Like Father
Chapter Eight:
Goodbyes
I'm going to die…Kiara stood on the lip of the well, looking down at the bones half-buried in the damp soil below.
I'm going to die… but at least I met him. I met my father, and I got to apologize and thank uncle. I got to know all of them. I'm happy now. My future will be filled with pain, but if I die, I'll die happy.
"Kiara…"
She turned her head slightly to survey the group of seven. Even Kaede had come to say goodbye to her. By the dejected look on all of their faces she knew they knew. She was going straight to her death, and they had come to pay their last respects, since none of them would be around to do so in the future. It was like looking at a photograph of a funeral party.
"We'll miss you," said Kagome.
Mother…
"You'll see me again," Kiara gave a weak smile.
"Not all of us will though," said Inuyasha.
Father…
"But now you know what I'll grow up into. So no worries," Kiara said, trying to keep her voice from cracking to hold the tears that wanted to flood her vision at bay.
"I wish you luck," said Miroku.
"So do I," said Sango.
"And I, child," said Kaede.
"You'll remember all of us, won't you?" said Shippou.
Friends…
"Of course, how could I forget any of you?" Kiara said more bravely than she felt. Her gaze centered on Kirara – who mewed in a goodbye, "You really amaze me, Kirara. When I beat the darkness, I'll find you like I promised, and we'll do as I've always dreamed, and go around vanquishing evil together." Again the two-tailed demon mewed, and Kiara held back a grimace and instead smiled valiantly as she looked around at the group of seven once again. "Well… Take care, everyone. 'Bye, then."
Take me home…
Kiara disappeared down into the well.
Kagome stifled a sob and Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her securely so that she could weep into his red fire-rat haori. Sango, Miroku, and Kaede exchanged glances before smiling sadly at the couple, while Shippou broke into loud sobs and hugged small Kirara, both of which stood on the ground near the well.