Shortly after dawn, Kohaku arrived with Kirara in tow. Outside on the porch, Kagome was armed and ready. Giving the transformed firecat a pat of greeting, she readjusted her bow across her back and swung up behind the waiting taijiya. At once the three of them took to the sky, heading north toward the village

As they descended the steps of the shrine together, Kagome and Sesshoumaru’s conversation fell into the usual, well-worn routine. She spoke to him of the progress Rin was making in her studies. He spoke to her of the state of affairs in the Western Lands. She told him of the measures she’d taken to further

Six Months Earlier Kagome knelt before the altar, placing a few fresh sticks of incense into the small burnished bowl. As fragrant smoke rose before the granite face of her husband’s grave, she bowed her head in love and remembrance. Warm spring air ebbed and flowed around her. A few loose strands of her hair