Chapter One Death of a Miko
"Kikyo, I'm sorry... but I have to do this."
Inu-yasha stood at the edge of the forest that bore his name, tetsusaiga held high over his head. Behind him, Kagome stood; pale, with her hands over her mouth in shock.
"You mean 'do this again', don't you, you deceitful hanyou! You said you loved me, you liar!" Kikyo stood before Inu-yasha, shadowed by the tetsusaiga that was held above her head. She would not back down. I
Inu-yasha's arm trembled and his voice cracked, "Wind Scar", he choked out as he brought the massive sword down over the beautiful miko.
"Kikyo... "He whispered, trembling.
The resurrected priestess was bathed in bright light as the souls she had absorbed to survive were released back into the atmosphere, at peace at last. As the last soul was released, her skin crumpled in to a pale dust and blew away in the wind. Inu-yasha fell to his knees.
"Inu-yasha... why?" whispered a frightened Kagome behind him, "what did you do?"
Inu-yasha jumped up and quickly turned upon her, forcing Kagome to fall back in fear. His appearance startled her: his face was drenched in sweat and bright red, as if he was exerting himself, but it was nothing to the red that flashed in his eyes. With one leap, he landed in front of Kagome, grabbing her by the shoulders, digging his claws into her skin. He shook her with every word.
"Kagome," he growled, baring his fangs, "Go home, you're done here. I don't want you here anymore, you don't belong here!"
He released her suddenly and jumped up, disappearing into the trees above them. Kagome stood, frightened and shaken up. What had just happened? Did she do something to cause Inu-yasha to become so angry at her? So hostile? What had happened with Kikyo? Inu-yasha was supposed to be in love with Kikyo, why had he killed her? Could he blame Kagome for Kikyo's death?
Blinded by tears, Kagome made her way to the bone eater's well, knowing that, this time, the likelihood was that she might never come back to feudal Japan.