Chapter five rewrite, not as long as four, but next chapter is ALL NEW! YAY! Enjoy….

~Dungeon~

Kagome smiled as she sliced Kankei through the air. She had finally managed to swing it without losing her balance. She did a few more practice swings through the air before she was satisfied that she had it down.

-crack-

Kagome jumped at the sound and twirled to look behind her. It sounded like a large twig snapping. Deciding to investigate, she began to walk towards the noise.

"Kagome," Kagome jumped again and turned to see Sesshoumaru.

"Geez! Sesshou! Don't scare me like that!"

Sesshoumaru smirked. "I did nothing but walk into the clearing."

"Yeah but with that twig snapping and then you appearing behind me… it's creepy!"

Sesshoumaru gave her a questioning look.

"Nevermind. Let's just go back to camp." She smiled and grabbed his hand, leading him back the way they came.

As they left, the snake observing them continued with its meal, engulfing the limp body of a small demon. The demon's head laid at an odd angle, signaling a broken neck. Once done with its meal, the black snake took off to find its master.

"How did your training go Kagome?" Sango asked.

"Good, I finally got used to the weight and I don't lose my balance when I swing anymore."

"You certainly catch on fast. You were only gone for an hour or so." Miroku noted.

"Well, the faster the better right? We're in the middle of a war with Naraku, I'll need to be as prepared as I can get. I'll have to work on my twirling next."

"Twirling?"

"Yup! Like in anime! I'm gonna be like Maka from Soul Eater! She's awesome with a scythe!"

"What are you talking about Kagome?"

"Ummmm, nevermind hehe." Kagome rubbed the back of her head. She walked over to Ah-Uhn giving them a pat as she pulled out a few furry pelts from one of the saddlebags. Placing them on the ground next to Ah-Uhn she returned to the saddlebag and pulled out her yellow bag.

"I'm going to go take a bath. Do you want to come with Sango?"

"Actually, Miroku and I were about to go on a walk."

"Ok then I'll just go myself." She grabbed her toiletries bag and headed towards a nearby spring.

"I will not be far." Sesshoumaru called after her.

"You're going to follow me?" Kagome turned and smirked.

"Somewhat. I am going hunting."

"Ah. Then, see you later." Kagome continued towards the spring.

Miroku stood and held his hands out to Sango. "Shall we?"

Sango smiled and took his hand, standing up herself.

Ah-Uhn was the only occupant left in the clearing. The two headed dragon wandered around the clearing, munching on grass as they went. As they wandered they heard something approach the clearing. Looking up they watched curiously as two snakes slithered into view. The snakes paid no attention to Ah-Uhn as they slithered further into the clearing. Not appreciating the intrusion, Ah-Uhn quickly disposed of them. Tearing their heads off, Ah-Uhn was surprised as the snakes disappeared leaving wisps of smoke. Uneasy at the smell of magic, Ah-Uhn took off to find their parents.

Kagome sighed as she dipped lower into the spring. Reaching behind her she grabbed her soap and began to wash. Once she was done she washed her hair and dried off. She didn't want to stay long, she wanted to get back to camp. When she was dressed, she quickly grabbed her bag and headed back the way she came. On her way back, Kagome came across a large apple tree.

'Hm, they'd be a good treat.' Kagome opened up her toiletries bag and pulled out her towel. She put her soap and shampoo and conditioner onto the towel and tied the towel into a makeshift bag. When she was done she took the now empty toiletries bag and climbed into the tree. She climbed from limb to limb, slowly filling her bag with apples. Once the bag was full she closed it and made her way towards the lowest branch. A low hiss stopped Kagome's movements. Looking up, Kagome saw something she'd never wanted to see again. The snake lunged at her, fangs catching her in the shoulder. Kagome cried out as she fell off the branch. Her ears roared as she fell unconscious.

Ah-Uhn roared in anger, rushing to catch Kagome. Sesshoumaru leapt at the snake, tearing it to pieces.

"I see you're doing well Sesshoumaru." Kuno stepped out from behind the tree. Sesshoumaru snarled. "Surprised? You think that pathetic bitch could kill me?"

"What did you do to her?"

"Hm? Oh, you'll find out soon enough. I must go now, I have preparations to make." Sesshoumaru leapt at him, only to meet air as he disappeared. He let out an angry roar.

Kagome whimpered in her sleep, catching Sesshoumaru's attention.

"Kagome. Wake up." Sesshoumaru picked her up. She whimpered again, but did not wake. Sesshoumaru caught glimpse of the wound on her shoulder. The smell of poison reached his nose. He let out a low growl and placed her on the ground. Pulling the fabric away from her shoulder and conjured his poison into his claws. He placed two of his claws into the fang marks and let his poison drip. Kagome screamed in pain, flailing blindly in her unconscious state, trying to shake off her "attacker". Sesshoumaru pulled her close, keeping his claws steady, and whispered into her ear. Her flailing eventually stopped and a few minutes later Sesshoumaru removed his claws. Kagome went limp again. Ah-Uhn whimpered from behind them. "She's fine, Ah-Uhn. Come." He stood up with Kagome in his arms and headed back to camp.

Once he got there, he grabbed the pelts from the ground and wrapped Kagome in them, sitting down with her in his lap. Ah-Uhn laid behind them, keeping their eyes on Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Kagome shook in Sesshoumaru's arms. A gasp to their right notified Sesshoumaru that Sango and Miroku had returned from their walk. As they both approached Sesshoumaru let out a growl of warning. "Do not come any closer."

Sango paused, nodded, and pulled Miroku to the other side of the clearing.

"What's wrong?" Miroku asked.

"It's not a good idea to go near them right now."

"Why?"

"Youkai are very protective of their mates and intended mates. Kagome's injured, and Sesshoumaru will attack anything that comes near Kagome. It's best to keep our distance… at least until she wakes up."

Miroku sighed. "Then, I guess we'll have to wait until the morning to get our answers." Sango nodded.

"Kagome. Kagome, you need to wake up." Sesshoumaru murmured in Kagome's ear. "Please." He whispered.

Kagome stirred, she opened her eyes. She looked up at Sesshoumaru.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"I feel…. Like I died." She croaked.

"You almost did." He pressed his lips to her temple. "Do not do that again."

She let out a horse laugh. "Wasn't planning on it, but I'll try." She tried to sit up, winced, and relaxed against him again.

"Looks like I'm not moving for a while."

"You need your rest."

"We can't just lay around here and do nothing."

"Can't we?" he asked, nuzzling her. "Now that you're awake, I quite enjoy laying around and doing nothing."

Kagome smiled. "I guess I can't argue with that."

"Kagome?" Sango called from across the clearing.

"Sango! What're you doing all the way over there?"

"Keeping our distance."

"Why?"

"Inuyoukai are veeeeeeery overprotective." Sango smiled.

"Hm," Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on Kagome, nuzzling her neck.

"I see," Kagome laughed.

"Are you feeling better?" Miroku called.

"Yes, I'm just feeling a little weak." She answered. She heard a rumbling behind them and looked up. Ah-Uhn was looking at her worriedly. "Hey babies! Did I scare you?" she smiled. They rumbled happily. "So when do we leave?" she asked.

"You are not moving anytime soon."

"What?"

"You are too weak."

"We just started traveling! We're wasting time sitting around and doing nothing while you worry about my health."

"Are you suggesting that I not worry about your health? It was not more than an hour ago that you were unconscious and your life hung in the balance."

"Yes but I'm awake, I'm alive, and I'm fine. There's no reason to baby me like this!"

"Hn, you have much to learn about Inuyoukai." He smirked.

Kagome sighed. "Sesshoumaru, it's foolish to waste time sitting here. The sooner we finish this, the sooner we can move on with our lives, our life, our life together." Kagome said.

"If it will make you happy, we shall move out within the hour."

"Great!" Kagome moved to sit up. Sesshoumaru stopped her.

"I said that we would continue our travels, but you will not be moving on your own until you are fully healed." He said, picking her up and standing. He sat her on Ah-Uhn's saddle. "Stay." He looked at the two headed dragon. "Do not let her leave Ah-Uhn."

He turned to Sango and Miroku. "When you are ready, we will leave." They nodded and began to pack their things.

Kagome huffed in annoyance.

"This is completely unnecessary!" she growled.

Sesshoumaru chuckled from behind her. They'd been riding Ah-Uhn for most of the day now.

"So far nothing has changed from our normal routine."

"Except for the fact that I have to spend ten minutes arguing with you before you let me pee by myself!" she huffed.

"You would not have to spend so much time arguing if you'd simply let me escort you."

"I am NOT letting you carry me to go pee!"

~Dusk~

"Kagome."

"…"

"Kagome, you will have to speak to me eventually."

"…"

Sesshoumaru sighed. "Very well." He leaned down and nipped her nose.

"Ow! What was that for? Geez!" She rubbed her nose.

"Hn, so you can speak."

Kagome pouted. "Meanie." She grumbled looking away.

Sesshoumaru sighed. "I am only looking out for you."

"Not that I don't like the contact, but constantly carrying me everywhere and staying by my side is completely unnecessary. I don't know how many times I've said that today." Kagome looked into Sesshoumaru's eyes. "What's wrong Sesshoumaru? Why're you acting like this?"

He looked at her. "I don't want to lose you."

"You haven't lost me though."

"No, but every time you leave my side, something always seems to go wrong. How many times have you come back to me injured or almost dead Kagome?"

"It hasn't been that bad."

"No? When we were younger, when your only name was Sayaka, you left, and you almost didn't come back."

Kagome stared at him. She'd had no idea he thought this. She smiled at him and hugged him. "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon Sesshoumaru."

~Night~

"He's back isn't he? Kuno?" Kagome asked as they laid down to sleep.

"…Yes."

"I knew it. I knew things were too good to be true."

"He will not touch you again." He said, running his fingers through her hair.

"He'll come for us again. He'll take us back to that dungeon."

"He will die before he has the chance." He growled. "Sleep now, Kagome. If you get your rest, I may just let you walk on your own for a bit." He chuckled.

"Fine." She yawned and snuggled into his chest.

~Two Weeks Later~

Kagome leaped to the side avoiding the Tokage's attack, she swung Kankei and sliced it in half. It's dying shrieks echoed through the forest. She picked up the shard and purified it before turning to Miroku. He had crushed his opponent's skull with his staff while planting a sutra across his brow. She approached them and removed the shard from its arm.

"Nice work Kagome-sama. You're skill has certainly increased very quickly." Miroku smiled at her.

"Thank you. I'm just glad I can finally move around again… that poison really packed a punch." She winced at the thought. "You go on and help Sango and take care of her Tokage, it didn't have a shard so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll go get Sesshoumaru."

Miroku nodded and took off in the direction Sango had chased one of the fleeing Tokage while Kagome took off in the direction Sesshoumaru had chased his opponent. She arrived just in time to see Sesshoumaru slice through his opponent with his whip. Kagome plucked the shard out of a piece of torso with disgust.

"Ick."

"It is about time, I was growing tired of cutting this fool down over and over again." Kagome laughed.

"I hope you're not too tired dear, we've still got two to go."

Sesshoumaru let out an amused scoff. "These vermin are nowhere near strong enough to tire one such as I."

"Good, let's get going then."

They heard the dying shriek of Sango and Miroku's Tokage. "Well," Kagome began, "That's four down… now all that's left is…"

An infuriated roar echoed through the forest.

"Big Daddy!" She finished. A giant claw crashed through the trees towards them. Kagome and Sesshoumaru leaped out of the way in opposite directions. Kagome pushed off of a nearby tree and leapt onto the retreating arm. She raced up the demons arm, jumping to avoid it's other as it tried to brush her off. She leaped into the air and brought Kankei up and stabbed the giant Tokage in the eye. The demon shrieked and batted her away. Sesshoumaru landed a series of attacks to the demons side and distracted it as Kagome recovered and leaped into the air again. Her wings appeared as she gained momentum and held her in the air as she brought Kankei down into the Tokage's forehead, dislodging the shard and ending the demon's life.

"Aaaaaand done!" Kagome said as she purified the last shard in the Tokage tribe's possession.

"You've done well, Kagome." Sesshoumaru complimented, wrapping his arm around her waist.

"Thanks, I gotta say I'm loving this new strength of mine."

Kagome returned Sesshoumaru's embrace before pulling away and transforming Kankei into its dormant state. "I don't know about you all, but I'm starving." She whistled shrilly and was answered by a delighted roar.

Ah-Uhn landed in the clearing with a thud and bent their heads down to greet Kagome eagerly.

"Hi babies! Did you miss mama? You were both so good protecting the jewel shards while she was away!" she gushed a she pulled out her little vial from their packs. She fused together their newly attained shards and placed them back in the pack before scratching Ah-Uhn's chins and starting into another round of compliments and affectionate pats.

"I find it amusing that you treat a dragon that could pose a challenge for even one as strong as myself as an infant." Sesshoumaru mused as he approached them.

"But they're my babies!" she said turning to face him. "Besides, they wouldn't even hurt a fly! Would you?" she asked as she turned, but she had the unfortunate timing to do so right as Ah shot a small flame from his nostril, effectively burning a certain flying pesk to a crisp.

"Hn not a fly?" Sesshoumaru chuckled.

"That was different!" Kagome huffed, "That was a mosquito." She laughed.

~One Month Later~

Kagome sighed as she relaxed in the hot springs. She had missed the beautiful scenery of Sesshoumaru's private springs. She thought about the past month, they had collected all the remaining shards, even those that Naraku owned.

With her new, or rather, regained powers it was a simple task to defeat Naraku. With Kagome's and Sesshoumaru's skills combined they'd managed to track down Naraku's heart and destroyed it. Both Naraku, Kagura, and all his other minions and reincarnations disappeared as Kagome purified the heart.

She could hardly believe her search was over. She'd restored the Shikon Jewel!

She sighed and ducked her head underwater before standing up. She wrapped herself up in a towel and entered the room she shared with Sesshoumaru. He looked up from his book as she entered the room.

"Is something the matter koi?"

"No," she shook her head, "I was just thinking about what we should do now that the Jewel is complete."

"Oh? And what are your thoughts?"

"Well, I was thinking that we should focus on restoring the South," she bit her lip, "and taking care of Kuno." She shivered.

Sesshoumaru stood and took hold of the towel surrounding her. She let go of it as he unwrapped it and began to gently dry her off. As he gently tousled her hair dry he spoke. "You don't need to worry about Kuno, he cannot reach us here. Once my men find his whereabouts, I will see to it personally that he meets his demise." He took a clean haori from the closet and wrapped her up in its silky folds.