Konnichiwa, minna! I know, I took forever to update, but it's a nice long chapter, ne? I had fun writing this! School's out now, so I'll have more time to write. It was so sad because I'm never going to see the people in my school again…most of them anyway. Back to the story before I start crying! This chapter has a little bit of a surprise. Oh, and good news. I was going to end the story here without the surprise, but then I had inspiration (thanks to my muse!) and so this story will now go on quite a bit longer. –surveys happy fans– Alright, on to the story!

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Wish I could have got it as a graduation present… Oo! Guess what! As my graduation present/going away present, my parents are getting me this really cool digital camera! It's got video and everything! It's the new model that comes out next month! I'll be able to take lots of pics and send them home! I'm soooo excited!

Claimer: I own Kyoko. Isn't she cool? I think she is. Well, of course, I made her, so I guess I should think she's cool, but, you know, sometimes authors make uncool characters for their stories because they want to. Maybe I've done that before, but not this time because I think Kyoko is soooo cool. Or was. –tear– I'm on a sugar high… Have fun!

The next morning, Kagome awoke to bright rays of winter sunshine. She blinked hazily for a moment before remembering what day it was. "It's Christmas Day!" She jumped out of bed and flew down the stairs. Souta arrived only seconds after her. The area around their Christmas tree was covered in presents, and their stockings hanging on the fireplace were bulging. "Merry Christmas, Souta," Kagome grinned.

Her brother grinned back at her, "Merry Christmas, Kagome."

Souta was the first to rush to his stocking. With cries of delight, both siblings tore down their stockings. Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome's grandfather stumbled sleepily downstairs and smiled at the children's excitement.

Kagome and Souta sat down on the ground and pulled their goodies out from their stockings. Both received an assortment of small candies, clementines, and little gifts like makeup and a hat.

Kagome placed her gifts carefully back in her stocking and stood up. She hugged her mother and grandfather and bounded back to her room to change, Souta right behind her. "Merry Christmas, Mom! Merry Christmas, Grandpa!" she called.

"Merry Christmas, Kagome! Merry Christmas, Souta!"

After she had put on a pair of green pants and a tight red turtleneck, she grabbed her bag of presents and rushed downstairs. "Mom, I'm going to go back to the Feudal Era. I'll come back at lunchtime to bring them all some Christmas dinner and then I'll be back again for dinner."

Mrs. Higurashi nodded, beaming, "Alright, Kagome. Merry Christmas, sweetie. Here you go."

"Merry Christmas, Mama." She hugged her mother tightly and, shouldering her bag and picking up the bag of food, made her way to the well.

Inuyasha tapped his foot impatiently. "Where is she? She's taking forever! She said she'd be back by morning!"

Shippou sighed, "Be patient, Inuyasha. I'm sure she's busy and besides, she said she'd be back by late morning and it's only mid-morning."

Inuyasha growled and stalked in a circle. He sniffed the air suddenly and a grin broke his face. Shippou lifted his nose and smiled, too. "Kagome's back!" he cried excitedly.

Kagome hung from the rim of the well and pulled herself up slowly and laboriously. It was hard work, but her arm muscles had benefited from the workout. She got one arm over the edge and kicked her legs wildly. Finally, the other arm made it over and she panted slightly for a moment before resuming her climb. She kicked her legs again and as they slid against the wall futiley, friction began to form and she managed to walk herself up further. Finally, she was half out of the well and gave one last pull before tumbling out onto the grass. The bag sat tiredly beside her and she stood up with a groan and brushed herself off before catching sight of Inuyasha and Shippou. "Merry Christmas, Inuyasha! Merry Christmas, Shippou!"

Shippou bounced eagerly into Kagome's arms, "Merry Christmas, Kagome! Didja get me any presents?"

Kagome laughed, "Yes, Shippou, I did. But we're not going to open them until after lunch."

He sighed and nodded, "Ok. I can wait."

Inuyasha stepped forward, "Come on, let's get back. Everyone's waiting for you." She smiled and nodded and together they made their way back to Kaede's hut.

"Merry Christmas, Sango! Merry Christmas, Miroku! Merry Christmas, Kaede!"

The three looked up at the sound of Kagome's voice.

Sango waved, "Merry Christmas, Kagome!"

Miroku nodded, "Yes, a Merry Christmas to you too, Lady Kagome."

Kaede's wrinkled face broke into a smile, "Merry Christmas to ye."

"What now, Kagome?" Shippou piped up.

"Let's just hang out until lunch and then I'll go back and get some of the Christmas dinner, ok?"

"Then we can open presents?"

"Yes, Shippou, then we can open presents." Kagome giggled.

Two hours later, Kagome stood up. "Alright, you guys, I'm going back! It's lunchtime! Gimme an hour or so, k? There's gonna be a lot of food!" She grinned and made her way back to the well. She hopped in and leapt out on the other side. She stood stupidly for a moment outside the wellhouse. "I forgot I could do that…" she muttered to herself amusedly. Oh well, it was a good workout. She shrugged and walked in the back door. "Mom, I'm home!" she called out to the kitchen.

Mrs. Higurashi hurried out. "Kagome!" she beamed, hugging her daughter carefully. "Come help in the kitchen, it's a mess!" she laughed, waving her oven-mitted hands about. Kagome giggled and followed her mother to the kitchen, where it truly was a mess. There were bowls and spoons everywhere, batter splattered across the countertops and the sink was full of dirty dishes. The stove and the oven were both full with cooking food. Flour powdered her mother's clothes and some of the table. Delicious smells wafted through the air and the oven and stove gave off a warm heat. It was really Christmas. Kagome began to wipe the countertops. "Don't do that," her mother warned, "It's just going to get messy again. Come help me with some of the food." A timer 'ding'ed shrilly. "The cornbread's done. Could you pull it out of the oven for me?"

Kagome put on some mitts and opened the oven door and carefully pulled out the hot pan of cornbread. The smell overwhelmed her and she smiled. She placed it on the counter to let it cool.

"Mom, the pot's boiling!" she called.

Her mother hurried over and turned down the heat. Kagome ran over to the pan of frying potatoes and stirred them quickly before turning off the power and reaching over to the cupboard to take out a dish. When that was done, she pulled the pan off the stove and piled it on top of the other dishes in the sink.

The kettle began to whistle and Kagome quickly turned it off, poured its contents into a mug, and dropped a teabag in. She dripped some milk in, stirred in a spoonful of sugar, and handed it to her mother, who accepted it with a tired smile and sipped it quietly. "Thanks, honey. We're almost done. We just have to do the turkey and then we're done."

Kagome nodded, "How long will that take?"

Mrs. Higurashi shrugged lightly, "Maybe another hour. Most of it's done, we just need to finish roasting it."

Kagome smiled, "Perfect. I'm going to start getting the food together now. I'm sure everybody's getting hungry."

Her mother started to warm up some of the food and put it in plastic tins. "I'll help you."

Kagome shot a thankful glance at her mother and moved to help her with the just-cooked food.

An hour later, all the necessary food had been packed and the smell of the finished turkey teased Kagome's nose. She breathed in the scent deeply before placing all the plastic tins in a bag. "Alright, mom, I'll see later for dinner! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, dear."

Kagome lugged her bag with her to the well and hopped in. She leapt out with her bag, enjoying the ease with which she can jump heights. "Inuyasha!" she called.

Inuyasha appeared beside her in an instant, "Food!" he cried, sniffing her bag.

"Were you waiting for me?" she inquired coyly.

"No," he answered quickly. Too quickly.

She smiled, "Sure. Let's go. Help me carry the bag."

He grunted and picked up one of handles. The two trudged through the snow with the bag held between them.

Once they reached the village, Shippou and Kirara had bounded out, enticed by the smell of the food.

"Kagome!" he exclaimed excitedly, "You're back! Is it time for lunch?"

She laughed, "Yes, Shippou, it's lunchtime. Want to help me set up?"

"Sure!" He jumped up and down beside Kagome.

Kagome and Inuyasha placed the bags beside the door inside the hut.

"Merry Christmas, Kagome!" a familiar voice greeted.

Kagome squealed and turned around with a smile. "Kouga!"

Inuyasha growled, "What's he doing here?"

"I invited him to Christmas, remember?"

"Oh yea…wonderful," he muttered sarcastically.

Kagome, having heard him, gave him a warning look and smiled back at Kouga. "Merry Christmas, Kouga!"

Shippou tugged on her skirt, "Can we eat now?" he asked with a cutely pouting face. "I'm hungry."

"Sorry, Shippou. Let's start setting up now." Kagome started to take out the food. "Here, Shippou, why don't you open the food tins." She finally took out plates, chopsticks, and cups and set them around in a circle.

Shippou, meanwhile was, with some difficulty, pulling the lids off of the tins. He wrapped his little fox paws around them and yanked with all his might. Finally, panting he sat down to the last open tin. "Done!"

Kagome giggled at his exhaustion, "Thanks, Shippou." She put all the tins in the middle of the tablecloth. "Would you help me call everybody?"

Shippou nodded. The two made their way outside Kaede's hut and called the rest of the Inu-gumi inside for lunch.

The fire crackled merrily as everybody hungrily heaped piles of riceballs, roasted potatoes, stuffing, turkey, and fish onto their plates, downing their lunch with multiple glasses of sparkling cider and, in Miroku and Inuyasha's case, sake.

Inuyasha managed through his full mouth, "Hey, dish turkey shtuff ish good!" He swallowed, "Are there any in Japan?"

Kagome shook her head with a smile, "Sorry, Inuyasha, it's a Wetsern bird that was brought over a little later. But we have lots in my time. I'll remember to bring you some more next time we have it."

Sango took a tentative sip of the sparkling cider and immediately retreated from the glass with a look of surprise plastered across her face. "It's…bubbling! It's all tingly!"

Kagome laughed outright. "Sorry, I forgot to warn you. Yea, that's the big thing in my time: soft drinks."

"Soft drinks?" she repeated slowly, "They're not very soft though…"

"I know, but that's what they're called. What do you think?"

"I like it. It's just very strange. I've never tasted anything like it."

"I'm sure you haven't," Kagome laughed again.

After all the food had been eaten and all the drinks finished, Kagome laboriously started to put away the tins. "I'm so full, I can barely move," she complained.

Sango and Miroku helped, but they were having difficulty figuring how to replace the lids. As Kagome reached for another plastic container, Inuyasha placed his hand on top of hers.

"I'll do it," he muttered gruffly, avoiding her eyes.

A blush spread across both their cheeks and Kagome smiled. "Thank you, Inuyasha."

After watching Inuyasha deftly place close all the tubs, Kagome stood up for attention. "Alright, everybody. Time for presents!"

Shippou giggled and clapped his hands in delight. "Yay!"

Kagome smiled. "How should we do this? We could go around and one at a time one person gives all their presents. Or we could go around and everybody gives their present to that person. Or we could just do whatever, but that might be a little chaotic."

Miroku nodded in agreement. "I like the second option best."

Sango nodded. "Me too."

Inuyasha shrugged, "I don't care either way."

Kagome smiled. "The second option it is. I'll go get my presents. One sec."

Sango nodded. "Me too. I'll be right back."

Miroku got up and followed her. "I shall accompany you, my lady," he smiled gallantly. Sango rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Shippou and Inuyasha sat on the ground silently. "Where are your presents, Inuyasha?" Shippou asked innocently.

"I'll get 'em, don't worry. Where are yours?"

"I'll get them, too."

Inuyasha turned to Kouga with a sneer, "Where are your presents?"

Kouga's forehead crinkled in confusion. "I was supposed to bring presents?"

Kagome, having just arrived, smiled at Kouga. "Don't worry about it. You didn't have to. Christmas isn't just about presents; it's about spending time with friends and family!"

Once everyone had returned with their armful of presents, they settled themselves into a circle. "Who wants to go first?" Kagome asked.

Shippou bounced up and down eagerly. "Me!"

The rest laughed. "Who wants to go first?" Kagome asked again.

Sango smiled, "I will."

"Wait!" Kagome interrupted. She jumped up and ran outside Kaede's hut. "Kaede!" she called.

The old miko turned around. "Yes?"

"We're giving out our presents! Come on!"

"Presents?" Kaede asked, her brow furrowed in confusion. "Ah, ye holiday, Christmas. Am I correct?"

"Yep. Now, come on!"

"Why do ye need me, Kagome?"

"Because we have presents for you, too!"

"But I have nothing for all of ye!"

"That's ok!" she assured her impatiently.

Kouga called out, "I didn't bring anything either! Don't worry about it!"

"Kouga's right! Now come on!"

"I'm coming, Kagome," Kaede huffed as she lumbered down the hill to the hut. She sat down between Sango and Inuyasha.

Kagome sat down and nodded to Sango. She smiled and reached behind her. She pulled out a beautiful silk dark turquoise bow. "I thought it would go well with your hair color."

Shippou's eyes lit up. "It's really pretty! Can I wear it now?"

"Of course. Here, let me tie it for you."

Shippou turned around and Sango untied his blue bow and replaced it with the new turquoise one. "Wonderful. You look very handsome, Shippou," Kagome complimented.

"Thank you," he smiled.

Kagome went next. She reached into the paper grocery bag next to her and pulled out a large bag filled to the top with all sorts of different candies. Shippou's eyes lit up like a pair of lightbulbs. "Candy!" he cried.

Kagome laughed, "And it's all just for you."

Shippou's grin covered his entire face. He took the bag and gave Kagome a huge hug. "You're the best, Kagome!"

She giggled and hugged him back. "I'm glad you like it." Shippou retreated back to his spot and began digging into the bag. "Shippou! You just finished lunch!"

Shippou grinned sheepishly and reluctantly closed the bag.

Then came Miroku. The monk held out what looked like a black stick. "Watch this," he commanded, smiling. He flipped it open, revealing that it was a fan. It was white with a large red dot at the top of each fold. The bottom was painted a light yellow. He held it further out. "Tap it."

Shippou tapped one of the folds with a paw and his eyes widened. "It's so hard!"

Miroku smiled. "Yes. It is a shield fan. They are used by the Fujiki tribe in the south. The Fujiki tribe is a powerful tribe that tends to keep to itself. The women, however, are fierce warriors. They look like gentle ladies and all of their weapons look like everyday items. The men stay home and cook, but they also know how to fight when the need arises. I managed to find one of these. You can use it to protect yourself in your next duel or to protect Kagome."

Shippou puffed his chest out cutely. "Thank you, Miroku, I'm sure it will prove useful in our next battle." The group laughed.

They all turned to Inuyasha. "What did you get Shippou?" Miroku asked curiously.

Inuyasha shrugged, "Shippou, I promise not to hurt you for the next week."

Shippou smiled. "Thanks, Inuyasha."

Kagome was impressed. "Wow, Inuyasha, that's so sweet of you."

"And if I do hit you," Inuyasha continued, "I'll start the whole week over again."

Shippou grinned and hugged Inuyasha. The hanyou hesitantly hugged him back.

Kagome beamed. "Alright, who's next?" When no one raised his hand, Kagome looked at Kaede. "Would you like to go next, Kaede?"

Kaede shrugged. "That would be fine."

Shippou raised his hand, "Can I go first?"

Sango smiled, "Sure."

Shippou handed her a small beaded bracelet with alternating pink, blue, and green beads. "Oh, Shippou! 'Tis beautiful! Where did ye find this?"

"I made it," he said proudly.

"Really? 'Tis lovely. Thank ye, child. I shall wear it now." Kaede slipped the beads onto her left wrist. Shippou beamed.

Miroku went next. He gave a similar looking beaded bracelet. The beads were slightly larger and of a brown-ish color. "These prayer beads should keep you from harm's way."

Kaede smiled and slipped them onto her right wrist. "Thank ye, Miroku, I'm sure they shall keep me safe."

Then, Kagome reached into her paper grocery bag again. "Here, Kaede. It's perfume from my era."

Kaede took it and sniffed it. "It smells of spring lilies!" she realized happily.

Kagome beamed and nodded. "I thought you would like this scent. It's much fresher than most of the newer ones these days."

Kaede hugged Kagome gently. "Thank ye, Kagome. I shall treasure this."

Inuyasha decided to follow Kagome. He pulled out an elliptical piece of black cloth with a thin piece of fabric sewn to each side. "It's an eyepatch."

Kaede smiled. "Did you make it yeself?"

Inuyasha grunted in the affirmative and tossed it to the elderly miko. She caught it deftly and examined it briefly. "'Tis well made. Thank ye, Inuyasha. I shall be sure to use when this one wears out, which it shall fairly soon."

Sango went last. She smiled secretively and turned to Kaede. "Do you know where your bow is?"

Kaede thought for a moment. "It should be in here."

"Do you mind getting it for me, please?"

Kaede nodded with a shrug. She clambered to her feet and made her way slowly to the back of the hut. Her bow was not leaning against the wall as it normally was. Her eyes swept the area briefly, but she could not find it. Where is my bow? I never put it anywhere but against this wall… Her brow furrowed in concern. "Sango, I cannot find my bow," she apologized.

Sango, however, smiled. "Of course, you can't." She was holding something behind her back. Kagome tried to look to see what it was. Sango pulled out Kaede's bow. It was shiny and the wood somehow looked newer and stronger. The string was no longer frayed, but stiff and strong. Kaede took it and ran her hands over it gently.

"Kami, Sango. What did you do?"

Sango chuckled, "I polished the wood and replaced the string with some hairs from a demon horse that I twisted together and dipped in the paste we use to stick broken pots together in our village. It shouldn't fray so easily anymore."

Kaede was speechless for a moment. "Th-Thank ye, Sango. I needed a new bow, but was unwilling to give this one up. I have had it for over twenty-five years now."

Everybody began to chatter again and Sango spoke up so the group could all hear her. "How about Kiara goes next?"

Kagome smiled, "That's a wonderful idea! I'll go first."

"Can I go second?" Shippou asked.

"Alright," Kagome nodded. "Here, Kirara," she offered the neko youkai, "It's catfood from my time. Buyo loves it. That's why he's so fat." They all laughed. She took hold of the tab and pulled back the cover. "Here you go," she said, placing the tin on the ground in front of Kirara.

Kirara scampered over to it and took a tentative taste. She 'mew'ed and smiled before she dug in happily.

Kagome laughed, "I'm glad she likes it."

Kirara lifted her face from the tin and nuzzled Kagome's ankle.

"You're welcome, Kirara."

Kagome turned to where Shippou was sitting not a minute before, but he wasn't there. "Where'd Shippou go?"

Sango shrugged, "I didn't see. I was too busy watching Kirara."

"Me too," others chorused.

Kagome looked around her. "Where could he have gone?"

Suddenly, Shippou came scampering through the door behind them. "Kirara!" he cried. When he reached the neko youkai, he dropped an armful of catnip before her. The group waited for him to catch his breath. "I was keeping them warm so they wouldn't die. I had to get them from next to the fire."

Kirara 'mew'ed happily again and nuzzled Shippou.

"You're welcome, Kirara," Shippou smiled.

Inuyasha went next. He pulled a strange thing from inside his robes. It was a round ball with a string attached to it. He dangled it from his claws and Kirara turned away from her food to jump at it. She batted it back and forth between her pas, trying to grab it and pull it down. Inuyasha laughed and swung it further from her grasp. The neko youkai followed it avidly. She suddenly gave a loud 'meow' and leapt after it, effectively catching the toy in her claws. Inuyasha dropped it obediently and Kirara pushed around with her nose. The group chuckled.

Miroku reached into his own robes and pulled out a beautifully crafted black wooden comb. Its teeth were finely made and the entire thing was shiny and smooth. He gently combed Kirara's fur and she arched her back in pleasure before rolling onto her back. Miroku then started to comb her stomach and she closed her eyes in satisfaction. "Sango, you can use this for Kirara. She seems to like it."

"Thank you, Miroku. She loves it!"

Sango took the comb and laid it down next to Kagome's tin of catfood. Shen then turned around and picked up something slightly bigger and bulkier. Then, she turned around and dropped it in front of her. It was a fuzzy blanket. "This is for you, Kirara. I sewed it myself. Merry Christmas." She unfolded it and draped it around the neko. Kirara 'mew'ed one last time and then fell into a quiet doze beside her presents.

Sango turned to Miroku with a smile. "Why don't you go next, Miroku?"

Miroku shrugged, "I don't mind."

Inuyasha surprised the group by offering to go first. "Here, Miroku." He handed the monk a set of brand new monk's robes.

Miroku was stunned, "Wow, what a coincidence!"

"Why?" Inuyasha asked.

"You'll see. Thanks, Inuyasha. Mine aren't faring much better than yours. They will definitely come in handy very soon."

Kagome went next. She handed Miroku a large gold bottle. He could hear some sort of liquid sloshing inside. A string hung around the neck of the bottle and it threaded through a hole in the corner of a piece of strange material. "It's gold polish," Kagome explained, "You use it to make gold items retain their shine. I thought it would come in handy for your staff."

Miroku's eyes widened in understanding, "I see. Well, thank you, Kagome! I will use this as soon as we are finished exchanging gifts. Kami knows my staff needs some cleaning." He gave Kagome a short hug.

Shippou followed Kagome with a strange object that looked vaguely like a beginner's attempt at a self-made purse. Two pieces of U-shaped cloth were sewed crudely together at the sides. The tops were folded down and sewn into place. A piece of thick string ran through the loops formed at the top, creating a weak pouch. Seeing Miroku's face, Shippou hurriedly explained what it was. "It's a pouch to hold your sutras in!"

Miroku nodded with a smile. "Ah, I see. Thank you, Shippou! I will use this to carry my sutras around. My pouch is already full, so I can put some into this one. It's lovely. Did you make it yourself?"

"Yep!" Shippou chirped proudly.

"I could tell," Miroku praised dryly.

Finally, it was Sango's turn. She held out a single gold hoop earring for the monk. "It's made of real gold," Sango helped.

"Wow, Sango! How did you afford something like this?"

"Well, I had some money left and just used it up."

"Thank you so much! It so well made! I can't believe you found something this nice around here."

Sango shrugged with a blush, "I guess I just got lucky, huh?"

"Thank you." He hugged the tajiya gratefully.

Miroku grinned suddenly after he had let Sango go. "Why don't you go next, Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha shrugged, "Sure."

Miroku nodded, "I'll go first this time." He pulled out a similarly bulky folded something as Sango's blanket. Miroku handed it to Inuyasha, who unfolded it. It was a white robe. "A new robe?"

Miroku nodded. "Yours always gets dirty in battles, and because I could not get a fire-rat coat, I got you a new inner gi."

"Thank you, Miroku," Inuyasha said sincerely. He placed it gently beside him. "I'll definitely be able to use this."

Sango went next. She handed Inuyasha a large clear vial about the height of his palm filled to the brim with a thin dark gold liquid. The stopper was a bright azure. A folded green cloth was wrapped around the vial. "It's weapon polish. It should help make Tetsusaiga look a little more presentable. It will even work on its enlarged form."

Inuyasha smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Sango. I'm sure this will help keep it in good condition."

Shippou hopped forward with his gift in paw. "Here, Inuyasha, I made it just for you. It's a protective charm. I put some of my foxfire in it. It'll only work once, though. It's 'cuz you always get hurt trying to protect us." Inuyasha's face softened. The kitsune hugged his father figure tightly, and the hanyou returned it gently.

The charm was carved from a piece of wood. It was in the shape of a crude fox's head. There was a hole in the top of each ear, and a thin leather string was threaded through the holes to make a necklace. As Inuyasha took it, it glowed very faintly a light turquoise, the same color as Shippou's foxfire. "Thank you, Shippou. I'm sure it will keep me safe."

Kagome went last. She reached into her bag with a slightly guilty face.

"Kagome?" Sango asked concernedly.

Kagome lifted out a large cardboard box and, with a grunt, placed it at Inuyasha's feet. "I'm sorry, Inuyasha, it isn't much, but I couldn't really think of anything really special that you'd like."

Inuyash was surprised, to say the least, at Kagome's words. "I-It's fine. Really." He opened the box and his eyes widened happily. "Ramen!"

The box was stacked with bowls of instant ramen in four different flavors in two layers.

Kagome smiled in relief at his face. "I'm glad you like it."

"Thanks, Kagome."

The schoolgirl smiled at his use of her real name for once.

Inuyasha closed the lid to the box and turned to Sango. "Why don't you go next, Sango?"

Miroku quickly cut in, "No, why don't you, Kagome?"

"Sango first!" Inuyasha argued.

"Kagome first!" Miroku vied.

"Sango!"

"Kagome!"

"SANGO!"

"KAGOME!"

"SANGO!"

"KAGOME!"

"GUYS!" Kagome called out. "Calm down! I'm happy to go first."

"No!" Inuyasha interrupted, "Sango should go first!"

"Kagome should!" Miroku argued back.

Sango put a hand on Miroku's arm. "I'm happy to go first."

"No!" Miroku almost yelled.

Kagome and Sango exchanged glances. Kagome put her hand up for silence. "Why doesn't Kouga go next?"

Everybody turned to the wolf youkai prince, who blushed slightly. "A-Alright. That's fine with me."

"It's settled," Kagome nodded.

Suddenly everyone, save for Inuyasha, turned away sheepishly. "What's the matter?" she asked, surprised.

"Uh, well," Sango began.

"We didn't get Kouga any gifts," Miroku finished.

Kagome blushed and looked at Kouga, "Well, I did invite you sorta last minute."

Kouga smiled and shrugged, "I don't mind at all! It's really fine. I don't care."

There was a poorly hidden collective sigh of relief. "Well then," Kagome said cheerfully, "I guess I'll just give my gift." She reached into her bag and rummaged around for a moment before finding what she was looking for. "Aha!" She handed the object to Kouga.

He took it and smiled. "Thank you, Kagome. So this is what you were talking about. I didn't quite understand. I see what you mean; it's a very good painter."

Kagome laughed, "Yes. Yes, it is." She hugged Kouga briefly, ignoring Inuyasha's poorly suppressed growls.

The frame looked even better in the firelight than it did in the store. The white streaks stood out against the mahogany stain. Inside, Kagome had placed the picture she had taken at Kouga's den. Kouga had his arm around Kagome's waist and she had her arm slung around his shoulder. They were both laughing, their eyes creased in mirth and grins splitting their faces. Both were in the process of doubling over in laughter and so their faces were almost level with the camera. It was a beautiful picture; one of those special few that one gets every once in a while, but remembers for all of time. Inuyasha's growl increased.

Kagome turned around irritably. "What's the matter with you, Inuyasha?"

"Nothing," he muttered.

She didn't argue, but just turned back to admire the photo.

"Thank you, Kagome. I will treasure this forever."

Kagome smiled, "You're welcome. I wanted you to have something nice to remember me by." The two exchanged sad glances, but did not touch the topic again.

Inuyasha did not miss their brief looks and they gave him some semblance of hope, though he could not figure out why.

"OK, Sango why don't you go next?" Inuyasha said.

"No, Kagome can go next," Miroku offered.

"Sango."

"Kagome."

Both girls waved their hands and soothed in unison, "It's fine, I can go first. I don't mind." They stopped and stared at each other for a silent moment before bursting out in loud laughter.

Miroku looked at Kagome hard, sending her a silent message. Oh! Kagome suddenly realized, Miroku's going to propose to Sango today! She nodded and turned to Inuyasha. "I'll go first. I promise there's a good reason for Sango to go last," she murmured.

Inuyasha gave an annoyed grunt, signaling that he accepted her cryptic explanation.

"I'll go first this time," Miroku said. He got up and walked over to Kagome and handed her her gift. It was a large folded piece of fabric. "Thank you, Kagome," Miroku whispered.

"You're welcome," she smiled just as quietly. Kagome opened the thing up and gasped. It was a navy blue kimono with a flock of silver cranes flying across it, their wings outstretched. The collar was silver and the obi matched the color. "Wow, Miroku! How-How did you ever find this? It's beautiful!"

Miroku smiled, "I owe you so much. I hoped you would like it."

"I love it! Thank you so much!" She stood up and hugged Miroku tightly.

Inuyasha barely held in his growl. What am I doing? They're just friends. I don't even like Kagome. Not that way.

Shippou went next. "Kagome! Look what I made for you!" He held out a beaded necklace with the same pattern of pink, blue, and green as Kaede's necklace. "Merry Christmas!"

"Thank you, Shippou! It's beautiful! Would you put it on for me?" She bent down in front of the young kitsune. Shippou took the necklace from her hands and tied it around her necklace.

"Done!" he chirped when he finished tying it.

"Thank you, Shippou," she beamed with a hug.

Sango went next. She smiled at her sister-of-sorts before handing her her gift. Kagome accepted it and held it up to see it better. "It's beautiful, Sango!" she smiled in surprise. It was another beaded necklace, but this one was obviously bought. The beads were sea pearls and the pendant was a silver heart with the kanji for 'friendship' carved into it. "Would you put it on for me too?"

Sango nodded and clasped it in the back of Kagome's neck. "There you go," she said when she finished.

"Thanks," Kagome smiled. "I love it. Thank you, Sango. I'll keep it forever," she promised.

Finally, Inuyasha went last. He got up and walked to the back of the room. The hanyou came back with something in his hands. It shimmered in the crackling firelight. Kagome took it from him with a smile. She stood up, opened it up, and gasped. It was the most beautiful thing she had seen by far that evening, and even ever. It was a cream kimono with a turquoise collar and a matching obi. There were birch tree trunks stretching halfway up the kimono made of silver thread all the way around the bottom. Starting from the left, there were light green leaves on the trees. They slowly turned a brighter green with light pink and white sakura blossoms. These changed into flaming reds and oranges with spots of yellow, which finally died away into nothing, leaving the final branches bare. "They're the four seasons!" Kagome realized. At the top, it was completely black that faded into the cream of the rest of the kimono. Small pearls studded the blackness here and there to symbolize stars. Kagome was close to tears.

Inuyasha and Kouga, smelling them, were immediately at her side. "What's the matter?" Inuyasha asked in concern.

"It's beautiful," she whispered. "I-I've never seen anything like it." She stopped to wipe away the tears from her eyes before they spilled. "It's just that…I could never accept anything like this. And now I feel so awful. I didn't get you anything even close to as wonderful as this."

Inuyasha sighed in relief. He placed his hand on her elbow comfortingly. "You gotta stop worrying and just take the kimono. I want you to have it. Besides, I liked your present. Ramen's my favorite food. It's the best present I got."

"Really?" Kagome asked, her tears fading.

"Yea. But don't let it get to your head," he warned good-naturedly.

Kagome smiled weakly and hugged Inuyasha tightly. She held on for a few moments before letting go, her tears all dried up.

"Better?" he asked gruffly.

Kagome smiled again, "Much. Thank you, Inuyasha. It's a beautiful kimono and I love it. I can't wait to show it to Mama!"

Kouga looked at the ground. "I'm sorry I didn't get you anything, Kagome."

Kagome smiled and patted his shoulder, "You know I don't mind."

Finally, it was Sango's turn. Shippou wanted to go first, and no one argued. He ran into the back of the hut and came back with a bouquet of assorted dried flowers tied together with a ribbon. Sango smiled kindly when she saw them. "They're very nice, Shippou."

"Smell them!" he prompted.

Sango sniffed them tentatively and smiled again. "They smell lovely."

"They'll keep your stuff smelling nice."

Sango hugged him gently. "Thank you, Shippou, I love them."

Inuyasha grinned mischievously as he asked to go next. "Sango, where's your sword?" he asked suddenly.

Sango frowned in confusion, but looked over at the wall where her Hiraikotsu leaned. The sword was not there. "My sword!" she panicked. "It's gone!"

Inuyasha grinned and pulled out her sword. "Calm down, I have it."

Sango shot him a strange look. Why would Inuyasha have my sword? She took it from him and instinctively checked the sheath and the sword for any damage. What she saw surprised her. The sword had been cleaned up and shined until it gleamed. "What happened to it?"

"Well, you could say it's the same thing you did to Kaede's bow. I took it to Totosai."

Sango grinned back, "Thanks, Inuyasha! That was very kind of you! It did need some work."

"I know," Inuyasha remarked dryly.

"Be quiet," she warned good-naturedly.

Kagome glanced at Miroku before saying, "I'll go next." She reached into the bottom of her paper grocery bag, which was now almost completely empty and pulled out a bottle similar to the one she had given to Kaede. This one, however, was a green glass bottle cut in the shape of a diamond. The top was also glass, but translucently white. A label was painted onto one side with a picture of a large jasmine. "It's perfume," Kagome offered helpfully when she placed it carefully in Sango's hands.

Sango opened it and took a deep whiff. "It's jasmine! It smells heavenly!"

Kagome beamed, "So you like it? I hoped you would."

"I love it! Thank you, Kagome!"

Kagome smiled happily and shot a look at Miroku. He nodded subtly.

Miroku walked to the back of the hut and rustled around for a few minutes. Members of the group began to stand up out of curiosity. Finally, after everyone had stood up and begun to try to peek at his doings, Miroku returned to the circle with something small gripped tightly in his fist. He made his way into the center of the circle and turned to Sango with a nervous smile. He bent down on one knee and took a deep breath. "Sango, will you marry me?" He opened his fist to reveal a solid gold ring with a small bright turquoise in the center. The turquoise gleamed and the firelight danced off the band's smooth surface.

Sango was completely and utterly speechless. "Uh…" she murmured intelligently.

Miroku began to sweat slightly. This was a bad idea… She'll never say yes to me!

Sango, however, was having a different argument with herself. I want to say yes…but how can I trust him? How can I trust him not to look at other women?

Kagome sensed her friend's struggle and bent over to whisper in her ear, "Just trust your heart. Don't make my mistake."

Sango smiled at her friend and nodded. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her heart was in favor of saying 'yes', but her common sense was holding her back. 'Don't make my mistake…' Kagome's words echoed through Sango's head. She opened her mouth and licked her lips to wet them slightly as they had dried in all her deep thought. Forget your common sense. Follow your heart. "Yes!" Sango cried. "Yes, I will marry you!" She jumped forward and hugged Miroku tight. He returned the embrace before leaning back and kissing her deeply.

After a moment, both pulled back, breathless. Sango's face was flushed and Miroku's was pulled into a giant grin. "I love you, Sango," he grinned.

Sango's face also split into a grin. "I love you, too, Miroku." She suddenly remembered her surroundings and released Miroku very quickly as her face turned a bright cherry red.

Kagome and Inuyasha laughed in the background.

A couple hours later, Kagome stood up again. "I need to go home. I had a wonderful Christmas with all of you! I'm so glad I got to spend it with you guys!"

Shippou ran over and hugged her leg. "When will you be back?" he asked worriedly.

She laughed, "Tomorrow, Shippou, don't worry."

"Oh," he smiled in relief.

Kagome went and hugged each of her friends in turn and wished them each a Merry Christmas. "Thank you for spending Christmas with me," she said gratefully when she got to Kouga.

"You're welcome. I'm glad I could spend it with you. I'm sorry I didn't bring you a gift."

"I don't mind, really," she promised.

Kagome left the hut and trudged through the snow until she reached the well and jumped down it.

When she reached her house, her mother spotted her immediately. "Hurry, Kagome! Come inside before you freeze!"

"I won't freeze," she assured her mother quickly before stepping inside, "I'm a hanyou now, remember?"

"Oh yes," Mrs. Higurashi giggled sheepishly, "I forgot. Sorry, dear."

"It's alright. Has dinner started? Have the guests arrived?"

Mrs. Higurashi reassured her daughter, "Dinner isn't finished yet, and no, the guests have not arrived. I didn't invite any this year. I figured we didn't need any fuss over you being a hanyou so I told everybody our whole family had come down with a really bad case of the flu, which, as we both know, is very contagious." She smiled mischievously.

Kagome grinned back. "Nice one, Mom."

The two stepped inside. Kagome shed her coat and brushed the snow out of her hair. "After dinner, I need to go do something."

Mrs. Higurashi turned to her daughter, "Oh, dinner won't be done for a little bit. You can do whatever it is now."

"Ok, thanks, Mom."

Kagome went over to the phone, picked it up, and dialed a number. After making three calls, she called back to her mother, "I'm going to give Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi their Christmas presents."

"Don't take too long," her mother called.

"I won't!" Kagome called back. She ran up to her room and grabbed the small plastic bag on her desk and went back downstairs. She put her coat back on, pocketed the bag, donned a pair of warm gloves and a hat and opened the front door. Grandpa and Souta had apparently already shoveled the walkway, so it was easy for Kagome to just walk down the shrine steps onto the street. She strolled down the street until she reached the train station. Kagome caught a train and sat quietly beside the door. When the train finally reached her stop, she stepped out and walked the short distance to the WacDonalds down the road from her school. Kagome pushed open the double doors and briefly scanned the restaurant. She quickly spotted her friends, who were waving noticeably at her, and went over to sit down next to them. "Hey! Merry Christmas!" she greeted.

"Merry Christmas!" they chorused in return.

Kagome faked a cough and smiled weakly, "I'm not going to stay for long because I don't want to get anyone sick. I just wanted to give you your Christmas presents."

The three girls looked delighted, "We have your presents, too!"

Kagome smiled, "Thanks, you guys. I want to go first, though." She reached into her coat and pulled out the plastic bag. She pulled out three small boxes and handed one to each of the three girls.

Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi each opened their respective boxes and squealed in delight. Each identical box had an identical gold locket and chain inside. "Open them," Kagome urged. They did and squealed again. The kanji for friendship had been carved into each.

"Oh my God!" they cried with meaningful looks at each other. Kagome was slightly confused, but said nothing about them. "Thank you, Kagome," they cried happily and each hugged her briefly.

Kagome smiled, "You're welcome. I know I haven't been at school much this year and I've missed you guys, so I wanted to do something special."

"They're beautiful!" Yuka beamed.

"I love it!" Eri shrieked.

"Me too!" Ayumi agreed. "Now it's time for your present!" They giggled and Eri handed her a wrapped box of some sort.

Kagome took it and tore open the paper to find a large book inside. She opened it and gasped. It was full of an assortment of pictures from the past ten years they had attended school together.

"We put this together for you for the same reason," they giggled together. "We didn't want you to forget us with all your sicknesses. We were worried you'd like catch amnesia or something."

Kagome laughed, "You can't catch amnesia. But thanks anyway. You guys are the best friends in the world!" She hugged them each in turn. "So that was what was so funny," she realized with a giggle of her own.

Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi smiled, "Yep, that's what it was."

Kagome stood up with another fake hacking cough. "I better go before I get you guys sick. Thanks so much! Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, Kagome! Thank you!" they chorused as a farewell.

After waving herself out of the restaurant, Kagome hurried back to the train station for the ride home.

The shoji of the dark room slowly slid open and Kagura the Wind Sorceress could feel the air turn icy as her master entered. "Naraku," she stated by way of greeting.

"Kagura," he nodded back, "I have another mission for you."

The young woman stood up expectantly. "Yes?"

"You did well on your first mission. Now that Kyoko is dead, we must move on. Your next victim shall be Kaede."

"The old priestess who houses Inuyasha and Kagome?"

"Yes, that is the one. Kill her."

Kagura grinned evilly, "I shall." She picked up her fan from the floor and followed Naraku out. Once they reached the main corridor, Naraku turned left to his chambers while Kagura turned right and walked out of the mansion. She pulled her feather from her hair, and waved it into its larger form. Kagura climbed onto it and flew off into the distance.

It was night, and Kaede was tossing and turning. She could not sleep. Something was coming; she could feel it. Finally, the old priestess stood up and stepped out of her hut to feel the crisp cold night air blowing on her face. It was cold enough to wake her up. Kaede walked back inside and grabbed her winter cloak before walking back outside again. She began to stroll through the path Inuyasha had cleared for them all. Kaede sighed happily as she took in the dark silhouettes of the forest. The moon in the background cast a strange almost unearthly light over the tops of the trees. How pretty. Suddenly, another silhouette dropped down from the sky before her. "Who's there?" Kaede called out, being careful not to let her nerves show in her voice. All of a sudden, the feeling of foreboding increased tenfold. Kaede tensed visibly. The figure stepped out of the shadows and into a spot of moonlight. "Kagura!" Kaede gasped.

"Hello, Kaede," she greeted sadistically.

"What do you want?" Kaede responded guardedly, fearfully realizing she had not brought her bow with her.

"Your life, Kaede. And I shall have it tonight." Kagura opened up her fan and held it up so it hid her face. "Goodbye, Kaede." Kagura slashed her fan down and a great wind blew Kaede back a few feet. "Dance of Blades!" Kagura cried.

Kaede fought to remain standing, but could feel herself being pushed backward.

I must survive this. Inuyasha will come for me. They need me. I must stay alive. She pushed forward with new determination, but the wind held her in place. Her energy was failing already.

The wind stopped without warning and Kaede had to catch her balance before she fell flat on her face. Kagura grinned at Kaede's struggle. The sorceress flicked her fan shut and then waved it open swiftly. A sharp breeze blew quickly past Kaede, cutting its way through her skin. Kaede dropped to her knees, clutching the gashes on her arms. She silently willed the smell of her blood to find her hanyou friend. Her blood dripped down her arms in rivulets. Kagura took a step forward and Kaede fought the urge to tremble.

Kagura waved her fan across her body and a great wind swept past Kaede again. The priestess's blood flowed more strongly once the wind had passed. Kaede had been pushed onto her back, and there was blood falling from her arms and her legs. Kaede struggled to her feet.

Kagura laughed quietly and swung her fan again, "Dance of Blades!" Kaede, now weaker, was pushed against a tree with the great force of the wind. Once it stopped, Kaede slid down the tree, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. It was getting harder to breathe now. Her chest heaved up and down.

Inuyasha sat up suddenly, stiffly poised with his nose in the air.

"Naraku!" Inuyasha exclaimed in surprise. He jumped up and dashed out of the hut, following his nose fervently. Another smell reached his nose and he gasped. "Kaede's blood!"

Kagura swung her blade once more, crying, "Dance of Blades!" Kaede was forced back against the tree behind her for the second time. Her back met the tree trunk with much more force than the first time, and her weakened state did not help the pain. The miko slid to the base and did not get up again. Her breathing was extremely laboured, and it took all her energy just to inhale and exhale. She could not even move. Her body screamed in agony, but still her faith in her hanyou friend refused to waver.
Inuyasha pushed himself to run faster. It's not a lot of blood, but something tells me that isn't the problem.

Seconds later, he stumbled upon the scene that had beckoned his nose. Kaede lay against a small tree. She looked dead to the hanyou, but his nose and ears told him she was just hanging on to life. "Kaede!"

Kaede stirred very slightly, her eyes squinting open.

"Who did this to you?" Inuyasha demanded. "Was it Naraku? I can smell his stench all over this place."

Kaede opened her mouth, but nothing came out. Inuyasha leaned his ear closer to Kaede's mouth. "K-Ka…gu…ra," Kaede managed to whisper.

Inuyasha moved to pick up the old woman and carry her to the hut, but all of a sudden something happened that left him confused long enough to make him forget his previous thought. Kaede's body flickered for a split second, disappearing and appearing in the blink of an eye. It was as if Kami had chosen not to let Inuyasha blink that exact moment, for if he had, he would have missed it. The event occurred so quickly that by the time Inuyasha had even realized it had happened, the occurrence had long passed. Inuyasha blinked and rubbed his eyes. I'm going crazy, but I can't worry about that now; I need to carry Kaede back home… Sensing the miko's slight movement, Inuyasha turned his attention back to his friend. The old miko then gave one last shuddering breath and her chest moved no more. Inuyasha's finger raced to find her pulse, but it had disappeared. Kaede had died.

She's dead, Inuyasha thought solemnly. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and punched the ground angrily. "Dammnit! I'm going to kill Naraku," he growled menacingly. I need to bring her back anyway.

The sun was beginning to peek its head over the horizon. The scene was fitting for the event that had just passed. The sun was a light yellow. It shed dark rays of maroon and deep crimson that faded into navy and finally into deep black. Dark grey clouds gathered about the rising sun, giving the usually beautiful picture a dark tone.

Sango woke up to the sound of something, but she couldn't remember what it was. The hut was silent. She looked around. Miroku and Shippou were fast asleep, but Kagome and Inuyasha were gone, as was Kaede. Kagome's at home, she told herself. Her instinct still told her something was wrong. It was rare for two of their group to be gone in the middle of the night all at once, especially Kaede. The tajiya poked Miroku out of his slumber. "Miroku," she whispered. "Wake up!"

"Wassamatta?" he slurred.

"Inuyasha and Kaede are gone."

"So? Maybe they went to the bathroom."

"Together in the middle of the night? I think something's wrong."

Miroku rubbed his eyes and sleepily tried to coax Sango back to sleep. "I'm sure they're fine. They can all take care of themselves. Go back to sleep."

"I'm worried, though!" Sango hissed.

Miroku sighed and sat up, yawning. "Why don't we go check, then?"

"Ok." Both stood up and started toward the door but stopped as two figures appeared at the door. Sango stiffened, but Miroku placed a hand on her arm.

"It's just Kagome and Inuyasha." However, one of the figures was carrying the other. As soon as they realized this, both the tajiya and the monk were on alert.

The pair stepped inside, and the atmosphere immediately turned colder at their solemnity. Inuyasha spoke first, his voice belaying the tears she was attempting to hold back. "Kaede is dead." His tone was bland and mechanical, as if he had rehearsed those three words all the way to the hut.

Sango gasped and Miroku's eyes widened. "No!" Sango cried. Both realized the person Inuyasha was carrying was Kaede.

"It's true," Inuyasha sighed sadly.

"How?" Miroku inquired hesitantly.

Inuyasha began to explain. "Kagura came and attacked Kaede while she was out and killed her."

"Kagura killed Kaede?" the small, confused voice of Shippou came.

Inuyasha nodded slowly. "Kaede is dead, Shippou."

The kitsune began to cry. He jumped into Sango's arms and she held him close, trying to hold in her own tears.

"Why?" Sango asked.

"I…I don't know. Kaede had nothing to do with Naraku…" Inuyasha wondered sadly.

Slowly, Sango began to sob until the only one not crying was Inuyasha. The inu hanyou beckoned the group outside to Kaede's lifeless body. Inuyasha picked her up and carried her to the shrine and up its steps until he reached Kikyou's grave. Inuyasha placed Kaede on the ground, bent down, and began to dig. He dug and dug and dug until there was a deep pit before his feet. Inuyasha set Kaede's body down inside the hole and covered her up. Miroku stepped forward and bent his head in prayer, pressing his hands together. After murmuring a quiet chant, he stepped back. Each member of the Inu-gumi stepped up in turn to pay their silent respects to their deceased friend. When they were all finished, Miroku placed one of his prayer beads onto the grave in place of a gravestone. "She will forever rest in peace beside her beloved sister," Miroku whispered.

They all walked back to Kaede's hut. "What a thing for Kagome to come back to," Sango remarked through her tears.

Miroku nodded and took Sango's hand, squeezing it for comfort. Shippou snuggled closer in Sango's other arm.

Inuyasha stared hard at the ground, concentrating on appearing strong, but inside, he was crying just like everyone else. They reached the hut and all sat down, the air settling about them heavily

Hours of silence had passed by when Inuyasha and Shippou suddenly sat up straight. "What's the matter?" Sango asked worriedly.

"Kagome's back!" they cried happily. It was the first good thing about the day.

Sango stood up and took Inuyasha's arm as he moved to leave. "Don't tell her until she's back here," she warned.

Inuyasha nodded and leapt away.

The youkai pair reached the well just as Kagome was leaping out. "Hey, Inuyasha! Hey, Shippou!"

Both had bittersweet looks on their faces. "Kagome, we need to tell you something," Inuyasha began seriously. "We want to tell you back at the hut though. Come on."

Shippou jumped into Kagome's arms and the two hanyous walked back to the hut.

As soon as Kagome walked into the hut, she knew something was terribly wrong. "Hi, Kagome," Sango and Miroku greeted.

"Hey, you guys. What's up?"

"Kagome," Inuyasha began somberly, "Kaede died last night."

"What!" Kagome cried.

"Kagura came and murdered her last night as she was walking. We found her in her last moments, but Kagura was long gone by then."

Kagome sat down hard. "No way."

"It's true," Sango sniffed, hugging her friend.

Sango's fresh tears brought on Kagome's and soon the hut was filled with sobs once more. Even Inuyasha was having trouble keeping his composure.

"Where is she now?" Kagome inquired.

"We've buried her next to Kikyou," Miroku replied.

Kagome stood up and walked out to the shrine. She knelt before Kaede's grave and prayed to her before standing up again. The kitsune hanyou wiped her tears and turned around to find Inuyasha watching her. "Will you be okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Yea, I'll be fine. I just wish…more than anything, that I had killed Kagura last time. Then, this never would have happened."

"Naraku would have just sent another minion," Inuyasha responded heavily. He squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

Kagome ran into her hanyou's arms, crying into his chest.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Inuyasha embraced her back, holding her tightly. "Shh," he soothed, "She lived a long life."

Kagome nodded into his chest.

After a bit, the two separated and started to walk back to the hut.
–tear– I know, it's so sad… I'm sure many of you aren't too happy with me right now, but you have to stick with me, ok? I assure you, it WILL be a happy ending. I will never write an angsty ending. Take comfort in that.

I have a little request. After my graduation, after most of my tears had subsided, I was hit with some small inspiration in the form of poetry and I wanted to know what y'all think of it.

Goodbyes are strange things...

You begin to miss those least expected.

Memories of times long past come rushing back

And suddenly they mean more than they ever did back then,

And in that solemn weeping moment,

All grudges are forgotten

Until you walk away.

And those you don't forget,

Haunt you as you leave

And you wish you had bid them farewell after all.

Goodbyes are strange things indeed.

Tell me what you think!

Personal reviews:

TaintedInuShemeeko – Aww thanks! I'm glad you liked it. Honestly, though, I think I outdid myself in this one, if I do say so myself. It was a lot of work! 20 pages! Hope you liked it!

BeccaPatty – Sorry I took so long to update… Will you forgive me anyway? Hehe yea, I was wondering what Shippou could do to get gifts… I'm glad you liked my idea! Hope you liked this chapter too!

Selene-Capri Jordan – Glad you liked it! I didn't add in everything…but that's because I haven't had time. Once I finish the story and you've finished editing it, I'll go back and make the changes. Yes! R&Rers make me HAPPY! Guess what! I've decided to make this story longer! I'm so excited to keep writing it! Thanks for reviewing!