Kikyo awoke in the compound. The young man was still there, sleeping.
Kikyo walked over to him and touched his face. His Sharingan eyes opened and looked at her. "Good morning."
She smiled serenely. "Good morning Sasuke. Thank you for rescuing me from that snake."
Sasuke had a disgusted look on his face. "I would not allow him to experiment on you."
"And for that I am forever grateful." Kikyo smiled at him.
Sasuke's lips twitched, but he did not smile back.
Kikyo came and sat by him, leaning into his arms. "I am truly alive." She mused. "My body is warm, my heart is beating."
"As opposed to what?" Sasuke asked. "What did you expect, Kikyo?"
"A sham of a body." Kikyo admitted. "A farcical life."
A look of pain on Sasuke's face now. "Was that your life before?"
Kikyo nodded.
Sasuke touched her face. "Never again, Kikyo."