Grandpa Higurashi slide the door to the storage room open, hobbling followed by his pouting 8-year-old granddaughter.

"Grandpa, I've heard all of your stories and seen all of your trinkets. I want to go play!" Kagome whined.

"Oh hush child, this is important! The demons are coming and when they do you need to remember this!" Grandpa threw over his shoulder.

Kagome's pout deepened as her grandfather shifted through some of the boxes before making a noise in satisfaction.

"When the demon's come, and you can't fight them off any longer, promise me you'll use this!" Grandpa shouted holding a sealed scroll out to her.

"I promise… can I go now?" Kagome whined.

"A real promise, you ungrateful girl!"

Kagome huffed and rolled her eyes, "I promise."

"Good… now go play!"

Need You Now

Kagome looped her thumbs into the straps of her yellow pack, she trailed behind Inuyasha a few steps as they trekked.

Naraku had been dead for two years, the jewel completed but she couldn't bring herself to return home. Even at twenty she trailed after Inuyasha as they continued saving people.

Sango and Miroku had left after the battle to settle down in the East, Shippo found an older kitsune to help him hone his skills and separated from them about half a year ago.

"Hey, have you thought about the jewel at all?" Inuyasha asked gruffly.

Kagome cocked her head as she sidestepped a fallen branch, "like if I would wish on it?"

Inuyasha's silver head bobbed, casting a glance over his shoulder.

"I wasn't going to… any wish would just corrupt it… I have to keep it safe." Kagome mumbled.

Inuyasha froze suddenly, Kagome bumping into his back. "Give it to me."

Kagome frowned, "I can't do that Inuyasha, you know that."

The half-demon growled, he had grown more hostile after the battle Kikyo had died on the battlefield and he was hell bent once more on becoming a full-demon. While he never outright hit Kagome, his tongue had grown sharper and he made sure he would hit her where it hurt emotionally and mentally.

"I'm sorry, you know I can't do that." She repeated.

"Whatever, you're stupid." He growled.

Kagome shook her head and sighed, following after the half-demon.

A soft groan drew her attention, casting a glance to Inuyasha she deviated from the path and began pushing through the bushes.

With a gasp, Kagome fell to her knees, swinging her bag to her side and digging through the contents. "Inuyasha! Wait!"

Inuyasha crashed through the trees, "leave him, he's almost dead."

Kagome glared and pointed to the smaller clearing they were next to. "Make camp."

Inuyasha grumbled and stalked to the clearing, moving to start a fire as Kagome attended to the body.

She placed a hand on the man's chest as shallow breaths came from him. Casting a glance at his half covered face and the weird headband he wore, she began to gently wipe away the blood and dirt caked on his face, her eyes roaming for any sign of new blood.