The Eternal Bond, Trust ch11
Well, I definitely want to finish this story soon, and it will be done in maybe a couple more chapters, so stick with me through these last few updates, and I will continue to post these hopefully every weekend!
Disclaimer: Don't own that adorable dog demon, Inuyasha
The deceased miko stood not far off to the side, her soul stealers gliding sinuously around her to almost form a web of protection.
Kagome and Inuyasha separated from each other, just now noticing their closeness. Kikyo observed this too, as a glint of what might be considered jealousy shone in her cold brown eyes.
"Inuyasha…" she called to him, and the half demon carefully watched Kikyo's movements as she took a step forward, and then another one before halting. "You did not come through with your promise to come to me once she was awake."
He made no motion that he acknowledged her accusation, but instead granted Kagome with a sideways glance. She was looking from Kikyo to him, indecisive of if she was interfering with their reunion. Biting her lip uncertainly, Kagome slid her sorrowful eyes to meet and lock with his.
The uncomfortable situation unnerved her, and Kagome didn't want to be a part of this, didn't want to hear the exchange of words that she knew would hurt her. Her gaze found Inuyasha, and she was surprised to see his fixed upon her instead of Kikyo, who was trying to capture his attention.
His eyes reflected the turmoil within, and for once she was given silent permission to see this weakness of his.
Kikyo broke through their moment. "You seem to have overcome your objection to looking at her, Inuyasha."
That directed his attention to the former priestess, and he replied slowly, "What is it that you want, Kikyo?"
She closed her eyes briefly, as the night wind blew a few strands of her long hair onto her wan features. Then, when her eyelids opened, her gaze was solely focused on Kagome, who inwardly cowered away under her scrutiny. However, in her stature, she remained impassive under Kikyo's intense inspection.
"I wish to speak to my reincarnation… in private."
Kagome's flimsy courage crumbled as this request was brought into the open, and her expression mirrored her thoughts: suspicious and frightened.
Absorbing every detail of Kagome's emotions, Kikyo slid her stoic gaze to Inuyasha without moving a muscle and she raised her eyebrows, as if to ask the question further.
Inuyasha quickly whirled his head to the side, too, regarding Kagome questioningly. He noticed the way her posture told of her oppression, and her eyes searched for his gaze and held, as if trying desperately to convey a message. "I'm not leaving," he confirmed, realizing that the worst thing he could do was leave Kagome with Kikyo, seeing as Kagome disapproved of it whole-heartedly.
She was reassured by his strong confirmation, and her mind relaxed somewhat. He wasn't going to abandon her with Kikyo.
Her bright chocolate eyes swerved to Kikyo's face as she wondered just what Kikyo had intended to discuss with her, if she had wanted to 'discuss' at all. After the first few times the dead miko had attempted to take her life, Kagome had been uneasy around her presence, as she never fully knew when she could trust her.
She was caught unaware as Kikyo's unmoving, emotionless eyes were still trained upon her, and Kagome was thrust into the intensity and gravity of her gaze. Kikyo did wish to speak to her about something; there was a certain truth in the depths of her eyes, and only honest intent.
Perhaps it would be suitable for her to talk with Kikyo after all. Maybe Kikyo wanted to give her advice on something, or offer help…
Kagome gave a mental snort. As if. Kikyo never showed any signs of ever considering to help her, much less seek her out to offer advice. This was the same naïve attitude that almost got her killed those first couple of encounters.
But the power of Kikyo's persuasive, rather unnerving as well, stare finally got to Kagome, and she consented, once again turning to Inuyasha. "I think I'll be okay talking to her alone…" she suggested, and she watched as confusion flitted across his features, only to soon be replaced by concern.
"You're sure?" he questioned one last time and, upon seeing her weak nod, he releculantly turned around, giving both of the priestesses a suspicious glance before leaving for the safety of the trees.
A silence filled the clearing as Kagome avoided Kikyo, keeping her eyes glued to the spot where Inuyasha had disappeared. What if I misjudged her? What if she really does want to harm me? Questions and doubts swarmed her mind, but she reined them in and forced them quiet.
Without turning her head, Kagome slowly slid her wary gaze to Kikyo, who had continued to watch the younger miko, only pausing to give Inuyasha a fleeting glance.
"Why?"
With this sudden inquiry, Kagome jerked her head to fully face Kikyo, her expression befuddled. "Huh?"
Kikyo averted her eyes, as her light voice explained, "Why did you believe your attacker was not Inuyasha?"
A light clicked on in Kagome's mind, as dawning comprehension seized her. Kikyo had wanted to speak to her about the incident! No wonder she asked for me… I should've expected this! After all, she had been subjected to the same trickery almost a half a century ago. "It couldn't have been him. The Inuyasha I know would've never harmed me, I am sure of it."
Kikyo's indifferent expression faltered and her eyes began to shimmer. Swallowing, she continued, "But how do you know that? How could you place your trust so naively?"
A rosy shade of pink blossomed on Kagome's cheeks. "Well…" she started, "I just trust him that way." She felt a bit embarrassed, knowing Kikyo was most likely relating the truth. It did seem a little ignorant of her to be so trusting when she spent most of her time in an era where demons could easily disguise as other people, but she couldn't help it.
Kikyo's nearly translucent eyelids closed painfully over her dull, hazel orbs. "I see…," was all she mustered. With, a small, barely existent sigh, Kikyo reopened them, focusing on an insignificant spot in the grass. "Perhaps if I had possessed such steadfast faith, things may have turned out differently…"
Kagome bit her lip, sympathy wretched from her heart for the tragic woman before her. "I'm…I'm so sorry, Kikyo," she murmured, her voice a mere whisper, although it was overflowing with sorrow for Kikyo's misfortune.
A soul stealer sailed before Kagome, disorienting her momentarily. She had forgotten about the white serpents in her concentration of the emotionally conflicted Kikyo. Ironically, the mass of soul stealers protectively surrounding Kikyo only served to enhance her lonesome image. The more Kagome watched, the more heavy-hearted the elder of the two mikos became. Yet, Kagome could do nothing more than stand and wait, seeing as no words she could conjure up would be sufficient enough to be of some use.
A quiet silence ensued for several minutes, until at long last Kikyo drew a shuddering breath and turned her anguished gaze to Kagome. All the pent up rejected feelings Kikyo had refused to display for so long gushed out, shocking the modern girl with the enormous amount she had stored. There were emotions from all ends of the scale, first would come the bitterness, then caring, then rejection, then disappointment; they all poured silently from her into Kagome.
"This truly was a test. I offer my congratulations, Kagome. It seems I have failed," Kikyo stated miserably, the barriers rebuilding as she reigned her emotions in.
Kagome's eyes widened. This was the first time Kikyo had ever once spoken her name. Yet, the tone in which she had pronounced it had reflected, not bitterness, as Kagome had first expected, but genuine admiration and praising.
"It seems Fate has a different role for me to play. I wish you the best of luck on your quest, and safe passage throughout the land." Preparing to leave, Kikyo slowly began to head in another direction.
"W-Wait! Kikyo!" Kagome exclaimed, startled by the abrupt parting.
Surprisingly, the deceased priestess paused and turned her head to face Kagome in response.
"Where are you going to go?" she asked shyly, not certain if she should intrude on Kikyo's personal affairs, but the elder miko had a ready reply, answering,
"It matters not. Wherever my destiny may lead me, I shall follow faithfully. However, do know this. My time in the land of the living draws to a close. If someday your full spirit should return to you, remember my words… and myself."
Kagome stood silent as Kikyo tread off slowly, a dozen unknown mysteries swarming in her mind. The first and foremost had the audacity to blurt out of her mouth. "Kikyo! W-what's going to happen between you and Inuyasha, then?!"
This froze Kikyo in her spot; nevertheless, her eyes remained locked in front of her. "I have been replaced in his heart. Perhaps he might still hold some affection for me, as I do for him, but it is not meant to be. It never was."
She turned around, exposing her vulnerable expression to Kagome. A solitary tear escaped from the corner of her eye, its silvery trail enhanced with the moonlight as it slid its lethargic way down her cheek and over her chin, until at last it dangled dangerously on her jaw line before vanishing into the ground, splotching the earth a darker shade of brown.
"I do not blame him for choosing you. It may have been suitable for me to be angry, or bitter, but for now none of these feelings come forth." Kikyo steeled again, composing herself. "Trust is a valuable gift. Do not so easily dismiss it."
With these wise words in mind, Kikyo whirled around, her straight, upright posture a clear sign no more conversation was needed. Unknown to both of them, it was the last time in eternity's ever-ticking clock that they would speak to each other.
Did she just say that Inuyasha chose me? Kagome wondered, hope blossoming in her bosom at these comforting words spoken from the person she least expected to have told them to her. It was a beautiful sensation, sending sparks throughout her body and her breath in disarray. Her face was positively radiant, despite the remainder of sorrow still held in her conscious towards Kikyo.
She pocketed this enlightening piece of information, and watched with a grave seriousness as Kikyo took the last few steps and was lost to the night.
I figured I'd at least give Kikyo some credit, I mean I didn't want to be like those other authors who write Kikyo as some psychotic dead zombie. (I know, I know it's hard to resist writing her like that)
Still, Kagome comes out on top! Way to go, girl!
Update will be posted very soon!
-kikyohater92-