A/N: Just a quick note! I'm so happy! It's a Snow Day!!!!!!
Making Amends Before 'Farewell'
~ You have waken up from a coma to find out that you have given birth to a nine year old
boy and have a new friend... 'His' sister, to be exact. Your 'brothers' show up along with the
'mystery man' and 'toady'. Sugoi, you are gathering a crowd. 'His brother'- what a strange man-
remembers the incident years ago, also... 'Chatterbox'- 'Dogboy's' sister- and you have the same
problem, only yours is less severe then 'hers'. And it IS curable... Oh, one other thing. 'Chatterbox'
can talk... Did 'Dogboy' lie? Bad Doggy! ~
"I am NOT taking you all on a walk so forget about it," I hissed at the whining crowd.
Sango, Ayame, and Hiten sat on the bed as the others found a chair; Miroku gave an
I-couldn't-care-less-yet-I'm-hurt-about-being-betrayed look to Sango. I held Shippo in one hand,
balancing him on a hip while I held Rin's hand by the other.
"They are coming with me, you are not."
"I'm not leaving my sister with you," Inuyasha stated, crossing his arms over his chest,
leaning against the doorway. He didn't look at me. Instead he looked out the window, to the sun
filled sky.
"You're not leaving her with me, I'm taking her," I muttered flatly. Inuyasha sneered.
"Okaasan, does he have to come with us?" Shippo asked with a pout. I looked at the boy,
smiling at him. He was cute, didn't like Inuyasha, and very cute.... how could I say hai?
"Iie, we don't have to take him... Plus, I don't need to baby sit an egotistical singer," I jeered
at the singer. He merely smirked.
"Keh! Egotistical singer? That sounds familiar... Didn't you use that one already?" He asked,
with a snort.
"Iie. I called you a 'tuneless guitarist'."
"Keh! Sure ya did," he said in sarcasm.
"I did."
"Did not."
"Did."
"Did not."
"Did not."
"Did!" he yelled, then slapped himself. "I can't believe I fell for that."
"Well, believe it, 'Dogboy', because you did."
"Kagome-chan?" Sango called from her spot on the bed. "Are you sure you don't want
someone to come with you? I'm not so sure you can keep up with those kids..."
"I'm not a kid," Shippo huffed. I giggled, ruffled his hair, then looked at Sango with a
straight face.
"He's not a kid," I huffed, mimicking the boy. He smiled up at me and Sango gave me
another of her I-can't-believe-you looks. "And I'm not a kid either, so we'll be fine, won't we?"
Shippo and Rin nodded energetically. I looked to Inuyasha with a smirk.
"I don't think I can handle another kid though. Dogboy needs a babysitter. Sesshomaru can
do it, I'm sure."
Inuyasha growled. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Shippo stick out his tongue at the
angered man. Inuyasha leapt forward.
"I'm gonna kill you, you little brat!"
"INUYASHA!!!" I screeched as his hand grabbed the small boy. He looked at me, frightened
out of his mind. "DO NOT TOUCH SHIPPO-CHAN!" Shippo snickered. Inuyasha glared. I
hissed. Some picture, huh?
"Actually," Sesshomaru began, "I think Rin has had too much excitement for one day. We
should get her cured as soon as possible. Rin?"
"Hai, Sess-chan?" she asked, looking to him with a confused expression.
"Say goodbye to Shippo and come with me," he said, walking out of the room with Jaken
waddling along behind him. Rin looked to Shippo with a sad smile.
"Bye, Shippo-chan," she said, running after her eldest brother.
"Are we going alone then, Okaasan?" Shippo asked when Rin was out of sight.
"I guess so," I sighed, walking toward the door where Inuyasha had resumed his guard.
"Don't worry, Dogboy. I'm not taking your sister, so let us through."
"You should get cured first, also," he stated, leaning on the doorframe with closed eyes.
"And if I don't?"
"Then I don't let you through."
"Dogboy," I growled through gritted teeth in warning.
"He's right, Kagome-chan," Sango pointed out as she stood from the bed. "You should get
that fixed up right away."
Inuyasha smirked and mouthed, 'I told you so.'
"Aww! But I wanna go for a walk," cried Shippo.
"We will later, okay?" I giggled, ruffling his hair again.
"Well... He may not be here later," a doctor said as he entered the room. "That young man
needs to talk to some nice folks to find a good, caring home, don't you?" Shippo sniffled and
clung to me even tighter.
"Is there anyway that it can be stalled, or something?" I asked hopefully. I really liked this
kid.
"I'm afraid not."
"Don't let them take me, okaasan! Onegai, don't let them," Shippo wailed, burying his face in
my shoulder. I looked to the doctor, seeking an answer to my unformed questions.
"The only way we can allow that is if you were to adopt him," informed the doctor, walking
over to take the boy.
'Iie... Don't take him...'
"Adopt?" I repeated, looking to Shippo. "I'm... too young, though," I mumbled in a daze.
"Technically you're not," he replied with a chuckle as he tried to coax the boy to let go. "It
sure seems like he would like to have you for a mother."
"Hai..."
"Is there any other way?" Miroku asked from his seat in the corner. "Per say, to 'borrow' the
boy until a later date?"
"Iie," responded the doctor with a quizzical look.
Sango joined in assisting the doctor with the releasing of Shippo's hands. After a while, I
pushed them away and took Sango's spot on the bed, asking the others to get up.
"Let me 'sleep' on it and tell you what I think... Can you inject that catalyse-thing soon?" I
lay down with Shippo, holding him tight for reassurance. I wasn't letting anyone take him away.
I'd just have to think of something...
"That is the reason I came. We can do it now, if you wish," the doctor said. I told him to
give me the shot A.S.A.P. and he obligingly did so, making sure not to disturb the soundly
sleeping boy.
That was one thing I loved about this kid. He changed so quickly. One minute he could be
shy and the next one he'd be jumping all over the place. He could be happy and then be suddenly
sad- though I don't like to see him in such a way, even if I'd known him for only- what? an hour?
And the boy had a personality similar to mine; cunning, conniving, creative, and very sarcastic- at
least I think he is... Oh, well...
I fell asleep with Shippo in my arms and Inuyasha and Sango at my side... It seems the rest
left, but I really couldn't tell. Everything went black so fast.
******
I woke with a start. A warmth resonating from my side suddenly vanished. Shippo was
gone.
"Shippo-chan? Shippo-chan, where are you?" I called, scanning the room.
"Hush, Fangirl. He went with Sango to get something to eat," Inuyasha said, walking over to
sit beside me.
"Oh..." An odd silence filled the air. I just didn't have anything to say... Strange...
"So, you gonna adopt the little pest?" he implored, looking to the window. It was close to
sunset, which meant that only a few hours remained until...
'Don't even think about it,' I mentally scolded.
"I don't think I can. My mom... Actually, she would love it, but I..." I trailed off. There was
just no way I could adopt him. I had so much I wanted to do before getting involved with a kid
like that- if you know what I mean.
"Keh! Good," he snorted. "I can't stand him."
"Why would you care?" I asked with a smirk. "You wouldn't have to put up with him much
longer."
'Great... Instead of not thinking about it, I mention it...'
"How's Rin?"
"She's fine, now. She most likely is pestering Jaken."
"Where's everyone else?"
"Kouga and birthday girl went for a walk and your other friend and the brat are in the lobby.
Sesshomaru went to speak with someone and Jaken and Rin are probably with him... That other
guy- what's his name?"
"Hiten."
"Yeah, him. He left to run an errand for my power hungry brother.... I think that's all... Oh!
Miroku is, more likely than not, in the morgue along with your brother and his friend."
"M-morgue?" I stuttered with wide eyes. "What happened?"
"It seems that houshi taught them a few new tricks and you friend beat the hell out of all of
them," he explained.
"He what!? What new trick?" I asked with narrowed eyes. Miroku was going to get a
beating from me too if he taught them to feel-up unsuspecting women and still act innocent.
"Being over friendly."
"I'm going to
KILL him!" I screeched, standing up to find the drummer that would be in his grave
very soon if I had a say in it. Of course, I didn't forget that my brothers also need a few good hits.
"Calm down," Inuyasha chuckled, pushing me back to the bed. "He won't be conscious for a
while anyway." I sighed and shook my head as I laid back down.
"Chotto... No hard feelings, right?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, about everything I did," said I, looking away from him, yet watching from the
corner of my eyes. "D'you forgive me? I feel bad about it, for some reason."
"... Can you forgive me? I mean... That kind of stuff isn't forgivable," he said, looking to the
floor. "I really didn't mean to hurt you like that. I have more reason to ask your forgiveness than
you do mine."
"I said I forgave you a long time ago, didn't I?" I wondered.
"Iie... You said that I shouldn't feel bad about your dad since it wasn't my fault," he
corrected.
"Oh... Well, I forgive you," I said, smiling softly at the troubled singer. "But not for that
salad thing earlier," I huffed. "That was really uncalled for."
"Keh," he snorted, trying not to laugh. "I couldn't help it... It was so much fun. I had a lot of
trouble-" he paused for a second, looking away to hid a blush that I had seen anyway. "-not
laughing." What caused him to blush...? (A/N: O.o I wonder... What could he have been thinking-
being so close to her and all-? ^_~ )
"I could see how it was funny to you, but it wasn't to me... So, Inuyasha," I sighed, "do you
forgive me?"
"Hai... I did a long time ago." Another silence followed that statement. He chuckled. "You
shoulda seen your face!"
I glared and slapped his wrists playfully. "Chotto! How was I supposed to react to that?" I
asked as my eyelids grow heavy once more.
I yawned involuntarily. He laughed a little more, then stood and walked to the window.
"I'm still a bit tired," I mumbled, rolling to my side, away from the singer. "If Shippo comes
back, wake me up, onegai?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.
"Sure thing," he replied with the first real genuine- not happy, not sad, but in between- smile.
"Kagome."
******
"Okaasan, wake up," a voice said as I felt small hands grab my left shoulder and begin to
shake violently. "Onegai, okaasan."
"I'm up, I'm up," I said, rubbing my eyes. "Shippo-chan?"
"Hai?"
"Where's the doctor?"
"I'm here. I came to tell you that the catalyse was injected, but we won't know how
successful it was until you catch another cold," a voice said. I opened my eyes to find my friends,
the band, the doctor, and the boy in my room. "However, you may feel a bit sleepy from time to
time."
"That's okay," I stated, smiling. "Shippo-chan?"
"Hai, okaasan?" he asked, looking at me in concern."Would you like to live with me?"
"HAI!!!" he squealed, squeezing my neck with a tight hug.
"Sir?" I asked, looking to the doctor. "What would it take?"
"You could use a trail type of system, miss Higurashi," he said. "It would be like a 30 day
money back kind of deal, but you won't be getting money back, just your freedom. If it doesn't
work out, then we can find a better home for him."
The whole time I was thinking,
'this doctor is such a jerk to talk about Shippo like merchandise, especially with him right
here.'
"I guess that would be the best way to do it... So, what will it take?"
"Some paper work and... $75..."
"Shoot... Aya-chan? Can I borrow some money?" I asked hopefully. "I don't have enough."
"I used mine up already. Sesshomaru didn't give us enough money for the mall and with all
the shoes Sango bought, we ran out kinda fast..."
"Sango-chan?"
"Don't look at me for money. I'm broke and always have been, you should know that by now
Kagome-chan."
"I try to forget," I said dryly. The only ones left were the band and I couldn't ask them for
money. I wouldn't be able to pay them back. "Where's Souta and Kohaku?" Sango hit Miroku
with a very murderous glare in place. That was enough of an answer.
"I could lend you some," Miroku suggested, rubbing his abused skull with a pout. "I have
more than enough, after all. Plus, I like the kid. He's cute."
"Iie, I can't take it. I wouldn't be able to pay you back," I sighed, hugging the small boy. "I
don't like a guilty conscious." Everyone- save for Shippo and the doctor- snorted at that. "Chotto!
I mean it! Revenge and pranks are not something that bother my consciousness." Inuyasha gave
me a meaningful grin with a 'yeah, right' expression. "Finances do though; same as broken
promises," I said, hiding my glare as best as possible. I didn't want anyone to know about that
little conversation.
"Don't worry about it," Miroku stated, digging in his pockets. He retrieved his wallet and
handed the doctor a $100. "That's enough, I believe. You wouldn't mind bringing the papers here,
would you?"
"Of course not."
With that the doctor left. Sango smiled warmly at the drummer when his back was turned,
then placed a questioning glare on as he turned around. I sighed. Why can't she just admit it to
him?
"Arigato, Miroku, but I am still going to have a guilty conscious..."
"Just give me a 'farewell hug' before you leave and we'll all it even," he responded with an
innocent- as always- smile. "No strings attached. Agreed?"
"Agreed," I laughed. I heard snoring and looked down. "Wouldja look at that! He's sleeping
again."
"He should after all that ice cream he ate," Sango giggled, walking over to ruffle his hair.
"Are you sure about this, Kagome-chan? Maybe you should call your mom."
"Iie. I want to surprise her."
"Yeah," Inuyasha snorted. "'Hey, mama. You'll never guess what happened. When I was out
'boy hunting' I had a child. Name's Shippo.' I can just see the look on your mom's face."
"You don't even know my mom, baka," I replied, giggling as Shippo snuggled closer. I
couldn't be happier right then. However, one thing was nagging at the edge of my mind. "Miroku?
Why did you want them to bring the papers here? I could have gone to sign them."
"I know, but I thought, since we only have a few more hours that we are stuck together- and
I'm sure Inuyasha will be dragging us off once the clock strikes twelve- after all, he wouldn't want
you to see him in his clothing of rags and us as the little mice- I thought it would be nice to do
something," he said. (A/N: Alright everyone. Go ahead and take as many breaths as you need.
That was awfully long. ^-^)
I watched Sango's reaction. She went from confused to happy to skeptical to happy to
confused again. She just didn't know how to respond to something like that.
"That was very thoughtful of you, houshi," Sesshomaru stated as he joined the group, "but I
have already made plans for you all so that you can enjoy the last night. I set up a dinner for you
on a cruiser's diner. I hear they have very nice sea food."
"That sounds great," I said, smiling at the emotion deprived man. "Arigato, Sesshomaru."
He looked at me for a moment. "Are you sure she's the same girl?" he asked Inuyasha.
"Hai... Why?"
"I didn't expect a 'thank you' from someone I drugged..."
"I forgave you a long time ago- before I even knew it was you. I am more forgiving than
most, but I won't forgive it again," I threatened.
He snorted. Inuyasha looked away before anyone- save for myself- saw a small smile.
Maybe I had finally broken that barrier that held so much sadness in him. After all, he seemed a
LOT happier right now.
"There is no benefit to me, therefore I will not be drugging you," he stated. "Oh... Rin
wishes to join you, so I thought you might like to bring Shippo."
"Hai!"
******
I signed the papers, said 'sayonara' to my brothers- they left with Myouga (who I also bade
farewell) to get home- and gathered my things. Hiten was called to assist in a high speed chase
and left abruptly (A/N: Yes, he is a police man.) Sesshomaru and Jaken departed before us, going
back to Meisei Inc. Head Quarter. We were taking a limo to the diner and I was- to say the least-
impressed. Come on, I've never ridden in one, so cut me some slack.
Ayame sat next to Kouga in the back seat and Sango was next to Inuyasha on one side,
therefore I was put next to Miroku on the other side. I could have sat somewhere else, but I didn't
want him to feel left out. Rin and Shippo decided to hop around and annoy everyone instead of
sitting calmly.
"Well..." Ayame sighed. "I guess we should enjoy this as much as possible."
"Hai!" I giggled, watching Inuyasha's brows twitch as Shippo jumped on the seat next to
him. "Shippo-chan, cut it out. Dogboy's gonna hit you and I might not be fast enough to stop
him."
Shippo looked to the singer and snickered before he jumped away from him.
"Dogboy, huh? Where'd you get the nickname, Inu-chan?" Rin asked her brother innocently.
"Rin likes it." A smile tugged the corner of his lips.
"Ask Fangirl. She's the one that thought of it," he replied, looking behind him to see the
night sky and, more than likely, hide another smile. Hmm....
"Fangirl?"
"Hai?" I asked, smiling at the younger girl. A few startled expressions were thrown my way.
"Nani? I need a nickname after all and it is a lot better than 'wench'," I replied defensive. "And I
don't know where that nickname 'Dogboy' came from. It just slipped one day."
"Oh... Gotcha!" she cheered as she tagged Shippo and bound over the seats toward Ayame.
As Shippo chased her, Inuyasha reached out and bonked him on the head with a smirk.
"That's for earlier."
"I-NU-YA-SHA! DON'T HIT SHIPPO-CHAN," I screamed, hugging the whining boy.
"Ite! Okaasan, h-he hit me," he wailed.
"Shh... I know," I stated, glaring over his shoulder to the singer.
"Keh! He deserved every bit of it, too," Inuyasha snorted. I sighed in disgust, shaking my
head.
"You shouldn't hit him, though," I said. "Daijobu ka?"
"Daijobu," Shippo assured, with a sniffle.
"Good."
I resumed my spot next to Miroku, closing my eyes. I was tired again. Sugoi, the doctors
weren't kidding!
******
I awoke in the arms of a man. Very powerful arms holding me aloft as their body moved
toward a very fancy cruiser. "Inuyasha...?" The man looked down to me in confusion. I couldn't
see his face, nor could I make out any detail except for the fact that he was male and very strong.
I reawoke with a start. Again, I found myself in the arms of a man, but this time, his features
were clear. Inuyasha was carrying me bridally, walking toward an exact replica to the cruiser in
my last vision.... Weird...
"Inuyasha?"
"You're awake?" he asked, not bothering to look at me.
"Hai," I answered. He set me down, steadying me. I soon regained my balance and began
waking to the boat with my friends afore me.
"Gomen. They didn't want to wake you up, so I was voted to carry ya. Sango won't let
Miroku touch you- not that anyone else would," he explained.
"Arigato," I whispered, walking toward the diner.
This was a beautiful night; the stars were brightly shining with the moon in full view- a pale
glow. It was cloudless with many colors to make the picture worth admiring. Instead of black as
its endless background, purple and neon blue, along with a hint of forest green, painted the sky.
This would have been a good night for the air balloon, just to sit among the stars with those
colors surrounding us...
'Us..?'
"So you decided to adopt the little runt, huh?"
"Hai..."
"Why?"
"I'm not sure why, but he seems like family already. I mean, I felt so attached to him from
the start that it actually scared me and the thought of letting him go... It frightened me even more.
I couldn't leave him," I replied, looking at my feet as I walked.
"You're not going to give him back, somehow I know... Why'd you go along with that 'trail'
thing?"
"I was sick of listening to that doctor talk about Shippo like that, so I said 'hai' to stop it...
Kinda silly, huh?" I laughed.
"Okaasan!"
"Oneechan!"
Two small children ran toward me from the group ahead. "You're awake," the chimed.
"Inuyasha was mean to me again," Shippo tattled with a frown.
"He was?" I asked, looking to the singer with a very mischievous grin. His pace quickened in
order to get away from me. "Oh, no you don't, Dogboy," I said, grabbing a hand full of hair and
yanking.
"Ite! Bitch, don't do that!"
"Inuyasha. Do. Not. Curse. In. Front. Of. The. Children!" I annunciated each word, making
it clear that another such word would NOT be tolerated. He understood and glared. "Plus, I don't
think that's something a 'Dogboy' should say to a woman. Gives the wrong impression,
remember?"
His glare worsened. I jerked him backward by the fist full of hair that I had, causing him to
fall- and rather gracelessly, too.
"Itai! You'll pay for that! Just like the mall," he said with a smirk.
"Remember, the whole mall incident turned into a run-for-your-life-or-get-tackled-by-fans
thing because of that. Plus," I whispered, walking away. I had begun to feel really blue suddenly.
"You won't have time... Unless you think of one in the next-" I looked at the watch I'd 'borrowed'
from Ayame "-two hours..." It was already 10:00 p.m.
Our group boarded the small cruiser. They were expecting us. There were a few people in
the diner, and even fewer on its tiny dance floor. Actually, everything was quite large compared to
the cabin, but still small for a major cruiser.
I sat at a table with Rin and Shippo, because the tables were made for parties of two and
four. Miroku tried to sit with Sango, but she moved to our table. Miroku, Inuyasha, and Kouga
sat at a table with Ayame, who was particularly tickled by the fact. Rin was a little restless,
though.
"Rin, what's the matter?" I asked, seeing her squirm in her seat for what had to be the nineth
time. Shippo had also sensed it and looked a bit worried. Sango was to busy glaring at houshi.
"Rin wants Inu-chan to sit with Rin," said the girl with a sad frown. "Rin miss Inu-chan and
Inu-chan no talk to Rin when Rin waked up from Rin's sleep."
I looked to their table, spotting Inuyasha. He'd heard what she said and smiled a smile that-
if it had been directed toward me- would have instantly melted my heart; just like ice.
"There's not enough room, Rin- chan, or I would be sitting with you." He frowned
teasingly, "it hurt Inu to see Rin-chan so happy without Inu when Rin-chan was with Sess-chan."
She smiled when replying, "Rin is sorry that Rin no say 'Konnichi wa' to Inu-chan.
Sess-chan seemed sad again. Rin need to cheer Sess-chan up. Rin no like Sess-chan to feel sad."
He put on a pout. "Rin-chan likes to see Inu sad, though?"
"Iie, Rin is very sad when Inu-chan is sad. Rin feel bad when Rin's brother's feel bad." Her
smile faded, "Rin wants to sit with Inu-chan."
"Here," I interrupted, standing. "I'll move for you."
"Iie!" Shippo cried. "Okaasan can't leave me alone."
"You won't be alone. You'll be with," I grinned, "San-san and Rin-chan."
"San-san?" Sango repeated dumbly, then glared. "My name is Sango. Don't EVER call me
San-san."
"Rin like it very much," Rin said, smiling innocently. "San-san makes Rin think of a very fun
person with very many friends. Sango-chan needs nickname, too. San-san is good nickname, Rin
thinks." Sango sighed in defeat.
"San-san?" Shippo asked with a hopeful smile. "Can you change places. I don't want okaasan
to leave me," he pouted. His expression darkened. "I don't want 'him' over here either, though."
"You'll have to deal with it either way, Shippo-chan," I said in a strict tone. "And you WILL
be polite." I smiled, "you can bother him as much as you want after the food is cleared away. I
don't want any food fights, okay?"
"Hai!"
"I suppose I can," Sango sighed, standing to move. "As long as houshi keeps all body parts
to himself," she sneered.
"No footsie?" Miroku asked, down-trottened. "You're no fun."
"Deal with it."
Inuyasha and Sango swapped chairs as Rin cheered and Shippo whined. Rin giggled as
Shippo made a few faces at the singer. I gave a very meaningful look to Inuyasha and slapped
Shippo's wrists.
"I told you not to irritate him," I scolded, wagging a finger.
"Iie," Shippo said, puffing out his chest and sticking his nose in the air. "You said be polite."
"Well, you weren't polite, now were you?" He looked to the table with watering eyes that I
pointedly ignored. I was not falling for any such tricks.
"Rin is very happy now. Inu-chan is with Rin and Shippo-chan and oneechan. Rin is happy,"
she repeated with a smile. "Rin is hungry, too. Rin's tummy growled and Rin have big appetite.
Rin is going to get a lobster and some sushi and some more lobster, cause Rin is very hungry.
Then Rin wants dessert and Rin wants Inu-chan to get dessert, so Rin and Inu-chan can have
same things. Is Inu-chan really hungry? Rin is really hungry. Is Inu-chan as hungry as Rin? Rin
thinks no one is hungry as Rin. Rin shut up. Rin not hyper, 'cause Rin have no sugar. Sugar
sounds good to Rin when Rin is hungry. Does Inu-chan like sugar like Rin does?"
Inuyasha laughed at his sisters seemingly endless ranting. It was cute and, even though it
sounds weird, it wasn't in the least bit annoying. Shippo just stared wide eyed at the girl while I
was having trouble believing my ears. It seemed the girl needed no air what so ever to speak. She
didn't even pause between sentences.
'Sugoi...'
"HENTAI!"
***Whack***
'Great job, houshi... Another point gone...'
******
Dinner was uneventful and very delicious. The only other things that were even worth
recalling were Rin and Shippo dancing and Ayame falling asleep on the dance floor in Kouga's
arms. It was really cute, but I knew that it wasn't going to last. I had to wake her and break the
news that only another ten minutes remained. Both kids were sleeping, side by side, but we let
them sleep. Inuyasha would carry Rin when they left.
"Aya-chan?" I spoke gentle, rousing the sound girl. "Aya-chan, wake up... It's almost times."
"I'm up... Almost time for what?" she asked sleepily, sitting up right in her chair.
"For the band to go," I replied, trying to hold back some on coming tears. I'm not sure when
it was, but I'd come to consider them friends, and this wasn't going to be a very nice 'farewell'.
Ayame's attention snapped to the group of men that stood in a row, watching us. Her face
paled as she looked to me. Tears formed in her eyes and her chin quivered. "Do they have to go?"
"Iie," I whispered. "But they will and they are. Onegai, Aya-chan, don't cry. Be strong."
She smiled slightly and nodded. "I knew it wouldn't last, but I didn't want to believe it..."
"I know..." I looked around for Sango and noticed the girl had gone missing. "I have to find
Sango-chan... Go ahead and talk to them while you have the chance."
I walked away, toward the restrooms. I had a bad feeling that I'd find her there, crying. She
should have told Miroku her feelings, but she can be a little headstrong.
That is how I found her, too. She was crying silently, holding onto the counter top for
support.
"Sango-chan, you should have told him," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. "Come
on. Put on a happy face- or even one devoid of emotion- but we need to go and say good bye and
I don't think you want Miroku to remember you this way... Actually, I don't think he'll want to
touch you again," I joked.
She half-laughed, half-sobbed and swatted at my arm with a sad smile. "You're right," she
sighed. Washing her face, she smiled.
"That's better. Now let's go," I said. "We only have-" I looked to the watch again "-three
minutes... Sugoi, time just flew by and I wasn't even having fun. Life is so unfair."
Sango laughed. "You are so weird, ne? I think that is the best quality about you... Strange
to think that most people think I am weird. I'm nothing like you."
"You're just a different kind of weird," I informed her as we approached the men.
Being with her really cheered me up. I could always laugh at a very sad moment if she was
there. Pointing something out and cracking a joke about it, or just saying something that was
funny that happened yesterday or a year ago. It always worked if I spoke with her.
"Well," Miroku sighed. "I guess this is 'sayonara.'"
"Hai," I replied.
Ayame hugged the guys for farewell- houshi keeping to himself. Sango shook their hands
and I waved good bye. Inuyasha lifted the sleeping Rin and turned away, walking slowly. Kouga
gave Ayame a good-bye kiss, which Sango and I cheered about, causing both to blush. Ayame
then turned away and cried as Kouga stalked off.
"What about my hug?" Miroku asked.
I walked up to him. We embraced each other with friendly smiles.
"I tried, Miroku," I whispered in his ear. "I really did. Gomen ne. I thought I had her."
"It's okay..." he replied, giving one more sigh and a slight 'farewell' squeeze- and not with his
hands. Just as he started to release his grip, I heard Inuyasha roar in fury.
"NANI!?"
The ground lurched forward. Miroku's grip on me tightened. "What was that?" he asked,
startled.
"Umm... Miroku you can let go now..." As he let go, I stepped back, stumbling. "W-w-we're
moving...!"
