Inuyasha unsheathed his rusty sword, which enlarged soon enough for him to clash with her fan. She spun, creating a strong wind that hurled him backwards. Koga appeared above Inuyasha and was successful to send a crushing blow to her jaw. He swiftly kicked her while in mid-air to knock her to the ground. Kagura retaliated as soon as she observed Koga's movements that screamed he was going to pounce her. Her suspicion was confirmed true as he leapt in the air, but she was quick to jump back on her feet and unleash her blades.

Koga groaned as he skidded backwards, the blades piercing his skin. He began nursing his bloody arm, reproaching Kagura with a menacing glare. She only smirked and went to reiterate her assault again. This time, however, she aimed for his legs. Inuyasha, realizing Kagura's intentions, jumped in front of Koga. He deflected Kagura's Dance of Blades with his transformed sword. The quick reaction saved Koga's jewel shards, but he snarled to show his disapproval.

"Hey mutt! Back off will ya! This is my fight dog boy!" Koga yelled.

Inuyasha glared at him from behind his shoulder. "Shut up ya wimpy wolf! If you get in my way, I won't spare ya!"

With that, Inuyasha charged to blindly attack the wind sorceress with his blade. Koga stood, but felt the hairs on his neck stand. His spine tingled with a foreboding sensation. These were his instincts that told him danger was approaching. The instincts he came to trust. He stared in the direction of Kaede's village, where his beloved Kagome rested with such unease. His heart pounded as he registered a horrible thought, is she hurting?

"Koga!"

Koga snapped back to reality when Kirara's huge body knocked him to the ground and shielded him from Kagura's wind blades. Kirara howled as the blades cut into her, adorning her fur in a stream of crimson. Sango jumped off of Kirara and hurled her Hiraikotsu at Kagura.

Inuyasha's sensitive ears felt the whiz of Hiraikotsu. He deftly dodged the projectile to let it slam into Kagura. However, Kanna stepped in the way. In a blink of an eye, the mirror deflected Hiraikotsu. Sango tried to dive away, but Miroku pounced on her. His ribs were hit with the blunt force of Sango's weapon and he was thrown a few inches back. He moaned as his back racked with pain, sending Sango to her knees in shame.

Damn, I forgot Kanna can deflect attacks. Sango grumbled angrily.

"You all are such a waste of time. I rather be doing something productive here." Kagura sighed.

Inuyasha growled. "Oh no you don't Kagura! Ya ain't getting nowhere! You stay where you are wench!"

Kagura smirked as Inuyasha obstinately attacked her with his blade and again, thrusted him off of her. Ugh, I don't know how long I can endure this! She yelled in her mind.

_ _ _

Kagome relaxed on the futon, allowing herself to just lay down. She attained a decent alk and she didn't feel like her legs were a pile of mush anymore. Sleepiness was dominating her, but she wanted to wait until her friends arrived home safely. Therefore, she fought off the tempting urge to just rest. The sound of bamboo curtains sweeping to the side disturbed her moment of peace, but she smiled at the two incomers.

Kohaku and Kumiko entered, carrying encouraging smiles on their faces. Kagome eyed the unfamiliar girl and felt her heart skip a beat. Perhaps this was Kohaku's 'friend'? Ideas of match making littered her brain, and she had to bite her cheeks to stifle a crazy giggle.

"Kohaku! Who's your little friend?" Kagome asked.

Kohaku blushed. "This is Kumiko. Kumiko, this is Miss Kagome."

"Hello." She replied shyly.

Kagome smiled warmly. "How did you end up here?"

"I came with your friends. Sango, Miroku, and Kohaku. You see, my sister, Aneko died and I have no where to go. Your friends were kind enough to let me stay until I can get back on my own two feet."

Kagome smiled. "Well, you are more than welcome to stay here if you feel comfortable."

Kumiko nodded with a charismatic smile. "Thanks."

Kohaku intervened. "Miss Kagome, is there something you need."

"No, Kohaku. I may be sick, but I haven't lost my two legs. When I want something, I'll get it. Thank you though." Kagome replied. "So, Kumiko, you said your sister's name was Aneko?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Huh."

"Why?"

"Oh, nothing."

"I know you met with my sister, shortly before she died."

"Yes. I was asked to save her, but it was a lost cause. I'm sorry."

Kumiko bowed her head. "No, it's not your fault."

Kohaku understood a girl bonding moment was unfolding before his eyes. That means they were going to talk about personal things such as clothing, beauty, and above all… he gulped. Boys. He politely excused himself and hurried out of the room, letting them talk in undisturbed peace.

Kumiko appeared lost after the only familiar face in the room disappeared, but she found herself at ease when Kagome flashed her a perfect smile. Her heart settled, her flaccidity encouraged her to sit down with the young woman. Kumiko took this opportunity to study Kagome's features. She was so pretty if the onlooker excised the paleness of her skin, chapped lips, and eyes so solemn.

"If it's not too personal, can I ask how you died? Your sister told me you were killed."

Kumiko pursed her lips. "I was killed… by a disease. I was bitten by a bug and contracted this disease which killed me a few days after. My sister was so sad, so lost. I guess that's why she revived me, even if it would cost her her life."

"That's what people do for the ones they love. You hear a lot that we are selfish and greedy. I've come to realize that it may be true. Whenever we are uncomfortable, we do crazy things to feel comfortable. It's like when someone's depressed and they lose their vivaciousness for life. Now, losing a loved one. We found ourselves wanting them back, but not thinking about their pain, their suffering in life. How the afterlife is just… a better solution for them. I guess I'm selfish too."

"No, you're not! You gave your life for your friends."

"Though they weren't taking the deaths of their loved ones so well, they were still in the process of grieving. I should've let them continue to grieve, because that's how you move on from a death. But I was selfish. I couldn't stand the way they felt made me feel so… ashamed. I had to bring back Kohaku and Kikyo and sever the process that happens to all individuals."

"Are you saying, you regret giving them life? Giving Sango back her brother, and Inuyasha Kikyo?"

"I'm not saying I regret it, I just wish I let time pass more. I don't want to die. Yet, it's too late. I also don't want to tear away that newly found hope for Sango and Inuyasha. Their happiness is far more important to me beyond any measures."

"I see."

Kagome's eyelids closed, but her ears were intent. Kumiko focused on the young woman lying so pale beneath a sheet. Without training, the girl's energy is drained and I will be astonished if she lives past a month. Lady Tami's voice penetrated her thoughts and she felt one little tear escape the confinements of her eyes.

_ _ _

There was something ominous in the wind. The air is so still and so foreboding. Kohaku rapped his fingers against his chain blade. His demon hunting instincts arising as he tensed. The flaccid muscels of his face tightened, only his eyes were moving. Watching… Observing… Then, he heard it. The crackling of bushes. The faint chuckle of mockery. Then, an insipid face he knew so well.

Hakudoshi emerged from the nest of bushes, leaves attaching to his pristine uniform. His long sword slung over his back, but Kohaku noticed his fingers tighten on the hilt, alerting him to prepare for battle.

Hakudoshi smirked. "Kohaku, it's been so long."

"What are you doing here?"

"Huh. What's it to you?"

"I won't let you go near Miss Kagome. You're here to finish the job aren't you!"

Hakudoshi again, snickered. "Move boy, or I shall be forced to battle you."

Kohaku unsheathed his blade, earning an eyebrow raise from the demon boy. Hakudoshi brought his sword forth, long enough for Kohaku to be puzzled by a dark, glowing light emitting from the tip of the blade. He sheathed it, instead pulling out another sword.

"Your move."