The new day was full of warmth as its bright rays kissed her porcelain cheeks. The pale tone of her complexion added to her beauty in her former life and her present one. Even when a human, the contrast of her white skin and ebony hair made her look ethereal as if just looking at her was a blessing. But that was when she could feel the sun's warmth. When her skin laid over flesh and bone. Now it's cold. Much like the substance that holds together her rebirth.
It was an agonizing stretch of silence between her and her love, making her yearn for a different place rather than where she was. Inuyasha's presence brought her comfort but it couldn't free her from her clay prison. He hadn't said a word since the other day after leaving behind that burnt down village. Only grunts or a simple nod to replace his voice. Kikyo probably wouldn't mind the silence much as it reminded her of the old days, the old life they shared. But the once curious pools of gold she fell in love with were now dimmed and faraway.
She knew it had to be because of her. Her pathetic excuse for a reincarnation. The very thought of her made Kikyo's eye twitch. She tried to steal Inuyasha away, make him love her all while knowing his heart belonged to the better priestess. Now, she was gone. She was no longer a problem for Kikyo and now she can be with her Inuyasha freely. This should be a happy time for them. But Kikyo knows better. Kagome may be out of sight but she is far from out of mind. She will have to take his mind off the girl. Her mouth crooked in the corner knowing just what to do, it will have to wait until later.
"Priestess! Priestess!" A man up the road a little calls out. He's short and heavy with only half a head of hair. When the man reaches Inuyasha and Kikyo, he struggles to get his words out between his panting and heavy sweating. Further up the road lays a village with some children that need tending to and thank the Kamis a priestess was close.
They followed the man to the village where she examined the children. Two boys, twins actually. One boy's body was hot to the touch while the other boy was groaning with sweat dripping down his face, a few pained tears fell in the mix. A vicious fever, nothing that couldn't be treated however. Kikyo turned to surrounding villagers, listing off herbs and supplies she'd need to heal the ill boys. The villagers scattered with urgency and returned shortly with cloth, pots of water, various herbs, the whole lot. Kikyo didn't waste time to treat the young boys, seeing them suffer like this was enough to crack the clay in her chest.
She wiped the sweat off her brow and sighed. Both boys were breathing evenly and their body temperature returned to normal. She was exhausted, it took a lot of power and concentration between mixing the herbs and pushing her healing aura onto their bodies. A sudden thought struck like an arrow to her heart. She could not give Inuyasha children. They can never have a family of their own. How she wished she could have children with her hair and their father's ears, smiling up at her as these two boys are now. Though, the reality was cruel, seeing the them beam their toothy grins up at her while whispering their thanks to the priestess who made them feel better, filled her with joy.
The villagers showered Kikyo with gratitude and appreciation for helping them. Kikyo soaked it all in, loving the attention she was receiving from the poor villagers. When they asked for a way to show their appreciation, it was like a lightbulb went off. She needed rest, but once she was sated, she would make love to her dear hanyou until he was satisfied. Until he stopped thinking about her.
The villagers had no problem granting them food and shelter for the night. She smirked but it fell just as fast when she glanced at her lover. He was standing right next to her, but looked so far away. His eyes were dim and his spirit felt weak. It broke her heart to see him that way.
Don't worry, my love. She won't get in our way, not anymore.