A/N: Hello again! Here is Day 7; I do hope you enjoy it, but please let me know if you don't. I'll be posting tomorrow as well.
DAY 7
Kikyō: Tomorrow is When My Dreams Can Begin
Kikyō walked slowly through the meadow, back to the village she served, her basket full of medicinal herbs. After checking on the injuries and illnesses of the villagers in the morning, Kikyō grabbed her basket and told Kaede she was going to pick herbs in the forest. Kaede smiled and asked if that was all she was doing, almost as if she knew Kikyō's real reason for leaving the village. Kaede was right, of course, but Kikyō pretended she wasn't going off to see Inuyasha. It was the worst kept secret between the sisters. It was also why Kaede worked extra hard at her training. If Kikyō was falling in love with someone, then there was a chance she would marry and give up being a priestess, trading the needs of the villagers for the needs of a husband and children.
Kikyō noticed this and wondered when her baby sister had grown so perceptive. Kaede had a bad habit of fading into the shadows and hearing things that weren't strictly meant for her ears; Kikyō tried to break her of it, often calling for her to join in the conversation or to come and help her with something so that the speakers were aware of their silent listener. But still, the child picked up on many things. Such as the real reason Kikyō went to the meadow.
She met with Inuyasha that morning. He had become dear to her over the past few months (though she could never abandon her responsibilities as the Shikon Miko, especially to run off with a half-demon, a yōkai). He was rough around the edges and a little skittish, but there was something about him. The way he scared off the lesser yōkai that were pulled to her, attracted by both the Shikon Jewel and her own reiki. The way his eyes lit up when she greeted him. The way he caught her as she stumbled on the dock, and how instead of letting go, he pulled her closer. Inuyasha initially wanted the Shikon no Tama for himself, to become a full demon. But deep down, it was just a yearning to belong somewhere, anywhere. Kikyō's plan was born from this.
If the Shikon no Tama could amplify the power of any yōkai, could grant wishes and make dreams come true, could make a half-demon a whole, then perhaps it could turn a hanyō human. The Shikon Jewel was originally a vessel of purity, created by the great Midoriko-sama in her final moments and sealing away the life forces of the demons she battled. Perhaps it could purify Inuyasha's demon half, leaving his human self behind.
Kikyō had once hit Inuyasha with a purifying arrow; he was turned into a human man and remained that way until sunrise. If an arrow could achieve this effect, however temporary, then surely the Shikon no Tama could purify his soul so that it stayed that way for the rest of their lives. And afterwards, the Jewel's power would be no more. She had heard the legends: only the perfect wish could destroy the Jewel of Four Souls. It had to be a good wish, a selfless wish, one that wouldn't be misinterpreted. This would be the perfect wish. Was it not good to free a man from the torment of never belonging, of only ever being half? Was it not selfless to give up one's demonic power and lifespan? Was it not straightforward, asking for a hanyō to become a human man? And best of all, after he became human, she and Inuyasha could be married.
This was what Kikyō longed for, to become an ordinary woman. The prospect of guarding the Jewel had at first been exciting and a great honor, but it soon chafed against her soul. She was relentlessly pursued by yōkai. She was relentlessly asked for blessings and purifications, to grace people with her presence and purity. She was always on her guard, always on duty, and there was no option to return this responsibility. Other priestesses were free to either continue serving as long as they wished, or to accept a marriage proposal and retire. Kikyō was not free to do this, not yet. Soon, she would be.
Kikyō envisioned a house full of children and laughter, free of the crushing weight of the Shikon no Tama. There would be sons and daughters and a husband who returned each evening from the fields and loved them all. Would the children inherit his strength? Even as a human, Inuyasha was still stronger than most men. Would they inherit her grace and spiritual power? They would all certainly have beautiful hair. But, most importantly, she hoped they would have his kind heart and never be forced to hide it as he had.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be the day when all her dreams could begin. Inuyasha had finally agreed and tomorrow, at dawn, Kikyō would bring the Shikon no Tama to the meadow. He would wish upon it and they could both be free.