Five years after Kagome was first dragged down the well, a huge battle took place between Naruku's forces and, well, the rest of Japan. Many we injured; even more were killed, but in the end, he was ripped to pieces, slaughtered at the hands of those who had been wronged by him. They fought against him, brought together by the same goal - to destroy the half-demon who had ruined their lives, one way or another. Inuyasha's group, the wolf-clans, even Sesshoumaru, along with a huge number of humans and demons alike. This story takes place just afterwards, where the survivors are struggling to tend to their wounds…

Kagome crawled over to where Inuyasha lay, covered in heavily bleeding wounds. She summoned up the last of her strength, and a warm, pink light bathed Inuyasha's body. His injuries closed up enough for his own body to be able to cope, and with that, Kagome collapsed onto him. His eyes flickered open, and he sat up quickly, regretting it soon afterwards. He winced, but managed to hold Kagome to him.

"Kagome. Are you alright?" he said, alarmed. He shook her slightly. "Answer me, please!"

She stirred slightly, grimacing as she fought to open her eyes. "I'm…ok…if…you are."

Inuyasha's eyes softened. "I'm fine, thanks to you. But that was stupid, I can handle these wounds, they're nothing. It's not worth it if you kill yourself saving me."

"I'm…still alive. What…happened…to…the others…and…the Shikon shards…Naraku had?" she forced the words out.

"Do you remember what happened when we'd first met? The arrow you shot at the crow-demon?"

"Yes." Kagome replied, stomach dropping.

"Do you remember what finally killed Naraku? The arrow you shot at him?"

"…yes…"

"…Same effect." Inuyasha finished sheepishly, wincing again as pain lanced up his side.

"Wonderful…" Kagome murmured as the last of her strength finally faded, and she slumped against Inuyasha.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha looked down at her, panicking slightly. He held a hand against her cheek and was relieved to find she was still breathing, although it was shallow.

"Inuyasha…" Inuyasha turned his head slowly. Miroku was dragging himself along, half-supporting Sango. Too tired to be perverted, he had wrapped an arm around her, the other around Kirara.

"Where's Shippo?" Inuyasha asked him.

"Just…behind Kagome." Shippo said feebly. Inuyasha mentally grumbled as he had to move his head again, but was somewhat relieved when he saw Shippo half-passed out just next to Kagome.

Behind a melting lump of Naraku's flesh just to their right, Sesshoumaru sat up with a low groan, noting that Jaken was unconscious nearby.

"Hey, Sesshoumaru." Inuyasha tried calling out.

"What?" Sesshoumaru snapped.

"I was going to thank you, but with that attitude, forget it." Inuyasha muttered, knowing that Sesshoumaru would hear every word.

"I don't want your thanks, Inuyasha." Sesshoumaru replied. He sat there still, unmoving.

Noticing this, Miroku shook his head and fell to the ground. "Can any of us move?" he mumbled into the dirt.

"Doubtful." Sango replied, collapsing next to him, narrowly missing landing on her wounded arm.

"Kikyo…?" Inuyasha trailed off, watching the undead priestess approach them. She was half-transparent, and appeared completely unhurt.

"When I lent my strength to my reincarnation, I was unaware that this selfless act would be my downfall." she said dryly. "However, what was meant to be will happen. Inuyasha, while Naraku was still alive, the hatred he placed into my heart could not be touched. Now that he is dead, I have released it. I…am sorry," she added, "for all the trouble I have caused you. A parting gift, for each of you…half from me, half from the destruction of Naraku."

"Firstly, demon born of Naraku." Kikyo said. "Kagura, I know you are there, but cannot move. Know that you are free. Completely free." Kagura shifted slightly, trying to respond, but was too weak to do so. Kikyo shook her head. "There is no need to thank me, but you might like to apologise to the wolf Kouga, whose kin you murdered."

"For you, monk." Kikyo turned to Miroku. A white light left her body, and she flickered, growing dimmer, as it was absorbed by his right hand. "No longer will the curse be a threat to you or your family. You still have the weapon, but it will never consume you."

"Thank you." Miroku smiled, fainting. A light smile graced Kikyo's lips, and she shook her head slightly.

"Sango, your brother's life." she said simply, moving aside to let a living Kohaku walk forward to hug his sister, crying. "But, only your brother." she said softly. "Your family, your village…"

"I understand." Sango said, closing her eyes and hugging Kohaku back.

"Sesshoumaru-sama." Kikyo turned to the silent observer. "Your arm back. I believe you will need it, in the future."

Sesshoumaru nodded his thanks, watching as his arm materialised.

"Inuyasha…my gift to you is the knowledge that I have forgiven you, and that I ask for your forgiveness in return. I will trouble you no longer, and I will let you go."

"Kikyo…"

"This…this ties in with Kagome. I will no longer exist." she interrupted him. She had grown almost non-existant, fading with each good fortune that fell upon the others. "She is the rightful…owner…of her soul, if I can put it that way. She will become the protector of the Jewel of the Four Souls, and in return for her kindness, strength and love…I give her…my power." she whispered the last, and faded completely.

"Kikyo…" Inuyasha murmured. "Thanks. From all of us."

A week later, Kagome, Inuyasha, Miroku, Sango, Kirara, Shippo, Jaken, Sesshoumaru, Kohaku and Kouga (God that's a pain to type…) stood at the edge of the clearing where the battle had taken place. A warm breeze stirred the grass, forced to stop at the jagged earth that had been torn up by the attacks on Naraku. There was no trace of him now, and each of them stood silently, lost in their own thoughts.

"Hey." Kouga said, stepping forward. "I'm going back up to the mountains."

Kagome turned to look at him, giving him a questioning look.

"Yeah." Kouga replied, knowing what she wished to ask him. "I…will keep my promise to Ayame. She deserves it, and she saved my life during the fight. She's strong, and I think…I've grown to love her. I'll always love you though, Kagome." he winked.

"Oi…stick to your own kind." Inuyasha seethed.

"Inuyasha…Kagome's not half-dog." Kouga said, feigning innocence. He jumped out of the way just as Inuyasha's fist almost connected with his face. "Can I keep these, until you really need them?" he asked Kagome, indicating the shards that he'd managed to keep.

"Sure." Kagome replied. "We trust you."

Inuyasha muttered something in response to this, but Kouga grinned. "Good." He took off, stirring up leaves as he headed towards his new life. Kagome smiled as she watched him go. 'He'll be a good match for Ayame, and she'll keep him in control very well...'

Kohaku stood with his sister, petting Kirara absentmindedly. There were shadows under his eyes, the only physical evidence that proved his nightmares. Sango had an arm around his shoulders, and gave a quizzical look to Miroku, who looked torn between saying something to her and moving closer to her.

Kagome leant against Inuyasha, closing her eyes as another breeze ran through her hair. Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. Sesshoumaru snorted. "Like father, like son, Inuyasha. How wonderful."

Inuyasha shot him a murderous look, but Kagome's eyes widened. "Sesshoumaru-sama…where is Rin-chan?"

Sesshoumaru glanced at her. "She is at the village of the old priestess, with Jaken. Why do you-" he stopped, hearing shouts coming from the very same village. Soon after, Jaken came tearing through the forest, screeching something about Rin being kidnapped.

"Shit…all the demons have come out of hiding now that Naraku is gone." Inuyasha muttered. Rin's scream pierced the air, and Sesshoumaru was gone in a flash.

"Inuyasha! We have to go help."

"Why would I help my brother?" Inuyasha looked at Kagome incredulously.

"…for Rin-chan." she said quietly.

He groaned resignedly, then let her climb onto his back. He raced after Sesshoumaru, shortly joined by Sango and Kohaku on Kirara. Miroku and Shippo sighed, running after the others.

"Hey! Why do we always have to run ourselves?" Miroku yelled after them.

"Because you could use the exercise!" Sango called back.