Chapter One

The final battle was here at last. Kagome looked around at the battle raging around her. She saw her companions fighting with all their might. Sango and Miroku were fighting the hordes of lower level demons Naraku had sent at the group while Inuyasha and Sessouhmaru were fighting against the dark hanyou himself. Kikyo mirrors her across the battlefield, and the two miko's wait with arrows ready for an opening in the battle below. The dust parted and there it was. They take the shot as one praying to The Kami that this will be the last time they will see Naraku alive. Suddenly, both arrows shine brighter then ever before. They hit him together and the battlefield is bathed in blinding light. When anyone can return eyes to his position he is gone. All that is left is dust, blood and the whole Shikon no Tama. Kagome wearily walked over to pick it up. It turns a familiar pink at her touch and she let out a sigh of relief.

With a blinding smile on her face she turned to look at the group she had been with for the last 2 years of her life. They had shared laughter and tears while hunting for the shards and battling Naraku. They had become family. They had become Pack. Sango and Miroku, who had become siblings. Kirara who was a dear friend and fierce ally. They were her sisters and brother in arms. Little Shippo who had been her light on this long journey and now called her mom. He truly was the child of her heart. Kikyo who she had once felt so inferior to was now a trusted and respected person in her life and just as dear to her as the others. Then there was Inuyasha, her first and once love. Now that love had changed and grown. He was her brother now, her rock, and she could not ask for a better best friend.

In recent months the group had grown.. Sessouhmaru's pack had joined with theirs. Kagome did not mind as Shippo had someone his age to play with in the little girl Rin. It was not a whole day before she started taking care of the child as her own. Not that he would ever voice his thanks, it was obvious that the kappa, Jaken was grateful for the break in his babysitting duty's. It was not long when they were followed by Koga and his two lieutenants Ginta and Hakkaku. It was a surprise to no-one when a week later Ayame came to join at Koga's side.

Kagome looked up at those now free of Naraku's control. Kagura was standing, with Kanna and Kohaku on each side of her.

Kanna's eyes starting to show a bit of emotion for one of the first times ever, hope. Kohaku was looking at the jewel in disbelief.

Hakudoshi and Entei positioned themselves just slightly behind the others as if nether were sure they would not be killed anyway.

"We did it, he's finally gone and the jewel is finally safe again." Kagome's voice rang out in joy, disbelief and excitement. Everyone cheered and hug each other. As soon as the barrier keeping him safe dropped, Shippo ran up to Kagome and quickly climbed to his spot on her shoulder looking down at the jewel.. "Mama, what are you going to do with the jewel now?"

"I'm going to make a wish on it, but it will have to be once we are back in Edo and are all rested." She looked around the bloody field with the corpses of demons laying everywhere. "Lets start heading there because I want to get as far away from this battlefield as possible before nightfall and set up camp with a hot spring close by so we all can take baths. I for one am in need of one badly and by looking at the rest us, you all need one too." A flash of white caught her eye. Sessouhmaru. "Well, all of us but Sessouhmaru. How he can go head on in a battle and not once get dirty is beyond me. How do you do it by the way?" She asked turning his way.

"hn" Was the only answer she received as he turned to start walking leaving the Miko to roll her eyes behind him.

They continued towards Edo till night was close and made camp near a hot spring Sessouhmaru could smell. As soon as they stopped, Sessouhmaru, Inuyasha, and Koga went out hunting for dinner. Miroku, Ginta, and Hakkaku went to find firewood and stones for the pit and green sticks for roasting dinner over the fire. Jaken was taking care of A-Un and Hakudoshi was taking care of Entei.

Kagome took the chance and turned to the girls with Shippo on her shoulder.

"Why don't we go to the springs to bath while we wait for the boys get back with the wood and meat." They nodded in agreement and headed to the springs. As she was grabbing her bag Kagome called to Jaken and Hakudoshi "Do you mind getting the fire started and making sure Miroku doesn't come near the springs."

"I'll do anything for you, Kagome." Hakudoshi spoke in a serious tone. "You helped free my sister's and I from Naraku."

She smiled back at him. "Thanks, it shouldn't take too long, I'll be back shortly." With a wave over her shoulder she made her way down to the springs to join the other girls while talking to Shippo who was still on his perch.

The girls and Shippo came back to camp a little later enjoying being clean of the demon blood and bits. They were lost in conversation with each other till Shippo started giggling and Rin looked at the center of camp with wide eyes. Miroku was out cold in the middle of camp on the ground. Knowing most likely what had happened, Kagome snickered "What happened?" she asked anyway looking at Hakudoshi.

"He tried going to the springs. replied Hakudoshi in a matter of fact voice that got snickers from Sango, and Kagura, and a giggle from Kanna, Shippo, and Rin.

Kagome shot him a grateful but mischievous smile. "I figured as much, thanks for that." She replied as she head towards the fire and started to pull out some seasonings for the meat. After that was done she moved on with practiced ease and pulled out the kettle to make some tea. When the tea was ready and she began to hand it out and noticed the boys still had their battle-worn clothing on and the blood was starting to dry in Miroku's hair. " Why don't you boys head to the springs to bath, while the meat is cooking and get all cleaned up." With muttered agreements they took the suggestion and had vacated the clearing in little to no time. When they were gone Kagome realized that Inuyasha had not complained once about going to bath and looked at Kikyo for confirmation. When the other Miko simply smiled at her with a knowing look in her eyes she let out a small giggle and turned to check the meat.

The boys were just starting to come back to the fireside when Kagome was handing plates to Rin, Kanna, and Shippo. She found this was one of the many reasons the Alphas in the group respected her, only after the fact of course. After traveling with them for a while she learned from Ayame that in the pack the cubs came first when it came to meals. Many weeks ago when the girls sat around the fire deep in conversation about this, both Koga and Sessouhmaru confirmed that they liked the way she cared for the children. It made sense to her, with her being from the modern day, but was different from the humans in this time. The men and workers always ate first, the women and children after them. For the humans it was a way of life. The men needed energy to work and provide the food by spending the days in fields, tilling away.

Once everyone was done eating and the food put away they all headed to bed for some much needed rest. The next morning the whole group made a silent agreement to eat the leftovers quickly and break down camp. They were only half a day from Edo and they all wanted to get to the village where they could let down their guards, at least a little.

The watchers must have alerted Lady Kaede of the groups return because she was waiting at the crest of the hill for them. Kagome ran to her and wrapped her in a great hug. She began to tell her everything as they moved toward the elder miko's hut. "That is great child, ye did wonderful in yer task." Kaede let out a breath, the relief obvious on her aged face. "What are ye going to do with the jewel now?" she asked. "I'm going to make a wish tomorrow morning after breakfast. I am want to be sure everyone has had rest and can relax." She looked at the children. "After lunch we can have some fun." Kagome did not have long to wait. Just as soon as they were finished eating Rin and Shippo asked her to play with them. True to her words they played for hours and did not stop till dinner. Once dinner was over everyone headed to bed. They were all thinking of what was to come in the morning.

Author's note: Thank you for reading my story so far. This is my first time writing a story. This chapter has been revised and edited by my beta/co-author - She will be working with me through out this story. As of right now we are still working on Chapters two and three. They should be out soon from being revised. Please please review and tell us how we did. If you have any questions, please either pm or I with your questions. We will get back to asap. WE DON'T OWN INUYASHA OR NARUTO CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO THEIR ORIGINAL OWNERS.