Kagomes eyes shot open waking her from a dead sleep. Taking a deep breath she glanced at Rin and Shippo as they slept soundly with Rins arm protectively around him.

Breathing out slowly she tuned her senses outwards attempting to figure out what it was that had brought her to full alert.

"You sensing something Kagome?" Inuyasha asked from where he sat close by holding the sheathed Tessaiga in front of him.

"Yeah. I'm pretty sure it's the sacred jewel." She said sitting up.

"Then that means Naraku is on his way." Inuyasha tensed gritting his teeth. Nodding Kagome swallowed.

"We should wake up Sango and Miroku." She said glancing around. "Where did Sesshomaru and Jaken go?"

"Beats the hell outta me. Sesshomaru comes and goes as he pleases." Inuyasha replied. Watching as Kagomes face fell somewhat he backtracked. "He doesn't stay away for long though, always a pain in my side."

Smirking Kagome looked at her friend. "Thanks." Looking away from her Inuyasha stood up using the Tessaiga for support.

"What do we do with these two?" He asked motioning towards Rin and Shippo.

"I'll go find the dragons. They'll protect them." Kagome said standing as well. Smoothing down the kimono Sesshomaru had gifted her Inuyasha gave a nod.

Walking off to where she knew An and Un grazed she stepped out of the small abandoned shrine they had been staying in. Looking around with the aid of the moonlight she had enjoyed their time all together in the place.

There were plenty of resources and wasn't entirely sequestered away from a village within a days worth of walking, much faster riding Kirara or the dragons.

The area around them was sprawling with flora and fauna with some of the prettiest wild flowers she had ever seen.

"Maybe this would be a good place to settle down." She mused to herself imagining if they fixed the shrine and she served as its priestess. She doubted Sesshomaru would oppose and knew the children loved it there.

Stepping through the tall grass she went towards the back finding the dragons resting peacefully. Startling An awake he looked up at her shaking his head to straighten out his mane.

"Hey guys." Kagome greeted walking to them and patting An between the ears. "I think we have some trouble coming our way. I'm going to need you both to take care of Rin and Shippo, alright?"

At her voice Un opened his eyes and brought his head up to vie for her attentions as well. "Okay, okay." Scratching at his snout and the underside of his jaw she giggled.

"I have yet to understand why both you and Rin insist on spoiling them." Sesshomaru said from behind her. Turning to glance at him over her shoulder she smiled warmly.

"They're good boys and deserve it." She replied. Fully turning to him she felt the nudges on her back and shoulders.

"Lie down." Sesshomaru ordered them and obediently they did.

"I came out here to get them. I can sense the sacred jewel. It's a ways off but I think it may be Naraku making his presence known and possibly be heading this way." She explained.

"I picked up on his scent or that of one of his incarnations. Jaken and I went to investigate but found nothing aside from the wooden golem he uses." Sesshomaru practically scoffed.

"What happened to waiting for him to come here to us?" Placing her hands on her hips she looked at him squarely with a small grin.

Receiving no answer she could guess as to his reason. "You would rather take him on yourself then having him come here, where we will have to all engage him. You don't want us to get hurt."

"My concern runs deeper for some more than others." He replied. Kagome took a step towards him dropping her hands from her sides. Reaching towards him he met her halfway grasping her hands in his.

"I know. Whatever happens I am so glad that we became friends." Kagome said softly. Pulling her closer to him Sesshomaru wrapped his arm around her waist closing his eyes as he nuzzled the top of her head.

"I will protect you until my last breath." He said. Turning her head she gave a small shake of defiance.

"It won't come down to that. We will all survive this and come out much stronger in the end for it. You just have to work with us and accept help if need be."

Leaning down he kissed her gently on her lips before withdrawing.

"We should start preparing for battle." He said finally after they had spent the last few moments staring at the other, thousands of emotions and raw feeling being expressed between them.

"Just a little bit longer here, just us please." She requested softly resting her head just below metal armor.

"A bit longer." He agreed resuming his coddling against her hair.

"Thank you." Closing her eyes she wrapped her arms around his middle as he began to growl softly in a soothing manner.