A/N: Hola's everyone! How do you do? Do you like my story so far? I like the first chapter a lot, but I'm sure I'm going to be getting a lot of good results in many chapters of this story. Enjoy the second chapter:):

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha 'cause if I did, I would get sued for trying to impersonate Rumiko Takahashi.

Like Moths To A Flame

Chapter 2: Because Of You


8 Months Later

"Good morning, Miss Kikyo." A friendly voice said.

"Good morning, Ayame." Kikyou replied.

"Another tiring day at work."

"You can say that again."

"I need to get back to work now. A whole new shipment just came in, and it bought a flood of customers with it."

"Okay, I'll see you at lunch." Kikyo said goodbye and walked into her office. She pulled the blinds on the window and sunlight rushed into every corner of the room. She shielded her eyes from the bright light for a second, but it adjusted as soon as she saw her prized possession.

It had its own shelf on her mahogony bookcase, sitting eye level to her in a glass case. It was nesteled in a bed of white satin. A perfectly round jewel with an opal pink sheen that made it glow with pride. The jewel had a name, Kikyo remembered.Something likeThe Shikon Jewel, nothing special.

The jewel was given to her by a good friend of her mother's as a birthday present when she turned 16.When she had first opened the velvet box the morning of her birthday, she had thought she was dreaming.

Her fingers had barely touched the smooth surface when she felt the jewel pulsing inches away from her hand. It seemed to glow, beckoning her to go on and stroke the glass. Ever so gently, she remembered laying the tip of her finger on it, afraid it might shatter under the slightest bit of pressure.

The warmth she felt traveled through her body. It was in her blood as she felt it pump through her heart. When she removed her hand, she had a sudden feeling of emptiness. The jewel made her feel good, like she was on drugs. She closed the box and thanked her mother's friend.

Kikyo remembered the conversation she had with her after that. Her mom's comrade said that the jewel had chosen her. Kikyo didn't know what it meant, but it sounded nice. She remembered being instructed to take good care of it, to treasure it as if it were her own child.

Kikyo was also warned not to let just anyone touch it. It had to be a special person that either Kikyo or the jewel has chosen. She remembered choosing Inuyasha. She was going to let him hold it, even let him keep it if the Jewel allowed it. But then, her world had cracked underneath her feet.

She felt the moisture in the back of her eyes. It was the tears that never came out, but were always there whenever she thought of Inuyasha. She wouldn't cry over him. She wouldn't cry for any guy.

Kikyo walked over to the case and opened it. She hadn't taken it out in more than half a year. She gently removed the ball from its satin, holding it between her index finger and thumb. As always, she felt the pulsing and the warmth it transmitted.

She brought it to the big glass window and held it in front of the sun. The Tokyo skyline reflected off the surface, and the sun seemed to go through the Jewel as if it wasn't there.

"Hey Kikyo." A smooth male voice said. She turned around to meet the kind face of Suikotsu. Smiling, she placed the jewel back in its cradle and closed the lid.

Suikotsu walked over to her and kissed her cheek. "Has noone ever taught you to knock before opening the door?" Kikyo joked. She pulled away from the kiss and sat down on her office chair.

"Sorry, I missed you." Suikotsu apologized. He sat on the chair opposite of Kikyo's. Feeling uncomfortable, Kikyo leafed through some pages in a random binder.

"How's work?" She asked. "Giving enough customer satisfaction?"

"Sure. Sold a ring today. Some couple is gettting married." He smiled suggestively.


I will not make the same mistake that you did. I will not let myself cause my heart so much misery.

I will not break the way you did, you fell so hard. I've learned the hard way to never let it get that far.

Kikyo bit her bottom lip. She smiled awkwardly. "That's nice to hear." She finally said. "Well, I'll see you at lunch. A lot of paperwork to do." She walked around her desk and started pushing him out the door. "Bye." She gave a fake smile and waved.

"Okay..." Suikotsu frowned, wondering if it was something he said. "See you..." He walked out of her room. Kikyo breathed a mental sigh of relief.

"Hey lovely." A deep voice said behind her. Kikyo's back stiffened. It can't be him. Please, anyone but him. She silently prayed. Plastering on a happy smile, she turned around. Nooo! It is him. Kikyo silently sreamed.

"Hi, Muso." She said.

"I saw you shoving Suikotsu out the door. You getting rid of him? Did he do anything bad to you? Remember, I'm always there if you need a guy to hold your hand and take you to the movies and buy you ice cream and..."

"You mean a boyfriend?" Kikyo said, stating the obvious.

"I wasn't thinking about that," Muso made a thoughtful expression, "but if that's what you want, then yes!"

"Um..."

"Infact, I have tickets for a movie, coupons to an ice cream parlor, and, gasp! A hand to hold!"

"I'm fine, Muso. Really." Kikyo was starting to get annoyed. Didn't he know she was already dating someone?

"Well, if you change your mind!" Muso called after her. Kikyo had walked over to Kagura's desk.

Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk

Because of you I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt

Because of you I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me

Because of you I am afraid

"Hi, Kagura." She said in a voice that sounded just a little sad.

"Kik!(pronounced 'Keek') What's wrong?" Her best friend asked with worry.

"Nothing. Listen, can we go to the tree today? I wanna talk."

"Yeah, sure. Anytime. How about during lunch?" Her friend asked.

"Okay, see you then."

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Kagura asked as soon as she had made herself comfortable under the shade of the sakura tree. The flowers were just starting to bloom, but there were still many buds waiting to burst open.

The tree was home to Kagura and Kikyo's favorite spot. This was where they had first met, and quickly became friends. They went here everytime they had to have a private chat.

"Suikotsu...He's thinking about marriage." Kikyo told the story to her friend. The story wasn't very long, it was only of what happened in her office that morning.

"So...you wanna dump him?" Kagura guessed.

"Yes."

"I don't understand why you are always afraid of going too far in a relationship. Like with the last guy you dated. You dumped him after you've been going out for a month. And Muso. He liked you even before you started dating Suikotsu. You never even gave him the chance. And now Suikotsu? He's such a nice guy. I understand if you don't want marriage, but you guys can still date a little bit longer."

"Kagura, you don't understand." Kikyo replied sadly. The tears were there again. She had promised herself she wont' cry, and she's already made it this far.She wouldn't give in now.

I lose my way and it's not too long before you point it out.

I cannot cry because I know that's weakness in your eyes.

I'm forced to fake a smile, a laugh, everyday of my life.

My heart can't possibly break when it wasn't even whole to start with.

"I'm...sorry. I guess I don't." Kagura put an arm around Kikyo's shoulder. "I shouldn't be the one to judge wether you should like someone or not. I know you wouldn't do that to me."

"It's okay. Why don't you tell me about your love life." Kikyo brightened up.

"You mean the non-existent one? It's pretty good. You gotta love being single. Hey, that's it. Why don't you dump Suikotsu, since you want to so badly, and then live like me. Free and going with the flow." Kagura suggested.

"Hmmm. I could give it a try." Kikyo pondered.

"Yes. That's it, Kik. Live and be happy while you can. If committed relationships aren't you, then that's fine with me. Us two single women can do lots of things together!" Kagura replied happily.

"I could get used to it." Kikyo said.

"Of course you can. Now let's get something to eat." The two got up to find something to satisfy there growling stomachs.

"Hey, Suikotsu. It's me, Kikyo."

"Oh, hi Kikyo. Anything wrong?"

"Can you meet me outside the...um...the bank next to the office?"

"This late?"

"Yeah. Please. I have something to tell you."

"Okay then. I will be right there."

"I'll wait."

Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk

Because of you I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt

Because of you I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me

Because of you I am afraid.

Kikyo waited under the streetlamp outside the bank. She stood under the glow of the soft yellow light, basking in the moment. She looked up to find that she wasn't the only person enjoying the light.

Flying in circles around the lightbulb were moths no bigger than her thumb. They seemed perfectly happy, attracted to the warmth the bulb had to offer. She watched entranced as one of the moths neared the light.

It was cautious at first, approaching it little by little as if it knew it was going to get hurt, but when it decided tthe light was safe, it flew towards it like a moth would. Only it was too late. The moth had been zapped by the radiance of the bulb. Its lifeless body fluttered towards the ground like a leaf would from a tree. Kikyo watched the insect's still body, and then looked up at the live ones.

They probably learned from this moths mistake, and knew the danger of getting too close to an object of attraction.

This sounded familiar. Kikyo decided she would be one of the live moths, enjoying the flame from a distance and knowing when not to get too close. Yes, that did sound like her. It reminded her of what she was about to do now. Soon enough, Suikotsu's figure appeared under the streetlamp's light.

A kind smile lit Suikotsu's face as he spotted Kikyo. He walked over to her, ready to give her his usual kiss on the cheek when she gently pushed him away.

"It's late, Kikyo. What did you want to talk about?" He asked, looking up at the few stars in the sky.

"Suikotsu, I don't know how to say this..." Kikyo started.

"It's okay. Take your time. I'll always be there to listen to you."

The comment threw Kikyo off guard. She was almost going to cancel the break up, but remembered she had to do this. She couldn't let the relationship get too far. That was too dangerous.

"Suikotsu, I'm sorry. I can't let the relationship get too far. I want to break up." There. She said it. She finally got it off her chest.

The expression the statement gave Suikotsu was beyond upset. His eyes went wide with fear and his mouth hung just a tiny bit open. His lips trembled as he searched for something to say, anything to make Kikyo take back her decision.

"Suikotsu, I'm really sorry. You've been a great person. We can still be friends. I know I wasn't that good of a girlfriend, never letting things get too romantic, but you didn't care about any of that. You respected my opinions and decisions. I hope you'll respect this one as well."

"So it is true." Suikotsu said, suddenly sounding cold hearted and not one bit sad. He must have seen her confused face, because then he said,

"It is true what they say about you. That you are a selfish bitch that could never love. Always thinking about herself, and not about anyone else's pain or misery. I thought I could be the one to make you open up, but I guess it's impossible. I don't give a shit about what you say. They're probably all lies, anyways. After all I've done for you...and this is how you repay me? If I'm not the right one, you can just say it. You don't have to sound so cold. You know what, Kik. Screw you. Screw everything we've ever done together. Screw our two month relationship. Screw the fact that I thought we could be. Screw everything."

I watched you die, I heard you cry every night in your sleep.

I was so young you should've known better than to lean on me.

You never thought of anyone else you just saw your pain.

And now I cry in the middle of the night for the same damn thing.

Kikyo swallowed a knot of surprise that had lodged itself in her throat. She had never, never heard him talk this way. She looked at her feet, frowning. She didn't know what she had said wrong, but if he didn't accept an apology, that was his fault. "Fine, Suikotsu. Yell at me all you want. I probably deserve it. I just thought we could still be friends."

"Oh we could still be friends, all right. Only if you would let someone be your friend. Maybe if you opened up more and let people in, it wouldn't be so bad." Suikotsu's words stung Kikyo, but she wasn't sure why. She looked up from her feet to see him walking away. She didn't know how she would face him tomorrow, but atleast this was over.

She turned around to walk away from Suikotsu, from the lamp with the moths, from her two month relationship.

It was all over, and Kikyo couldn't help but sigh with relief. She knew she was selfish, and maybe she didn't care about other people's pain or misery. Maybe what she said to Suikotsu right before his confession really were lies. Maybe, but this was the first time anybody had actually called Kikyo a selfish liar.

Suddenly, she realized why Suikotsu's words stung. They were similiar to what she had said to Inuyasha the morning when they broke up. Only, she was Inuyasha this time. Kikyo realized how much of a hypocrite she was. She had hated Inuyasha for being so selfish, only caring for his own pain. But look at her now.

"Ow. Sorry." Kikyo rubbed her shoulder and looked to see who had bumped into her. He was walking away from her now, but he turned his head around just when Kikyo spotted him. She couldn't see clearly, since he was standing in the dark and away from the streetlamp, but she was sure she saw his eyes.

Eyes the color of fresh blood. This was too familiar. The bump on the shoulder, the long hair, the jean jacket...Kikyo tried not to think much about it, since it didn't really matter.

Because of you I never stray too far from the sidewalk

Because of you I learned to play on the safe side, so I don't get hurt

Because of you I tried my hardest to forget everything. Because of you I don't know how to let anyone else in.

Because of you I'm ashamed of my life because it's empty.

Because of you I am afraid

Because of you.

All that mattered now was that she had broken another heart, just like Inuyasha had done to her.

A/N: Woohoo! Another chapter finished! Well I'm pretty sure you know who that guy is. You know, the guy that never says sorry when he bumps into you. But if you have no clue, then you'll meet him tomorrow. I dont' like this chapter as much as the last one, but watever. I'm going to make plenty of other chapters and I'm guessing I'll like atleast one of those new chapters.

Today's song was 'Because of You' by Kelly Clarkson

Thanks to my friend (the one who wrote Barely) for the much needed knowledge on moths and lightbulbs. See you in the next chapter!