Chapter 7: Sorrowful Parting
Inu-Yasha found himself in the same tree he was in when he had first entered the façade that was Kikyo's ideal world. He casually leaped from the tree, eager to meet the woman he had once known as his lover, yet at the same time, apprehensive, for he knew it would come to an end. This would overall be a good thing, of course; however, Inu-Yasha undoubtedly had mixed feelings about it.
As his feet touched the soft, wet grass, Kikyo stirred at the base of the tree. Seeing that her love had return, she ran to him and threw her arms around his neck; Inu-Yasha half-heartedly returned her love.
"Inu-Yasha…" began Kikyo. "I knew you'd come back to me. I just knew it…." She looked up at Inu-Yasha's face; Kikyo's smile was that of uncontained joy.
"Now we can stay together! We can live here forever, just you and me! We won't ever have to worry about anything! All we need is…"
"Kikyo, stop…"
Said Inu-Yasha, in a kind yet firm voice. "I can't stay here. Not anymore." He finished. It was clear that he was apprehensive as to what Kikyo would do or say next.
For what wasn't the first time it had happened, Kikyo's eyes began to well up with tears. Inu-Yasha could tell she was going to be tough to convince.
"But…"
"Kikyo…" Interrupted Inu-Yasha. "Listen to me. If Kagome is your reincarnation, then I have never left you from the start. I will always be with you, in a sense. And I KNOW I will never forget you."
"Just because someone is my reincarnation doesn't mean they're the same as me!" Screamed Kikyo. "It's not the same!"
"You're right, Kikyo. It isn't the same." Inu-Yasha then looked around at the world they were in, only now was it apparent that she had constructed it to look exactly like the fields they would sit in together after the day was done.
"But you know what else isn't the same Kikyo? This!" he said, gesturing to the surrounding land after the dream world. "Things will never be the same, no matter how much you want them to be. And constructing this charade isn't going to change anything."
Kikyo was trying to think of something to say to convince both Inu-Yasha and herself that this world was a good thing, but she choked on them, because she knew they were all lies.
"I don't want to let go…" whispered Kikyo through tears. "But it seems I have no choice." She broke into sobs again. "I'm sorry, Inu-Yasha! I'm so sorry!" She hugged him yet again. Inu-Yasha put his arms around her. "I'm sorry, too. For letting you go…" said Inu-Yasha.
The dream world began to disappear.