AN: A short, pointless drabble that I was hesitant to post because I know there will be flames...oh, well. In case you're wondering "Why gardenias?" this was written after I read the requirements for the 30 Kisses LJ community. I didn't want the commitment of 30 stories, but this just wouldn't get out of my head. So, if you are the owner of the Kikyou/Inuyasha or Kagome/Inuyasha pairing, I apologize sincerely for my infringement.

It was the beginning of summer, and we had traveled several days to the south of Kaede's village, looking for one of the few remaining sacred jewel shards when we stumbled upon her. Kikyou was standing beside a clump of gardenia bushes, cupping one of the blooms in her hands. InuYasha froze beside me.

In shock, I wondered, or in joy?

I myself was taken aback at the picture she made. The evening sunlight filtered softly through the trees to highlight her cool, porcelain beauty as she stood next to those headily scented flowers.

I watched them watch each other, much as I did the night Kikyou bound me to a tree and lay in wait for InuYasha. I remember the pain it caused me that night to watch them kiss, and my longing to do something—anything—to stop them. I felt that pain again as they stared and my heart cracked a little, as it always does when I am reminded that they share a bond I will never be able to break.

The stillness of the moment was broken as Kikyou's remote, expressionless figure suddenly dropped the fragrant gardenia blossom, turned, and disappeared into the forest as if she had never been there.

And now months later, as I walk by a flower vendor on my way home from school, I wonder.

Why is it that gardenias remind me of death?