Author's notes (optional reading): Honestly, I haven't watched Inuyasha for, well, about forever. I think I stopped with his father's enemy or something. I don't know. But I just really felt as if I wanted to write something and for some reason a line Kikyou had said in a past episode popped into my head (hence the title). The whole fic itself is a short three, possibly four-parter and is relatively pointless. Kikyou haters are NOT welcomed here, but that doesn't mean this will be Inuyasha/Kikyou, no matter what it looks like. But I just kindly ask no flaming of characters is done in my review box. Or else. Also, this is sort of the first fanfiction I've put up for feedback so if you feel I have deeply offended you with my horrendous writing "skills"; please try to keep it at constructive criticism and not senseless name-calling. Anyway, enjoy; hopefully.
Disclaimer: I am not Rumiko Takahashi, and therefore do not own Inuyasha. Simple concept, ne?
"The Threads of Fate"
Chapter I: Kikyou in limbo
A small iridescent sphere of light hung suspended in midair, emitting a soft, almost sad glow around it. The bleak nothingness suffocating it slowly retracted as a vivid scene, perhaps a memory, was played against the oblivion...
"Kikyou! Kikyou, wait!" Tucking a wayward strand of raven hair behind her ear, the woman slightly turned her head. A bored look was set upon her face, effectively masking the turbulence of emotions she felt boiling inside.
The half-demon made a swift leap towards the woman, bare clawed feet landing firmly on the wet grass. His stormy amber gaze considered her hesitantly before his lips parted to speak.
"I still love you."
Inuyasha inwardly winced. That wasn't what he had meant to say. Something unidentifiable flashed in Kikyou's dark chocolate eyes. Inuyasha stood there, vulnerable; waiting for her response.
Nothing came.
"Why won't you say anything to me? Is there no emotion left in you? No feelings at all? Please, say something, anything!" His shouted words became almost frenetic as her eyes slid closed.
"Inuyasha." Her melancholic voice resounded out, as if she were testing his name. It carried on the faint breeze and melted, sending a shiver down the half-demon's spine.
Kikyou's eyes suddenly shot open and Inuyasha unconsciously recoiled from the piercing intensity they held. She turned to fully face him, casually setting her bow and arrow to the ground.
"What is it you wish of me? Do you desire I forget everything? The pain? The hurt? The aching twinge I get when I look upon your sweet face?" Inuyasha looked confused. A weary sigh left Kikyou's lips. "I can't."
"I am not real Inuyasha. I am merely a shadow of my former self. Surely you must realize this?" Soft, silver strands flew in the wind as Inuyasha wildly shook his head. "I don't care! You're still you! I can feel it! I know it! Why do you keep running away? Why can't we go back to what we had?"
He took one step forward as she took one step back. "When the threads of fate are tangled, Inuyasha, they cannot be undone." She gave him one last thoughtful look before picking up her equipment and turning away again.
Inuyasha, however, still was not done. With an angry grunt, he leapt in front of the clay woman, barring her path. "You say you still feel the hurt and pain. But you know I didn't hurt you! I wouldn't ever have done that Kikyou! I loved you and I still do!"
An ironic laugh filled the forest. "You seem to forget your heart, Inuyasha." Confusion sparked in his golden gaze. Kikyou swallowed the lump in her throat as she fought to speak the words they both knew needed to be said.
"The love you feel for me is simply an after effect of your awakening, much like the bitterness in me. I can't get rid of it; it has become a part of me. It prevents me from loving you back, even if the feeling may still be there. Yours however isn't as strong. You're holding onto it because you're afraid." He opened his mouth to speak, but a fleeting wave of her hand cut him off.
"There is someone else you feel for, don't deny it. That girl, Kagome. I see it in your eyes when you watch her sleep. You used to watch me like that, did you not?" Silence met her. She let out a small chuckle.
Kikyou began walking her long, purposeful strides. Inuyasha's head was cast down, silver bangs creating shadows about his face. She stopped when she stood next to him. Without turning, she said her final piece.
"Farewell, Inuyasha. I hope that when we meet again, you will have figured out your heart." With that, she strode away, missing the single crystal tear he shed for a lost love.
The memory faded as the ball of light began to take shape. A woman now floated where the sphere once had. A waterfall of silken raven strands cascaded down her back and deep chocolate eyes gazed around with interest.
A sigh floated past her porcelain lips. Huddling her knees to her body, she tried making a connection. The connection that would free her from her dreary imprisonment...
To be continued...
Confused? Yes, no, maybe? Well if you are, don't worry. It'll get clearer next chapter. Uh, hopefully. Constructive criticism is always welcome...but NOT character flaming. So, drop a line if this was of any interest to you so far.