Miroku, Sango, Kohaku and Shippo sat quietly around the blazing fire as Kaede poured everyone a cup of tea. Kirara purred next to Sango as Shippo looked towards the door. “I wonder what happened to Inuyasha and Kagome,” he said. “I haven’t seen them since last night.”

“Maybe they slept in.” Sango responded.

“No, I checked. It didn’t look like they even came back.”

Miroku choked on his green tea. “Miroku, are you all right?” Sango asked.

“Was the tea still too hot?” Kaede questioned.

“No, I’m fine. I just swallowed wrong.” Miroku said.

Kirara growled as footsteps approached Kaede’s room. “Kagome!” Shippo exclaimed. “I was so worried about you!”

“Hey, Shippo.” Kagome said. “You didn’t need to worry about me. I was with Inuyasha.”

Shippo turned to face Inuyasha, who had followed Kagome inside. “And where exactly have you been?”

“What?” Inuyasha barked. “I don’t have to answer to you!”

“Oh yeah!” Shippo retorted.

Inuyasha shot back. “Yeah!”

Kagome sighed. “Inuyasha, please stop annoying Shippo.”

“Sure, Kagome.” Inuyasha grinned.

Shippo’s mouth hung open as he stammered, “What? That’s it?” Shippo glanced back and forth between Inuyasha and Kagome. “Inuyasha, what happened last night? Kagome looks terrible. She has red marks all over her.”

“That’s enough, Shippo.” Miroku interrupted. “I think Kagome is absolutely glowing.”

Shippo gazed at Miroku. “Now that you mention it, she does look rather radiant. Did you do something different with your hair today?” Sango asked.

Blushing, Kagome replied, “No.”

“Well, I’d love to know what you did different so I can try it too.” Sango stated.

“Don’t worry, Sango.” Miroku replied. “I’ll help you research that later.” Sango raised an eyebrow to Miroku as he took hold of her right hand. “But for now, we should really be talking about the shikon jewel.”

“Aye.” Kaede chimed in. “Now that we have all the shards, we should do something with it.” Kaede placed the jewel shards in front of everyone. “Inuyasha? Do ye still want to become all demon?”

Kohaku sat up straight as Inuyasha responded. “No, I think it’s best we use the full power of the jewel on Kohaku.”

“Really, Inuyasha?” Sango asked.

“Keh, I don’t need it. I had my chance with the jewel fifty years ago. It’s someone else’s turn.” Inuyasha stated.

“Inuyasha, that is a very mature thing for you to say.” Miroku pointed out.

Inuyasha bellowed back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Miroku attempted to explain. “It just means I think Kagome has been a good influence on you.” Kagome blushed again. “Kagome, are you sure there isn’t anything you want from the jewel?”

Kagome said. “I’m fine.”

“Shippo? What do ye want?” Kaede asked.

“I want Miroku and Sango to be happy. I want Kohaku to live. I want you to have a long life, Kaede.” Shippo scratched his head. “And I want Kagome to keep visiting and bringing her ninja snacks.”

“Hey! What about me?” Inuyasha yelled.

“Oh, yeah, I forgot. I want Inuyasha to stop picking on me.”

“Those are all good things, Shippo.” Kagome spoke. “But would it be okay if we used to jewel solely for Kohaku’s life?”

“Of course, Kagome. I know what it’s like to lose a family member. I don’t want my friends to go through that.” Shippo answered.

“So we’re all in agreement?” Miroku asked. Everyone nodded their heads. “Well, Kaede, will you start the preparations for the ceremony?”

“Aye.” Kaede smiled as she stepped out of the room.

Kohaku stammered as he stared at the jewels shards. “Thank you, everyone, for being so nice to me. I know I don’t deserve it with everything I’ve done.”

“Forget all that!” Inuyasha howled. “You were being manipulated be Naraku. We all have been. It’s in the past. Let’s leave it there.”

“Inuyasha,” Kagome smiled as she grabbed hold of his left arm. “I agree. And as a token of our friendship, I have a special something to give to you. No little brother should be without one.” Kagome stood up and walked over to her school bag. As she rummaged through her bag, she said, “I don’t see it. I must have left it back home. I’ll go get it. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll go with you, Kagome.” Inuyasha said as they departed together.

After a moment, Miroku breathed. “Well, now that that’s settled, we should start making arrangements for our wedding.” Miroku grinned at Sango.

“It’s about time.” Shippo said. “It feels like you’ve been engaged forever.”

“There’s nothing wrong with a long engagement.” Sango replied.

“Nothing wrong with a short one either.” Miroku countered.

“You knew I couldn’t marry you until we’d rescued Kohaku.”

“I’m not upset, Sango. I had my reasons too.” Miroku breathed. “I wouldn’t have wanted to burden you had my wind tunnel taken my life.”

“But it’s gone now, right?” Shippo asked.

“Yes, so let’s not talk about that anymore.”

“Agreed.” Sango smiled. “As Inuyasha said, it’s in the past. Let’s leave it there.”

“Who’d have thought Inuyasha would be the word of wisdom?” Shippo pondered.

“Anyway, I would like Mushin to perform the ceremony if that’s okay with you, Sango.” Miroku stated.

“I think Mushin is a perfect choice, Miroku.” Sango blushed as Miroku squeezed her hand.

Inuyasha ran back into the room. “Something’s wrong!” Miroku and Sango jumped to their feet. “I can’t go through the well!”

“What about Kagome?” Sango asked.

“We tried to go together but only she made it through. I can’t pass into her time anymore.”

“It’s my fault.” Everyone looked at Kohaku as he stood up. “It’s all my fault, isn’t it? She went back to get me something and now she can’t return.”

“No, Kohaku.” Sango cried.

“Everyone is being so nice to me after all the horrible things I’ve done.” Tears streamed down Kohaku’s face as he ran out of the room. “Everyone just leave me alone! You’re better off that way!”