The morning dawned, bright and beautiful. The four fighters gathered around the dry well, accompanied by Kaede.
"Now, does each of you have your shard?" the old woman asked.
"Yes!" chorused the group.
"Good then. I wish you safe journey and a quick and victorious battle."
Kagome stopped the for a moment. "I think Shippou should go first, since he's the smallest. When you get to the other side, Shippou, wait just outside the well. Don't go anywhere without me, understand? That goes for the rest of you, too!" She eyed Miroku and Inuyasha reprovingly, who seemed to be suddenly whistling, innocently.
Shippou nodded gleefully and hopped in.
There was a thump at the bottom and a muffled "ouch!"
Kagome and the others looked in. Shippou sat, hurt on his bottom and crying.
"Shippou? What's the matter?" Kagome asked.
"I dunno! I can't get through!" he called up sadly.
"Perhaps it is because of his lack of age or power that he cannot penetrate the barrier," Kaede offered. She held the wounded fox-demon as Kagome prepared to jump in.
"See you guys there! I'm going first to make sure you two don't get into trouble." She leaped over the side, but no thump was heard. A shining light glared out of the well, and she was gone.
"Here we go!" Inuyasha yelled after her. He too disappeared.
"We'll see you in a few day's time, Kaede!" Miroku called, jumping in. Kaede looked over the edge, but there was nothing at the bottom of the well save for a few half-buried bones and a dirt floor.