"So, you've decided to leave, huh?" I asked, watching the fish in the river. I and Kage were sitting on a meadow, near a thin, cold river. Yep, it was Kage who shot. He told me that the Neko broke into his secret lair after trapping Akari in a solid, paralyzing cage. Then, he and Kage had a long, exhaustive fight, but the Cat was one of the strongest under the Gray Cat, plus, he had the advantage - the suprise effect. So, the tricky Neko stabbed Kage with a dagger and thought that he killed the ice demon. The Cat, being a very skilled shape-shifter transformed into Kage, changing the smell also. Luckily, Kage was too good to just die, so he picked a random weapon and followed the Neko demon.

"I think so," Kage replied thoughtfully, "Now that the Neko's know where to seek me, I'm not safe here anymore."

"What about Akari?" I asked again, still not looking at him. Instead, I found the silver, glittering fish more easier to stare at.

"She's going with me. No sweat, I'll be trying to write to you," my partner smiled, looking at me. I fell silent afterwards, but still didn't look up. I felt oddly empty inside, my gaze was dull, my voice was monotone.

"I'll miss ya."

"I will miss you, Kage."

"... Don't go..."

"For Hell's Sake, Kikyo!" I blinked slowly, snapping out of my trance as Kage raised his voice and his hands landed on mine shoulders, shaking me. "Look at me! What's with you?!"

"Huh...?" I was forced to look at him. Just then I took notice that he was talking non stop. But, of course, I wasn't listening.

"I was asking you what's up in the D. Lair! Didn't you hear me?"

"Uh..." was he really talking to me? I was sure that it was silence between us. Or maybe I was too lost in my thoughts to notice...

Kage sighed. "I repeat: Did you began to trust anyone in the mansion BESIDE Inuko?"

"Oh! Well, um..." I stuttered out. Come to think of it, I did. They still weren't my friends, but I did start to trust one of them. "Yes, I did."

"See? I was right!" Kage smiled in triumph. "So... Who is it?"

I stared at him dully. "What do you mean 'who'?"

"Oh, you know what I meant..." he grinned slyly. I felt my face heat up, but I've managed to control it.

"He's my teammate, Kage," I said sternly, getting rid of the soft blush.

"Ah, teammate, mate, whatever! What matters that you can trust him!" the ice demon laughed, teasing me, but stopped suddenly, when water splashed on his face. I held an annoyed expression upon my face, my eye twitching in anger. My claws were dug into an innocent fish which I caught in a matter of seconds.

"Care to say it again...?" I questioned in a low, dangerous voice. Kage laughed nervously.

"So, how's Inuko-chan?"

"Just great," I said, munching the fresh fish.

"Aw, come on! What's up?" my partner looked at me, curious and worried. And, I told him everything. About the Kiken guy. About her strong bond with the others. Words were pouring from my mouth unstoppably, with great speed and my voice was shaking with different emotions so Kage had to pay double attention to understand me.

"I suggest you should keep an eye on this Kiken person. But, don't be too paranoid over it..." he said slowly after I've done talking and was catching my breath. "If the guy won't be any bad, let Inuko-chan play with him, chill. She's not a baby anymore, Kikyo."

"I know that..." I mumbled bluntly.

"And she doesn't need your extra protection she did 2 years ago,"

The first ray of the rising sun hit our faces, warming up the cold air. I prayed that the moment wouldn't take place. I knew what that meant. And I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all...

Something cold covered my hand; I looked down and saw Kage's hand on top of mine. I had only one wish at the moment: I wished that the Sun would burn out, leaving the world covered with pure darkness, sweet and calming. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was a bitch. The Sun was unstoppable.

A short howl coming from somewhere not too far away brought me back on Earth and I looked at Kage; Akari was heading our way. As soon as I looked at his face, our eyes locked together. It wasn't any romantic moment, that was for sure. It wasn't love. Right there, I was forced to admit something I was hiding from MYSELF for a long time, because I was afraid of ending hurt,

"Kage is my best friend. He, Akari and Inuko. They are my best friends. My family."

I turned my head and glanced behind as the howl repeated, this time it was louder. Looking through my shoulder, I saw Akari standing near us, her reddish fur shining in the morning sun, her intensive red eyes flashing with sadness. The wolf came closer slowly, her back left leg bleeding slightly. I put my hand on her head and ran my fingers through her soft fur tenderly. I sensed her current mood which was sorrow. I wasn't so happy either. From all of my friends, me and Akari shared the ears, tail and habits. How silent my nights will become when I won't have to wait for her howl! How boring will the full-moon night be, when I won't have any competition in 'who will howl louder'!

After a while of petting Akari's head I realized that Kage's hand is still on top of mine. I faced him. He was gazing into my eyes for a moment, then he pulled me into a warm, tight embrace. I froze. Usually, Kage wasn't so open! But, slowly, I hugged him back. Closing my burning eyes, I let the wind caress my face and play with my long, silver hair.

"I'm not sure if I'll be able to write to you long letters," Kage whispered, "I have one move favor to ask you..."

"... Yes?"

"... Don't change. Be happy."

Something warm rolled down my cheek; it was a tear, which soon was followed by a cascade of other tears. I was crying.

Really gonna miss you

It's really gonna be different without you

Time is gonna be hard and slow

For the rest of my life

Gonna be thinking about you

Time came when you had to go

"Kikyo-san!" Inuko came up to me running. I had no idea how I came back, the sun was now high in the cloudless sky. Inuko was dressed in an orange tank top and brown baggy pants, dark brown sandals on her feet.

"I was so worried when I came into your room and found an empty bed!" the girl continued, the worried expression was broke by a big, cheerful smile. "Since you're up, we could start our training now!"

Training. She was talking about the training I've promised her. But, after what happened, I wasn't in the mood. Gazing at her dully, I said, "I'm sorry, Inuko. I can't right now,"

"Why not? Kikyo-san, what happened?" Inuko asked with worry.

I opened my mouth, but closed it. I had to snap out of my daze. I had to tell somebody what I feel. I needed to talk. To clear things up, to free my emotions.

I fell to my knees and hugged Inuko tightly. Again, a tear escaped my eye, but only one. Inuko, startled at first, hugged me back, waiting for me to start.

"Kage's gone... Akari too..." I whispered, feeling very exhausted. My voice sounded like sandpaper in my ears. The girl said nothing, just hugged me tighter, burying her head in my shoulder; she was Kage and Akari's friend, too.

'Gone'

Inuko didn't move, nor did I. We just were there, hugging each other. My gaze was still as bit dull, like I didn't know what I was doing or where was I. A weird feeling was rising inside of me, and it wasn't only sorrow... It was something more, something bigger, more powerful. I wasn't able to name this feeling, but it was burning me, it made my tail twitch and bristle.

"What now...?" Inuko's shy voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Will we see them again sometime?"

"I hope so," all of a sudden, as fast as the wave of exhaustion hit me, it disappeared.

"Be happy"

"Let's go training," I straightened my figure and smiled down at the confused girl before me, "Inuko-chan."