Disclaimer's Note: Sorry don't own  the dog-demon or anything related to him,

Chapter Two- Colors Added

Inu-Yasha was resting quietly in a tree, in the middle of the day. The forests that surrounded him were silent, as though respecting the half demon's power.  It had been many years since the events had taken place in his village. Lea's memory was buried deep in some dark crevice of Inu-Yasha's mind, though always respected. His mother too, had long since departed from the realm of flesh and blood.

So Inu-Yasha had been left alone, wandering vaguely across this world.  Still he was scorned by it all. Humans feared him, because he was half demon. Demons mocked him because he was half-human.

Currently, Inu-Yasha wasn't sure what there was left to live for. Some part of his soul told him just to keep living and waiting for… something. He wasn't sure of what yet. But a part of him just wanted to give up his eternal fight.

Suddenly he was disturbed out of his deep thoughts, by a voice so lovely and great that it sounded as if it had descended from the heavens itself. The voice spoke his name.

Inu-Yasha peered down out of the tree to see deep soulful eyes staring up at him. Long raven hair embraced a perfect female figure, and a simple garb of white and red donned that body. He could sense the purity and good emitting from her soul, and he wondered why such a wonder would be here to see him.

"Are you Inu-Yasha?" the woman spoke again.

"Yes, what is it you?" Inu-Yasha snapped back in the tone he had become accustomed to.

"I am Kikyo, the priestess of the village." She answered, as though not taken aback at all by his rude answer.

"So?" Inu-Yasha asked, growing impatient.

He never liked it when the mortals approached him. It was never good news. It was always just to get him to leave the place he had lived in for a little while.

"I wish… to know what your intentions here are." Kikyo stated.

"My intentions? Well believe me, woman, it has nothing to do with you or your village. You don't need to know anything other then that. My intentions are mine." Inu-Yasha growled, jumping out of the tree, landing right in front of the priestess who didn't flinch at all.

In truth he was looking for a rare and special jewel. Inu-Yasha was tired of the pain he had been exposed to at a very young age. He now would be able to end it, if he found this Shikkon Jewel. He would finally accomplish his task. He would become a full demon.

"Please, I wish you no ill will. But in truth the villagers of frightened of you. I wish to ease their minds. But first I, myself must come to trust you." Kikyo explained.

"What your villagers feel is none of my concern. I shall just depart." Inu-Yasha answered, testily.

"Please do not sir. I do not wish you to leave. Not at all. All are welcome at the village, as long as they have no evil intent." Kikyo pleaded.

"And I have already told you that I have no evil intent!" Inu-Yasha yelled.

With this he ran off through the forest, leaving the priestess alone, staring after him. But for some reason he sat in a tree, far off in the distance, that no human could see from, watching the priestess as she knelt on the ground and said a prayer. He listened careful, and felt a shock of surprise as he heard her say a prayer for him.

"What does this mortal think that she is doing?" Inu-Yasha whispered.

After a moment or two Kikyo got off the ground and walked calmly away.

Nothing was the same after that day. Something changed inside Inu-Yasha though he wasn't sure what. Maybe it was just the sheer knowledge that someone would be willing to learn who he really was, instead of just seeing the ears that perched so delicately upon his head and having an instant reaction of wanting to kill him. In any case, Inu-Yasha never strayed far from the village.

Everyday the priestess would come and try to persuade Inu-Yasha to speak, and he would enjoy it immensely, but never give her any answers. It was selfish of him, this was true, and every day he excepted her to stop coming, but every morning there Kikyo would stand, waiting for the day that he would give her the answer of why he had come to the village. Most times however, their conversation would become a different mix of fights, victories, and losses. Inu-Yasha was surprised when he learned what a warrior that Kikyo really was, but still somehow managed to keep a pure heart. Bows and arrows was her weapon of choice, and she knew how to use them Inu-Yasha quickly learned. There was no doubt in his mind that he would never want to be in a fight with so skilled of an archer.

So the cycle continued, Kikyo coming in the morning, to depart at dusk, still not having learned why Inu-Yasha was here, but more of who he truly was.

Finally the day come however, when Inu-Yasha's secret was revealed. The quest for his jewel learned. The day started out much like all the others. Kikyo came and asked him the same question she asked him every morning.

"What intentions do you have towards my village Inu-Yasha?"

And Inu-Yasha answered the same as he had answered all the days before this one.

"My intentions are none of your concern priestess."

However, when the sun was at it's peak position of the sky, something came raging through the forests toward them. Instantly Kikyo drew her bow, and prepared to shoot the creature that was coming, if it was indeed a foe. Inu-Yasha stood, ready, his entire frame quivering for the urge to fight.

Finally the beast revealed itself, a great demon shaped in that of a dragon. Blood red scales covered the entire length of the dragon, and golden eyes flecked with green penetrated the thick forests. A long red tongue flicked out trying to intimidate Kikyo.

"What do you wish of me, Demon Dragon?" Kikyo asked, in a tone that showed no emotion.

"Give me the jewel!" the dragon roared, nearly deafening both Kikyo and Inu-Yasha. "I will become the most powerful demon."

Inu-Yasha felt a wave of shock hit him. Kikyo held the jewel in her possession. The whole time he had searched for the treasure, it had been only feet in front of him. What would he ever do now? Betray the only person that had dared to befriend in many years? Or stay in between the lines, forever not belonging?

Kikyo shook her head in a disgusted manner.

"None shall posses the jewel with such an evil intent such as yours in their heart! Now leave peacefully, or I shall be forced to slay you!" Kikyo commanded.

The dragon did not listen however, and it's long barbed tongue descended, trying to hit Kikyo. The priestess tossed her tiny frame away from the dragon, and proceeded to fire an arrow. The arrow hit the dragon right in the center of its right eye. Blood spilled, staining the forest floor, and the demon howled out in pain.  Suddenly, the dragon stumbled forward blindly emitting fire. A tree near Kikyo, caught in the bright flame.

Inu-Yasha saw it before the skilled archer did. A branch came plummeting down to ground, still alit. Inu-Yasha raced across the ground, grabbing Kikyo a moment before the branch would have hit her, snuffing her life forever.  Then Inu-Yasha quickly placed Kikyo out of the dragon's, and harm's reach. Then he spun around quickly, and cut the dragon straight down the middle using his powerful demon claws.

The demon dragon gave out one final cry of pain and longing for life, before tumbling down to the floor, and finally letting go of it's life.

Inu-Yasha returned to Kikyo then, and saw her eyes wide.

"Inu….Inu-Yasha… You saved me." she said not believing what has just occurred.

In that moment Inu-Yasha realized two things. One was that he wouldn't be able to take the jewel from Kikyo. And the second was why he wouldn't be able to. He loved Kikyo. And though he would never admit to anyone for a long time, he knew that with all his heart, he did indeed cherish this priestess, this woman who had never given up faith in him.

"Is it true you posses the Shikkon Jewel?" he asked quietly.

Kikyo nodded.

"That is why you came to my village, is it not Inu-Yasha?" Kikyo asked, regaining her composure.

"Yes… How long have you known?" Inu-Yasha questioned.

"Since the first villager reported seeing you. Many demons have come to take the jewel. It was no surprise to me that a halfbreed would be searching the jewel out. You wish to become… whole." Kikyo explained. "But you greatly surprised me Inu-Yasha. You did not attack my village, or myself when I came to you the first time."

"I did not it was you who held the jewel." Inu-Yasha admitted.

"What will you do now?" Kikyo asked, standing tall, waiting for his answer.

"I can not take the jewel from you…." Inu-Yasha whispered.

Kikyo gave a small smile.

"I must ask just one more thing of you Inu-Yasha. Would you become human or demon now if you could posses the jewel?" Kikyo questioned.

Inu-Yasha looked off into the distance, past the carcass of the beast, to where Kikyo's village lay.

"Before…It was so clear to become a demon, but even then the lines of human and demon were blurred… Now it seems that colors have been added to the mixture of confusion… I speak the truth when I say: I do not know if I would become human or demon. I wish to be powerful. I want to be the strongest… But now that I have met Kikyo, being human…. Does not sound all that awful." Inu-Yasha spoke.

Kikyo leaned forward and hugged him.

"When the jewel is purified… And if you wish to be human, I will allow you to use the jewel."

Inu-Yasha was shocked, but the slowly put his arms around Kikyo.

"Everything is going to be all right now Inu-Yasha." Kikyo whispered.

Sadly though, everything would not be all right. Just when Inu-Yasha's dreams would  come true, and the lines of human and demon would be in full color and no longer blurred, another sorrow would occur.

Inu-Yasha would shut his eyes for fifty years, staring at his love as she emitted hatred towards him, refusing him the jewel.

And Kikyo would die, taking the jewel with her to the grave, believing that Inu-Yasha betrayed her.

The lines of demon and human were redrawn, and Inu-Yasha's hatred was reawaken, as his body was put to sleep.

But…

Maybe the lines could be erased again…

Author's Note: Geeze, it took me a long time to update this story. I finally wrote chapter two, after reading a copy of chapter one at my friend's house. So you have BunChanuu to thank! Please email or review at vegetaztwin@hotmail.com. And I am planning a third chapter.