Chapter 6 – Kikyo's Acceptance

As the song ended, Kagome started to smile. The song had convinced her to give Inuyasha a chance, and for that she was grateful. Inuyasha, please wait for me. I'm coming, so don't give up on me quite yet.

Inuyasha finally got to Kaede's hut. Just as he was about to enter, something made him stop. He couldn't tell them that he had made Kagome go home again by breaking her heart once more. But I did nothing wrong. If she had only let me explain then she wouldn't have gone and I wouldn't be sad. Then again, I don't blame her for not listening. I've used so many excuses before that I wouldn't even trust myself to explain anything. He sighed and turned away from the hut, heading back in the direction of the goshinboku. It was only then that he noticed Kikyo. Why is she here?

Kikyo had relinquished her barrier earlier so she wouldn't startle Inuyasha but when she looked into his amber eyes, she realized that she had. "Hello Inuyasha," she said calmly and smugly, as if she had planned to scare him all along.

Kagome got to the well and took a deep breath before jumping in. Boy am I going to get an earful when I get there. Oh well, as long as it is from Inuyasha, I could care less.

Inuyasha felt his rage build up inside of him for some inexplicable reason. "What do you want Kikyo?" he said putting as much dullness in his voice as he could possibly manage.

Kikyo meanwhile had sensed Kagome's presence arrive in the well. Now all I have to do is keep Inuyasha distracted from her scent and this will work out perfectly. "Inuyasha, is that anyway to treat your former lover?" Kikyo said as she advanced on Inuyasha, making her movements as clear as daylight. As she got closer, she saw Inuyasha growing more nervous. "Come into my arms," she said as she locked eyes with him, forcing him to obey her will with her spiritual powers.

Inuyasha finally realized what she was doing but it was too late. He felt his body drawing into her open embrace. It was then he smelt Kagome coming closer and closer still. He tried to fight Kikyo but her grasp on his soul was too powerful.

Kagome was walking to the sacred tree's clearing when she sensed Kikyo. Oh no Inuyasha. Not now! She picked up the pace but came to a complete halt when she could see into the clearing fully. Inuyasha was hugging Kikyo. Her heart stopped beating as she tried to look away but couldn't. She felt her knees going weak and she fell to the ground, still unable to divert her gaze.

Kikyo grinned slyly as she turned her attention to the fallen Kagome. "Do you see now Kagome? You were always the reincarnation and you always be the reincarnation."

Kagome brought her hands to her ears, as she forced her eyes shut, to shut out Kikyo's words. "Shut up! I won't believe you! I can't believe you! You are dead, nothing but a clay pot with a few harsh words! Nothing you can say will change my feelings about Inuyasha! Even if he hugs you like that, I can forgive him because I love him so much!"

Inuyasha heard every word Kagome spoke and his heart grew with each of them. Kagome, thank-you for believing me and coming back.

Kikyo couldn't believe it. Even with Inuyasha in her arms, nothing would force Kagome to change her mind or hate Inuyasha. Why is this girl so pure? And how can she forgive Inuyasha when she can clearly see him in my arms? Some of her spiritual power began to wane at the thought of Kagome's pureness.

Inuyasha felt Kikyo's spiritual powers weakening and he intended to take every advantage of it. He looked inside his heart and saw the slightly tainted pinkness that was her power slowly withdrawing from his heart. He used his mind's claws to slash at the little bit that remained. Inuyasha felt her power retreat and he thrust her away from his body, cursing her as he did.

Kagome heard the curse and summed up enough courage to peek open one eye. Kikyo had fallen to the ground and Inuyasha was standing above her with a disgusted look on his face. Kagome rose to her feet, slowly because her knees were bleeding from the fall, and walked over to stand by Inuyasha's side. She stuck her hand out, daring him to take it.

Inuyasha felt Kagome's warmth and pureness come to halt beside him. He took her hand and turned his head, looking down into chocolate pools of trust and love. He smiled in spite of the situation.

Kikyo watched with revulsion as they joined hands and shared a smile that she remembered too well. She tried to stand but something stopped her.

Inuyasha had put his foot on top of Kikyo to stop her from rising. He reluctantly looked away from Kagome and took his hand away. Using that hand, he drew the tessaiga. He thrust it into Kikyo's face, barely stopping an inch away from her nose. "Listen well Kikyo. I don't love you anymore. I love Kagome and if you ever try to harm her I will kill you, do you understand?" Kikyo could do nothing but nod her head, carefully avoiding the sharp tessaiga.

Inuyasha took this as enough consent and he pulled his sword away, sheathing with a speed anyone would be jealous of. He turned back to Kagome to find her staring intently at the ground. He bent down and saw tears glistening in her eyes and on her face. He used one of his claws to wipe them away before daring to ask his question. He finally got enough guts to speak up.

Kagome had felt Inuyasha's gaze upon her but she dared not return it. He had just threatened his former love for her and she had left him in pain earlier. I don't deserve this. She felt a brush and then another. It was Inuyasha's claw, wiping away her tears. That made her look up. When she met his eyes, she knew that he had a question to ask her.

Kikyo had snuck away as soon as Inuyasha had pulled tessaiga away from her face. I finally see it. The same emotion he held for me 50 years ago but it is no longer for me. It is for Kagome. I am sorry, to both of you, she thought before fading into the darkness of the forest.

Inuyasha spoke up. "Kagome, what made you come back every time, even after I had broken your heart over and over? What makes you so pure?"

Kagome felt her cheeks blush and her throat constrict. She had an answer but she didn't want him to know. She looked away once more.

Inuyasha felt his heart break when she looked away. "Kagome, what is it? Whatever it is, I can handle it."
Kagome looked back and saw trust in her lover's eyes. It pierced the wall around her mind and loosened her tongue. "Okay Inuyasha. I believe you so I will tell you why I came back every time."

Ooh, another cliffhanger! What is the reason? (I think we all know why!)

The Fiery Temptress