The sounds of a battle raged far from the village yet the people who lived there could hear every action of it. It had already been raging for hours, starting almost at day break. The look outs had appeared just before dawn, screaming that the enemy had finally shown himself. When they reached the hut of the village Miko, they threw themselves at the feet of those they believed to be their saviours.

One in particular found the whole scene amusing. The people who had once feared him and had tried to kill him were now begging for him to save them. With a disgruntled growl that was used to show that he really didn’t care, he and his five companions set out for the field where the final battle would occur.

Over the years they had made many strong allegiances and they found every last one of their allies waiting for them in the field. They had expected this to happen, their enemy was the same, but they were surprised to find others there with them. Peoples of all different races were standing among the allies, people that they had helped over the years.

“About time mutt face!” A voice rang out through the quiet field.

The figure in red tensed at the shout. He was about to say something back, or even attack the owner of the voice, but a calming touch fell on his arm. He looked down at the tiny woman who was always with him.

“You can fight with him all you want when this is over.” She told him. “I won’t even try to stop you, Inuyasha.”

Inuyasha nodded and brought the girl closer to him, taking a moment to once more commit her scent to memory. “Stay close to me Kagome, no matter what happens, don’t leave my side.”

Kagome returned his embrace and nodded her head. “I’ll always be at your side.”

Slowly their friends began to gather around them, taking some of the couple’s strength for their own. Behind them the vast crowd parted as a tall, majestic figure passed by. “Stop making such a scene, little brother.”

Inuyasha snarled at his older half brother, not releasing the woman in his arms. Sensing the fight that was about to start between the siblings the human girl reached up and rubbed the base of Inuyasha’s dog ears.

“Today you can show him the true power of a Hanyou.” She whispered to him. “Make peace with him for now so that you can show him your strength.”

Inuyasha stopped snarling, but the scowl remained on his face. “Sesshomaru, I appreciate your allegiance.”

“Humph.” Sesshomaru huffed. “This changes nothing between us.”

Kagome rolled her eyes despite knowing that those words were probably the most heartfelt that Sesshomaru ever said to his brother. She turned to her best friend and probably the strongest female on the field. Sango had her large demon slaying weapon strapped to her back. Seeing the sadness in the girl’s eyes, Kagome followed her gaze.

Across the field a young boy stood by himself, a dangerous weapon gripped in his hand. Sango’s younger brother, Kohaku, had been through so much. While under the control of a demon he slew his family, almost succeeding in wiping them out had Sango’s will to live not been so strong. Now his body was being used to unnerve the female demon slayer.

“I’m sorry.” A woman’s voice floated to them. “I tried to keep him from going back to Naraku, but I could not prevent it.”

Sango and Kagome looked at the un-dead priestess in surprise, never in all the years that they had crossed paths had she apologized, or sounded so sincere. Sango nodded her head appreciatively, not allowing any tears to fall from her eyes.

Past the priestess a figure dressed in black and purple moved ever closer to them. When he reached the three women, the un-dead Miko bowed and stepped away. Miroku grabbed Sango’s hand gently and pressed it against his heart.

“Sango, once we are finally free of Naraku and are married I swear to name our first born son after your brother, if Kagome can not find away to keep him alive.” Miroku told her, using his free hand to cup her cheek gently.

Sango’s eyes finally released their tears and she allowed the monk to lay a gentle kiss on her lips. The romantic gesture was quickly broken as the sound of a slap rang through the clearing. “You just couldn’t help yourself could you?” Sango demanded as his hand fell away from her bottom.

Kagome hid her grin behind her hand as several of their friends came up to wish them well. All around them friends were saying good-bye and lovers were sharing final embraces. They were getting them out of the way now in case the unthinkable happened. Kagome looked longingly at Inuyasha, wanting to be doing the same with him. They had promised themselves that they would only give into their desires once Naraku was left behind, not wanting to leave each other behind.

At her feet a young Kitsune sat so Kagome crouched down to the young fox and picked him up in her arms. “Remember Shippou, you’re only to be on the field when Kikyo and I need more arrows.”

The young kit nodded, hugging his surrogate mother tightly. “I will, I won’t let you down!” He promised.

Across the field their enemy finally made his presence known. His torso and head appeared human, but the rest of his body was nothing but a mass of quivering flesh that had no real form. Shippou ran to the edge of the field, standing by the massive pile of quivers and spare bows.

The first attack was a release of Naraku’s demons that lived in his body. The wave of demons were brutal, many falling victim to their attack. Kagome did as she was told and stayed at Inuyasha’s side, moving when he moved. Shippou stayed on the side lines until he was needed, always keeping an eye on the two figures that were like his parents.

Between Kikyo and Kagome’s Miko powers, the size of Naraku slowly began to decrease. Their sacred arrows made it impossible for his flesh to regenerate properly. Naraku got some retribution when he buried one of his tentacles into Kikyo’s chest. The souls that kept her alive fled her body, making her another fallen warrior.

When Kagome’s soul finally returned to her body, Naraku tried to take advantage of her momentary weakness. Inuyasha was quick to cut the tentacle away as Kagome’s Miko aura flared, rallying everyone to their position.

High above the battle field, Sango’s dearest companion, a large fire cat circled in the air. Her purpose was to rescue the wounded from death, but she couldn’t save the one figure she had truly hoped to save. In a desperate attempt to save himself, Naraku tore the jewel shard from Kohaku’s back. With the magic of the shard gone, Kohaku fell limply to the grass and didn’t move.

“Wind-scar!” Inuyasha yelled, breaking through the cat demon’s cloud of grief. She quickly moved away as Inuyasha’s attack hit its target, one of Kagome’s arrows racing along with it.

Naraku’s human like torso separated from the rest of his vile body, falling to the grass. From the side of the field, Miroku released the Wind-Tunnel, sucking up all but the torso of the demon into his cursed hand. Naraku’s head lifted slowly and he snarled at the group of people in front of him.

Kagome reached behind her to grab an arrow, only to find her quiver empty. She glanced down at the kit that had been standing at the sidelines until now and realized that even if he had been where he was supposed to be, there would be no time to get the arrows to her.

“What do we do now?” A breathless Sango asked as she appeared at Kagome’s side.

Kagome bit her lip and shrugged, not knowing what more they could do. Sesshomaru and Miroku joined them and they all stared at Naraku’s weak form. Combine your powers! A voice told her.

Kagome’s eyes widened and nodded, telling the voice she understood. She quickly ducked under Inuyasha’s arms and grabbed for empty spaces on the sword. “Miroku, give Sango your staff so that she can throw it with her Hiraikotsu. Sesshomaru send forth your most powerful attack just as Sango releases the Hiraikotsu. Shippou I want you to be brave and use your fox fire at the same time as Sesshomaru, his attack will push your fox fire forward.”

“What about me?” Inuyasha asked her.

“I’m going to put some of my Miko energy into the fang, as soon as Sesshomaru’s power pushes the fox fire forward release the Wind-Scar, it will combine all of our powers around the Hiraikotsu.” Kagome told him. “Miroku as soon as the attack hits him, open your Wind Tunnel.”

Everyone nodded and did as they were told. Sango spun around several times to give her weapon some extra leverage. The moment it was released from her hands Shippou and Sesshomaru released their attacks while Kagome concentrated on putting her Miko powers into the Fang. Inuyasha winced as her powers burned his Youkai a little, before raising his arms with Kagome’s and letting loose the Wind-Scar.

Naraku let out a scream as the powers combined and his figure was disintegrated. Inuyasha braced Kagome against his body, allowing her to shield her eyes in his chest. All around them people were closing or covering their eyes as the great flash of power lit up the field. Out of the light the jewel flew towards Kagome and Inuyasha, almost as if it wished to be whole again as soon as possible.

Inuyasha caught it easily and gripped it tightly in his hand. All around them cheers sounded as the light cleared and Naraku’s body was no where to be found. The only sign of his defeat was the large crater that he had disappeared into the Shikon Jewel which now rested in Inuyasha’s claws. Behind them they heard a sob of happiness as Miroku removed his coverings and saw that the Wind-Tunnel had finally disappeared.

Miroku grabbed Sango and kissed her deeply, making the girls face grow a bright pink. Shippou launched himself at Kagome and hugged her tightly. “We did it!” He repeated over and over.

Kagome laughed and hugged him to her, before looking at Inuyasha. He found her more beautiful at this moment then any other. She had dirt smudged on her body and clothes and the odd battle wound on her body, but her smile was radiant. He allowed Kouga and his pack to congratulate him and thump him on the back, even his brother gave him a silent nod.

Inuyasha bowed to his brother before walking back to Kagome’s side, where she was busy talking to Miroku and Sango. He grabbed Shippou off her shoulder and tossed him to Miroku. Kagome was about to give him the sitting of his life for that when he pulled her to him and kissed her hard.

Behind them Sango and Miroku cheered, quickly followed by the villagers who had run to the field after the brilliant flash of light signalled the defeat of Naraku. He pulled away from Kagome slowly, grinning at the way her eyes remained closed and a blush painted her cheeks as a smile graced her lips.

“Here.” Inuyasha said, pressing the jewel into her hands. “It’s all over now.”

Kagome opened her eyes and nodded, taking the Jewel in her hand. She pulled out the small vial that held the last two shards and quickly pressed them into the crack. The minute the jewel was fused a bright pink light flared, knocking Inuyasha away from her.

“I love you.” Her voice curled around his ear and he had to shake his head to get his ears to stop ringing.

When he looked out onto the field she was gone and everyone was standing around with their mouths hanging open. “Kagome?” He said softly.

He glanced at Sango who had tears in her eyes and no one would look at him directly. Jumping to his feet he ran faster then he had ever run before. A trip that should have taken him hours took him only a few minutes, although it hadn’t felt that way. He quickly found what he was looking for and leapt into the old bone eaters well. When he hit the soft dirt hard he winced at the sharp pain that shot through his ankles. He realized that now he was stuck in his own world, and she was in hers, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Kagome!” He screamed, collapsing to his knees.

~ * ~

Kagome closed her eyes as the bright light enveloped her. She could still make out Inuyasha in front of her and thought that the light was nothing more than the jewel completing itself. “I love you.” She told him, a smile on her face as her eyes drifted closed.

When she got no response she opened her eyes, only to find herself standing by the Goshinboku. Confused she quickly looked around, seeing her grandfather sweeping the stairs of the shrine.

“Inuyasha?” She said softly.

*************
Can you hear me,
talking in my mind?
I can feel you;
you’re with me all the time.
*************

Nothing happened, the world didn’t change, no figure in red leapt out of the tree. Tears welled up in her eyes as she touched the bare spot on the tree. She briefly thought that maybe he’d show up like he did all those years ago when they had fought Menomaru. Kikyo had pushed her down the well back to her own time. Inuyasha had somehow connected to her through the tree.

*************
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face
*************

Kagome pressed her hand harder to the spot on the tree where Inuyasha had once hung from Kikyo’s arrow. “Inuyasha, why aren’t you here!” She screamed to the tree.

Clutching the jewel in her hand she ran for the well house, passing a confused Souta on her way. She threw open the doors and stared at the well, hoping that she would see a familiar clawed hand appear. Her eyes drifted shut and she pictured him in her mind, thinking of the way his lips had felt pressed against hers only moments ago.

"No, not moments ago, five hundred years ago.” She muttered to herself.

*************
There's a warm sky,
covering the night.
In the darkness,
I only feel the light.
*************

Kagome ran down the steps and launched herself over the side of the well. She landed roughly and collapsed to her knees. An anguished cry tore from her throat, not from the pain that her ankles were in, but from the sheer frustration of not being able to return to him.

Tears streamed down her face and she let more anguished screams tear from her throat. Souta appeared at the top of the well, and leapt in to try to bring her some comfort. For the first time, Kagome clung to her little brother and let him comfort her like all the times she had done the same for him.

It didn’t take long for her to pass out, both from crying and from the sheer agony she was in from losing her only love. Souta awkwardly pulled her out of the well and with his mothers help laid her on her bed.

*************
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
*************

As Kagome slept Inuyasha’s face flashed before her eyes. Eventually she was released from the arms of Morpheous and she opened her eyes. The minute she looked around her room, her eyes filled with tears and she sobbed into her pillow. “Inuyasha, I need you.”

Her words floated out her window and towards the well house. They seemed to find the one piece of magic that still existed in the bottom of the well. Five hundred years in the past, Inuyasha’s ears twitched at the sound of her heartbroken voice.

“Don’t worry Kagome, I’ll find a way to get to you.” Inuyasha whispered, his own tears drying on his cheeks. “If I have to come back from Hell, I’ll find you.” He pressed a clawed hand to his mouth and pressed it to the dirt of the well, allowing the same magic to carry it back to her.

*************
When I'm lonely,
your voice is in my head.
And my memory feeds my soul,
with all the things you've said.
*************

Kagome wiped at the tears that rolled down her cheeks in a never ending stream. “I’ll find a way to get to you.” His voice sounded softly in her ear. She smiled as she could have sworn she felt his lips touch her cheek.

*************
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
*************

Kagome closed her eyes and gripped the Shikon Jewel tightly in her hand. “My wish, is that everyone can live the lives they were always meant to live.” She whispered to it.

Her eyelids fell as sleep once again claimed her. A flash of pink shone from her room and the last thing that she saw as sleep claimed her, was Inuyasha’s face.

*************
Every time I close my eyes,
I see your face.
*************