Title: Second Chances
Author: landofthekwt
Rating: G
Word Count: 497
Prompt: Kikyou drabble for doggieearlover.
Universe: Canon
Warning: Chapter 494
Summary: Inuyasha finishes telling Kaede about Kikyou's death and prepares to go see Kagome
It was like a burden had finally been lifted from my shoulders. Telling Kaede what had happened was catharsis. When I finished my story I was free. Telling Kaede was so much different from last time. We were in her hut not by Kikyou's grave.
The mood was not somber , it was one of relief. Kikyou had finally been released from her suffering. Kaede and I no longer had to bear her pain. We were free to go on with our lives.
Kikyou had died happy. She got to be what she always wanted : an ordinary woman. even if it was only for a short time. Kaede says that she ascended. All I saw was her soul collector's bearing her soul to heaven.
Kikyou got a second chance. Kagome saved her soul. Instead of having to roam the earth as revenant or burn in hell she has moved to the next plane of existence where she has promised to watch over us.
Kagome was able to overcome her hatred and jealousy of Kikyou and risk her life to save her. It was this act that saved Kikyou's soul.
Kagome will never realize how grateful Kikyou was for her actions. For my part I had no doubt that Kagome would complete her task at Mount Azusa and save Kikyou.
Though Kagome admitted that she had some difficulties overcoming her own feelings about Kikyou, I reminded her that she saved Kikyou even with those reservations. There was no reason to feel guilty about having those feelings about Kikyou.
Kagome gave me a second chance too. Kikyou's death had hit me hard. Kouga was right when he told Kagome that Kikyou had taken my soul with her.
But Kagome would not let me go. Although Kaou offered me the chance to go to Kikyou, Kagome risked her own life to prevent my own grief from killing me.
Kikyou has her second chance. She is no longer my burden or responsibility. Where she has gone no one will hurt her any longer.
I am free to love Kagome. Kikyou released me by telling me that it was enough that I came for her. Kikyou is not between us any longer.
That is what I was trying to tell Kagome when I finally released all of the grief that I had been keeping to myself since Kikyou died. To me she seemed like a rock, standing up to the grief.
When I asked how she could be so strong, always thinking of others, she became angry. She was not being strong just kind.
The time for kindness and consideration of the feelings of others is over. Kikyou has given me a second chance to find love with Kagome. I need to go to her and tell her how I feel about her.
Kagome gave both Kikyou and I second chances. Kikyou has gone to her reward. The time has come for me to take a chance on love with Kagome.