The campfire licked and spat at the night air like a wild serpent, casting dull shadows on each sleeping member of the group. He could watch over them from where he sat in the tree, golden eyes piercing the night like a torch as he prepared to make his nightly rounds. It was something he did every night, obliviously to his comrades, but this time it was different. He had to go see her. Leaping from the branch to land in a silent crouch, he gazed up at the star filled sky, the soul collector making its way into the mist of the forest for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. She was calling him, and he had to answer. Taking a step toward the bushes, his eyes fell upon her sleeping bag. Kagome. Why did she stay with him, knowing what his future held? She knew, but she did not seem to care. Shaking his head clear of all rational thought, he disappeared into the shadows.
The dead priestess was not hard to find, given her scent plus the light from the disconnected souls that her servants carried. He saw her before she knew of his presence, giving him but a moment to study her. The love and kindness she had held so dear in life was now replaced by a visible hatred and malice. The bright eyes that danced with enlightenment now held a stone cold, solemn gray. The Kikyo that he loved over fifty years ago was replaced by a dead shell of a woman who wanted nothing more than to see him burn in Hell.
He stepped quietly, moving into the light just as she turned to face him. "InuYasha. Finally, you have come." A small smile curved her lips, fading just a quickly as she tore her gaze to the sky, watching the last of the souls drift down to her body. Releasing a heavy sigh, she coldly glared at the hanyou. "Is she not with you?"
Do the walls come down when you think of me?
InuYasha averted his gaze elsewhere, clumsily tapping at the hilt of Tetsusaiga. "Kagome? No...she, uh, doesn't know that I'm here." The light from the last soul faded, leaving only the moon as their torch. The priestess moved gracefully in long strides, circling him to stop just behind his right shoulder.
"She controls you, does she?" Her pale hand wrapped around the beads clinging to his neck, giving a slight tug to snatch his full attention. Her eyes narrowed as she smiled. "I can end that if you wish." He could not suppress the gasp that forced from his throat when she pulled harder against the rosary.
"Kikyo, what did you want?" He asked coldly, his hand snapping up to grab her wrist and cease her actions. "Did you call me here to talk about Kagome?"
Do your eyes grow dim?
"Yes, InuYasha, I did." She stepped around and stopped just in front of him, tilting her head back slightly to look in his eyes. "Why do you allow her to treat you like a animal?"
"Look, I'm with her because I choose to be. She treats me no different than any human we've ever come across." His eyes narrowed, and he took a step back, absently bringing his own hand to wrap around the enchanted necklace.
"You love her?"
The question that he knew was coming was the one he was least prepared for. His heart thumped wildly in his ears, making him positive that Kikyo could hear it. How could he answer that? Sure, he cared about the girl...a little more than any friend should, but that did not mean that he was in love with her. Did it?
Do you let me in?
"I...I don't know." He whispered, lowering his head. He refused to look up as her footsteps grew further away.
"Think hard, InuYasha. Is she more important?" The soul collectors wrapped themselves around her body at her will, pulling her into the air. She found herself surprised that her words had not drove him to meet her gaze, his head hanging down. She narrowed her eyes and watched him fade into the trees as she was pulled higher. "Think, Inuyasha. When the time comes, who will you choose?" Her final words echoed in his head for whatever amount of time he remained there. 'Who will you choose?' Time was growing short, and he was no closer to a decision than he was a year ago.
Nothing like a vivid dream...to set your heart rememberin'
Could he actually force himself to leave behind the one person who accepted him? The light from the campfire snapped him from his thoughts. When had he started walking? Another question to remain unanswered. Maybe he did not want to know the answer to any of the questions that plagued his mind. Maybe they had no answers. Pausing just above her sleeping bag, he stared intently at her sleeping face.
'InuYasha?'
'What?'
'Would...would you ever hurt me?'
'Of course, not!'
It was a lie. The day he would leave with Kikyo to Hell would break her heart, and he knew it. Kneeling slowly, he hesitantly reached to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, smiling as she swatted his hand away. Maybe everything was working out just the way it should. He would go with Kikyo and fulfill the vow he had made, and Kagome could return to her own time and live a normal life. His smile faded, and he looked to the ground. Why did it feel so wrong?
"InuYasha? What're you doing?"
He jerked back into reality, meeting the half-lidded brown eyes of the sleepy young miko. His smile came back unbidden. "Nothing. Go back to sleep." Her brow furrowed for a moment before she gave a lazy shrug and turned over.
"Kay." She yawned, snuggling deeper into the sleeping bag. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight." He said, pushing to his feet. Giving one last look to the sleeping girl, he returned to his tree, contemplating his dreadful situation until sleep finally overtook him. 'Kagome...how can I let you go?'
Is it easier for you to say you never loved me?