Kagome let a sigh out of parted lips as she made her way back to their humble hut. The past few days had been exhausting to say the very least. She paused and rememberedalmost eradicating Naraku with a sacred arrow as his castle dissipated. A few drops of water sloshed from the bucket as her grip tightened. 'Next time….' She thought bitterly. She couldn't stand the thought of all the suffering Naraku had caused going unpunished.
She pulled back the sheet covering the door to reveal a weak Sango, struggling to her feet by aid of her katana. "Nani?!" Kagome breathed as she dropped the pail with a thud. She hurried to the injured girl's side and ushered her down. "Sango-chan! You're not ready to be on your feet! Please!" The wounded demon-slayer did not respond, she simply kept struggling to stand.
"Forgive me… Kago-me…" Sango fell back to her knees as an unbearable pain coursed through her whole body. "Sango…." Sango faced Kagome, tears streaming down her flushed face. "You're all in too much danger if I remain here. As long as Naraku has Kohaku…." Her voice trailed off. She was overcome with too much pain and anger.
To her surprise she felt Kagome's warm embrace once again. "Silly. We know this already and we still want to stay with you… I want to stay with you." Kagome said gently, her hands unable to stay away from Sango's sienna locks. Sango let out a contented sigh as she was too exhausted to actually cry.
Kagome pressed her cheek to Sango's forehead. She couldn't deny the strange warmth welling in her chest or the blush tinging her cheeks. She wasn't sure why but she couldn't pry herself from the beautiful, tragic woman. "I don't know what it is about you, Sango… You are so strong and independent but something in me wants to always protect you." Kagome cooed into her hair.
Sango's only response was a sigh; she had fallen asleep on Kagome's bosom long ago. Kagome smiled and let her lips pucker into a gentle kiss on the woman's forehead. "Rest."