"I can't."

"You can, Kagome. You can do it. You can forget him."

"Dammit, Miroku, it's not that simple!"

"How do you know?"

"Because he was everything! EVERYTHING. He's been everywhere! He was all I ever wanted! He was the air I breathed! He was the space that filled my soul! He was the gap in between reality and illusion! Miroku, I would have died for him, KILLED for him! I can't forget!

I can't! When you spend so long loving someone, you can't just drop those feelings! I can't! I can't!"

Miroku shifted, stepping up behind her and laying his hand on her shoulder. No matter how she tried to hide it, he could still feel her shaking.

"You can't, or you won't?"

She took a deep breath in, closing her eyes tightly, taking the quick flash of gold and holding it there.

"Sango is waiting for you," she whispered hoarsely.

His grip tightened. "She awaits both of us."

"I am sorry."

"Don't do this."

"I loved him."

"We all did."

"Not as I did."

"Please, Kagome."

"Miroku..."

She turned to face him, a peaceful smile on her face, and he dropped his hand to his side at the familiar sight. She was older now, with salt and pepper hair and many wrinkles in her face, but she still had the same beautiful smile.

"He's waiting for me," she whispered.

Miroku's mouth tightened, the corners quivering downward. Kagome leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him, squeezing as hard as she could. He seemed to sag into her, laying his head on top of hers for a moment, remembering sunny days and old adventures. When she let go, he huffed out a shaky breath. His eyes were watery, but he smiled all the same.

"Till we meet again, Kagome-sama."

"I will miss you, Miroku."

He turned away and shut his eyes tightly, clenching his fists by his sides.

There was a rush of air, a slip of gravel, and when he looked back a moment later, the priestess was gone.

When she opened her eyes, the first thing she noticed was the blinding light; it was so bright it made her shut them again immediately.

He was the second thing.

"Damn, wench, it's about time you woke up!"

At the sound of his voice, her eyes flew open once more. She felt her heart clench, his name stuck in her throat, and then she was moving, getting up and propelling herself towards him with as much force as she could muster.

"Inuyasha!"