Would life be easier if you knew your soul chose to be here?
Her soul cannot perceive the fire. She assigns meaning where there is none, believing it's proof that she's beyond purification. But her penchant for salvation keeps her seeking answers in the flames.
Whispering another incantation, the fire rises up, lashing out at her like a slap in the face. A few strands of hair are singed but her borrowed body is otherwise unscathed. Kikyo rises as the fire dies down to a kindle. There'll be no solution today. She at least hopes another life won't be lost.
Kaede startles when Kikyo emerges from the temple. Kikyo speaks without looking at her, avoiding the hollow sensation that takes hold after noticing the depth of Kaede's crow's feet.
"I can see nothing. Perhaps there is some clue with the girl's body I overlooked."
In many ways, no time has passed. Kaede can't imagine Kikyo overlooking anything.
"You can check tomorrow, sister. You have not stopped to rest once."
Kaede tries to shoo Kikyo towards the main house but Kikyo stops her. Forcing herself to really look at Kaede, she sees the crow's feet are so deep they look like cuts. She can no more summon fatigue than she can the sadness that shies away from her heart. It only has room for bitterness and the fleeting sense of purpose her powers give her.
"I think I'll go down to the river," she says.
Kaede kisses her hand, so grateful for their second chance and tells her to be home before it's dark because she worries. For what, Kikyo doesn't know.
A willow tree bends so low its branches dive into the river as if to drown itself. Kikyo decides to settle near a massive stone to watch the ripples and shapes that the wind and fish leave on the water.
For a moment, it almost feels like rest until her senses sharpen like a knife and she jumps to her feet. Her finger glides along the smooth wood of her bow. Closing her eyes, she tries to understand what foul presence has come into her awareness and when she opens them, the first thing she sees is hair like liquid silver carried by the breeze.
If not for his malevolent force consuming the air, practically choking her, she could appreciate his beauty, until she realizes who he is.
"You're Inuyasha's brother."
"I am Sesshomaru."
There's a hiss near his feet and then a green imp appears.
"But that's Lord Sesshomaru to you, woman."
Kikyo wonders if her haphazard second life is at its end or if he is to blame for the dead people turning up in her village.
"What do you know of the murders occurring in this village?"
Her tone is colored with audacity he isn't familiar with, but only a strong spirit that refuses to pass on could speak in such a way.
"So the dead can live again. Interesting. I shall have to take Tenseiga more seriously. Come, Jaken."
He turns to leave and she catches herself scoffing.
"I asked you a question."
Light envelops her, so bright it's blinding even with his back to her. Jaken's legs quiver but he maintains a weak front.
"Foolish human, who do you think you are to threaten Lo–"
"Jaken, be quiet." Sesshomaru says smoothly, turning to face Kikyo who has brandished her bow and arrow.
"Despite our common enemy, I should kill you for turning your weapon on me."
Sesshomaru approaches her, walking at a level pace until he is stopped by an invisible force. He soon realizes her power will not permit him closer without exerting some of his own. He smiles, all teeth, and Jaken's legs give out.
His hair and eyes gleam with the light of the moon that has long since come into view. Kikyo hopes Kaede stays far away. Returning her focus to Sesshomaru, it occurs to her that covertly massacring a poverty-stricken village may not be his style. But the cost of giving demons the benefit of the doubt was her life, so she tightens her grip on her bow.
The aura of Sesshomaru's own power blossoms around him, edging into hers and though she tries, Kikyo cannot latch onto a murderous intent. He just feels like a person with too much power and nothing to do with it.
"Why are you here?" She pauses from analyzing him.
"Am I not allowed to be here? I was leaving if you hadn't noticed."
The only words he's spoken in weeks have been to Jaken. A fruitless search for a homicidal demon scaring off his potential allies has been his only business. Kikyo lowers her bow an inch. His grin has faded to a blank stare.
"Very well," she says, relenting fully.
Jaken puffs out his chest, turning up his nose as if it's possible for him to look down on her. Sesshomaru sniffs, looking past her to peer into the woods. Before Kikyo can turn her head, a thin-skinned demon looms over them, as tall as the trees.
A deep blue aura flurries beneath its skin like a windstorm and Kikyo's senses alight. She hears the souls of human beings within the demon. Sesshomaru zips past her like a flash of lightning, claws and fangs bared.
"It's a soul eater. Don't–"
She reaches for him but he's already in the demon's range. The milky embodiment of Sesshomaru's spirit begins to detach from him. Jaken freezes but his scream rings through the air.
Kikyo focuses her energy and plants herself between Sesshomaru and the demon. She aims an arrow towards its chest where the essence of consumed souls is most concentrated, and fires. Screeching, the demon disperses into the night sky like a newly birthed galaxy.
The souls of the dead follow. For a second, Kikyo makes out each face of her slain villagers. At the very least, they are avenged. A loud noise behind her disrupts her attention. Sesshomaru collapses, his soul returning to him with a sizzle. Jaken rushes to his side, hardly able to catch his breath. He pushes an ear close to Sesshomaru's mouth and big tears well in his hollow-looking eyes.
"Milord? Milord, please!" he cries, rounding on Kikyo. "Do something, wench!"
Jaken continues blubbering until he begins to gasp, his throat seized tightly in Sesshomaru's hand. Despite being strangled, he glows with relief.
"Would you be quiet?" Sesshomaru rises, dropping Jaken onto the ground.
Sesshomaru flexes his arm and stretches his neck, surveying himself. He turns to where the demon stood, nothing left but a glittering trail of spiritual energy. Scoffing, he walks away.
"We're leaving, Jaken."
Jaken totters after his master and Kikyo considers them the oddest pair she may have ever seen.
The Western Lands have finally taken shape after years of war-induced neglect. Sesshomaru would not like to see them as they were, but something all his own, apart from the will of his father and the biting suggestions of his mother.
Expansion fills his thoughts and now that the demon scaring off his allies has been vanquished, he can revisit his ambitions in earnest.
"Milord?" Jaken looks up at him with concern. "Mightn't you rest? That filthy, soul-sucking, pitiful excuse for a demon nearly had its way with you and I–"
"Jaken," Sesshomaru cuts in, "are you implying that I am in need of recovery? That I am unable to determine my own capacity? Tell me."
Sheets of sweat pour out of Jaken like rain and he nearly trips over his cloak. The corner of Sesshomaru's lips turn up imperceptibly.
"I-I was just–That woman–"
Ah, yes. That woman. Sesshomaru was aware of all that happened, despite being stunned by the sensation of his soul leaving his body. He recalls the priestess' decisive action, a mere arrow dispatching so vile an enemy. But it was more than the arrow, Sesshomaru knows. If not for her power, the demon would not have experienced any harm.
Sesshomaru reflects on the many lessons in humility that life insists on teaching him, but not for too long. His only takeaway is escaping death and living to realize his objectives. Nodding to himself that there's nothing more to it, he determines his next course of action.
Twenty acres of land still lay under negotiation and it is well past time he followed up with the Jackal demons.
The families of the slain villagers find comfort in Kikyo's words. Knowing their loved ones have been purified and released from eternal bondage provides "closure," they tell her. She ponders the meaning of the word, the way it runs from her, the ironic way that she, an agent of salvation, cannot experience it for herself.
"Perhaps I am focusing on it too much and that's why it eludes me," she says.
"Are you unharmed, sister?" Kaede appears like the aftermath of a storm.
"I am fine, Kaede. Worry is wasted on me."
Before Kaede can pout, she sees Inuyasha and Kagome atop the hill in the distance. Kikyo bristles. Her death wounds radiate with phantom pain. She escapes, quiet as a ghost, before Kaede can even realize it, before she can see the pity in Kaede's eyes.
When she reaches the river again, she clutches her right shoulder, chest heaving like a hummingbird's. Her thoughts begin to pile on top of each other.
Why can't I face him?
Why can't I see her?
Why am I so angry?
I want to be free of this.
When will I be free of this?
Closing her eyes, she meditates on the darkness. All noise fades from her perception. Only something like a heartbeat pounds in her ears.
Even with his keen sight, navigating the craggy caverns of the Jackal demons' territory proves a nuisance. He can only trip over Jaken so many times before losing his composure and leveling the place, so he takes flight.
Jaken flails in the air, barely clinging to Sesshomaru's fur. After wafting around for some time, Sesshomaru makes out a campfire with the Jackal demon leader, Kaito, and his retainers gathered around it.
"Greetings, Sesshomaru."
Kaito turns in the direction where Sesshomaru and Jaken land. In one fluid motion, Kaito's five retainers also turn and bow their heads.
"Kaito," Sesshomaru says, "I appreciate you being available so suddenly."
Kaito invites everyone to sit down and begins filling large cups with sake. Sesshomaru declines.
"Sometimes the humans surprise me with their creations." Kaito takes a swig of his drink and clears his throat. "When you'd sent word about the soul eater's demise, I thought it imprudent to delay our negotiations any further."
"And are we negotiating, Kaito, or am I promising much and receiving little?"
At that Kaito's laughter ruffles the leaves on the trees. He considers Sesshomaru, without any allies and only those who fear him. He leans to the side to look at Jaken, almost forgetting him. So one, solitary ally then.
"I find it worrisome that you lack friends, Sesshomaru. You are the only Dog demon left unless we count your half brother. If you are looking for true allies, I would be happy to partner with you, but I will not serve you."
Sesshomaru's brow twitches. When his father reigned, Kaito served, and happily at that.
"Service is earned, Sesshomaru. Show me the kind of leader you are, and we can revisit the subject. But for now, yes. You may annex our realm to the West."
A double affront. Now, he's expected to prove himself. He could kill them all with his only arm tied behind his back but that wouldn't get him very close to his goals. He's tried being a lord all unto himself for decades now and it hasn't worked.
"And what do you require?"
Kaito leans in, the firelight revealing the color of his eyes. An oceanic shade of blue.
"Tell me everything you know about curses. There's a nasty one I need lifted."
Sesshomaru looks at Jaken who merely shrugs.
Toran practically rolls on the floor laughing at Sesshomaru's request. He'd lied through every one of his teeth, assuring Kaito that he could lift the curse that had left the majority of the Jackal demons petrified.
"So you thought—" Toran pauses to breathe. "that we would be able to help you? Do I look like I know a damned thing about curses, Sesshomaru? Honestly!"
Sesshomaru sighs, waiting for her to finish. After an agonizing eternity, she straightens, still snickering but it's a mercy compared to the uproarious cackling she'd subjected him to for the last several minutes.
"Despite him putting you through your paces, you know Kaito has a soft spot for you. Why lie to him?"
Sesshomaru wonders why his first thought is to kill people when they irritate him.
"A simple 'yes' or 'no' would have sufficed you mangy house cat! You should thank heaven Lord Sesshomaru would even darken this hovel you call territory." Jaken shakes with fury.
Out of nowhere, Karan appears, snatching Jaken by the hood and swinging him like a pendulum. His wailing rejuvenates Sesshomaru's irritation.
"Jaken!" he says with a little more vibrato than intended. "We're going."
Karan drops Jaken and it takes several miles before Sesshomaru can no longer hear the Panthers' laughter.
He wanders; an act that baffles Jaken who is used to him having a purpose in everything he does. They continue aimlessly until they reach a part of the forest that seems cut off from the rest, pristine and sacred. Sesshomaru spots a strange green light that illuminates the opening of a grotto. He proceeds towards it, Jaken clinging to him.
As he nears the emerald glow, it's as if he can feel his missing arm. All of him feels refreshed. Jaken practically turns to mush.
"I feel strange, milord. So," he yawns, "relaxed."
"Yes," Sesshomaru says, thinking it is strange.
He ducks to enter the grotto and his ears perk up at the sound of water splashing. And then he sees long, wet black hair and milky shoulders and arms.
Kikyo gasps, turning towards them sharply.
"Who goes there?" Her voice sounds off of the rocks.
"Wench!" Jaken points at her.
"Oh, it's you," Kikyo says, turning her back again to bathe.
Sesshomaru can feel a little bomb named Jaken ready to blow so he simply stares down at him. Jaken senses it and locks eyes with him, shoulders drooping. He starts to protest. There's a rude, naked woman in his noble lord's presence, but he knows the look on Sesshomaru's face too well. It's the face he's greeted with morning, noon, and night.
The disdain sullying Sesshomaru's beautiful features begins to morph into discovery. Jaken knows this face too.
"Priestess."
For some reason, Kikyo can feel his voice on her skin. She doesn't turn around though. She's still confused as to how they found her.
"I am in need of your services."
"I do not have services. Now, go." She punctuates her dismissal by sinking into the water.
Sesshomaru frowns. It had taken far too much effort to not outright demand she help him. He decides to wait for her to resurface and ask again. Ten seconds elapse. Jaken's head bobs from the pool to Sesshomaru at a dizzying pace.
"Milord…"
"Ridiculous," Sesshomaru says, cold as ice.
He strides over to the pool, steps in and submerges himself. Water splashes everywhere and Jaken jumps out of the way but quickly refocuses his attention on the action before him.
Sesshomaru pulls Kikyo up and she wriggles in his grasp.
"I tried asking nicely," he mentions.
"And what does it matter? Why in all of creation would I, a priestess, help you, a demon?"
"Because if you don't, you'll realize hell is right here on earth."
Little does he know, were it not for the vengeance keeping her alive, she'd welcome it. How would it feel? Her throat in his hand? The release of death? Would it take the second time around? Would her soul finally ascend?
Her eyes blaze into his, a chestnut fury. Suddenly, he's angry and not the least bit fond of it. He considers emotions to be a choice and himself above provocation, but something about her infuriates him. Her eyes say the feeling is mutual.
"If I'm to properly understand your request, I should get dressed."
She glances at her wrist in his hand and he releases it, pushing her back a little. Her hair slides behind her back, revealing a breast and Jaken shakes his staff at her, scandalized.
"Well, be quick about it!"
Sesshomaru exits the pool after her, taking a seat at the mouth of the large rocky tub. Jaken cozies up next to him. Kikyo pulls the tie around her waist tightly and piles her hair into a high ponytail. Sesshomaru notices the perfect curves of her ears and how her face is less stern with her hair up. She comes around the pool so that she's facing him and Jaken. He also notices that she left her bow where her clothes were. Jaken stands and clears his throat, speaking as if he knows anything.
"Now, then. My lord has come to—"
"Jaken," Sesshomaru glares at him, "be quiet and sit down."
Jaken hangs his head and obeys. Kikyo covers her mouth with the back of her hand, utterly shocked to realize she wants to laugh.
"I am expanding my territory and an ally of mine needs a curse removed. I assume you're up to the task."
He's proud of himself because he sounds like he planned this.
"How did you find me?"
"I don't see how that's important."
Deflection is better than lies which are useless to him but he's also not ready to admit that he in no way planned this.
"Then find someone else. I'm sure there are plenty of witches in your company. Stalk one of them."
Jaken practically combusts but he continues sitting down and shutting up. Kikyo's petulance drives Sesshomaru to a point of anger that he supposes is typical with humans.
"I don't have time for witches and their treachery. With you, I won't have to deal with lies."
Kikyo suffers an incredible pain in her chest. She's only encountered Sesshomaru twice and yet he's able to see that she's above lies and trickery. Why hadn't Inuyasha?
"Then," she says, pausing until the pain fades, "you should know that I can't possibly assist a demon. It's a conflict of interest for a priestess."
"You were just fine falling for one, but helping them is too much to ask?"
Jaken chokes but quickly pulls himself together. Kikyo stares Sesshomaru down, anger blazing in her eyes again.
"For someone who hates humans, you are no better than I am or were you joking about needing my help?"
Sesshomaru sees that she likes having the last word and as much as it would be nice to take her down again, the truth in her words makes him feel like a hypocrite. He does hate humans and though he'd never tell her, he can't deny that her reputation precedes her. Seeing her vanquish the soul eater convinced him at the very least.
"This curse is just as effective on humans as it is demons. I doubt you want another issue in your village."
Her expression falters. She doesn't want to hear the guttural cry of a parent losing their child again. She doesn't want to have a hand in it just for the temporary pleasure of denying Sesshomaru.
"What is this curse?" she asks.
"Petrification."
Her eyes widen and she hurries to retrieve her bow and arrow.
"We must hurry. Petrification curses can be permanent."
Before she can strap on her bow, Sesshomaru grabs her and they shoot off into the night sky with Jaken running after them to no avail.