Writing this...whoa. My hands almost fell off.

Just a few quick notes for the next two flashback chapters:

First, when this chapter starts, Kaede still has both eyes. Kikyo is also OOC in this because it's a totally different story and a totally different situation so just keep that in mind. This is a forewarning because I know people tend to call out OOC characters and I don't want you all to be confused :)

Second, as you've probably noticed, this story is set in a time in which people live in houses in towns, not so much huts in villages. Even though this flashback is fifty years before the beginning of Kagome and Inuyasha's story, Kikyo and Kaede still live in an actual house. I just don't want you guys to get confused when they're drinking water from the sink or using a restroom inside.

Third, I aged Kaede up from the anime/manga.

Finally, this started out as one long 14,000 word chapter, but there are a few trigger warnings later on so I decided to split it up. I could honestly write an entire story based on just Kikyo and Kaito (Kagome's father), but we're just gonna stick with these two chapters :)

So settle in and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or its characters. All rights to Rumiko Takahashi.

Chapter 18: Back to the Beginning, Part I

Kikyo smiled at her sixth consecutive bullseye. She'd been a master archer since she was fifteen, but she often liked to practice her skills at least a few times a week. Youkai attacks were non-existent and had been her whole life, so she wasn't fighting very often. Just a little practice never hurt.

"Wow, Kikyo!"

Kikyo smiled at her younger sister who had been sitting nearby watching her. "You'll be hitting these in no time, Kaede."

Kaede walked over to join Kikyo at her side.

"Can I try?" she asked. Kikyo nodded and handed the bow to her.

At thirteen-years-old, Kaede wasn't a complete master of the bow, but she was still very talented. Kikyo smiled bittersweetly as Kaede released an arrow. Their parents would have been very proud.

Kaede huffed when the arrow missed the bullseyes by a relatively small margin.

"It's too far," she complained. Kikyo smiled.

"You have to work your way up it," she reminded kindly. "You'll get there someday. Don't worry. Let's go eat dinner, okay?"

Worries forgotten, Kaede nodded excitedly. "Are you still making your special fish?" At Kikyo's affirmative nod, Kaede cheered up. She took Kikyo's hand and practically pulled her along behind her.

Kikyo laughed and quickly followed Kaede to their little house.

As Kikyo set to work cooking the fish like their mother used to, she thought back to when she'd first learned how to prepare the meal.

"Make sure you don't add too much spice," her mother had instructed. "A little goes a long way."

Kikyo sighed at the memory and added the correct amount of spices. When she was finished cooking, she handed a plate to a very eager Kaede before eating her own serving.

After dinner, Kaede ran off to play with some other children in the town while Kikyo set to work on her nightly ritual.

She pulled the Shikon Jewel off the string around her neck and placed it on a small wooden table in front of her. As usual, there were no impurities in the jewel thanks to her careful guardianship, but she still did the routine each night as an extra precaution.

It honestly seems like a waste of time now, Kikyo thought to herself. No one even knows it exists, and even if someone did, it's unlikely that anyone would try to steal it during this peaceful era. She sighed and finished the purification before returning the jewel to its usual place around her neck, making sure to tuck it beneath her haori to keep it hidden.

o.O.o

There was something ominous in the air.

It unsettled Kikyo and had her constantly peering over her shoulder expecting to see someone watching her.

Kaede didn't seem to notice anything and neither did any of the villagers, so Kikyo brushed it off as impractical paranoia.

It's just another average day, she comforted herself. Nothing to worry about.

She had things to do that day anyway; she didn't have time to be afraid of something that wasn't there.

Just like she did every morning, she took a bowl of fresh soup along with some water to a small cave on the outskirts of the town.

She'd discovered a gravely-injured man in a cave several weeks prior, so she'd taken up bringing him food and water each day. The man was burned on nearly his entire body, rendering him completely immobile. He could hardly swallow what Kikyo would give him. Regardless, she continued going, at least to make what time he had left more comfortable.

Despite her willingness to help, Kikyo had to admit that he made her a bit uneasy. His eyes were all she could see on his body, and they watched her every movement whenever she was in the cave.

Kikyo took a deep breath when she reached the entrance of the cave, preparing herself for the coming interaction.

"Good morning," Kikyo greeted as she entered the cave. The man was in the same spot she'd left him the day before, and the day before that, and so on.

The miko walked over to kneel next to him before pulling out the soup and water. As usual, Kikyo felt his eyes on her as she went about her task. She remained calm as always, making sure to be careful as she helped the man drink the water she offered.

She spent a silent few minutes with him, helping him sip the soup and drink the rest of the water.

When he had finished, Kikyo packed up her things and put them back in the basket.

"I'll return tomorrow," Kikyo promised as she stood up.

Silence answered her as she gave a wave to the man before exiting the cave.

As she walked back to the town, she breathed a sigh of relief.

I'm happy to help, but he's just so creepy…

Shaking her head, Kikyo brushed off the discomfort that she knew would linger for a little while longer before subsiding. There was still an odd ominous feeling in the air, and that was starting to bother her a bit more.

I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, Kikyo assured herself. These are peaceful times. I just need to remember that. Maybe I'll take Kaede to pick flowers. She would have a lot of fun doing that.

By late evening, the uneasiness floating around Kikyo's mind was still distracting her.

"Are you okay, Kikyo?" Kaede asked as they ate dinner.

Kikyo nodded. "Oh, yes. Sorry, Kaede. Do you want more soup?" Kaede smiled and held out her bowl for a second helping.

Kikyo smiled back at her but couldn't fight the looming darkness she felt creeping over her.

That night, she was plagued by nightmares.

Shortly after she fell asleep, her subconscious was flooded by fire and death and evil. Faceless people and youkai were fighting around her, killing each other and wounding even more.

What is this? she screamed in her sleep. What's happening?

All at once, the fighting was gone. Everything was dark, and Kikyo wondered if she would finally find peaceful slumber.

"Kikyo."

A calming voice called out from the darkness, startling Kikyo from where she was standing in a lightless place.

"Who's there?" Kikyo called back. "What do you want with me?"

"You must listen," the ethereal voice commanded. "Changes will come during a bright time. Darkness descends before the world can stop it. The change will come with resounding cry. To the miko and the hanyo, the darkness will submit. With the destruction of the jewel of death, only then will the world finally rest."

Kikyo shook her head. "What does that mean?" she asked desperately.

The voice grew louder, as if someone were coming closer to Kikyo, but no one was there.

"Listen to the prophecy, Kikyo," the voice said. "It must be fulfilled."

For some strange reason she would never be able to explain, tears began to stream down Kikyo's cheeks. There was something about the voice's words...something that scared her.

"What do I need to do?" Kikyo asked. "How do I fulfill the prophecy?"

The voice didn't reply as Kikyo felt herself regaining consciousness. Before Kikyo's eyes opened, the voice spoke one last time.

"Find the miko and the hanyo…"

Kikyo woke up with a start, sweat dripping off her body and her heart racing.

She took in deep gasps of air as she tried to calm herself down.

As terrified as she was about it, she tried to relax. As a miko, premonitions and odd dreams were relatively normal, but Kikyo had never felt anything like this.

Taking a deep breath, Kikyo got up and went to the bathroom to splash some water on her face. As she dried her skin on a small rag, she reflected on what she'd heard in her dream.

There's darkness coming, Kikyo realized. The jewel of death...that must be the sacred jewel.

Kikyo fingered the jewel through the fabric of her kimono.

The jewel... a miko and a hanyo are supposed to fulfill the prophecy. She frowned.

Since the prophecy came to me in a dream, I must be the miko. That means I need to find a hanyo…but how? I've never even met one.

Kikyo sighed and put the rag down before walking back over to her bedroom and laying down.

It was a long while before Kikyo fell asleep.

o.O.o

The next day, Kikyo pondered over the prophecy as she made her way to the cave to visit the injured man.

"Good morning," she greeted as usual when she entered the cave.

The smile fell from her face when she took in the sight in front of her.

The man was gone; all that was left were the bandages Kikyo had applied to his wounds.

"Hello?" she called. Maybe he just...crawled away?

Kikyo frowned, but had to pay mind to the fact that some sort of animal could have gotten to him.

There's no blood, she realized, but what else could it be?

Looking around one last time, Kikyo shook her head and left the cave. Her thoughts were already racing with the prophecy dream, so she was quickly occupied with that again. She pitied the man and sent up a silent prayer of peace for him, but there was nothing else Kikyo could do.

o.O.o

Three days after her dream, Kikyo debated on what she should do. The prophecy had chosen her for a reason, so she knew she needed to take action, but how?

A heavy knock came on the door, startling Kikyo from her pensive seat in the kitchen. She got up and went to answer the door to find a very obviously troubled townsman.

"Hello, Izanshi," Kikyo greeted. "Is everything alright?"

Izanshi shook his head. "There's been a youkai attack a few towns over. It was out of nowhere! The whole town is just wiped out...it's all gone!" Kikyo's eyes widened.

"The entire town? By a youkai? We haven't had a youkai attack in decades."

Izanshi referred to the bag on his back. "My family is packing up and going into hiding. We don't want to risk being killed by a youkai."

Before Kikyo could reply, he was departing toward his waiting family just beyond Kikyo's house.

Kikyo frowned as she closed the door. A youkai attack? During such a peaceful time? It seems impossible…

She went to the kitchen to start preparing lunch for when Kaede returned from playing with her friends. As she got things together, she pondered over the strange attack.

A random youkai attack right after I get a prophecy about darkness setting in the world? Could it just be a coincidence…?

Over the next three days, Kikyo received word of several more youkai attacks. This can't be a coincidence.

The next day, Kikyo made a decision.

At dinner that night, Kikyo took a deep breath.

"Kaede," she began, "I have to tell you something."

Kaede frowned, immediately picking up on her upset. "What's wrong?"

Kikyo set down her bowl of food and looked at Kaede.

"I have to go away for a while," Kikyo replied. "I don't know when I'll be back."

Kaede's eyes widened. "Why? Did something happen?"

Kikyo explained the dream she had and repeated the prophecy she'd heard.

"So I need to go find a hanyo," Kikyo concluded. "The hanyo and I will fulfill the prophecy and destroy the jewel."

Kaede seemed confused. "But the jewel is fine," she countered. "Nothing bad has happened with it since it's been under your guardianship, so why would that change now?"
Kikyo sighed. "I don't think it's a coincidence that I would have that dream a mere few days before a string of youkai attacks, so I have to do something about it."

"Can I come with you?" Kaede asked immediately.

Kikyo shook her head, causing tears to form in Kaede's eyes.

Kikyo held her arms out, inviting Kaede into her embrace. Wrapping her sister in her arms, Kikyo hugged her tightly.

"I need you to take care of the garden," Kikyo said quietly, "Just until I get back, okay?"

Kaede shook her head against Kikyo's shoulder. "What about the creepy man in the cave? I don't like having to go see him.

Kikyo ran a comforting hand through her sister's hair. "The man is gone now, so you don't have to worry about him. I don't know what happened to him, but...well, he's gone. You'll be okay here Nori while I'm gone."

Kaede sniffled. "I don't want to stay without you."

Kikyo pulled away so she could look into Kaede's eyes. "You can do it," she encouraged. "I'll come back as soon as I can. I promise."

Eyes still sad, Kaede finally nodded. Kikyo hugged her tightly again, hoping that she would find a way to do it.

o.O.o

Kikyo departed the next day, leaving Kaede in the care of Nori, a townswoman with whom they were friends. It was a tearful goodbye, but Kikyo managed to retain her resolve and set out in the later part of the morning.

She'd asked around before leaving the town to see if anyone had heard about the nearest place she could find a youkai to speak to, but no one had.

There were whispers of the recent youkai attacks in each town she visited, and it seemed like the paranoia got worse each day she talked with people.

Kikyo decided to just start walking in the direction of one of the youkai clans nearby. Hoping to find a hanyo there, she set off with her resolve in mind.

As she walked, her thoughts wandered.

Could it be dangerous? she wondered. With all of these attacks, will peace be broken? Kikyo shook her head and scolded herself. Don't think like that. Just because they're youkai doesn't mean they'll hurt me.

Kikyo's mind further drifted to her goal.

Even if I find a hanyo, she realized, how can I convince them to help me? How are we supposed to destroy the jewel?

She had no clue.

There was no word of any hanyo throughout her travels to different youkai towns and clans. After nearly three weeks, Kikyo was ready to just go home. She'd had no success during her time away from her town, and she was starting to wonder if it was time to admit defeat.

She knew that the daiyoukai had a younger brother who was a hanyo, so she wondered if she should perhaps contact him. She didn't even know where the daiyoukai's castle was, though, so therein lay yet another problem she had.

I'll figure it out if it comes down to that, she pondered. I don't even know if he would listen to a human, but it might be possible.

Kikyo's last stop was a town on the southern coast of Japan, and after having no success there, she decided to just go home and figure out how to contact the daiyoukai.

She decided to walk to the shoreline to hopefully find a few shells for Kaede before making her way back home.

The sounds of waves crashing were oddly comforting as she slipped off her sandals and lifted her pant legs up. She walked into the water until it was up to her ankles. Looking up at the cloudy beach sky, she closed her eyes and breathed in the salty air.

"Are you enjoying the sea breeze?"

Kikyo jumped and opened her eyes, barely catching herself from falling into the water.

She looked around to find the source of the voice, but there was no one on the shore or around her.

It wasn't until she looked back out to the ocean that she saw a man smiling at her.

He was in water that would have been probably waist-deep on Kikyo, and he looked like he was either sitting or just very short.

"I didn't mean to startle you," he said apologetically. "It seems I've disrupted a peaceful moment. I'm sorry about that."

Kikyo shook her head. "It's alright," she replied. "I just figured I was alone out here."

The man inclined his head, his long, soaking wet ponytail slipping over his bare shoulder as he did so.

"Are you a miko?" he asked politely. Kikyo nodded.

"I am," she replied. "My clothing is a giveaway, right?"

He smiled. "Your aura is, too." Kikyo raised an eyebrow.

"You can read my aura?" she asked. "You must either be someone with spiritual powers or a youkai because I personally can't even sense your aura."
The man laughed. "I typically keep it suppressed."
All at once, Kikyo felt the man's powerful aura rush out of him. It was a fascinating aura, but what stuck out was the youkai tint.

"So you're a youkai," Kikyo stated. "Why would you keep it suppressed? A miko like myself wouldn't harm a youkai."

The man smiled. "I didn't want to startle you with my aura just swimming around in the water where you couldn't see me. Besides, with all the youkai attacks, I didn't want to scare you."

Kikyo couldn't help but smile back. "It would have been easier for me to detect your aura in the first place," she teased lightly. "I'm not afraid of youkai. You just wound up startling me with your greeting."

He inclined his head politely. "My apologies again." He motioned to where she was standing. "May I join you?"

Kikyo nodded, expecting him to walk toward her. Instead, he ducked back under the water. Kikyo frowned, wondering where he went.

A bright light came from under the water. The spot in which the man had submerged was glowing brightly, and Kikyo briefly wondered if he was going through some sort of transformation. She knew it was possible for some youkai, so she had a feeling he was some sort of water youkai.

When the man breached the water after the light had disappeared, he rose by several inches. He was still rather short, but the kind smile on his face distracted Kikyo from it.

Dressed in a simple white shirt and short black pants, the man made his way toward Kikyo until he was standing next to her.

He was a little shorter than her, only coming to the height of her nose, but he had a large presence. It was immediately soothing as Kikyo took in the sight of him up close.

His eyes were a bright sea-green, and his skin was tinted a similar color. His ponytail was long, reaching down past his waist, the unruly strands barely controlled. Kikyo wondered how much longer and wilder it would look when it was hanging free.

"I'm Kaito," he introduced. "What's your name?"
"Kikyo," she replied with an incline of her head. "What kind of youkai are you?"

Kaito began wringing the water out of his long ponytail. "Ningyo," he replied. "You caught me at the end of a swim."

Kikyo's eyes widened. "A swim?" she repeated. "So that light...it was you switching from the form you use to swim?" Kaito nodded.

"Yes," he confirmed. "I have a ningyo form. Tail and all."

That's interesting, Kikyo mused. I wish I'd been able to see it.

Kaito wrung the rest of the water from his hair as he set his eyes on Kikyo.

"So what brings you here?" he asked. "You're not quite dressed for a day at the beach." Kikyo blushed in embarrassment; she'd only expected a quick dip of her feet but she'd somehow wound up talking to a ningyo.

"I was making a quick stop on my way home," she replied. "I was just enjoying a moment in the water."

Kaito nodded, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "And how was it? Your moment in the water?"

Kikyo felt her heart skip a beat at the twinkle of laughter in his eyes, the color mimicking the glow of the green hues in the ocean around them. It took her a moment to form a coherent thought.

"It was nice," she finally replied. "I don't live near the coast, so this was a nice way to end a very long trip." She thought of Kaede and how eager she was to get home to her.

"I need to get back on the road, though," Kikyo said as she began to walk back to shore.
To her surprise, Kaito followed her, his movements as fluid as the water.

"How long have you been away?" he asked. Kikyo did her best to air dry her feet before slipping her sandals back on and picking up the shells she'd found for Kaede.

"About three weeks," she replied. "I have a little sister waiting for me, so I wanted to find some shells for her. The water was so beautiful. I got distracted."

Kaito laughed. "The sea tends to do that," he agreed. "Well, I certainly hope you have a nice trip home." Kikyo smiled.

"Thank you," she replied. His eyes were bright and friendly as he nodded in parting to her. He walked toward a small rock in the sand nearby before pulling out a bag from under it and slinging it over his shoulder. He waved a final time, his bare feet leaving footprints in the sand as he left.

Kikyo almost felt sad that he was leaving. She sighed and turned to leave herself, but quickly realized he might know where she could find a hanyo.

"Kaito!" she called as she hurried to catch up with him. Kaito paused and turned around, walking back toward Kikyo to meet her halfway.

"What is it?" he asked. Kikyo resisted the urge to cross her fingers for luck.

"I'm searching for a hanyo," she explained. "Do you know the whereabouts of one?"

Kaito seemed a bit surprised by the question.

"I'm a hanyo," he replied. "What do you need?" Kikyo's eyes widened in overwhelming relief.

"You're a hanyo?" she repeated. "Really?" Kaito nodded.

"I am," he confirmed. "My mother was a ningyo and my father was a human."

That explains why his aura was so unusual, Kikyo realized. I'd never felt a hanyo's aura before but now I know.

"So, Kikyo," he continued, "what can I do for you?"

Kikyo took a deep breath. "Well, Kaito, I have quite the story for you."

O.o.O.o.O

When Kaito had gone out for a swim that day, he'd never expected to run into a miko, let alone a miko with a prophecy that apparently involved him.

"So wait," he said after she'd explain everything to him. "You had a dream and since you're a miko and there have been some youkai attacks, you need to find a hanyo and destroy the Shikon Jewel? I've never even heard of that."

"We keep it a secret from the world," Kikyo explained. "I, my sister, and now you are the only ones that know about it."

Kaito shook his head. When he'd seen Kikyo with her feet in the water, looking so sad and so beautiful, he didn't think this would be the reason why.

"Okay, so now what?" he replied. "I'm happy to help, but what exactly do we need to do?" Kikyo frowned.

"Um, well," she stuttered, "I actually don't know...I was more focused on finding a hanyo than I was on figuring out what to do when I found one."

Kaito nodded. "Well, I'm a firm believer in destiny, so I'll help you." The look of pure relief on Kikyo's face made Kaito's heart clench.

This woman...Kikyo...there's something about her…

"Do you have the jewel with you?" Kaito asked. Kikyo nodded and pulled it out from under her shirt. It was secured on a necklace, so Kikyo pulled it off and handed it to him.

Kaito's eyes widened at the jewel in his hands. It felt alive in his palm, and he could feel the power swirling around it.

"Wow," he breathed. "It feels like it has a heartbeat." The power in it was overwhelming; he handed it back to Kikyo, relieved when it was out of his possession.

He looked at her over the small fire they'd built; it had been approaching lunchtime when they began talking, so Kaito had offered to catch a few fish for them. Kikyo had started a fire and they enjoyed the meal together.

He didn't miss Kikyo's awestruck expression when she saw Kaito dive into the water. The glimpse of his tail obviously surprised her, but her gaze of admiration was set unabashedly on him. Kaito smiled as he caught the fish. She's something else...

But now, sitting across the fire from her, Kaito could see the heavy weight she had settled on her shoulders. As she returned the jewel to its spot around her neck, her mouth set into a frown and a troubled glint reflected in her eyes.

"I'll help however I can," Kaito assured her. "We can figure this out...together."

Kikyo's eyes widened, a small smile breaking onto her face.

"Thank you," she replied sincerely. "Would you like to return to my village with me? I'd like to get back to my sister, and we can make a plan on how to proceed with the jewel." Kaito nodded in agreement.

He was on his own, he had been for several years now, so he had just been floating from place to place. When he'd caught a hint of Kikyo's complex aura from where he was swimming, he was immediately drawn to her. Now he understood why.

Destiny.

As they set off for Kikyo's town, which was only about a two-hour walk away, Kaito asked about her sister.

"Kaede is thirteen," Kikyo explained as they walked. "She's good with a bow, but she still hasn't quite mastered it. She's getting there, though."
Kaito smiled. "You sound very proud of her." Kikyo hummed.

"I am," she replied, smiling back. "She's strong. Our parents died when she was very young, so she doesn't remember them."

"You must have been rather young yourself, then," Kaito observed. "You don't look much older than twenty."

"I'm eighteen," Kikyo corrected. "I look a bit older, though." Kaito nodded.

"Having to fulfill a parent's role as a child can age you quicker." Kikyo nodded seriously, but laughed a moment later.

"Are you saying I look old?" she teased. Kaito chuckled.

"Of course not," he replied goodnaturedly. "I'm fairly old, though. I'm coming up on five-hundred." Kikyo's eyes widened.

"Five-hundred?" she repeated. "Wow, you must have seen so much."

Kaito nodded. Hanyo were rather rare; aside from himself, Kaito only knew maybe two others not including the daiyoukai's younger brother. No one had heard from him in a long time, though. He'd departed from the castle one day and had apparently just never returned. Kaito couldn't even remember his name.

Speaking of hanyo…

"Why do you think the prophecy requires a miko and a hanyo?" Kaito asked.

Kikyo shook her head. "I don't know," she admitted. "The darkness in the prophecy…I think it's coming. Fights are starting to break out between humans and youkai, which is unheard of at this point in time. Things are changing, but I know that there is a reason for everything. We don't get to choose our destiny. We can only follow it and have faith that things will work out like they're supposed to. "
Kaito took a moment to look at her. The firm way she set her mouth after speaking stuck out to him. There was fear in her eyes, but it was vastly overpowered by determination.

Destiny, Kaito thought to himself. I believe it.

O.o.O.o.O

"Kikyo!"

Kaede's excited shriek rang in the air as she ran into Kikyo's arms.

"Hi, Kaede," Kikyo greeted as she hugged her sister. "I missed you."

Kaede hugged her tightly back for a moment until she noticed the stranger standing off to the side waiting for an introduction.

Kaede bowed politely. "Hello." Kaito bowed back.

"Hello," he greeted. "It's nice to meet you."

Kikyo put her arm around Kaede's shoulders. "Kaede, this is Kaito. He's a hanyo and he's going to help with the prophecy." Kaede's eyes widened as her gaze switched from Kaito to her sister.

"Wow! That's so great. I'm glad Kikyo was able to find you."

Kaito smiled. "I am, too. I'm hopeful we can accomplish our goal."

Kikyo nearly sagged with relief as they brought Kaito to their home. He was kind to Kaede and seemed more than willing to help Kikyo, if his agreement and subsequent journey to her home hadn't already proven that willingness.

They enjoyed a quick dinner in Kikyo's home as Kaede filled the elder miko in on what had happened while she was gone.

"Nori's baby had a cold," Kaede informed, "but I used the herbs you taught me about to make him feel better."

Kikyo smiled. "That's wonderful, Kaede. I'm so proud of you. It's hard to believe I was gone for three weeks...it's nice to be home."

As they finished their meal, Kikyo felt a twinge of nervousness in her stomach. Now that she'd found a hanyo, they would need to figure out how to proceed with the fulfillment of the prophecy.

After they finished dinner, Kaede offered to wash the dishes while Kikyo showed Kaito to their guest room.

"Make yourself at home," Kikyo said. "We can start planning tomorrow." Kaito set his bag on the floor by the bed and nodded.

"Thank you," he replied. His sea-green eyes were bright and curious, and Kikyo could practically see the questions swarming his mind.

Kikyo hesitated before sitting down in a small chair in the quarter of the room.

"Um," Kikyo finally said, "do you have any burning questions I can answer tonight?"

Kaito laughed. "Is it that obvious?" Kikyo shrugged goodnaturedly.

"A little," she replied. "I'll try to answer as best I can."

Kaito looked at her for a few moments before speaking again.

"I'm more than willing to help however I can," he began, "but...well, do you have any idea of what this prophecy entails?" Kikyo sighed.

"Not really," she admitted. "I mentioned earlier that I've been more focused on finding a hanyo since the attacks have gotten worse, so now that I've found you, maybe we can figure things out together…?"

Kaito nodded, and Kikyo found herself in awe of him.

The fact that he was willing to help a perfect stranger, to pack up everything to go with her, told her a lot about him.

"Did I take you from a life somewhere?" Kikyo asked. "Do you have anyone waiting for you?"
Kaito shook his head. "No, it was just me. My parents were old in youkai years when I was born, so they've been dead for several decades. I've just kind of been wandering. You know, looking for the best places to swim, best fish to eat, all that ningyo stuff."

Kikyo smiled. "Right. Well, we're not close to the ocean but we do have a few rivers. Maybe you'll find swimming in them to be enjoyable, too."

Kaito smiled back. "Water is water." Kikyo laughed and stood up.

"Well, I'll give you some time to get settled," she said as she started to make her way to the door. "I think we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow so we'll both need some rest. Good night, Kaito."

"You can call me Kai," Kaito replied before she could leave. "It's what my family called me, and since we're going to be spending a lot of time together, well, maybe…"

Kikyo smiled. "Good night then, Kai." The ningyo held her gaze for a moment, a small smile coming to his face.

"Good night, Kikyo."

o.O.o

When Kikyo woke up the next morning, she lay in bed for a few extra minutes. Glancing at the window, she noticed it was barely dawn; the sun was just starting to creep over the horizon.

She sighed and tried to think about how they would proceed with the day.

Rolling over, she pulled the pillow over her face. Breakfast first.

Kikyo made a simple meal of scrambled eggs and diced fruit. She set three place settings for herself, Kaede, and Kai.

The ningyo entered the kitchen first, his hair long and loose. Kikyo couldn't help but notice how wild it was. He was combing his fingers through it, but that just seemed to make it even messier. It hit the back of his knees, swishing as he walked. Kikyo figured it was due to his short stature, but even so, it was remarkably long.

Kai obviously caught her staring. "Curse of the ningyo," he said. "Being short and incapable of escaping beach hair." Kikyo laughed.

"I didn't mean to stare," she admitted. "It's just so long." Kai took a thick ribbon out of his pocket and began to tie it up.

"I could cut it five times a day," he began, "and it would just grow right back." He expertly got his hair completely up out of his face and managed to get it all up in a ponytail. It was still rather wild as it trailed all the way down to past his waist, but it was at least out of his face.

"It's lovely," Kikyo complimented. Kai looked at her, surprise on his face. Kikyo blushed, realizing what she'd said. Could I be any more embarrassing?

Kai opened his mouth to respond but was cut off when they were joined in the kitchen.

"Good morning," Kaede greeted. "What's for breakfast?" Kikyo took advantage of the distraction and began to serve the food.

"Eggs and fruit," Kikyo replied as she loaded up their plates.

"Itadakimasu," Kai said once Kikyo was seated and they were all ready to eat.

Kaede hummed in satisfaction after her first bite of eggs. "Yum. So, Kikyo, what are you guys going to do first?"

Kikyo exchanged a glance with Kai.

"We're not sure yet," she explained. "Maybe you could go play with some of your friends while we work on the jewel." Kaede nodded excitedly.

Kikyo tried to hide her unease. It's going to be a long day.

O.o.O.o.O

Kai could tell that Kikyo was starting to get frustrated.

She was good at hiding it, but the deep frown on her face was a giveaway.

"Maybe we should take a break," Kai suggested after they'd been at it for a solid three hours. "We can come back to it in a little while."

Kikyo hesitated, but finally nodded.

Kai followed her back to the house, trying to think of what he could say to comfort her.

When they began that morning, Kikyo suggested they start with meditating. After an hour of that, nothing happened.

Every suggestion they came up with had failed, from meditating to praying to just focusing on the jewel itself.

Nothing worked.

The last thing they tried was clutching the jewel in both of their hands and seeing what would happen.
Kai couldn't ignore the warmth he felt when he held Kikyo's hands in his. He wondered if she felt it, too: an unexplainable pull tugging him toward her.

Kai had suggested taking a break soon after, figuring it would be good for both of them.

He sighed and stood up from the table, deciding to make lunch. It would probably take a load off of Kikyo, so he decided to make a traditional ningyo meal.

"What are you doing?" Kikyo asked as Kai went about his task after they entered the house.

Kai rummaged around in the cabinets until he found the necessary spices. He also found some dried fish, which was exactly what he needed.

"Making lunch," he replied as he started preparing the food right away, using lettuce instead of seaweed to create the fish wraps.

"You don't have to do that," Kikyo argued. "You're a guest here."

Kai waved off her concern. "It's the least I could do," he replied as he finished the final few wraps. "It's a classic ningyo dish. It just won't have the authentic ocean flavor or seaweed, but it's as similar as it could get. Besides, it's very easy."

It only took him about ten minutes to finish the meal, and even he had to congratulate himself on a job well done.
"Wow!" Kikyo exclaimed as she approached to peer over his shoulder. "Thank you, Kai. It looks amazing."

Kai sprinkled a final spice over the last wrap and wiped his hands on a napkin. "Finished. Why don't you sit down, Kikyo? I'll bring it to you."

Kikyo smiled and nodded before walking over to the table. Kai grabbed two plates from the cabinet and put two wraps on each before bringing the plates to the table. He set one in front of Kikyo before sitting in the chair across from her.

"Itadakimasu," Kikyo said before taking a bite. She chewed for a moment, her eyes widening as she swallowed. "This is delicious."
Kai laughed. "I'm glad you like it. My mother brought her ningyo recipes with her when she married my father and started her life with him on land."

Kikyo seemed to love the meal immensely; her eyes were bright with enjoyment as she ate.

When they finished eating, she sighed contentedly.

"That meal makes me wish I were a ningyo," she said. "Then I could have grown up with that kind of food." Kai laughed.

"I made extra for Kaede," he replied. "I wrapped them up for her to eat later." He thought for a moment. "How about I cook meals from now on? I have plenty of recipes, and I would like to be able to repay you for your hospitality."

Kikyo paused and looked at him. "You don't have to," she said seriously. "I dragged you here...I'm throwing you into something very unexpected."
Kai shook his head. "I was just wandering around, Kikyo. I didn't really know what to do, so now that I have a purpose, a very important purpose, I'm happy. I know it'll be hard, but destiny is destiny, so I'm not afraid. I'm not resentful."

Kikyo's eyes widened, and Kai could tell she hadn't been expecting that response.

He wanted to assure her that he wanted to be there, that he wanted to be near her and get to know her better.

There's just something about her...I can't explain it. I just want to be by her side.

"Thank you, Kai," she said sincerely. "I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate that. Let's compromise, though...you can cook a few times a week if you really want to."

Kai smiled. "That sounds good to me."

They were quiet for a few moments before Kikyo sighed.

"Well," she began as she stood up and gathered their dishes, "we should probably get back to it, if that's okay with you." Kai nodded.

She set the dishes in the sink before leading him back outside to give it another go with the jewel.

O.o.O.o.O

Kikyo and Kai spent the better part of two weeks trying and failing to get rid of the jewel.

They just couldn't figure it out.

A little over two weeks since Kikyo found Kai, she was ready to give up. She never would, but she certainly wanted to.

Kikyo was resilient and strong, but this was starting to be too much for her.

She plopped back on the ground and groaned. "Why isn't anything working? We've tried everything! There have been more youkai attacks, too. I feel like we're running out of time." She flopped onto her back and settled her arm over her eyes to block out the fading sunshine.

She heard Kai sit next to her on the ground as he breathed his own sigh. "Now what?" he asked. "What else can we do?"
Kikyo shook her head. "I don't know...I'm sorry."
"Maybe we should stop for today," Kai suggested gently. "We can rest a little and then try again tomorrow." Kikyo moved the arm from her eyes and set it at her side.

"Okay," she conceded. "This is just so frustrating. I'm a failure at this prophecy stuff."

When Kai took her hand after she'd moved it from her face, her eyes widened as she turned her gaze to his.

"Kikyo," he began seriously, "I've been here for over two weeks helping you with the jewel, but I've also spent over two weeks getting to know you. You're not a failure. You're strong and smart. We can do this."

Kikyo looked at him for a moment before squeezing his hand. "Thank you."

Kai smiled down at her. "Your heart is pure, Kikyo. That's how I know you can do this."

Kikyo sat up slowly, her eyes never leaving Kai's. His sea-green eyes had gone serious, the smile on his face turning into soft determination.

His hand came up to touch her cheek as Kikyo leaned her face into his palm. He began to move closer, closer, until his words struck Kikyo again.

"Pure!" she said suddenly. Kai dropped his hand in surprise at her outburst.

"What?" he asked. Kikyo smiled brightly.

"Pure," she repeated. "We need to completely purify the jewel! I purify it each night to keep it untainted, but I've never tried to actually purify it out of existence. I don't think I would even be able to do that alone. But with you...maybe we could do it together."

Kai's eyes widened. "You're right. That makes perfect sense."

Kikyo threw herself into his arms, knocking him back on the ground.

"Thank you so much, Kai," she murmured. "There's no one else I would rather do this with…" Kai wrapped his arms around her and held her close to him. Kikyo blushed but hugged him tightly back.

He smelled like the ocean on the warmest summer day; Kikyo breathed him in, her heart swelling at the feel of his body against hers.

After a moment, she sat up a bit to hover over him. Kai smiled up at her, his eyes twinkling before he pulled her back down.

Kikyo sighed as he kissed her, relishing in the feel of his lips caressing hers so gently.

He tasted like the ocean in the most pleasant way Kikyo could ever imagine, and she felt a sudden desire to kiss him over and over again until she had no breath left and it felt like she'd drown in him.

Kai seemed to have the same idea, for his hand came up to gently cup the back of her head, effectively deepening the kiss as his other arm wrapped around her waist.

Kikyo kissed him as long as she could before she finally had to stop and take a breath. Kai moved his hand to her cheek and gently ran his thumb over her skin before pulling her back down into his embrace.

Kikyo buried her face in the crook of his neck, grateful for at least this one moment of peace.

End of Part I.

Part 2 will be up momentarily.

Much love.