Cry
Disclaimer: I do not own any part of InuYasha. All characters and story lines belong to Rumiko Takahashi.
She'd once promised herself she would never cry.
It had been just after she had received the Shikon no Tama. She hadn't been used to the incessant hordes of demons chasing her for the pale jewel, and one particular demon had caught her off guard. She had been out gathering flowers with Kaede – the little girl had insisted on bringing her sister along for the task. Kikyo hadn't collected flowers of the non-medicinal variety for years, and she had been unsure about the frivolous task. After all, she had many other things to attend to.
But her sister's hopeful smile and eager hands at her sleeve had convinced her otherwise. So Kikyo had found herself bent in two, plucking wildflowers to form a small posy.
The demon's stealth had thrown her. It had been a big, bulky youkai – she hadn't been sure of its heritage, but if she had to hazard a guess, she would have said bull. The large quadruped had announced its presence with a loud bellow, and had proceeded to charge her little sister.
Kikyo's heart had leapt to her throat. She had dropped her bouquet and cast around frantically for her bow and arrow, her heart sinking once she realized she hadn't brought her weapon.
Stupid woman! Did you think you would be out of harm's way merely because you were out picking flowers?
The demon had gored her sister's side before she could react. Kikyo had stood motionless as Kaede was sent sprawling, blood flowing freely from the wound in her side. The bull demon had turned its sights on her next, and charged.
Kikyo had held out her hands instinctively, and as soon as the bull came within five feet of her, the very air had pulsated with power. The pale jewel at her neck had lent her strength, and she had purified the youkai almost effortlessly.
She had stood there for a few moments, taken aback by the power she had used. She had stood there while her sister bled her life's blood away into the grass, and when she had finally remembered Kaede's condition, she had thought she was too late.
She remembered crouching by her sister's side, her eyes stinging. Kaede had looked so pale, so still. Kikyo was well known for being cool and emotionless – many even ventured to say that the lovely priestess wouldn't shed a tear for her own family. That day at the meadow, though, Kikyo had felt the overwhelming sense of pain and loss that accompanied a dear one's death.
Kaede had not died. She had healed, and in a fortnight was as chirpy as ever.
Kikyo was not. Kikyo never really smiled after that.
That incident had reminded Kikyo of the need to be impassive and forever alert. She had almost allowed herself to succumb to weakness by Kaede's side. She knew others would never see tears of true anguish as a frailty.
She had thought otherwise.
How ironic, then, that the very time she wanted to cry – for the first and last time in her life – she couldn't. Kikyo had never loathed her clay body more than that day. Her last day.
Nestled in InuYasha's strong arms, she had wanted to weep so badly. Not out of anger or sorrow, but out of a sense of relief. Everything was finally over. She didn't need to suffer anymore. As night swept across the sky, she had felt her body weaken as the souls left it, one by one. InuYasha felt it as well, and he had lowered his face to hers and kissed her.
She had tasted his tears in that kiss. When he had drawn away, she could still feel the dampness on her cheeks. Her eyes had shone weakly at him, asking him to promise her that he would be happy.
She had closed her eyes. It had been easy to pretend that the wetness on her face had been of her creation.
AN: I'm just churning these out, aren't I… 660 words.
