Embers of the forsaken

The crisp autumn air carried the scent of damp earth as Sasuke adjusted the strap of his sword. He had been wandering this unfamiliar land for weeks now, ever since he had been pulled into this strange world through means he still couldn't quite understand. His goal remained unchanged: to find a way back. But to do that, he needed information, and the woman walking beside him had provided enough reason to stick around—for now.

Kikyo walked with a quiet grace, the white and red of her priestess robes unstained despite their travels. She had asked for his name once before, but he had simply avoided the question, answering with a cold gaze instead. A shinobi never revealed more than necessary, especially in a foreign land.

Their paths had crossed when Sasuke intervened in a battle she was waging against a demon, its grotesque form attempting to take her life. He had cut it down in an instant, leaving Kikyo intrigued but wary. He had expected her to demand answers, but instead, she merely studied him with those piercing brown eyes and thanked him with a nod.

That had been days ago. Now, they traveled together, an unspoken agreement that each found use in the other. She provided knowledge of this world, while he kept their path free of threats. It was only after days of traveling that he gave her his name,and after weeks that she had finally spoken of her past—of Inuyasha, of betrayal, and of her being revived as a whole human again after dying for the second time. Sasuke listened in silence, drawing vague parallels to his own life, though he said nothing of it.

Their journey had taken them through multiple villages, and it was in one such village that trouble found them.

"Oi, Kikyo!" A familiar voice rang through the air, halting them in their tracks.

Sasuke turned his head slightly, watching as a red-clad figure approached. Inuyasha stood just a few feet away, golden eyes narrowing when they landed on him. Behind him, his companions—Miroku, Sango, Kagome, Kirara and Shippo—trailed closely, their expressions ranging from curiosity to outright suspicion.

"Inuyasha." Kikyo's voice was neutral, but Sasuke caught the slight tension in her fingers.

Inuyasha: ( demanded, pointing at Sasuke with open hostility)"Who the hell is this guy?!"

Sasuke exhaled slowly through his nose. He was used to people reacting this way when they didn't understand him. He could already feel the irritation creeping in.

"A traveler," Kikyo answered simply.

Inuyasha (scoffing): "Yeah? And since when do you travel with strangers? I've never seen you with anyone before. What, you just trust him like that?"

Kikyo: (expression unreadable) "He has been helpful. That is all."

Miroku: (eyeing Sasuke) "It's rare to see Lady Kikyo with company. Especially a young man..."

Sango: (whispering to Miroku) "You're one to talk."

Kikyo: (calmly) "There is no cause for concern. He is a traveler. Our paths aligned, and we decided to walk together."

Inuyasha: (crossing arms, scowling) "A traveler, huh? And he's got nothing better to do than follow you around?"

Sasuke: (coolly, barely sparing Inuyasha a glance) "We have a mutual goal. That's all."

Shippo: (tilting his head) "Mutual goal? What could you and Kikyo possibly have in common?"

Kikyo: "That is none of your concern."

Kagome: (frowning slightly) "But… do you even know his name?"

Inuyasha: (snapping) "Yeah, let's start with that. Who the hell are you?"

Sasuke: (expression unreadable) "Does it matter?"

Inuyasha: (bristling) "The hell it doesn't! You're sticking around Kikyo. That makes it my business!"

Sasuke: (meeting Inuyasha's glare, unimpressed) "If it were your business, she would have told you herself."

Kagome: "That's… not wrong, but…"

Miroku: (smirking) "Now, now, let's not fight. But tell me, traveler, do you have a place to stay for the night? I'm sure Sango wouldn't mind—"

Sango: "Don't finish that sentence, monk."

Shippo: (muttering) "He looks like he'd be too busy with all the girls in the village anyway."

Kagome: (raising an eyebrow) "What do you mean?"

Shippo: "He's kinda like a prettier version of Sesshomaru… but less scary. And women love guys like that."

Sango: (stealing a glance at Sasuke) "…He does have an unusual presence."

Miroku: (musing) "He carries himself differently. There's an elegance to him."

Inuyasha: (growing more irritated) "Oh, for the love of—are we here to interrogate or admire the guy?"

Sasuke: (exhaling, already done with this nonsense) "We're leaving."

Kikyo: (nodding) "Indeed. This conversation serves no purpose."

Inuyasha: (stepping forward) "Hey, wait—!"

Kikyo: (sharply) "Inuyasha."

Inuyasha: (stopping in his tracks)

Kikyo: "There is nothing for you to worry about." (turns away) "Let us go."

Sasuke: (without looking back) "Try to keep your dog on a leash."

Inuyasha: (vein popping) "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"

Kagome: "Sit, boy!"

[With a loud crash, Inuyasha ate dirt. Sasuke and Kikyo walked into the forest, leaving behind a stunned group still processing their encounter with the mysterious traveler.]

Miroku: (stepping forward and eyeing Sasuke retreating figure with intrigue) " Kikyo has never been one to take companions. He must be quite special."

Sango: (folding her arms, looking at Sasuke and the unfamiliar symbol in his back) "And strong, too, I take it? We saw the way people were whispering about him when we entered the village."

Inuyasha: (crossing his arms, glaring at Sasuke) "Bet they were just fawning over his stupid face."

Kagome: (who had remained silent up until now, studied Sasuke with a furrowed brow) "He does have a strange presence, he doesn't feel like a demon, but he is definitely not normal."

Sango: (nudging Miroku and whispering)"I also don't remember Kikyo's ever defended anyone like that."

Miroku: (chuckling). "Indeed. Perhaps there's something between them".

Eavesdropping,Inuyasha's eyes had darkened with something unreadable.

He didn't say anything then, but later, when his companions were occupied, he followed the trail alone.

Inuyasha:"What the hell are you doing with him?"

Kikyo did not look up from the fire she was tending. Inuyasha stood across from her, tense, his fists clenched at his sides.

Kikyo:"I travel where I please, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha: (ears twitching) "Tch,And you just let this guy follow you around? Who even is he?"

Sasuke:"That is none of your concern."

The weight of another presence settled behind her. Sasuke stepped into view, his expression unreadable, his gaze settling on Inuyasha with vague disinterest.

Inuyasha: (snarling, his golden eyes flashing) "What are you after?"

Sasuke: (calmly, infuriatingly so) "Nothing that concerns you."

Inuyasha: (patience snapping) "Don't give me that bullshit! Kikyo—she's—"

Sasuke: (interrupting smoothly)"She is not yours," .

The words struck Inuyasha like a blade to the gut. He took a step forward, his claws twitching. "Like hell she isn't."

Kikyo: (rising to her feet, her bow at her side but not raised) "Enough, Inuyasha. You chose Kagome. Let me live my second life as I see fit."

Inuyasha: (voice cracking with something raw, something close to desperation) "With him?! You don't even know him!"

Kikyo: (Turning her gaze to Sasuke then) "And yet, he has not tried to chain me to a past I no longer wish to carry."

Sasuke's lips twitched in something almost like amusement, but he said nothing.

Inuyasha's anger boiled over. With a growl, he lunged, claws outstretched.

Sasuke barely moved.

Lightning crackled through the air. Before Inuyasha's claws could reach him, he vanished, reappearing behind the half-demon in the blink of an eye. A sharp, precise strike to the back of the neck sent Inuyasha staggering forward. He turned, growling, but Sasuke was already there again, faster than Inuyasha could react. A hand shot out, gripping the front of his haori, and with an effortless twist of his body, Sasuke hurled him into the dirt.

Sasuke: (coldly) "You're weak. If you couldn't even protect her the first time, what makes you think you can claim her now?"

Inuyasha's breath hitched. His fists dug into the earth, his pride warring with his pain.

Kikyo stepped forward, her expression unreadable. She knelt beside him, a hand briefly resting on his shoulder.

Kikyo:"Let go, Inuyasha. It is time."

Inuyasha squeezed his eyes shut. Then, without another word, he disappeared into the forest.

As they continued their journey, Sasuke noticed the way women wouldn't stop staring at him when they passed through villages. Some blushed, others whispered behind their hands, and a few boldly attempted to catch his attention. Kikyo observed it all with a quiet amusement.

Back at their camp, she smirked slightly.

Kikyo:"It seems you have quite the effect on women."

Sasuke: (exhaling). "It's tedious."

Kikyo: (chuckling) "Inuyasha's group certainly found it distracting."

Sasuke: (glancing at her) "Jealous?"

Kikyo: (meeting his gaze, her eyes glinting in the firelight) "Not at all. But they certainly are."

Sasuke smiled faintly and for the first time in years, Kikyo did not feel alone.

Both Sasuke and Kikyo aremy favorite characters in their respective animes,so i wanted to try and write something about them,i hope you like it , comments are appreciated :)