Disclaimer: I have no ownership rights to 'Inuyasha'.
Kagome, Miroku, Inuyasha, Shippo;
You all are my dearest friends and have become a family I know I could depend on and trust. For almost two years we have traveled together in search of Naraku and so many times we have pulled each other through some of the most difficult of times, we have perservered.
I never doubted my own ability to see things through, until recently. Now, however, I seem to be holding everyone back. You all seem to be growing stronger, learning to adapt to the situations we constantly run in to, where as I seem to be standing on the sides more and more often.
As this becomes more aparent, I have begun to lose faith in myself and am heartsick to finaly acknowledge this.
Therefore, while I may hope for a different solution to this, I have only been able to come to one answer; I am leaving the group.
I cannot disclose the location, but there is another Demon Slayer tribe far from here, so far that it may take Kilala and I weeks to reach, but they are powerful and secretive. Once, my tribe sought their consul and they offered to send a few of their own to train us, their offer was refused then, but I am taking up the offer now.
Please do not search for me, I am not asking for sympathy, only for understanding.
Someday, I hope to return to you all and be a stronger, more reliable comrade, but that day will be far from today. Perhaps not for years.
Who knows, maybe I'll return and you may have already beaten Naraku. That is both a happy and ironic thought.
My sweet Miroku, I am sorry to have to tell you like this, but I guess my leaving leaves you free to persue other...ventures. The world is yours to choose from now. I cannot expect you to wait for me, nor will I ask you of it.
You may never really know how I cared for you, but I hope that whoever you choose will treat you as you deserve. I love you.
Kagome, the nurturer of us all, I can only hope that you may still be here when I do finally return for I will miss you, my sister, with all my heart.
Inuyasha, you are the backbone and inspiration. You have lead us through with your strong will and urgency to succeed. May your goal be reached and your life become that of what you desire. Please keep in mind that harsh words, cold shoulders and unintentional actions can hurt those you love as easily as an arrow or a sword. You have someone that loves you as you are, don't misgudge or alienate her and she will be there for you, always.
Shippo, a devilish ray of sunshine, don't get down on yourself! You have grown since our first meeting and I know you will become a real pain in the ass to us all some day. Perhaps more to some than others. Truefully, you have been a great help to us all lately and a soothing balm to frazzled nerves. Train hard Shippo, for I intend to test your abilities when I return!
With a final note, I ask of you to watch over Kohaku. I pray that he will be okay, that all of you will be okay.
I love you all and will miss you dearly!
- Sango.
Folding the tear-splotched piece of parchment, Kagome gently placed the letter between pages of her diary for safe keeping.
Falling to her knees, wincing as tiny sharp pepples and grit bit into her skin, she cried softly and pushed the book into a pocket of her bookbag. Already she could feel the absence of her friend.
At the top of the knoll ahead of her, Miroku stood gazing into the distance. Every few minutes he swung his staff angrily, his shoulders visibly trembling. Behind her, she could hear Inuyasha spurting expletives, his angry paces back and forth measured in quick strides. Crawling to her lap, Shippo curled up against her and bitting her bottom lip to hold back another bout of tears, Kagome brushed Shippo's red fluffed bangs from his forehead. The familiar and simple action calming both kit and priestess.
Raising watery bronze eyes to the still rising sun, Kagome smiled and whispered a quick prayer for Sango to arrive safely and return to them soon.