Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha®…dang my luck…

Chapter IV– Proven

At once, they all spun around, this time the youki was so huge they could all feel it.

The miko amongst them sighed a very mournful sigh. "See? He's done it."

Sango nodded while glaring absently in Naraku's potential direction. "We all believed you before Kagome-chan, we just didn't want to believe it."

"I know, I didn't either." the addressed one confessed, remorse darkening her eyes.

Inuyasha's eyes then darkened to match Kagome's, not because of the fact Naraku was going to use the Jewel very soon, but because he really hated seeing her like that.

Well, he was just going to have to do something about it, now wasn't he?

"Stop looking so damn sad, there's nothing we can do about it."

That got their attention, so he continued.

"But we can stop him from using it. We've waited long enough so lets go kick his lazy ass, and get the Shikon No Tama back!"

Miroku put a thoughtful finger to his chin. "You know, Inuyasha, you may have a point."

"You're damn right I have a point!" the hanyou exclaimed, of course he had a point, when had he not had a point?

Kagome smiled. "You're right. So…lets go, it's not like us to just sit around and wait for something bad to happen, why start now?" she supplied.

Shippo was the first to answer "Yeah! Lets go!" They say there is nothing more cruel and pure than a child.

"Hai Kagome-chan." Sango said with a smile

"Alright then, it's settled." Miroku calmly confirmed, a smile of his own dawning his face.

Inuyasha clenched his fists with a smirk of determination on his face. "So the fight is finally here, we can all avenge Naraku for all the things he's done."

"Hai!" everyone chimed in unison.

(A/N: erg, that was so animeish. Good thing this is an anime O.o )

The inu-oni looked at the young miko standing beside "Lead the way."

She smiled, a mischievous twinkle in her eye, who could've guessed it would be Inu-yasha to take care of the pep talk? Weird. And yet it fit somehow. "Okay."

With that she spun to where her miko senses were being stirred up the most and her companions followed.

Somewhat ahead, Kagome turned to them, clutching the bow that she had slung over her shoulder.

Her smile was sad as she spoke. "Guys, this is going to sound really cliché…" She looked away for a split second, "But I don't care. We've been through so much together, I love you all, and I want you to know if we don't live trough this, I'm so glad that demon pulled me into the well three years ago. I know this place and all of you better than I know the time I was born in. It was dangerous, and hard a lot of times…" her voice trailed off as she reminisced on painful memories.

But then she smiled, really smiled. "…But if I was given the choice to go through this again, even with the pain, I would do it in a heartbeat."

At that she blushed a little "I just wanted to say that."

Before she could turn and try to tame the redness in her cheeks, Shippo ran up to her and hugged her leg tightly "We love you too, onēsan older sister ."

Kagome looked up to see Sango and Miroku nodding, even Inuyasha, although just slightly. He did, however, have a blush on his face that could easily rival Kagome's now fading one. Not only that, he was also looking away. Boys.

"Thanks guys." Kagome breathed emotionally, tears of relief welling up in her eyes.

Kagome felt her "little brother" let go of her, only to be enveloped in another hug, this time by Sango.

The slayer pulled away and looked straight into her eyes "You are the sister I've never had, Kagome-chan, and I know we'll pull through this. Never give up hope."

Sango turned and addressed everyone "That goes for all of you."

This time Miroku (under a certain hanyou's very watchful eye) walked over to Kagome.

For a second she thought he was going be a lecher, but he did nothing of the sort, just rested friendly hand on her shoulder and smiled whole-heartedly. "We are very glad you came to this time, Kagome-sama. Without you, it is very likely that none of us would've ever meet, and that would be very unfortunate, indeed."

"Thanks Miroku-sama." Kagome said

"No problem, and now when all of this is over would you be so kind as to bear my-" the sentence everyone knew was coming was, gratefully, cut short by none other than Inuyasha when his fist came in contact with the monk's head.

The pervert rubbed the spot on where he had been hit. "I was just kidding, my void will disappear when Naraku is defeated, you know."

"You had better damn well have been kidding." the hanyou muttered.

Now it was his turn, and what he did next was quite unexpected. In approximately one second Inuyasha had his arms wrapped tightly around Kagome.

Her eyes widened for a second, wa- was he hugging her?! On his own will?! In front of everyone?! Sentimental moments must bring out the best in people, or the insanity.

Her eyes slowly returned to normal, reminding herself yet again not to get used to this, but allowing herself to enjoy the moment anyway. For some reason she liked his embrace the most…

She heard Inuyasha titled his head down to her ear and whisper so softly no one else heard the words of hope he gave her: "It's not over yet…don't ever leave, Kagome."

When he felt her nod against him, her released her, but refused to meet the eyes of anyone.

Nothing was said, and continuing that awkward silence the team started off to meet their destiny.

Finally, some ways into the woods Miroku was the first to speak "How about a kiss for good luck, lovely Sango?"

The huntress made a growling sound, which turned out pretty good for a human. "Iie." she replied flatly, her hand unconsciously tightening on the strap of her Hiraikotsu just in case she needed to hit a certain someone with it in the near future.

"Come on, for old time's sake!" the lecher begged.

"And what 'old time' would that be, houshi-sama?"

"Um…that's beside the point, please, just his once?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Sango growled again.

"Please?"

"No."

"Onegai?"

"No."

"Pllllllllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssseeeeeee?"

"NO HOUSHI-SAMA!"

Laughter echoed through the forest, as the companions went on either to claim the future life that was rightfully theirs, or die trying.

Owari Chapter Shi

Amehana: Short chappie, I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to make to so short but I had to write this, every anime has some confession time, and in my story this was it. It won't be all sappiness all the time, that would kill both of us.

Anyway, next chapter what happens when these three groups coming to kill Naraku collide…will there be a riot? Or will there be…

evil grin I'm not telling, I'm not telling la la la la la la! How will you ever know? REVIEW & KEEP YOUR SOCKS ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!