Kagome slowly surveyed the interior of the abandoned building they were using as a refuge. Everyone was resting, even InuYasha. He was leaning against the wall nearest to the entrance, ready for anyone who would try to disturb them. They had been having skirmishes with Naraku’s forces for weeks now. But the devious one would never involve himself in the battles. It usually a group of low-level demons with the promise of power from him. When they happened upon this shelter, they decided it was time for some much-needed rest. After Miroku had placed several protection sutra around the building, they finally relaxed. They needed to restore their energies. It was all too apparent that the next battle would be the last.

As she looked around the room, a wistful smile grew. These were her friends and allies. They had shared the journey to heal the Shikon and to avenge wrongs done to them by Naraku.

Kohaku and Sango slept using Kirara as their pillow while Miroku leaned against the fire cat's back. Kohaku was once again fighting beside his sister. When Sesshoumaru and his pack joined up with them, Kohaku had asked Kagome to remove the shard from his body. He would rather die that be controlled again. With the group gathered round for support and Miroku praying softly in the background, Kagome touched his neck to remove the shard. She felt a strong heartbeat beneath her fingertips. With startled eyes, Kagome looked up to Miroku and grabbed his shrouded hand. Miroku opened his eyes to see Kagome. She took his hand and placed it beside her hand on Kohaku. His eyes widened and his head nodded in confirmation of her suspicion. She then gently removed the shard from the young slayer’s body. For a few moments, there was silence, and then Kohaku asked why everyone was hesitating. He was stunned to find that he was freed. “What in the hell is going on....”, was InuYasha’s comment as Sango embraced her brother and sobbed tears of joy at his deliverance from the shard’s influence. The shard had acted like a magic life-support system, allowing his battered body to heal. Only when he was fully healed did the shard allow his memory and free will to reassert itself. After his reunion with Sango, they both started to train hard with Kirara to make sure that they were ready to face Naraku in the final battle.

Off to one side, Rin and Shippo slept. The two youngsters had become close friends, which made life for Jaken even crazier at times. Ah and Un were guarding them - one head snoozing while the other was on guard for unseen danger.

Sesshoumaru was sitting with his back against the wall, eyes closed but alert to the possibility of danger. His right arm rested on his knee and his left hand was on the hilt of Tenseiga. Kagome glanced at his regenerated hand. The return of this missing limb was the first time she had told the others of the whispered voice that had been helping her since she had received her new bow.

When Sesshoumaru and his pack arrived and the usual verbal posturing between the two brothers had started , Kagome heard the whispery echoing voice saying “heal”. She was within arm’s reach of the Taiyouki at the time. She slowly reached out with her hand and, with her fingertip, touched the stump of the demon lord’s left arm. Time seemed to stand still as both brothers watched a silvery light travel from the fingertip to the stump. The glow swirled down from the amputated limb. Then the light faded ,revealing the regenerated left arm. Sesshoumaru raised his renewed hand and turned it back and forth before his face. InuYasha’s yelling broke the silence. What....How the Hell did you do that ?”, was his comment. “ Yes, miko, I would also would know why and how this happened to this Sesshoumaru”.

“I can’t really explain the how, I can only explain the why. Since I received this bow at Mount Azusa , a voice has been guiding me in battle. This is the first time that I’ve heard it outside of battle. I heard the word “heal” and the next thing I knew , I was touching Sesshoumaru’s shoulder.’

Kagome felt uncomfortable admitting this fact because it sounded a little far-fetched. But when Sango, InuYasha and Sesshoumaru told of their weapons being sentient and expressing themselves to their owners, she felt calmer. The voice had never been wrong. It almost felt like she was following her heart’s voice. “For whatever reason, this is a welcome gift , miko”, Sesshoumaru voiced as he slightly bowed his head with respect.

After that the animosity between the two brothers slowly lessened. Not to say that they were best of friends, but arguments were of a constructive nature rather that the trading of useless time-consuming insults and skirmishes.

On Tenseiga’s handle was a string with several white feathers tied with to it .Sesshoumaru never explained this ornamentation to his sword. But Rin explained that this was all that remained of Kagura. He was using this as a lady’s favor in battle to honor Kagura as well as to allow some part of her to join in the destruction of her former master.

Kouga, Ginta and Hakkaku were also with the group. They had joined up with the pack yesterday as they were battling Byakuya, the last of Naraku’s “incarnations”. Even without his shards, Kouga’s provided a whirlwind downdraft that prevented Byakuya ‘s escape from the combined forces of the pack.

Kagome sighed again and closed her eyes. The final battle against Naraku was looming and yet she couldn’t find the rest she needed. So many questions remained unanswered - Would Naraku’s final defeat be the answer they all had been seeking ? What would happen when the Shikon no Tama was healed ? Who would survive the battle?

As she opened her eyes again, she noticed InuYasha looking back at her. Silently, he stood up and walked towards her. As he reached her, he sat down beside her and looked at her again. “ What’s wrong ?Why aren’t you sleeping like the rest ?”,he asked. She looked back at him and then placed her head on his shoulder. He brought his arm around her and pulled her closer. “I just can’t relax”, she confessed. “I look around here and see all our friends. And I know in my heart that we may lose some or all of them in the coming battle. I don’t want to lose anyone.”

“Kagome, no matter what happens to any of us, we will be fighting because of what we believe in and that’s the truth. We’ve struggled to get to this point. You think we’d let Naraku stop us now ? Hell, no ! That bastard doesn’t stand a chance! So go to sleep already !”

“You’re right”, she sighed, then relaxed against him. He always made her feel safe. That was her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.