A/N:
Sorry it took awhile to update this chapter. Take my advice; don't do more than one story at a time! If you do, it's a pain trying to work on all of them, especially when you have school and all. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the story so far, even though hardly anything has happened yet. ^_^;; But, I promise a lot more happens in this chapter, and the following ones. So, just sit back, pull out a bag of popcorn and a can of soda and enjoy this chapter! Please don't forget to review! ^_^ Enjoy!
Chapter 1: A Priestess's Desire
The birds' harmonic lullabies drifted passively through the cool breeze that carried throughout the morning air. The many towering trees that spread across the rolling fields danced as the gentle wind combed craftily through the tender leaves as if containing a mind of its own. The golden leaves fluttered gracefully to the earth, showing their beauty as they occasionally encompassed the body of dreamy young maiden. The gentle breeze brushed through her raven hair that was loosely pulled back with a neat ribbon. Her brown eyes gazed into the hazy light that surrounded her feeble body. The golden rays peeked happily through the somewhat bare trees above her. She stood there patiently, as if waiting for the arrival of a certain person.
She turned her head slightly, adjusting the position of her body. The sun's glistening rays flooded her milky skin, causing it to have a radiant glow. At that moment, she looked as if an innocent priestess, one who desired nothing but to aid others. However, appearances can be deceiving. Underneath her coat of kind innocence, was a vengeful beast wanting nothing more but than to cause pain to the one whom destroyed her life, and the one doing it now. Her most fervent wish was to drag the hanyou to hell with her, there where they could spend eternity with each other. But in her way was an obstacle, a threat to the remaining love he had held for her. She had to dispose of her reincarnation, but with him there, she couldn't approach the maiden to carry out her plan.
"I see you came." She slowly turned her body to the one she had been waiting for. Her brown eyes gazed happily at the handsome figure before her. The way the sun shown on his silver hair, the way it was carried in the breeze made him look like a charming prince of the feudal era. His amber eyes stared at the her, them somewhat filled with pain. Every time he saw her, every time he felt her presence, painful memories of their tragic day would deluge his mind. He still felt somewhat responsible for her death, and was looking for a way to repent his actions.
"I heard you calling. What is it you want?" "Do not rush, unless you have someplace else to be?" His eyes strolled down to the ground, noticing each detail of the fascinating earth. "Just tell me." "Please, come with me? I would like to show you something." She held out her fragile hand, waiting for him to grip it. His eyes had wandered up to her hand, and then he too raised his own arm. He gently encompassed her hand and laced his fingers with hers, taking mind of his sharp claws and her delicate skin. Suddenly, a chill was sent jolting through his body, one that caused a sudden wave of nausea to blanket him. Her skin was so cold and empty, one of death; it created an emotion of guilt in his heart.
"Where are we going?" "You'll see. Patience definitely is not one of your best qualities." "Hmph, and what would you know?" "Inuyasha, I know more than you ever will." He gazed at her in sheer confusion. "Never mind. I wish to show you something very important to the both of us."
They slowly meandered deeper into the bare woods, curiosity arousing within him with each single step. "Are you going to keep quiet this whole time or are you going to tell me why you called me here?" A gentle smile slid across her face as she came to a halt. Inuyasha glanced ahead of him, and noticed the only tree that still beared lively leaves, the only one that towered above the others, and the only one that had changed his life. "Why have you brought me here?"
"Inuyasha, do you remember the day when you told me you wished to become a full human? The day when you were going to use the Shikkon No Tama to fulfil your new desire, to become human and spend the rest of your life with me in happiness and peace?" He continued to gaze at the ancient tree, memories of him and Kikyo, and him and Kagome deluging his mind. His eyes were scrutinizing each detail of the bark. The way some parts were darker than others; the way some individual pieces stood out; and the way one tiny hole where Kikyo's sacred arrow had bound him to the tree caught the attention of him more than anything else on the tree.
"Inuyasha, do you not remember the promise you made me?" Her empty voice poured through his sensitive ears, piercing his thoughts like another arrow. "How could I forget? How could anyone forget such a promise." "You gave me your word, but it all changed afterward." "Yes, everything fell apart. One demon's desires got in the way and devastated our trust and love. How could I forget that tragic day that started good and ended with death?"
Flashback
A serene breeze whistled through the colored horizon as the sun's final rays of daylight flushed upon the two figures sitting in Mother Natures sea of fields.
"I can become human with the jewel?" "Yes, you Inuyasha, can use the sacred jewel to become human."
"But, what would happen to you?" "I believe that when the jewel is used, it will cease to exist, therefore I could live the life of a normal woman. We could spend the rest of our lives together."
End of Flashback
"I said I would become human for you, not a full fledged demon. But then, Naraku got in the way, and I was led to believe that you betrayed me." "Yes, we did have a problem. You stole the jewel from the village, and in the process ended many lives of the village men. And then, I bound you to this tree with a sacred arrow, one that kept you asleep for fifty years."
Flashback
"Finally, a way for me to become all demon at last." The satisfied hanyou glided winsomely through the air, holding a small glistening orb in his hand.
The Shikkon No Tama. A jewel with incredible powers that came from the soul of a priestess centuries ago. The jewel was created when she reached deep within her soul for the strength to purify the mighty demon that took her life. Even a single shard of the jewel has the power to give any demon unimaginable strength.
"Inuyasha!"
His ears slightly twitched as the familiar voice echoed through his head. As the many leaves danced around his body, he gradually turned his head, glancing over his shoulder. His amber eyes met with pain when the sacred arrow pierced his chest. His mesmerized body was bound to the tree behind him as he watched in sheer horror as the sacred jewel fell from his grasp, making a delicate tune when it crashed to the solid earth.
A maiden with nothing but utter disgust and blazing anger in her eyes glared at the hanyou as his life slowly faded away. The leaves that were carried through the eerie silence performed their show around her body as if containing a mind of their own.
"K-Kikyo ...... how could ...... I thought we-" With the last breath he held in his lungs, his amber eyes filled with sorrow, and his head slowly bowed. His remaining life drifted away with the slight sigh that escaped his mouth as his eyes fully closed.
End of Flashback
"A day I long to forget, but I cannot, not with these emotions still deluging my mind and heart. Inuyasha, would you go back to that day, to the time before I sealed you, to the time when you said you would become a full human?" His eyes quickly filled with confusion as her voice rang through his sensitive ears.
"Would you go back to the point in which we shared true emotions for one another? Would you go back to the time when we held the desire of love in our hearts?" His eyes filled with pain and sorrow as she continued to ask these questions. How could he answer? He still had somewhat feelings for her, yet he had developed emotions towards Kagome. However, an emotion of guilt would constantly deluge his mind about the tragic day between him and Kikyo.
"Inuyasha, would you go back to the point in life in which you were happy, happy with me?" She took a small step forward and gently placed her cold, lifeless hand on his shoulder. He reacted by covering the icy skin. "Kikyo, I have been happy, here with Kagome. I can't just leave her alone." A small chuckle escaped her throat as she tightened her grip. "Don't you understand Inuyasha? That girl doesn't belong here. This isn't her home. She belongs in the future, where she can live a real life. Here, she'll have to constantly worry about demons threatening her life, trying to steal her soul, trying to end her spirit. In her time, she needs not to worry about such circumstances."
As the wind coursed through the bare forest, she leaned forward and rested her head upon his back, placing her arms around his chest in a tender embrace. "Listen Inuyasha, you need to give her up, let her go home, let her live the life she has always dreamt of. She needs to spend her life in her own era, not here struggling to survive." His eyes widened as her words surged through his mind. Thousands of memories from his memorable experiences with Kagome flashed before his eyes. Was Kikyo right? Is it time for him to let Kagome go?
Flashback
Kagome stared at the ancient tree before her, watching in pure sorrow as the snow pranced to the earth around her. The large tree represented what had brought her and Inuyasha together. And now, she couldn't get back; she couldn't go back to see him; in fact, she would never see him again, according to Kikyo.
She took a small step forward and placed her hand gently upon the bark of the sacred tree. Her heavenly brown eyes gradually closed as she listened carefully with her heart. Just because Kikyo had said she couldn't go back, didn't that she couldn't try.
'I can feel him; I can feel Inuyasha.' She concentrated harder with all of her strength, putting all of her heart into it. She wouldn't give up that easy. There was no way Kikyo could separate them now, not now that they've gotten this far.
"Kagome?"
Her eyes quickly opened when she heard the one voice she had yearned for. "Is that you Kagome?" The sweet voice she had loved with all of her heart danced through her ears.
"Inuyasha!" Remembering the previous incident, her first concerns was his health. "Are you ok, are you injured?" "Heh, it takes more than that to get me down. Am I there, in the feudal era?" "I came back, to my own time." "Keh, did you get scared?" A small spark of anger shot through her mind. "No! That's not... that isn't it at all. It's..." "What is it?" "Hm, nothing. I didn't run away though. I would never do such a thing." Tears gradually coated her eyes as she thought about Kikyo, and what she had done to her, pushing her back into the well.
"Feh, you're acting like your usual stupid self. Why must you do that?" "Stupid?! Huh?" As her eyes opened fully, she noticed a figure resting before her, where there was once nothing but bark. Inuyasha's injured body was right before her eyes, just sitting there, so lifeless. Her heart filled somewhat with joy, knowing that at least he was a live and that she could see him. "Inuyasha."
His golden eyes slowly opened when he heard the heavenly name. "Ugh ... Kagome. You're right here, right here with me." A charming smile spread tenderly across his handsome features. "Kagome, what's troubling you? I can see it, in your eyes." "I'm no help to you. I just hurt you, and, I'm nothing but a pain that always gets in the way and constantly needs rescuing. Maybe it'll be best if I just stay here, and leave you guys alone. You'll be bet..." "Don't talk such nonsense!" As his voice echoed through the snow wonderland, his weakened body rose to their feet, quickly heading towards Kagome. "Inuyasha! You mustn't move, you'll reopen your wounds!"
She placed her hands upon his shoulders, trying to sit him down. However, she was silenced completely when her body was being pulled into an embrace. "Uh ..." His hands compassionately wrapped around her back, embracing her in a gentle hug. "Don't you understand? I need you her with me Kagome. I need you by my side. You are my other half, and without it, I'm incomplete and lost." "Inu ... Inuyasha ... I need you too."
End of Flashback
But she was his other half, and without her, he would be incomplete and lost. "Kikyo... I ..." "Inuyasha, I want to know. It's about time that you choose. Who will you live the rest of your life with? Will you pick me? Or will you go with Kagome?" "What? Pick? How... why? I can't choose!" Kikyo let out a sigh as she repositioned her body, calmly cupping his hand in hers. "Look Inuyasha, you can't continue your life struggling between two women. It's time now to choose whom you wish to spend the rest of your life with? Shall you choose me? Or Lay Kagome?"
Pain shot through his eyes as realization struck him. He had to choose, and now. He couldn't go on like this anymore. Standing between two girls just tore his soul apart. But choosing one? How could he possibly pick? He had grown strong feelings towards Kagome, but yet he still felt the need to repent for Kikyo's death. He didn't know how Kagome felt about him, but judging by some of their past experiences, he concluded that she had developed stronger emotions as well. However, he could feel the same change in Kikyo. She didn't seem as dead as before, like she had a little life flowing through her. And in his mind, that life was him.
________________________________________
A/N:
Ok, I know it's a cliffhanger, but I'm sorry. I have plans for the next chapters, and it involves this cliffhanger, so you're just gonna have to wait for the next chapter. Ok, that sounded a little rude. Oh geeze, I'll just try to put up the next chapter A.S.A.P so you don't have to wait too long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to review! I'll go now so I can start the next chapter. Ja ne! ^_^
Don't forget to review! Thanks for reading this story so far, it makes me feel great!!!!
Sorry it took awhile to update this chapter. Take my advice; don't do more than one story at a time! If you do, it's a pain trying to work on all of them, especially when you have school and all. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the story so far, even though hardly anything has happened yet. ^_^;; But, I promise a lot more happens in this chapter, and the following ones. So, just sit back, pull out a bag of popcorn and a can of soda and enjoy this chapter! Please don't forget to review! ^_^ Enjoy!
Chapter 1: A Priestess's Desire
The birds' harmonic lullabies drifted passively through the cool breeze that carried throughout the morning air. The many towering trees that spread across the rolling fields danced as the gentle wind combed craftily through the tender leaves as if containing a mind of its own. The golden leaves fluttered gracefully to the earth, showing their beauty as they occasionally encompassed the body of dreamy young maiden. The gentle breeze brushed through her raven hair that was loosely pulled back with a neat ribbon. Her brown eyes gazed into the hazy light that surrounded her feeble body. The golden rays peeked happily through the somewhat bare trees above her. She stood there patiently, as if waiting for the arrival of a certain person.
She turned her head slightly, adjusting the position of her body. The sun's glistening rays flooded her milky skin, causing it to have a radiant glow. At that moment, she looked as if an innocent priestess, one who desired nothing but to aid others. However, appearances can be deceiving. Underneath her coat of kind innocence, was a vengeful beast wanting nothing more but than to cause pain to the one whom destroyed her life, and the one doing it now. Her most fervent wish was to drag the hanyou to hell with her, there where they could spend eternity with each other. But in her way was an obstacle, a threat to the remaining love he had held for her. She had to dispose of her reincarnation, but with him there, she couldn't approach the maiden to carry out her plan.
"I see you came." She slowly turned her body to the one she had been waiting for. Her brown eyes gazed happily at the handsome figure before her. The way the sun shown on his silver hair, the way it was carried in the breeze made him look like a charming prince of the feudal era. His amber eyes stared at the her, them somewhat filled with pain. Every time he saw her, every time he felt her presence, painful memories of their tragic day would deluge his mind. He still felt somewhat responsible for her death, and was looking for a way to repent his actions.
"I heard you calling. What is it you want?" "Do not rush, unless you have someplace else to be?" His eyes strolled down to the ground, noticing each detail of the fascinating earth. "Just tell me." "Please, come with me? I would like to show you something." She held out her fragile hand, waiting for him to grip it. His eyes had wandered up to her hand, and then he too raised his own arm. He gently encompassed her hand and laced his fingers with hers, taking mind of his sharp claws and her delicate skin. Suddenly, a chill was sent jolting through his body, one that caused a sudden wave of nausea to blanket him. Her skin was so cold and empty, one of death; it created an emotion of guilt in his heart.
"Where are we going?" "You'll see. Patience definitely is not one of your best qualities." "Hmph, and what would you know?" "Inuyasha, I know more than you ever will." He gazed at her in sheer confusion. "Never mind. I wish to show you something very important to the both of us."
They slowly meandered deeper into the bare woods, curiosity arousing within him with each single step. "Are you going to keep quiet this whole time or are you going to tell me why you called me here?" A gentle smile slid across her face as she came to a halt. Inuyasha glanced ahead of him, and noticed the only tree that still beared lively leaves, the only one that towered above the others, and the only one that had changed his life. "Why have you brought me here?"
"Inuyasha, do you remember the day when you told me you wished to become a full human? The day when you were going to use the Shikkon No Tama to fulfil your new desire, to become human and spend the rest of your life with me in happiness and peace?" He continued to gaze at the ancient tree, memories of him and Kikyo, and him and Kagome deluging his mind. His eyes were scrutinizing each detail of the bark. The way some parts were darker than others; the way some individual pieces stood out; and the way one tiny hole where Kikyo's sacred arrow had bound him to the tree caught the attention of him more than anything else on the tree.
"Inuyasha, do you not remember the promise you made me?" Her empty voice poured through his sensitive ears, piercing his thoughts like another arrow. "How could I forget? How could anyone forget such a promise." "You gave me your word, but it all changed afterward." "Yes, everything fell apart. One demon's desires got in the way and devastated our trust and love. How could I forget that tragic day that started good and ended with death?"
Flashback
A serene breeze whistled through the colored horizon as the sun's final rays of daylight flushed upon the two figures sitting in Mother Natures sea of fields.
"I can become human with the jewel?" "Yes, you Inuyasha, can use the sacred jewel to become human."
"But, what would happen to you?" "I believe that when the jewel is used, it will cease to exist, therefore I could live the life of a normal woman. We could spend the rest of our lives together."
End of Flashback
"I said I would become human for you, not a full fledged demon. But then, Naraku got in the way, and I was led to believe that you betrayed me." "Yes, we did have a problem. You stole the jewel from the village, and in the process ended many lives of the village men. And then, I bound you to this tree with a sacred arrow, one that kept you asleep for fifty years."
Flashback
"Finally, a way for me to become all demon at last." The satisfied hanyou glided winsomely through the air, holding a small glistening orb in his hand.
The Shikkon No Tama. A jewel with incredible powers that came from the soul of a priestess centuries ago. The jewel was created when she reached deep within her soul for the strength to purify the mighty demon that took her life. Even a single shard of the jewel has the power to give any demon unimaginable strength.
"Inuyasha!"
His ears slightly twitched as the familiar voice echoed through his head. As the many leaves danced around his body, he gradually turned his head, glancing over his shoulder. His amber eyes met with pain when the sacred arrow pierced his chest. His mesmerized body was bound to the tree behind him as he watched in sheer horror as the sacred jewel fell from his grasp, making a delicate tune when it crashed to the solid earth.
A maiden with nothing but utter disgust and blazing anger in her eyes glared at the hanyou as his life slowly faded away. The leaves that were carried through the eerie silence performed their show around her body as if containing a mind of their own.
"K-Kikyo ...... how could ...... I thought we-" With the last breath he held in his lungs, his amber eyes filled with sorrow, and his head slowly bowed. His remaining life drifted away with the slight sigh that escaped his mouth as his eyes fully closed.
End of Flashback
"A day I long to forget, but I cannot, not with these emotions still deluging my mind and heart. Inuyasha, would you go back to that day, to the time before I sealed you, to the time when you said you would become a full human?" His eyes quickly filled with confusion as her voice rang through his sensitive ears.
"Would you go back to the point in which we shared true emotions for one another? Would you go back to the time when we held the desire of love in our hearts?" His eyes filled with pain and sorrow as she continued to ask these questions. How could he answer? He still had somewhat feelings for her, yet he had developed emotions towards Kagome. However, an emotion of guilt would constantly deluge his mind about the tragic day between him and Kikyo.
"Inuyasha, would you go back to the point in life in which you were happy, happy with me?" She took a small step forward and gently placed her cold, lifeless hand on his shoulder. He reacted by covering the icy skin. "Kikyo, I have been happy, here with Kagome. I can't just leave her alone." A small chuckle escaped her throat as she tightened her grip. "Don't you understand Inuyasha? That girl doesn't belong here. This isn't her home. She belongs in the future, where she can live a real life. Here, she'll have to constantly worry about demons threatening her life, trying to steal her soul, trying to end her spirit. In her time, she needs not to worry about such circumstances."
As the wind coursed through the bare forest, she leaned forward and rested her head upon his back, placing her arms around his chest in a tender embrace. "Listen Inuyasha, you need to give her up, let her go home, let her live the life she has always dreamt of. She needs to spend her life in her own era, not here struggling to survive." His eyes widened as her words surged through his mind. Thousands of memories from his memorable experiences with Kagome flashed before his eyes. Was Kikyo right? Is it time for him to let Kagome go?
Flashback
Kagome stared at the ancient tree before her, watching in pure sorrow as the snow pranced to the earth around her. The large tree represented what had brought her and Inuyasha together. And now, she couldn't get back; she couldn't go back to see him; in fact, she would never see him again, according to Kikyo.
She took a small step forward and placed her hand gently upon the bark of the sacred tree. Her heavenly brown eyes gradually closed as she listened carefully with her heart. Just because Kikyo had said she couldn't go back, didn't that she couldn't try.
'I can feel him; I can feel Inuyasha.' She concentrated harder with all of her strength, putting all of her heart into it. She wouldn't give up that easy. There was no way Kikyo could separate them now, not now that they've gotten this far.
"Kagome?"
Her eyes quickly opened when she heard the one voice she had yearned for. "Is that you Kagome?" The sweet voice she had loved with all of her heart danced through her ears.
"Inuyasha!" Remembering the previous incident, her first concerns was his health. "Are you ok, are you injured?" "Heh, it takes more than that to get me down. Am I there, in the feudal era?" "I came back, to my own time." "Keh, did you get scared?" A small spark of anger shot through her mind. "No! That's not... that isn't it at all. It's..." "What is it?" "Hm, nothing. I didn't run away though. I would never do such a thing." Tears gradually coated her eyes as she thought about Kikyo, and what she had done to her, pushing her back into the well.
"Feh, you're acting like your usual stupid self. Why must you do that?" "Stupid?! Huh?" As her eyes opened fully, she noticed a figure resting before her, where there was once nothing but bark. Inuyasha's injured body was right before her eyes, just sitting there, so lifeless. Her heart filled somewhat with joy, knowing that at least he was a live and that she could see him. "Inuyasha."
His golden eyes slowly opened when he heard the heavenly name. "Ugh ... Kagome. You're right here, right here with me." A charming smile spread tenderly across his handsome features. "Kagome, what's troubling you? I can see it, in your eyes." "I'm no help to you. I just hurt you, and, I'm nothing but a pain that always gets in the way and constantly needs rescuing. Maybe it'll be best if I just stay here, and leave you guys alone. You'll be bet..." "Don't talk such nonsense!" As his voice echoed through the snow wonderland, his weakened body rose to their feet, quickly heading towards Kagome. "Inuyasha! You mustn't move, you'll reopen your wounds!"
She placed her hands upon his shoulders, trying to sit him down. However, she was silenced completely when her body was being pulled into an embrace. "Uh ..." His hands compassionately wrapped around her back, embracing her in a gentle hug. "Don't you understand? I need you her with me Kagome. I need you by my side. You are my other half, and without it, I'm incomplete and lost." "Inu ... Inuyasha ... I need you too."
End of Flashback
But she was his other half, and without her, he would be incomplete and lost. "Kikyo... I ..." "Inuyasha, I want to know. It's about time that you choose. Who will you live the rest of your life with? Will you pick me? Or will you go with Kagome?" "What? Pick? How... why? I can't choose!" Kikyo let out a sigh as she repositioned her body, calmly cupping his hand in hers. "Look Inuyasha, you can't continue your life struggling between two women. It's time now to choose whom you wish to spend the rest of your life with? Shall you choose me? Or Lay Kagome?"
Pain shot through his eyes as realization struck him. He had to choose, and now. He couldn't go on like this anymore. Standing between two girls just tore his soul apart. But choosing one? How could he possibly pick? He had grown strong feelings towards Kagome, but yet he still felt the need to repent for Kikyo's death. He didn't know how Kagome felt about him, but judging by some of their past experiences, he concluded that she had developed stronger emotions as well. However, he could feel the same change in Kikyo. She didn't seem as dead as before, like she had a little life flowing through her. And in his mind, that life was him.
________________________________________
A/N:
Ok, I know it's a cliffhanger, but I'm sorry. I have plans for the next chapters, and it involves this cliffhanger, so you're just gonna have to wait for the next chapter. Ok, that sounded a little rude. Oh geeze, I'll just try to put up the next chapter A.S.A.P so you don't have to wait too long. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to review! I'll go now so I can start the next chapter. Ja ne! ^_^
Don't forget to review! Thanks for reading this story so far, it makes me feel great!!!!
