Disclaimers: I do not own Inuyasha

A/N –cries- The epilogue… I can't believe this fic is done.. My most favourite of favourites… -cries- I hope you guys like this.. I'm writing this while listening to my new Pirates of the Caribbean at Worlds End soundtrack. Enjoy! –cries a river-

Stowaway

Epilogue

Shippou scurried into the dinning area where food was being served. It was well into the afternoon and the crew had just begun to drop in for lunch. Sango had been serving before she was interrupted by Shippou's squeals.

"Sango! Come quick!"

The youkai slayer peered down at the young healer and raised a brow, "What is it? Has something happened to the bouzo?"

Shippou shook his head, "No!" He then grinned, "Wow, you must like Miroku a lot to have asked about him first!" At her growls and threatening gaze, he continued on with the original message. "A-ah, anyways! It's Kagome, she's thinking of a way to purify the jewel and get rid of it! You have to stop her before she does it! It-it's dangerous!"

"She's what?" She threw off her makeshift apron and ran out of the quarters in search of the Angel woman. She had found her, as suspected, inside the Captain's quarters speaking to the ex-monk. "Kagome-chan!"

The girl turned and smiled, "Sango-san! I—"

"What's this I hear about you? Trying to purify the Shikon! You can't! It cannot be done."

Kagome sighed, "I think that maybe it can. Miroku told my a bit about it. We both tested it and it feels like there's a barrier around it that's been created from the inside. Tell us, do you know of how it was made?"

Sango hesitated then nodded, "Yes, I do. It was made from a soul of a priestess and a horde of demons." She sat down on the bed and frowned, "Midoriko was a legendary priestess that had fought to protect humans from dark creatures. When she had found this monster that had been terrorizing a village for years, she had decided to put an end to it."

"By herself?" Inuyasha asked. At her nod her growled and turned his head sharply at Kagome, "That sounds familiar, doesn't it?" He narrowed his eyes.

.:.:.:. Flash back .:.:.:.

Inuyasha's nose twitched at the smell of approaching demons. Weak demons, and a lot of them. He had turned around and spotted the horde, they were all flying above the forest areas and some had dipped down. He had noticed in an instant a purifying aura. Her purifying aura. The youkai that had dipped down into the forest had instantly been destroyed by a blast of energy, obviously an arrow. 'Kagome!'

.:.:.:. Flash .:.:.:.

She squeaked, just barely avoiding the attacking demon. "I don't have the power to block any of them anymore.. I can't.." She placed her hands in front of herself to block another on coming attack. "Get away!" She shouted, her hands glowing a bright pink colour. The demon had been turned into ashes. "I-I d-did it.." She breathed heavily falling to her knees, her white hood falling off. Sure, she might have blasted one of the demons, but that hadn't stopped the rest from attacking her head on. Kagome's face grew pale at the sight of angry, hungry, revolting demons dipping down into the forest to devour her and her jewel. "Eeek!" She crossed her arms in front of her face, bracing herself for the blow.

'Inuyasha!'

"Kagome!"

She could hear her damn name being shouted from afar, then everything was a blur. Out of nowhere, had come her hero. She was swept up into his arms and was now being balanced on a branch with him. His aura felt much different, stronger even, like that of a full demon. When he had turned his gaze onto her, she nearly fell out of his arms. "Inu…Yasha?"

.:.:.:. End of Flash back .:.:.:.

Kagome growled back, "Piss off! I was trying to save you all from a terrible fate by doing that!"

"By doing that you could have gotten yourself killed! You can be so stupid sometimes you wench!"

"Like I said, I was helping all of you! Things were after me and I needed them to keep away from you! You pig-headed son of a bitc—"

Miroku sighed loudly, "Please! There is a child in our midst's!"

Shippou snorted, "I've heard worse ex-monk, especially from you."

That had earned Miroku a hit over the head from Sango.

"I'll be damned if you do something as crazy as that again bitch, you are not allowed to do anything of the sort while I'm still alive! I don't even want you to purify this damned jewel, not if you're risking your life over it!" He barked.

"Sit boy."

"A—ck!"

Kagome crossed her arms over her chest and cleared her throat, "Now then Sango, mind continuing your story?"

The exterminator stopped cursing the monk and stared at Kagome, nodding her head. "Oh yes, we did get a bit off topic didn't we? As I was saying, she was fighting off a horde of demons on her own that had combined to form a large creature. In the end, she was not strong enough to defeat it. Before she could be killed however, she had pushed what little amount of power she had left within herself and created the Shikon jewel. Sealed within it is her soul forever battling with the souls of the demons."

Kagome nodded and unfolded her arms, grasping the Shikon. "Midoriko must be the one who put up the barrier within the jewel to trap herself and the creature in it. If we break it then maybe we can free her and the demons, which would cause the jewel to cease from existing."

Inuyasha had lifted himself off of the wood floor and cursed silently before leaping up to his feet, "Don't even think about it. If Midoriko couldn't beat it, how are we supposed to?"

Shippou groaned, "Inuyasha are you stupid? In the story she wasn't able to beat the thing because she was alone!"

Miroku smiled, standing to his feet and brushing off the wrinkles in his clothes. "Shippou has a point. What he says is true, so might I suggest that we try to do this?"

"How will we break the barrier though? I don't have any spiritual powers." Sango asked worriedly.

Kagome hummed and smiled, "Leave it to Miroku and me. We need to meditate deeply in order to first get into the Shikon to manually break it and—"

"Hold on wench, you ain't going in there. Not without me." Inuyasha intercepted.

Kagome shot a glance at him, his gold eyes were plastered with worry. 'I am going to be his mate, so I can see how he would worry..' "I need you to stay here. Once Miroku and I go into the jewel, the barrier I have around it will break instantly. Without it, demons will sense its aura and be drawn to it. You have to protect this ship and us."

The hanyou Captain hesitated, clenching his eyes shut and pacing. 'Damn that girl.' "Miroku?"

"Hm? Yes Cap'n?" He piped.

"You better protect her in there, or I'll kill you." He opened his eyes and turned to the ex-monk, his eyes flashing red warningly.

"Aie, I will." Miroku nodded, "I promise."

"Then it's settled, I'm going to fetch my armour and Hiraikotsu. We start this now."

.:.:.:. Within the quarters a few minutes later .:.:..

Kagome sat across from Miroku with her legs tucked comfortably behind herself. He placed the Jewel between them on a large piece of cloth to prevent it from rolling and had also laid his staff across his lap.

"Ready?" She asked the ex-monk. At his nod she had closed her eyes.

"Hold up wench."

She sighed and opened her eyes, finding him crouched in front of her, his golden pools boring into her hazel orbs. She blushed a bit at the close proximity, feeling his breath on her face. "Yes?" She just squeaked out.

"Don't leave me. Come back to me, okay?" He whispered for only her to hear. Before she had a chance to reply he had dipped down and brushed his lips over hers softly. He had pulled away and grinned at her before leaving her alone in the room with only Miroku.

She breathed in and out and slowed her fast beating heart, "Okay, now Miroku."

Their bodies held faint auras around them as they meditated and the Shikon glowed.

.:.:.:. Outside the quarters .:.:.:.

Inuyasha unsheathed the Tetsusaiga and stood at the edge of the railing, catching the attention of his crew, "Listen up you scumbags! Demons are going to be headin' this way and attacking! Drop whatever the hell you're doing and get your weapons ready! Now you damn scallywags!" He howled.

Sango stood next to him with a transformed Kirara on her other side, "Do you think this will be easy or difficult?"

"Heh, it can't be any harder than what we just did. These are just pesky demons."

Shippou sat on Kirara and played with her fur, "Don't jinx it Inuyasha, you never know what's out there."

"Keh." He sniffed, and then sniffed again. "Here they come. I can smell 'em."

Sango clenched her teeth and held her Hiraikotsu tightly.

.:.:.:. With Kagome and Miroku .:.:.:.

Kagome opened her eyes, only to find herself standing in front of a large pink wall. "Miroku?" She called back, turning around in circles. He had arrived shortly after her and was already panting tiredly. "Miroku? Are you alright?" She stepped towards him and kneeled.

"I-I'm fine. I'm sorry, my spiritual powers are not as strong as your Angel abilities."

Kagome shook her head, "Don't apologise. Let's just get this over with." She had walked back to the pink wall and placed her hands over it, the wall turning transparent. She had gasped and stepped back, "Miroku, lo-look!"

Inside the transparent wall, the ex-monk could make out two figures. One of was beautiful young maiden and the other of a grossly distorted demon. They were both battling, the maiden using a blade to fight.

"It's Midoriko." Miroku whispered in awe.

Kagome nodded and walked back to the wall slowly, "We have to free her. I won't let her soul stay in limbo here." She closed her eyes and placed a hand on the wall, channelling her powers into it. White fluffy wings had painfully bursted from her back and encircled her as she channelled into her hidden powers to force the barrier to break. She felt Miroku's presence next to her, also doing the same but with his staff.

Sparks began to fly at them to prevent them from proceeding, but they ignored them. The barrier had pulsed, alerting the ones inside of their presence. Midoriko was the first to glance at them, her eyes widening at the sight of Kagome and her wings.

The Angel narrowed her eyes at the wall while using her free hand to grasp her sword. She had unsheathed it and replaced the hand on the barrier with the point of the blade, trying to force it to cut the barrier.

.:.:.:. With the Crew .:.:.:.

"A-ah-ah! Fox fire!" Shippou screeched, burning off a small youkai with his blue flames.

"Only a little bit huh?" Sango yelled up to the Captain from the main deck, throwing her weapon in the air once more.

Inuyasha panted, using the Windscar on the buggers. 'Damn, these things just keep coming! Kagome—You better be okay.' He slashed at an on coming demon, preventing all from getting near his quarters.

The first cloud of demons had been killed off, leaving them to catch their breaths. The crew had started to cheer but were all silenced by their Captain, warned that more were coming.

.:.:.:. With Kagome and Miroku .:.:.:.

'Break already!' She cursed and nearly cheered when she felt her sword start to dig into the sparking wall. She had also seen Miroku do the same; he had just pierced it as well and now, to break it.

She whispered under her breath and warned the monk before finalizing it. "Light of the Heavens." Her sword pulsed, and she slashed the barrier, her sphere of pink power instantly destroying the barrier. Miroku had also aided, destroying a section of the pink shield.

Once it had dissolved, there was a bright shine of light, and they were both sent out of the Shikon and back within their bodies.

.:.:.:. With the crew .:.:.:.

They were all prepared for the new, larger cloud of demons that were headed in their direction. They hadn't counted on the entire ship shaking, or for a spirit to launch out from his quarters and into the mass of demon heading their way.

The entire mass of the pirates stared in amazement as the spirit took over the demons and reformed its body. It was also coming at them at a speed that they feared would damage the ship.

At the last moment, a barrier had formed up and the demon had bounced off with a painful shriek.

Kagome and Miroku emerged from the cabin, Kagome having a fierce aura and glowing pink eyes that caused all the youkai aboard to shiver.

"We have returned." Miroku greeted, "With a new companion."

The Captain raised a brow and stared, "The hell are you talkin' about?"

Kagome held no shine in her eyes, and had dully stared at him, "Inuyasha-sama, I ask that you do not interfere within this battle. This concerns only me, not your crew." Her voice spoke, but did not hold Kagome's tone, but a different one.

"Bitch! Who the hell are you! Get out of her body right now!"

Miroku sighed, "This is not the time to pick a fight with the legendary miko, Inuyasha."

"Midoriko? Damn it, you took over her body? No way in hell are you going to fight this thing on your own you idiot! I won't let you endanger Kagome! We're fighting this thing together, and that's that." The Captain sneered.

Kagome turned back to the demon that kept bashing at the barrier, "Very well, your life is your own. I will use this girls body and powers to destroy this creature once and for all." She blinked, Kagome's eyes returned leaving her in control to the body for a moment.

"Inuyasha, trust her. Most importantly, don't you dare hit me." She smirked at him before sprouting wings from her back.

"I won't."

Midoriko had taken over the girl's body once more and flapped the wings, sending her into the air, "Prepare yourselves!" She announced, and flew to the barrier, sword in hand. She had forced the shield to dissolve and had used to blade to slash at the youkai.

It had just dodged it, but not without receiving an injury from her blow. Shortly after that the Hiraikotsu had flown at it, cutting the thing in half. It wouldn't have been able to do that if it weren't for Miroku, who had lent his staff to Sango to place it on her weapon.

The shrieks of the youkai had caused all the crew to cover their ears and scream in pain, all except Inuyasha who just flattened the dog ears atop his head and formed adamants on his blade.

Kagome had flapped the wings and circled the massive demon, her blade pulsing. She had momentarily glance below her at the hanyou and nodded at him before glaring at the thing. 'Kagome,' Midoriko mentally called.

'Yes?'

'I apologize for rudely taking your body.'

'No problem, really. It's a weird experience I guess.'

'It is, and I thank you for helping me. Please lend me your powers to destroy it.'

'You don't even have to ask.'

Midoriko felt Kagome channelling her powers once again into the blade, both of them now controlling the body together to lift the blade and spiral it in the air. A sphere had formed, just like it did before, sending pulses of energy that vibrated, causing the ocean waters to create massive waves.

Inuyasha gripped the handled of the Tetsusaiga and ran towards the edge of his ship at top speed, launching himself into the air sharply, "Adamant Barrage!" He cried, swinging the legendary fang of destruction down at the youkai.

"Light of the heavens." Both of their voices spoke in unison, the sphere moving quickly at the monstrous thing, obliterating it on the spot shortly after the adamants had pierced it. Much like the last foe they fought, the sky had been turned a blindly pink.

The Captain and landed gracefully on deck and covered his eyes with his worn red sleeve while his crew just ducked for cover. Sango was being held tightly by Miroku, none of them noticing the close proximity until the light had died down. They blushed noticing how very close their faces were to each other.

Once all was clear, the crew had come out of their spots and cheered loudly. There was no longer a monster in the air. There was, however, a woman with white wings and a barrier floating in the sky. Her blank eyes had turned to the ship, the barrier flickering and dissolving into the sky as she glided back down to the ship.

The woman had close her eyes and exhaled, her body glowing blue as something inside her tore away and formed beside her. Her blank eyes were now staring at the spirit that stood next to her, clad in her armour.

"Is that Midoriko?" Shippou squeaked.

Kagome nodded at her, "Midoriko-sama, does this mean that the Shikon no Tama no longer exists?"

Inuyasha was flabbergasted at the sight, 'First Kagome's and Angel and now I'm seeing a ghost of a dead woman? God damnit!'

"Without that demon or my soul, the gem is gone. I thank you, Angel, for saving me. I also apologise for all those that had been killed in the past in order to possess my power. It was not my intention to cause such a ruckus." She said sincerely, smiling at everyone onboard. "I can finally rest in peace."

Kagome's lip twitched, "It would be my pleasure to guide you to the heavens."

The hanyou Captain blinked, 'Guide her? Does this means she won't stay with me? K'gome—I..' He didn't finish his thought since the priestess had kindly declined, sending a wave of relief for him.

Once the spirit had vanished, all eyes were on Kagome. She had a very large decision to make. She could either leave this earth and return to her family, or stay. She now had no purpose to stay except to protect the innocent and be with the Captain.

Inuyasha…

Could she truly leave him?

She loved him.

So where was her true place?

"I'd rather be stranded here than return to heaven, Inuyasha. Because I would never want to leave you."

The Captain gaped, "H-how did you know I was-?"

Her wings disappeared in a storm of feathers, "I think that this entire crew knew about your thoughts." Her hazel eyes returned to their deep colour and glimmered with humour.

The Captain growled, "Damnit wench!" He blushed, "Shuddap! Ju-just—Gah! Everybody get back to your posts!" He glimpsed at the night sky, 'Night already?' "Er—Beds! Damnit, just go do what you were doing and leave me alone! If any of you have a problem with that, then I'll gladly feed you to the sharks!"

The scallywags moved at once, scrambling to return to their hammocks. Miroku still held Sango though, and the two were too far into their own little worlds to notice the crew leaving or the Captain leading Kagome to his quarters. Poor Shippou had been left to follow the crew and sleep. Kirara had mewed and trotted away from the couple, having had transformed back into her kitty form long ago.

"Lady Sango, I hope that you believe me when I say that I—" He blushed and sputtered a bit, "I—I-l-love you, my dearest. I do believe that I've loved you since the day we met on the island." The ex-monk admitted bashfully.

Sango swallowed the lump in her throat, her face burning red. "I love you too Miroku."

The two had shared their first passionate kiss under the light of the moon.

.:.:.:. With Inuyasha .:.:.:.

He closed the doors quietly behind himself and locked them. He had brought the Angel with him and sat her down on his bed. "Wench, tell me something." He spoke softly as he removed his sword from his side.

"Hn?" She mumbled, taking off her armour.

"Why are you staying here? I mean, you don't have to stay because of me. I-I can live. You could see your family again, wouldn't that be better?" He asked in a tight voice, his ears drooping slightly due to their topic. He was happy that she was staying, but needed to know if she was absolutely sure.

"I love you, and I will not leave you. Yes, my family is important, but I'm sure they can wait for me. Besides, they'd be happier if I stayed here with you. Souta always loved pirates and you would have been a very good brother to him. My mother would have loved your company and my father, well he probably would have been very protective of me and forced you to sleep on the roof." She giggled, lifting a hand to tweak one of his ears.

He growled soothingly as she massaged his ear and had tackled her to the bed, his eyes boring into her playful ones. "Kagome, you don't know how happy that just made me." He grinned, "Which is why I want you to become my mate, mother of my pups, and mine." He purred, lowering his head to kiss her mark, "Do you accept?"

Kagome nuzzled his neck, "What do you think dog boy? Of course I will be your mate."

"Good, 'cause I wasn't going to let you leave this room until you were mine anyways."

"Jackass."

"Nuh uh, you have to start watching your mouth if we're going to have pups."

"Oh bite me."

"That I'll do."

She blushed, just thinking of what she said, 'Wow, irony.'

.:.:.:. The Next morning .:.:.:.

Despite the drizzle of rain, everything and everyone was in a chipper mood, including the Captain. He was with his crew working on the sails, some had ripped a bit and needed repairs. Miroku had clumsily dropped a bucket on the Captain earlier and was chased around the ship until he calmed down and they went back to work.

Kagome and Sango were together preparing a meal for the crew with the help of the kitsune boy. Kagome now sported a permanent mark on her neck, and Shippou had remarked on her change of scent, which caused her to blush.

"Why do you smell different?"

"Ask Inuyasha." Kagome replied as her cheeks burned. She stirred the soup a bit faster and added more cooked meat into it.

Sango had giggled at her words and continued to chop vegetables for the soup, Kirara mewing and earning a few pieces of food.

After all had eaten, Kagome had ordered some of the crew to wash the dishes. They had complied and done as they were told.

Later that day, the wolf had visited them, crossing their paths once more. He had a female wolf by his side that he was courting, Ayame. They had spoken for a short period of time before being forced to leave by a peeved and jealous hanyou.

"You'd think that since I'm now your mate you wouldn't be so jealous."

"Keh! He still gets too close to you and deliberately tries to cover you in his scent to piss me off!"

"Says you!"

"Yeah says me! I'm always right!"

"Ha! Be careful Inuyasha, if your head gets any bigger we'll have to use you as an anchor!"

"Feh! Kiss my as—"

"Sit"

"Ack!" He plummeted. The entire crew were witnessing this and cringed as her anger flared and she sat their Captain, "Gwadum mofferduking mench!" He growled into the wood. He lifted his face up and leapt at her.

"No matter how much in love they are, they will always fight like two year olds." Miroku quietly remarked.

"Mmmhmm, I don't think they'll ever stop." Sango replied, slapping him hard across the cheek, "Just like you won't learn to keep your hands to yourself!" She hissed.

The monk whined and rubbed his abused cheek, glancing back at the bickering couple that were now in a deep passionate kiss. "Oh look, they're making up." He grinned and got hit again before being dragged away.

Shippou sighed, "Idiot."

The Shikon was gone.

She was staying.

Love had been found.

And now the story ends.

But not their adventures.

-
FIN

A/N -cries- NOOOOOOOOOOOO! It's done! My baby….. This means one more story to go before my new one "Forest of Purity". I would have a preview for it but I just don't have the time to write it right now. I'm sorry, please R&R! I love you guys and thank you for sticking with me and supporting me!

Inu: Sweet, she's my mate.

Kag: Get your head out of the gutter.

Inu: But I like it there.

Mir: See, now you know how I feel.

San: -grabs Miroku by collar and throws him-

Kag: Hmmm, where do you think he's going to land this time?

Inu: Who knows?

Jakotsu: -is sitting in garden daydreaming of boys- -Miroku lands in lap- OOOooh! My lucky day!

Mir: O.O SANGO! HELP!

Jak: Oh pucker up cutie.

Mir: AHHHHH! I'M STRAIGHT! I'M STRAIGHT! DON'T KISS MEEE! –runs-

Jak: -trotting after him- Come back my love!

….

Inu: Oh, that's where he landed.

San: Should I save him?

Kag: …. Nah.

Moi: LOL! R&R!