/ AN: After posting a few one shots to get into the swing of things, I am pleased to be writing out a proper story for my all time favourite anime couple - Inuyasha and Kikyou! There will be a little bit of Sesshomaru and Kikyou just for a little change of pace and because I'm oddly intrigued by some sort of relationship between them. But don't worry my InuxKik lovers, it will ALWAYS be InuxKik! I strive to keep the characters as close as possible to cannon, but naturally there will be a couple little changes to make it original. I've posted the first three chapters just to see what you all think of it so far. My goal for new chapters is based on my muse. As long as I have muse to write for that story I will continue to post chapters at least once a month, if not once a week. Constructive criticism and positive feedback is much appreciated so I hope you all enjoy this new story of mine. Happy reading my lovlies. XO /

When Hearts Collide

Chapter 1

Alas Naraku had been vanquished from the Feudal Era and the Shikon Jewel was no more.

For the past three years peace had finally come upon the land which seemed to be a foreign thing for most. Naraku and his band of demons did nothing but torture and destroy the people around them. There were still demons around however, there always would be, but not the kind that was Naraku.

Everyone was at peace for the most part.

Miroku and Sango were married with three kids.

Shippo was training to be a great fox demon.

Kohaku was training to be a great demon slayer like his sister Sango.

Myoga was living with Totosai - and staying away from danger of course.

Koga and Ayame were married.

And Inuyasha and Kagome were together at last. Not married, but they were talking about it - well, more so Kagome was. Inuyasha couldn't seem to jump on the band wagon as easily as he thought he would.

After the final battle, Inuyasha realized he had to come to a decision between the human girl Kagome he had grown to love, or the undead priestess Kikyou who was his first love and whom he still loved to this day. It wasn't fair to string the two of them along any more then he had and have his secret and not so secret encounters with Kikyou. He had to make a decision and it definitely wasn't an easy one by any means. In the end however, Inuyasha chose Kagome over Kikyou. The decision even surprised Kagome to quiet a degree. She thought as long as Kikyou was around, she would never stand a chance in being with Inuyasha but it turns out she was wrong and his decision left her surprised.

Kikyou on the other hand wasn't as surprised. She knew to some degree that Inuyasha's choice would be Kagome. It was the right one to make. After all, what kind of future could the two of them have? She was dead and he was among the living. She was a clay body made of her bones and her graveyard soil. Her soul was still in her body though which is what made her Kikyou still. She was a little different from the Kikyou 50 years ago, but she was still Kikyou nonetheless.

To make things easier on everyone, Kikyou left the village she was born in where her sister Kaede still resided in. It was also the village that Miroku and Sango lived with their children as well as Kagome and Inuyasha. If Kagome was not in the picture that is where Kikyou would have resided in, but when Inuyasha brought it to her attention that when choosing Kagome, that Kagome chose to live her life in the Feudal Era with him, Kikyou knew there was no place for her there and that she had to move on with her life. Besides, after what Inuyasha and Kikyou had been through, this was for the best. That's what she had to keep telling herself even though the decision did hurt. Kikyou could admit that much to herself despite how prepared she was for it.

Far, far away from them all, Kikyou found a new place to call home. It was a nice peaceful little village, much like the one she used to know. She was still a priestess there, tending the wounded, protecting the village, teaching and playing with the children and helping with the daily chores and such. It was a life she knew all too well. Perhaps she just wasn't meant to be an ordinary woman. Even with the Shikon Jewel gone, Kikyou was still a priestess. Then again, the only way she would have been an ordinary woman was if she had that ordinary life to share with someone; someone like Inuyasha. But he was no longer in her reach, they made that very clear to each other. So she had to move on, just like him. Not to mention she was one of the dead, no one would accept that and be with her, not that Kikyou made that public knowledge to anyone who knew her.

It was fine though, as the days went by the hurt Kikyou felt that day continued to ebb away.

"Lady Kikyou!"

A young girl in a two tone orange kimono with a green sash and raven colored hair came running towards her waving. She was carrying what looked liked an empty basket in her hand with a cheerful smile. It was Rin. She was the girl among all the other children Kikyou took to most.

With a smile, Kikyou acknowledged her presence as she neared closer.

"Hello Rin, How are you today?"

"Great! Are we still going to gather herbs today? You promised you'd show me how to make them into medicine."

The little girl exclaimed cheerfully. Kikyou nodded her head with a smile.

"And a promise is a promise. I see you even got a basket with you."

The priestess observed.

"You bet I did. I got a good sized one so we could fill it right to the top!"

She grinned, making Kikyou smile back. The girl and children in general always warmed her heart and put her in a better mood.

"That's good. Now shall we get going?"

Bouncing her head in a nod, Rin took hold of Kikyou's hand and the two ventured into the forest where Kikyou could keep her promise. Rin held a lot of promise in wanting to be a priestess when she grew up, something which Kikyou even complimented Rin on, making her overjoyed. Whenever she did something, she always told Sesshomaru of her day - Inuyasha's elder brother who was a full fledged demon. Surprisingly enough, Sesshomaru and the little imp Jakan along with Ah-Un visited Rin from time to time. Despite his cold nature, Kikyou could see Sesshomaru still cared for the little girl who travelled with him. Although as of recently his visits to the village had been rather common.

The only thing was, they would have to meet in secret in the forest as to not alarm the villagers of a demon. Sesshomaru was a full demon unlike his brother who was half, but at least with Inuyasha, Kikyou had a little control over him and the village warmed up to the half demon. With Sesshomaru it would be the opposite. But that was fine, Kikyou usually gave Sesshomaru and Rin their time alone before she returned with Kikyou back to the village.

So would Sesshomaru be by today? Kikyou had an inkling he would be. It had been at least seven days since the last visit. So she kept her senses alert for a strong demonic presence.

/ AN: I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter which was a little intro to everything in a three year time span. So now let's find out what happens when Sesshomaru drops by for a visit. Happy reading my lovlies. Until next time. XO /