Here I am, I'm back! Sorry but I've been busy with work so I haven't had time to write. But here it is, my new chapter. I hope you don't find it too boring but I wanted to give everyone who was curious, A chance to read what Kagome wrote to everyone. I hope you like it.

Disclaimer: Kuronue is my mate; mine! But I don't own Yuyu/Inu, even though I so want to.


Chapter 3

What Kagome didn't know and wouldn't know for centuries to come was that all her friends had stood around for nearly a half hour simply soaking up memories and staring at the now life-less well; until finally, one by one, they separated, each to their own private sanctuary to read the letters their friend had left; Inuyasha to his God Tree, Sango to the hot springs, Miroku for a simple walk through the dark forest, and Rin and Shippo went to Kagome's hut to read theirs together.

Inuyasha scurried along and immediately took a seat up in his tree, discreetly looking around for any peeping toms who would try to read his letter. When he was finally satisfied he was alone he opened it carefully, noticing right away Kagome's elegant handwriting. And just for a moment, his face softened with a kind of bittersweet half-smile. It wrote:

Inuyasha:

Well, what can I say? Our journey has finally come to an end, my hanyou friend. Let me just start off by saying this and getting it out of the way. I love you. There I said it. Who would have thought it would be so easy when before it seemed as such a large and daunting word. But now I guess I can tell you because the simple truth is that I do; not as a lover or a life mate, but as my best friend and brother. Our relationship has always been rocky and unsteady, yet it has always upheld even in those darkest of times.

I can't tell you how much you and the others have come to mean to me. I can only hope that you will always remember me and that you will live a long and happy life. I wish only for your happiness, Inuyasha, and I hope that someday we'll be able to see each other again.

Inuyasha, you were my first real friend here, my first protector, and yes, my first love. I've always loved you, even from the beginning when you were spewing obscenities towards me. And now you are my brother, the older brother I never had.

Now I know what you're thinking right now. You're thinking about telling me to shut up and get over it and stop acting weepy and stupid. Well, I'm here to tell you first of all to sit and that for once I'm allowed to act weepy and more than a little stupid so I don't want you to laugh or mock my letter. I simply want you to understand how hard this had been and that I will never forget any of my time spent with all of you.

Before I finish this letter I'm going to ask you to do something for me. I'm going to ask you one thing, Inuyasha, just one simple little wish. Please, please try to over come your odds with your brother. I want you two to reconcile and become the brothers you should have been already. I know in your heart you never really wanted to kill him and truthfully he's never wanted to kill you either. You have always been looking for acceptance and I think in some ways, Sesshomaru has, too. AS I see it, you've both come a long way from where you used to be and I'd hate to see you live your days forever hating each other for things that happened a long time ago, things out of both of your control.

Please do this...if not for yourselves, than for me. Hey, I'm allowed to be a bit greedy. I'm the one making the toughest choice here.

Anyway, I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and that I'll never forget the days we spent together.

Be happy, Inuyasha.

Love always,

Kagome Higurashi, Miko of the 21st Century

Inuyasha huffed and sat in his classic stance, rolling his eyes and indeed muttering about how idiotic she was being. He would deliver the note to Sesshomaru as Kagome had asked, but that other thing, working it out with his brother; well, he had a lot of thinking to do. In the mean time, he had a letter to deliver; might as well get a start on it now. And who knows he might get enough training along the way to finally beat that bastard brother of his.

Miroku, who was just stepping out of the forest noticed a certain flash or red and turned to see Inuyasha hop down out of his tree, a very large grin on his face, and dash off, to who knows where.


Meanwhile, oblivious to anything else but the calm of night and the quiet sounds of the soothing water, a certain demon exterminator had also headed for a quiet spot to rest her weary body and soul. Sango had made her way to the hot springs wanting to read her letter in private as well. She undressed, sat in the water, and hurriedly pulled out the letter. Her eyes hungrily began eating up every line and by the time she was finished reading, Sango had fallen into another weeping mass and this time her tears were filled with hope, as well as sadness. Who knew you could be sad and extremely happy at the same time? It wrote:

Sango:

Sango, my dearest and truest friend, I'll never forget the life lessons you've taught me. You truly are the big sister I never had and I thank you for giving me moments of peace, hope and happiness throughout our long travels together and I'm grateful that I got to know you as a sibling. You taught me so many things and you may or may not know this, but for the longest time I wanted to be just like you. I wanted to be a warrior, strong and proud, to be able to take down demons twice my size and walk away without a scratch.

But something I learned, mostly from you, is that I will never be a great warrior like you. I am just Kagome Higurashi, miko in training and guardian of the Shikon no Tama. There can only be one Sango of the Taijia clan, just as there can only be one Kagome Higurashi. There is no one else in the world like us, my best friend, and someday you will know it too.

I wish with all the love in my heart that you life your life to the fullest, raising your children with Miroku. And please, remember to tell them all about their great aunt Kagome, all good things I hope for there are only good things to say about me. And don't laugh, Sango, you know it's true.

I shall never forget you, Sango. You are my best friend and will always be in my heart.

Love always,

Kagome Higurashi.

P.S. One more thing...I've felt a certain disturbance in you aura lately. You might want to check it out as I'm sure a person is not supposed to carry more than one.

"More than one aura; but how?" Sango asked out loud, "before gasping in shock. Could it be? She placed her hand on her stomach, grinning. Boy would Miroku be surprised.

Smiling Sango raised her head to the sky and thanked her friend. "I will, Kagome. I will tell them all about you, about how strong and wonderful you are, but mostly how kind you are. I won't forget you either. And I wish you all the best as well. I know that someday soon you'll find your husband just as I have. And he'll be just as unexpected as finding Miroku was to me. I just hope you realize it."


Miroku had walked for a few minutes before curiosity got the better of him and he reached into his sleeve and pulled out Kagome's letter addressed to him. It wrote:

Miroku:

So, my hentaii friend, it has finally come to an end and everything turned out like we always hoped for. You have your woman to bear your child and I have my Shikon no Tama back in one piece. Ha, ha, excuse me I just have to interrupt and say that even after all these years I still can't get over how we met. I just keep picturing how you looked, swooping down on me and Inuyasha, while stealing me, my bike, and the Shikon shards.

I wish to thank you Miroku for bringing me courage and keeping my spirits high as we made our way throughout Japan. You were always a great relief to the group, motivating us to keep looking up. You gave us all hope even when your hope was much larger than ours.

For years you had to walk with the knowledge that you were going to die do to your curse. You had such strength to keep going on our journey, determined at all costs to defeat the evil which cursed your family. I am truly grateful that neither you, nor your children will ever have to face that kind of threat to your lives again.

You have enriched my life with your words of kindness and wisdom and I have only to thank you for that. And now I only wish you the best as you start a new life with Sango, who I know will make you very happy. Your lives will be blessed with happiness and love and I thank you for loving Sango and giving her a place to call home. Keep her safe; always...or well or now well, I will find a way to hurt you.

Good bye, my friend. Until we meet again; one day.

Luck,

Kagome Higurashi

P.s. Go speak with Sango. I believe she has something to tell you.

Miroku lifted his head, surprised to feel tears welling up in his eyes. Somewhat shocked, Miroku raised a hand and swiped at a lone tear, gazing at it in awe. In all his years, he had never shed a tear; until now. "Thank you, Kagome. Thank you for loving us so well. We have all been truly blessed by your presence and may you some day find where you belong."


As Miroku hurried off to find his beloved slayer, two children huddled together before a warm fire, prepared in Kagome's old hut.

"Do you think we'll ever see her again, Shippo-kun?" Rin asked, still crying slightly.

Crying slightly himself, Shippo sat next to his friend and tried to comfort her.

"Yeah, don't worry, Rin-chan. We'll both see her again one day. I'll make sure of it." The words were so heated that Rin immediately heard and believed.

Shippo would do it. Shippo could do anything, her young mind provided and she willed the blush away.

"So...are you ready?" Shippo asked, reaching out and tugging on her hand gently to where she had their letter tucked away. It was addressed to both of them and instead of it being two, there was only one.

Rin nodded hesitantly and opened the letter and both chibis leaned in.

Dear Rin and Shippo:

Rin...Shippo...you two are my babies. I love you both so much and I just want you to know that I left with the knowledge that Sesshomaru would take good care of you both. Otherwise I might have and probably would have, found a way to take you with me and raise you in my world. But as it is, I cannot take anyone and that alone makes me very sad.

Yet, I am happy knowing Sesshomaru will care for you both, yes even you Shippo. I have already threatened to put a sit necklace on Sesshomaru should he do anything to hurt you.

There is also something else I have come to realize, something that has only begun to develop during the last several months. There is a strong bond between you both, unlike that of a sibling bond. You two are best friends, yet you do not fully understand what that will mean in the coming years. I know you two are young and can't quite fully comprehend what I'm trying to tell you, but I am going to give you a little advice I hope you carry with you always.

When it comes to matters of the heart or head, always lead with your heart. If you do, it can never hold back your dreams. And when the time comes, when it happens, go with your instincts and trust each other. Only then can you truly comprehend how powerful a force love can be.

I wish you well my children and remember to heed my words.

Boy, now I'm sounding like Keade isn't that strange? Hm, oh well. I will love you always; Shippo, Rin. Be good for Sesshomaru and I know someday we will meet again.

Love from a Miko,

Kagome Higurashi

Shippo and Rin sat in stunned silence waiting for the weight of Kagome's words to set in. Rin was confused and a little bit afraid. Just what was Kagome trying to tell them? She and Shippo were always best friends, they already knew that. Rin continued to stew in confusion before accidentally falling asleep on an equally confused Shippo.

Shippo, however, had a pretty good idea about what his mother was trying to tell him. He thought about it for awhile longer before noticing that Rin had fallen asleep on her shoulder. And suddenly he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders and he smiled at the peacefully sleeping girl.

"Yes, mother, I understand and I will always keep her safe. I love you mother." Just as I'm beginning to love you, Rin; Shippo thought, before tucking the little girl into the safety of his arms, and letting his head fall across hers, before sleep claimed Shippo as well.


In a far away land, hidden inside a dark castle, a smirking demon had just finished reading over a letter; a letter from a very intriguing miko. Yes, he would uphold his promise so her that he would find her when the time came.

Looking over his shoulder at a badly wounded hanyou, he only smirked wider before picking the younger pup up and throwing him over his right shoulder like a sack of potatoes, headed straight for the dojo. His little brother still had a lot to learn about fighting. And he was just the demon to do it; if only to provide him some entertainment.

He left his study just before a panting Jaken could run in and demand answers as to why 'that dirty hanyou had dared grace the good lord Sesshomaru's castle.'

He was stunned when he came across and empty desk and equally room. He could definitely tell there had been a brawl in the room and he could clearly smell the hanyou's blood. Good, Jaken thought, maybe Lord Sesshomaru has finally gotten rid of that scoundrel.

Jaken turned to leave before a strange piece of paper lifted off the desk and came to rest at his feet. He made to leave, when a certain name caught his eyes. Glancing around curiously Jaken picked up the letter and read the few short words the miko had left for his master.

Lord Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands:

Boy, Sess, that sure is a mouth full, which is why I toned it down and gave you a nickname. Now when you come find me in 500 years you can kill me for my horrible lack of manners; or at least try. Anyway, Sess, I just have a few short words to say to you and I hope, for your sake, and for the sake of a certain hanyou brother, that you listen well.

Live, Sesshomaru. Love, Sesshomaru. Find peace, Sesshomaru and I promise you will have more power than you imagine.

I trust you realize why I sent Inuyasha to you and none of the others. You're a smart demon, I've always thought so. Teach him well Sesshomaru, the way you should have years ago.

Sincerely,

Kagome, Miko of the Shikon no Tama and Lady of my own shrine.

P.s. Go easy on him, Sess. After all he is still a pup.

Jaken didn't know what to think. Had his master read the note? Was he actually going to follow through with this foolish young miko's rather tactless suggestions?

Jaken shook his head and retreated placing the letter back. He wondered if his master would heed the foolish young miko's words. Only time would tell.


Okay, that is all of the letters. A couple things. I want to apologize for now updating quick enough, but I have been truly busy with work and school and things. In the future I will try to hurry the chapters along. Another thing, I made a change and only had one note for Shippo and Rin. In the last chapter I had that there were notes for both, but I just didn't feel like writing another when it would sound basically the same. So I just went ahead and made their note together. Anyway, I'd like to thanks all my reviewers now for waiting patiently, or for some of you, impatiently.