24 Hours

Summary: They really only had 24 hours to make a lifetime of realizations. What would you decide? [And I can't believe how I've been wasting my time.] KogaKagome

A/N: 24 drabbles based on the 24hours themes on livejournal. Thanks for reading!

Company

The final battle was drawing near, and tension around the campfire was growing every night. Each of them had their own reasons for battling Naraku, and it seemed that the closer they got, the more their revenge consumed their thoughts. Their group had grown as well, since their last fight with Naraku. Sesshomaru and Jaken had joined them, with little Rin tagging along as happily as if they were all traveling to a meadow of flowers and not a battle. The Lord of the Western Lands and Jaken were now in a secluded area of the clearing, watching Rin and Shippo as they colored together innocently. Koga and his two loyal brothers, Ginta and Hakakku, also lounged by the fire, feasting ecstatically on a bag of barbecue-flavored potato chips while Sango and Miroku smiled and talked together.

Lastly, Kikyo rested peacefully against Inuyasha at the base of a tree on the outer edge of the clearing. They talked to each other in hushed whispers, but Kagome felt as though they were yelling, rubbing Inuyasha's choice in her face. She sighed bitterly and set her cup of ramen down, no longer hungry. She had never felt so alone.

"What's the matter, Kagome?" A warm hand rested on her shoulder, and she looked up in surprise to see Koga crouched beside her. When had he moved? She must have been deeper in thought than she realized. When he gave her a concerned look, she blushed and shook her head.

"Nothing, sorry! I guess I was just daydreaming," she said, laughing halfheartedly. "Did you like the chips?"

"Of course," he said, grinning. "Any type of food My Kagome gives me is delicious!"

"Thank you, Koga. I'm glad you enjoyed it." She smiled again, but it was bitter. The only thing she could think about was how the ungrateful half-demon sitting only a few yards away had never thanked her for her troubles. How much of her mother's money had gone into these treats? A pang of guilt struck her heart, and Koga stood, holding his hand out to her.

"Come eat with us, Kagome! It's no fun eating a good meal if you can't enjoy it with someone special."

"Thanks, but I really think I should try to get some sleep... we're going to have a big day tomorrow, after all." She shifted in order to pull her worn, yellow bag closer to her, but Koga grabbed her hand and pulled her up to her feet before she could.

"A few more minutes can't hurt," he told her, flashing her a genuine smile. "Besides, if you get tired tomorrow, I'll just carry you until you can walk again!" He ignored her look of delighted surprise (for Inuyasha had surely never said anything like that before) and handed her the cup of forgotten ramen she had set down, tugging her over to the patch of grass where Ginta and Hakkaku were currently lounging. They sat up straight when they realized Kagome was going to eat with them.

"Sister," they cried happily. "Here, have some of these treats, they taste delicious!" Kagome laughed and shook her head.

"I have my ramen," she said, holding it up. "But thank you." She smiled at Koga, who wasn't eating, but looked content enough just because she was there. While Ginta and Hakkaku bickered over who got the last chips in the bag, Kagome ate quietly, a genuine smile on her lips.

She was further away from the flames now, but she felt more warmth from the friends beside her than she had ever felt from a dying fire.

A/N: Woot! I don't usually write KogaKagome, being a big SessKag fan, but frankly, KogaKagome is so much easier to see... And there's not enough KogaKagome fanfiction out there!Come on people! Anyway, this drabble was based off the theme "1 a.m. Banishing Shadows" I'm not really following the times as you can see.... xD! Thanks, please review!!