Chapter 10

Kikyo stared at the bow and arrows at her feet. Sesshomaru was walking off, leaving her all alone…

"Kikyo!" Rin called, skipping over. "Are you okay?"

Kikyo stood up and brushed the dirt off her robes. "I'm fine" she said through gritted teeth. She then threw her bow over a shoulder and picked up her arrows. "I have to go see my sister" she said.

"Huh?"

"We have…a lot to talk about" Kikyo explained while trying to orient herself in the direction of Kaede's village.

"We'll go with you" Rin insisted.

Kikyo sighed and looked into Rin's innocent eyes. "I'm afraid this is a journey I must make alone."

Rin's expression went from cheerful to pouty in less than a second. "Why?" she whined. "I thought you liked us!"

"I do like you. Both of you" Kikyo replied, glancing at Sesshomaru's receding figure. "But I don't want to so deeply involve you two in my life. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I understand" Rin muttered. She brushed past Kikyo and broke into a run to catch up with Sesshomaru.

Kikyo watched them disappear, suddenly regretting sending them away so hastily. I have to do this she reassured herself. God knows what would happen if I let my emotions run free with that youkai lord…he's not one to meddle with.

With one last glance over her shoulder, Kikyo marched forward into the face of the blinding sun.

……………………………………..

Rin and Sesshomaru walked side-by-side in silence. Neither one could think of anything to say, or even had anything on their mind for that matter. The wind had died down, hushing the valley like a mute on the strings of a violin. Sesshomaru had no idea where he was headed…now that Inuyasha was dead (sort of) and Naraku gone, he really had no point in life. You and I are just the same, Priestess Kikyo he thought with a smirk. He felt foolish having nothing to do in this vast world of many possibilities. I won't waste my time Sesshomaru resolved. I must fulfill my life…somehow…

"Ok, I'm tired of being quiet! I have to know, where are we going?" Rin burst out, her arms tightly crossed over her chest.

Sesshomaru didn't bother answering her. "You ask too many questions."

Rin abruptly stopped walking. "Well aren't you wondering the same thing?"

Yes. "Not really."

Rin eyed Sesshomaru suspiciously, but continued walking anyway. Soon they reached the edge of a dense forest, which they entered without hesitation.

"Where's Jaken? I haven't seen him lately" Rin inquired, pushing through branches that blocked her path.

Oh he got shot in the head with an arrow and died on the spot.

"Well…?" Rin said expectantly.

"Jaken wasn't the brightest creature" Sesshomaru responded lazily, leading the way deeper into the forest.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

But Sesshomaru chose not to answer, leaving Rin to ponder what had happened to her little green friend. He figured it would be better if she didn't find out. The sunlight began to diminish as the treetops closed in on the sky. There was silence again, except for the occasional crack of a branch or chirp of a bird. All of a sudden, a gruff voice broke the silence.

"Nice of you to visit, Lord Sesshomaru."

Startled, Rin whirled in a tight circle, expecting to see someone. But no one was there. Sesshomaru looked up at the nearest tree, knowing exactly who the speaker was.

"Boku-seno…we need to talk" Sesshomaru said, facing the 2,000 year old magnolia. A face materialized on the surface of the tree's bark; the wise, ancient face of Boku-seno.

"Oh, it's the tree monster again" Rin said, relieved that it wasn't some creepy demon coming to eat her.

Boku-seno glanced down at her. "Careful who you call a monster, young one. The scabbards for both Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga were carved from my branches." Then he turned his attention back to Sesshomaru. "I know why you came here. It's that priestess, is it not?"

Sesshomaru hesitated to reply. Just the mention of Kikyo made his heart race uncomfortably. "I've been getting these emotions that I've never felt before…but only when she is around. It's sickening, but they just won't leave me" Sesshomaru reflected.

"Hm…that's very interesting" Boku-seno answered thoughtfully. "Looks to me like you've discovered love."

"Ha! Likely story. Demons don't love" Sesshomaru snapped.

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong" Boku-seno said, giving Sesshomaru a sly look. "You see, fate played out perfectly for you. Kikyo may have fallen for Inuyasha, but he never truly loved her back. Don't you think his death was a little too sudden? When he threw himself in front of your blade, he wasn't thinking. Inuyasha ended his life purposely, hoping that Kikyo would be satisfied and leave the living world once and for all. But what he didn't realize was that what Kikyo really wanted was to die with him, and that he was taking the easy way out. Whether you wish to believe it or not, it was you who truly saved Kikyo's life. What do you think motivated you to save her? You weren't forced to, and it wouldn't have hurt you to leave her there. Think about it."

Sesshomaru stood in silence, contemplating Boku-seno's words.

"You and that priestess were destined for each other. As I recall, this was the same position your father was in when he met your mother. He came to me just as you have now, seeking my advice. I told him something very wise…if only I could remember what it was…" Boku-seno trailed off in thought.

My father? In the same position as I am? How odd…Sesshomaru thought.

"I hate to interrupt a manly chat, but I have to go pee pee" Rin said, rather loudly.

Boku-seno chuckled. "You don't need to tell us, young one. Just go."

Rin smiled sheepishly and scampered off.

"Why do you keep that girl-child around, Lord Sesshomaru?" Boku-seno asked curiously, watching Rin disappear out of sight. "She's no benefit to you. If anything she's only more of a burden."

Sesshomaru paused to think. Why do I keep that rascal around? There's something about her….I just…I can't let her be alone…