and now my next chapter. the story is soon coming to an end. maybe 3-5 more chapters before its finally done. this is my LONGEST chapter EVER so i hope it makes up for lost time

warning: ooc and fluff and mush^^... so the usual

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its Characters

Chapter 20: Final Battle Part 1

"Are you ready?" Kagome asked as Kohaku sat down in the middle of the field as she instructed.

Kohaku nodded. "Y-yes.. I think so"

Kagome approached him and softly patted his head. "You have be sure Kohaku." She motioned Sango to sit in front of the young boy. "Sango take his hand, and Kohaku I need you to erase all doubt from your mind. Think only of wanting your life back and of your sister. Take deep breaths and relax."

When they both were relaxed, Kagome sat behind of Kohaku and removed the top part of his kimono to see his back. There shining a dull pink was the jewel. She placed both hands on the spot and closed her eyes. She gathered all her powers into the palm of her hands and took a deep breath. She could feel and 'see' the shikon and Kohaku's soul. She separated her powers of purification and healing and took hold of the shard and Kohaku's soul.
She immediately felt the boy's body tensed and whispered a word of reassurance. When she was sure he was calm she proceeded to grab hold of the jewel, purifying it instantly. She focused next on his soul and with the one hand she poured her healing powers into it. She sent as much as she could until she was sure his soul would hold on it's own.
She ignored the drain on her own body and spirit as she let Kohaku's soul take all it needed to remain anchored to it's body. With a swift flick of a wrist she pulled the jewel out of his back and stood from her spot on the ground. "It's done"

She watched happily as both Sango and Kohaku looked up to see the jewel in her hands. Sango happily hugged her brother and cried of joy knowing her brother was free of Naraku and of the jewel. The taijiya stood up and hugged the young miko.

"Thank you Kagome. Thank you"

"Your welcome Sango." Kagome patted her friend on the back. "Let's go back now. I'm sure everyone's wandering what is happening."

Sango nodded before taking Kohaku's hand in hers and walking back to the camp. Kagome followed slowly. It took a lot out of her but she could still stand and walk. When they got back everyone turned their attention to them.

"Where the hell did you three go?" Inuyasha asked bitterly.

Kagome didn't answered instead she showed them the jewel. All eyes widen and looked to the boy by Sango's side. Miroku was the first to react. He got up and surprised Sango with a hug. He was hugging her and smiling, all the while saying how happy he was for her to finally get her brother back. Kagome smiled at the scene and at Sango's blush to the monks embrace. Unfortunately the moment ended abruptly when the monk decided for his hand to get personal with the girl's butt. One slap across the face and Kagome shook her head before walking to the fire pit and sitting down.

"You got the shard out? How?" Inuyasha questioned sitting next to her.

"It's too complicated to explain." Kagome replied. "But I had to use nearly all of my healing powers to do it"

"That's why you were meditating for long?"

"Yup. Why?" Kagome asked looking at her hanyou friend curiously.

"Nothing" Inuyasha said. He turned his head and looked Sesshomaru. The taiyoukai was staring right at him with a look that said 'told you it was important'.

Kagome just stared at the two and shrugged. She turned her attention to the three children playing and chasing Jaken around. Then she stared at the jewel and again thought of what could happen the next day. They were going into battle, for one last time and she had no idea what was going to happen. Her friends who had become family could die. Sensing her sadness Sesshomaru got up from his spot and tapped her shoulder.

"Come with me. I have something for you." He said when she looked up at him. Curiosity replaced sadness as she got up and followed him. He took her by the tree he usually rested and gave her a cloth package. She stared at him before unwrapping the package and taking out its contents. She gasped as she pulled out pieces of a traditional priestess attire. But instead of Kikyo's white and red, this one was white and dark blue. "S-Sesshmaru. When did you-"

"I sent Jaken for it earlier today" He replied before she could finish. "There's something else too."

"Huh? You got me something else?"

He went to the side of the tree and retrieved something from behind. What he came out with shocked her.

"Armour?"

"For protection." He said staring in her eyes. "In case the hanyou or my self can't get to you."

"Sesshomaru, thank you." Kagome smiled at him. "Can I try them on now?"

He nodded and followed her, knowing she might need help with the armour. He kept his distance though to respect her privacy as she change out of her clothes. When she was done she called out to him. He got the armour and placed it on her and firmly tying the cloth that hold it together. It was a simple breast-plated armour, and was black except for the tying cloths which was dark green. When he was done Kagome went to the small stream nearby and peered in. What she saw amazed her. 'So that's what she meant by we will see each other again' She thought with a smile. With the armour on, she looked exactly like her "subconscious self".

"It fits you well." Sesshomaru said standing next to her.

"It's very light" She turn her attention to him and with a great smile, she hugged him. "Thank you Sesshomaru... for everything."

Coming out of his slight shock, Sesshomaru placed his arms around her and held her close. "I did nothing that you need to thank me"

"What are you talking about?" Kagome moved to look in his eyes but didn't let go of him. "You did so much for me. You saved my life and you trained me. You even comforted me when I was sad and now you give me this. It's a lot to thank you for." She stared into his amber eyes and pondered what he could be thinking. Then she said something that confused him. "Why?"

He gave her a questioning look. Why what?

"Why have you been so kind to me?" she said still staring into his eyes as if she was searching for something.

Sesshomaru thought about it. Why had he done all that? It was completely out of his character. He was confused. "Because..." He paused. This girl... how is it that he had come to care for her. She was strange and it intrigued him. He was drawn into her deep blue eyes and said the first thing that came to mind. "You amaze me."

"I-I amaze you?"

"You are different from the average human and from the average priestess. Your heart is pure and you show compassion to all living things. You have a determination to keep your friends safe even when you were so greatly out matched. On more than one occasion you had gone against me with no fear. And now you have given me, I who was once your enemy, your friendship."

"What if I wanted to give you more than my friendship." The words slipped from her before she realize what she was saying.

He looked at her in wonder, slowly processing what she said. Taking a risk, Kagome reached up and traced the markings on his cheek. He grab hold of her hand and kept it pressed on his cheek, never breaking eye contact. She was so transfixed on him she didn't realize they were closer than before (if that was even possible).

"Sesshomaru" she whispered when his face was just a nose length away from hers. He was close, way too close. But the feeling in her heart kept her from pulling away. Right when she thought he was going to kiss her... he pulled away. She nearly pouted when she heard Inuyasha voice. The two released their hold on each other when the hanyou came into view.

"There you guys are." Inuyasha called out to them. He looked at Kagome for awhile before commenting. "It looks good." he said pointing at the armour.

"Thanks" Kagome said smiling. She shifted her feet nervously as she fought vainly to hide the creeping blush on her face. Sadly that failed and the hanyou noticed.

"Oi, why is your face red?"

"Red? It's not red. That's just the sunset playing tricks with your eyes." She commenting before moving away. She grabbed her clothes she took off earlier and headed back. "I'm going to show the others my new look." She said walking away from the two inu-brothers.

When she was gone Inuyasha looked at Sesshomaru, who at the moment was nearly glaring at him. "What are you looking at me for? Just what were you two doing anyways?"

Sesshomaru said nothing at first then walked past the hanyou. "Nothing for you to be concern with"

"Why am I not surprised by that answer" Inuyasha said to himself as he followed his brother back to the group.

"Lord Sesshomaru Kagome looks pretty even in armour" Rin said latching herself unto the demon lord.

Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and almost smiled when she turned away with a blush. She turned her attention to the fire where she had dinner cooking, once again trying to hide her blush.

Sango sat down next to her to help. "What's with the blush?" She asked once the taiyoukai had moved to sit in his usual spot watching the children play.

"Not a blush" Kagome said all too quickly.

"Uh-huh." Sango just watched her friend. "Should I make a guess or are you just gonna stay there blushing and burning the food?"

"Burning?" Kagome looked to the pot and quickly took it off the fire. Checking to see it was alright, she sighed. "That was close." She looked to Sango but the smile her friend was giving her made her uneasy. "What?"

"Kagome how do you feel about Sesshomaru?"

"H-how? Why do you want to know?" Kagome asked nervously dishing out the food into separate bowls.

"So you like him?"

"Sango!"

"Just a question."

Kagome pouted and turned away. She then called out to the others letting them know dinner was ready. She was glad the children were the first to come cutting her conversation with Sango short. She gave each child a bowl and watched them walk away and eat together. It was amazing how fast the three became friends, but then again she suspected they would. Dinner was spent with chatter and laughter and as the night approached the children were the first to fallen asleep. The rest of the group, however stayed awake. All their thoughts on the mornings battle.

"It feels so unreal" Miroku said breaking the silence. He was staring at his cursed hand with hopeful thinking.

"What do you mean?" Sango asked.

"It's just that so much has happened, I can't believe we are finally facing that wretched monster."

"Yes a lot has happen." Kagome stated, earning everyone's attention. "Naraku has caused us so much pain and suffering. Yet... in a way I am almost glad for it. Almost glad the jewel shattered."

"Kagome?" Sango said as a small yet sad smile came upon her friends face.

"I mean without all this we all would never met. We wouldn't be such great friends if none of this happen. So in that sense I'm grateful. And... I'm more grateful to battle against Naraku beside you all."

"I'm glad to fight along side you too." Sango gave her friend a hug as the rest agreed.

Inuyasha let out a chuckle. "And to think it all started with your silly mistake."

Kagome smiled in replied. "Actually it all started when I fell down the well and pulled an arrow from puppy-dog stuck to a tree." This got everyone to laugh and smile.

"We should get some rest" Sesshomaru voiced. "No doubt we'll need all our strength for tomorrow."

It was the truth, yet they found themselves not wanting to sleep. If they did then it might be the last time they all spend time under the bright stars. Slowly but surely, one by one, they each let sleep take them. Only two remained after some time. Kagome made her way to the taiyoukai and sat beside him. She wrapped her arm around his and took his hand in hers.

"May I sleep like this tonight?"

"If you wish" Was the reply.

Kagome could feel her lids beginning to close but she wanted to stay awake a while longer. "I'm afraid"

Though she didn't voice it he knew what she was afraid of. She was afraid of losing her friends. The family that she had come to love in this time. "Don't be." He said, knowing she heard him. His other hand lightly touched the hilt of Tensaiga. "If anything happens I'll save them."

"Thank you" She whispered as her eyes finally closed and she fell fast asleep. Sesshomaru breathed in her scent as he to let sleep consume him. He didn't know when or how it happen, but this little human miko had become part of his life... and consequently a part of his heart.

Dawn came all too quickly for the group as they prepared to leave. Kagome gave a kiss on Rin's forehead. She would be staying behind, of course, with Jaken and Ah-Un. She opted for Shippo to stay but the demon lord insisted he come. They had a plan in motion and he was apart of it. They left the sanctuary and walked till the pasted the village all in silence. From there they got off the trail and travelled through the woods. When they were close to their destination, Sesshomaru stopped and turned to Kagome.

"When we get there you and the kitsune shall remain hidden"

"What? Why?" She asked in dismay. "I want to fight along side you"

"And you will. But Naraku believes you dead. This gives us the upper hand."

Kagome sighed but nodded in understanding. "What should I do then?"

"Shippo will distract Masaru and lead him to you. Can you handle fighting him?"

"Yes I can manage."

"Good. When that task is done you can join us in dealing with Naraku" That said and done they completed their journey to the location of the final battle. Kagome and Shippo stayed hidden as they hid their aura and took their positions. No sooner had the others left the tree line that they were surrounded with Naraku's demons. The evil hanyou himself was in the middle, along side him was Masaru, Kagura, and Kanna.

"Welcome." Naraku said with an evil grin. "So glad you all can make it to you funeral."

(A/N: i was tempted to leave it here but couldn't let you suffer like that :])

"Naraku you bastard!" Inuyasha exclaimed his sword pointed at the evil being. "You've caused us enough pain! Don't think for one second that you'll win"

"Fool. By killing both mikos I have already won!" He laughed viciously and signal for his army to attack.

Inuyasha and Sesshomaru went straight for Naraku while Miroku, Sango and Kohaku took on the other demons. Kagura had pulled off to the side with Kanna. Neither of them wishing to get between the furious inu-brothers and the wicked hanyou. Masaru was fighting against Sango and her brother, but every time he tried to strike a blow a ball of flame would hit him. It was distracting as he tried to find who was doing it, all the while trying to avoid being hit by the slayers attacks.

"Enough of this!" He yelled as he knocked Sango to the side. Using the time given to him he scanned the tree lines. Shippo used that opportunity to let his aura go. When he was sure the demon had spotted him he dashed away from the battle toward where Kagome lay hidden. Masaru was not pleased that a little runt was getting the best of him. As he reached out for the little kitsune a blade came toward his hand. He dodged it quickly and looked to his assailant. He had not sense anyone and with that he was even more infuriated. His eyes widened as the person stepped into view.

"Miss me?" Kagome stated sarcastically staring at the demon with hatred in her eyes.

"You... somehow I knew you wouldn't be dead." Masaru said. Taking out his sword and getting into a fighting stance. "Well, now I must see to it that you stay dead."

"Too bad it'll never happen. Your life will end here not mine." with that Kagome leaped at the moth demon striking out with Tenkire. This was the finally battle and this demon will know her strength and fury.

okay now I'm done. ^^ did you like it? huh? huh? huh? i sure did. it's sad though cause it's almost over. oh well. pls review. dnt know when the other chapter might be up but i'll try not to make you wait long