Kagura slowly came closer to the Taisho manor. It was already late afternoon and she hoped to meet all three Taisho men. Kagome had been specific and Kagura had sworn to help her, even if only to secure Kagome's help for her and Kanna.

She took a few deep breaths, walked up and rang the doorbell. She was more than nervous, all three men were a danger and she needed to make sure she didn't anger them. But by the way Kagome described them and the things Kagura had noticed before she only knew that the young priestess meant very much to them. Just as much as they seemed to mean to her, or even more.

Touga opened the door, his hair bound, but slightly disheveled. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were home, some friends of them also, and they had been trying to compare notes on what could have happened, Touga and his sons knowing better than to reveal the prophecy.

He looked at the visitor curiously. It was a woman who wore sunglasses and a red scarf, hiding parts of her black hair. She wore black jeans to a tight red tank top and a black jacket.

"Yes, what can I do for you?"

She looked around and then straight into his eyes after assessing him. "Touga Taisho?"
"Yes?" he straightened.

"Are your sons at home?"

He tensed slightly. "They are."

She relaxed a good deal but still stood too straight. "I've got a message for you and them."

"From whom?"

She once again looked around before leaning forward, her red-painted lips curving into a humorless smile. "Someone who means very much to you."

"Stop the riddles immediately." He growled.

She sighed, her smiled dissolving into a frown. "Just let me in, I can't say anything more out here."

She looked suspicious, and Touga let her in, though always keeping watch over her.

She relaxed more and sighed relieved as he closed the door. "Thanks. It'd be far too dangerous outside."

"Who are you and what do you want?" he asked dangerously.

"My identity doesn't matter." she waved a hand and he noticed her delicately manicured nails. "I bear message from Kagome."

All breath left him. "Kagome?" he whispered.

"Call your sons together, there is something she wants you all to know." she said, nodding gratefully. Kagome hadn't been wrong. They cared for her far too much and wouldn't stop searching if not what she was going to do now would happen.

Touga brokenly gestured down the hall. "Living room." He breathed out.

She nodded, grasped his shoulder and pushed him forward.

...

Sesshomaru's brow furrowed when his father stumbled back into the room.

He was mumbling under his breath and seemed deep in thought.

"Who was at the door, father?"

Inuyasha then noticed the figure in the doorway. "Hey, who're you, wench?"

She smiled humorlessly and looked over the gathered people, knowing exactly who everyone was. Kagome's descriptions were really good and Kagura could identify everyone.

"My identity doesn't matter. But I bring you message from Kagome." she came into the room.

Gasps and open mouths followed her statement and she sighed. "I don't have much time, so calm down and listen."

Sesshomaru focused on her. She had message from Kagome. That meant she was alright and would probably return soon. He couldn't wait to touch her again, close his arms around her and keep her safe from any harm. She would never leave him again.

"Kagome wants me to tell you all that she's sorry." Kagura nodded. "She told me about all of you, and she is terribly sorry."

Touga had pulled himself together. "She is alright?"

Kagura nodded. "She is." She was omitting the fact that Kagome was changing and pushing her past away. And that they all were part of that past.

She sighed and pulled out a few envelopes. "She asked me to pass these along."

"When will she return?" Kouga asked eagerly, feeling better that she was alright and thinking of them.

But Kagura didn't even acknowledge his question and began distributing the letters.

"This one is for Sango." she said and walked towards the girl. "And it comes with something else." she said cryptically. Sango stood up, nodding and holding Kagura as they hugged.

"She wanted me to give you a big hug should I see you in person." Kagura whispered.

"Thanks." Sango whispered back, and took the envelope after they let go of each other.

"Touga." she read out loud, giving him a thicker envelope.

"Inuyasha." the young man nearly attacked her to get the letter.

"And Sesshomaru." she gave the last envelope to the 'fine specimen', as Kagome had described him, and Kagura could only agree. He was one fine specimen indeed.

"Please open them in private." she added quickly.

"There is nothing for me?" Kouga asked with wide eyes.

"You are Kouga, right?" Kagura asked neutrally.

"Yes." he nodded.

"She told me about you. But you are right, there is no letter for you." the woman shrugged, then looked at her watch. "I have to go."

Touga suddenly grasped her arm as she tried to exit. "When will she return?"

He saw raw emotion flitting over her face for just a mere moment, then it returned to her mask, too fast to define what had washed over her. Guilt? Pity? Sorrow? "Who can say?" Kagura answered neutrally. "I certainly don't know."

Touga nodded his assent and then – as fast as the wind – she was gone.

…

Touga opened his envelope in his study mere minutes later. He was eager to see what Kagome wanted to tell him. Seemingly it couldn't wait.

Inuyasha ripped it open on the way to his room, after bringing his friends to the door.

Sesshomaru gently opened it while he entered his room, then sat on the bed to read it.

Sango opened it the moment she reached home.

All letters began with the same seven words:

I am sorry, I will not return.

…