Epilogue- To a World yet Unseen

Kagome stared off into nothingness as her feet guided her along the, by now, familiar road through the forest that she visit at least once a day. The heavy bag hanging at her waist was swinging gently as she walked along. Kagome had been back in the human world for almost 2 years now, and she visited the entrance to the spirit world every day since then.

Her family thought she just liked to take long walks to clear her mind from all the schoolwork. Kagome just let them believe that, even though she had already graduated. Not that it was all that far anyway to the tunnel, it was only about a fifteen minute walk.

Kagome's thoughts drifted off back to Inuyasha as well as the worries she had for him. It had been two years, and still she hadn't seen or heard from him since they had to say goodbye. Kagome noticed she was already standing in front of the forest trail her father had thought to be a shortcut. Kagome smiled a little, glad that the trip had become so natural to her by now that she didn't even have to pay attention anymore.

She quickly took the trail and followed it, only half paying attention to all the greenery around her. Her thoughts once more drifted off towards their previous worries and Kagome sighed.

*Flashback*

After they drove off from the tunnel, it didn't take dad long to find the way to their new house. If they were astonished by the collected dust and plant life that surrounded the car when they got back to the car, it was nothing compared to seeing all the boxes piled there where the movers left them. There was dust everywhere, and Kagome almost laughed when she saw her dad bring back the newspaper to discover that they'd somehow missed 4 months.

"But how is that possible?" her mother shouted as Sota stared open-mouthed at the paper.

"Imagine that?" Kagome said lightly as she held her bag—that held Shippo—and she heard him snort with quiet laughter inside. "You think that we'd been spirited away by some demon and don't remember?"

"Don't be ridiculous, Kagome," Mom said quickly as she and dad tried to figure out what was going on.

Kagome could only smile mysteriously as she went upstairs to find her new room. She found it at the top of the stairs where most of the boxes with her things was already stored in. She opened the bag and Shippo jumped out. "Wow!" he cried as he ran around the room and peeked into some of the boxes.

"There's so much room!" Kagome sighed happily as she fell backwards onto her mattress, which was on the floor—not even caring of the dust that floated up.

*End of Flashback*

"Mom?" a small voice asked suddenly.

Shippo had also started calling her 'mom' a couple weeks after she brought him home. Kagome wasn't sure if she liked it at first, but after awhile, she learned to love it and got a strange tingling feeling every time she heard it. Kagome sighed fondly as she opened her bag and the tiny redhead poked out and grinned toothily at her. He climbed up to her shoulder.

It hasn't been easy to hide her 'son' from the rest of her family, but it was so lucky that he was as cute as a doll which caused everyone to think that he really was a doll. It took some time for her to convince Shippo to pretend to be limp every time they were with others. So to make up for it, she would sneak all sorts of snacks into her room where he would enjoy, and she took him for long hikes in this forest where he could get out and show off his fox magic.

She finally reached the small clearing, the statue still there and seemingly daring anyone to pass through the gateway to the spirit world. Kagome stared at it for a moment, not wanting to look at the entrance to, once again, see nothing there. She'd seen it too often and each time it made her worry more… filled her with only more sadness and disappointment.

"Is he back yet?" he asked, though judging from his voice, he wasn't too hopeful. It had been two years after all.

Kagome shook her head sadly as she looked back to the tunnel.

Why hadn't Inuyasha come back yet? Surely it shouldn't take him this long to deal with Naraku and come back for her? Maybe something had really happened and he needed help? Maybe he was even…

Kagome shook her head. Ideas like those had been plaguing her for years now but she refused to believe them. Inuyasha had promised to return to her, and so she had to believe that he would.

They went home after about an hour so that Shippo had plenty time to run and play. He was now curled up in his bag that she carried with him everywhere… she loved being back in a world that made sense to her… but a part of her wanted to return to that world of magic. At least she wouldn't have to keep Shippo hidden.

*That Night*

Kagome had trouble sleeping that night when Shippo curled up next to her pillow like he usually did and Buyo sleeping at her feet. Trying to force herself to fall back into her usual peaceful dreams of golden eyes… when suddenly she felt something warm touching her lips. Her eyes snapped open and for a moment she thought that she was dreaming… for those same golden eyes were looking back at her.

"Miss me?" Inuyasha asked with a smirk.

Kagome sat bolt-upright and stared at him. Inuyasha—in the flesh—was sitting there on the edge of her bed—the window next to them was wide open, shining moonlight on him, making his hair look like it was shining.

"INUYASHA!" she gasped louder than she should've but didn't care as she flung her arms around his neck and planted a kiss onto his mouth. He responded only too happily as he returned the kiss just as eagerly. Buyo let out a meow of shock as he was knocked off the bed and ran for cover—as for Shippo—he was such a deep sleeper that he didn't notice the newcomer.

After several minutes, Kagome pulled away and placed her hands up to his face—tracing every inch of skin that she could, refusing to look away from his eyes.

"What happened to you?" she demanded it. "What took you so long?"

Inuyasha pulled back with a tired, but content look on his face. Kagome settled down in his lap, knowing that Inuyasha probably wouldn't let her go right now, "Inuyasha?"

He sighed, before looking down seriously, "I guess you've noticed it took a while for me to get here?" At Kagome's nod, he continued, "Naraku wouldn't let me go. It wasn't easy but I've dealt with him."

"What did he do to you?" Kagome demanded.

"He didn't want to lose his control of the castle," he sighed. "But that doesn't matter anymore. He won't bother us again."

Kagome stared for a minute wanting to know what happened, but didn't Inuyasha just seemed content to just sit there, Kagome in her arms and Naraku was far away from them—without having to worry about him anymore. And that was enough for her. After a moment, she snuggled into Inuyasha embrace as he glanced down.

"Kagome?" he asked.

She just smiled, "I'm just glad you're here." Inuyasha chuckled and held Kagome close to him. They stayed like that for a while longer until Shippo opened his eyes and looked up in surprise.

"Inuyasha!" he called happily as he jumped up and onto his shoulder.

"Oh," Inuyasha said rolling his eyes. "I wondered where you went kid. So this was where you've been hiding out."

"You bully!" Shippo yelled back with a pout.

"Quiet," Kagome hissed to them both. "We don't want to wake up anyone else."

Reluctantly she pulled away, gaining a disapproving groan from Inuyasha. "What are we going to do?" she asked him. "I don't know how my family will take to me loving a half-demon… it's hard enough to hide Shippo."

"Which I hate having to hide all the time, mom!" he called out.

Inuyasha raised his eyebrows and looked at her. "Mom?" he repeated.

Kagome shrugged. "Someone has to do it."

"Oh, she's been great," Shippo called out happily. "But I am tired of hiding in the bag."

"You and me both," Kagome agreed. "If I had it my way, we move out and find a house with a big yard just for you."

"Funny you say that," Inuyasha grinned at her.

Kagome looked up at him cautiously, "What are you…?"

"Kagome…" he said softly, "You're of age now aren't you? And you finished school?"

"Yes," Kagome said just as softly, wondering where this was leading.

He smirked as he leaned back in. "You want to come back with me?"

She was silent for a moment. "W-what?" she stuttered, sure that she heard wrong.

"The Spirit World," he repeated as if he thought she was dim. "Do you want to come back with me? I found a house where we could stay and it's in the same village Sango and Miroku live… oh, they're married now and just had twins."

"Twins?" she gasped.

"You can come back through the tunnel anytime you want," he told her quickly, his smile fading slightly, as if worried that she didn't want to be with him anymore. "So… you want to come back?"

Shippo stared up at them both, staring from Kagome to Inuyasha and back—wondering what they were going to do. Kagome thought that over… she wasn't so sure she wanted to leave her world again… but… a world where she and Inuyasha could live together… to be able to stay with him… a place where Shippo wouldn't have to hide anymore… with friends close by and still being able to see her family… what else could she say but…

"Yes," she smiled and leaned in for another kiss.

She quickly melted into the kiss. Minutes later Inuyasha drew away and brushed her bangs aside, a smile on his face.

"I missed you," Kagome just smiled back, as Shippo jumped around on the bed… happy never to have to use that bag again.

Kagome felt the urge to dance around too. For just like that night so long ago when Inuyasha took her for that unforgettable ride, it would be a dream come true. She will be with him always… until this dream ends and eternity resumes its silent slumber…

(And as promised, here's the epilogue. I hope you all enjoyed this story and that you'll like the epilogue. This story is finally over and I want to thank everyone who supported me. Thank you all and I hope you weren't disappointed.)