The song sung here is 'Here I Am, Lord'.

In Modern Tokyo….

Three teenage girls were sitting, spawled across a bed. One of them with curly hair was counting a huge pile of bills while the other two looked with interest.

"365....366...367....368...369...370! Whoa, Santa baby, put this under MY tree, thank you!"

"Wow..I can't believe we raised all that money for the Graduation Committee!" One of the girls with long back hair said happily with her familar cheery grin. She turned to her friend. "Ayumi, hello? That's a school record! Amazing!"

Her other friend with shorter hair turned around. "Ya know what's REALLY amazing! That we're SENIORS!! Just four more weeks, and we've made it! We are OUT of high school for good!" The other two cheered happily. "So, Ayumi, did ya send in your college appilcations yet?"

"Yep! Man, I never thought I'd survive taking that college entrance exam! I think they're more nerve wracking than high school entrance exams!" She turned to her other friend. "Kagome? Have you decided where you're going to college yet?"

"Oh...ah.." she blushed a tiny bit. "Um..not yet."

"What are you gonna do, go traveling with your boyfriend for a year or two?"

"Um..yeah, in fact."

"Oh wow! I can't believe your Mom let you do that!"

"Well, she's met him. She really likes him. Practically accepted him as family."

"Yeah, he's super hot stuff, if I do say so myself!"

"Yuka, stop it!"

"I'm just saying! God, Kagome, you're lucky, my Mom would NEVER let me do that! Is he coming to the graduation?"

"Well, I'm gonna see him this weekend. I'll invite him then. I think he might come," Kagome quickly changed the conversation. "So....what colors should we use for the auditorium? Let's not go with our school colors.."

"No, no, no.." her friends said. Just then another girl with short hair stomped into the bedroom and slammed the door so hard the pictures on the walls jiggled.

"Geez, louder next time, Eri! Kagome's mirror didn't QUITE break!" Yuka said as Eri flopped down on the bed. "Whats the matter with YOU?"

"I am shocked...no, I'm angry...no, I'm FURIOUS!!"

"No kidding! We couldn't figure that out by the colorful way you came in here!" Yuka said. "What's going on?"

"You will never guess what happened! My sister JUST joined the Graduation Committee! I can't BELIEVE it!!"

"Well, that's one of the rules of the school. Any Junior that's in the Honor's Program can participate in the Graduation Committee." Kagome said.

"I don't care! That damn witch of a sister....she just can't stay out of my business. I know her, she'll disagree with everything we do, she'll insist on her own way even though SHE'S not the one graduating...we'll fight all the time.."

"You do anyway," Ayumi pointed out.

"But worse than ever now! I swear, that movie 'The Bad Seed'? They may as well change it to 'The Aiko Story'! HOW am I gonna figure out our Graduation Song with HER all over me?!?! I can't even plan one of the biggest events of my life with my own friends..oh NO, NOW I gotta include HER!"

"Well, if she comes to one of our meetings, PLEASE don't go fighting in here," Kagome said. "Take it outside!" Under her breath she muttered. "I've had enough sibling fights to last quite a while."

"What'd ya say, Gome?"

"Oh, nothing. Just please don't fight with her in here. Now...let's go back to figuring out our graduation colors.."

Sango led her three companions along the sidewalk, past several stores...some large, some small, each one selling a variety of goods. Rin looked through the windows in each of them with fascination and curiousity. She stopped at the window of one store in particular, and she said, "Mother, what's that box with the moving pictures in it?"

With a smile on her face, Sango replied, "That's called a television, Rin. You can find pretty much anything you could ever think of to watch on there, from what Kagome's told me. News, sports, movies...and it looks like that one's showing cartoons."

Rin blinked in surprise, and she asked, "What are cartoons?"

Sango said, "They're...like those pictures that Shippo draws, except that they move, and they make sounds, all with the aim to make people laugh."

Rin said, "Oh...that sounds nice!"

Just then, Rin saw one coming on, and she said, "Mother, Father...there's one of those cartoons now!!"

Sango walked over to join her, and Sesshomaru stood there as well, eager to learn more about this time period and the wonders that it had to offer. The cartoon that was playing now was a Bugs Bunny cartoon, and on the screen, Bugs and Daffy were doing the famous 'Rabbit/Duck' scene...and then along came the hilarious bit when they saw the last sign underneath...'Elmer Season'. Elmer Fudd, the hapless hunter, took off, while Bugs and Daffy sought him out. They said, "Be vewwwy vewwwy quiet...we're hunting Elmers...HAHAHA!!"

Rin laughed, and Sango chuckled at the cute scene. Sesshomaru had a puzzled look, until Sango explained it to him. She said, "That man, Elmer Fudd, was trying to hunt down Bugs and Daffy, and Daffy was ORIGINALLY trying to one-up Bugs...but then when they saw the Elmer Season sign...they turned the tables on him. Elmer is prone to bad luck, and he's not all that bright either...where Bugs is really smart. That's what makes these cartoons funny, Sesshomaru."

The disguised Demon Lord replied, "Most interesting...and what is that on that...television..over there?"

Sango looked, and she said, "That's a sport called baseball, Sesshomaru. The object of the game is to score more points, called 'Runs', than the other team, and you score by either getting a player from your team to run across home plate...that's the diamond-shaped white thing in the ground, or by hitting the ball over the fence. When a player takes a turn, a man from the other team pitches a ball to him, and he hits it with a bat. If it doesn't make it over the fence the other team tries to catch the ball while the hitter runs on that sandy path toward home. If he makes it, that's a run. If he doesn't make it, he has to stay on one of those bases- those white squares- until the next player hits the ball. Each player is allowed three chances to hit the ball on each of his turns, and if he misses three times, he's out, and has to sit down until his turn comes again."

Sesshomaru replied, "I believe I understand now. As much as I would like to see more, we must go. Finding Kagome and saving my brother is our goal...and I will not allow my one remaining chance to reconcile with my brother to slip away."

Sango looked at him. "You've already reconciled with him, Sesshomaru. You know he's forgiven you."

"Yes....and I didn't gain him in my life to lose him permanently. I haven't come close to fully making up for all I've done...there is so much I need to do...I intend to do it."

Sango nodded. "Come, Rin." They walked past a few more stores.

"Mother? What's that store there?"

Sango looked up....this she had to look up in the guide book. "That's called an antique store Rin. They sell old and valuable things that people no longer want to keep."

"Oh?"

"Yes. People sell their old things to the people in this store, and other people can buy it."

"I think we have stands like that at home!"

"Yes, I think I've seen a few," Sango smiled. They continued to walk.

"Mother, look! Clothes, like you've got on."

"Yes, those are clothing stores."

"Interesting," Sesshomaru admitted. "Very much like some stands I've seen in our time. But where are the people that make the clothes?"

"Here the clothes are made by many people in places called 'factories.'"

"Factories?" Rin asked. "What are factories?"

"Those are places where a lot of people get together and make things like clothes. But rather than one person making one sweater, in factories people make different parts. A group of people make just sleeves, another group make collars, another group make the front. Then at the end all the parts are sewn together."

"Why?"

"It saves time. There are a lot of people in thi town. To make individual clothes for them all would take too long. People in factories make the parts, all the parts are sewn together, then they're delivered here to sell."

"Amazing," Sesshomaru said. "How do you know all this Sango?"

"Kagome told me. You can learn a lot from just talking to her. But it's so breathtaking to see it all up close."

"Yes...very," Sesshomaru said. They started of again, but Sango's words about Kagome echoed in his mind.

They had gone a few more miles when Sango stopped at a bench. "I'm getting a bit tired. Let's sit down here for a minute and check the map so we can be sure we're going in the right direction."

"All right, but let's not take too long," Sesshomaru said, looking up at the position of the sun in the sky. He then looked around at the place Sangp had entered. It was a huge grassy field that reminded him a bit of home. But along with the trees and birds, he saw a lot of children, a great many of them Rin's age playing on various equipment he had never seen before. They resembled what Rin had played in in the Play Place at WacDonalds, but much bigger. Sango took a seat on one of the white benches that were scattered around. "Sango..where are we now?'

She looked around her. "Oh, this is a playground. This is where children go to play on all this equipment." She pointed to a long piece of metal set at an angle. Children were climbing a ladder attached to the end of the metal to reach the top and slid down the other side. "That's called a slide. " She pointed to a group of metal rods that had been fit together in a very large somewhat funny looking pattern that a lot of kids were climbing on. "That's a jungle gym." The then pointed to a group of leather seats fashioned to a metal bar by chains. "Those are swings." People build places like this so children have a safe place to play."

"Oh, Father, may I please go play until you and Mother finish looking at the map?"

"All right, Rin, but stay where I can see you. We're not staying too long, so be prepared to go when we say its time."

"All right." Rin made her way over to the swings. Sesshomarou saw a little girl trying to get on one of the swings herself. She was struggling and grunting, but it was obvious she was far too small to get on by herself. Finally she flopped on the ground, frustrated. Sesshomaru came over to the little girl. "Do you need any help?" The girl looked upon Sesshomaru and gasped at how tall he was. "No need to be afraid, I will not hurt you. Can I help you?" After getting over her shock she nodded. Sesshomaru gentily picked the girl up and put her upon the swing.

"Thank you," the girl said. "Can you please push me so I can go?"

"Of course," Sesshomaru gentily began to push the little girl. Rin took the swing next to her.

"Father? Can you push me too?"

"Of course, Rin," He genily began to push her.

"Your Father is so nice!" the girl said to Rin.

"He's the best Father ever!" she agreed, giving Sesshomaru the sweet smile he was so familiar with…and that he liked so much. Hearing both girls laugh and giggle as they were being pushed upon the swing caused Sesshomaru to feel a bit….glad. The worriness and fear he still felt for Inuyasha was there still…but this new feeling…this gentile feeling of gladness…of being happy because someone else was…this was so rare….and unlike anything he had ever felt! He looked up to see Sango smiling at him. He looked down. "Rin, we must leave."

"Do you have to, so soon?" the little girl asked.

"Yes, I'm afraid. We only stopped here to rest a bit. Now we must go."

"Coming!" Rin said happily jumping off the swing. She turned to wave goodbye to the girl.

"Thank you, Sir!" The girl said, waving.

He stopped and turned back. "You may call me Sesshomaru." They made it back to Sango. "Are we on the right way, Sango?"

"Yes, we are. It's still a long way off, we may not reach it by tonight."

"We have to try our best to," Sesshomaru said. "Inuyasha can't die…not yet. I will NOT allow anyone to harm him, and I swear I never will ever again!"

As they made their way down the road, Sango couldn't help but smile a bit at Sesshomaru. "I couldn't help but notice you actually helping out that little girl."

"She needed help."

"That's so…unlike you…or unlike how you were before."

"I know, Sango. I guess…I'm trying to prove to myself …and in a way to Inuyasha…that, I truly do wish to change…and like my brother, I can too help people."

"And how was it?"

"I can honestly say…it's like nothing I have ever felt before. I had just as much sense of acccomplishment as if I had gained some more land!"

"You did gain something, Sesshomarou! It's something even better than more land!"

About twenty minutes after they'd left the park, Sango and Sesshomaru stepped out into a part of modern Tokyo that was a bit less crowded, but they were still a long way from Kagome's house. Sango said, "That was really nice of you, Sesshomaru...helping that little girl up onto the swing, and then pushing her so she could enjoy herself. She really appreciated what you did for her, and if we could've stayed longer, I'm sure Rin would've made a new friend."

Sesshomaru replied, "I know, Sango...I only wish I could have seen the error of my ways earlier, before any of this happened...before Inuyasha had to endure this hell. Rest assured...I will not let him die, and I will do EVERYTHING in my power to help in our quest to bring Kagome to his side. He deserves to be happy...and I want to know for sure that he has forgiven me, so that I can forgive myself."

Sango said, "I know he's forgiven you, Sesshomaru...he's said so himself. He even asked you to be his Best Man...so I know that you and him are reunited as family now. I've forgiven you too...and I think Kirara has as well, right Kirara?"

The firecat replied, "Mew!", and then Rin said, "Father, Mother...look!! That man over there...I think he's having trouble with his...his..."

Sango said, "Looks like car trouble...Kagome told me that flat tires are a common problem with these vehicles. He won't be going anywhere until he can fix that up."

Sesshomaru said, "Rin, remain here with Sango. I believe I am going to go and offer some assistance."

Sesshomaru walked up, and he said, "Excuse me, sir...my family and I were on our way to visit a friend, and we noticed your problem. Is there any way I can help?"

The man replied, "No, not really...", but then the jack he was using broke, causing the car to fall back into place. Luckily, nothing was damaged aside from the already broken tire.

Kicking the sidewalk in frustration, the young man said, "Great...now I'll have to call a tow truck. I was hoping to make it home in time to surprise my wife...it's our anniversary tonight. So much for that idea."

Sesshomaru said, "If you will allow me, I think I can help you. Excuse me." With that, he gently gripped the car by it's rear fender, and effortlessly lifted the rear of the vehicle into the air, high enough so that the man could change his tire.

Once he'd gotten over the shock of what he'd just seen, the young man set to work on mending the tire, and within five minutes, Sesshomaru gently set the car down, careful not to allow his disguised claws to tear into the metal.

The man said, "Thanks so much, honestly. If there's anything I can do to pay you back..."

Sango walked up, and she said, "Actually, we're looking for the Higurashi Shrine. Our friend lives there, and we've come here to pay her a visit. How much further is it?"

The man smiled, and he said, "It's about fifteen blocks straight down from the Cherry Orchard Hotel...that's twenty blocks straight down that way.", he said, pointing down the street leading to the right of where they currently stood. "It's pretty far away from here to go on foot, actually. Ya might have to take a bus to reach there before it gets dark."

Sango replied, "Thank you, sir...and enjoy your anniversary."

The man said, "I should be thanking your husband here...I still don't know how he managed to lift my car like it was a toy...but I know that I wouldn't want to tick him off."

Sango said, "He works out daily...both of us do. We teach advanced martial arts and strength training classes. My name's Sango Nishimura, and my husband's name is Sesshomaru. This is our daughter Rin, and our pet, Kirara."

The young man reached down to scratch Kirara's ears, and the little fluffball purred softly. He said, "She's cute...and so's your daughter. Thanks again for the help...my name's Kinsuke."

Sango and Rin both waved good-bye, as did Sesshomaru, and then Kinsuke drove off. Several women nearby looked enviously at Sesshomaru, and one of them said, "Man...all the good ones always get married first...I wish I had her luck."

"SSShh!" Her friend whispered. "Ya want his wife to hear you?" Sesshomaru looked in their direction, causing the women to turn away quickly.

"Oh Lord, do you think he heard me? Oh, I'm gonna die!"

"Well, if his wife heard you, you got your wish, cause she'll kill ya. Is he still looking at us?"

"Yeah, he is. Oh….OK…he's just nodding toward us. Just wave back and try NOT to drool." The women waved politely at him. He nodded again and went off, leaving the women to breath a couple of sighs of relief.

As Sango and the others continued on their way to find Kagome, Rin looked up at Sesshomaru, and since they were currently out of earshot of anyone else, she said, "Lord Sesshomaru, that was really nice of you to help that poor man out when he needed his car fixed. I hope we can get to Kagome in time to bring her to Inuyasha...I don't want him to die, or Kagome to be sad. I really like them both."

Sesshomaru replied, "They will be together again, Rin...I swear on the honor of my family, and the memory of my father...Inuyasha has not seen the end of his life...nor will he for many thousands of years. When his day does finally come, he and Kagome will be together, and they shall both ascend to Heaven in each other's arms, just as their lives shall be spent together. I have learned that love and family are not weaknesses, Rin...they are the path to true strength, the kind that Father possessed, and that which my brother possesses, along with Kagome and the others. Once Inuyasha is well again, I intend to make it clear that our bloody past is behind us, and that from now on, we will face life together, as a family."

Sango said, "I like the sound of that, Sesshomaru...and I know that Inuyasha would like nothing better than to be at peace with you...other than to be with Kagome for the rest of his life."

The four of them made their way out into a small neighborhood, and then the sounds of two small children desperately calling out for someone, or something, reached their ears.

"Snowball, please come down!! Kira chased off that nasty dog that was running after you...come on down, you'll be okay now."

The little girl was soon joined by her brother, and the boy said, "Mika, did you get her down yet?"

Mika said, "No, Kira...she's still up there. Mom and dad won't be home for at least two more hours...what are we gonna do?"

Hearing the plight of the two children, Sango and Sesshomaru entered the yard, and Sango said, "Is there anything we can do to help?"

The little girl turned around to find a tall, dark-haired man standing next to a young woman in her late teens, with long brown hair and dark brown eyes, along with a small girl about her age, with midnight-black hair and brown eyes. On top of the woman's right shoulder was a small, adorable-looking kitten with a black diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, and the rest of her fur was a light yellow, aside from the black fur on the tips of her paws, and the end of her tail.

Mika said, "Please...could you help get our cat down? She's up there in that tree because this really mean dog chased her up there, and I'm afraid she'll get stuck up there. Our mom and dad won't be home for a long time, and I'm really scared for our kitten."

Sesshomaru said, "Allow me. I shall retrieve your pet."

With a quick leap, Sesshomaru caught hold of one of the branches, effortlessly lifted himself up, and after a short climb, he reached the branch where the kitten was huddled. He said, "Come now, little one. You are safe now. I will not harm you...I want to bring you back to your family."

The small white cat mewed softly, and then she sniffed Sesshomaru's hand. Once she was sure that he meant no harm, Snowball climbed into Sesshomaru's arms, and he then jumped down, landing softly on his feet. He walked up to the two children, and placed their cat into the loving arms of the little boy. He said, "There you are...safe and sound."

Kira said, "Thank you so much, Mister...you're really cool, and nice too. What's your name?"

Smiling his small half smile, the disguised Demon-Lord replied, "My name is Sesshomaru, and this is my wife Sango, our daughter Rin, and our cat, Kirara."

Mika joined them, and she said, "Thanks again, Mr. Sesshomaru." She then turned to Rin, and she said, "You're really lucky...your daddy's a really awesome guy."

Rin smiled, and she said, "Yes...he's the best daddy I could possibly wish for."

After that, Sesshomaru and Sango excused themselves, followed by Rin and Kirara, and the four of them soon resumed their journey towards Kagome's house.

Continuing down the busy streets of modern Tokyo, Sango and her three companions tried to keep from getting lost among the hundreds of people that were currently bustling around them. Sesshomaru said, "Rin, I believe it would be safer for you to ride on my shoulders, so you don't get lost in the crowd."

Rin nodded, and she said, "Alright, father."

Sesshomaru gently scooped the little girl up, and set her onto his shoulders, while Kirara hopped up onto Sango's shoulder. She mewed, and Sango said, "There you are...good kitty, staying right where I can see you."

Kirara purred against Sango's cheek, and then Sango gave her a cat treat that she'd bought from a local store. Kirara mewed happily, and then she licked Sango's cheek. Rin said, "Father, why are there so many people around here? Is there a public gathering?"

Sesshomaru replied, "I do not know, Rin. Perhaps if we continue onwards, we will discover why all of these people have gathered here."

Sango replied, "I agree, but we'd best stay together. We can't afford to get separated now. If we lose any time in searching around for each other with as big as modern Tokyo is...we'll be too late to bring Kagome to Inuyasha."

Sesshomaru nodded, and he said, "We will not fail, Sango...more importantly, I will not fail. I made a promise to my brother, and I intend to keep it. More than anyone else alive, he deserves to be happy after all he has suffered through...and a good part of that was my fault...but this will allow me to prove not only to him, but to myself, and to our father and to Izayoi, that I truly have changed."

Sango smiled, and then they came upon a young woman struggling to load several bags of groceries into her car. She looked on the verge of crying, as she tried to keep from dropping several of the bundles. Rin said, "Father, that young lady looks like she needs help with her bags."

Sesshomaru replied, "Yes...and this will allow me another chance to prove that I can help humans, and not treat them as though they needed to be exterminated. I shall return, Rin. Stay here with Sango and Kirara."

Rin nodded, and Sesshomaru walked up to the young lady. He stepped into her view, and said, "Excuse me, miss. I was just passing by with my family, when I noticed you in need of a helping hand. May I offer my aid?"

Smiling, the young woman replied, "Thank you so much...I work all day, and then have to buy groceries, and then end up having to bring them home and put them away myself...my son is so lazy, he never does anything to help. I don't know what to do with him anymore."

As he helped load the woman's car with her groceries, Sesshomaru replied, "I have a suggestion...tell him that if he wishes to continue living under your roof, he needs to start contributing to the household. In my family, we all work together...none of us does anything without the help of the others. My brother and I...we weren't always very close, but now, I couldn't imagine life without him. He's gravely ill, and so I've come here seeking a special...medicine...that can only be obtained here, so that he may live. I promised him that I would help him no matter what...and I will keep that promise, at all costs. My brother is more than a sibling...he's become my closest friend, and I do not want to lose him."

The woman said, "I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, and I hope you find the medicine you need. My prayers are with you, and thanks so much for the suggestion about my son...I'll bring it up and make sure he pays attention, even if I have to unplug his X-Box to get him to look at me. What's your name, so I know who to thank?"

Sesshomaru replied, "My name is Sesshomaru, and this young lady is my wife, Sango. This is our daughter Rin, and our cat, Kirara. It was a pleasure to help you, and I wish you luck. Have a good day, miss."

The woman gave Sesshomaru a smile, and she said, "Thank you again, Sesshomaru...and here, give this lollipop to your daughter. I buy a bunch of them whenever I shop here, so she can have one. A girl as sweet as she is deserves a treat."

Rin thanked the young woman, and she said, "Thank you, miss...and living with my mommy and daddy...and Kirara...is the most special treat I could ever have. I love them all. Oh, by the way, why are there so many people around here?"

"Oh, this is rush hour, sweetie. This is a really big city and around this time a lot of people get off of work, and pick their kids up from school. A lot of them are on the streets at the same time, so be careful and stay with your parents."

"I will, thank you. Take care!!"

With a smile, the young woman climbed into her car and drove off, and Sango said, "That was wonderful, Sesshomaru...not only did you help her out, you even gave her advice on how to solve a problem with her family. If it's that easy for you to do that, I know you can make the final touches in forming your renewed bonds with Inuyasha. I have faith in you, Sesshomaru...and I'll be right behind you."

Sesshomaru said, "Thank you, Sango...and I want you to know this...you are like family to me as well, Sango...all of your friends are. Miroku, Kirara, Shippo, and of course, Kagome. I will have a family...and Inuyasha will occupy a special place of honor in it, as will all of you."

A little while later, the crowd of people had grown bigger, and soon Sesshomaru, and Sango felt themselves being pushed a bit. "Sesshomaru, let's sity down for a moment until this crowd calms down. They all sat down upo the bench. Sango opened the map to see how much further to go. Rin then heard the jingling of bells across the street. Looking up, she saw an ice cream man. She had heard about this strange dessert from Kagome, but had never tried it. Allowing her curiosity to get the better of her, she stood up quietly and began to walk across the street toward the stand.

At that very moment a construction worker was yelling at his crew, "I told you, not on the asphlot! I told you, stay off the asphlot, take that wood, move it over there." He looked up as his eyes fell on Rin making her way over to the ice cream man. She had to stop for a bit and gaze upon the concrete beneath her feet, stepping on the hard substance with surprise. She had NEVER seen anything like this before…it was so strange…so NEW! "Hey, look at her!" the worker grinned. Suddenly he spotted a large red car heading in her direction. From his view he could see the driver was on the phone and didn't even notice what was happening right in front of him!

Meaning right where Rin was!

"Oh no! Little girl! Little girl!" The man tried to call to Rin. "Watch out!! Watch out!! Little girl, watch out!" Rin seemed to stop then and look up...just as the car was coming toward her! She stared at the sight of this monsterous red creature coming right toward her face, and screamed in fright, seemingly frozen with fear. The construction worker dropped his plans and raced toward her, but before he could reach her a dash of white and black light seemed to fly by and grab her! Confused for a moment, the worker put up his hands to stop the car, then glanced in the direction he had seen the light. To his relief he saw Rin with her arms around the disguised Sesshomaru's shoulders, crying into them. Sango had come over to. Believeing those to be Rin's parents he made his way over to the driver. "What the hell are you doing?! Ya can't see a little kid right in the road?!"

"What's she doing right there in the road?"

"What are YOU doing on your phone while driving, you could have gotten her killed, ya idiot!!"

"How'm I supposed to see a kid that small?!"

"Ya hadn't been gabbing ya would've! What's the matter with you?!"

Meanwhile Sango and Sesshomaru were with the crying Rin. "Rin, are you alright?" Sango asked. Rin managed to nod. "Oh, Rin, we told you not to wander off! Things like this can happen."

Rin raised her head. "I'm sorry, Mother...I'm sorry, Father. I didn't mean to, really I didn't.."

"Why did you, Rin?" Sesshomaru asked.

"I saw that man across the street, selling ice cream. I heard Kagome talking about it a while ago, and I wanted to try it...and I wanted to get some for you and Mother. I forgot all about those...what are they called? Cars? I just wanted to try ice cream...I'm sorry."

Sango touched her shoulder. "Well, Rin, next time you ask Sesshomaru or me. I'd take you across the street myself. Those cars are big and they move very fast Rin. You're very small and they might not always see you. This time is very different from our own. You HAVE to be extra careful where you go here. There are fascinating things, but a lot of it can be just as dangerous as back home."

The worker, guessing what Rin was after, went across the street after yelling at the driver to get an ice cream cone, then came over to where they all were. "Hey, is she alright?"

"Yes, she's fine," Sango said. "Thank you for stopping the car."

"Are you her parents?"

"Yes, we are."

The worker knelt down by Rin. "You shouldn't wander away from your Mom and Dad like that, Hon. You could get really hurt running across the street without looking. Idiots like him can't see you while they're talking on the phones."

"Phones?" Sesshomarou asked.

"I'll tell you later," Sango quickly whispered to him.

"Yeah, that jerk should KNOW not to be talking on the phone while driving, it's against the law here. But these uppity dopes don't wanna pay attention!" He knelt to Rin. "You alright, Honey?"

"Yes, thank you," Rin said.

"Well, I got you something to make ya feel better," he gave her a vinella cone. Rin gasped with joy.

"Thank you, Sir!"

"You're welcome. Be a good girl for your Mom and Dad, OK?"

"I will."

"You be careful, this is a busy town."

"I will. Thank you."

The worker stood up. Sesshomaru shook his hand. "Thank you for making her feel better." Sango shook his hand too.

"You're welcome. You folks aren't from around here, are you?"

"No," Sango admitted. "We're just visiting a friend."

"Oh. Well, have a good rest of the time." He looked to Rin. "You be good for your Mom and Dad."

"I will. Thank you." The worker waved and went back to work.

In Feudal Japan…

Inuyasha moaned a bit in his sleep. Miroku shot up from where he was dozing off in the chair with Shippo in his lap. What Shippo saw caused him to gasp out loud. The spell was settling in…meaning Inuyasha's demon half had almost completely faded away. In fact, all that remained of his demon hood was a few locks of silvery-white in his mostly jet black hair and long fingernails on his tan, mostly human-looking hands. Shippo gasped at the sight and Miroku gave Shippo a warning look to tell him not to say anything about this to Inuyasha, he was in enough pain. The last thing he needed to hear was that his powers were almost gone.

Inuyasha tossed and moaned a bit more, Shippo reached for his hand and held it tight.

Jaken took that opportunity to peek inside. "Is he dead yet?"

Shippo whirled around. "Shut up, you imp!"

"Why should I? This is my Master's castle, he's just a nusiance who's polluting it with his presence. I don't know what that witch shot Lord Sesshomaru with, but I hope it wears off soon so that he can come back and kick him out of here…"

"KNOCK IT OFF!!!" Shippo yelled.

"You shouldn't even be here, didn't your Master tell you to stay outside?"

"I came in for a drink, I'm allowed to.."

"Then get it and get out!!"

"You're starting to annoy me, ya shouldn't do this to someone in pain!" Inuyasha then gasped out loud and held his side. "OH, GEEZ!!!! THIS BITCH, WHAT THE HELL IS SHE DOIN TO ME?!?!"

Miroku rushed to his side. "Where are you hurting?"

"In the side…" Shippo grabbed the cream while Miroku got another glass of medicine ready. "I SWEAR, THIS BITCH!! I'M GONNA KILL THIS DAMN ZOMBIE, I'M TEARING HER LIMB FROM LIMB!!!"

"Calm down, lie back down so we can lift your shirt."

"What can I do?" Jaken asked.

"What can you do? Be quiet." Inuyasha gasped

"Get outside and guard the castle like Sesshomaru said to do," Miroku ordered. He held up a scroll. "Just thought you'd like to know, I'm writing down every single time you disobey orders. You'd better hope I do NOT show this to Sesshomaru!"

"Glup! Going, going!!" Jaken quickly scampered outside.

"Inuyasha?" Shippo asked, rubbing on the cream. "How does this feel?"

"Sides still numb…but it doesn't hurt as much. Keep…keep doing that."

"OK, I will, Inuyasha…just…don't close your eyes..OK? Please, don't close your eyes."

"Mmm…better.." Inuyasha said. "Miroku?"

"Yes?"

"I..I had such a great dream, just now. I was in the field…heading for the well…and Kagome..she was right there, waiting for me. She…was so beautiful….the sun was on her, and she looked like such an angel. I ran to her, and held her in my arms. I kissed her…her lips were so soft, and so tender, her hair was so soft…"

"Keep holding on to that image, Inuyasha. Keep holding on to it. She'll be here. She'll be here soon…just hold on."

"Yeah, Inuyasha," Shippo said, biting his lip to keep from crying. "Kagome's on her way. Just keep holding on."

"Ohhh," Inuyasha said, holding his side. Shippo began to apply the cream.. "But…in my dream, angels began to come down just then.,.and I heard my Mothers voice..she was calling my name…"

"Here, drink this," Miroku thrust the medicine at Inuyasha. He took it and swallowed the blue liquid.

"Thanks," he took a long, quavering breath. "I'm so hot…it's getting so hot in here.." Miroku opened the window. "Thanks..…look, Miroku…I wanna tell ya something…if that dream's right.."

"Later, Inuyasha. Right now you need to rest."

Shippo stood up. "I'm gonna go to Kaede's hut and see if she has any more herbs we can use."

"God idea, Shippo, we don't want to use up all the herbs in this field." Shippo scampered out. "Inuyasha? Just rest now…gather your strength."

"My dream.."

"Later, Inuyasha, rest right now."

At that moment, almost the entire village had gathered at Kaede's hut. Word had traveled fast in the small village and soon everyone had head about Inuyasha, and Kaede had organized a candlelight vigil to pray for him. Everyone had gathered around the entrance of the hut where Kaede stood, holding up her candle as she began to lead them in a song Kagome taught them:

I, the Lord of sea and sky,

I have heard my people cry.

All who dwell in dark and sin,

My hand will save.

I, who made the stars of night,

I will make their darkness bright.

Who will bear my light to them?

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

Just then a little movement in the back caught Kaede's attention, and she held her hand up to signal the villagers to stop. "Oh, hello, Shippo."

Shippo quiety made his way over to her "Hi, Kaede. I came to ask you if you had any spare medicinal herbs we can use?"

"Of course, right in that bag over there. How is Inuyasha doing, Dear?"

"Not well, Kaede. Not at all well. He's deterioratig fast…and…his demon half is nearly gone! His human part is all that's left of him."

"Oh my," Kaede gasped.

"Oh no," a village woman said quickly.

"Can we do anything for him?" A man said.

"Just keep hoping and praying…that's all we can do."

Shippo looked around him. "What's going on?"

"We're having a candlelight vigil for Inuyasha, Shippo. Would you care to join us?"

"Well...for a little while, but then I have to get back." Kaede gave Shippo a small candle to hold and lead him out beside her. Giving him a copy of the song, she lifted her hand up, signaling the villagers to start again:

I, the Lord of snow and rain,

I have borne my people's pain.

I have wept for love of them.

They turn away.

I will break their hearts of stone,

Give them hearts for love alone.

I will speak my words to them.

Whom shall I send?

Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?

I have heard you calling in the night.

I will go, Lord, if you lead me.

I will hold your people in my heart.

But soon an unwelcome voice came from the side of the hut, joining in the last two lines of the song off-key. Kaede and Shippo turned swiftly to see Koga walk in smugly, holding a cup of saki wine and flanked by two of his henchmen. "No, no, no, Kaede. I don't want ya to sing THAT song…I want you to sing THIS song..'ALL POWER TO THE WOLVES OF THE NORTHERN LAND, ALL JOIN US AND SING ALONG TO THE WOLVES, AND OUR SONG!!!'

"What are ye doing here, wolf?" Kaede said through clenched teeth.

"Now, Kaede, don't get like that to me…I only came to pay my respects! I heard what happened to poor Inuyasha, and I wanted to show ya that I'm not so bad.." the henchmen started to quietly snicker behind him….but a cold look from Koga quickly silenced them.

"Sorry," one muttered.

"Yeah right," Shippo mumbled to himself.

"What was that, runt?" Koga said.

'I said, I don't believe you. You've always hated Inuyahsa. You're probably here to make sure he's dieing!"

Koga pretended to pout. "Now, would I do a thing like that?"

"Wouldn't surprise me," Shippo mumbled.

"Uh…sight question there, Wolf….how DID ye know that Inuyasha's been poisoned by Kikyo?"

Koga pretended to be shocked. "KIKYO? SHE did this? Gee, who would have thought she had it in her? Well, of course YOU probably did, after all, she's your sister."

"WAS my sister, Wolf. But she's not anymore. She's just a cold hearted lump of clay that LOOKS like her."

"She's your SISTER, Kaede, weather you weant to admit it or not, she's your sister," Kaede didn't answer him, but bowed her head and concentrated. "and that sister has DEFINITEY gone too far, after all .." suddenly the bottom of the cup fell out and the ice cold wine spilled all over his feet, causing him to gasp with the shock. Kaede looked up to Heaven and mouthed 'Thank you.'

"Look, Kaede, you know word travels fast in this small village! I heard what was happening LONG ago! Can't I just offer my prayers?"

"You'll only offer prayers that he dies quick!" Shippo said.

"Hey, I'm not the only one who wants him dead!"

"So, you admit it!"

"No!"

"Come off it, Wolf," Kaede said. "You don't care for poor Inuyasha and you ever did!"

"Hey, not even his own family cared about him!"

"That's ENOUGH, Wolf! I'll thank you to leave this place right now!"

"Besides, we all know YOU had something to do with this!"

"How DARE you accuse me, I had nothing to do with this you brat!!"

"Oh yeah, than what were all those wolf howls we heard when it happened?!"

"Got news for ya, brat, we aren't the only wolves around here!"

Kaede stood up. "Leave, Wolf! We KNOW you were responsible!"

"Look, Old Woman, whatever you think I did, I did NOT do it! Furthermore, I'M not the only one who wanted to do him in!"

"No, we KNOW Kikyo wanted to, and she DID, but YOU were in on it!!"

"Was NOT!"

"Get out, Wolf!" a man cried.

"Beat it, you beast!!" A woman cried.

"Yeah, beat it, go, get out of here.." The people cried out loud.

"All right, all right, I'm goin...take it easy.." Koga said, inching toward the flap with his arms held out. 'BUT...let me tell ya all something, to you.." he gestured to the crowd. 'And to ALL of you...Kikyo may have shot him with her arrow, but did it ever occur..to ANY of you...that he may never have been in this predicament in the FIRST place, had it not been for a certain incident that happened 255 years ago..HUH?! Think of it...think long and hard...if, maybe...possibly...his DEAR OLDER BROTHER had only taken him in when his Saintly Mom died....oh yeah, if he did..he would never have met Kikyo..he would be co-owner of these lands..and this whole thing would NEVER have happened!!" The crowd began to stir a bit. "yeah...yeah, you all know it! Ya DO, don't you?! Think some more! Think!" He came back to near the middle of the hut." Yeah Inuyasha has done a lot for you...for these lands, NO ONE is desputing that! Hell, I'D even admit that...but what of his only living relative, huh? Has HE done anything for you? For ANY of you?!"

"He never would! He hates us!" a man said.

"Not so loud," came another.

"Why not? The wolf's right!"

"I can't even go NEAR those lands!" a woman said.

"Yeah...yeah!" Koga agreed. "Yeah...and how many of you here have witnessed the very depth of his hatred for his own brother? Huh, let me ask all of ya...how many here have seen Lord I'm-So-Great actually try to KILL his own brother?!" Many hands went up...and the villagers stared at each other in surprise. "Yeah, that's what I thought. In fact...I wouldn't be surprised if he's in his castle popping open a bottle of saki wine and cheering this demise!"

"That unholy bastard!" Came another woman.

"How can ANYONE do that to their family?!"

"I'll tell ya how!" Koga said. 'Cause that beast has a heart as black as NIGHT!" The crowd began to yell in agreement. "Yeah, you know it!! BROTHERHOOD!!! BROTHERHOOD!!" Koga made his way around the hut, waving his arms and yelling, stirring up the crowd more and more. "If ya ask me, Kikio isn't fully to blame..HE'S TO BLAME!!" The crowd began to yell. "HE'S the real murderer! He plotted this 255 years ago!! BROTHERHOOD!!" The crowd began to cheer.

"STOP this!!" Kaede said, standing up. 'Have you all gone mad?!"

"No, Lady Keade, they've all seen the truth!" Koga said. "The one to blame is in the Western Castle!"

"He won't get away with this!!" screamed another man.

"Torch the castle!" Came another.

"Make him pay!"

"He kicked Inuyasha out of his rightful home, let's kick HIM out!"

"Someone give us torches!" Came a samurai

"And some logs and pitchforks to break down the door!" Came another.

"Do it! Do it for Inuyasha!" Koga said.

"For Inuyasha!!"

"For all he's done!"

"For ALL HE'S DONE!!"

"STOP!!" Kaede said. "Stop and listen to me! You're all channeling your anger on the wrong one! Kikyo is to blame for this!"

"No, Kaede, she's just partly to blame!"

"Get that Lord! De-throne him!"

"He made Inuyasha miserable, let's return the favor!"

"Yeah! For all Inuyasha's done, for all he's given to you, yet he lived a life of misery cause of his BROTHER!" Koga said.

"He's OUR brother!" came a woman.

"We didn't know he was so alone! He could have come to us!"

"He could...but that damn demon pride," Koga said, pretending to be sad. 'Same pride that makes Sesshomarou act the way HE does."

"DAMN SESSHOMAROU!!" Came another woman. "DAMN THAT BEAST TO HELL!!"

"Inuyasha is OUR brother!"

"We'll welcome him! He's OUR family!"

"We don't care about his heritage! He's a good man!"

"DAMN SESSHOMAROU!! DAMN THE REAL KILLER!"" Koga said. "He's only mad cause he didn't get to do it! The beast deserves no better than death himself!"

"Yeah!"

"Storm the castle!"

"Get that killer!!"

MURDERER!!"

"BROTHERHOOD!!!! BROTHERHOOD!!!" Koga said, waving his arms as the villagers got more and more agitated, practically formin a mob scene. The riot got more and more loud as Koga yelled more and more. 'BROTHERHOOD!!!!"

"Stop this! Stop it, I say!" Keade said, despirately trying to get the forming mob under control. 'Stop it, the enemy is out there!"

"No, Keade, the enemy is OVER THERE!" Koga said, pointing to the Western Lands.

As the crowd was stirring up, a rather large group backed away and gathered in their own private group. "I never thought I'd say this…but that wolf is right! He's DEAD right!! If it weren't for Sesshomarou, none of this would have EVER happened!!!"

"Bastard!!"

"Monster!!"

"Beast!! Heartless beast!"

"Inuyasha is dieing, Kagome can't come to him, he's going to the true Lord in one more day…and Sesshomaru's to blame!"

"Enough is enough, I say! THIS time that horrid monster has gone TOO FAR!!"

"Inuyasha…poor dear Inuyasha….to have to live the life he did, deprived of even family love!"

"At least he's going to die surrounded by friends…he never thought THAT could ever happen.."

"That monster of a brother of his….he's either grouchy cause HE didn't do this first, or he's popping open a bottle of saki wine!"

"Well, that's the LAST thing he's ever gonna drink! Brothers and sisters, for 255 years all of us have held our tounges while this beast with his prejudices, and his hatred has been allowed to make his own brother's life a living HELL…well, I say THAT'S IT! We have all just watched this happen to poor Inuyasha, and he's paid the price! He and his friends! While we all cower in fear at this demon! Well, NO MORE! Let's us do what we should have done YEARS ago! Put an end to this fear, this hatred, this prejudice once and for all! For Inuyasha's sake, let's go end the reign of the Mighty Demon Lord!"

"YEAH!!" the villagers with him said.

"Let's do it for Inuyasha's spirit!"

"Just how are we gonna do this?" Another villager said."You forget the one effective way to kill a demon? You need special purified weapons that'll cut through his aura! We go to the next village, I got a good friend there who's a Priest, he'll purify our weapons and fill them with spiritual energy. Once he does that, there's no stopping us!""YEAH!!""For Inuyasha, and for all he stood for! For all the hell this horrid being put him through! Did he DESERVE such treatment at his own family's hands?!?!""NO!!!!!!!"Just then one and went up into the air. "One question, though, if I may?""Yes, yes?""Well, once we get these weapons purified....how are we gonna kill Sesshomaru? Cold blooded murderer that he is, he's still way more powerful than any of us, faster, stronger...I don't know how we can do it!""We HAVE to! Inuyasha is going to pass on to Heaven cause of him!""Well, I KNOW that...but how are we gonna do it?""Like this! No matter how powerful that monster is, he cant watch in all directions at once! So, a few of us confront him head on, then some more of you hide in the trees, some more of you hide behind him, some more of you hide in the bushes on the side. Some more of you will be in various places. When I give the signal, some more of you jump out and start to scatter. Make him try to chase you, but go in many directions at once. He can only go after one at a time. The rest of you take that opportunity to fire your weapons. Go home, get as many weapons as you can get and meet me right here. We'll purify everything, arrows, swords, everything we got. When we ambush him, we throw everything we have. A few are bound to hit, and we got him!""I can't wait to make him suffer!"Another raised his sword. "Murderous beast!! Follow your brother!!""He can't. Inuyasha's on his way to Heaven...THIS beast will rot in hell!""YEAH!!!""For Inuyasha!""For Inuyasha!!""For the love he wanted and never got!""Amen!""Let's go! Go home, get as many weapons as you can carry, meet me right here! Oh Vile Demon Lord of the Western Lands, THIS IS YOUR JUDGEMENT DAY!!!" He turned toward his fellow villagers. "Brothers and sisters, we're about to embark on a dangerous mission! More dangerous than anything. There's a large chance a lot of us won't survive this. So, go home, get as many weapons as you can, and say goodbye to your families. Afterwards, if anyone still wishes to help, meet me here on this hill tomorrow so we can go to the East where the Priest is and he can purify our weapons so we may put an end to this murderer."

Shippo finally crawled on top of a tree trunk. "SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!" He yelled at the top of his lungs to the villagers still at Kaede's, causing everyone around him to be quiet. "Thank you."

"Thank you, Shippo," Kaede said. "Look, all of you...let's not be a mob. Listen to me first. Sesshomarou may have done those things in the part...but he's changed. Honest. He's not the man he was before."

"He's a cold blooded killer with no trace of humanity in him, Kaede."

"WRONG, Wolf. In case you didn't hear, his whole attitude toward humans has turned around. He no longer wishes them dead, and he no longer wants to be against his brother."

Koga snickered. "You expect me to believe that?! He's cold blooded, no emotion, hates everyone except other demons...I can't even believe them two are related!"

"Koga, she's telling the truth," Shippo said. "He's adopted a human girl!"

"A who?"

"A human girl!"

"Yes," Kaede answered the villagers. "In fact, he himself showed up..WITH THE GIRL..and Sango...and begged me to try to help bring Kagome here. He begged!"

Koga turned to the crowd. "You buying this?! The great Lord No-Heart begged?!?!"

"Yes....he did. So, that disproves your theory, Wolf. Now get OUT of my hut! You were in on this, Wolf. I just know you were."

"ME?!" Koga said, pretending to pout. 'Now, Kaede, would I do a thing like that?"

"Yes, you would," Shippo sad. "YOU would do ANYTHING to get Kagome. If you teamed up wth Kikyo, I wouldn't be surprised."

"Listen, you pipsqueak, I did NOT! Geez, I only came here to pay my respects, like the lot of you, and to tell you who you should REALLY be mad at...and this is the thanks I get?!"

"You deserve no such thanks, Wolf! YOU definitely had something to do with this..I could feel it in your aura. You have a lot of ill will toward Inuyahsa, and YOU would love him dead! YOU get out of this hut..NOW!"

"Fine...but I'm still not buying this!" He turned to go. "You all listen..he probably wants to find Kagome so he can kill HER and then watch his brother die!"

"OUT!" Kaede pointed. Koga finally left.

"Lady Keade, I'm still tempted to agree with the wolf. We all know his heart was coal black as night."

"I wouldn't trust him with my life."

"Nor do I , I hate him!"

"But you all trust Sango, don't you?"

"We do with our lives, Kaede."

"Well, she's with him. They're trying to find Kagome. If anything happens, you know she'd do something. You ALL know that!" The villagers nodded.

'But still," One man said. "I refuse to believe Sesshomarou's fully changed until I see him openly admit..to ALL of us..that he's a jerk..and if I see him with his hand on Kagome's shoulder, and NOT hurting her! Otherwise I will not believe it."

Keade walked toward a mirror she had. "Then see for yourself," she waved her hand, and the images of Sesshomarou in his disguise, Sango, Rin, and the disguised Kirara appeared before them. "Look, there they are in Kagome's time. I sent them there with my Sikigami spell to find Kagome."

"All I see is Sango, Rin...and Kirara with one tail. Who is that with them, a guide?"

Kaede smiled. "Watch," she touched the image..and Sesshomarou's disguise vanished, causing the villagers to gasp. "There! Believe me now? He's THERE, and he's HELPING! And Sango is with him just in case. You know she can put him in lne." They all nodded.

"But he still has to prove himself, Kaede. I still want him to admit he's a jerk."

"Me, too."

Just then a movement to the right caused the villagers to turn around swiftly. A whole group of people were coming toward the hut. But what made the villagers gasp was the huge horse demon marching behind them. Finally the Head of the grup step forward. "Excuse me, is this where the candlelight vigil for Inuyasha is being held?"

"Yes, yes, it is," Kaede answered.

"Oh, good, we've found it. We're from a village near the East. We've heard about what happened to him and we want to pay our respects."

"Oh? He's helped you out?"

"Greatly," the man beckoned to the horse demon. "This is Jenenji….we're proud to say that he's now our friend. Of course, if it weren't for Inuyasha, he might not have been."

"What do ye mean?"

Jenenji stepped forward. "Like Inuyasha, I too was bullied a lot as a child. I too am a half demon, horse demon and human. The villagers were suspicious of me, and tried to run me off the lands, very much like Inuyasha." Several of Kaede's villagers exchanged guilty looks. "However, with Inuyasha's help I was able to overcome the bullying and help the villagers get rid of a massive snake like demon haunting them. With tat I was able to gain their trust."

"He's our friend now," the head villager said. "He's helped us find useful medicinal herbs for our sick, and thanks to his strength and expert with gardening, we have more crops than ever. But if it weren't for Inuyasha…we might still be treating Jenenji as an outcast, and blaming him for all the demon attacks. As such, we wish to participate in this vigil."

"He has helped us, so we wish to help him," Jenenji said.

Kaede, smiling, passed out some more candles. An elderly villager came up to her. "Lady Kaede…" he said with his head down. "I have sinned.."

"I too, Lady Kaede," another villager said.

"And I," said a third.

"What is this sin?" Kaede asked.

"When Inuyasha was first freed from the tree by Kagome, he was ruthless and scary…and we said to you that we would have been better off with the Centipede Demon. We'rte very sorry we said that ow….we didn't know.."

Kaede smiled. "He has forgiven you completely for that….and so have I. Do you think he would have saved you all those times if he didn't? Let us not dwell on the past for now, we shall concentrate on our vigil. After our song, Shippo, I think ya should take the herbs back to Inuyasha."

Inuyasha opened his eyes again wearily. "M..Miroku?" he asked.

"I'm here, Inuyasha," the monk answered, moving a bit closer to him. "But, you shouldn't try to talk, just rest.'

"Rest?! I could be history any minute! Listen…there are a few things I have to tell you…you two…" he winced and grabbed his side.

"Shippo," Miroku said pointing. Shippo nodded and began to apply the cream

"Listen," Inuyasha continued, when he found his voice. "I…I just wanna tell you…you both..and Sango..and Kagome, if they don't find her in time. I wanna tell you all…you guys…You all…are the most important things in my life. I know it's taken me a long time to show that, I'm not an affectionate person. But..you guys are."

"From what you had to go through in your life it's perfectly understandable," Miroku said. "We feel that way about you as well."

"I'll probably see my parents in Heaven. I'll finally be able to meet my Dad. It's been 255 years."

"Don't talk like that, Inuyasha," Miroku said quickly. "Sango, Sesshomaru..they're doing what they can to try to bring Kagome here. Hold on for her. She'll be here."

"Yeah," Shippo agreed, climbing onto Inuyasha. "In your own words, Inuyasha…don't you dare die on us! We NEED you!" Inuyasha fluffed Shippo's hair.

"Huh…never in my life did I ever think I'd hear that. Someone needs me…I didn't think I'd ever matter to anyone ever in my life."

"You matter to US, my friend," Miroku said, holding his hand tighter.

"I'm an idiot."

"Why?"

"I didn't think this would happen! I didn't think this through."

"What?"

"Death. I'd never thought I'd die so soon…before I can even see Kagome again."

"Inuyasha…maybe someday, but NOT today!"

"I'm not ready…God..I'm not ready! 255 years old and this comes as a complete shock!"

"You are NOT going to die!"

"I don't want to.."

"Who does?"

"Ya know, I'd settle for just one more week….just a few more hours with Kagome..just…to tell her I love her. God all I want is to finally be able to say that to her!"

"You WILL, Inuyasha! You'll be able to tell her all of that yourself."

Inuyasha sighed. "Ya know what?"

"What?"

"Death sucks."

Shippo laid his head on Inuyasha's chest. "Inuyasha…hold on…please…hold on!" He tried his best to hide his tears. He looked at Inuyasha's now jet-black hair and tanner skin, knowing how upset he'd be if he knew that. "Inuyasha…please…we all need you…you're the one who can best lead us. I really don't want you to die…you…I know I picked on you a lot...teased you...but I only did that cause..you remind me of my own brother!"

"Brother? I didn't know ya HAD a brother!"

"It's hard to talk about. But yeah, I did. He was the first one killed. He acted…just like you. But he was older than me, and I used to pick on him and tease him a lot. I guess that's why I did that to you." He buried his head in Inuyasha's chest. "Inuyasha…teasing you was almost like bringing my brother back..and I thought of you like I thought of him. Please…please…hold on. Don't die! I....I love you."

Inuyasha rumpled his hair. "I love you, too, Kid. Even though ya drive me crazy…you don't make the journey boring." He reached over and gave Shippo a one armed hug. "Miroku…come here.." Miroku moved over to stand right by Inyasha's bed.

"Inuyasha…"

"Don't 'Inuyasha' me, listen. Before you know it I could be gone, and we won't have a chance to say some important stuff. God knows when my Mom died….I thought she'd live for a long long time and I never got a chance to say so many things to her…things that I wanted to say….so many things to tell her…and before I knew it she was gone. Look…this is hard for me…ya know that. I'm not that good at expressing myself…but I want you to know that…you guys are the best friends I've ever had, and I mean that. All my life, I was alone. I didn't have anyone, besides my Mother, who cared about me….when she died, Kikyo..the REAL Kikyo, became my only friend. When Naraku ruined everything….I thought that I'd never be able to trust anyone ever again. I thought I was destined to be alone….until I found all of you. I…don't know where I'd be without any of you in my life. Thank you for coming with me and Kagome during our journey. It was some treat. You really made the travels exciting."

"We all love you, Inuyasha," Shippo said.

"This is nice, to die with friends around me…I never thought I'd ever have this opportunity. I thought..I was gonna die alone….by myself.."

"You're not gonna die, Inyasha, not for a LONG, LONG TIME. Not for several thousand years. We won't let you die, she won't let you die, your brother won't let you die. You're gonna be with her for the rest of your life."

"Thanks, guys…"

"Hold on, Inuyahsa, please…"

'I'll…I'll try…I'm gonna close my eyes now…but I'm only resting," He lowered his eyes and they waited until he was breathing deeply before they went out in the hall.

"Miroku?" Shippo asked., "I'm scared. This spell is different from any other spells I've ever seen…what if…what if they cant get Kagome in time…what if he dies?"

"He won't die, Shippo, believe me, he won't."

:But wehat if he does?"

"He's a tough half demon, Shippo. He's come through a lot more than this."

"Oh God, I don't know what I'll do…I ove him so uch. He's my family."

"We're your family too, Shippo…we're all family. We may nt be blood, but we're here."

"I miss him already. What are we gonna DO without him…if the worst should happen…"

"Well…we'll choose a new leader for our group, and keep on fighting Niroku in his name."

"What about Sango, Miroku? I think she'd be a great leader."

"I do agree…but lets not think about that right now."

"Miroku…I really hate to say this…but.,..I don't know if we can trust Sesshomaru? He's put Inuyasha through so much for so long….and he still scares me! Can he REALLY be trusted?"

"We have to trust him, Shippo. He and Sango are the ones we must rely on to help us through this."

"I hate to even suggest this, Miroku…but what if Koga's right? What if…Sesshomaru's only helping get Inuyasha better, only so he can be the one to kill him? Or…what if he's in Kagome's time to find her and kill her so she CAN'T save him? I know Kaede trusts him…but I don't. If Inuyasha gets better in front of Sesshomaru, what's to stop him from chopping off his head? Or from killing Kagome so she can't get to Inuyasha?"

"We can't believe that, Shippo. Remember, as a monk I can sense Sesshomaru's aura…and from what I sensed, he does want to change. Believe me, Shippo, I wouldn't speak these words if I wasn't sure, but his aura is no longer black as night…its slowly turning as white as his kimono. We must trust him, for he is sorry for what he' done, and he does want to be a true brother now. Besides, if he gets out of line Sango is there, ad she'll set him straight. She knows what to do."

"What can we do in the meantime, Miroku?"

"Pray," Miroku said, kneeling down. "We can watch and pray, come Shippo. Pray with me."

In The Modern Era…

The sun was slowly beginning to go down. Sesshomaru stopped where he was to look worriedly at the sky above him. "Sesshomaru," Sango said, "I really don't think we're going to make it tonight."

"We must try, Sango," Sesshomaru said. "Every moment we hesitate is one second left in my brother's life."

"I agree, Sesshomaru, but…Rin and I aren't demons, like you. We can't stay up all night and still have strength, like you can. Believe me, Sesshomaru, I REALLY hate to say this myself, but Rin and I have to rest, otherwise we won't have any strength to go on in the morning."

"I'm getting tired myself, Father," Rin said. Sudden;y her eyes lit up as she saw a sign. "Mother, Father, we found Sakura Way!"

"Number One Sakura Way," Sango said, reading the sign. "We have to go to 586." She sighed. Rin's stomach growled just then. "You hungry, Rin?"

"Yes. Father, may we please stop to eat?"

"All right," Sesshomaru said. "Then I suppose we may stop for the night to rest," he began to look around him.

"What are you looking for, Sesshomaru?"

"Someplace to ay dow for the night. I don't see too many trees in this part of the town, maybe we should go back to that…what was it called.,..playground?"

"No, we cant go there. You're not allowed to sleep in there."

"Why not?"

"There are theives ad pickpockets that take adavantage of you if you sleep and rob you of your belongings That's why that law was made."

"But I can protect you.."

"I know that, but the police don't, and for obvious reasons we can't tell them. So we can't sleep there. There are places here…I think they're called hotels…they're like a bigger form of the inns that are in our village. You can buy a room for a nght or two to sleep in."

"Very well, let's find one of those." Sango looked at the map. "Here's one, not too far from here.." she looked it up in the guide book. "Good, it allows animals. Come on, Kirara, we can go pay for a room for the night, then go find a place to eat." As they went on their way, Sango had to turn and smile a bit at Sesshomaru. "You know, Sesshomaru, I was really impressed with you today."

"Oh?"

"Yes, helping out those humans like you did."

"They needed help. I was glad to be of assistance."

"Bet that feels much better than just attacking if they get in your way, doesn't it?"

"Very much," Sesshomaru agreed, stopping a bit and gazing around him. He took in the sight of the many humans walking around and past him, some with small children, some with pets, some carrying objects. "I had never fully noticed before….how many of them there are…how different they are from each other…"

"They ARE different. Some are bad, but some are good…and a lot of them like to be helped."

"Yes.." Sesshomaru said softly.

"So…they're really not all bad, are they?"

"No.." he realized softly. "I….I like humans!"