Parting
...OOO...
The next day Sesshomaru arose to find his mother's pelt lying neatly beside him. Kikyo had awoken first and was waiting for him out on the veranda.
"I picked some herbs for your poultice," she stated, handing him a small neatly wrapped bundle of assorted plants and a change of bandages. "They're not difficult to find near the edges of woodlands. Change it every other day until it is completely healed."
He accepted it ungrudgingly, inquiring, "And you? What do you plan to do?" not bothering to hide his lack of disinterest.
"I have not yet decided," she answered simply.
For a moment, they stood there awkwardly not knowing what else to say, though each hoping to delay the departure. Finally, Sesshomaru turned to go, but halted only several steps away.
"Kikyo," he called over his shoulder. "I am still indebted to you for my life."
"You owe me nothing," she said plainly. "I aided you of my own accord and already you have repaid me by saving my life just yesterday."
"That was for Rin," he explained. "My life has still yet to be redeemed, but rest assured that I shall repay you one day."
Knowing it was pointless to argue, she made no response only watching as he walked away before she too turned to leave in the opposite direction.
As his path entered the forest, Sesshomaru stopped, shooting one last glance behind him at Kikyo's retreating form, each step she took carrying her further and further away.
He wondered if their paths would ever cross again now that they no longer shared any tenuous ties, before wordlessly commencing his own journey.
...OOO...