What Happens After This?

Chapter Nine

I don't own Inuyasha or its characters, there that's my disclaimer!

"Tell me about Inuyasha," Niko spoke, surprising Kagome

They'd walked for two days without Niko talking, she assumed the lead. Kagome was worried for her friend, no words they spoke gave any indication they were helping. To hear her speak about the one person that wasn't there, was a bit startling.

"What do you want to know?" Kagome asked back

"Who is he? You haven't spoken much of him." Niko spoke still looking forward

"Normally he speaks for himself, he's boisterous. Not having him around has been, different." Kagome spoke missing her friend, his get it done nature was lacking from their group

Niko smirked, "He's the loud one?"

"Oh yeah, doesn't like to take breaks. Hell, the only thing he likes to stop for is food. With us being this close, I doubt he'd stop! He's been that way ever since I met him, I doubt he'll change."

"Why isn't he here then?"

"He got sick when we got to this land, he didn't think it was anything important. But when we met up with an old friend it's when his demon blood is fighting is human blood." Kagome spoke

"So, he's a half-demon?"

"Yes."

"I've had several members of my pack go through what you're speaking of. If his will to live is strong, he will survive this."

"That's what I'm worried about, his life hasn't been an easy one."

"That's all the more reason to keep fighting, to change the path he has been set on."

Nodding to her, hopefully that was enough for him, "I hope that's right."

"Is he the one you thought you loved?"

Looking over to her, Kagome couldn't believe the conversation at hand. "Yeah, I thought it was; but, it never was. I thought that it was, he was always striving to be with someone else. I was on the sidelines, it got tiring being the third wing. It was a slow process to get over him, however, that all changed when I got to know Sesshomaru. The few moments we've had, I've never felt anything like that."

"You better hold onto that," Niko spoke solemnly, Kagome could tell she was missing her mate at this moment. "I will do everything I need to destroy that bastard and see to it that you and Sesshomaru have the largest ceremony for your mating."

"You don't-."

"Yes, something good has to come from all the negative this bastard half-demon has caused."

Kagome nodded, letting her have the last word. Sango joined them, talking a little about everything.

It felt nice to have some normalcy back to the quest at hand, even with their friend not there. Niko was a subdued version of him like she'd say: she was older and wiser. Kagome could tell that when Niko asked of their missing link, Sesshomaru would listen in. He'd never admit to it, but he also wanted to know more about his younger brother. Kagome would smile at him, knowing some of what Niko asked was what he wondered.

Time moved slowly for the group, moving slowly through the new land. Kagome kept up on the journal, with each member of their group helping each other prepare. Whether it be mentally or physically, they made sure to be there for each other. It had been nearly six months that they'd been in the new land, with only the one sighting of Naraku. They'd seen and heard no more of him. They traced his name to village after village, helping those they could or preparing burials for those lost. Kagome could feel the battle coming, slowly anxiety grew each day. Each day spent with the ones she loved most, except for one.