Chapter two

The next morning, Kagome was the first to wake up. Stretching her sore muscles she crawled out of her bedroll careful of waking her kit. She stifled a small giggle as he curled into her leftover warmth. Leaving a kiss atop the crown of his head she moved away to make breakfast for the group. Quietly she retrieved the last few cups of ramen from her pack and soon the smell of cooking food woke up her companions.

"Good morning everyone, breakfast will be done shortly." Kagome greeted them quietly not wanting to break the serenity of the early dawn.

As if feeling it themselves everyone nodded their heads and greeted her with quiet murmurs in return. A few minutes later, Kagome started to hand out the bowls saving one for herself. Only once everyone was served did she start to eat.

"Kagome" Sango called out to her heart sister. "When are you going to make the wish on the jewel?"

Kagome got a vague look for a minute before answering her. "I know I said right after we eat but I was thinking about a visit to my family." Kagome said looking down. She knew how much everyone wanted the thing gone and she understood, but she still wanted to make her peace just in case the well closed and she was kept in this period and not sent home. She did not want her family to be left wondering what had happened to her. "I want to say goodbye to them, just in case the well closes after the wish is made." She said.

Looking at her with understanding Sango put a hand on her arm. "I think that would be a good idea. They deserve to know after everything. They have become like family to us, through you, and I know we would be upset at not knowing what happened to you. Will you go after breakfast?" Sango reassured her.

Calmed at her sisters words, Kagome looked to brighten up. "Un, I'm only going to be gone for a few hours, to say goodbye and spend some time with them. Once I'm done restocking one last time I will be back."

"Lady Kagome, why don't you enjoy your time there and come back after supper instead of just a few hours. You don't know what is going to happen with the well and you might as well enjoy what time you have left. We all understand what you are going through, being from a different time and all." Miroku said.

Kagome looked around at everyone.

"I agree with Miroku, Kagome, you should do just that. Take your time with them. We'll see you after supper." smiled Sango.

"Okay, if everyone is fine with that." She glanced at the others with hope in her eyes.

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement with understanding looks and smiles.

"Well since everyone agrees with me going and staying that long I'll see you tonight." She beamed at the group. "Shippo, Rin, you be good for everyone and I'll bring you guys a treat when I get back." Kagome said winking at the kids.

"Okay, mama"

"Okay, Kagome"

Shippo and Rin quickly agreed together before turning to each other and whispering about what she might be bringing them.

In no time at all Kagome had her bag packed and with a kiss to the top of Rin's head and Shippo's cheek she was heading to the well to see her modern day family for what could be the last time.

Kagome looked around at the blue lights that flared with the well's magic till she landed in her time. 'Only one more trip after this' she whispered to herself as she climbed up and headed into her house. As soon as she came into the door she took off her shoes and called out to her family. "Mom, Souta, Grandpa, Tadaima."

"Welcome home, Kagome." Her mother said with a smile and pulled her into a hug. "We're in the living room." She said as Kagome followed her farther in. "How are things going back in the feudal era?" She asked.

Kagome smiled at the question as she walked into the living room. "Everything is going great. We all wanted to tell you that Naraku is finally gone and the jewel is completed."

"That's wonderful sweetheart! Have you decided what are you going to do now that the jewel is completed?" Kagome's mom replied.

She knew her oldest child had long ago decided to stay in the past if given the choice but had yet to voice it as of her last visit home.

"Well I wanted to spend time with you all and everyone said that I should take my time because once I make the wish on the jewel we don't know what's going to happen. The well could stay open, I could get sent back here or I could get trapped on the other side." She said knowing that she may not get a choice in what time she would get stuck in once all was said and done.

"Kagome" Her mom said, looking at her with a firm expression but love and affection in her eyes for her child. "Whatever happens, just know that we love you very much. If the well does close with you on that side, we know that your are strong and your friends will take good care of you."

"Yeah, sis. No matter where you are, we will always love you and you will always be my favorite hero." said Sota, trying to act tough, even with his eyes starting to water.

"I agree with your mother and brother, Kagome. You will always be loved and missed. If you are stuck over there with those demons I will light incense for you and you will always have the guidance of our ancestors. I will even make sure you have some of my special ofudo to make sure you have some protection as a gift from me. It is my job to pass on knowledge and protect you." Said Kagome's grandfather proudly with his ever stern look. It did not take much to see past it to know he was telling the truth and she knew that he would pray for her everyday. Knowing her grandfather, she might even end up with a shrine to herself, even if he did mask it as a shrine for the 'Shikon Miko'. Her family would know and it hit her hard. Kagome started to cry, at what her family had said and they gathered around her for a hug.

After awhile they dried their tears and sat down together as Kagome started to tell them all about the final battle and the family they had on the other side of time. Even though the only one they had ever met had been InuYasha, they knew about all of the others and cared for all them.

Kagome's mom had sent some special things for Sango when she found out that the slayer was planning a wedding, knowing that she would not be able to have her own mother there. Sango had sobbed into Kagome's chest after they had packed away the beautiful wedding kimono in a special waxed bamboo box in the back of Kaede's hut. It was one of three such boxes that Kagome's mom had sent with her for when Miroku and Sango could finally have their wedding.

Sota, who was so very proud that he had a nephew who was such a mischief maker had sent small care packages to Shippo often. More than once Kagome had played carrier pigeon when the boys needed to discuss a prank on InuYasha for Shippo or for a school bully for Sota. She was happy when she realized that this was helping Shippo with improving his reading and writing so she never objected, even though she may have warned her mother once or twice.

There were also gifts of scrolls and books between her Grandfather and Miroku, from one holy man to another. While not as entertaining as some of the other gifts, mostly those from Sota to Shippo, they were greatly appreciated. Miroku was also the one who first put together that all the supplies that Kagome brought still cost money and after a few letters exchanged between the con-man monk and her grandfather, Miroku started sending Kagome home with small pouches of trinkets to give to her grandfather. Things that in the past were small baubles but would fetch a pretty yen in the modern day.

There were always dried fish treats and catnip toys for Kirara and ramen for InuYasha as well as many other little things that they came across and could not help but to get for their family in the past. A family they loved but would never meet face to face. These were the people who had taken care of their daughter, granddaughter, and sister and for that they loved them.

She spent all day in the modern day, happy that everyone gave her a chance to spend time with this family, knowing that she probably won't be able to see them again after the wish was made. Eventually Kagome's mom left the living room to start making dinner. She was going to make Kagome's favorite dish, Oden. Once it was done and everyone was called to the table the group moved but the conversation and stories and laughter continued.