Disclaimer: All characters from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything concerning their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.

Author's Notes: Alright, here is the mini-arc that will explore some of the plotlines (or plot problems) for Yashahime. I know there are quite a bit of lore drop at the moment but I hope the details aren't too convoluted to understand. Any feedback or criticisms are welcomed as they would help immensely in the development of this tale.

RedHood001: I thank you for your reviews. Your support means a lot to me and is a continuous motivation for my writing.

(No beta-reader for this chapter).

Chapter 48-Living Another Life I


Kagome: Everything started at the Tree of Ages.

Inuyasha: A world of dreams and lost souls.

Kagome: The strong bonds of love!

Inuyasha: A new hope and a promising future now begin!

Kagome: Sesshomaru, on the hunt for an evil aura, has come face-to-face with a familiar stranger. Can it be...? Is that Kikyo?!

Inuyasha: Naraku's defeat leads us on a new path!

Kagome: Through time and space to a whole new world!

Inuyasha & Kagome: A fairy tale in the Warring States Era! Inuyasha!


Needless to say, the spirit of the Tree of Ages was surprised.

The assemblage of the woman's life experiences took more time than anticipated. Given her youthful appearance, the spirit had predicted perhaps two decades' worth of memories, rather than visions that spanned across centuries. What was more astounding was that multiple depictions were like a revolution, broadening her perspective and leaving her as fascinated as an infant taking its first steps.

'A human's appearance. A human's mindset. A human's spirit. All sealed within an immortal's lifespan. One cannot help but muse if my image would have reached the same caliber in that body of clay if granted the time.'

As time-consuming as it was to sift through the memories, the personification of the Goshinboku saw no reason to rush. No longer was the sense of urgency present, not when she had finally found the perfect candidate. This interloper was ideal for the divine plan, possessing the characteristics to attract the demon lord, and more crucially, to have already fallen for him.

In every reminiscence involving the daiyoukai, the spirit could detect robust emotions. For the demon lord, the raven-haired woman was determined to brave the unknown world without a plan, despite knowing the prospect of the hardship she would face — and must endure.

The action defied the principles of self-perseverance that the spirit knew all mortals should possess. Was this the result of love? Though the being linked to time was aware of the emotion, she could not experience it the same way that mortals could. From observations, love blinded humans from reason and logic. They would fumble around, and make strange utterances and actions as if bedazzled. Yet, she had also seen how love fostered remarkable strength that allowed two individuals to transcend time and space.

The possibility that such emotion might give birth to the prophesized warranted action from her.

With the ideal contender found for the demon lord, only the intricate aspects remained. Specifically, the outworlder could not remain in a non-physical form. For her to engage with Sesshomaru, a corporeal vessel was required. It would need to be that of a human female, and one that her soul deemed compatible. The most practical solution would be for the woman to forge a new body for herself. It was something nearly impossible for a mundane person. However, the spirit had learned that priestesses with the name 'Kikyo' were never ordinary individuals.

In fact, this woman was the opposite of the ordinary. She was the avatar of Naobi.

Aramitama was the representation of courage. Nigimitama signified friendship. Kushimitama symbolized wisdom. Sakimitama stood for love. In tandem, the composite of the four souls furnished every animate being with an unfathomable power. With sufficient time, even a portion of the four souls could afford even lesser yokai the capacity to transmogrify when operating at maximum capacity. Yura of the Hair was one such example: having once been just a red comb, she became animated after absorbing the grudges and longing from countless deceased souls.

For the miko who was the embodiment of Naobi, and had lived for centuries, it was plausible for her to master the art of creation, an ability at the caliber of gods. From the memories she had peeked at, the spirit knew that Kikyo could craft a bow from thin air using her spiritual powers. In time, through stringent tutelage and diligent practice, she could likely carve herself a new body.

But time was not something Kikyo had. In her present condition, the unconscious woman could spare no thought on anything.

Another solution was required. Fortunately enough, the Tree of Ages had abundant resources at its disposal.

Three years ago, the menacing hanyou Naraku was finally defeated, his life ending near the same place where he had been born. When his colossal body of miasma had decayed away, the only thing he had miraculously left behind was a shell that he had discovered after the incident on Horai Island.

'It was for my amenity that I had procured the remnants from that final battle. I had never envisioned I would use it on another.'

It was a shame that the shell would be occupied by another. Still, the spirit of the Tree of Ages dismissed the notion and proceeded with her task.

Despite being intrinsically intertwined with the concept of time, the deity was not an exception to the laws of the universe as the passage of time went uninterrupted. Six unremarkable months went by, her anticipation diminishing as the woman remained immobile. Though she supposed it wasn't surprising; she had merely placed high expectations. As compatible with the vessel the soul was, the latter could still reject the former, resulting in an eternal slumber for the woman. As of now, there were no signs of her awakening. But optimistically, the spirit had time if nothing else.

The mundane days were shattered one random day by the arrival of Ne No Kubi, or Root Head as it was also known. Though the spirit had detected the commotion, such travesty didn't deserve her attention. She paid only passing heed to the occurrence and devoted most of her focus to the brisk appearance of Sesshomaru.

"A worthless piece of vermin. Except... it's annoying."

The daiyoukai's words were relayed to the spirit by the divine roots of the Goshinboku. While his apathetic remark reverberated within the quiet confines of the darkened realm, the spirit noted the slight movements of her lookalike's eyelids, a futile effort to open them.

The spirit was intrigued. Despite her incapacitation, it appeared she remained responsive to the daiyoukai's voice. The fact he was able to elicit even the smallest response from her made the deity all the more inclined to believe that the miko was indeed worth the investment.

'The depth of her longing is strong. Even her soul seeks him in her subconsciousness, irrespective that he is not the one she knows.' Enraptured as she was with the development, the spirit was uncaring as Root Head was obliterated, its remnant brazenly slipping into one of her tree roots like the hideous leech it was.

The four seasons cycled through, undeterred by the destruction of Ne No Kubi as the spirit was, as another two and a half years passed by.

Her gambit paid off when a pair of mahoganies that had not seen the light in a long while revealed themselves.


When Kikyo opened her eyes, she felt none of the typical disorientation of coming out of a long-term slumber. While physical discomfort and mental exhaustion persisted, they were secondary to the sense of clarity brought about by the knowledge that the Tree of Ages had imparted to her. A perception of how this world functioned entered her thoughts and she understood the task entrusted to her by the deity.

Propping herself up against the tree, she tilted her head and noted that the enclosed domain was dark, resembling the Netherworld. But unlike the realm of the dead, it wasn't cold and there was a constant light source from the tree, accentuated by a faint radiance of blue. She might have taken a minute or two to appreciate the leaves' luminance, were it not for how sensitive her eyes currently were.

Fatigue of the soul differed from that of the body. A night's sleep could not fix it. She knew that all too well, especially after waking up in a new body after years of inactivity.

She breathed in, trying to adjust. Yet, even with a vessel, the pain remained consistent. A sudden wave of dizziness slammed into her and she feared that she might lapse into another coma. Clutching her forehead with a hand, she could only continue to regulate her breathing while praying that the nausea would vanish. It lingered, and there was nothing she could do except endure.

"The vessel may delay your demise but only in brief. You do not belong here. What I have bestowed will yield fleeting solace. You confront no assault presently, and the aggressions towards the soul must have eased, however scarcely. Alas, your presence here is far more unstable than even that girl who crossed time. Whatever the cause, I am not privy to, but the causality of this world was far kinder to her than it is to you," the spirit that eerily resembled her stated as she stood beside her. No emotion came from her dogmatic tone. Her words were delivered in such a way that only individuals who carefully scrutinized the exchange could detect even the mildest traces of irritation that pervaded her speech. For an almost omniscient creature, a lack of comprehension appeared to irk her.

"Fortune does seem to favor my reincarnation, regardless of what incarnation the girl may take. Were it not for her love towards Inuyasha, would you have sought her as the pawn of your schemes instead?" Kikyo rasped, finding a petty part of herself needing to express her irritation at her predicament. She was tired of being hindered at each turn.

"No." The spirit shook her head, running a lazy digit down the bark that had recently been Kikyo's containment. She appeared enthralled with a particular spot, her finger drawing circles as if there was a mark there that only she could behold. "You sound defensive. Is this what humans designate as envy?"

A faint shadow of a frown obscured the miko's pale complexion as her pride compelled her to be silent. Was she indeed jealous of the girl who had the option of normality, but threw it all away without a care? Kikyo had been given an in-depth summary of the girl's existence, including the grievance she had with her late predecessor. In truthfulness, Kikyo didn't know what to think about this reincarnation. And that was without delving into the knowledge that the time-traveler, and the Kikyo of this world, fell in love with the same person. Though perhaps it wouldn't have been as awkward, were it not for the fact that it was Inuyasha — who remained Sesshomaru's half-brother here — of all men. 'Certainly, it is a development beyond imaginable for me.'

The spirit did not pursue the matter, for she had little motivation to indulge in a study of human emotions. "While Higurashi Kagome has earned many favors from us and this world, she is not ideal. You are the one he needs. Though to this world, bound to its laws, you are an anomaly that must be purged. That is the reason you find yourself feeble. Sooner or later, not a trace of you will remain to the world's inhabitants and any memories of your existence shall be replaced by false ones."

"You're saying I have little time," the raven-haired woman summarized as she grasped her chest through the fabric of her new miko clothing. There was a twang of pain each time she breathed. It was fine, she told herself repeatedly, hoping the repetition would make it convincing. It was nothing she couldn't get used to if it meant finding Sesshomaru. "How long?"

"A finite duration that becomes more ephemeral for each utilization of your powers." Whereas an individual born in this world could naturally recuperate their spiritual powers with time, those who did not belong — those not bound by the natural cycles — were bereft of that benefit. In other words, each time Kikyo used her spiritual abilities, the power she released could not be replenished or replaced.

The faint indication on her countenance was quickly converted into a full-fledged frown as the edges of Kikyo's brows came close to meeting. She had hoped for an estimated time frame. Without a specific deadline, it would be difficult to plan and she was a woman who loathed operating blind.

A soundless sigh left her lips. There was nothing to be done but try to moderate the usage of her spiritual powers, considering the linkage her powers had with her soul. The refrainment would be far more accomplishable, were she oblivious to the threat lurking outside. Starting from her awakening, she sensed the incessant beats stemming from the Tenseiga that rested within her. It remained insistent even as she was crippled with discomfort, adding to her growing aggravation until the spirit offered her insight.

She hadn't been able to pay it much of a thought when the Lord of the Netherworld had taken So'unga into his possession. Nor did she contemplate why the blade had been emitting a baleful aura while she had been transported away. Now, she wanted to berate herself for her negligence. The governor of the underworld had told her that he had his agenda for helping her. Whatever 'performance' he wanted, it most likely included bringing the diabolical spirit from So'unga into this universe.

'Is he the one who sent the evil here? What is he scheming? An interloper like myself, the dragon cannot prevail long.' Granted, it had demonstrated the convenient ability to possess another during their last battle. The notion that it could find itself a suitable vessel was unnerving. True, it would eventually be subjugated by the laws of the universe. But by then, Kikyo had no doubt it would have spread havoc and caused casualties. Any chaos it relished in would have a lingering effect, even if the memories of the deeds were erased.

"To sustain this body, I must limit my powers and refrain from using them with reckless abandon. However, I cannot cease altogether, lest I wish to allow this evil to shadow ominously over the people of this world." Despite her resolve, she sounded weak, like she was out of breath from running a marathon. It was miserable, to be reduced to such a pathetic state because the universe rejected her existence. The only saving grace was that she could think straight.

Sensing her affliction, the spirit lowered herself to the woman's level and dropped a hand on her shoulder. A wave of aura poured out from her palm, enveloping her lookalike. Her divine powers seeped into the husk, weaving together the scattering portions of the miko's soul in an attempt to grant the woman some relief. While she wanted to accomplish more, even she could not circumvent the karmic laws. The most she could do was stabilize the outsider's soul with the empty shell.

Returning to her feet, the spirit allowed a dark smirk to descend upon her features. "Rest and adjust for now. Once your soul has fully merged with the vessel and you've regained enough strength, you must put a stop to the other intruder. That is one of your responsibilities here. You are the cause for its unsolicited presence."

"My responsibilities, you say? And might you explain why you have mandated upon me to get close to Sesshomaru? What purpose does he serve in your plan?" Kikyo asked, finding solace that her throat had articulated her words with more potency this time. Still, she refused to drop her vigilance and her next words turned cynical. "The last divine entity I crossed paths with only sought to relish in our suffering and revel in our sorrows. Forgive me if I'm not so gullible to believe that your intentions are wholly pure."

With the miko's memories accessible to her, the spirit knew the intended target of the insult and thus saw no reason to think it was a personal attack. "Many deities are similar to mortals in this facet: we seldom do things without proper motivation. My motivations may not be easy to understand, but they are rooted in the greater good. For I have seen visions of the darkness to come. It shall consume the realm of men if not prevented. Simply understand that I mean no harm to either of you. The strength born from your reunion is essential for the salvation of all. Cooperate with me, and you will understand in time."

The firmness in the last part informed Kikyo that she would be met with an indestructible door should she continue to pursue the details. As tantalizing as it was to persist, for she disliked conceding so easily, she knew she was in no position to risk angering a powerful celestial entity. She would leave the subject unattended for now, considering there was no noticeable harm from obliging while their agendas matched. She would just have to remain attentive for anything that could change.

"...Very well. I shall inquire no further—" A trace of reticence danced on the tip of her tongue as she added the 'for now' inside her head. "—provided you indulge a curiosity of mine."

The translucent being nodded once and that was as much of a permission as she was going to get.

"I am made aware that bodies can be created from a quill using ashes and soil. What I don't know… is how this body is one of flesh and blood, and how you came to acquire it," she said, holding a hand in front of herself and flexing her fingers, somewhat fascinated by how natural the gesture came to her.

Upon transferring her soul into the vessel, the divine entity also imparted many details regarding this world and its vital inhabitants to her. The stories — mostly centering around the schoolgirl, and some from her counterpart — had come as flashes of images inside her head. She had learned more in the span of those few minutes than she had in the three years she was trapped in this universe. Still, the spirit had deemed certain things like the origin of her new body unnecessary for her to know.

"I do not see the significance. Would knowing make the body less fragile?" Her benefactor spoke in a flat cadence, her attitude identical to when she had inquired if the miko had been jealous.

The mental comparison brought a flicker of annoyance. Kikyo tried not to let it show. "I doubt I can find a remedy to the ailment which you cannot. The knowledge may hold no purpose other than to sate my curiosity, but there is no harm in knowing."

"Your body came from Horai Island, nurtured from the blood taken from the miko Kikyo by Goura, a member of the Shitoshin. 50 years later, amongst the several replicas, Naraku salvaged the frailest, the most human, from the battle and donned her in the cloth fitted for a priestess." The spirit's eyes shifted over to the miko's features, scrutinizing them. "Why? You may ask. Even the divine tree cannot know for certain. We suspected a ploy, though an innate weakness may be more plausible."

A dark smile, one that was more like a grimace twisted Kikyo's features. "A weakness born from his half-demon heart… At the very end, he admitted desperately wishing for the heart of a woman who could never love him in return — A woman whose downfall he himself brought about."

Briefly, her thoughts drifted over to the Naraku of her world. Were his origin and goals similar? She did recall saving a cripple bandit that went by the name Onigumo centuries ago. If the parallels held true, then perhaps the Naraku she knew was not only born under the same circumstances but also possessed the same feelings. Try as she might, she couldn't help but fervently hope that their world's 'history' would not run a similar course, lest even Sesshomaru was dragged into the havoc. Additionally, to face a similar tragedy that had befallen the miko of this universe would dissuade even the most fortified soul. Her sole comfort rested with the notion that the counterparts' lives did not always converge, as in the case of Inuyasha. 'It is indeed not guaranteed, for the path that Inuyasha, and even the other Kikyo, has taken diverges drastically from the Inuyasha I know and myself respectively. And no one else should be involved in my dealings with Naraku. If he is indeed Onigumo, then he is a complication that I am liable to amend.'

"Not quite." The spirit's words snapped her back to reality and Kikyo couldn't deny how strange it was to talk to someone with her voice and her mirrored image. It wasn't something she could become accustomed to straight away, as confident as she was in her ability to adapt.

"At the time of his confession, Naraku had become a full-fledged demon. He had longed to forsake his human heart and the Shikon Jewel had been able to grant that wish."

While her facade revealed nothing, a hint of unease traveled across Kikyo's mahoganies for a fraction of a second before it absolved into her customary composure.

"You see?" The pellucid entity flashed a smile that didn't reach the eyes. "The reveal gave you no consolation. You have more on your mind now than mere curiosity."

Kikyo returned the gesture, the upward curl of her lips portraying no humor. "True. It is ridiculous. But that's… what mortals are. Our insatiable drive to seek knowledge and explore the unknown is ingrained within us, as is our avarice for wealth and power. Whether what you divulged was solace or not, shall be mine to judge alone… I have grown weary of the divine meddling in my fate. If hope is what you desire from me, then allow me to choose how I procure it, for you and myself."

Rather than becoming upset as one might expect from a superior being, the personification of the Goshinboku was a picture of tranquility. "I have no care for the means, so long as you are united with the Beast King. You sound assured, a sentiment hopefully not misplaced for your sake. For I, the spirit of the Tree of Ages, anticipate much from you, outworlder."


Kikyo wasn't sure if the Tree of Ages had anticipated the unshed tears that she had to endeavor to contain. Never was she one to be ruled by emotions, yet she had underestimated the effect of seeing Sesshomaru stand before her, his stance once again majestic. His long silver mane danced with the slow breeze, his bangs swaying side to side to periodically brush against the blue crescent moon adorning the center of his forehead.

Enthralled, her gaze roamed his lean figure, starting from the customary boots to his elegant white kimono and armored breastplate, before resting on his dazzling features. Two magenta stripes painted color on his pale cheeks, adding distinction to his already attractive looks. His golden eyes were the familiar aureate hue, blazing like the rising sun.

He was the symbol of unparalleled splendor… and so very cold. While it wasn't the same rigidness found in his petrified body after his life had been drained from him — which she was eternally grateful for — it was a coldness born from assessing a stranger who refused to budge from the pavement that he was traversing on.

When he had first noticed the impediment in front of him, it had been in Sesshomaru's intention to demand the obstacle to step aside, to make way for him. It wasn't until he saw and recognized the person that the words uncharacteristically died in his throat. 'What farce is this?'

The woman had porcelain skin and eyes of deep rich brown, combined with obsidian hair left unbound. While not tied with a white ribbon in the trademark hairstyle that he had seen before, the white and red garment of a traditional miko reinforced her identity. There was no mistake; the woman who no longer reeked of graveyard soil was Kikyo, the miko that had been fraternizing with Inuyasha before sealing him to the sacred tree. The same woman who had perished the second time under Naraku's hands.

The almighty daiyoukai of the west managed to maintain a phlegmatic face, his stupefaction concealed well. If it were not for the numerous experiences Kikyo had in reading the subtleties, then she would be fooled by his outward apathy as anyone else would. His golden orbs were fixed unblinkingly on her, evaluating her as if her presence was incomprehensible. She did not blame him for thinking that a ghost had suddenly manifested.

"W-what?! You're Inuyasha's other wench! How are you alive?" Next to his lord, Jaken was far more expressive with his incredulity, his mouth gaping so wide that it almost touched the ground. Kikyo didn't think his palette could get any more green but it did as the imp youkai gawked at her, waving his Staff of Two-Heads around in hopes of dissuading her advance.

His defensive motions warranted no reaction from her. The same could not be said for his degrading words that broke her out of her trance. She found her traitorous eyebrows involuntarily forming a small frown, though she ultimately decided to ignore him in favor of greeting the daiyoukai.

"Sesshomaru... How I long to see you again, to gaze upon your form." Swallowing once, she regained her voice and managed to keep it steady to avoid appearing vulnerable. Regardless of which universe, Sesshomaru held no high regard for the weak. More importantly, her pride would be damned if she alluded to any potential weakness.

"What nonsense is this? Revert to your true form, apparition! Or if you must choose the miko's skin to wear, then go and bother that pesky Inuyasha! You won't get far trying to tempt Sesshomaru-sama with it!" Jaken spluttered, choking on his innate fear for her — the other Kikyo's — reputation and letting his delusions run rampant.

She naturally continued to ignore the imp, focusing her attention on her sole priority. She took two steps forward before Jaken moved in front of his lord as if his short body would prove to be a sufficient barricade.

Sensing the accumulating youki pouring into his staff, Kikyo lifted a hand and pointed her index finger at him. A white ball of light gathered at her fingertip, morphing into a stream that shot toward the imp.

Somewhat warily, she kept her peripheral vision on Sesshomaru. There was no indication from the daiyoukai that he was going to do anything. Perchance it was because he had sensed no killing intent from her. He wasn't wrong; she had aimed to immobilize rather than maim. As the white light collided with Jaken, the green youkai found himself unable to speak nor move a muscle, his body frozen in place with his staff hoisted above his head.

A sudden burning sensation tore into the center of her heart, prompting her to resist a wince. She almost staggered, with the only means of keeping herself upright being her stubbornness as dread simultaneously set in. Normally, the technique she used on Jaken would have caused little to no strain on her when her target was a small and feeble youkai. But now, simply immobilizing the imp had transformed the aches into a crippling agony. Would she be able to fire a fully powered Hama no Ya in her current state? 'At this rate, I won't be able to accomplish anything before I…'

"Sesshomaru… I… I am not the phantom you believe me to be. Her past is not mine. The relationship she had with Inuyasha has nothing to do with me." Surged by desperation, Kikyo dragged her sandaled feet forward, her arms painstakingly stretching outward toward the daiyoukai. For some incomprehensible reason, he continued to refrain from lashing out, opting to stare at her with a piercing look. Relieved as she was, his inaction was befuddling. The Sesshomaru she knew abhorred most contact, especially from humans. It was Jaken that she had managed to restrain, not him. He could've retaliated and should have. Rare uncertainty beset her and she found her hands hovering inches away from cupping his chin.

The miko wasn't the only one plagued by hesitation. While Sesshomaru found no comfort in the proximity and didn't like how the woman resembled the one intimately associated with Inuyasha, he did not feel annoyed by her presence as he would find humans barring Rin. It was an anomalous occurrence. Spending time with the little girl did enhance his tolerance toward her kind, but he should not feel reluctant to hurt one who stepped out of bounds. There was something about this one keeping him rooted, to the extent of dismissing how she had paralyzed his subordinate and invaded his personal space. As irrational as it was, an instinctive part of him was convinced she would never commit any foulness against him.

The lack of logic behind that notion was just as irksome as not knowing what his next move should be. Flying off was an option, but that was a death sentence to his pride, considering it could be seen as fleeing from a problem.

He inwardly growled, his golden eyes glinting dangerously to reflect his foul mood. If looks could kill, then he would have succeeded in eradicating the cause of irritation. He observed passively as the woman flinched. At first, he assumed fear had struck her and she would be the one to take flight, though the speculation was trounced when he noticed the profound sorrow churning on the surface of her brown pools. Somehow, his hostility had upset her rather than terrified her, and that was seldom seen. Even Jaken, an avid follower of his, would have been quaking at his uncompromising glare.

Their gaze maintained contact and he felt a tingling sensation awakening deep within. What was this woman doing to him? He hadn't felt such inner turmoil the last few times he had seen her while hunting down Naraku. Although, he supposed it could have been because they didn't interact as closely as now.

"Who are you?" He finally spoke, his tone void of oscillations as he concealed his genuine bemusement.

It was meant to be a harmless question but the reaction was far greater than predicted. As if having lost all vitality, the woman's arms sagged to her sides, her bangs hiding her eyes as her sight fell to the floor.

An invisible claw squeezed her, bringing forth a terrible pang that hurt more than any of her current afflictions. Since conversing with the Tree of Ages, she thought she had been offered adequate time to acclimatize to the reality of her situation. She was meant to be the opposite of a weak-willed woman who permitted emotions to dominate, yet she struggled with seeing Sesshomaru look at her like she was a stranger.

To forget a loved one was like losing a piece of a puzzle. To be forgotten by the individual one loved was akin to being banished from their world. Briefly, she noted how close Sesshomaru had been to sharing the same terrible sentiments back when he had uncovered her identity, were it not for the fact that her memories had been timely unsealed.

In his case, it wasn't a simple amnesia that could be undone. She was well aware that this Sesshomaru would not know the life they had together; he was in a similar state to her when she was under the impression she was Higurashi Kagome, with the major distinction being that she was entangled in a dream and he was actually reborn in another universe. She had been fortunate that she had been given the chance to recover her lost memories. But at the same time, it meant that there would be nothing to regain if one hadn't lost them in the first place. Sesshomaru hadn't forgotten anything; to him, those memories had never existed. This wasn't about forgetting things. This was telling a person born blind to distinguish colors that they had never been given the privilege to see.

'I… I have no plan. Is there a means to restore him to the Sesshomaru I know?' Had she been alone and not under his watchful appraisal, then the grim outlook of her reflections might have overwhelmed her to the point that she would have fallen to the pathetic temptation of hugging herself. Swallowing again to cast aside the negativity, she compelled herself to look at him in the eyes once more.

"... I am a miko first and foremost, and that is my identity to most. In your eyes, however, I am Kikyo, your—" As apt with words as she was, she faltered as she struggled with the appropriate description for their relationship. She was skilled with words, but even she could not find the proper terminology for their situation. What was the most suitable term? While their relationship was a topic she would inevitably delve into eventually, now would likely result in the silver-haired lord questioning her sanity. "—I am your sworn companion, your trusted ally..."

"Do I know you?" His brows assembled to form a frown. Another might have interpreted the gesture for vexation but she knew him well enough to discern the underlying confusion.

Caution spiked as she was left contemplating her next move; she felt like a shogi player backed into a corner while under a time constraint. Her first notion was that she could refrain from the truth that would likely escalate into an interrogation. The last time he had been fixated on wringing answers out of her was when she was lying on a bed, weakened. Exhaustion might not be an issue this time, but the pain and her own emotions continued as distractions that placed her at a disadvantage.

Nonetheless, lying would render the value of her last declaration into nothingness. It would terminate any potential future conversations… should his indignation not spur him to kill her first. Her next words would indeed have to be extremely careful. "Yes… I suppose you can say so. There is a life where you and I were quite close."

"Preposterous." There was a showcase of displeasure as his brows dipped further to reveal a menacing scowl on his features. "Do you take me as a fool? I have been magnanimous and granted you my time. You dare squander it by presenting me with falsehoods?"

Once stimulated by mild curiosity, his 'questions' had morphed into an expression of his growing ire. On an optimistic note, he had yet to call her a liar. He had unknowingly stabbed the metaphoric knife into her gut, but at least he hadn't twisted it to bury it deeper.

"Believe me when I say I have little time to spend on fritting away yours," she replied with a disguised sense of tranquility.

The Sesshomaru she knew would have discerned it like how she could recognize his subtle emotional cues. But this version merely scoffed, "Hmph. Nothing you have done warrants my trust."

She inwardly grimaced as he wrenched the abstract knife free to plunge it into her heart. She desperately ignored the excruciating thuds inside her chest. Loathed as she was to admit it, he was right. If she wanted a slimmer chance to convince him, then she would need physical proof to validate her words.

Her spine tingled in warning as the youki circling Sesshomaru's form condensed, a clear indication that he was reaching the end of his atypical tolerance. She couldn't fault him for the animosity. As it was, she had not left any positive impression by showing up with the face of the woman he had known to associate with his half-brother, immobilizing his loyal servant, and randomly declaring some 'fantasies' from another world to be the truth.

"Will you allow me to show you proof?"

It would be simpler to deny her the opportunity, for he was under no obligation to do so. But his body acted against that logic, and he found himself speaking before his rationale could crush the morbid fascination he had toward her. "Whatever you are planning, I will allow you to reveal it. But know that should you scheme against me, the consequences will be severe."

"I understand." Kikyo slowly reached out for his hand, taking great care to ensure he would see all her movements. Ordinarily, she would never have been able to budge him even if she had all her strength. But since he had consented, she was able to move his hand over to her chest. Had it been anyone else, the touch would've brought immense discomfort. But even without the memories of his past life, she could trust Sesshomaru.

The contact generated an assortment of images in her mind that she recognized were from her precognition. Moderately surprised that the ability from the gods of her universe was still functional, let alone be triggered intuitively, she pushed aside the visuals to focus on the present. "Distance has weakened the link. But if it's you, Sesshomaru, then surely you will sense it."

At first, the daiyoukai stood impassive, bemused by the daring move. His opened palm could feel the erratic pulsing of her heart. Was the irregular tempo a show of nervousness? Or was it something else? At this closeness, it would take minimal effort to plunge his claws into her vital spot. Did she foolishly assume she could stop him if he had the whim?

Thud.

All other musings were left forgotten the moment he felt it. The absurdity of what he was sensing shattered his apathetic nature and forced his eyes to widen. His golden orbs shot over to the weapons strapped onto his obi. The sword of heaven remained in that familiar position that he had kept it, sheathed next to Bakusaiga. Yet, there was no mistaking the faint aura he could detect wedged deep in the woman. Like its counterpart, Tessaiga, Tenseiga was one of a kind; even a replica should not be able to recreate the same wavelength of energies that he was sensing.

Sesshomaru's mind sprinted, working quadrupling its usual speed to make sense of the phenomenon. What was the possibility of the woman being candid? She introduced herself as the Kikyo from another world, whose fate was not tangled with the hanyou Inuyasha. If that part was true, then it could be that he was detecting the other world's Tenseiga.

'How absurd.' His attempt at finding a rational explanation for the irrational occurrence nearly made him ridicule himself. There could be numerous other reasons, yet he had casually swatted away all other speculations until only the most ludicrous one was left. For some inexplicable reason, it seemed that a part of him was more willing to believe in this laughable fable than to brand her a liar with the blunt words that would impact like a hot iron on skin.

"There are no ploys or schemes afoot, only the true and genuine call from Tenseiga," whispered Kikyo in a well-timed manner, as if she was telepathically linked with him. "The sword of heaven merged with my soul seeks you. It yearns to be reunited with its rightful owner, just as you're intricately drawn to malignant energy that imbues the atmosphere around us."

Sesshomaru hadn't thought it would be possible for him to be struck with more astounding revelations. But as his eyes enlarged by another fraction, he realized that the woman was apt at hurling surprises at him one after another. However, he was not a daiyoukai with renowned stoicism if he stood speechless. Faster than lightning, he pulled his hand out from hers and reversed their position so that he was the one doing the gripping.

"What do you know about it?" he demanded.

A malicious aura had been seeping through the air, taunting and ominous. Sesshomaru had been sensing it for a while now. It was saturated with the atmosphere, being everywhere at once and therefore difficult to locate its origin.

Much to his pique, it appeared that only he could detect it. Having checked on Rin in Kaede's Village, he had passed by Inuyasha to interrogate his half-brother. A waste of time it turned out, for he gained nothing except perhaps an increase in his tolerance to fools. Like Jaken and every other youkai and spiritually aware being he had inquired, his uncouth half-brother couldn't notice anything amiss. Whatever it was, its malevolence was aimed solely at the daiyoukai.

"It's So'unga, the one from ou— my world. It has followed me here. I had assumed that its sole desire was to wreak havoc and bloodshed, but now it appears that provoking you is of higher significance to it than any other pursuit," Kikyo explained, her brows creasing. Whereas her Sesshomaru would have been able to recognize the energy from So'unga as well as from Tenseiga, this version only had one encounter with the former. And considering that the sword had been taken care of, she wasn't surprised that it hadn't crossed his mind that the sword of hell was trying to haunt him.

"Tell me all you know," he stated, his stern tone leaving no room for anything other than obedience.

"Of course. But given the nature of this matter, let us find somewhere more discrete." For emphasis, she flourished her free hand toward the opened road, where anyone walking by would easily see them and could eavesdrop. Given the seriousness of their topic, it was a valid excuse for wanting cover, though the suggestion was mostly born from her desiring a place where she could sit down. As vexing as it was, there was no denying that her new body was weak.

"Follow me," Sesshomaru nodded curtly, releasing her and lifting his legs to step over Jaken.

Walking away, he never looked back to check if she was trekking behind. However, there wasn't any need; now that she found him, Kikyo had no intention of being left behind. She followed, but not before undoing the spell imprisoning Jaken.

"H-how dare you, you wench!" The moment he was free, the imp youkai felt strong indignation flowing in his veins that he rashly swiped away the notion that he was outmatched. He would have commanded his staff to split a torrent of flames at the woman whose back was turned on him, if not for his master's stern order.

"Leave her be, Jaken."

As obedient as ever, the fire in both Jaken's spirit and his staff's head died in a heartbeat. Shoving aside his disdain and grumbling a few curses at the miko, the imp youkai scampered after the duo.


More Author's Notes: Kikyo has met the 'Inuyasha-verse's' Sesshomaru, who is the reborn version of the Sesshomaru she knew. With him unaware of the bond they shared, what will her next steps be? Find out more next time in Chapter 49-Living Another Life II.