Chapter 8

"You look like a princess" Rin told Kikyo, sitting down beside her.

Kikyo chuckled softly. "Well not quite. Priestess is more like it."

"Priestess? Wow. That's so cool! I wanna be one when I get older."

No you don't Kikyo thought, staring blankly at the horizon. Not after you've been through what I have. You have too much responsibility…it feels like the burdens of the world are all piled on your back…everything that goes wrong you feel is your own fault…you don't want that. Inuyasha always managed to make me feel guilty. Maybe my heart's desire doesn't truly lie with Inuyasha…

"Gee, was it something I said?" Rin asked after a long, awkward silence.

Kikyo suddenly snapped back into attention. Ever since Inuyasha's death, she began having strong feelings for a certain person…but why?

"Hi Lord Sesshomaru! Did you come to join us?" Rin said.

Kikyo whirled around, taken by surprise by Sesshomaru's presence. He stood at full height behind them, looking very majestic with his long silky hair flowing like a river down his back. His icy cool eyes met Kikyo's, sending a chill down her spine. There was just something about Sesshomaru that took her breath away, but she just couldn't place it…

"You can leave" Sesshomaru said, but there was no real desire in his voice.

Kikyo felt a huge tug on her heart, like someone was trying to tear it out. But she ignored it. "I…well…"

"I'd rather not be bothered with another mortal presence. You are no longer a prisoner to me."

"No!" Rin cried out, clinging to Kikyo like there was no tomorrow. Her face was set in one of those stubborn I-won't-stop-until-I-get-my-way expressions. "I like her! She's nice."

Kikyo couldn't help but smile at the little girl's determination. Even after her life was sacrificed for mine, she still stands by me she thought. But then again, she doesn't remember that.

"If you're still grieving about Inuyasha, I'll have you know that I was going to kill him anyway" Sesshomaru added apathetically.

"Priestesses don't grieve relentlessly over lost souls" Kikyo responded matter-o-factly. She then stood up and faced the youkai lord. "Thank you for your kindness. I shall be going now."

After a hasty goodbye, Kikyo turned and made to leave. But she couldn't. She was rooted to the spot. Kikyo started to think that maybe her feelings were holding her back until she looked down and saw Rin wrapped around her legs. Silly girl she thought.

"I must go" Kikyo said calmly. "I've already overstayed my welcome."

Rin only held on tighter. "You can't leave! What place are you going to that's better than here?"

Rin's question hit Kikyo with a pang. I have no idea where I'm going she thought all of a sudden. Naraku is gone…Inuyasha is dead…what's my point in life?

Kikyo suddenly realized that she was alone in the world…what was the point of existing? Then a memory flashed through her mind…

………………………………………….

She was standing in a field of sunflowers as far as the eye could see. The sun was shining brightly in the cloudless sky, and it world seemed at peace. Beside her stood a young girl wearing a yellow yukata and a cloth over her left eye.

"I wish every day could be as serene and tranquil as today" the girl sighed.

"You and me both, little sister" Kikyo responded, bending down to pick a flower. She stared at its bright yellow petals and slid her fingers along the slender stem.

"Kikyo, do you think mom and dad would be proud of us up in heaven?" Kaede asked softly.

"For what?"

"I don't know…for everything. For taking care of ourselves without them around. Would they?"

Kikyo looked up at the forever extending sky, where the souls of her parents peacefully rested and watched over them. "I'm sure they would, Kaede" she responded. "I'm sure they would…"

All of a sudden the field of sunflowers melted away, and darkness swept through the memory. There was a flash of light, a slashing of sharp claws, blood splattering, and a gleaming spherical object was taken away.

"Curse you!" came Kikyo's voice.

Hideous laughter rang through Kikyo's mind…all she could feel was a deep, fiery hatred for this being…the one that had ripped the shikon jewel from her and contaminated it...Inuyasha…but no, it was Naraku…

……………………………………………………

"Kikyo? Kikyo!"

Rin's worried voice broke into Kikyo's mind and the memory instantly faded away.

"I…I'm going to see my sister" Kikyo stated blankly. She pulled herself out of Rin's grasp and began walking off.

Sesshomaru watched her leave, forcing the knot in his stomach away. Rin, however, didn't bother hiding her despair. Tears welled up in her eyes and slowly dripped down her cheeks. Even though she only knew Kikyo for a couple hours, seeing such a sorrowful priestess go off alone reminded Rin of herself after her family was killed by wolves…she was so lonely and in need of a friend…

Kaede…I need to talk to you Kikyo thought after a couple minutes of trudging along the grassy hills. She took a quick look back and saw that Sesshomaru and Rin had become tiny black specks in the distance. It's so quiet and lonely out here…

Without warning, something red flashed in front of Kikyo's eyes, followed by a large blade. Startled, Kikyo tripped backwards and fell to the ground. As soon as she looked up to see what it was, she gasped…there stood Inuyasha, not a scratch on his body, his long white hair spotless, and the Tetsusaiga slung over his shoulder. Pasted on his face was an evil grin.

"Surprised to see me Kikyo?" he sneered.

Kikyo was at a loss for words. She stared hard at Inuyasha, incredulous. Yet something just didn't seem right. Why was she feeling a demonic aura coming off of him?

"I have been waiting for this moment my entire life" he said, pulling Kikyo to her feet. He gazed into her eyes dreamily and put a hand to her face, drawing her closer to him. "You've grown so beautiful…"

Kikyo stared at Inuyasha in shock. What is he doing? This is so unlike him!

"Finally…I'm free to be with the love of my life…" He pulled Kikyo into him until their lips were inches apart. "Kiss me…"

Kikyo felt a familiar fiery anger deep within her, and she forcefully shoved him away. "Who the hell are you?" Kikyo shouted at Inuyasha, who looked both frustrated and surprised.

"Kikyo, don't resist me after the trouble I've gone through to get here" he growled dangerously.

"You're a bloody demon, aren't you? Curse you!"

The hanyou grabbed Kikyo's wrists and held her tightly so she couldn't squirm. "Don't you dare call me that" he hissed.

"How could you? Infest Inuyasha's body…" Kikyo swore under her breath. "So what kind of monster are you?"

"Monster you say? Even after the kindness you bestowed upon me in the cave…"