11

Not long afterwards, various minor wounds tended, the group gathered at Kaede's hut in Edo village. Kagome, Sango and Shippo returned from washing their bowls and filling the water buckets at the creek. They settled down and Kaede handed them bowls of hot tea. The room grew quiet except for the crackling flames in the central fire pit. All eyes turned to Kagome; she fidgeted with the jewel strung on a thong around her neck.

"What?" she sighed, although she knew the unspoken question that was on all their minds.

"What are you going to do with the shikon, Kagome?" Shippo asked. He hoped she would stay with him.

Kagome watched the boy, the question was serious and her mind remained troubled. "I still don't know, Shippo. The legend says it will disappear if you make an unselfish wish."

Inuyasha interrupted, "You should wish that Kikyo is alive again, as a normal human, not a vampire, I mean."

Kikyo looked at Inuyasha sadly, "While I might wish that were true, it would not be an unselfish wish."

Kagome looked up at Sesshoumaru. He was simply observing quietly. "Do you have any ideas?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru lifted one eyebrow, "I have no interest in the jewel. Do as you please. Your judgement has proven sound."

Kagome sighed, the glowing pink jewel on her outstretched hand pulsed rhythmically in time with her heart beat. "If only I could just wish it away and everything would be as it should," she whispered so softly only Sesshoumaru and Shippo caught her words. The jewel flared blindingly and disappeared.

"Kagome, what the hell have you done?" yelled Inuyasha.

The rest of the group stared in silent shock at her empty hand.

Kagome screamed, "No!" She fled alone into the night.

Sesshoumaru flew out the door after her, overtaking and passing her flight. Her eyes practically blinded by tears, she leapt into the old well. No blue light flared. The well remained dark.

Before she could crash into the bottom of the well she was caught and cradled bridal style. Sesshoumaru floated up out of the well and landed in a soft grassy area under the trees. He wrapped her in his fur and set her in his lap. He held her silently as she sniffled and wiped at her eyes. The tears finally slowed and stopped. Her breathing evened out and slowed. The girl had fallen asleep against the taiyoukai's shoulder.

Kagome awoke as the light crept over the trees. She looked toward the well and sighed, "I knew the well would close one day."

Sesshoumaru gathered her close; he could not help but be relieved that the well had finally closed and she was still in his world. It was after all, his favorite ending to the "Vampire Game" he played in future Tokyo. He watched her silently, a glint in his eyes and a twitch at one corner of his mouth.

Kagome gulped, suddenly nervous. "I owe you an answer to your question, the one you never really asked."

She nodded; decision made. A genuine smile lit her face, "When do you want to collect the children and go home?"

Sesshoumaru stood and held out his hand. "Come and this Sesshoumaru will hunt for you." They moved away deep into the forest.

In a secluded forest dell near a hot springs, Kagome the tossed bones and remains of the fowl into the fire. The skewers empty of venison chunks followed.

Sesshoumaru picked her up and twirled her around. His eyes gleamed, red sparks swirled around the pupils. His aura flared with triumph. Kagome felt as if she was enfolded in flames. Her own body was joyously on fire. She could wait no longer; her hands twisted in his silver locks and she drew him down into a fervent kiss.

It started with a kiss and proceeded from there, a trail of clothes littering the path to the hot springs, culminating in their long awaited union. Quick and hard driving, long drawn out and leisurely, over and over, sated at last, they slid into the water. Waves splashed in the pool, the steaming water almost cooling to their flushed and over-heated bodies; after one last go they crawled out spent, collapsing on the soft grass to finally sleep.

Late that evening when the sun was almost gone, Kagome and Sesshoumaru entered the hut where the rest of their group had gathered. Inuyasha sniffed and wrinkled his nose. Kagome's hair was mussed and there were grass stains on her clothes. Sesshoumaru was insufferably smug. "Keh, took you long enough, bastard. Never seen anybody so slow," Inuyasha razzed.

Kagome helped Kaede skewer the remains of the deer they brought. Sango and Miroku tended roasting vegetables and a pot of rice stew. Kikyo returned with a stack of washed platters and bowls. Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru lounged in opposite corners, the one impatiently twitching and bouncing and the other in a calm stillness.

The group had almost finished eating when there was a knock at the door. Sango rose silently and drew her sword. She pulled aside the curtain, and hissed, "Vampire!"

A soldier stood in the shadows just outside. He spoke, "I come with a message for the Lady Kikyo from my lord commander. Kikyo took the folded paper and returned to her place by the fire. "Remain outside and return with my reply." Inuyasha gave her a questioning look; she did not seem surprised to receive a message.

Kikyo read the news and surveyed the room. She summarized, "The castle and all the lands round are secure. All the rebellious vampires have been eliminated. Those who remain acknowledge my rule."

Sango questioned Kikyo, "You can control them all? There will be no more killing?"

Kikyo nodded, "Yes, it will be as I have said. I will send word to the castle of my return later this week. They will obey . . . or face Inuyasha's Tetsusaiga."

Inuyasha laughed and raised his cup, "To the Vampire Queen!"

Sango smiled at the group, "Now that the north is secure, I will leave tomorrow. There is word from the Ryukyu Kingdom of an invasion of the undead."

Miroku came beside Sango, knelt and took her hands, "Since you will not bear my child, fair lady, may I accompany you on your journey and adventures?"

Sango laughed and pulled her back her hands, "I will not be bearing any man's child, foolish monk. There is no home and hearth for a slayer. But you may journey with me for as long as you wish." Miroku reached toward her and she danced away.

Inuyasha and Kikyo returned to Naraku's Castle in the north. Sango and Miroku journeyed to the eastern shore and boarded a ship for the southern islands. Sesshoumaru and Kagome, with Rin, Shippo, and Jaken in tow, took the trail toward the western lands.

So their quest fulfilled, the fellowship of the Shikon no Tama was sundered and only Kaede remained behind in Edo village.