Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.
Pretending
Characters: Kikyou and Inuyasha
Rating: PG
Pairings: Implied Kikyou and Inuyasha
Summary: Sometimes, it's ok to pretend for just a little while.
It is the same routine. She appears, but walks away, and he runs after her, leaving his friends to wait for his return. It never changes.
The two are silent as they meet, their gazes lingering at the other for a long while before they whisper eachother's names in turn. It never changes.
They talk about things that distract them from what's really on their minds. They talk about strategies, pointless strategies that they know cannot work. They never had. They talk about the same things, the topic always remaining the same. It never changes.
They talk like nothing happened between them at all; talk like the betrayal never happened. They talk because it's the only thing they can do to control themselves.
If they didn't talk, they couldn't keep back their memories, memories of their past relationship. If they didn't talk, pointless tears would be shed, hollow filled embraces would be exchanged, all meaningless. So, they continue to talk, for they don't want to remember.
But, they can't always talk forever. They slip into silence and stare into the other's eyes. Memories appear, playing in their minds, crystal clear. They know things cannot go back to how they were fifty years ago. They are over, and that is that.
However, when he takes a step toward her, she looks up at him, sadness and regret lurking in her chocolate orbs. And he can't stand it any longer. He forces her into an embrace, and she sheds a single tear.
They stay in the embrace for a few moments, and she doesn't return it. She continues to let tears slide from under her eyes. She regrets not talking longer. She didn't want this to happen, she didn't want to be reminded. But, when she feels his arms tighten around her, she suddenly forgets.
They both forget. The present is no more. They are in the past, once again, to a time fifty years ago, when they were in love. That is all they know. That is all they want to know.
She returns his embrace, the tears gone. He tightens it even more, and the world around them has disappeared. But, their dream is shattered when a girl's calls are heard. He reluctantly pulls away, the sadness in his eyes once more. Her crying starts once again. They talk more pointless words, and he walks away, going back to what is real, what is in the present.
She is left alone, but both are left to remember. As they exchange one final glance they think, sometimes, it's ok to pretend. Because, sometimes, they don't want to remember at all.