Chapter 4
Author's Notes: I'm really sorry for not updating for so long, I've been quite busy lately, and writing hasn't been on the top of my priority list. Anyways, enough about my sad life; go on and read a chapter of fluff! :D
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of the recognisable characters in this fanfiction. All I own is the plot.
"Presence"
Sudden warmth enveloped the miko as she stirred from her sleep. As she observed her surroundings, and took in the scenery, she saw that she was surrounded by tall grass and could see the afternoon sun above the tree canopies. She stifled a yawn and lay back on the damp grass and observed the cloud overhead. An unmistakable smile formed on her soft lips as she remembered the dream she just had, about spending endless afternoons with the hanyou whom she adored.
'Inuyasha.' She thought, 'How could he still do that do me, just the thought of him sends floods of memories through my mind. Remarkable ….' With a light shake of her head, she waved away those thoughts and headed down to the small stream. Her clothes fell away and the priestess waded into the cold water. When the water reached her hips, she began to swim and soon came upon a small waterfall. She stood up, removed the white ribbon and let her hair fall on her shoulders. A content sigh escaped her lips as the water ran its gentle fingers through her soft hair and flowed down her body.
Her miko powers instinctively told her that someone was nearby; her sharp eyes scanned her surroundings. She caught a glimpse of red. 'Inuyasha.' Without wasting another second, she swam to shore and clad herself. She was just putting on her haori when she heard the clearing of a throat.
"Didn't realise this was a bad time for you Kikyou." Inuyasha apologised, his face flushing a deep shade of crimson. He kept his eyes down but couldn't keep his eyes of the long shadows of her cast on the ground. The miko turned around and gave him an odd sort of look.
"What is it that you seek me for, Inuyasha?" She asked, speaking in her usual calm and distant voice.
"Ah well … I found this girl who looks strikingly like you," he began, "and something tells me that she has the Shikon no Tama embedded within her body." Kikyou's eyes darted upward and met his, a sea of emotion washed over her and she quickly looked away.
"Is that so … and where may this girl be?" She inquired, letting no hints of her internal torture show.
"I left her in the village," the hanyou replied absent-mindedly. He was too busy memorising every detail about the woman standing in front of him to notice that she was giving him an odd look.
"Inuyasha?" A small blush snuck its way upon Kikyou's cheeks. The word called to him, beckoned him to her and caused him to shift uncomfortably in his stance. But ultimately, he snapped out of his daze and muttered an apology. She giggled lightly, and to him, it was the song of angels, the most beautiful voice on earth.
"F'eh …" He muttered his signature response. When no other words could be spoken by him, that syllable - hardly a word, would do. And somehow, she always understood the meaning of his response without needing an explanation. An unspoken understanding was long developed between them. As each they were conservative and seldom spoke, long silences were common but not necessarily awkward.
Kikyou nodded and walked towards the direction of her village that was under her care, her protection. All her life long, the occupation required Kikyou to be something she didn't necessarily enjoy. Always on alert, always proper and formal, she was the symbol of strength to the villagers. She was their guardian, and in return they worshipped and respected her. Over time, even though she loathed her title as priestess, she had gotten used to being conservative, growing up at an early age and never showing any weakness. And now, as she was striding silently underneath the autumn leaves, her thoughts were properly under control and wouldn't resurface unless she wanted it to.
"What happened between us?" Inuyasha asked and dared a glance at the woman he once and maybe still loved. The hurt and confusion was clearly shown in his amber eyes, ones that he desperately needed Kikyou to see.
"I don't know." Was the simple reply, she on the other hand dared not to look at him. She knew, if she ever looked him directly in the eye, her heart would melt and give into his pleads. 'There will be a time for us, Inuyasha. But that time is not now … I'm sorry.' She apologised in her mind, hoping that he could read her thoughts. Her lips quivered slightly as the guilt overwhelmed her.
"Why can't things be the way they used to be?" He asked again.
"Two years have passed Inuyasha, as we both know, many things have happened. You know of the uncertainties of my job." She said in a weak voice, "Dangers are arising, I can sense it. I don't doubt you can as well, other matters have to be …"
She gasped as the familiar feeling of his lips on hers overwhelmed her senses. The hanyou captured her mouth with his and poured his soul into her. She accepted it wholesomely and without discrimination while all the time, she returned something in return. It was the comfort and assurance that she, and would forever remain so, his.
The moment was theirs, and no one could disrupt it. Not the demon known as Naraku hiding in the bushes, not the dozen villagers that had come upon them while in search of their priestess, nor the demon slayer that Inuyasha had met earlier.
"Lady Kikyou …" One man spoke barely audibly, his eyes looked as if they could pop out of their socket at any given moment now.
"Has that fowl half-breed corrupted thy purity? Let us kill him!" Another boldly offered. Inuyasha growled at the man's prejudice words and bared his claws.
"That will be of no need. I can take care of him on my own, thank you." Kikyou regained her posture and with it her voice of authority that was usually masked away when with Inuyasha. She needed not to command her needs, he always knew, how he did would always remain a mystery to her.
"As you wish, priestess Kikyou. If you would require any assistance with the slaying of Inuyasha, please do not hesitate to call us." The same man bowed low and retreated in peace.
"Damn them bastards …" Inuyasha hissed and turned to Kikyou, "Are you so ashamed of me, Kikyou? Must we forever hide from them?" He asked sincerely.
"Of course not, but do you really wish to draw more attention to us? Do not forget that I'm still a priestess until this obstructive jewel is destroyed. Then, I will be free to lead a life as a normal woman with you, if you wish, Inuyasha." She smiled warmly and assuring. Inuyasha was seldom embarrassed, but lately he had found himself blushing more and more, especially around her. He cleared his throat and brushed the diminutive amounts of dirt from his haori, remembering that he was not supposed to show weakness.
"Yeah …" he trailed off. 'If fate is with us, that day will come soon.'
Author's Notes: I think that was the longest chapter yet. Note that this is only Part 1, part 2 will come shortly after. Anyways, go ahead and review! I can always use constructive criticism. Just don't flame without a proper reason to.