained silent for a few minutes before Zero's curiosity got the better of him and he asked, "Why did you come to my room?"

Giving a small yawn, Kagome answered sleepily, "Isn't it obvious? I couldn't sleep, so I came in here."

"Why?"

Her eyebrows drew together as she tried to figure if he was asking why she came to him, or why she could not sleep. Giving up on figuring it out on her own, Kagome asked, "'Why' what?"

"Why did you come to me when you could have gone to anyone else?"

Kagome rose he eyes to look into his shining purple, and asked, "Do you want me to go somewhere else?"

His answer was the tightening of his arms around her waist, and an inhale of her scent. Content that he did not want her to leave, Kagome continued, "I came because I wanted to be with you."

He turned to his thoughts as he thought of something he had wanted to ask her as a child, but was not sure if she would understand.

"Why were you not afraid of me when you saw me with Yuuki's blood on my face?"

Kagome opened her eyes as she looked up to his serious face with a quizzical one of her own. Not completely understanding what he was trying to ask, Kagome thought about it for a moment when comprehension shone on her face. It soon melted into a smile as she held him closer to herself saying, "Because I knew you did not want to hurt Yuuki. And I could see the pain in your eyes as you realized what you did. Even though my younger mind may not have felt the same way I did, she knew that you would never purposefully hurt her. From the back of my mind I sent a soothing feeling to my younger brain. She reacted the way she did because her 'nii-chan' was sad and hurt. She wanted to fix him." Kagome moved up and gave his cheek a small kiss as she said, "And so do I."

His eyes were open wide when she kissed his cheek. And when he heard her words, he looked to her for assurances. All he found in her eyes was the same look he saw in her smaller body on that same night. He could see the same gentleness and longing in her eyes. But the one that sent his heart thundering, was the complete and unconditional love he saw swimming in her depths. His breath hitched and he could not look away as she moved a bit closer. He met her halfway and locked his lips with her own. It was a sweet kiss, and it conveyed the love he felt for her but could not put into words. She returned the kiss with equal vigor and wholeheartedly pushed the love she had grown for the once human vampire into that single kiss.

They pulled apart and Kagome was happy to find his breathing a bit ragged. Feeling exhaustion finally taking hold of her, Kagome snuggled closer as she closed her eyes with a smile. Now that she was back, she would have the opportunity to get to know Zero as a future husband instead of an older brother. She couldn't wait until they could marry and she could have his children. As sleep finally claimed her tired body, Kagome dreamed of their future black-haired, purple-eyed and silver-haired, and blue-eyed children. The thought that she was actually seeing their future, never crossed her tired mind. But in due time she would realize that what she saw, would come to pass.

Zero watched as sleep took control of Kagome's body, and he felt his own body succumbing to his own exhaustion. He was surprised at how quickly everything had settled down for them. Earlier in the day he was on the brink of becoming a Level E, Kagome was but a child that he loved, his brother was near death, and the Academy was under attack by a group of vampires set on them by the Association. And yet, he found himself falling asleep peacefully next to his, hopefully, future wife. And it seemed like the day's events just slipped to the back of his mind as his body relaxed and he joined Kagome in the land of dreams. They would deal with their near future and the ramifications of them sleeping in the same bed, and the Chairman finding them, in the morning. At the moment, the two peaceful sleepers had no more thoughts as they held each other close and dreamed of their future. Their future together.

The End

Happy Valentine's Day!
I hope you have fun and spend it with your family and/or friends!

I know the ending was a bit bleh. But I seriously did not know how to end it.

Thank You to those that read along, and those that will read it in the future. Remember, that I appreciate your comments, and if you find anything wrong, please let me know and I will fix it immediately!

Thanks and God Bless You!!

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.