Nightfall was coming on and Lord Sesshomaru walked with his mate through the human village. The evening meals were being prepared resulting in a large number of strong scents stirring through the air. He hated villages. He always felt weakened by the strong smell of humans. The cooking food interfered with his ability to protect the one's who depended on him. The only reason he still lingered in this place was to please Kagome.
He followed her to the hut of the old woman, where the miko's friends sat eating their meal. Rin waved happily at his approach. "Rin, I expect you have thanked these people for their hospitality."
"Hai Sesshomaru-sama!" Rin answered respectfully, just before scooping up another mouthful of the stew.
Sango sat next to Miroku, who acted like he would rather not be eating. The demon slayer kept popping his hand off of her thigh. She looked up at the approach of her friends, "Kagome! Come and join us."
Kikyo never looked up, but Kagome felt the tension from the woman at her presence. She smiled anyway and said, "Thanks Sango, I would, but Sesshomaru and I were just out taking a walk. We thought we would come and check on Rin." She ruffled the little girl's hair playfully, and Rin giggled.
"Well don't let us keep you," Inuyasha said with dripping sarcasm. It un-nerved him to have his brother so damn close. The bastard had not left Kagome's side once since their return. He had hoped to talk to her alone, but was beginning to think the arrogant jerk knew of his plan, and meant to ensure that he didn't get an opportunity.
Sesshomaru was just about to cut Inuyasha down a notch, when he became aware of Kagome's sudden distress. She was looking around the village, even into the air. "Miko, what's wrong?"
"A jewel shard, closing in fast," she said anxiously. All of the shard hunters leapt to their feet. Some things never change.
"There, Sesshomaru said, it appears to be the wind sorceress Kagura."
"Does she mean to attack us and revenge Nuraku's death," the monk said incredulously.
They watched as her giant feather lowered to the ground. The sounds of swords being drawn sliced through the night air. Sesshomaru was tired of playing these games, and Inuyasha felt the need to protect the villagers.
Kagura landed only to be faced with Tokijin and Tesseiga. She looked at Inuyasha and gave a half laugh. "Since your sword will not transform you've lost most of your 'oomph'." She turned to Sesshomaru. "You however..." She appraised his body from head to foot, "still have all of your 'oomph'."
Kagome made to pounce while sudden sparks flickered around her glowing form. A deep warning growl sounded from her chest. Sesshomaru quickly stopped his mate from charging at the witch.
"Speak your business, Kagura, before I release my mate on you," the taiyoukai warned.
Beside Kagura stood her younger sibling, Kanna. The demon child was chilling to behold. The two stepped aside and turned to look toward a figure lying behind them.
Sango's heart was pounding and she feared she may be faint. She did not even notice the tears that had formed in her lovely brown eyes. She started running toward Kohaku and fell over his body.
Kagura watched the display with the closest thing to empathy that she had. "The boy fell dead when Nuraku met his end. He deserves a descent burial." She turned to the youkai priestess. "My sister and I are forever in your gratitude for setting us free." With that said, she picked out the feather in her hair and tossed it into the air with a tumult of wind. It grew to enormous proportions as she and Kanna took their places upon it. With a gust they disappeared from sight.
Kagome and Miroku ran to Sango's side. Inuyasha stepped forward, but felt unsure of the human emotions that had control of him. He stood nearby in support of his friend. Kagome put her arm around her 'sister'. She couldn't stop the tears if she'd wanted to. Her own brother came to her mind. She couldn't imagine the pain of bearing Souta's death. She couldn't really know how Sango felt, but knew it was a horrible weight for her dear friend to bear.
Sango chose to take Kohaku back to her village to be laid to rest with her father and kin. She and Miroku boarded Kirara and waved a tearful goodbye.
Kagome stood staring at the jewel shard, which Sango had asked that she remove from Kohaku's back. Her friend was very sad, but told her that she was relieved to finally be able to move on. Sango told her that she felt her brother was not strong enough to bare the knowledge that he murdered his father and kin. The boy was just to kind hearted. She would lay him to rest now that his soul was finally free.
The jewel shard flickered in the torchlight. It appeared so harmless, but everyone knew that wasn't true. She opened the little jar and dropped it in with the others. She and Sesshomaru had talked about the jewel and her responsibility as its caretaker. He told her of his wish to build a shrine on the castle grounds, where it would be kept, well guarded from harm. She thought it was a wonderful idea. It eased her mind a great deal.