InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bandit of the Woods ❯ War ( Chapter 7 )

FF.net

Chickt56: The boy is at the orphanage. It's in the chapter before late, promise.

Squeakyinuears: We have progressed from meanie to evil, and I thought you said meanie was as bad as you got. LOL. ^__^. Anyway, yeah I meant 'writhing' and 'quiet'… but I can't be perfect. Most of the time anyway. No offence taken. I'm glad you liked it, and try not to worry too much about Miroku.

Forgotten Sorceress: Glad you like it. But isn't your wonderful Harry Potter cross over AU…?

Leomea108: I knew this would come up. Ok, first I'm really just working off the idea of Robin Hood and not a specific movie or book. Now about the sex after marriage: In the story of Robin Hood, both the sheriff and Robin are the 'good guy' and the 'bad guy'. The Sheriff id the 'good guy' in the social sense but the 'bad guy' in the moral sense, while Robin is the exact opposite. So if Naraku see things one way, Inuyasha sees it the other. You'll notice they both fanaticized about her, but Inuyasha's fantasies were always chaste and sweet, while Naraku's were, well, not. Sorry I confused you.

Kaye: *Blush* you flatter me.

GothicElf: Kill Miroku? Never!

MM.org

Lil'Inu: Please refer to GothicElf's response.

To my other reviewers: Thank you all.

Bandit of the Woods

Chapter 7

War

Miroku's vision swam as he opened his eyes. He squeezed them shut again and swallowed hard. His head throbbed painfully and the blood pounded in his ears. The monk opened his eyes again, this time with much more care. He blinked several times trying to focus. At first everything was dark, but as his eyes adjusted he could make out the shapes around him.

Before him he could make out a row of vertical bars. Laid about his feet was soiled straw that, even in the dark, he could see vermin moving about in. Torch light danced across the walls and floor burning from beyond the bars. Across the narrow hall he could make out a similar cage, housing several other poor beings.

Miroku groaned and shifted to a more comfortable position, but quickly found he couldn't. Looking up he saw his wrists shackled to the wall, just high enough so he couldn't quite sit on the floor. Carefully he pulled his legs, stiff from lack of use and the cold of the stone floor, and tucked them under him so he was kneeling, taking the pressure from his wrists. He closed his eyes again and leaned his head against the cold stone wall. In the distance he could hear the steady rhythm of footfalls, growing closer.

"Well, well, well." A deep voice drawled, "Of all the people I expected to be helping Inuyasha, you were not it." Miroku opened his eyes again to see Naraku. The sheriff was leaning against the bars looking in at him with an expression that could only be called dark amusement. His mouth was twisted into a disapproving smile and his eyes flashed in the torchlight. "Of course, it was the perfect cover wasn't it." Naraku sneered, "The humble monk, merely doing his duty to the kind gentle folk of Nottingham. You walked in and out of the castle as you pleased, no one questioning your motives."

Naraku pushed off the wall and made a show of passing the in front of the bars. He took a set of keys from his belt with a lazy air and flipped through the keys with almost absentminded hands. Finally coming to the one he wanted he slipped it into the lock with a metallic clatter. The barred door swung inward with a loud creak. Naraku took his time replacing his keys before folding his hands behind his back and sauntering in.

"Love is a funny thing isn't it." Naraku asked as he stopped in front of the monk.

"What does one like you know of love?" Miroku asked calmly.

"I know it makes fools of men." Naraku replied, "Everyone in the country knows you have a thing for that waiting wench of Kagome's, Bongo or whatever her names is."

"That's Sango," Miroku snorted sharply, "And that's Lady to you."

"Whatever." Naraku gave his hand a dismissive wave, "The point is, when those two fled the castle, you helped them. You knew that that horse would never make it into the forest with its double load. But she was too proud to call for help and you helped anyway. Your vow only covers protecting those who call for sanctuary." Naraku crouched before him and folded his hands. "You delivered two innocent girls into the hand of the enemy. That's a high crime." The sheriff paused and took a deep breath, "I would take great delight in seeing what information you could divulge if left… in my care. But I think that would be a waist of my time." Naraku straighten again and looked down on the still silent monk. "Your hanging is this afternoon. Personally, I wait with great anticipation."

Miroku watched as Naraku left in the same manner as he entered. With a sigh he closed his eyes again, trying to block out the spinning room. He was surprised that he had no fear of death. Did he think some how he would be saved? He wasn't even sure if Inuyasha knew where he was. Perhaps it was his years of training in the priesthood, he knew what was waiting for him. Maybe it just didn't feel real.

A sound above him made him look up and to the left. Through the three vertical bars in the tiny, ground level window near the ceiling of his cell he could see the first light of morning coming over the trees and houses. Shadows shifted slightly and even through the poor light and his own blurred vision, Miroku could make out the shape of a wolf. He shifted and its eyes caught the light just right to give them that creepy, unearthly glow. Miroku smiled and closed his eyes again. Or maybe he was positive the hanyou rebel would do everything in his power to see Miroku alive and safe.

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Inuyasha slammed the door to his hut open with such force the sound made the two girls jump. Kagome was kneeling on his bed next to Sango, who looked as if she expected the worst. Inuyasha stood in the doorway for a long moment, his eyes intense with a blaze of up most loathing.

"Inuyasha…" Kagome's voice was soft and slightly frightened, but it was enough. Inuyasha looked directly at her and slumped. With a defeated sigh he walked over a sat on the bed next to her. Kagome scooted close and rested her head on his shoulder. Inuyasha looked at her then, with a slight comforted smile, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, bringing her close to her.

"I know you wanted to get married tonight Kagome, but it seems there are some… complications."

"Complications…" Sango repeated. Kagome just looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Miroku's been captured." Kagome gave a small gasp and Sango's eyes darken with a range of emotions. "We're going to get him back." Inuyasha continued, his gaze shifting from the girl in his arms to her guardian. "Kouga has his wolves all over Nottingham looking for him. As soon as we know what's going on, we will make a plan and get him back."

"I'm helping." Sango said with a voice that told anyone not to argue, "If I had asked for sanctuary, Miroku wouldn't be in trouble."

"Maybe," Inuyasha agreed nonchalantly, "Maybe not. It's a moot point now. The best thing you can do is look after Kagome while I'm gone." Sango eyed him dryly.

"She isn't a little girl anymore, Inuyasha. But I'm sure you of all people have already noticed that." The Amazon looked at his as if she dared him to say otherwise. Inuyasha snorted in response. As much as he hated to admit it, the woman had a point. Kagome wasn't exactly in danger in his treetop chamber, and Sango would be a vital asset to them. Not only was she a strong fighter, she knew the castle better any of them.

"Fine. But I'm in charge." Inuyasha snorted. Sango nodded.

"When do we leave?"

"Don't get a head of yourself." Inuyasha snorted, "We have to wait for the wolves to report first, then we can make plans. You'll find Kouga and Shippou waiting in the center meeting room." She nodded and left, catching the tone in his voice on the last sentence. When the door had closed completely behind her he turned to Kagome again. His eyes softened and he lifted a hand to cup her cheek. Kagome leaned into the touch, closing her eyes. "I'm sorry I have to leave you so soon."

"I know." She replied softly without opening her eyes. He gentle pressed his lips to hers for a second.

"I'll be back as soon as I can. Then we can get married and have lots of kids." He said lightly.

"Just make sure you come back to me." She whispered and wrapped her arms around his neck. Inuyasha responded instantly, pulling her close and breathing in her scent.

"I'll be back Kagome, I swear it." He whispered in reply. Inuyasha clutched her tighter for only a second before letting go and rising. Kagome did her best to keep a hold on him, but released when he looked at her with those soft gold eyes. Her hands and eyes dropped to her lap as she bit her lip in an attempt not to cry. Inuyasha crouched down in front of her and gently lifted her chin. "I promise Kagome, I will be back." She nodded and he leaned forward and kissed her again. He was just starting to deepen the kiss, when the howl of a far off wolf reached his ears. Reluctantly he pulled away and rose once more to his feet. With a one last look back, he left, shutting the door behind him.

Inuyasha walked into the meeting room to find Sango waiting with as much patience as the situation allowed. She kept shifting her weight, glancing around, and readjusting that huge boomerang of hers. Kouga was stand near the window listening intently to the incoming information. Shippou was busying himself with candles. Normally the three demons didn't need the light to see, even on the darkest night. But Miroku, or in this case Sango, need the light for their weaker human eyes, even with the coming light of morning. As the howls finally stopped they all took a seat and looked at the wolf demon.

"I would seem that Miroku is alive, and at this point is relatively unharmed."

"What do you mean relatively?" Sango snapped.

"He is still suffering from the blow to the head that brought him down but nothing further." Kouga said in the most reassuring voice he could. The tone didn't really have much affect on the woman, for she continued to glare at him. "He is in the dungeon though. The most immediate problem is that he is to be hung for treason this afternoon. The gallows is being raised in the main square."

"That means there will be a lot of people." Shippou commented. "Good crowd cover, but it will make moving about harder." He looked to the hanyou leader expectantly. Inuyasha looked at the table and began to wrack his brain; the others were silent. After several he looked up, his golden eyes gleaming and a smile on his lips.

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"All right." Naraku ground out as he walked in front of his guards. The men stood at rapt attention as their leader paced. "In one hour we will be hanging the monk Miroku for treason. He has been helping Inuyasha for a long time now. How long, however, is hard to tell. The point is that Inuyasha never leaves a man behind. He will come for the monk, and we must be ready for him. I want everyone on high alert. There will be sentries on every wall and in every tower. People will only be allowed in through the main entrance, all other ways will be blocked. No weapons will be allowed in, anyone found with a weapon will be locked away immediately. Everyone must show their face by lowering their hoods. Be on the look out for anything that looks out of the ordinary, and I mean anything. I'll bet my sword that that Kitsune will have put some sort of disguise spell on all of them. Look for things that looked staged, walks, strange breathing, anything that looks exaggerated. It all this understood?"

"Yes Sir!" The men said as one.

"Good, get to you're posts." The men hurried to do as they were told, lest Naraku unleash his fury on them. The high walls of the castle were soon swarming with armed guards. Several others positioned themselves near doors in the castle walls. Finally the rest of guards took up places at the large main entrance.

As the time drew near people began to gather. At first it was little more then a trickle, but quickly worked itself into a heavy flow. Winter was on the wind so the patrons were all wrapped tightly in cloaks. Everyone had been ordered to lower their hood as they passed so that faces and hair could be seen. Naraku's eyes darted about searching for anything that might give away the foe he knew was right under his nose.

A flash of white made his head snap to the right. An elderly couple trudged sluggishly through the crowd. The man was putting all his weight on a very long walking stick, while the woman clutched to him as if the feeble excuse for a man could protect her. He turned again when he saw a something red. His eyes focused on a young lord he couldn't remember the name of. Naraku dipped his head in the noble's direction and received the like. The noble gave his red cloak and quick tug of adjustment before heading on with the rest of the crowd. The Sheriff looked around again and his eyes fell on a young woman walking right in front of him. Short cropped blond hair and sparkling blue eyes adorned her perfect face. Well, the lady Kagome seemed out of his reach…

His arm snaked out and wrapped firmly about her waist, his hand coming up to rest over one of her breasts. She stiffened at the contact, though whether it was surprise or something else Naraku neither knew nor cared. He ran his tongue up the side of her neck from collarbone to ear. He nipped the lobe and blew into the canal.

"Meet me here after the show and I show you the time of your life." He ran his tongue across her jaw line before turning her loose. The woman hurried away, her cheeks a deep shade of red. Naraku turned back to the matter at hand feeling much better.

"I can't believe I have to be the old woman!" The elderly female whispered furiously to her escort.

"Well look at my precious boomerang!" The old man snapped back, "It looks like a stick!"

"Just deal with it!" another voice cut in with a harsh whisper. The couple looked up to see a noble man dressed in a red cloak. They glared at each other for a moment before a furious looking blond.

"Yasha, why do I have to be an old lady while that dumbass gets to be a noble?"

"In case you haven't noticed I'm a woman too, fox!" The blond snapped her cheeks a nice color of crimson, "And I was just violated and propositioned by Naraku!"

"Ewwww…" The other three said together.

"Now get to your posts before we look suspicious!" The others quickly dispersed, fearing the wrath of their leader. Shippou and Sango turned and disappeared into the crowd, Each finding a place near the gallows. Kouga turned and strode off to a section where the more well to do patrons sat. It was high up near the top wall. From his position he could not only see the gallows but over the wall to the forest as well. Inuyasha hurried over to a set of stands set up for those who did not wish to stand. Refusing the offered help of several kind young men he got himself situated at a high perch where he had a clear view of the gallows. As the flow of people stemmed Naraku left his post in favor of his spot next to Kikyo.

The drums began to roll and a hush fell over the square. Two large wooden doors on the far side of the square were pushed open, two guards straining as they forced the doors open. Standing in the doorway was Miroku. His robes were wrinkled and torn and his hand tied painfully high behind his back. The monk held his high and without shame. Everyone watched as a guard prodded him in the back with a spear. Miroku started walking with only a snort of protest. The crowd parted to let him pass. Often in the person who was to be hung was pelted with old fruit or vegetables, but the crowd only looked on in silence. Miroku gave nods to several people who whispered things to him, from his place in the high balconies, Naraku growled. Miroku ascended the stairs to the gallows and stopped next to the executioner, his serene expression firmly in place.

"Miroku Houshi, Monk of the Nottingham church, you are charged with treason against the crown. For your aid to Inuyasha and his men, you will be hanged until you are dead. Do you have any final words?" The executioner read from a scroll.

"I do not answer to the laws of men." Miroku said simply. Naraku rose to his feet and looked down with a sneer.

"Perhaps not, monk. But you are still human yourself, and all that lives fears death." Miroku lifted his eyes to the sheriff, a cool smile crossing his face.

"We are not all like you. Personally I have lived my life helping those in need, and doing what is right despite popular opinion. I do not fear what lies in the beyond for me. You, however, have plenty to fear." Naraku narrowed his eyes darkly.

"Tell me where to find Inuyasha and I will spare your life." The sheriff growled.

"I have no knowledge of what you speak." Miroku replied with out even bating an eye. Naraku pursed his lips in frustration.

"Hang him." His voice was flat and emotionless. Miroku didn't flinch as a hangman's noose was pulled over his head and tightened. The executioner walked over to a lever and looked back at the sheriff. Naraku nodded.

"May God have mercy on your soul." With those words he pulled the lever. The floor fell away from under Miroku's feet and the ground rushed up. The rope snapped taunt and bounced back slightly from the force of Miroku's stop before snapping back down. Miroku gasped for air as he began to swing slightly. With a sudden swish and thump, the monk feel to the ground, coughing and gasping. Behind him an arrow stood quivering in the ground. All heads snapped around to focus on a young woman with short blond hair, blue eyes, and a bow.

"Seize them both!" Naraku ordered. Guards swarmed out of the castle, some heading towards the girl the others towards the fallen monk. The girl's eye darted from one side to the other calculating the number of guards. Her hand dipped into the folds of her cloak and withdrew with a sword in her grasp. There was pulse of energy and she changed. Short blond hair grew long and turned silver white, human ears moved up and became canine, eyes turned from blue to gold, cloak changing from soiled brown to classic red, and the rusty katana became the great fang Tetsusaiga. "It's Inuyasha! Kill him!" Naraku roared.

Inuyasha smirked and leapt into the air, from here he could see his men throwing off their disguises and drawing their weapons. As his feet touched down again he heard Kouga call for those waiting in the forest. By now people were running and trying to get out of the way of the pending fight. Inuyasha brandished his sword as a large guard with an ax attacked him. With a simple swing he fell the man and turned to look up at the sheriff.

"Get down here and fight me you bastard!" Inuyasha roared. Naraku glared before turning and storming down the stairs.

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"Miro ku stay down!" someone yelled. Not that the monk had a choice, with his hands tied behind his back as they were he could barely manage to sit up. Just as one of the guards was reaching out to retrieve him from the ground and huge boomerang came sailing over head. There was sickening crack of bone as it made contact, sending the guard flying back. Miroku looked up to see Sango leap agilely onto the gallows, springing off her hand and turning in mid air before landing next to him. With a flash of metal she had cut him free. Miroku sprang to his feet and looked at the Lady in waiting in surprise. What was she doing here?

"Miroku! Look out!" Shippou shouted. He looked up to see a guard baring down on him. There was a jingle of metal against metal as his staff came flying towards him. Miroku caught it and, with an expert like twist, he blocked the sword strike. The guard reared back and came down on the monk again, with the same results. Miroku swung the staff, catching the man in the stomach and sending him to the ground.

"Not bad monk." Sango said as she placed her back against his. They had guards on all sides and fighting space was limited on the raised platform.

"I'm honored you think so Lady Sango." He replied as he knocked out another guard. He could hear guards falling before Sango as well.

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Sang o caught her boomerang as it returned to her. Miroku quickly got to his feet and gave her a quizzical look. She heard someone yell a warning and saw Miroku's staff come flying out of the crowd, but was too occupied with the horde of guards coming their way to pay more attention. She drew her sword and planted it in the stomach of the neared attacker. Swinging her boomerang up she blocked a strike from one guard and knocked another off the platform entirely. She saw Miroku take out the guard attacking him with ease. A small smile crossed her lips. She had feared she would have to protect him as well as herself, but it appeared she was wrong.

"Not bad monk." She commented blocking again with her boomerang before plunging her sword into the offender's chest. She cursed the lack of space, she had to get more open if she was going to draw out the oversized weapons true potential.

"I'm honored you think so Lady Sango." Miroku replied and she smiled.

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A s soon as the arrow cut through the rope Shippou had begun lifting the concealing spells. It was easier to recognize friend from foe when one didn't have to remember what everyone had been disguised as. He was about to draw out his daggers when one of Kouga's wolves came up to him with a Miroku's staff in its mouth. He grabbed the staff and took off in the opposite direct from it barer. As the platform came into sight over the sea of fleeing people, he saw a guard baring down on the unarmed monk.

"Miroku! Look out!" Shippou shouted and he threw the staff like a javelin, knowing the monk could easily catch it, by instinct if nothing else. Without missing a bet the young fox pulled out his daggers. He held one flat across the inside of his wrist, using it to block a sword strike, before slashing with the other. The man fell with a thud, blood running from his throat.

The young fox ignored the wine colored liquid that was quickly covering the cobblestones. It was already forming small streams between the stones, covering the bottoms of shoes and feet alike. Another guard fell before him, stabbed in the back after killing a comrade. The young demon kept going, fighting his way to the monk and Lady.

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The once peaceful square had turned into a bloodstorm. Wine colored liquid ran over the streets like water, making the ground slippery under the pounding of feet. Crimson splashed high into the air only to rain down unnoticed. Gore found purchase on stone, glass, and wood alike. The bodies of the fallen lay underfoot, broken and unmoved by the world around them.

The two sides clashed endlessly. One writhing against the other, each desperate for dominance, but without success. For a moment one would push the other to the brink only to have the brief victory smothered as they were forced to relent. The two seemed to form a writhing beast. It's voice that of clashing metal, murdered screams, and bloodied cries. Teeth of steel bit relentlessly past armor and cloth, into soft flesh. It loved the blood, wanted it, needed it. For if the blood seceded its flow, the monster would die.

And in the middle of this tempest, was the eye. But there was no calm in its depts. Here the rage was at its worst. Silver, black, red, and white. Metal biting metal. An intimate dance of sword and flesh. Raging molten gold against icy cold blue. Here, Naraku and Inuyasha battled. Around them enemies formed fleeting alliances to keep out of the way of the blitzkrieging pair. None sot to help or hinder this battle, for it could only lead to certain death. They turned, clashed, retreated before attacking again, neither seeming to take a hold over the other. Long hair, painted in crimson, reached out around them, stretching to capture the locks of the other, as if such a simple caress could win the battle.

A sword clattered noisily across bloodied stone, rebounding when it met a foot. The barrier moved on a quickly as it had appeared, leaving the blade were it lay, but the owner still without arms. Gold stared into blue for a second, then they moved. Naraku made a desperate dive for the lost weapon, but a clawed hand grabbed him away. His back was forced painfully against a wall. Claw like nails digging into his throat. The sheriff swallowed hard.

Inuyasha tilted his head to the side, studying the one held in his grasp. The normally cool blue eyes, were slightly wide, and his mouth drawn into a strained line. He was afraid. With an almost sadistic smile Inuyasha slammed his fist into the other's stomach, enjoying the hard rush of out going breath on his face. He held his fist in place and squeezed his throat, making it hard to regain the lost breath.

"How does it feel?" Inuyasha asked in a voice that contrasted dangerously with his flashing eyes. "To suffocate, to have the life forced from your body." He pressed harder with his fist, "No matter how hard you try to breathe, it just won't come. You've spent years doing it to others, to the one you were supposed to protect from people like you. You and that bitch took everything we had, you let children starve, murdered those who choose to feed themselves." Slowly he released his fist slightly only to shove it back into place with conviction, delighting in the now ragged inhale and exhale he was doing. "You may not have cut off our air, but you suffocated us none the less. You make me sick." Inuyasha pulled his fist away completely his time only to raise his sword to Naraku's throat.

"STOP." The single word rung clear over the beast's roar, and everything did. The beast died. All heads turned towards the sky to light upon a man astride a two-headed dragon. His calf length hair blowing gently in the wind and golden eyes taking in the carnage without falter. He stepped from his mount and drifted gracefully to the ground. A murmur rushed through crowd as they all dropped to one knee. The king had returned.

The only ones still upright as Sesshoumaru's foot touched the bloodied streets were Inuyasha and Naraku, simply because the former refused to release the latter. The King moved towards them, all moving from his path as he strode forward. He came to a stop before the still locked pair, Naraku making a pleading choke, silenced by a squeeze of Inuyasha's hand, Inuyasha simply inclining his head.

"Release him." The command was simple, but sent a wave through the half demon.

"But, Lord Sesshoumaru…" His voice was rough, desperate for understanding.

"Release him." The King repeated. Exhaling slowly, Inuyasha complied. Naraku crumpled to the ground coughing. Sesshoumaru looked down his nose at the sheriff as if he were no more important then a leaf in his path.

"Thank you my Lord. If not for you I would surely have lost my life to this infidel. He has caused nothing but trouble-"

"Silence." Sesshoumaru commanded, "Keep your forked tongue in your mouth." He turned his eyes on a rather surprised Inuyasha.

"Then why…?" Inuyasha asked, gesturing towards the sheriff, who was stock still at their feet.

"As my brother in war, you know there are things far worse then death. Do you really want to throw away such a chance for a moment of passion?"

"But Lord Sesshoumaru…"Naraku pleaded. The Kings eyes snapped to him sharply.

"Why is this thing still in my sight." Several guards hurried forward and took hold of Naraku, lifting him to his feet and taking him away. Sesshoumaru's eyes snapped to another pair of guards. "Find the traitor Kikyo as well. I will deal with her personally." The guards nodded, rose, and hurried to do as they were bid. The king looked back to Inuyasha. "Kneel." Inuyasha complied. He closed his eyes as the sound of sword against sheath reached his ears. The blade touched his shoulder lightly and Sesshoumaru spoke.

"I've heard a great many things about you Inuyasha. You have deafened my people when they had no other, fed all those who came to you, you gave hope where there was none. Through this you have shown true loyalty to the crown, and to me. I, Sesshoumaru, here by restore to you your lands, property, and rights. Hence forth, Sherwood shall be known as Inuyasha's forest, and of it you shall be Lord." He moved the blade over Inuyasha's head and tapped his other shoulder, "Now rise Sir Inuyasha, Lord of Inuyasha's forest." The half demon rose to his feet to the sound of cheering. All around his men roared with joy.

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The trees whispered excitedly among themselves and the birds sang for joy on the pleasant afternoon. Deep in Inuyasha's forest a small group was gathered. They stood in two rows, with an aisle between, all facing the six people before them. Inuyasha gave Kagome's hand a gentle squeeze as they stood before the monk. Sango stood near Kagome, and Shippou and Kouga near Inuyasha. All heads were bowed in prayer. Miroku finished and they all muttered a collective 'Amen' before raising their heads.

"Lord Inuyasha, do you take this woman, the Lady Kagome, to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"And you, Lady Kagome, do you take this man, Lord Inuyasha, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do."

"If any among you do not see fit that this man and this woman should be joined, then speak now or forever hold your peace." Silence only followed the statement.

"Then by the power vested in me, before all those in witness, I am proud to pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Inuyasha turned to his wife and claimed her mouth with all the passion and fire he had. Around them people cheered and began to throw rice, not that either noticed.

The party that followed lasted in the night and on well into the next day. Though Inuyasha and Kagome were conspicuously missing after only an hour. In the years to come Nottingham returned to its former glory. Homes were rebuilt and families reunited. Kikyo and Naraku were never heard from again, nor were bodies ever seen. They, like the sadness and destruction they created, soon faded to memories. Finally, dear friends, it ended as all good stories should end.

And they lived happily ever after.