I'M SO SORRY!
I know I should have updated before this, but I just couldn't find the time or inspiration. Please forgive me? sniff
This is it - the epilogue. After this, it's done. Review responses:

Darkfire180: I managed to surprise you? Great! I was hoping no one would figure it out.
Naoko Kensaku: You... didn't like it? (feels crushed) TT But... I like tying up loose ends... In that case, you'd better just skip this chapter.

Instrumental

"You mean you're really leaving us?"

I hoisted my backpack up and looked at Keiko, who was standing in the doorway with a worried expression on her face. "Yeah. I figure that if Shira's -" I swallowed hard, still having trouble believing it, then said firmly, "- if Shira's dead, then there's no point in me burdening you further."

After the smoke from the rubble had cleared, the Tantei had brought me back to the Ningenkai still crying silently and totally exhausted. Yusuke had graciously lent me the use of his guest bedroom while I recovered from the physical and emotional impact of my ordeal.

As to my sudden rediscovery of my voice, Yukina examined me and said she had never seen anything like it. Apparently, during the period in which my spirit energy was surging, the damage to my voicebox had repaired itself, reverting to the way it was before Chiris had choked me.

"At least let us throw you a going-away party," Keiko protested. "You have to say goodbye properly."

I hesitated, then sighed and smiled. "I guess you're right."

Kurama watched the young boy as he gathered up his belongings and went over to the dusty road near the picnic site. The party had been a mixture of happiness and sadness, as their new friend was about to go on a long journey. Taki didn't even know where he was going to go, and had said so several times. These final moments were tense.

The chatter slowly died down as all in attendance realized that Taki was about to say something. He took a deep breath, then let it out slowly.

"My friends," he began, "it's been great knowing you. And I'm really happy that I got to meet you all, and grateful for what you've done for me. But music is my life, and I've chosen the role of a wanderer. I can't stay here any longer." He bowed. "Thank you again for helping me, and I hope we meet again."

Taki hugged each of the girls, shook hands with Yusuke and Kuwabara, and spent several seconds in a staring match with Hiei. Kurama had the feeling that there was a silent conversation between those two.

When he came to Kurama, the young musician hesitated, then threw his arms around the kitsune. "Thank you for taking care of me," he whispered as he slipped something into Kurama's hand.

Taki stepped back and stood awkwardly by the roadside. "Well - goodbye," he said, and started down the road. Then he stopped, as if struck by a sudden thought. "Oh, and check the table. There's some gifts there for you all."

Kurama watched as Taki strolled down the road into the sunset. He heard shouts of pleasure coming from behind him as the others discovered the carved whistles at their places. He opened his hand and stared at the gift left to him.

It was necklace, composed of a silver quarter-note on a black ribbon. Kurama understood the significance of this gift.

During his recovery, Taki had requested that he go back to Caer Fallis in order to erect a grave for his sister. While he was digging a hole for the stone, he suddenly stopped and picked something up. He stared at at it for a long while. "This was my sister's," he had said. He pocketed the item and kept digging.

Kurama knew that this item had been the necklace.

He looked up again. The boy had disappeared from view into the sunset. However, as he listened, a simple melody came floating back up the hill. And forever after, Kurama would connect with a young boy whose music was his voice.

END

Yay! It's done! Not worth waiting for, was it? (sweatdrop)

Thank you so much for staying with me, and I promise I'll complete the others soon.

Really.

PS: I now officially hate QuickEdit. I know it finally allows me to use bold and italics, but it cuts out all of the symbols! And the indentations! I can't even use stars anymore! It's not worth it.