HISTORY LESSONS

AN- Thank you for all your wonderful reviews! They make me so happy. *Tear* I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while. My computer had a melt down but it's fixed now, and the good news is I haven't lost anything! Yay!

To princess of the western lands, who reviewed:
so kagome is to become the next lady of the western lands and she is wondering how she becomes sesshomaru's lover and wife for that matter.
how does sesshomaru fall in love with kagome and why and how and when. will kagome continue to read from the book that she bought and what will it tell her of naraku and if they defeated him in battle when the time comes.
will kagome find out who wrote the book and who gave the information in such beautiful and wonderous detail. will sesshomaru start to show tell tale signs of falling for kagome and will the book tell kagome how she became the lady of the western lands and when?
this is the best story of sess/kag that i have ever read. your a very good author and have a an extrodinary imagination. please keep it up and i hope to read more stories like this one from you in the future.


whoa, that's a lot of questions, isn't it? Don't worry, they will ALL be answered as the story unfolds. If I told you now, that would ruin everything now won't it? Keke. And as for Kagome finding out who wrote the book and gave the info in such beautiful and wonderous detail... why, that's me! Ahaha... Ahem, just kidding. I know what you meant. You'll find out about that too. You'll just have to keep on reading.

Now, finally the next chapter! And please review, this chapter was hard to write, and check out my other stories.


Chapter 4 Battle (erm, yes, the chapter counts are off... sorry)


Kagome had never wanted to scream, cry, faint, laugh, lose her mind, or bang her head on the wall all at once before. But then again, she never found herself in the arms of the Ice Prince either.

‘Shit!’ a number of swear words she never uttered in her life, mostly learned from Inu Yasha, went through Kagome’s head like a tornado.

“Why me?”

Knock Knock

She screamed and jumped a foot in the air
”Kagome?” her mother poked her head through the door “Oh, are you going back today, dear?”
”Hai, mama”
”Well, we are going to your aunt’s for the weekend. Will you be alright?”
”I’ll be fine”
”There’s plenty of food and ramen. And I did all your laundry. If something goes wrong you make sure you call, dear.”
”Ok”
”Since summer break is just around the corner, I guess you’ll be spending a lot more time in the well?”

“Yes, but…” Kagome shifted guiltily
”Don’t worry about it, sweetie. You just make sure you collect all your shards and find that demon thing, whatever his name is”
”Oh, Naraku? Thanks mom, you’re the best”

After giving her presents and packing her bag with food, medicine, lots of clothes, and other necessities, she said her good byes and jumped in the well. As she climbed out Kagome looked around, hanging onto the lip of the well
“Where’s Inu Yasha? I thought he’d be ready to yell-“at that moment her foot slipped and her enormous yellow traveling pack pulled her back down the well. “Ahh!”

Someone’s hand shot out and grabbed her elbow, pulling her up by her arm and setting her to her feet.

“Thank you, this bag gets heavier everyday… Eep!” Kagome jumped back a foot when she found herself face to face with Sesshoumaru.

“Ano… I… um… hehe…” Nervous, at a loss for words, and her mind occupied, Kagome turned and ran to the village, shouting her thanks behind her “Arigatou Gozaimasuuuu!” Then she tripped over a tree root and fell flat on her face.

“Clumsy wench” Sesshoumaru threw the word icily at her before walking past her.

Blushing, Kagome got up, breathed deeply and walked slowly after him, her mind wheeling away ‘Gah! What do I say to him? Keep cool, Kagome, he doesn’t know anything, and you don’t have to tell him. Just act normal until you figure everything out…’

When they reached the village, they saw their- or to be specific, her- friends lounging about outside Kaede’s hut. Kagome made to go join them, but Sesshoumaru called forth his demonic cloud under his feet. “I will not tolerate any more delays, wench.”

‘Did he just… walk me here?’

Unbeknownst to others, Sesshoumaru’s inuyoukai instincts saw them as a sort of a pack, and as the leader of it his inner youkai saw it as his duty to protect everyone in it. Besides, he wanted to let Kagome know her lateness would not be tolerated. Usually he kept to himself somewhere in the forest with Jaken, while Rin got to be around other children for once.

”Chotto matte kurasai” he turned around and looked at her
”Do you think you can stay for a second, Sesshoumaru? I have something important to tell everyone.”
Sesshoumaru nodded. Kagome sat down next to Sango and Miroku, but Sesshoumaru remained standing a way off behind her.

“Tadaima”
”Okkairi, Kagome-chan,” greeted Sango. Rin (who traveled with them most of the time) and Shippo jumped on Kagome, and she hugged them.
”Sorry I’m late”
”Did you have one of your tests again?” Shippo asked
”No, I went on a field trip”
”What’s a field trip?”

“Well, at my school-“Kagome was cut off by a growl from Sesshoumaru. It was rather unnerving to feel his presence behind her back. “Anyway, I have some good news and bad news”
“What is it, Lady Kagome?” Miroku asked curiously.
”The good news is: I know where we can find Naraku.”

The reaction to that simple statement was immediate. Kagome felt excitement and shock run through everyone present. Sango choked on her tea; Shippo accidentally crushed the bag of potato chips Kagome had dug out of her bag for him; Sesshoumaru’s eyes narrowed; and Miroku jumped on Kagome.

”I knew if anyone could find Naraku, it’d be you Lady Kagome” and attempted to rub her backside, but was pulled back as Sesshoumaru grabbed the back of his robe and shoved him off.

“Where is he?” he asked.
”Well, that’s the bad news. I can’t pinpoint his exact location, but I do know he’s really close by, somewhere in the forest. Near the Goshinboku, I think.” A sweat drop appeared at the back of Kagome’s head. ‘Or so it said…’
”How do you know this, wench?”
”I have my sources,” replied Kagome coolly.
”Kagome-chan, are you sure this information is reliable?”

“Definitely. If we can only break his barrier. Ever since Naraku turned full-demon not even Inu Yasha’s red Tetsaiga can penetrate it. Where is he, anyway?”

”I saw him run off to the forest” said Shippo “He’s probably sulking again”
Kagome didn’t miss the look that passed over Sango’s and Miroku’s faces as they glanced at each other.

“What?”
”The thing is, Kagome-chan, while you were away,”

“Inu Yasha seemed to have decided that, well…”

An awkward silence fell as Kagome looked between her two friends who were looking extremely uncomfortable.

“He has gone after the undead miko,” said Sesshoumaru. He really didn’t care about his hanyou brother, and he was starting to get impatient at everyone moping over what he did. “Let him chase her around, it is no concern of yours”

“I see. So that’s why… I was wondering why he didn’t come for me when I was late” she said quietly, more to herself than anyone else. She scrambled to her feet. “I’m sorry everyone, I’ll be right back”

”But you just got here” Shippo whined.

”Are you planning on wondering off by yourself, after saying Naraku is hiding nearby?” everyone turned to look at Sesshoumaru, who was looking at Kagome who glared at him.
”Don’t worry.”
”This Sesshoumaru is not worried.”
”Thanks a lot. I’ll be fine; I’m taking my bow with me. Happy?” She shouldered her bag, grabbed her bow and left once more without a second glance behind her. But not before Sesshoumaru caught the scent of saltiness in the air.

As soon as Kagome disappeared Sango and Shippo confronted Sesshoumaru.

“What did you do that for?” the taijiya asked angrily

“You’re meaner to Kagome than stupid Inu Yasha.”

“Sesshoumaru-sama, promise Rin you won’t make onee-chan cry anymore! Rin likes Kagome.”

“I’m going after her.”

“Leave it alone, Sango. She would have find out whether Lord Sesshoumaru told her or not.” His hand wondered to Sango’s backside, followed by a scream and a loud slap.

“But poor Lady Kagome” Miroku said as he fell to the floor with a red hand print on his face “She must be heartbroken.”

An Hour Later

‘How could I be so stupid?’ Kagome wiped her eyes as she walked alone through the forest to the well again. She could feel her heart being torn in two. Kagome wanted to be alone, and had gone back home, but she couldn’t delay their journey just because she was feeling gloomy ‘Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid Stupid!” She took a walk, sighed and sat on the lip of the well, thinking, when-

CRASH!

Distant voices reached her from the forest. It sounded like a battle was taking place. Kagome ran towards the source of the noise, trying not to panic.

As she drew nearer, she heard familiar shouts of her friends

“Hiraikotsu!”

“Kaze no Kizu”

“Inu Yasha, behind you”

Dread filled Kagome’s heart as she sensed an enormous amount of jyaki up a head along with Shikon shards, and ran as fast as she could. “What’s going on?”

Soon she reached a clearing and a sight of devastation greeted her eyes. Most of the trees were broken down and on fire leaving a wide area for battle. Smoke and black aura drifted over everything like a deadly fog. A bleeding Kirara lay not far away, guarded by Shippo, while everyone else was in the castle courtyard (the illusion was beginning to flicker) fighting Naraku and his ‘family’ while hundreds of jyaki surrounded them. Even Kikyo was nearby, although Kagome wasn’t sure what she was doing.

“Kagome!” Shippo cried drawing everyone’s attention to her. Instantly a horde of demons attacked her, and Kagome blasted a path through them with her purifying energy and ran to Shippo.

”Shippo! Rin! Are you hurt?”

“I’m ok, but Kirara’s injured”
”Let me see” the fire cat, in her miniature form, was bleeding from the side.
Kagome quickly looked her over. “She’ll be alright” she hurriedly opened her bag and took out her first aid kit and rolls of bandages. “Shippo, do you remember how to use these? He nodded. “Good. Stay here and watch over Kirara. Protect Rin and stay here”

“Wa-wagatta.”

She jumped up, grabbed her bow and slung her quiver of arrows on her back as more demons came after them. Kagome pulled a sutra out of her pocket, and, chanting the way Miroku taught her, threw it at the trunk of the tree the two demons and a human girl were huddled under. It instantly stuck to the bark and generated a pale, glowing shield over them.

But in the time Kagome took she had sacrificed the chance to protect herself.

A particularly large and ugly oni was merely a few feet away by the time Kagome notched an arrow to her bow. She tried to jump out of the way, but a split second too late. It clawed at her, leaving threw bloody streaks on her back and knocking her to the ground.

“Argh…”

“Kagome-chan!”
”Lady Kagome!”

“Sango! Miroku! Look out!” She could see a demon above them, poised to attack. Kagome pulled her bow back and shot an arrow at him. ‘Wait… I dropped them when I fell over…” Kagome watched amazedly an arrow, made completely of blue light fired by a bow of the same kind, appeared out of nowhere and hit its mark.

“I didn’t know I could do that” she said weakly as Sango and Miroku reached her.

“Are you hurt, Kagome? You can’t go on like this.”

“I’ve got to! I’m perfectly fine, look-“

Miroku helped her to her feet white Sango kept the demons at bay.

Kagome’s stance faltered. Her shirt became drenched in red but she couldn’t care less at the moment. She let her friends drive the lesser youkai away while she searched for signs of the Shikon fragments. “Where’s Naraku?” she asked, looking around.

“Behind you,” an evil voice answered her. He was standing behind her. Before Kagome could blink, Naraku had wrapped his tentacles around her and lifted her in the air.

“Let me go!”
”You’ve interfered long enough. Die.”

“Inu Yasha… No!” but he was too far away. But it was not him that ripped her free. (As she landed on her behind with a thump) It was-

“Sesshoumaru” Kagome cried. He was giving her a weird look.

He had seen her when everyone else was too busy fighting, and had come to her rescue. He wanted to end this battle and quickly, for the smell of the dead bodies, blood, and miasma were enough to make him nauseous, although it was nothing he couldn’t handle. The half-breed would more than pay for his insolence. He took his eyes off of Naraku’s retreating form before looking down to see Kagome aiming one of her spirit arrow and bow at him. He heard Jaken yell obscene things before she let it fly.

It went whizzing right past his left ear, the speed making his hair flutter. Sesshoumaru could feel its power bursting behind him. The arrow hit a demon between the eyes that had been about to attack. He stumbled- if it could even by called stumbling- rather gracefully, pushed forward by the pressure as the demon turned to dust.

It was powerful enough to obliterate a row of demons, leaving an empty row and an upturned line of earth before it hit a tree.

Kagome saw that Sango and Miroku were near her once again. She had never felt so hectic or chaotic in her life. Things were happening very fast. Her confused eyes scanned the field before sighting Inu Yasha.

He hadn't even noticed what was happening to Kagome, attacking blindly at Naraku, whose tentacles were wrapped around Kikyo. "Let her go, bastard!"

Naraku laughed. "I have no more use for her. She's delivered the rest of the Shikon shards to me. Now she will go to hell where she belongs." Then he threw the lifeless body at him.

"What?" Kagome turned angrily back to her friends. He has the complete jewel?"
"Almost completed. You still hold a few shards," Miroku answered.
"But Naraku's grown much more powerful." Sango began, looking worried.

Kagome cut her off. "It doesn't matter," she said fiercely, "we can still beat him. We just have to do it quickly.”

At that moment, Kagura, Kohaku, and Hakudoshi paid them a visit, and Miroku, Sango, and Sesshoumaru took them on, respectively.

"Speak of the devil," Sango grunted as she tried to disarm her brother without hurting him

"I'm afraid your little reunion ends here," It was Kagura.

"Go!" Miroku shouted. "Go while we hold them back."

"Demo-"

Miroku shook his head at Kagome. "Hayaku! You may be the only one left who can defeat Naraku.”

Kagome stared. Did they think she could really fight him on her own? There was no way!
”I can’t… I’m not strong enough,” she sniffed.

Hakudoshi lunged at her with his spear, and a split second later Sesshoumaru was in front of her, blocking the assault with Tokijin.
”Miko,” he said calmly, still keeping his eyes in front of him, “Do not let your friends’ sacrifices go to waste.” From his tone of voice anyone would have thought he was commenting on the weather.

However, his words struck home. Kagome looked at Sango fighting her own brother, Miroku using his Kazaana despite the poisonous insects flying about, and even Inu Yasha who was still trying to protect Kikyo.

“Go. Now.”

Kagome didn’t need telling twice. ‘Everything’s at stake. Not just our lives… I can’t let all their suffering and pain go to waste!’

“NARAKU” she screamed, and her voice rang out like thunder, loud and clear across the land.

He smirked from where he was standing on the tiled roof. “How generous of you to come running my way. It will make my work easier.” His eyes glinted like a predator about to pounce on its prey. “I will tear you apart.”

“Not this time. I’m going to kill you”

“I highly doubt it, little miko. Beg for mercy. Surrender to me, and your death may be painless.”

But Kagome stood her ground and put her hands together in front of her as if praying. A blue light emitted from her. Slowly at first, then it spread out like heavy, blue mist of light. It scattered out and completely covered the battle ground and everyone in it. Her aura spiked with anger, determination, and unreleased power.

Glaring at Naraku’s surprised face, she stretched her arms forward, and all her energy, all the power she could muster, seemed to gather in her hands, and shot forward.

It looked like a blue ray of hope, lighting up the black sky and Kagome’s surroundings.

Fierce wind blew around them raising dust and dirt. Inu Yasha held tightly to Kikyo, and Sango grabbed her brother’s hand, Miroku hers, and they braced themselves as the force of Kagome’s power threatened to lift them off their feet.

Sesshoumaru was the only one who remained standing while the others fell and groped at the ground, shielding their heads with their arms. He narrowed his eyes and placed a hand over his face to protect his eyes.

Kagome could only hear armors clanging, Naraku’s laughter, and distant shouts. She concentrated, putting her heart, mind and soul into killing Naraku.

However, Naraku was not to be defeated so easily.

His black aura, too, swirled around him and aimed towards Kagome. Blue met Black, creating a blinding white light where they did, each fighting for dominance.

Kagome felt overwhelmed by such a large amount of miasma aimed directly at her. It circled her, suffocating her and it took all her strength to fight back.

“Onegai!” she cried out. It was all she could do to hold up her arms and prevent Naraku from taking control. “I need help… I can’t do this alone! I’m not… strong enough” Her arms began to shake. The purifying energy she was shooting through her hands weakened. “NOOOOO!” She fell on her knees.

Naraku laughed. “Give up, foolish girl. You cannot win.”

“NEVER!” She shouted. Tears were streaming down her face. Why couldn’t she beat him? She had to. There was no quitting, no turning back. “I will destroy you, Naraku!” she yelled. But her strength was leaving her. The image of Naraku swam in front of her eyes. Her purifying powers were only a thin beam of light now. She was giving her everything… Yet it wasn’t enough. Was it futile effort on her part? “Aah!” Kagome screamed. Then…

“Do not dare lose to the likes of him, Kagome” a calm voice said behind her. Kagome looked back, stunned. Sesshoumaru was standing behind her, sword sheathed.

She turned back to face Naraku, her outstretched hands trembling violently. “Sesshoumaru, I can’t…” Kagome bowed her head between her arms, tears streaming down her face onto the ground.

A strong arm wrapped itself firmly around her shoulders. Kagome looked up, eyes wide, to see Sesshoumaru kneeling beside her. He wasn’t even looking at her. He was staring intently with narrowed eyes through the blinding light at his enemy, their hair and clothes flying wildly behind and around them, the wind blowing in every direction.

If she needed help, he was going to give it to her.

Naraku sent out another strong burst of evil energy, and Kagome yelled out and faltered. She lost her balance on her knees and would have fallen back had it not been for Sesshoumaru. He gripped her shoulder with his claw.

“Concentrate!” he said. His voice too, like Kagome’s and Naraku’s laughter, rang out loudly. For the first time, Kagome thought he sounded angry. His arms tightened. “On your feet, ningen!” He said angrily, and stood up, lifting Kagome with him.

He tore his gaze away and looked at Kagome.

‘I can’t do it’ she thought desperately. ‘He’s too strong.’ But, as she looked back at Sesshoumaru’s face, the thought left as quickly as it came. ‘I have to. If he and I work together, Naraku won’t stand a chance…’

Sesshoumaru watched as confusion and desperation flickered in her eyes. For a moment he thought she had given up, but she abruptly stopped crying.

“Sesshoumaru!” she said determinately. “I need you to use Tenseiga.”

He raised his eye brows at her, slightly stunned. What could the sword do? It couldn’t kill nor hurt a living being. It could only heal…

“Please, you have to trust me” she never took her eyes off him, only asked with a fiery look in her eyes.

He nodded and unsheathed Tenseiga while they stood back to back, his legs supporting her. Kagome slowly brought her hands above her head and brought them down again as a blue bow and arrow appeared. She aimed for her target as Sesshoumaru awaited her signal.

The sword pulsed in his hand. He could see very clearly every puff of black miasma and the monsters that made up the hanyou Naraku.

“His heart,” Kagome whispered, “Is where the spider is.”

It happened all at once. Kagome let loose her purifying arrow. Sesshoumaru swung his sword. The two forces combined did what one alone could not have. It broke the barrier and struck its mark. Naraku’s face contorted with rage, shock, and then pain as the light that turned silvery-blue pierced through him, purifying the chunk of Shikon he had absorbed within him. He gave an inhuman yell, one that sent cold shivers down Kagome’s spine, and disappeared.

At last, he was dead. The moment he was hit, a blindingly white light erupted from where he was met, and it flashed all around them. Nothing could be heard for several seconds. It was as if they were watching a nuclear bombing. The strong force of their power knocked them off their feet and blew them away. Kagome was being surrounded by a light so bright it surpassed the intensity of the sun. She clenched her eyes shut. Silence reigned. She was being blown backwards, tumbling and rolling over. Kagome was sure she screamed, but she couldn’t hear it. All she felt was a hand wrap tightly around her wrist before she felt her body spasm, her eyes roll backwards, and she knew no more.

“Kagome? Kagome! Kagome!” Someone was slapping her face. “Are you alright?”

Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. She seemed to be lying on her back, and faces of Sango and Miroku swam above her. Looking beyond them, Kagome realized for the first time that she was lying in the arms of Sesshoumaru. Once he saw that she was awake, he set her down on the ground and stood, giving her a chance to survey the damage.

Everyone seemed to be alive and well. ‘Thank goodness…’ she thought. “What happened?”

Miroku, who was on his knees next to Sango who had her brother’s head on her lap, answered. “I’m not completely sure myself, but there was a flash of brightness and something pushed us to the ground. It- whatever it was- wiped out all the dead youkai and it had healed us as well.”

“No, I mean, what happened?”

“He’s dead”

“And the jewel…” Kagome saw something glow next to her and realized she had somehow been holding it in her right hand.

Kohaku groaned and stirred. “Kohaku…” said Sango softly.

“Onee-chan?”

Kohaku looked worn out. His clothes were ripped and dirty and his face was pale. “Sorry, sis. I didn’t mean to…”

“Shh… It’s alright.”

He looked over at Kagome. “The last shard… From my back… Will you please take it out?”
Kagome opened her mouth to protest, but it was Sango who stopped her. “I think it would be better this way.”

“Are you sure?”

She smiled. “Yeah, I’m sure.” She hugged her brother’s head and cried with her eyes closed. “Kohaku, father would have been so proud.”

“Heh… thanks. I’ll tell him you said hello.” He sat up and bared his back to Kagome.

“I’m so sorry!” She pulled the shard out, ending poor Kohaku’s life. Sango, despite her previous firm resolve, let Miroku embrace her and wept, her head resting against his chest.

“It… It’s al-alright” Sango hiccupped. “He can rest in peace now. Go on, Kagome-chan.”

The complete Shikon save a tiny crack running through it, glowed pink. Kagome swallowed. “Inu Yasha?”

He was sitting a way off. Kikyo was being cradled in his arms.

“Do you wish to become a full demon?”
”No,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Nothing matters now…”

Kagome, with steady fingers, made whole what was once broken. As soon as the last fragment joined the rest, the round marble glowed green. Kagome felt her spirit leave her body as she flew up. It was as if she was in a void. She was surrounded by a green mist so that she couldn’t see anything.

In a split second someone- a woman- stood before her. She looked like a celestial being, her body solid yet unreal. She had long black hair down to her ankles and green eyes. She was wearing full body armor over her priestess clothes, with a sword resting on her hips and a bow and arrow slung over her back. Under her arm was a bronze helmet.

“Midoriko…sama?”

Midoriko nodded. “Well done, Kagome”

Kagome stood in awe. The older woman radiated with power and purity, her beauty unsurpassable. She was taller by at least a head.

“The Shikon no Tama”

Her hands, still clasped in front of her as if in prayer, opened. The gem looked so innocent and harmless, yet Kagome knew better than anyone else there were more to things than first impressions.

“Kagome, listen closely.”

“Hai”

“The jewel, the cursed jewel, will grant you as many wishes as you want. It can be anything.”

“As many as I want? But I thought…”

Midoriko shook her head. “As many as you want, Kagome. You can wish for anything, but the moment will pass. It has to be now.”

Kagome looked into the green eyes that bore into hers. Normally, is she had been asked what she would wish for, there would be so many things Kagome could list them right off the top of her head. Get in to a good high school and college, be the smartest person in her class, money, beauty, a great boyfriend… But all those things seemed worthless and wasteful now.

“I wish Kohaku could return to his sister. I wish Kikyo is alive again, with her own soul. I wish Sesshomaru could have his arm back. I wish all my friends, Sango, Miroku, Inu Yasha, Shippo, Rin, Kikyo and Sesshoumaru could live happily ever after with a true, happy ending. I wish they could be given another chance at life after all they went through. I wish they could have a happy, fulfilled life. I wish my family would always be safe.”

“Is there anything else?” Midoriko asked. This was the ultimate test, although only she knew it. So did the evil demon currently lurking inside the jewel, ready to rip Midoriko and Kagome to shreds should she make one selfish, tainted wish.

“No.”

“This is your last chance. Nothing at all?”
Kagome shook her head. “That’s all… Wait.”

Something flickered within the powerful marble. “I wish… I wish I could destroy the Shikon no Tama.”

A black shadow in a vague, smoky form of a youkai emerged from the jewel. Screeching angrily, it tried to flee to freedom, to destroy every being in sight, before Kagome’s holy powers surrounded it and forced it back into its prison.

“My daughter, you have passed the test.”

“I don’t understand.”
”You see, because, although given the opportunity to do so, you refused to make a wish for your own benefit, the Jewel of Four Souls is no more. I am free while the evil youkai are still trapped within. And your wishes shall be granted.”

“But then, why is this still here? I wished it would disappear.” Kagome held it up.

“You wished you could destroy it, and you shall. But if the spirits are released now, not even the gates of hell will be enough to prevent them from destroying the world. The only thing that can stop them is they.”

Kagome was confused beyond confusion. Midoriko smiled.

“As long as they remain entrapped, you will be able to purify them a little by little. It may take some time, but you must be patient. Then, once you have succeeded, your duty will be complete. My daughter, do not forget: There will come a time when you will want to relieve yourself of your honor, but you must never pass it on to anyone else. Do you understand? There is no one who can help you with this. It will be difficult, but necessary. You yourself wished it.”

“I understand”

“Then I appoint you, Kagome, my successor, sole guardian, protectorate, and priestess of the Shikon no Tama. But you will not be without help. I will give you a gift to aid you for the rest of the journey, for it has only just begun.”

“Midoriko?”

“Yes?”
”May I ask you something?”

“You may”

“Why do you keep calling me daughter?”
”Because you are a part of me”

“Eh? But I thought I was Kikyo’s reincarnation.”

“No, daughter. The heavens guided you with me in mind. I chose you to be the one to travel through the magical well. But do not despair. You are no one but Kagome. But with powers far greater than Kiyko (who is in fact my reincarnation) or even myself.”

Kagome didn’t understand a word she said, but she nodded.

“Good bye, my daughter. Remember, should you need me, I will always by your side.”

“Good bye, Midoriko-sama. Rest in peace.”

“That I will, child.” The great miko started to fade away, getting more and more transparent. But before she disappeared completely, Midoriko but her hands up together before her, palms up, and let out a long, soft breath. Kagome felt it wash over her as Midoriko’s soul departed for eternal rest it so desperately deserved.

In an eye blink Kagome was back on earth again. Her knees hit the ground. One can imagine the joy felt by those present when Kohaku and Kikyo stirred in the arms of their beloved. Inu Yasha blinked confusedly, but didn’t waste any time asking questions. He held Kikyo tight and announced that he loved her, that she was the one meant for him and that he would never let her go. Kikyo said the same.

Kagome smiled sadly and shook her head. ‘You could have at least spared me, Inu Yasha.’ But she remembered how they were so cruelly torn apart more than 50 years ago, and knew this was how it was supposed to happen. Meanwhile, Sango was crying her thanks to the heavens while Miroku, with trembling hands, took off the charmed beads holding his Kazaana closed. He too joined in the cheering. He wouldn’t suffer the same fate as his father and grandfather, after all. He could go on having a normal life. ‘He’ll probably start chasing after Sango, now,’ Kagome thought, ‘I’ve seen them dance around each other for years. It’s about time. They deserve it.’

But there was someone who was keeping quiet… “Sesshoumaru?”

While the others were too happy and relieved to notice, he had slipped away and was walking back to Ah-Un.

“Hey! Wait!” Kagome dashed after the tall youkai. She spun around and faced him. “You’re going to leave? Just like that? Aren’t you going to say good bye?”

“Miko, remove your barrier this instant.”

Kagome saw, with amusement, that Shippo, Kirara, and Rin were still behind the barrier she set up for them. The three were cuddled close together, and Shippo was indeed doing a great job of guarding Rin. He had his protective arms around her while they lay on the grass. “Oops, sumimasen,” she said, and placed a hand on it. The shield disappeared instantly.

“Kagome!” both of the kids shouted and ran at Kagome. She laughed and gathered them in her arms.

Rin looked up and asked, “Kagome, what happened to the bad man?”

“It’s alright now! He’s gone now. I took care of him.”

“Really?” asked Shippo.

“Yup. I kicked his sorry butt. With Sesshoumaru-sama’s help of course.” She grinned at him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama!” Rin, as if just remembering, attached herself to his legs with an almighty squeeze.

“Ikuzo,” said Sesshoumaru. He walked away with Rin trailing behind him.

“Sesshoumaru-sama? Can Rin give Kagome-chan a present?”

He nodded. Giggling with joy, Rin ran back. She wrapped her arms around Kagome’s waist and gave her a hug.

“Ano… Kagome-chan?”

“Yes, Rin?”

Rin looked around, ran to a patch of flowers, and picked one.

“Oh! For me?”
She nodded. “Will Kagome-chan come see Rin again soon?”
”Thank you, Rin. Lilies are my favorite flower. And of course I will. Not even Sesshoumaru can keep me away! But don’t tell him I said that,” said Kagome, and winked.

“Um… Rin…” Shippo, looking shy all of a sudden, tugged at Rin’s kimono. She turned around and gave him a hug too, making him turn tomato red.

“He-here, you can have it,” he shoved his favorite box of crayons (that he took with him wherever he went) towards her. Rin squealed with joy. She hugged him again and returned to awaiting Sesshoumaru, and climbed on Ah-Un.

Rin turned around in her seat. “Bye-Bye, Kagome-chan! Bye-Bye, Shippo!”

Kagome waved. “Bye Rin! I’ll see you soon! Give Sesshoumaru a smack on the head for me!”

At this Sesshoumaru turned around, stopping as his ward and retainer disappeared into the woods. The fox kit had run off to join the others. Kagome stood there, a white lily behind her ear and a bright smile on her face. “I’m just kidding. Sayonara, Sesshoumaru. Take care.”

Next, he did what shocked Kagome out of her mind. He bowed his head. Then flew away.

Her smile widened. “Thank you… for everything! I’ll see you around.”

‘May be’, she thought, as she walked back to where her friends were hugging and laughing and crying at the same time, ‘that is his way of saying thank you.’ The sun was shining brightly over their head. The storms have cleared now. They made it through.

“…And so the war against Naraku was won, and humans, hanyou, and youkai alike celebrated, for Naraku’s evil was a threat to all, and the village that would become Edo welcomed its savior.”


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