"This is it" Kikyo thought aloud, scanning the small village in front of her. Nothing had changed about Kaede's village since the last time she had been there. Tucking her arrows away, Kikyo strode forward, her kimono billowing backwards at her feet. She was immediately greeted by the smell of ash and smoke. As she passed by hut after hut, townsfolk turned their heads to look at her. Kikyo could feel their eyes penetrating her, staring, as though she were a predator in their territory. But as soon as she glanced back, they went back to fixing a roof, or tending to a child. What happened here to make these people so tense? Kikyo thought, not wanting to feel like a threat. The town wasn't in ruins, yet she found herself kicking aside a piece of rubble.
"Oneesama? Is that you?"
The familiar voice startled Kikyo, and she looked up to see Kaede, looking older than ever but still in good shape. Her clothes were worn out and dirty, but she didn't seem to care. Kikyo smiled warmly. Being with her sister again was like reuniting with the past, when they used to spend so much time together.
"Come inside! I think you'll find it more comfortable" Kaede offered, holding open the straw curtain that covered the entrance to her home. Kikyo gladly accepted, and ducked into Kaede's hut. There was a small fire burning inside, and lots of firewood was stored along the walls. Kaede motioned for her to sit down, then tended to the tea kettle already heating on the wood stove.
"I suppose you are surprised to see me here" Kikyo said lightly.
"Should I be?" Kaede asked, glancing worriedly over her shoulder.
"No…it's just that…I grieve over the loss of…someone…" Kikyo trailed off as memories of Inuyasha flooded her mind.
Kaede turned off the heat for the tea kettle and shuffled over to where Kikyo sat. "Someone has been killed?" Kaede asked softly.
"Yes…it was Inuyasha." His name escaped her lips in a harsh whisper, and Kikyo bit her lip hard to keep the tears from emerging.
Kaede's expression became sorrowful at the news. She had no idea that Inuyasha's life would come to an end so quickly…
"I don't know what to do or think" Kikyo said. "It only happened a day ago and yet everything has already become a blur of emotions and images and sounds. I hardly remember his death…it all happened so quickly."
Kaede put a hand on Kikyo's shoulder sympathetically. "Inuyasha was a hard one to tame. He had a mind of his own, and when he made a decision there was no persuading him out of it. Did he die protecting you?"
Kikyo only nodded. The sound of ripping flesh and splattering blood was pounding in her ears.
"Was Naraku involved in this?" Kaede inquired, deep in thought.
Just the name caused heated blood to race through Kikyo's veins. "Yes" she managed to answer with gritted teeth. "Naraku killed him…I think…"
Don't make this harder for me than it already is…came Sesshomaru's voice, the memory suddenly popping into mind.
"…no, it wasn't! It was Sesshomaru…"
Kaede's eyes widened. "Sesshomaru? You mean Inuyasha's demon brother?"
"Yes, but for some reason I feel no anger for him. Naraku had some twisted plan in mind that caused him to kill his brother. I think it was an accident" Kikyo explained, more to herself than her sister, trying to clear up the sudden mass of questions that had knotted themselves in her head.
"I see…" Kaede said, pouring herself some tea and taking a sip.
"Actually, Sesshomaru has proven to be a faithful man. Inuyasha's body was consumed by Onigumo, who seeked me out and tried to take advantage of me…but Sesshomaru came and drove him away. I owe him whatever is left of me that I can possibly give" Kikyo said. She could see the youkai's face perfectly clear in her mind; his cold yet attracting features…
"Maybe Inuyasha is dead for a reason" Kaede stated bluntly.
Kikyo looked at her sister as though she were out of her mind. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean that maybe Sesshomaru was destined to weave himself into your life. After all, Inuyasha's heart was already taken by another woman."
Kikyo pondered this thought. Maybe Kaede is right. "Is this…what you truly believe?" Kikyo questioned hesitantly.
"Would I lie to you, oneesama?" Kaede replied in a the-answer-is-obvious tone.
Kikyo smiled, and without warning threw her arms around her in a sisterly embrace. "Thank you" Kikyo said into Kaede's shoulder. "Now I have a purpose in life once more."
……………………………………….
Kikyo strode away from her younger sister's hut, their conversation still running through her mind.
"Maybe Inuyasha is dead for a reason."
Kikyo couldn't believe that after all they had been through together, Inuyasha wasn't destined to be with her. How could fate take such sharp turns? However, Kikyo was through with dwelling in the past. Those days were over, and it was time that she faced reality. With a deep breath of cool air she headed back the way she came, wondering yet at the same time knowing where to go. She made her way across meadows and through prairie-like fields, her heart leading the way. As she weaved passed cherry blossom trees in full bloom, the flowers exploding with beautiful color, something shimmering caught Kikyo's eye. She neared the source, and found herself overlooking a lake, crystal clear, the setting so gorgeous that it beckoned to Kikyo. Well, I haven't bathed in 50 years she thought, nearing the sparkling mass of water. Let's hope my body is up for it. Kikyo slid down to the water's edge and removed her slippers. Then she threw off her kimono and plunged into the water. Though the freezing cold rushed up against Kikyo's bare skin, she felt nothing. Her body was just earth and bones after all. She swam deeper and deeper, until her hands swept the rocky bottom. Schools of fish scattered to make way for Kikyo, who glided gracefully through the blue abyss. After a long stretch of time underwater, Kikyo ran out of breath and surfaced once more. Beads of water dripped down her sleek hair, which hung limply down the sides of her face. She felt so refreshed and somehow purified of her reincarnated self, even though she was still living her second life. Kikyo leaned back to float on the water's surface, enjoying the long missed pleasure. I can't believe that I was buried in so much misery all those years that I missed out on simple things like this she thought, drifting through the lake peacefully. The waves licked at her delicate form, which rose and fell in unity with their gentle flow. Suddenly, the sound of a stick cracking reached Kikyo's ears, and she instinctively dove underwater out of sight.
Sesshomaru emerged from the trees and strode to the water's edge. He stunk of ash and rotting blood, and was eager to rid himself of these rather unpleasant scents. As he began to shed himself of his most outer layers, he noticed a splash not too far away. He narrowed his eyes and stared out across the lake suspiciously. Deciding it was only a fish of some sort, he continued to undress himself. All the while Kikyo's robes lay in plain sight, strewn recklessly upon the ground. Now standing completely naked amidst a pile of white cloth, the handsome youkai dove into the water.
Can't hold my breath forever Kikyo thought, sitting at the bottom of the lake. I was probably just being paranoid. Who would be at a lake so secluded anyway? Choosing to believe that the coast was clear and not wanting to hide herself any longer, Kikyo resurfaced once more. No one was there. The priestess let out a sigh of relief. But no sooner had she taken a few breaths of fresh air, a head of long silver hair emerged not too far away. Kikyo gasped and ducked down yet again. Sesshomaru….here?