Prologue
"Tag, you're it!" InuYasha yelled as he ran in the opposite direction.
"Not for long Dog Face!" Miroku yelled back as he gave chase to the young half demon.
"C'mon guys, cut it out." Sango yelled. "We're going to be late meeting Kagome."
"We won't either." Came the Hanyou's response as he turned around to face the whining girl.
"Gottcha!" Miroku yelled as he tackled InuYasha to the ground.
"mmf amf."
"What was that?" Miroku asked as he climbed off the hanyou.
"I said, 'No fair.' I wasn't paying attention!" he pouted.
"Your loss." Miroku replied, ignoring the growl that came from InuYasha's direction.
"Stop goofing off you two." Said Sango, sounding more than a little exasperated. "We promised Kagome we would meet her ten minutes ago." She pushed past the arguing boys and headed off in the direction of the Higurashi shrine.
As the group climbed the stairs to the shrine, it became apparent that something was wrong. Kagome was sitting alone under the large God Tree, crying.
"Kagome," Sango said, concern lacing her voice, "What's wrong?"
"I-I have to go away!" Kagome wailed.
"What do you mean 'go away?' " Sango asked.
"My mom says that I have to go live with my aunt for a while." Kagome replied between sobs.
Go away? She can't go away! She's my best friend! InuYasha's thoughts raced as panic griped at his chest. What would he do without her?
"It'll be alright." Sango said, trying to soothe her distressed friend. "We'll write to each other every day and when you come back it will be like you never went anywhere."
"P-Promise?" Kagome sniffed
"Promise!" All three friends replied as one.
"Thanks guys." She said smiling as she got to her feet. She hugged each of her friends in return, lingering a bit longer when she came to InuYasha.
"Promise me you won't forget me, no matter what." She told him.
"I promise." He said as he let the girl go.
"I suppose I'd better go," she said, tears springing to her eyes once more. "We're supposed to leave later tonight."
"Bye Kagome." Sango said, hugging her friend one last time.
"Yeah, bye." Miroku said.
"See you guys when I get back. Bye InuYasha."
The Hanyou just nodded in response while looking at the ground. He didn't trust himself to speak.
It wasn't supposed to happen this way, he thought as he watched his best friend walk away. Would they really see each other again or were they just kidding themselves? InuYasha sighed as he turned to walk away. I guess only time will tell