The Anti-Stereotype Story

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, but I own a pair of ears remarkably like his, except they're brown and catlike… And my delusions are mine, too.

Chapter 2: Kikyou

A calm silence reigned in the open forest area where two figures stood impassively.

The amber eyes of the taller figure held distrust and apprehension, yet caring and loyalty was clear to any who could look within their depths. The other figure could see this clearly, yet little emotion flickered in her grey orbs. She had long ago learned to hide her feelings – unlike the other, who, even after all these years still was more open with his emotions than he liked to believe.

He had changed, she could see. The girl who freed him from the spell she had placed on him had done more than awaken him – though she did do that, in more ways than either of them could see. Why were they both unwilling to face what was clear to any observer? Was love honestly that distrusting and worrying?

Yes, it was, she realized. Their love had been so, even after it had become clear to both of them.

So, then, was it really love?

She had had years of being dead, then walking the earth in a clay body with a fragment of a soul and hate to keep her alive. To not have time to think and reflect would be impossible.

Therefore, she had come to the conclusion that no, it was not love.

It never had been. It never would be. Not that she wished it to be – he seemed happier with Kagome anyways. She did not want to take away his happiness for selfish purposes; despite not loving him in the way she had once believed, she still cared for him. It was the love of a friend.

And the foolish girl believed she was a rival for his affections…!

Indeed, she too had made mistakes in the beginning. She had refused to let go of the hate she had felt for the hanyou, or the lingering affection that she believed to be romantic attraction. In doing so, she had caused pain to more than one person.

She wanted to fix that. That was why she was here, in a warm body once more. This was to fix her mistakes.

…Not that she wanted to die, or anything, but she no longer desired Inuyasha.

In a soft voice, her gaze fixed on the silver-haired boy a few steps away from her, she asked,

"Do you love her, Inuyasha? Do you love her with all your heart?"

He looked down at the grass. She wondered if he felt guilty about having to admit such a thing to her; she was, after all, his former love (or what he had thought was love, that is). Did he not realize that any romantic feelings between them were gone?

"I…"

He shook his head, unwilling to continue.

"Inuyasha, you know I do not love you."

She had expected him to nod, or agree. Instead, he gasped and looked up sharply. Shaking his head, he stepped towards her, one hand outstretched.

"Kikyou… What are you saying?"

Brushing his hand away, she glanced to the side. She hoped not to see pain or betrayal in his eyes, though she feared that if she looked it would be visible. So, her grey gaze fixed on a nearby tree, she spoke.

"There was no real love between us, Inuyasha. What there was is no more. You care deeply for Kagome – you love her, do you not? I wish to see you happy with her; it is my duty as your friend."

"Friends, Kikyou? I… You… I don't understand!"

She sighed and shook her head. Only Inuyasha would be such a fool around this topic. "Inuyasha, we did not love each other in the way that we should have. I don't want you to lose your chance with Kagome! Already there are things breaking you apart, and one of them is me. I don't want to be an obstacle to something that I wish to see happen!"

He blinked, slightly confused still. "You mean… You want me and Kagome to be together? But what about-"

"Foolish mistakes of an immature mind, Inuyasha. What I believed then was false. I want to atone for my mistakes, those I made while… dead."

He nodded and stepped back, glancing towards the dim light of the fire and his companions. "You're different now."

"I am, Inuyasha. Now, go to her. For Kagome to gain the wrong impression of this conversation would be a mistake that I shall not allow."

With a hint of a smile, his eyes showed his agreement. As he disappeared into the trees, Kikyou watched with a smile on her own face.

"That would be one more mistake I would have to correct during the rest of the time I have left on this earth."

And with that, she walked away to the next village, hoping to cool the raging hatred of those who had been subject to her earlier mistakes – because no one wishes to die with enemies alive, and no one wishes to be hated for who you are.

Owari

A/N: I am an anti-Kikyou Basher. I admit that once, I disliked her. I then saw episode 108 of the anime. Perhaps it was her views and trust towards Suikotsu, or perhaps just the way that she behaved without any dark motives towards Naraku or Inuyasha or anyone else… My dislike just went out the window. I still think she should end whatever romantic ties she and Inuyasha have (unless I'm just behind in watching…), but that doesn't mean I hate her.

I do, however, hate people who portray Kikyou as a bitchy slut. It's about as OOC as an overly-emotional Inuyasha, a prudish Miroku, or a sarcastic Kagome (which is me). She is neither, and I find it to be extremely unjustified prejudice. I have no problem with people disliking Kikyou. I do have a problem with people who proceed to turn their dislike into Kikyou-bashing.

Bashing Is Bad. End of authour rant.

Ah, and I wrote this a day or so after the Sess/Kag one, but posted them on the same day. I don't have that much time on my hands (though I have the inspiration)!