"I just need time to be alone with my thoughts. I need to grieve in my own way," Kagome said, standing at the edge of the well.
"You'd do better here with me! I mean, with us!" Inuyasha insisted, holding her arm.
"Inuyasha," Kagome said, fixing him with a hard stare, but unable to keep tears from forming in her eyes, "don't make me say it."
Inuyasha let go of her arm and stormed off into the woods.
Kagome turned and gave Sango and Shippo one more hug, and Kirara one last pat on the head. She lingered by Sango.
"Sango-chan…if you need me to stay, I will. I'll stay for you, because I know how hard this is for you."
Sango forced a smile and said, "Thank you, Kagome-chan. But, no, you need to be with your loved ones right now. I'll be all right. Kirara won't let anything happen to me, will you, Kirara?"
The small (and adorable) cat demon had jumped up on Sango's shoulder and gave a small "mew" in agreeance.
With a nod and a smile, Kagome jumped into the well and was gone back to her own time.
As soon as she was out of sight, Sango's smile faded. The lonely demon exterminator lowered her head and walked away, in the opposite direction of Inuyasha.
"Sango, where are you going!" Yelled Shippo, but he made no attempt to follow. Sango didn't answer.
Because she didn't know.
Miroku had died in his sleep sometime in the early morning hours, while Sango rested peacefully next to him. They had decided not to take that step until Naraku was defeated, and it never became an issue. After all, Sango still couldn't even bring herself to say the word "love."
Even that night. That night when she gave in to her fears of losing him, and gave herself to him. She knew it wasn't something she would have done even just a few years ago, because she always planned to wait until she was married. But it was OK this time, since she knew she and Miroku would be married once Naraku was gone. They would live together, and have a happy life with many (uncursed) children and Kohaku as a doting Uncle.
And then Miroku was gone, and Sango was alone. She felt like a fool.
'Stupid daydreams. That's all they ever were,' she thought to herself. Kirara mewed at her with concern when she saw her companion's tears start to fall.
Apparently, her actions with Miroku had caused more damage to his wounds, and an infection had crept in and quickly taken over his already weakened body.
So, really, it was her fault. She was so afraid of having regrets, that she caused the biggest regret of her life.
Sango sank down to her knees at the foot of a tree and wept.
TOKYO, PRESENT DAY
Kagome had been sullen all day in school. Her friends were very concerned about her, thinking that she was becoming ill again. After school, they followed at her heels the whole way home.
"Kagome-chan, what's wrong? You've looked so sad all day. Did you break up with your boyfriend?"
Kagome's expression didn't change, though she was struggling to find the words to explain to them what happened, without really telling them anything.
"A friend of mine has died," Kagome finally said, choosing the direct approach. Her friends gasped.
"That's awful!"
"I'm so sorry!"
"Is it anyone we would know?"
Kagome shook her head. "No, he's not from here. He was one of my friends from…out of town. There was an accident. Everyone thought it wasn't that serious, but he died from it."
The three girls with Kagome looked appalled. "How could that happen?" they all wanted to know.
"I only wish I knew," Kagome said with a sigh.
Since her head was down, Kagome didn't notice the boy with black hair, pulled back into a small ponytail at the base of his neck. Nor did he notice her, apparently, since they ran straight into each other on the street.
"I'm so sorry!" the boy exclaimed, steadying Kagome by her shoulders before she fell. "I didn't see you!"
"It's all right, I wasn't looking where I was…" And then Kagome looked up into eyes the color of fresh lavender. Her eyes widened and she stuttered, "Mir…Miroku?"
She passed out in a dead faint.
