Author's Notes: I'm finally here with a new chapter after having revisited everything else. I'm so sorry for the extremely long wait. I know that by now, most of you would've forgotten the plot of the story, which is why I recommend rereading from the start. I understand that sounds demanding on my part, but I think it's worthwhile. While I was stuck with the storyline, I did make several changes in the previous eight chapters. I paid extra attention to possible plot holes and even added in more details to give you guys a better image of things. Of course, you can just start reading this chapter immediately. There is no stopping you. It's entirely your choice.

Also, I would like to say a big thank you to those who support this story and have waited so patiently for an update. Remember that your reviews, questions, feedback, opinions, and even criticisms are always welcome.

Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).

Disclaimer: All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, Inuyasha, etc.) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.

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Chapter 9-Mutual Friendship

"The weak tend to convene together. But those who are strong stand alone." -Sesshomaru on friendship

"A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and has faith in your abilities." -Kikyo on friendship

Following the cosmic-blue river downstream, from where Inuyasha usually practiced, was a secluded valley hidden deep within the west, near the outskirt of the Western Palace. The depression of the ground and the cracks in the rocky overhang gave rise to tiny cascades that poured the river's water into a deep pool. Fireflies danced in harmony around the spilling water, providing just enough light to see the moon's reflection on the rippled surface of the pool.

The scenery presented in front of Kotori was truly breathtaking, though the demoness failed to acknowledge the beauty that the night had generously bestowed her. With a stifled yawn, she slapped her cheeks with her fingers in a futile endeavor to disperse the fog of drowsiness. As a bird youkai, sleeping early was an integral custom crucial for her metabolism.

Kotori knitted her eyebrows together, getting as irritated as she was tired. She was annoyed because of Kikyo, but she was more frustrated with herself. Certainly, it was on behalf of the miko's request that she was out in the middle of the night instead of sleeping in her cozy cot. However, she also found it appalling that she didn't have the heart to refuse Kikyo. Begrudgingly, Kotori had to admit that Kikyo was insightful and calculating. The miko knew exactly what to say to convince the demoness to act on her every whim.

Kikyo's appealing words, spoken in a suggestive tone, were still fresh in Kotori's mind. The miko was talented in striking what she deemed was a fair bargain. She even made it seem like the custodian and the captive relationship between them never existed in the first place.

"Kotori, will you accompany me? If so, I shall give your suggestion a second thought. As a miko, my duty is to vanquish demons, not befriend them. However, I am willing to make an exception if you will do the same."

Indeed. Kikyo was manipulative, no matter how Kotori looked at it. The demoness sighed in defeat and yawned, just as a figure pulled away from the small waterfall.

In contrast to Kotori's sluggish form, Kikyo's posture radiated with liveliness as she waddled through the chest-deep water. Her bare feet came into contact with the uneven rocks as she took slow and cautious steps. Obsidian tresses clenched to her white haori and ended in long black streams behind her, skimming the surface of the clear water.

Kikyo took delight in her momentary freedom, blessed by the refreshing feeling that accompanied her bath. A smirk slowly materialized on her features, and she allowed it to morph into a genuinely pleased smile. Here, she was freed from all spectators but Kotori, so she found no need to hide her true feelings under the apathetic façade.

While she was occasionally allowed out of her cell during the day, Kikyo found her new life challenging, living amongst demons. Although they were specifically instructed to leave her alone, especially after the incident on the archery fields, Kikyo could still feel their spiteful youki congest around her. So much that she wouldn't be surprised if they were trying to suffocate her in an accumulation of odium. Kikyo was no stranger to hostility and tolerance was one of her flairs, but trying to ignore the demons proved to be impossible when her spiritual powers flared naturally in response. Her powers were usually dormant, though the lack of usage and neighboring youki made them grow restless. She supposed she would've gladly discharged the energy outward, but the insufferable pain caused by the rosary adversely impeded her. She couldn't even release a small spiritual blast without choking, like a knife was being thrust into her windpipe.

Her miko powers reacting inappropriately and the pain were the two reasons that deterred Kikyo from accepting Kotori's invitation to the women's bathhouse. Every youkai of the west was welcomed to bathe there. The idea of having her body soaked in warm water was appealing, though the last thing she wanted was to share a bathtub with demons.

So instead, Kikyo chose to bathe in a small pond, steering well away from any youkai. Only cold water was made available and her clothing remained on her body, but she didn't mind. They were merely trivial things that she dealt with. Besides, it wasn't like she had never bathed in freezing water with her clothes on before. If memory served, she recalled that time being in winter, when most bodies of water were half frozen.

A slight shiver ran down her body and she raised a bemused eyebrow. She didn't think that the mere thought would trigger such a response. Stopping just a few feet away from dry land, she tried clearing her mind. Perhaps she was getting mentally weaker. The idea had valid evidence, she reasoned. If something so insignificant could elicit an instinctive reaction from her, then she wasn't sure how well she would fare when going against Sesshomaru. Battling out with pure strength was so ludicrous that she didn't even bother considering the possibilities. With how she was now, the only way she stood a chance against the demon lord was to play it smart and tackle the issue with mind games.

Easier said than done, she thought with an inward scowl. It had been more than a month since her imprisonment, a month of what she considered to be a failure. As her vow demanded, she cast aside her feelings and committed herself to killing Sesshomaru once her powers fully returned. However, Sesshomaru proved to be as challenging as she expected, if not more. 'One assassination attempt after another, all of which I failed miserably. I even tried the Arrow of Sealing! But no matter what I try, no matter what I do, no matter what underhanded means I use, I feel as though I'm doomed to failure. Damn that arrogant daiyoukai!'

Her aura spiked dangerously to match the glowing flames burning in her irises. The rosary activated almost instantaneously, and Kikyo was forced to restrict her aura by composing herself. Her lungs inhaled unsullied oxygen from the cool air, which she relinquished gently through her lips seconds later.

The breathing exercise calmed her down somewhat and her aura began to lose its earlier intensity. It snuggled closer to her body, swirling around charily to avoid disturbing the magical field placed around the rosary. Being the perceptive person she was, it didn't take Kikyo long to decipher that disrupting the barrier would set off the dark magic in the rosary. While the knowledge didn't help remove the cursed accessory from her neck, it made it easier for her to get by. As long as she remained self-possessed, she could draw in her aura so close that only a modest amount seeped out — not enough to trigger the rosary, but enough to make her feel less vulnerable.

She took the last few steps to find her feet on dried land. With the luminous moon looming directly above her, she relished the moonlight's purity that could cleanse her aura with its surreal glow. How ironic, she thought, that she could intensify her power of purity under the silver moon in the same way an Inu youkai could to its youki with a blood moon. They could both draw out their strength and reach their true potential through the same means. Just what did that tell her? Was nature implying that they were similar, different, or both? Were they equals?

'My thoughts seem to be centering on him lately, and the frequency is increasing. How infuriating. Perhaps I should just leave this matter unanswered.' Realizing that Sesshomaru was once again the subject of her musing, she timely halted herself and instead redirected her attention to Kotori.

The demoness was trying so hard to stifle another yawn that the miko found her effort all too endearing. Despite having the physique of a grown woman and often being serious, Kotori still had a trace of child-like features on her. It was very subtle but after spending time with the demoness, Kikyo began to notice that Kotori's furry ears would react according to her emotions. As if bent on betraying her hidden feelings, they would jerk, twitch, coil, or rise depending on the situation. It was how Kikyo could read and understand Kotori so easily. Naturally, the miko had no plan to tell the demoness that anytime soon.

"You seem down, Kotori. Come, let us enjoy what the night has to offer us," Kikyo said as a semblance of a smile twitched the corner of her lips. She grabbed the towel folded near the water's edge, ignoring the rattling sounds of her chains. After her firm decision to bathe here, the demoness had accompanied her unfailingly and would always prepare a clean towel for her soaked clothes and dripping hair.

"I'm not feeling down, just tired. Kikyo-sama, I indulged you in your evening bathing sessions out here. Now that you're done, we need to get back. I need some sleep," Kotori muttered as her back found support in the form of a tree growing sideways from the rocky overhang. A peculiar way of growing that seemed rather ludicrous, but she couldn't care less about that right now. The tree's bark was jagged and lumpy. The texture prompted her to shudder, though she stayed in the slumped position.

"I apologize, Kotori… but I'm afraid I have a selfish request to make. I want to stay here a little longer. You are always free to return first if you desire though," said Kikyo, drawing near the female warrior and dumping the towel onto the floor.

Kotori sighed loudly and shook her head in exasperation. "Going back alone is tempting. Alas, it cannot happen. My job is to supervise you. I won't be much of a supervisor if I can't watch over you. So come on, let's go together."

"If only things could be that simple," Kikyo muttered to herself. Her words were spoken with a touch of annoyance, but not directed at Kotori. In truth, she held no personal grudge against the demoness, who was being rather generous to her.

All of a sudden, there was a recognizable pang. Kikyo's brows shot up, furrowing in an unusual way before returning to their normal position. A small grimace twisted her features, an expression that Kotori would've noticed if fully alert. Without any conscious thought, Kikyo's left hand traveled towards her right shoulder before applying pressure on it. That did nothing to stop the pain, but it was a habit she developed after many years. 'So my last replenishment was by far too little to properly sustain me. I should have known. Argh, I don't have much time. It has to be tonight! Otherwise…'

Kikyo's hand gradually returned to her side as she turned her attention back to Kotori. She would've preferred if the demoness would leave on her own accord. However, Kotori had refused and her stubbornness would only drag out the negotiation the miko planned to make. Since time was not something in her favor, Kikyo had to act now and remove any possible witnesses.

"Tell me, Kotori. Are you exhausted?" Kikyo drawled, her eyes locked with Kotori's, and the pair of mahogany flashed in a surreal manner. The change was rapid, so fleeting that Kotori would only assume she had imagined it.

"W-what's that? Is that a… that a rhetorical… quest… quest… q…" One look at Kikyo left Kotori with an unfinished question. There was a faintest sense of recognition and she tried to shy away. But too late was she to prevent Kikyo's hypnotic powers from working their way into her head. Her innate ability, Keen Eye, might have given her immunity to mind manipulation, but she was still vulnerable to hypnotism, especially since she was tired. Her consciousness ebbed away, her eyelids closing and her head lolling backward. She stumbled forward and would have collapsed to the ground, had Kikyo not stepped in punctually and caught her.

"Forgive me, Kotori. It may be a little underhanded of me, but I need some time alone." While she knew that her spell would last for a while, Kikyo was still weary as she gently lowered Kotori to the ground. It was only after the demoness was lying in a comfortable supine position on the grass did the miko begin chanting in a soft murmur.

The radius was smaller in comparison to her other kekkai, but by the time Kikyo was done, she had encased the land where she stood and the entire pool with a semi-circular dome.

Her elegant brows were spoiled with a small frown. The size was not the issue, for it was the barrier's lack of durability that worried her. One look and she could see it. Her kekkai was supposed to be an unyielding screen of light, but the aura that generated it was nothing more than a candle's flickering light. She blamed the rosary that her powers were only a fraction of what they should be. At present, her weakened kekkai wouldn't prevent high-level youkai from entering. And the last thing she wanted was for the demon lord himself to intrude.

'Then I ought to begin before interference arrives.' With that in mind, Kikyo closed her eyes and promptly summoned her faithful servants. She beckoned them to come closer, bringing along her needed supply of souls.

A tingling sensation ran down Inuyasha's backbone when his nose caught a whiff of an inexplicable scent. From on top of his favorite tree, the half-demon woke with a jolt and his watchful eyes were quick to roam about, searching.

There was nothing abnormal on the ground so he expanded his search to the sky. That was when he caught sight of youkai slithering as though they were eels in water. Inuyasha felt more curious than threatened, so he continued to observe the creatures. Their long thin body looked fragile, guided in a single direction. Each of them looked identical, with an eccentric sphere illuminating their serpent-like figure, all of which were the same size. While Inuyasha did find the sphere to be soul-captivating, he was more intrigued by the youkai's crimson eyes. They were fixed straight ahead, unblinking, and absentminded.

'Either they're mind-controlled or they're receiving mental instructions from someone. Keh! Doesn't really change the fact that whoever's doing this sure ain't smart.' Given the circumstances, Inuyasha came up with two possibilities that he didn't think were farfetched. He understood that while Sesshomaru was the embodiment of strength, he had made his fair share of enemies who envied his status. As expected, none of them dared to challenge his ownership directly. Nonetheless, that didn't mean they had given up, with the prime example being Gorou. With that in mind, Inuyasha couldn't help but think that the puppy master behind this was trying to use the serpent youkai to gather information about the west.

'Keh! No one gonna get away with anything shady while I'm around!' Entertainment came rarely in the west and since Kikyo's arrival, Inuyasha felt his senses tingled with excitement. His love for adventure and danger prodded him to take action. He jumped down from his branch and gave chase.

His silver hair swayed wildly against the gentle breeze as he quickened his pace. While the youkai were not fast, they had a head start. Already, Inuyasha could barely make out their form floating high in the sky and so he tried keying into their youki. Even as a half-demon who relied more on his sense of smell, Inuyasha was still capable of detecting another demon's signature. He was genuinely taken aback by the lack of demonic presence. It was common knowledge that a demon's strength could be measured by the amount and weight of youki they possessed. All the same, even the weakest demons had youki. He knew that only powerful demons, like Sesshomaru, were gifted with the ability to fully mask their youki. The serpent youki certainly didn't look like they could rival any youkai, let alone the Lord of the West.

Once again, Inuyasha was left mulling over who the mastermind was. Was it someone strong enough to mask the youki of their marionettes? Or was there something more? The questions stabbed his brain like needles and he bared a fang. He honestly didn't believe it was necessary to dwell on the matter, but a part of him wouldn't stop thinking about it. Kotori was wearing on him, he thought. Only she would be cautious enough to think twice before she leaped. 'Grr! All this thinking hurts my brain. I'm just making this hard for myself. This is meant to be fun, not—!"

Bang! His thoughts shattered to pieces when he rammed head-first into something invisible. His hand shot to his nose, probing the ridge to note if anything was broken. Relief that it had hurt more than he was damaged came, though that was short-lived as the hot-tempered hanyou let out a frustrated growl at the unexpected interference. 'Shit! Nobody told me anything about a stupid barrier! Who the hell put something like this here anyways?'

In contrast, the white youkai had no trouble gaining access. There was one more that flew over Inuyasha's head, relatively slower than the rest. The hanyou watched with creased brows as the youkai passed through, with the barrier shimmering in blue momentarily before becoming motionless once more.

Having observed that, Inuyasha grew restless. His hands were tucked in his sleeves and his bare feet shuffled on the grassy field as he muttered curses while deliberating on his next move. As tempting as it was to use Tessaiga's power, he didn't forget to consider the possible consequences. After all, Sesshomaru had given him the death glare on more than several occasions. Not that Inuyasha was afraid, but he had to reluctantly admit that Sesshomaru's intense look was off-putting. That glare eventually drilled the daiyoukai's point into the willful hanyou's skull; he ought to think first and not act solely based on emotions and primitive instinct.

"Your inclination to blindly rush towards danger with great haste is tedious to watch, Inuyasha. Should you desire death, then I shall be the one who destroys you. Heed this otherwise, half-breed. Even the mightiest youkai are nothing when reliant on emotions and primitive instinct alone. And while your blood is adulterated, it would still serve you well to remember that you have inherited some of the intelligence and strength from a once great and mighty Inu daiyoukai."

Probably one of the longest speeches that came from Sesshomaru and Inuyasha wasn't sure if he should be more surprised by the length or the actual content. Coming from the daiyoukai, it sounded like an insult, but it was advice nonetheless.

With those rare words still echoing in his ears, Inuyasha reminded himself that he was in no way feeling grateful to Sesshomaru and stopped pacing to consider his options. He found he had two choices; he could either inform Sesshomaru about the kekkai or use force to destroy it himself. The former was crushed with a mental image of his foot the very moment it was established from his thought. Asking the haughty daiyoukai for help and letting him ruin all his fun? Inuyasha would rather commit suicide before he allowed the absurdity to become a reality. Besides, it was far simpler to destroy the barrier. While that might announce his arrival to the one who created it, Inuyasha was in favor of the more straightforward idea. No complicated plans, no headaches, and certainly no Sesshomaru; all he needed to do was smash the barrier down.

'Keh, should've just done that right from the start. Who cares anyway? I'll catch the culprit single-handed even if he tries anything behind my back.' Eagerly, Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga and held the blade in front of him. Without delay, the sword obeyed its wielder's unspoken command and dyed its steel with a layer of red. While Tessaiga was famed for transforming into numerous destructive forms, the one that Inuyasha had in mind was more subtle. So there wouldn't be any flashy moves or swirling youki erupting from the blade anytime soon. The transformation — that Inuyasha named the Red Tessaiga — was designed to break through barriers. Just a mere swipe with the blade and the energy flow in any barrier would be disrupted, shattering instantaneously like glass.

"Akai Tessaiga!" The shout was timed perfectly with a downward motion, bringing Tessaiga crashing down on the barrier. As expected, the kekkai imploded upon contact, allowing Inuyasha to see what it had tried to conceal. The sight that greeted him brought a halt to his steps and his entire body froze.

At the edge of the pool of water was a figure clad in red and white, encircled by the demons he had pursued. For a split second, Inuyasha mistook the scene before him, thinking that the serpents were attacking Kikyo. Contrary to his initial belief, he soon realized that the miko was in no danger and that the youkai were actually passing her their load. One by one, they released the glowing sphere and her body would absorb it. The cycle proceeded to repeat itself until all of the youkai's claws were emptied. With their job completed, the serpents then wrapped themselves lazily around Kikyo, unaware that Inuyasha had entered uninvited.

An unnatural ripple in her aura sent a shiver down Kikyo's body, one that she failed to detect early. From experience, the comprehension that someone had broken her barrier registered into her brain and she whirled her head around to locate the intruder. Her mahogany orbs widened in unmasked bewilderment when she saw Inuyasha from her peripheral vision.

"How…?" The whisper was lost in the tensing atmosphere and Kikyo felt her composure falter as the single word left her lips.

Certainly, she considered that her barrier would be insufficient against a high-level youkai, though it went beyond her assumptions that a hanyou would be the one to break it. But then again, she recalled the day she had first laid her eyes on him and detected a vast amount of foreign youki emanating from him. It was a mistake to dismiss it, she thought. She simply surmised that her sensory ability was defective due to Sesshomaru's poison. Now, as her gaze traveled to the enormous blade in his hand, she realized that Inuyasha wasn't the direct source of the abnormal youki.

"You have a peculiar sword, Inuyasha," she stated nonchalantly.

"W-Wha-what are you doing here, Kikyo?" asked Inuyasha, apparently having snapped out of his stupor. He didn't give any indication that he heard Kikyo's comment, as his attention was on the unconscious form a few feet away from the miko.

"Kotori! Is Kotori okay? What did you do to Kotori?" he demanded, hoisting Tessaiga up.

Although Inuyasha was oblivious to his instinctive behavior, the hostile gesture was evident to Kikyo, who was very perceptive. The message was apparent: move an inch without my permission and I won't hesitate to swing.

Kikyo's palms rolled into fists unconsciously. She couldn't deny that she was indeed disheartened to see Inuyasha being so guarded toward her. Even if she supposed the reason behind it was justified and that she was the one to blame, the betrayed look on the hanyou's face drove nails into her conscience. Betrayed. Disappointed. Rejected. The feelings present in his expression jolted distant memories, bringing conflict to her heart. Shaking her head to rid herself of the unwanted sentiments, Kikyo mentally reprimanded herself. 'Stop… Do not lose yourself in your naïve and foolish past. No more.'

Renowned for her composure, it only took Kikyo a mental rebuke and several seconds to recover. Stroking one of the serpents' heads like a master petting her dog, she finally decided to provide an answer to the baffled hanyou. "There is no need to fret, Inuyasha. I mean neither you nor Kotori any harm. I simply need her to slumber while I replenish my strength."

Her unruffled voice somehow eased Inuyasha's nerves and he allowed himself to return his blade to its sheath. Even so, the situation required caution and he decided to prove Kikyo's claim. With his eyes fixed on the miko, he walked over to Kotori, squatted down, and placed a finger near her face. Her breathing was deep as breaths of air breezed past the hanyou's fingers.

Sparing a glance at Kotori, it became apparent to Inuyasha that she looked heavenly when asleep, with a countenance seemingly far too relaxed for a serious person like her to have. 'She's alright… Keh, and she looks kinda cute like this. Who would've thought?' Letting out a breath that he didn't know he was holding, Inuyasha left Kotori alone and pivoted his crouched body to face Kikyo.

"…Had to check, just to be sure," Inuyasha nodded curtly, an endeavor to hide his worry. While he undoubtedly cared a lot for Kotori, he didn't want to act like he was overly concerned for her safety. After all, he had to scavenge whatever dignity he still had in front of Kikyo. He didn't want a repeat of their first encounter, with him fleeing in embarrassment.

"Kotori is very important to you, isn't she?" asked Kikyo, seemingly aware of the fact that Inuyasha was being self-conscious about the relationship he had with Kotori. And if he didn't know better, he could've sworn that the miko could read minds and was deliberately teasing him.

"H-huh? Say what? Pfft! You wish! There's no way I'm interested in an uptight like her." That managed to get a stutter out of Inuyasha, who was more or less trying to hide his flustered face with his silver bangs. Not wanting to give Kikyo the chance to delve deeper, he scoffed once while racking his brain out with something else to say. Anything would do, if only to divert the miko's attention away from the matter revolving around his relationship with Kotori. To be frank, even he wasn't too certain of the relationship between them.

"Sooo… tell me, Kikyo. What exactly are ya doing here and what're those things?" Luck was apparently on Inuyasha's side, for he was quick to dodge the awkward subject by shifting the topic to the hovering youkai.

As if knowing that they were the subject of Inuyasha's inquiry, the white youkai twirled around in the air and gave their master some space.

Observing her servants dancing in the night sky indolently, Kikyo wondered how providential it would be if she could currently be as ignorant as them. Her servants only possessed the natural instinct to survive and learned to obey simple commands from her. Beyond that, they didn't have the intelligence to outsmart even a child.

She heaved a despondent sigh. Her peaceful moment was interrupted and it seemed that the only choice was to provide answers for Inuyasha. The curiosity in the hanyou's eyes told her she wasn't going anywhere until he was satisfied with her explanation.

Given the circumstances, Kikyo halfheartedly parted her lips and answered, "Shinidamachu, or Soul Collectors, if you prefer. They are my humble servants who deliver souls of departed maidens to me in times of need."

"Shinidamachu… Soul Collectors…?" Inuyasha parroted back, fixing a confused stare at the flying youkai. Rather than being satisfied, the miko's reply only sprung more questions. "Wait, you're saying that those glowing orbs are… souls? Just why the hell are you collecting them? And creating a barrier so that you can do this behind our backs… Why? What do you need them for? What are you plan—"

"Inuyasha," Kikyo interrupted his bombardment of questions and spread both arms to her sides. "…Look at me closely, Inuyasha. And see if you can discern my true age."

"Huh?" The large drop of sweat trailing down the side of Inuyasha's face was contrastingly comical compared to the miko's monotonous voice. The half-demon came close to biting his tongue. Kikyo's question was just absurd and so unpredictable. Just how was her age related to any of this? Only one thing was certain though, and that was Kikyo loved speaking in riddles. Inuyasha couldn't help but wonder if she was doing it intentionally or not.

'She's kidding? Can't really tell from her blank face. But this is her age we're talking about, dammit!' The hanyou could be insensitive at times but he had learned enough from Kotori to know that a woman's age was confidential. The ruthless beating he once got from the demoness made him realize it was a delicate subject. The intimidating glare from Kotori was something that still managed to instill some fear whenever he thought about it. With that as a warning, he was tentative whenever someone brought up the same topic.

"Don't get mad or anything… but you don't look any older than eighteen summers."

The way that he immediately held his hands up in a gesture of surrender, with his palms facing her, brought a small semblance of a smile to Kikyo's face. However, that soon vanished and her mahogany orbs darkened to reflect solemn. "Physically speaking, you are correct. However, mentally… and from a temporal perspective, you cannot be anymore misled by my appearance."

"Temporal perspective? What's with all these big words? Are you trying to make fun of me?" Inuyasha snorted as his golden pools scrutinized the woman before him, all the while refraining from staring at her curvaceous outlines that her partially wet clothes failed to fully conceal. In particular, her white haori clenched to her skin, exposing patches of milky white skin. Gritting his teeth and ignoring the temptations, he said, "Look here, Kikyo. I hate being made fun of. So if you've got something to say, say it bluntly."

"Don't jump to unnecessary conclusions, Inuyasha. I merely wish to confess that I do not appear my age." Not offended by Inuyasha's brusque attitude, Kikyo brought her left hand to her right shoulder and ran her index finger down until she reached her chest. Only the irregular heartbeats she felt betrayed her emotionless façade.

"So how old are you, really?" Inuyasha huffed, still not completely buying her explanation.

"Are you familiar with the Ichirei Shikon Theory?" Instead of answering his question, Kikyo threw one at him.

"…You mean how humans, animals, trees, and stones alike are all consisted of one spirit and four souls. And that each of the souls has a character and function of its own, but they all exist at the same time to complement each other. What about it?"

"Indeed. The four souls are known as Aramitama, Nigimitama, Kushimitama, and Sakimitama. Combined, they become the soul of one person. Aramitama governs courage. Nigimitama governs friendship. Kushimitama governs wisdom. Sakimitama governs love. When the four souls work properly in harmony, it's called Naobi. However, there are always two sides to the same coin. When contaminated, Naobi turns into Magatsuhi. Courage then becomes imprudence. Friendship turns into malice. Wisdom morphs into deception. And love forms prejudice."

"Just what are you babbling on about? I don't get it."

"In the beginning, there exists a very fragile balance between Naobi and Magatsuhi within the heart. But Magatsuhi has long since gained the upper hand, contaminating the very air we breathe in. Evil has taken its root in the form of curses. Centuries ago, I was chosen as a vessel to contain this evil, and an incurable wound was inflicted on my right shoulder. For that reason, I must walk on this cursed land for an eternity, unable to pass on to the sacred place," Kikyo paused momentarily as the hand on her chest grasped fabric, her opened palm forming a fist. Even without looking, she could easily trace the ugly line running from her shoulder blade to the side of her breast. It was a gruesome scar that could never be erased. "My spirit remained that of a human's… but my body has transcended that of a mortal's. I cannot age and can accumulate a mass amount of spiritual powers with ease. But since then, my condition demands a constant intake of souls. Alive or dead… that matters not, though I cannot bring myself to consume a living human's soul. Hence, I use the Shinidamachu to collect the souls of the dead."

"Wh-what happens if you don't take in souls?" Inuyasha managed to utter, completely taken aback. A part of him wanted to dismiss her story nonchalantly, gambling that it was all just a joke. But another part of him wanted to believe the miko. Certainly, she didn't appear to be the type to fool around, and the soul collectors floating around them reinforced the truth — Not to mention that he could see a faint outline of the scar from her semi-transparent clothes.

"There is no guarantee that I will die. However, I know for certain that the souls help sustain my powers. Without them, my powers cannot suppress Magatsuhi. The scar will open again… and I suppose I will bleed out if left unattended. In other words, the seal will be broken and Magatsuhi will roam free once again."

"I don't really get what's the big deal with Magatsuhi and evil… but why didn't you tell Kotori or me? Kotori thinks of you as a friend and you put her to sleep to hide your damn problems?! And if I had known… then, then I wouldn't have barged in like this… Makes me feel like a big idiot…" Inuyasha's face held bewilderment as he slowly digested Kikyo's tale. Regardless of his initial shock, the majority of his bafflement came from the fact that he couldn't imagine a human woman having lived centuries while bearing a heavy burden for the rest of humanity. She didn't have the privilege to live the life of an ordinary woman. Instead, she lived an existence similar to a youkai's. She was a being with immortality but was a human at heart. Like him, she belonged in neither the demon nor the human realm; she was different and all alone.

"My past has taught me that a secret should remain shrouded in mystery, especially if it is a weakness of mine. And while I do not mean to offend you, I have no reason to place my trust in demons." The distrust was evident in her voice, though Inuyasha could also detect a trace of sadness that lingered in the miko's eyes. There was the faintest hint of pain flashing in her mahogany pools that Inuyasha managed to decipher. There was no denying it. The detestation Kikyo held for the demon kind originated from betrayal. Somewhere in the past, she was betrayed by someone who she trusted and was badly hurt as a result.

'No, it's not just youkai that she doesn't trust… humans too. She doesn't trust anyone! All this time, she's been fighting alone in this world. So long that she couldn't remember when she last let someone take a glimpse at her heart. Like what I was before, she doesn't rely on anyone for help.' Under normal circumstances, Inuyasha would've been livid that Kikyo would think so little of him. Not all demons were bad, yet she had categorized him in the same class as those unfaithful and savage. Was he truly unworthy of her trust? He knew he should be mad, yet he couldn't direct his anger at the person who no one but he could understand.

'I gotta let her know that there're some worthy of her trust! Hmm, hold on a sec… This is weird. Why am I bothering?' It was a reasonable deliberation, but not one that Inuyasha needed much time to figure out. Kikyo reminded him a lot about his former self, a lonely hanyou before meeting Kotori. Back then, he was isolated from others and had no one to rely on. He thought he would be living a life of solitude, so he was more than surprised when Kotori sought him out. It was then his life was turned upside down, and he found his reason for existence.

'Kotori taught me how to smile. More than that, she taught me how to believe in people. Kotori was the reason that I was able to make friends and rely on those friends. They shed tears for others, to understand the meaning of true strength and kindness. Those are all things Kotori taught me and I won't ever let them go!' Everything the demoness taught him molded him to be the man he was now. But as Inuyasha learned, life could be so paradoxical, for it was now his turn to soothe another. He might not be able to relay everything from Kotori to Kikyo, but he would be damned if he allowed the miko to wither within the ice wall she constructed to keep others out.

"Inuyasha-sama. After spending the past few weeks with Kikyo-sama, I've come to know her strength, her resilience, and her compassion. Yet, she refuses to show me what lies beyond those. I took some time assessing her behavior and began sensing the loneliness coating her aura. I really want to help her… but she won't open up to me. I know you hate it when people call you a hanyou. But I believe that because you are a hanyou, Kikyo-sama will be more willing to trust you. So, if you can… can you, will you become her friend… for her sake and… mine also?" The discussion he had with Kotori warned him that what he wanted to do was no easy task. Nonetheless, he braced himself for it. At a snail's pace, he moved toward the miko until he was but a footstep away. His wordless action caused Kikyo to gaze up at him, mystified.

"You know that's a load of crap. I know there're two people here who aren't scums; two people who you can trust," Inuyasha paused briefly, "Besides Kikyo, keeping a secret on your own is lonely. Trust me… I know how it feels when the whole freaking world is out to get you. You want a shoulder to lean on, to cry on… and yet, no one comes to help you. So eventually, you learn to move on by yourself."

Kikyo's eyes widened, though she said nothing.

A blanket of silence fell on top of them, until the miko finally let out a soft sigh.

"You do not understand. I must be strong. I must never show my weaknesses to anyone. I must never have doubts or the darkness will corrupt me... I am human, yet I cannot be human," she lamented despondently. Her face was concealed by her bangs as she lowered her gaze toward the ground. It had been a long time since she last opened her heart and spoke the truth, but it was proving to be as difficult as the first time. The ugly truth was now exposed and she could only wait for the hanyou's judgment. Others usually responded with disgust or anger, and over time, Kikyo was no longer a stranger to rejection. For the longest time, self-pity wormed its way through the deepest pits of her mind and resurfaced.

The hanyou was quick to notice the way that Kikyo seemed to shy away from him and realized that she was trying to retreat into her mentally fortified wall. Disinclined to let that happen, especially after he had spent time cracking her hard exterior, Inuyasha swallowed his conceit attitude and took action. Being forceful would probably make Kikyo evasive, so Inuyasha selected a gentler approach. He touched her right shoulder with his palm, mindful to be slow but obvious with his movements. After all, the last thing he wanted was for Kikyo to deem him as a pervert.

"I'm a half-breed," he reminded her, "You think I care if you're a human or not? Keh! You know what, me, you… and even Kotori… we're all outcasts in one way or another."

"Kotori… How? She's a full-fledged youkai," Kikyo questioned, incredulous.

"Yeah, but she was kicked out of her clan because she was born flightless. Some kind of defect, her kinsmen had told her. None of them accepts her, even though she was supposed to be their heiress… So, you see? We're all outcasts. But because of that, we're the ones who understand each other the most. That's why, I promise you, Kikyo. I promise I'll keep your secret a secret between you and me. I want to tell Kotori too, but I ain't gonna do that until you're comfortable with it. Trust me… because this is a promise from a friend!"

"…A friend?" Kikyo was startled by Inuyasha's sudden change of attitude. Despite knowing the truth about her, the hanyou still wanted to accept her and even offered his friendship. The idea struck her as implausible and her mind resorted to shutting down. For a few seconds, her body iced up and she stood as still as a statue.

Inuyasha frowned when he noticed how stiff the miko was. Discouraged by her lack of response, he was about to renounce his proposal when the miko timely recovered her composure.

Perhaps it was because she was caught off guard, but it was only now that she noticed it. Pity. Traces that could be seen swirling in the pair of golden orbs and the sight instantly made her brows crease.

"I don't need your pity. It makes one weak," she stated, a bitter smile accompanying her words.

"Not pity. Empathy," he corrected, "Empathy can bind relatable people together."

"This is so unlike you," she commented, another response that got them nowhere. She still hasn't supplied an answer and his patience was waning.

His frown deepened. Huffing loudly, he crossed his arms and dismissed his rare sociable attitude. He shrugged his shoulders and retorted, "Keh, whatever! It's up to you whether or not you want me as a friend. But I ain't asking again. It's your loss."

"Ah! Wait, Inuyasha. I do not mean it that way. I… I want to give this friendship a try." With a small smile gracing her features and slightly flushed cheeks, Kikyo averted her gaze almost nervously. Her voice held a softer tone than the half-demon had ever heard before. For a fleeting moment, he felt his heart melt like butter. The frosty layer that covered her eyes had liquefied and there was genuine happiness present on her fair features. Captivated, the hanyou's breath caught in his throat and he could only return a grin of his own.

To his surprise, Inuyasha suddenly felt warmth radiating from her aura as it embraced his youki in an affectionate greeting. At that moment, he truly understood Kikyo as the two contrasting powers enveloped them. This time, they didn't strive to oppress the opposing force. Instead, they danced together in harmony, and finally managed to co-exist.

It was on that faithful night the hanyou and the miko truly saw each other as equal and as someone who they could trust wholeheartedly.

'When I saw that genuine smile for the first time, I know that I'm trapped forever. I get the feeling that it's dangerous becoming friends with an undying miko… but I can't help it. I can't just pretend everything is fine and not get involved in this. Kikyo, you're the second person who has given me a purpose in my life. I know now that it's my role to protect you, as your friend…'

'Perhaps I am a fool to believe that this newly discovered friendship of ours is eternal, though I would much prefer to be marked as one if it gives me this sense of safety that I have never felt before. Friendship, it is such a foreign term to me. Still Inuyasha… I hope we can get along.'