Chapter 5

Good-bye's

Elli picked up Kagome's backpack and she and Inuyasha started walking back towards the den. Outside sat Sango and Miroku, deep in conversation. Kirara was next to Sango, listening intently. Right by the waterfall was Kagome and Shippo, talking and laughing. Elli could hear a deep discussion in the den. Once Elli and Inuyasha were in sight, the group stopped what they were doing and stared at them. Inuyasha walked over to Kagome and Shippo, but Elli just sat there away from everyone. Sango came over to Elli.

"I heard about what happened in there," she said.

"Mm-hm."

"If you're willing to kill for him, you must really like Inuyasha."

"Mm-hm."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Is Kagome okay?"

"A little shocked still, but okay."

"I'm planning on leaving."

"What?"

"I'm going to leave and get off your hands. I don't want to hurt someone else."

"I was like that once. But look what it got me. I got great friends out of it."

"I can't stay with you. I have to destroy Naraku on my own. I over-reacted and almost killed Inuyasha and Kagome. I can't allow myself to do that again."

"Hm. We'd love for you to stay."

"I just can't, Sango. I wish I could."

Sango hugged Elli. Elli was surprised. The last time anyone had hugged her was when she was a young kitten, about three. Before her mother died. Elli hugged Sango in return. "Thank you," Elli said.

"Your welcome, anything for a friend."

Sango got up and walked away.

"Kagome?" Elli called. Kagome stopped talking and glanced at Elli. "Could you come here for a moment?" Kagome got up and walked over to Elli.

"Yes Elli?" she asked.

"I'm so sorry. You have my deepest apologies, Kagome. I was way out of line. I shouldn't have done that."

"You're right, you shouldn't have. But I forgive you."

"You do?"

"Yes. It was wrong of me to do that right there."

"It doesn't matter. You had the right to do that. I over-reacted and tried to kill you. And I regret every bit of it."

"Hm."

"So I'm leaving."

"What?"

"I'm gonna hunt Naraku on my own. I don't want to risk this happening again."

"But can't you control yourself? Can't you stay?"

"No."

"Please stay, Elli."

"I'm sorry. I've made my decision."

"I guess there's no use in persuading you."

"Nope." She smiled. "We'll meet again."

"I do hope so."

In the morning the group started to leave. Everyone said good-bye to Elli.

"Good-bye Elli. Until we meet again," Miroku said.

"Good-bye, Miroku. Hope to see you soon."

"See you Elli! I'll miss you!" Sango called.

"Good-bye!"

Shippo and Kirara played with her for a minute before departing.

"So long, Elli. Good luck finding Naraku, but I will have already killed him by the time you see him," Inuyasha told her.

"Good-bye, Inuyasha," was all she could say.

"Take care. We'll catch up to ya soon," Kagome said.

"See you."

Elli waved as the group walked off into the forest. She walked into the cave.

"Have you thought about my question, Elli?" Koga asked.

"Yes. And I've decided I need to be on my own for a while. But I'll be back soon enough, wolfboy."

"Hm. Okay then. If you must go, eat first." Koga brought out a dead pig and sat it in front of Elli. Koga and Elli started digging in, after all, they were carnivores.

"Thank you, Koga," Elli said.

"Any time."

As Elli sped off, she called, "See ya, wolfboy!"

Koga just laughed.