Kikyou carefully picked out all the petals in the little girl's silky black hair, while she told her stories about the wonderful adventures she had with Lord Sesshomaru. Kikyou was extremely surprised at how kind the cold demon lord was to the little human girl. No matter how terrible the demon had treated her, she felt as if she could never really hate him. She knew that he was too, was misunderstood and was protecting himself from getting hurt by putting a barrier around his emotions, thus created a gap between him and the others. He was untouchable, just like Kikyou, but the priestess vowed silently that she would find a way to touch his soul.
"There, you're as good as new," Kikyou said as she finished her handy work.
"Thank you, dear priestess," Rin smiled politely and bowed, "You have saved Rin from being scolded."
"Sesshomaru scold you?" Kikyou raised an eyebrow.
"Well, I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt me…" Rin defended.
"I'm sure he loves you so very much that he would never let you get hurt or dirty," Kikyou smiled kindly.
"Yes, I think so too!" Rin agreed as she gave the priestess a big hug.
Kikyou wrapped her arms around the sweet child and hugged her back. This child reminded her so much of her younger sister who probably hated her now, Kikyou knew she had been avoiding her older sibling. And Kikyou didn't blame her at all. She was, too, scared of the unnatural.
"Rin, do you like me?" Kikyou asked from the top of her mind.
Rin gasped at the question, "Lady Kikyou is as good and kind as Lord Sesshomaru. She is powerful and beautiful and powerful. Why would anyone not like Lady Kikyou?"
"But do you not fear me because I have been resurrected?" Kikyou asked.
"I have been resurrected once," Rin shrugged, "It's no big deal. What you are in the past might not be what you are now."
When that sentence reached Kikyou's ears, she sighed in disappointment, "Unfortunately, you are very true, Rin."
"Did Rin upset Lady Kikyou?" Rin asked nervously.
"No, you're not the one who's upsetting me," Kikyou shook her head gently and stood up, "Come on. Let's bring these flowers to the castle to put them in water. They will surely die out if we stay any longer."
"Yes, Lady Kikyou!" Rin jumped up and followed the priestess back to the castle, just as the sun sank pass the horizon.
!#$&()
When the two girls reached the castle gates, they could see a shadow waiting for them at the door. Even though the night was dark, both of them knew who it was immediately.
"Lord Sesshomaru!" Rin exclaimed and raced to her care-taker.
The Demon Lord patted her on the head and whispered, "Go to bed." The girl skipped all the way to her bedroom, happy that she didn't get a scolding.
After Rin safely entered the building, Sesshomaru snapped his piercing amber pupils onto the priestess. She gazed into his eyes without a sense of fear. His eyes were now in slits from glaring at her as if she was some disgusting dirt that was foiling his land, "You have again placed yourself above your role in this castle."
"And what exactly is my role?" Kikyou asked, her brown pools never leaving his yellow ones.
"Your role is to answer me one simple question and leave as soon as possible," the Lord of the Western Lands answered icily.
"I could have entered this castle of yours if you would have just left me there to die," Kikyou shot back hotly.
A hand reached out and grabbed her by her neck and lifting her off her feet so her eyes could be leveled with his, "I could easily kill you now if you wish me to."
Kikyou smirked, "Is this your way of hiding yourself, by threatening others?"
Sesshomaru dropped her in surprise. Kikyou landed painfully on her bum, but she was grateful she didn't have to look in his icy cold eyes any longer. They could only last for a while. Then they got boring.
"What does that mean, wrench?" Lord Sesshomaru demanded.
Kikyou got on her knees and cupped a hand full of dirt, "You and I are not that different. We have both been hurt by someone we loved. And in order to stop feeling the pain, we put a wall around our heart, so no one could understand us. This may seem so strong for a while, but it is just an insensible reason for fear. Tell me, Sesshomaru, do you wish to be trapped in your cage of fear? One day your wall will become dust and all the pain and sorrow you have trapped in for so many years will emerge and you will break…"
Before Kikyou could say anything anymore, Sesshomaru already back-handed her. Her head immediately snapped to her side and blood burst into her mouth. This time, she spit it out, "You would hurt me Sesshomaru, but you know that I am right."
"This Sesshomaru does not break to anyone," he said loud and clear, "And if you dare speaking to me like that, you will surely die. Now, I wished for you to get out of my sight right now and never come back."
Kikyou stood up and wiped the dust off her pants, "I'd like for you do me one favor, tell Rin that I am gone."
"Of course," Sesshomaru said plainly.
"And if you do anything to hurt her," Kikyou's eyes suddenly became stern and serious, "You have my word that you will pay dearly for your actions."
Sesshomaru rolled his eyes, "Are you done yet, miko?"
"I am, good-bye, m' lord," Kikyou started to walk away, "You have taught me lots."
The Demon Lord snorted in disbelief as he too turned away. Just before the priestess has entirely disappeared, he looked back at her just one last time.