Kikyo sat with her back against a tree in a meadow as she looked into the distance. It was early morning. She heard footsteps approaching coming from the direction she was looking toward. Sesshomaru came out and stood before her.
"Kikyo." Sesshomaru said.
"Sesshomaru? What do you want with me?"
"I have something you need, and I feel that I must give it to you."
"What could you have that I would want?" Kikyo asked. Sesshomaru took his Tensaiga out from it's sheath and held it up. He looked toward Kikyo with his usual blank look on his face.
"A sword?" Kikyo wondered.
"A sword of healing… the Tensaiga. If I strike you with this you will have true life again." Sesshomaru stated. Kikyo gasped.
"Why should I trust you?" Kikyo questioned, "And why would you be so generous? I doubt that you would bring me back to life out of the 'goodness' of your heart. I have no reason to believe you."
"I have a debt I must pay for someone. This is my way of thanking him." Sesshomaru replied vaguely, "Or do you not wish to be brought back to life?"
"… Thank you." Kikyo whispered. She closed her eyes and prepared for the blow to hit her. Sesshomaru slashed Kikyo in the chest with the sword.
Kikyo's expression filled with joy as a blinding light engulfed her. A moment later, Kikyo looked at Sesshomaru… grateful for what he had done for her. Sesshomaru put the sword back in the sheath and turned around to walk away. He left Kikyo alone by the tree, and he never looked back. Soon enough he was gone.
Kikyo no longer needed to take the souls of others in order to live. She was released from the cold embrace of death, and now she had a chance to start her life anew.