Chapter Two:
Final Goodbye
As the woman surveyed her companions a great force of guilt and sadness started to form in her heart but she knew this day would come sooner or later. Her bright sapphire eyes took in every detail of her companions forms for this would be the last time she would see them. She looked at her sister like friend feeling truly happy for the young demon slayer.
Her dark brown hair swishing in the high pony tail she always wore in battle. Her black suit clung to her skin as hot pink armor covered her shoulders, knees, stomach, and elbows. Her hot pink obi had a small katana attached to it. On her back she carried a huge boomerang made of the strongest demon bones of that era. Her hazel eyes that reflected nothing but love were trained on the violet eyes of her friend turned fiancé.
The man himself had very short hair as only a subtle amount could be put into the smallest pony tail one could imagine. A pleased smile on his face could clearly be seen as he hugged his fiancé. For once his 'cursed' hand no where near the woman's rear or saying anything perverted that would get him a one way ticket into the darkness of unconsciousness. His purple and black robes swishing with every move he had. Around his right hand dark blue beads made a 'clanck' noise every time they hit one another. His golden staff lay forgotten on the ground a few feet away.
Sapphire eyes moved from the new couple to the older and odder pair before her. Her eyes traveled to her old love and now brother.
His silver hair swayed gently with the small breeze. His amber eyes looking lovingly into his dead lovers own. His fire rat kimono wrinkling as he embraced the woman in front of him. His rusty yet powerful sword moved as well. His bare feet made a shuffling noise. Silver claws and fangs shined against the suns bright rays. Two fuzzy triangular ears moved to every single sound made.
Sapphire eyes tore themselves away from her ex-lover and now brother to her newest ally and sister-in-law.
The dead woman in his arms returned the embrace with just as much force. Her doe brown eyes looking into his amber. Her hands snaked around his waist as her head rested on his chest. Her raven hair fell to her ankles. Her red and white miko clothes rustled in an indication of her movement. Her straw sandals moved forward wanting to be with her lover. Her quiver of arrows and bow shifted slightly so she could get more comfortable. White snake like creatures floated around them.
Her sapphire eyes moved to her two most important friends in her arms.
There was her son who had fallen asleep. His head rested gently on her shoulder as he slept peacefully. His orange red hair was still in its high pony tail it was always in. His emerald eyes that usually reflected mischief were shut closed. Clawed hands wrapped around her neck. Sharp tiny fangs were visible as he kept on snoring. His green shirt with small light green leaves unfolded in some places as he shifted on her shoulder. His brown vest snuggled closer to his body with the sudden shift. His legs that were covered in furry brown pants were on top her hands that held him against her body. A single puffy reddish orange tail popped out from under his pants. A soft purr brought her attention to her other dear companion.
Sapphire and crimson eyes clashed at they look at each other. The small cat like youkai was currently on her shoulder. Her cream colored fur glow in the sun's rays. Her black paws and ears seemed to glow a darker shade. On her two tails were two black stripes on each. A black diamond on her forehead stood out among her skin. Her two tails were wishing happily behind her.
"Guys I have something to say."
Her soft voice seemed to break the others from thief own train of thought. It was then they all got a good look at her form. They all knew she went through a great change here in the feudal japan. She had changed from the weak 15 year old school girl to a powerful 37 year old woman.
Her raven black hair fell perfectly behind her. Her icy sapphire orbs stared at them. She had an elegant silver fighting kimono. The kimono had light blue snowflakes decorating the sleeves and bottom of the kimono. It had the 3/4 sleeves that only reach her elbows. It reached her mid thigh allowing her to move freely in battle. A light blue obi was tied to it. A sword was tied onto her obi. She had light blue ninja sandals. On her hands were two silver fingerless gloves. Her claws and fangs gleamed in the light. A raven monkey tail rapped around her waist.
"What is it? Are you hurt?" asked the tijia in concern for her friend's wellbeing.
"No but it is something very important Sango," stated the woman looking at her in slight irritation.
"How important?" asked the perverted monk curiously as he looked her over.
"As I told Sango very Miroku now stop questioning me so much." restated the woman with a bit more of a hint of irritation than before.
"Just tell us wench!" demanded the inu hanyou glaring impatiently at her.
"Inuyasha be more respectful!" scolded the undead miko pinning him with a disappointed look.
"Thank you Kikyou but as I was saying I have to leave," whispered the younger miko cringing away from the group.
"WHAAAAT!"
Anyone who was in a 5 mile radius covered their ears in a futile attempt to block out the loud scream. The child within the woman's hand woke up with a jump. "Momma! What's going on?" asked the frightened kitsune looking everywhere.
"Nothing Shippou. You can-" the woman was interrupted by her best friend once more.
"Nothing important! Nothing important? Wench how is you leaving not important!" yelled Inuyasha clearly enraged as he glared down at her.
"I must agree with Inuyasha for once." said Miroku with a frown on his face as he cast disappointed violet eyes on her.
"Hate to say but me too." said Sango sending her a pointed look as she smirked when Inuyasha didn't notice.
"I as well." stated Kikyo crossing her arms over chest as she spared her enraged (not to mention embarrassing) mate a glance.
"Are you leaving me alone Okaa-san?" asked a tearful Shippou as he was about ready to start crying.
"Look I know it's hard for you all. Heck this is hard for me! I never wanted things to come to this but you all know I am not of this world but another dimension. I must return now that my mission here is now complete. No I'm not leaving Shippou either. I'm bringing him with me too. Besides what kind of mother leaves her child?" declared the woman. Shippou looked at his adoptive mother gratefully and hugged her tightly.
"Wait! I want you to take Kirara with you. I know that she'll be happier with you." said Sango on the verge of tears. The raven haired woman nodded. The neko youkai mewed and just rubbed her head on the woman's cheek. "I'll take the jewel with me just in case too." she said. The others nodded agreeing with her logic.
"I guess this is good bye." said Kikyo in a shaky voice. Everyone could only nod afraid of crying if they said anything. Everyone just hugged the three good bye with promises of remembering one another.
Inuyasha was the first to say his own goodbye. "You better stay out of trouble gaki. Kami-sama knows how much trouble you attract." he said trying to lighten up the mood. Kagome nodded with a small smile and put Shippou and Kirara down on her right side. She went to Inuyasha and hugged him for a final time. "Hai, hai. I'll miss having to argue with you every day. You better treat your mate well Inuyasha-nii-san." said Kagome wiping her stray tears away with a smirk. "Only if you treat your future mate the same way imouto." said Inuyasha lightly teasing her. They parted.
Shippou also ran to hug his uncle since he now reached Inuyasha's stomach. "Goodbye Oji-san. I expect to come back to little cousins to tell them of their great cousin. Shippou the Brave!" he stated slightly crying. "Keh. Don't you mean Shippou the Coward?" snorted Inuyasha ruffling his nephew's orange hair. "You wish Inuyasha-Oji-san!" retorted the young boy. "Remember to take care of your Okaa-san squirt. Make sure her mate treats her well and if not make his life miserable for me." said Inuyasha chuckling lightly. Shippou nodded.
"You too, Kirara. Make sure that you protect them both from any danger. Who knows why they're so clumsy. I swear both will walk into an enemy trap with realizing it." ranted out the hanyou shaking his head. Kirara gave a mew while nodding her head in agreement. "Good and remember to keep yourself safe too." he said smiling. Kirara gave a new while licking Inuyasha's hand that had come to pet her. She gave him a final purr when he pulled his hand away.
Second came Miroku to say his farewells too. "Kagome-sama it has been a pleasure knowing you. If it weren't for you I don't think any of us would have been here. Please take care of yourself. And don't forget to take a husband while you're there." said the monk with a wink. "Pervert." sniffed Kagome hugging him. "Take care Kagome-sama and farewell." Miroku said smiling a non-perverted smile for the first time. "You too, Miroku-sama. Don't forget to have many children with Sango so that I can have many niece and nephews to come back to." she replied back giving a small laugh.
"Hope you don't become an old fart like Totosai-sama be the time we return." said Shippou giving him a hug. Miroku's eye twitched slightly. He raised his hand and with a flick of his wrist honked Shippou's head leaving him a bump. "Well, I hope you don't reduce your age any more. If you do you'll turn into a crybaby. So I'd be careful with me words if I were you." warned Miroku smirking. "Itai! I can't believe I was starting to miss you, Miroku-Oji-san!" cried Shippou nursing his bump. "The feeling is mutual Shippou-chan" replied the monk.
Third came Sango, after her husband. "Kagome-chan remember don't be a stranger. If you ever can come visit us before we die." choked out Sango. She had already begun to cry a waterfall. "Of course Sango-chan. I'll even bring others to introduce you all too. And what do you mean 'if'? Of course I will visit you again!" cried the younger woman out while hugging her. "Good. If you don't then I'll sick Kirara on you." warned Sango. "I hope you won't have too, though." joked Kagome with a small smile. "Let's hope not." replied Sango cracking a smile.
"See you Sango-Oba-san. I know we do get to see each other in the future." stated Shippou with confidence as he hugged her waist. "How do you know that dear nephew?" sniffled Sango looking at him with watery yet amused hazel orbs. "Didn't you know that I'm physic oba-san?" joked Shippou; his own eyes took a misty sheen to them. "Oh really, now?" The young kitsune youkai nodded at her question. "Then when will you grow more mature?" she asked jokingly. "I am!" scowled Shippou. Why wouldn't anyone believe he was mature? "Sure you are." teased Sango.
"Now, you be careful Kirara. I need you to make sure our dear Shippou-chan isn't corrupted any more than he is. You'll also have to make sure Kagome marries a nice guy too." winked Sango snickering at her own request. Kirara mewed. Red eyes shone with mischief and amusement. She seemed to agree with Sango. "Good now you be a good girl. You better be the same when I see you again. I don't want to find you suddenly green either." laughed Sango petting Kirara.
Last but not least to exchange partings was Kikyo. "I hope you'll live happier and longer days in your dimension. You truly deserve it for all you've done for us." said the revived priestess. "Of course Kikyo. And remember to take care of my nii-san for me ok? Give him a good 's' for me every time he does bad things. Also remember about my soon to be born niece and nephews." said Kagome with a wink. "Of course. Expect to meet them all when you return Kagome. But remember that you'd better take care of yourself and your own children." laughed Kikyo. Kagome gave a laugh. "Of course I will. Even some new additions." she proclaimed proudly.
"But remember that I'll always be 'Kaa-san's favorite though! I mean who could blame her for me being her favorite." laughed Shippou as his eyes lightened up. "Uh-huh. I just think it's the fact that you were among the first of her adopted children." said Kikyo pinning him with a deadpanned look. "You're just obviously jealous of me Kikyo-Oba-chan." accused Shippou giving her a unbelieving stare. "Sure. I'm jealous of a twelve year old brat. Joy." she said sarcastically. "Yeah, yeah. I know it's hard to admit but it's alright if I'm too awesome for you." he said haughtily. "Bit how could I ever be jealous of your crush on that Sazuka girl in the village." age teased. "S-shut up!" he shrieked. Kikyo only laughed.
"Make sure they don't die quickly. Ok, Kirara? Kami-sama knows what these two could get into." stated Kikyo exasperatedly. Kirara seemed to laugh in her own cat like way nodding at Kikyo's request. "Good because if my imouto died after just an hour in her own dimension I would die." she said dramatically.
They both went back to their original places. Kagome scooped Shippou back up in her arms and held him to her hip. Kirara chose to lazily lounge on her right shoulder as her tails rested on the opposite shoulder. Kagome looked at them for what would most likely be the last time in quiet some time. She felt the need to cry once again but pushed it back down. She wasn't the only one judging by the way Shippou seemed to look away. Kirara's eyes also seemed to become misty. She had to be strong for all of them.
"Good bye my friends. Know that you will always be in my memories and heart. Please forgive me but I- no we must leave now." she said correcting herself on her own mistake. The others who were in tears by thennodded. "Goodbye! Don't forget about my momma or me! I mean how could you even do that?" called out Shippou smirking. "Mew!" Kirara also gave her farewell too. In a flash of light blue their friend disappeared leaving only snowflakes in their place.
'She is in memories of few but in hearts of many.
Loyal Friend
Great Sister
Devoted Daughter
Loving Mother
Skilled Tijya
Generous Miko
Powerful Saiyan
Graceful Demoness
Magnificent Ally
All of these fit her but everyone will always see her for kindness and forgiving actions. For the she is the Miko who befriended demons and human alike. Judged one not by their past but future for she is the miko of the future who came to help set the past. The Shikon No Miko of the great Shikon no Tama tale. In memories of few but hearts of many may you have great blessings upon yourself.
Kagome Son.'