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

Author's Notes: To all readers, I'm very excited to announce that we've hit a milestone of 50 chapters for this fanfiction! Thus far, this story has become the longest one I've written and I'm enjoying it every step of the way. I hope everyone feels the same level of interest in the story's progression and will continue to ride along. Thank you for everyone's support. Without your support, I don't think I would have gotten as far.

RedHood001: Love hearing from you, as usual. Thank you for your reviews. It's awesome that I'm bringing back some nostalgic feelings for you. Yes, considering that we're with the canon, I consider that a very good thing.

I'll admit that Sesshy is somewhat tricky to tackle in this portion, considering that he is the one from the end of the series. I want to keep the version that Rumiko Takahashi created, with all his development and connections in mind, while ignoring the terrible portrayal of the Sesshomaru we got in Yashahime. Frankly, it's challenging to find a balance between the Sesshomaru in One Thousand and One and the one in canon, especially regarding how he would view Kikyo. But I'm glad you think it's all making sense thus far.

As for Inuyasha and Sesshomaru clashing swords? Well, I don't think there's a universe where they won't do that, lol!

And thank you for letting me know about the extent of notification from your end. It does seem that not everything is fixed yet. But at least we're working our way around it with degrees of success.

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(No beta-reader for this chapter).

Chapter 50-Living Another Life III

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 has shown up, bringing a new confrontation between the brothers! Wait. Why are they fighting again?

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!

Bewilderment and uncertainty pinned his bare feet to the ground. Inuyasha felt himself transformed into a statue, with shock permanently etched onto his features. His eyes were wide, and his mouth hung open. Barely was he capable of any thought, let alone tear his stare away from the sight before him.

He never thought he would see her again beyond the occasional dreams, those glimpses that his subconscious desire granted him. She looked precisely as he remembered, donning the traditional red and white miko outfit. Her long black hair was unbound, cascading down like a waterfall.

It felt like an eternity before his body's necessities kicked in, urging him to blink. Along with that gesture came a surge of anxiety. What was the possibility that his eyes were playing tricks on him? What if that nostalgic figure vanished into nothingness once again before him?

His natural reflex forced him to blink, and he was confronted by a fresh wave of surprise and confusion when the woman he was staring at remained. She was not a fragment of his imagination… and the fact that she stood by his apathetic half-brother's side added to his inner turmoil.

Why? Why would Kikyo appear with Sesshomaru? Reasonable as its conjuration was, the question was pushed aside in favor of another. Ignoring the punchable face of the daiyoukai, Inuyasha swallowed hard, trying to find his voice.

"K-Kikyo… h-how is this possible?" It came out as a whisper, his tongue attempting to salvage the syllables. How long had it been since he last uttered her name?

He had no idea if she had heard him or not. She didn't say anything, merely appraising him with eyes that reflected composure and profound wisdom. The hue was similar, though greatly contrasted with the warmth and cheerfulness that radiated from Kagome's orbs. He was drawn into them, nonetheless, becoming lost in their depths… And that was when he felt something off. Before he could process it, his vision was taken up by a mass of white.

Sesshomaru was a prideful warrior who did things at his own pace. The staring contest between his half-brother and Kikyo was wearing at his patience. Since the former remained stupefied and the latter seemed hesitant to snap him out of it, it was up to the daiyoukai to step in.

Fast as lightning, Sesshomaru rushed at his dumbfounded sibling and reenacted a scene from years ago. Pressing his index and middle fingers together, he delivered a swift and powerful jab at his brother's right eye. It was a devastating blow that would've caused damage to the socket were it anyone else. But for Inuyasha, it merely cracked open the seal to the Black Pearl. Tendrils of light manifested and connected his fingertips to his objective. Without missing a beat, the Lord of the West pulled the relic out effortlessly, just as he once had.

Unbeknownst to him and Inuyasha was that the same predicament would unfold again, with Kirinmaru as the observer. If, in the future, the former decided to reflect upon it, then perchance he would have felt the same displeasure coursing through him at present. 'Falling for the same move. As I expected, he never learns.'

Inuyasha grunted as he landed rear-first onto the ground. His vision clouded over and a sharp pain hit his eye. Fortunately, the effects quickly passed. Blinking away the dark spots, he glanced up and was immediately hit with a feeling of déjà vu. His pompous half-brother stood over him, showing off the Black Pearl in his thumb and index finger as if it was a prize he had been rewarded with.

"Sesshomaru! You bastard!" The low rumbles emitting from the back of his throat turned into a roar as he sprang back onto his feet, his Tessaiga drawn from its sheath. What remnants of hope he held in his heart were buried, replaced by a blazing fury. "How dare you! Is this another Mu-on'na? Using the same trick again, Sesshomaru?"

The idea that Sesshomaru would toy with his emotions like this was inexcusable. Absolutely unforgivable! The last time the daiyoukai had taken the artifact in his eye, he had lowered his defenses with an illusion of his mother. The coldhearted bastard had stooped so low as to repeat such a dirty tactic. Only this time, he was tarnishing the image of the first woman he had loved.

"Take this!" Refusing to stand for it, his rage pushed him forward in a frenzy. He lunged at his half-brother with all his strength, throwing his impetus into his swing.

The red-clad warrior was no novice in combat, having fought countless battles and emerging victorious. But compared to Sesshomaru, he was nowhere close to his caliber. Additionally, his wrath proved detrimental, making his movements overly predictable. As Tessaiga slashed through the air vertically and came down at him, Sesshomaru stepped casually to the side. The steel crashed into the ground, generating a clamor and a cloud of dust.

"What a hopeless imbecile you are, Inuyasha. You failed to uncover Jaken's ploy. And now, you are unable to discern why 'she' stands before you," Sesshomaru stated coldly. Taking advantage of the opening that his opponent had left, he threw a strong punch that carried the momentum of his annoyance. As usual, his fool of a brother was reaching the wrong conclusions with his hollow head. As if he, the great daiyoukai of the Western Lands, would require any form of mind games to outmaneuver anyone, let alone a pathetic hanyou.

Inuyasha's cheek took the full impact of the blow, sending him spiraling through the air. Yet, he recovered quickly, performing a backward somersault and sliding across the ground on his bare feet until he came to a halt in a low crouch.

His egotistic sibling's words fueled his anger and he felt his body boil. A threatening snarl emerged from deep within his throat as he tightened his grip on his weapon. "What are you trying to say? Is that really Kikyo? If that's the case, then explain why the hell she's with you, of all people, in the first place!"

As Inuyasha's voice grew, so did his youki. Sensing his urge for violence growing, Sesshomaru relished the notion of a fight and responded in kind. He flexed his claws and discharged his demonic aura, generating a storm of energy that made his silver hair dance around him.

"That's enough," came the stern voice of Kikyo as she stepped in between the two.

'Wait… that scent!' With her downwind and keeping her distance, her scent was something that Inuyasha hadn't been able to catch until now. But as soon as he did, any desire to pounce at Sesshomaru vanished instantly. The floral fragrance, free of graveyard soil and bones, was unmistakable. 'It's… Can it really be? Kikyo…!'

Her abrupt interference caused both Inu demons to pause, and she took the opportunity to assess Inuyasha. Aside from the obvious blow to his pride and the slight redness near his jaw, he didn't appear to be suffering from any serious wound. Based on that fact alone, she evaluated that while Sesshomaru seemed keen on inflicting some damage, he wasn't aiming to kill.

Still, she noted that their relationship was more hostile than the one she was accustomed to. While the Inu siblings she knew weren't exactly on the best terms, especially considering that the younger one had been oblivious to their blood relation for most of his life, they would at least attempt to communicate and accept each other's presence without constantly fighting. In this world, their tolerance level was significantly lower, their interactions involving fists and swords rather than glares and blunt insults.

"Are you done idling? Hmph, I suppose now is a good time as any." Turning her head to the speaker, Kikyo was met with a pointed look that commanded her to play her part.

Explaining their circumstances was delegated to her, if only because she had been the one to have insisted. Her initial hope had been that she could acquire supplies from the hanyou after explaining the basics to him. Nonetheless, she had underestimated how awkward the situation with Inuyasha could become. His golden orbs shone with an intense display of emotions, all directed at her as he tried to search for the woman who she was not.

Alas, she could not afford to dwindle.

"Inuyasha." As she spoke his name with slight reluctance and called out to him, she observed how his half-demon ears twitched almost eagerly in response.

"Kikyo..." he instinctively returned, his voice taking a softer tone.

Despite the disappearance of his eagerness for a brawl, the note of affection in his voice was nevertheless unsettling for her. Deciding that the misunderstanding needed to be cleared as soon as possible, she pushed through the awkwardness with an air of professionalism reserved for those she was unfamiliar with and wanted to maintain some distance. "Inuyasha, I believe this is our first meeting. My name is Kikyo, that is true — but I am not the one you knew."

She had given a similar introduction to the older brother and was given an expression of perplexity in both scenarios.

"Huh? Wait? So… so you're not Kikyo? But your scent. And Sesshomaru said… You—"

"I am not the miko who sealed you to the sacred tree, nor the woman you once knew and loved at the time. My name and appearance may be the same as hers, yet you are seeing a different individual."

"But if you're not her, then why? Why are you just like her? And how do you know me?" In all honesty, Inuyasha was surprised that he had been able to follow her explanation. It was akin to navigating an unfamiliar territory as a bat without its sonars, blindly grasping for some clues. The flooding of emotions, coupled with the rapid beating of his heart, further exacerbated the spinning sensation in his head and generated memories that he had been trying to keep in the far recess of his mind.

"I'm surprised you allowed yourself to be distracted by that abomination. How pathetic." Kikyo's cold remark echoed inside his mind, highlighting her disapprobation upon seeing him struggle against an imposter.

Like the puppet the Shitoshin had created, the woman before him replicated Kikyo's look and smell. Fortunately for him, she lacked any ill will towards him because her resemblances to his Kikyo were even more uncanny than the Shitoshin's creation could ever be. She even possessed the same detached demeanor when attempting to distance herself from him. For what purpose, he did not know. What he did know was that it only further compounded his confusion about the entire situation. It made the separation difficult. How was he supposed to believe she wasn't the Kikyo he loved when every other part of her told him otherwise?

"It's a long story," Kikyo paused to shift her gaze away from him and toward the direction of the village, having sensed the approach of newcomers. "... They have come. Once is enough then, it would appear."

"Inuyasha!"

The hanyou's triangular ears perked up and he realized, with alarms ringing inside his head, what had caught the miko's attention. Nervously rotating his head, he swallowed hard as he saw a trio of familiar faces. Kagome, Miroku, and even Sango were running over to him, drawn to the outskirts by the noise he had made.

"Inuyasha, what…" his mate gasped, her eyes enlarging and her complexion paling as though she had seen a ghost. The sight before her hit her like a hammer to the chest, her voice trailing off for a moment as she struggled to express herself. "N-no way... There's no way..."

"...Unbelievable." Miroku was more subtle with his disbelief, having lowered his volume to a whisper so that no one but those with superhuman senses could hear him.

"Kikyo. How? What kind of sorcery is this?" On the other hand, Sango was far more direct, her tone sharp and demanding as she warily assessed the woman up and down.

In an instant, the tension that was already present escalated, the atmosphere rapidly devolving into an intricate web of awkwardness. Uncertainty and concern had the human couples turn their heads to look at their friend, whose anxious gaze remained unblinkingly on the half-demon.

"Kagome… I… This isn't…" Unable to return the gesture, Inuyasha locked his vision on the ground at his feet, like a scolded child who knew he had done something wrong.

Having been pushed to the sideline, Sesshomaru observed the various interactions around him with scorn. From his perspective, the way that his pathetic little brother avoided even so much as locking eyes with any of the two women for fear of striking the wrong impression was almost comical. It was like looking at a kicked puppy. Nonetheless, he had zero interest in the theatrics. The longer it was dragged out, the more he found himself tempted to end it all with the swiftness of a blade.

Trying to curb his desire to unsheathe his Bakusaiga, he advanced toward Kikyo, taking up a position beside her with a velocity quicker than the eye could see. Contrary to the normal reaction that he was expecting, the woman displayed neither fear nor shock. Instead, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye as if his sudden movement was nothing out of the norm.

She was defying his expectations yet again. Casting aside the observation, he aimed a piercing look at her and spoke in a tone that left no room for dissent. "This farce has gone on long enough. Put an end to it before it wastes more of my time."

'A farce indeed,' Kikyo agreed wholeheartedly. Alas, the simple acknowledgment could not resolve the reality of the situation and she found an exasperated sigh silently leaving her lips.

This was going to take a while.

Situated on the edge of the village was one of the slightly larger dwellings and the home of miko Kaede. Inside, Kikyo sat before a low table, her legs folded in a traditional seiza. Before her was a diverse collection of spiritual items that she meticulously examined, deliberating carefully about their potential uses. As an old and experienced miko, Kaede had exactly what she was looking for and much more, and she planned on using them to her full advantage. She had as much time as Sesshomaru's finite patience, as well as the time frame it would take Inuyasha to digest the information she had dropped on him.

She recalled last seeing the hanyou in a mood far different from his customary attitude. His brows were knitted with uneasiness, and his usual hot-headed tendencies had been replaced with a solemn expression. Leaving him to sort out his reflections, she had accepted Kagome's offer to assist and was guided to Kaede's abode, which despite its size, was mostly sparse and contained only the necessities for daily life.

Standing near the entrance of the dwelling, Kagome had positioned herself as if to potentially offer herself up as a blockade to prevent the half-demon from entering. Kikyo didn't place much importance on his presence, but the time traveler saw it differently. Perhaps she thought that Kikyo had fabricated her motive and was here for Inuyasha. The restlessness that permeated her being was palpable, suffusing into the air around them.

Channeling her spiritual powers into a human-shaped piece of paper, Kikyo instinctively stiffened when a sudden pain pierced straight into her like a dagger. A frown materialized on her features and she inhaled deeply. Turning her head to look past her shoulder, she was met by a pair of eyes with the same hue as hers, yet shrouded in a veneer of unease. Fortunately for Kikyo, the unease blinded the other woman from detecting her moment of vulnerability.

"You need not be so restless." Although her statement intended to be easing, the effect it had was almost the opposite, startling the raven-haired woman and making her even more self-conscious. Maintaining control of her emotions through self-discipline, Kikyo refrained from letting her exasperation show on her phlegmatic features, opting to remain silent and allowing time for the other person in the room to regain her composure.

"Huh? I'm… Oh." It felt like eons had passed before Kagome realized she was balling her hands into fists and creating wrinkles on her red hakama. She stopped, letting her arms fall to the side. Her gaze stayed on Kikyo with wariness, as if fearing that the woman was only mere steps away from charging at her like a starved wolf.

The outworlder mulled over whether or not the level of vigilance that the other woman exhibited seemed excessive. It was true that her other version had attempted to kill the former schoolgirl out of envy, but she assumed they had worked past their differences and managed to settle the tensions between them. Was the vision involving them working in tandem against Naraku a false premise? After all, all she saw were snippets that the Goshinboku offered. The true extent of their connection would remain a mystery to her, the foreign interloper.

Then again, she would've stayed far from this world's residents if she could have. Only the reassurance that her traces would be erased once she departed and the necessity of acquiring weapons got her involved with the others. Nonetheless, that did not mean she would abandon caution and jump into unnecessary troubles.

"At ease. I won't disturb you much longer, nor will I forget your favor," she gently said, trying to ease the tension. There was the chance Kagome, like Jaken, was making the wrong assumption of her trying to trick them by wearing the late miko's skin. She briefly mulled over if a disguise would've been wiser, but knowing the Inu brothers' sense of smell, it would've been seen as more suspicious.

Kagome blinked before half-absentmindedly nodding, "No worries. Those aren't actually mine. They belong to Kaede-obaa-chan, but I know she won't mind you using them."

"Is that so? I should extend my gratitude to her. Where is she?"

"Oh, she's out with Rin right now, gathering things for dinner. They'll be back soon, no doubt," Kagome answered casually.

The articulation was improved and better timed, without any hesitation or stuttering. Nonetheless, the atmosphere remained stiff, and Kikyo knew it would likely persist. Time and effort would perhaps convince Kagome that she meant no harm, but prolonging her stay to earn her trust was not on her tight schedule. 'Time is of the essence.'

"I see, then please pass on my gratitude." With the bare minimum of gimmicks she believed would be useful tucked inside her hidden compartment, the Holy Entity stood with two pieces of paper between her index and middle fingers.

She murmured the required ancient incantations, her voice a smooth cadence filling the air. The sheets of paper slid from her grasp, their edges enveloped by a vibrant purple light before transforming into the familiar shapes of her trusted servants.

"Kikyo-sama?" Koucho asked, her face blank as her dark eyes appraised her summoner.

"There is something different about you." Asuka's expression mimicked her twin's, though a subtle fluctuation in her flat tone suggested something akin to curiosity.

Judging by their looks and demeanor, they were identical to the deities she knew. However, similar to how they could differentiate her, Kikyo realized from the instance they manifested that they were not the ones she had formed a contract with.

"I am not the Kikyo you recall, but dire circumstances have induced me to request your assistance." She opted to be candid with them, confident in their ability to comprehend the situation. Their manifestations in the human realm were due to being spiritually linked to her. Even if she didn't say anything, they would detect the tattered state of her soul and recognize its disparities from the one they were expecting.

Kochou shook her head. For the briefest moment, Kikyo assumed they were unwilling to assist the stranger who wasn't their true master. She was swiftly proven incorrect when the yellow-clad shikigami only disputed part of her request. "No, you're Kikyo-sama. The exterior may be altered, yet we discern that the essence of Kikyo-sama persists within you."

Asuka nodded in agreement, sharing a glance rife with silent understanding with her twin.

Whatever enlightenment the spirits had attained, it differed from Kikyo's expectations. Before she could ponder whether or not she should ask for elaborations, Asuka offered her assurance. "We are your servants. Wherever your path lies, we shall follow with unwavering devotion."

Gratification subdued any sense of curiosity she had. Since her arrival, there has been a scarcity of mutual trust between her and her 'acquaintances'. Her heart ached with the truth, but Kikyo could not delude herself into believing her trust in Sesshomaru was unequivocally reciprocated. She was little more than a passing traveler in this world, and only the two shikigami recognized something within her that they felt deserved their complete and uncompromising faith.

"Thank you," she said, the corners of her lips slightly tilting upwards.

In response, the shikigami duo lowered themselves until their feet touched the ground, their gaze respectfully rising to meet their master's as they awaited her instructions.

"Wait a minute… Are they the weapon you were hoping for?" Kagome's voice was laced with puzzlement as she approached the pair of supposed children, her head turning left and right as she studied them individually. "I've seen you — the other you — summon them before. I don't think I've seen them do anything besides run small errands for you. They don't seem like they can fight."

Nothing in their child-like exterior suggested any hidden might. Yet, Kagome should have learned from her time in this era that appearances could easily deceive. In this scenario, however, Kikyo had to acknowledge that her snap judgment was correct. Notwithstanding that her servants' forte didn't lie in combat, Kikyo's current state meant that the deities were barely receiving adequate spiritual power to fuel their existence. Any attempt at unleashing a destructive technique would impose more stain on their summoner's soul.

"They shall accompany me, yes. However, they are neither my bow nor my arrows." Kikyo shook her head and just like a switch, nonchalance returned as her smile absolved. Some like Tsubaki might view their summons as a weapon — a mere tool to wield. But for the miko who had lived for centuries, they were a reliable ally in battle and a steadfast companion in combating solitary ennui.

"There's a bow over there," her pair of assistants abruptly said, speaking in unison and prompting Kikyo to look in the direction they were indicating.

When Kagome had moved forward, no longer was she obstructing their sights of the red longbow leaning against the wall. Being a honed archer with significant familiarity with various bows, Kikyo required but a cursory glance to discern the impeccable craftsmanship of the gorgeous weapon. Left beside the quiver of arrows by the door, the unique reddish hue provided a remarkable distinction from its kind. But what ultimately took her entire focus was the spiritual energy that resided within. Despite its latent and seemingly inconspicuous nature, she could feel its presence resonating with her powers, their wavelengths in sync as if they originated from the same source.

"That's no ordinary bow," Kagome affirmed as she walked over and retrieved the weapon. Running her fingers along its smooth and curved surface, she seemed to be pulled into reminiscence. Whether it was a fond memory or not was up for speculation. The emotions flitting through her brown eyes were a mix of pride, joy, lamentation, skepticism, and subtle hints of something so intricate that it evaded a clear-cut identification.

"The Azusa-yama no Chokyu. It was given to me… I was told it would help me save a life. But that was a lie. All along it was meant to make me stronger. Every time I draw its string, I feel a rush of power coming to help me…" Bitterness suddenly superseded the plethora of mixed sentiments and burst forth from Kagome. The younger miko's gaze locked with her late predecessor's counterpart, her eyes set ablaze like wildfire. "It's the same power I feel from you… Your power — your soul — is the same as hers. Inuyasha told me you also have the same scent. To be completely honest, you being here terrifies me. Are you really Kikyo, somehow revived once again? Or are you using her appearance to lie and mess with us?"

While most would've felt insulted by the accusation, witnessing the release of Kagome's bottled-up suspicions provided some relief for the Holy Entity. Communication was simpler when she didn't have to speculate the cause of the other woman's apprehensions.

Kikyo hadn't seen the need to reveal everything to Inuyasha and everyone else, but if an elaboration could alleviate the tension and rid her of the ever-watchful eyes that seemed to track her at every moment, then she would give one… after obtaining an understanding of the woman's standpoint. "What are your thoughts on the matter? Who do you believe I am?"

It seemed Kagome had anticipated an answer rather than an inquiry being thrown her way. She gave a moment of reflection, her brows creasing.

"You don't exactly look at Inuyasha the way the Kikyo I know did but… you give off the same vibe as her, I guess…" she paused, a hand covering the top half of her face as she groaned, "Urk! I don't know, alright? It's so like you, never making this easy for anyone. Like, I want to believe what you're saying. That you're here for So'unga like you said. That when you realized Sesshomaru's Tesseiga wasn't enough, you came here looking for the Black Pearl and not specifically for Inuyasha. I want to believe that. I really do. But there's a feeling in my gut that you're hiding something. So are you going to come clean? Or are you going to keep up with the lying by omission?"

As the accusation flowed through Kagome's words, she seemed to fall back into habit and reverted to a more familiar dialect. However, Kikyo grasped the meaning and responded with a subtle smile dancing across her lips. "Your perception is remarkable. Indeed, ending So'unga's carnage is but one motive for my presence. There are details I'm withholding from you and Inuyasha."

The owner of the sacred bow dropped her hand to her side and was just in time to see the slight curve of Kikyo's lips. The fingers curled around her bow twitched, her muscles involuntarily tensing.

"What else are you here for?" she demanded, her fear for her mate generating a burst of courage.

"I'm here for Sesshomaru."

"Right, of— Wait… Sesshomaru?" Kagome's defensive retort was derailed when the casual drop of the unexpected name sent her reeling. With widening eyes, she could only express her bewilderment with a loud exclamation. "Huh?!"

If her self-restraint was lacking, Kikyo might've winced at the abrupt escalation in volume. In her opinion, the revelation shouldn't have led to such a commotion. Was it that difficult to believe she would be here for Sesshomaru rather than his half-brother? Not every facet revolved around the latter, and Kikyo feared the prospect of being embroiled in a messy relationship that her counterpart had started.

The friendship with the Inuyasha she was familiar with was a relationship she cherished, but it existed solely upon the premise of being non-romantic and platonic. That was all it ever was and what it would always remain. However, the notion seemed incomprehensible to Kagome for whatever reason. With another soundless sigh escaping her lips, Kikyo realized that a simple assertion might be insufficient for the time traveler.

This was going to take another while.

Amid the simplicity of the village's backdrops, Sesshomaru was a prestige form in elegant white. His majestic presence would have made him the focus amongst the villagers, were it not for Kaede's home being positioned away from the center, and out of sight from the prying eyes. The daiyoukai stood by the fence that traversed the main road, with a segment branching off to the hut he had a full view of from his current placement.

The setting sun, nearing its final descent, bathed the land in vibrant tones of orange and red, though Sesshomaru paid scant attention as he waited. There was a sense of stark irony, as their situation had been reversed in less than a few hours. With nothing to do but to let his musings drift, he found his deliberations shift between Rin, whom he anticipated would soon return, and the enigmatic woman who had left him in such a dull predicament.

It was astonishing how rapidly her apprehension regarding being left behind dissipated once he had agreed he would allow her company. She was getting confident. To what extent he was unsure, but there was no question that she was aware he was an individual who honored his words and was therefore using this principle to her fullest advantage.

She seemed so familiar with him. Yet, his knowledge of her was scarce, possessing little insight into the myriad facets of her personality.

"Hey, Sesshomaru. What do you know about… about Kikyo?" Inuyasha interrupted his reverie, and he noted how his half-brother had chosen to ask an inquiry so comparable to his own thoughts.

But that was as far as the similarities ran. Inwardly, he allowed a scoff. As expected of his incompetency, Inuyasha had finally recovered from his bewilderment, only to demand answers instead of figuring them out. Either the half-human truly lacked the intellect to think for himself or his sentimentality overshadowed the capacity for rational thought and left him in denial. Knowing him, it was likely a combination of both.

Since the daiyoukai didn't feel like dignifying Inuyasha with a response, the latter opted to mount on the fence in an evident display of agitation.

"Don't you dare ignore me, dammit! I know you heard me, Sesshomaru," he growled, his desperation poorly disguised beneath the layer of oozing aggression. "You've been with her so answer me directly. Is she really Kikyo? Or someone else who so happens to look, smell, and act exactly like her?"

Inuyasha was within half the length of an arm's reach away from him. Was the proximity a ploy to rattle him? If anything, any vexation he had was on the hanyou's unrefined form and lack of poise, crouching on the wooden pole as an actual dog might.

Without bothering to spin on his heels to face him, the Lord of the West aimed a glower at his periphery. Centuries of usage had refined the means of intimidation, making most targets shudder in fear. But his half-witted brother was one of the few who dared to glare back despite the threat.

Nonetheless, trepidation still lurked within the half-demon even if he didn't back down. The tenseness of his muscles, the way he was prepared to launch himself from his perch with an instant's notice, was a telling sign.

He could summon his whip and flick it at him to relieve him of the ugly posture. But that would be too efficient — too easy for the stubborn half-demon who refused to learn his place. He opted for a harsher approach, aiming to strike exactly where it would reopen mental scars. "If you have time to demand my insight, you should begin honing your abilities, Inuyasha. It is your ineptitude that erodes your awareness, and the reason for Kikyo's demise, twicefold."

That hit a nerve, hard. Inuyasha recoiled as if punched in the gut. A wounded fury flooded him, and he bared his fangs before leaping down from his position. The moment his feet touched dirt, he raised his fists. He battled the obvious desire to strike, knowing the attack would be futile even in this range. All it would accomplish would be him eating dirt in front of his friends and their kids.

"Grrr! Don't pretend like you know everything about me. I've already told you: she's exactly like the Kikyo I knew, but—" As the contradiction surfaced in his mind, his voice abruptly dropped, his ears almost flattening against his head to match his shift in mood. "But, for some reason, she doesn't know me… and yet she's somehow familiar with you."

"You assert she is the same woman whose life you've continuously failed to save. Is she truly? Or are the ears on your head defective, that you fail to hear her words?" While his exterior was stoic, he was inwardly scorning. Kikyo's explanation was a condensed version, but straightforward to comprehend. Even a simpleton like Inuyasha should have no difficulties understanding. He was in conflict because of his stubborn refusal to accept the truth and extinguish the unrealistic hope buried in his heart. From Sesshomaru's perspective, it was a pathetic display.

Inuyasha curled his fingers in, fists shaking as he dug his claws into his palms. Despite his impassive nature, Sesshomaru had a talent for bringing out his fiery side like no other. If he didn't know better, he would've thought the daiyoukai had made it his life mission to rile him up every time they crossed paths.

Red smeared his vision, and he snarled without a second thought. "Of course I did! I heard her! And I saw her too, you bastard! I saw those quick looks she gives you. Those looks — she's never looked at anyone but me like that. I don't get it. Why and how did things turn out like this?"

"Jealous, little brother? That the miko came to me instead?" Sesshomaru smirked callously. Since his idiotic sibling had decided to interrupt his thoughts — and he was reluctant to return to them — he decided he would welcome him as a distraction. Seldom was he able to fight someone who could survive beyond his initial strike. While his half-brother was hardly worthy of being considered an opponent to him, he did possess durability that matched his stubbornness. "Without the Black Pearl, you would never have been granted a glimpse of her presence. Perhaps it is high time you recognize your irrelevance in her life."

"Oh, sure, and you're such a perfect help, aren't you? No sane person out there would ever go to you for any kind of help! You've got some explaining to do, Sesshomaru. What did you do to her?"

"Losing your mind over a woman, you have proven yourself unworthy of my answers. Cease your incessant prattling, Inuyasha. She is a matter which holds no concern for you."

"Look here, you arrogant bastard! You're the irrelevant one! I doubt you know anything about HER either. Enough... I've had enough of you and your bullshit!" As the last strand of his patience shattered into nothingness, the wielder of Tessaiga whipped out his blade, transforming it with a quick flash of yellow.

Pushing into the air with a bounding leap, Inuyasha came down fast and hard with his sword.

Rin: Sesshomaru-sama!

Kagome: Inuyasha, I'm sensing something— What is that?

Miroku: Inuyasha, up there. Hurry!

Kikyo: Asuka, retrieve what I require from the west.

Kagome: Next on Inuyasha, "Killing Perfection! The Trial of Hell!".

Sesshomaru: I'll deal with So'unga.

More Author's Notes: For the readers who have seen the last chapter's preview before the change, you may notice that the title for the next chapter is very familiar. That was a silly mistake on my part. Having forgotten that I was only up to the second part of 'Living Another Life', I've accidentally placed chapter 51's title for chapter 50. Although it was just a naming mistake and nothing else needs to be changed, I do wish to make a note here and apologize to anyone who got confused.

Despite that little blunder, I hope everyone has enjoyed this chapter and is looking forward to seeing the sparks that the inclusion of the canon Inuyasha and his group will bring.

Until next time, everyone!