Night had fallen by the time Kagome made her way outside with the alpha couple. Newly raised, the replacement gates stood wide open in welcome, a huge bonfire blazing merrily just beyond them on the glittering plateau. With one last cheery wink, Ayame steered Kouga away, leaving Kagome to fend for herself. Breath misting before

“In you go!” With a brisk shove, Ayame sent Kagome careening into the onsen with a splash. Spitting out a jet of water as she surfaced, the miko glowered. “Was that really necessary?” she grumbled. “Anyway, I’ve already had a bath today!” The wolf girl set her hands on her hips. “And? You’re covered in

After leaving the hidden hot spring, Kagome spent the rest of the afternoon avoiding Sesshoumaru. Her conversation with Ayame had set her nerves on edge, and just the merest glimpse of the demon lord or whisper of his approaching youki had the jittery miko glancing around for the nearest exit. It was difficult to keep

The rubble had all been cleared, but there was still a gigantic hole in the front wall of the fortress, courtesy of Sesshoumaru’s Wind Scar. Wolves on the ground and up on wooden ladders waved heartily to Kagome as she flew past, the magic of the restored wards rippling coolly across her skin. Outside the

Kagome’s eyelids felt like sheets of lead as she cracked them slowly open, her throat as parched as the Sahara. Shifting a bit, she felt the pillow behind her move–and realized, as Sesshoumaru’s stoic face swam into view, that it wasn’t a pillow at all. A blush tinged her cheeks as she eased herself up

Kagome’s lungs shook violently as she exhaled, black spots flecking her vision. Sucking in another shallow breath, she blinked the spots away with difficulty and continued to pour out her soul into the seal. She could feel herself slowly sinking, her knees buckling beneath the effort of sustaining the gates against yet another seismic assault.