The next morning dawned chilly and wet. The sky was the stark shade of barren white-gray; there was little sky showing at all in the early morning, and by first light it was drizzling. Inuyasha had barely had time to shake the sleep from his system when he heard a cry, coming directly from camp. Before he had time to think twice about it, he found himself standing in the midst of camp, looking around for the source of trouble. It was unclear at first what had happened, but this much he had gathered: Shippo was crying into an upset Sango's shoulder, and Miroku was holding a piece of lined paper. Inuyasha recognized it as Kagome's—it was the same that she read from when 'studying.'

"Why'd it have to—?" Shippo was sobbing to Sango, who was making every effort to calm him, although she looked very upset herself. Why would they be so upset over a piece of Kagome's paper? The simple solution would be just to ask the girl what it was all about.....

And then he realized it.

Kagome wasn't there.

She wasn't in camp, or at the river. Though the drizzle made it a bit more difficult to smell, he should've still been able to catch her scent. But he couldn't. His demon senses would've enabled that—the night of the new moon was over. Just to be sure, Inuyasha reached up and pulled a lock of hair in front of his face, wondering if by some chance he was wrong—but no. It was pure silver-white, as usual.

"What's happened?" Inuyasha found himself asking in a rough tone. Everyone looked up at him, their expressions surprised, before turning to something else. Sadness. Dread. Those were understandable, if something bad really had happened. But pity? For him? "Well?" Sango and Miroku exchanged glances, as if discussing something mentally.

"Read this, Inuyasha," Miroku said at last, his voice soft. He handed the paper to the hanyou, who took it, not quite sure what relevance it could possibly have. It was written in Kagome's neat, small handwriting, and it was signed in her name. He was never wonderful at reading, but he managed—slowly. As he puzzled out the meanings to the sounds of the characters, line by line, his mind began spinning.

[[ Dear Minna,

I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I know you're going to feel a lot of different things once you're finished reading this. You're probably mad at me—and that's okay. You have every right to be mad. You're going to be upset. And I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. But I couldn't stay there. It would've been too hard on all of you, and me. You don't deserve this—none of you do. I wouldn't be able to bear putting anything more on your shoulders. But any way I tried it, you would be hurt. There's nothing I could do about this. But I'm still sorry.

Don't cry, Shippo. I know you're wondering why I left you. I didn't do it because I wanted to—I swear that much. You were my friend, and you always will be. I promise. Please don't be sad too long. You don't deserve to be sad. Be happy, for me. I love you.

Sango—you've been the closest thing to a sister I've ever had. You were my best friend for the longest time—I could tell you everything and anything, and for that I thank you. I'm sorry I put such a burden on you—you didn't deserve that any more than anything else that's happened. Be happy and remember all the good times we had. Remember those talks we had about you- know-what? Don't forget what I said—you can't let your opportunity go. I know you'll find the courage to face up to it. I'll miss you.

Miroku—I'll never forget about you. You're so clever, I almost find myself laughing sometimes. Many well-known people haven't had your craftiness, your loyalty—and your astounding ability to get beaten into a pulp by many unfamiliar women (not to mention Sango). You're a great friend, and my biggest role model these last few days. You have so much to worry about, and you always keep smiling, being cheerful—you've given me courage. Thank you for that, and everything.

And Inuyasha. I know you're the most confused right now, and that's entirely my fault as well. I've kept you in the dark these last few days. It wasn't fair to you, it wasn't right; but I couldn't bring myself to tell you. I'm dying, even as you're reading this letter. I didn't tell you because I didn't want to hurt you—I lied to you for that reason, and I feel terrible for it now. Somehow, I guess I thought you'd be mad at me, for waiting so long, or for giving up—I had to give up, Inuyasha. There was no other option. I know you're furious at me right now, and I don't blame you at all. It was stupid of me not to say anything. I was just trying to help you.

But I want you to understand something. All those times you made me upset—I knew you didn't mean it, so don't feel bad, please. I understand that I made you feel really uncomfortable sometimes. You weren't quite sure what to make of most of it, and I don't blame you at all. You are the most steadfast, loyal person I have ever met. You're not half so bad as you make yourself up to be, and I know—deny it if you wanna—you've got a good heart. Everyone who's traveled with you knows it. We don't care what you were—that bothers you, too. We all like you for what you ARE—a good friend, and a good person. Don't ever forget that.

I guess when it comes to that department I was a little off two. I let you know what I was feeling in most cases (usually more than you wanted), but not where it was most important. I could never work up the courage to tell you, in words. It's really pretty cowardly to say it here, in a letter, when you deserved it from me directly. I don't know how much it means at this point....but I love you. I'm going to miss you so much—but please, don't be sad. I'd never want you to be.

So, minna.....I hope you can forgive me for pulling this. I love you all—I hope you'll be happy forever, through the quest and beyond—'cause I know the quest will be finished. Try to forget about all this awful stuff. I hope you can remember me as I'll remember you—as a friend, a family away from home. Please don't come looking for me—you probably won't find me, and if you do, it will be too late.

I'll miss you all. Kagome]]

Inuyasha handed the thing back to Miroku, his hand shaking. "Sh-she.....she was dying." Miroku and Sango watched him with their solemn eyes, which had suddenly become deer-like. "And......you knew it?" No one said anything, neither defending themselves nor verifying his question. But it didn't need to be said. It was obvious. He could feel their sympathy, their sadness, and their pity as he turned and faced the opposite direction so they wouldn't see the single tear that rolled down his face unchecked.

"Inuyasha—" Miroku's hand was on his shoulder as he uncertainly began to speak.

"Well, let's go," he snapped abruptly, whipping around. Miroku's arm dropped back to his side immediately.

"Where are we going?" Shippo sniffled.

"To find Kagome. Where do you think?" He forced his voice to sound sarcastic. Confident. Anything but what he actually felt.

"But, Inuyasha," Shippo continued, his voice tearful, "Kagome said she didn't want us to try to find her."

"So?"

"It would be best.....to respect Kagome-sama's wishes, Inuyasha," Miroku said wearily.

"She doesn't want us to see her this way," Sango murmured in a weak voice. Even though she didn't say it, Inuyasha could tell that Sango really wanted to go after her friend, but was trying to do the right thing. "She doesn't want us to remember her as sick, and......and......" Her voice broke in mid- sentence, losing its force steadily with each moment.

"We have to at least try," Inuyasha persisted, forcing himself to be patient. "Kagome'd look for any of us." No one had an argument to that statement. It was true—and it was the excuse they were all looking for. There was no debate as to what they would do. In record time everything was packed; Sango was dressed in her battle uniform with the boomerang slug across her shoulders; Miroku was ready, staff in hand, with the bundles of Kagome's things he and Sango had lovingly folded together. Shippo was clinging to Sango's shoulder, looking disquieted.

"Which direction should we start in?" Sango inquired, the prospect of hope bringing a new strength to her voice.

"Probably south towards Kaede's village," Inuyasha guessed, but Sango shook her head no.

"If she ran away from us, she wouldn't go to her family. That would be just as bad." Inuyasha was quiet. It made sense.

"How about this." Miroku spoke up, looking calm as ever. Sango, Shippo, Kirara and I will go west. You go east. We'll work our way north and meet there."

"Fine," Inuyasha shrugged. It was a start, at least. He waited until the other four were nearly out of sight before bounding off himself, as fast as he could in the direction Miroku had indicated.