Notes: This is not a story, at all. I was looking at a picture of Kikyo and I couldn't help but be overcome by the sadness in her eyes. I sat and stared for a short time and this is what her heart said to me. I am not a Kikyo hater...I love Kikyo and think that she is sorely misunderstood. This is my attempt to give a small glimpse into the heart and soul of the mysterious priestess that first captured our favorite hanyou's love.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Kikyo...

Darkness of a Miko's Heart

The stars glimmered above as silvery serpents danced through the air. A gentle breeze caught her ebony locks as she let out a sigh. Slowly, she made her way through the clearing and to the forest wall. As the ceiling of leaves rose above her, she caught sight of the tree. Not faltering, she approached the sacred tree as images danced before her eyes. At once, she could see that fateful day. There she was, standing in the meadow at first light where they were to meet. Suddenly, she shuddered as she could feel the claws slice through the soft skin of her shoulder as she fell to the grass before her. She looked up at her assailant to see none other than Inuyasha. Angrily, she crawled back to the village to catch him before finally stealing the jewel. She could feel her energy draining as she saw herself losing precious blood. When she reached the shrine, as she had suspected, there he was running away from her…Shikon no Tama in his hand.

Can't one day pass that I don't relive this?

There he was, leaping away, victory within his grasp. Suddenly, he was stopped by an arrow in his chest pinning him to the great tree. A look of shock and betrayal covered his face as he looked on to see the miko standing before him. "Kikyo…" he whispered as his demonic aura was slowly pulled into the tree.

"How could you, Inuyasha! I trusted you! You knew that I was the protector of the jewel…and still, you meant to steal it."

She lowered her head for a moment as she tried to catch her breath.

"I trusted you. You let me believe you really loved me and that you wanted to become a human and live with me. If you made that wish on the jewel, I would have been free of my obligation to it. You betrayed me, Inuyasha. How could you?"

She slowly raised her head to look at him, tears streaming down her pale cheeks.

"I now know that this was Naraku's doing. It was always one of his tricks. But I died believing in your betrayal. My soul can never let go of this hatred." Forgive me, Inuyasha. I do not hate you, my dear hanyou. My heart was broken in life, and remains broken. Even in death.

She took another step toward the trunk of the tree. Inuyasha seemed to reach out to her. "Kikyo…I'm sorry…Please…for…give…uh!" Another arrow quickly pierced his chest. A look of sheer bitterness donned the miko's face. Slowly, Inuyasha's head sunk down as his demonic aura was completely sealed by the sacred tree. The jewel fell from his hand and slowly rolled down to Kikyo's feet.

Please forgive me, Inuyasha. But I can never forgive you for what you did. We may have both fallen prey to Naraku's trickery, but in doing so, you killed my soul. All I wanted was to live a normal life with you…Raise a family…But now that is all gone. My soul cannot rest. My love fuels my resentment. Follow me, my love, down into the pits of hell. Only there can we be together…only there can we be free…Our fondest wish answered, at last. Come with me, my love.

Notes: As I said, this wasn't really a story, per se...I just wanted to give a small glimpse into what I see in Kikyo. I'm not trying to change anyone's views of her (as I know it wouldn't matter anyways) but I want to spread the love for our favorite dead miko. : ) I hope this was interesting to someone. But if not, I really wrote this for Kikyo...so it's okay. Lol... InuNimue