"Inuyasha. Something happened." Kagome was paused in mid stride, her gaze distant. Inuyasha moved in closer to her, his attention riveted on her. Miroku, Sango and Shippo, only a few paces behind, moved in closer too.

"What do you mean?" he asked, his brow furrowing.

"The Shikon Jewel has changed," she said, her gaze unfocused. "It doesn't feel as evil as before. Somebody purified it." Inuyasha's body tensed and his gaze returned to the direction they had been traveling in all morning. The scent of Naraku had caught his attention soon after they broke camp and not long after that, Kagome had sensed the Shikon Jewel.

"We should hurry," Inuyasha said, kneeling on the ground for Kagome to get on his back. "We need to figure out what is going on." Kagome nodded, locking her legs around his waist and clinging to his shoulders. With a burst of speed, Inuyasha took off in a sprint towards their destination.

"Wait, Inuyasha," Miroku called. Him, Sango and Shippo had jumped on Kirara, who was trying to keep up with him. "What if this is a trap?"

"Miroku's right," Sango agreed, leaning forward over Kirara's neck. "There has always been a catch with all of our dealings with Naraku. Don't rush in."

"Don't you want this to end," Inuyasha snapped back. "If we don't hurry, he might disappear again, and for who knows how long this time. Is that the way you want to live the rest of your life?" Miroku sighed, his face setting with a hard look.

"I suppose you are right. We're with you, Inuyasha." Sango nodded her head in agreement, a grim look on her face. Kagome gave Inuyasha's shoulder a squeeze while smiling back at their friends. It was reassuring to know they had good friends on their side, even under such dire circumstances.


Ann lay face down in the grass, her body steadily getting weaker. It was an odd sensation to feel her body getting colder while her blood pooled up warm beneath her. The jewel was still clenched in her hand, which she had pulled in close to her body.

"Somebody will be along eventually for it," she thought. "I'll keep it safe for as long as possible."

At some point Ann must have passed out, because she awoke to a set of firm, yet gentle hands rolling her over onto her back. Her vision was fading, so she forced herself to focus. The sight of silver hair made her heart leap until she realized she was looking at Inuyasha. His eyes looked so sad and his face was pinched in worry.

"Inuyasha, what's the matter?" Ann asked, confused. "You look really upset."

"You're on death's door step," he growled bluntly. "How did you let this happen to yourself?"

"Seriously, Inuyasha," Kagome snapped at him, drawing Ann's attention. She hadn't noticed her there, even though Kagome was right next to her. Unshed tears shined in Kagome's eyes and her lip was quivering. "You didn't need to say that."

"It's only the truth," Inuyasha argued back, though not as sharply. His attention returned to Ann. "Naraku did this right? Where is he?" A slow smile crept across Ann's face. Now that the terror was gone and Naraku was dead, she was happy with the way their battle ended.

"I killed him," she stated simply. "And took the Shikon Jewel from him." With an enormous amount of effort, she uncurled her fingers to reveal the jewel. It glowed brightly, giving off a pure aura. Kagome inhaled happily, tears overflowing from her eyes.

"Ann, I don't know what to say." She reached out to touch the jewel.

"Take it," Ann said, her voice soft. "It will be safe with you."

"I want your help though." Kagome placed her hand over Ann's, the jewel between their two palms. "Please don't die." Ann chuckled weakly. There was a blackness around the edge of her vision and no matter how hard she tried to will it away, it remained.

"I don't think that's an option anymore," Ann said.

Inuyasha suddenly tensed, his gaze darting to the trees. Ann followed his gaze and felt her heart leap. Sesshomaru was crossing the meadow towards them rapidly. Inuyasha growled as he made a move to face Sesshomaru, but Ann's hand darted out to touch Inuyasha's arm.

"Please don't fight," she whispered. "I want him here." Inuyasha gave her a skeptical look but nodded. He grabbed Kagome by the upper arm and backed away cautiously while Sesshomaru kneeled next to Ann.

Sesshomaru's usual cold, distant continence was stricken. His eyes darted to all the wounds that lacerated her body. His hands hovered over her but he didn't seem to know where to start. Finally he gritted his teeth and looked her in the eyes.

"Ann, you must be strong." Her insides warmed with love for him. It had been such a short time ago that he wouldn't have been able to express this kind of emotion. She took his hand, lightly squeezing it. Her gaze rested on their intertwined hands, a thrill going through her body as she realized that her hand was translucent. A memory of her dead Grandmother came back to her.

"I don't think I have that option." Tears stung her eyes as the reality of her situation began to set in. "I'm sorry, Sesshomaru. I really did want to stay with you." He tensed, his hand squeezing hers in return.

"I will use the Tenseiga," he said softly. "You will be dead but only for a moment." Ann shook her head.

"It won't work," she said, Sesshomaru's gaze sharpening. "I was told when I first came here that when the Shikon Jewel was safe that I would disappear from this world. The jewel is safe but I'm also dying. I don't know what that means for my body." A wave of panic ignited in Ann's mind. Her grandmother had said she would go back to her world. She pictured her body floating endlessly in the dark depths of the bay where Naraku had captured her being preyed upon by the creatures of the sea.. Tears welled up in her eyes as her fear overtook her, leaving her hyperventilating.

"Sesshomaru," she sobbed, her breath coming in gasps as she realized her body was no longer responding. "I'm so scared." He scooped her up into his arms, pulling her tightly against his chest.

"I'm here," he whispered against her hair. "I won't leave you." She heard his words. She knew he meant them and wished she could hold him in return, but she could no longer feel him. The darkness that had started at the edge of her vision obliterated her sight and all she knew was coldness.


Ann was walking in a tunnel. Its walls were insubstantial, but she wasn't focused there. At the end was a light. It was a small pin prick but it was brighter than any light that she'd ever seen. Yet she couldn't look away from it. It warmed her and brought a sense of peace that had her quicken her pace so that she could get closer to it.

Within a few steps, the light grew until it encompassed everything. Ann's world was white. Her steps slowed, leaving her floating. Again the light transformed and she found herself in a world of lush forests and rolling, grassy hills with cascading waterfalls and crystal clear lakes. The colors of this world blended seamlessly with each other like a watercolor painting but were vibrant and almost alive.

Ann landed in a green meadow, the tall grass luminous with its own light. She ran her fingers through the tall stems to find they were warm.

"Ann." A familiar voice called to her. Turning towards the sound, her heart skipped a beat and some of the peace she had been feeling fled. Ichiro was in the meadow with her, watching her with a closed expression. He looked as he had in life, except he seemed to give off light like everything else in this world.

"Ichiro," she whispered. The guilt that she had carried for him for so long was suddenly too heavy and she dropped to her knees. A sob choked her.

"This is heaven," she said bitterly. "So why am I here?" Ichiro came closer and kneeled in front of her.

"This isn't heaven," he said, his voice neutral. "This is an in-between place where souls are given the chance to revisit moments in their lives. Afterwards, it is decided if a soul will pass to heaven or the underworld." Ann closed her eyes and lowered her head.

"You're here to do that with me, aren't you? You must hate me." Ann suddenly found herself in a warm embrace. Her breath caught as Ichiro's arms gently tightened around her.

"I could never hate you," Ichiro whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I loved you from the first moment we met and have only ever wanted you to be happy." He pulled away from her, his hands remaining on her shoulders, his dark eyes warm.

"Ever since I died, your guilt has been an agony to me. Your need to avenge me has terrified me but I have been so proud to see how strong you have become." He gave her one of his crooked smiles. "You have competed against one of the most powerful demons and won."

"Kinda," Ann chuckled. "I am dead after all." Ichiro chuckled too.

"You still won. And you were selfless in the process. That is why I am here with you." Ann's brow furrowed.

"I don't understand."

"Your defeat of Naraku was important for the future of this world but it isn't your time to die yet. You need to go back." Ann's hands shot out and gripped Ichiro's jacket.

"No. I want to stay with you." Ichiro shook his head.

"You haven't fulfilled your purpose yet," he said, his warm hands gliding up her arms and along her neck until he cupped her face. "Besides, I am not going anywhere. When you have lived your life, I will be here waiting for you." He leaned in and touched his forehead to hers. Ann's grip tightened on Ichiro's jacket as tears streamed down her face.

"I don't understand," she said sadly. "If I was always meant to go back then why are you giving me the message? This is only breaking my heart."

"You are being given the chance to say good-bye." Ichiro leaned away from Ann and turned to look behind himself. A few feet away, was a toddler with dark hair and sky blue eyes. She smiled brightly revealing two tiny front teeth.

Ann's hands flew to her mouth to conceal her cry but her tears cascaded freely down her face. She was suddenly on her feet racing towards the child. Her arms wrapped around the little girl and pulled her into a tight hug.

"My girl," she cried. Ann leaned back to look at her, her hands gliding over her soft round cheeks. The girl's big blue eyes watched her with happy innocence, making Ann lean in to plant kisses on her face. The girl giggled, her pudgy hands patting her mother's face. Ann clutched the little girl to herself, burying her face in her hair, allowing her senses to be filled with her baby's scent.

Ichiro's arms wrapped around Ann from behind, encompassing both her and their daughter. They stayed like that for a while until Ann's sobs subsided and she could finally lift her face from her child.

"Do I really have to leave," she whispered wearily. "I want to be with you two."

"You have to go back," Ichiro said. "But we will be here waiting for you. We are not going anywhere."

"Did you name her?" Ann asked, stroking her fingers through her daughter's fine hair.

"Yes. I named her Yoko, after your grandmother." Ichiro chuckled. "It only seemed fitting since she brought us together." Ann laughed.

"I'm sure she's pleased." Ichiro merely nodded. They fell into silence holding each other. The sun moved across the sky as the trio remained in each other's arms but as it neared the horizon Ichiro slowly rose to his feet. Ann followed, squeezing her daughter tightly in her arms.

"It is time for you to go back," he said as he took Yoko into his arms. Ann took a deep breath, forced herself to smile and nodded. Ichiro stepped in close, his hand cupping her cheek.

"Find happiness," he said softly, his gaze warm. "I do not care how you find it as long as you do."

"I promise I will," Ann reassured him. Ichiro gave her one more crooked smile as the light became blinding and then, in a blink, went out, surrounding Ann in darkness.