Chapter One – Saying Goodbye
Kagome sat across the campfire, gazing at her friends who were all merrily chatting with one another. Inu-Yasha and Kikyo were cuddled up against the base of a tree whispering about love and other things. A few feet away, Sango and Miroku were playing some kind of card game she brought from the future, while Shippo and Kirara danced in the grass: jumping, laughing, and having a good time. Kagome caressed her arms as the cool air chilled her skin and with a smile she crawled over to her bag: she pulled out a big plushy sleeping bag and nestled inside of it, not at all surprised when Shippo joined her.
As the night carried on, the wind danced with the trees, the moon lit up the sky, and the stars twinkled knowingly. In the great distance, something was coming.
In the morning, the bags were packed and the group began their hunt for the jewel. An hour into their travels, they first came across Koga. Koga, who was travelling with Hakkaku and Ginta at the time, appeared in his extravagant whirlwind and with a cheeky smile gave usual greeting to Kagome. Kagome, unfazed by his behavior, smiled politely and gave her normal greeting.
"How's my woman?" With a smile, she replied. "I'm good Koga, not your woman, but that never seems to change your mind, ne?" Koga chuckled and leaned in close, "Not if it gets a rise out of the half breed." With a wink, Koga pulled away and took on a serious composure.
"I've picked up rumors of Naraku closing in on the West, he hasn't arrived yet, but he's on his way. Sesshomaru has contacted my tribe for aid, as well as several other tribes and two other kingdoms. While he doesn't want it, I insisted we gather you and your group for battle." Kagome blinked owlishly. Koga was serious: she'd never seen this side of him, except in dangerous battle. Blushing lightly Kagome thought about the topic at hand: the end was near; the moment she had dreaded so was finally on the rise. She could be dead tomorrow and her family wouldn't know. With a heavy sigh she lifted worried eyes to her friends and took in their expressions. There was no childish arrogance, no laughter, no love, only thoughts of hate and vengeance. Taking a step up to each of her friends, she grasped their hands and kissed the cold tense flesh. Expressing her love in a way she favored, she smiled brilliantly at all of them.
"Whatever happens, I love each and every one of you. I may not belong here," she paused as she forced down the lump in her throat, "but I feel like this is my home, like you all are my family. I could never ask for better friends, so thank you." Sango pulled her into a hug, in which she cried and clung desperately to what she didn't want to lose. Everyone knew there was a chance she would be lost to them, but they refused to acknowledge it. Kagome smiled as her friends comforted her and quelled the tears. As she regained her composure, they made their way to the Western Lands: prepared to lose their lives; prepared to engage in war.