InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ A Sealed Fate ❯ Chapter 30

A/N: Sorry for the delay in the updates! I usually like to do a chapter a week, but finals have been pretty nuts!

Thank you everyone for your reviews!!

How dare they stand in front of her so boldly.

Her!

When she was alive, she was raised knowing she was special; she was a miko. A divine being. It made sense that the villagers treated her differently, praised her in such high regard.

It didn't mean she wasn't lonely.

However, she knew that to be a priestess was her destiny. The woman she was surrounded with were envious of her spiritual abilities. The elders bowed to her with deep respect, her name was known far and wide.

She was aware that she was a beauty.

She saw the way the men looked at her from the corner of her eye. Lust. Forbidden thoughts. They would never sully her hands with the likes of them.

She was on a different level. A pure woman, free of such Earthly desires.

She was the keeper of the jewel.

It was her job to keep humans safe, to guard not only the Shikon but the lives that surrounded her.

If only they could see her now.

How had she come to this? A crazed woman, standing behind a barrier. In love with a demon.

No, a hanyou.

The dog demon who would have once turned himself into a human. For her.

He now stood on the other side, that girl, no, his mate behind his back.

Mate. The word made her sick like a virus. Mate? Inuyasha should not mate. He should marry, like the man he is. Why was this girl so determined to damn his soul? Why couldn't that girl see that she was trying to draw out the human, the good in the hanyou, and repress the bad?

She would have never mated with Inuyasha. That was beneath her. She had no desire to lower herself, but rather to raise him up. She would have taken him for a husband. They would have had the rites performed, and his status would be equal to that as any man in the village.

And what was he now? An animal, tied to a woman who did not even belong here.

A bold girl, with a cocky mouth and scandalous attire. So very different was Kagome from herself. Kikyo was poised and calm, cunning in every move. This girl was flighty and unsteady, driven by emotion. Was that valued in her strange home land, or was she just as unusual there as she is here?

Was she ostracized by her community for her loose ways? Running off with a man, wearing cloth so short it put Kikyo to shame. She had wondered if that was what drew Inuyasha to her side. Men were led by their lust. Had she seduced his human side to lead him astray? Or did the show of skin awaken the beast in him?

And he spoke to her so harshly. Hadn't he always been timid with her? She had loved that. His hands were tipped with claws, yet he had the ability to be so gentle… What had happened to that man she had known?

He was different now. There was no mistaking that. It was all the fault of her reincarnation. She had changed him. She had done this.

She couldn't let Kagome have him. If he refused to come to her willingly… she would take his soul by force.

She just had to wait for her chance.

He seemed jumpy, as if unsure of what to do, which woman to look at. All she had to do was time it, so that when he looked at the girl, she could take her revenge.

If she knew him half as well as she thought she did, he would give her that chance.

~.~

Inuyasha did not know what to do; he couldn't decide where to focus his attention. It was as if he had one ear trained on Kagome, the desire to keep his mate safe, and the other on Kikyo, the woman who had once held his heart, who now was a threat.

And Kagome… he could feel how tense her body was, pressed firmly behind him; fear rolled off of her, assaulting his sensitive nose. Gods, he just wanted to get a glimpse of her, to reassure her. Damn it, he needed to. He wouldn't be able to focus on the task at hand unless he could reassure her that he would defend her.

He felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. Damn Kikyo! Why couldn't anything be simple? Every happy moment in his life was tainted with a bitter after taste. He had finally, FINALLY! Gotten his Kagome back; to have her so near him was all he had wanted for the past year.

And now, she was his mate. His for eternity, for as long as her mortal life would allow. In the next life, he would find her again. Their souls were destined for one another.

But he couldn't even be allowed to relish his happy news without something going fucking wrong.

Why did it have to be Kikyo? A demon awaiting them at the well, Naraku, hell, even Kouga! Not the woman who had caused this rift between he and his mate. The woman he had betrayed his mate for. The one person who seeded mistrust in Kagomes eyes.

He had cared for Kikyo.

And now, it seemed as if he would have to take her down. He knew the stain of her blood would stay in his claws long after he washed it off; yet it was a price he would pay tenfold to protect his new life with Kagome.

He turned his head, hoping that she would be able to read his thoughts. He wanted to show her that he was on her side, that he wouldn't let anything come between them again.

His ears flattened as he heard Kagome's shriek. His amber eyes took in the sight of Kikyos arrow flying straight for him.

~.~

Kagome gripped the hanyous shoulders, terrified of letting go. Every outcome scared the day lights out of her. If he took a step forward she was afraid that he would do something stupid, like try to save Kagome by being with Kikyo. She wouldn't let that happen. She wasn't giving up Inuyasha without a fight.

Maybe he would let her go? Then she would wander, hover over their heads so that way they never had a moments peace

Or he would kill her.

She couldn't believe that he had that in him. Despite what he said, she couldn't help but wonder what lingering feelings he had. No, the Inuyasha she knew would never, could never lay a harmful hand on the miko.

Kikyo had caused so much pain for Kagome. She had tried to kill her, forced a wedge between her and the dog demon… but she couldn't help but pity her.

After all, she knew better than anyone what it was like to lose the love of your life. And when that person was as amazing as Inuyasha was…

It's a pain she wouldn't wish on her worst enemy. Not even Kikyo.

She would no longer let the priestess have control over her life. They had to get over this hurdle, no matter what Inuyasha chose.

She trusted him, but she was scared.

She wanted him to look her way. She silently begged him to turn, just for a moment, so she could have one second of relief. As if reading her thoughts, he complied. She saw his thick silver hair fall over his shoulder…

And then she saw the arrow.

She screamed, the sound escaping her lungs sounding foreign to her own ears. With a strength, a speed she did not know her human body possessed, she wrapped her arms around the hanyou, desperately trying to move his solid body.

Kagome knew she did not have the strength. She squeezed her eyes shut, dreading the inevitable.

The arrow hit.

~.~

The beating of her heart was wild, her breathing erratic. Daring to open one eye, she noted that Inuyasha was okay.

But…

The arrow. It was coming right at him.

She saw it, with her own eyes.

And that was when she noticed the pink aura that surrounded them. In her fear, in the desire to protect her mate, she had cast a barrier without even knowing it. Inuyasha was safe.

Inuyasha was safe!

The tears slid down her cheeks as she brought her arms closer around the hanyou. He rumbled deep in his chest, his relief and appreciation for Kagome touching him deep in his soul.

He set hard amber eyes on Kikyo. She still clutched the bow in her hand, a look of disbelief on her face.

She had sent the arrow, destined to hit its mark. But the girl… she had cast a barrier so strong and pure, her tainted intentions could not break through.

She, Kikyo. The miko who had brought down demons, carried the fate of the shikon… unable to shatter the protective shield of a mere girl.

She took in the scene before her; her reincarnation was flush from tears, the dog demons hands came up to embrace her frail arms wrapped around him.

They looked battered, as if they had just endured something painful.

But they looked united. They truly were lovers.

Mates.

Her eyes dropped to the bow in her hand. She stared at it for what seemed like an eternity. Her hand, the one she had longed to delicately touch Inuyasha with, was holding a weapon she meant to claim his life.

It was as if the offensive part of her body did not belong to her, as if it had a will of its own. Her eyes traveled to the pair before her, hardly aware of the demons growl. That would have scared anyone else. But not her.

No, she knew she had crossed the line. She could no longer say that she was first in his heart. She was not the one he would choose to protect.

He had someone who he looked at with desire, someone who took his faults and flaws and spun them into treasures. He found a person with whom he felt safe.

That was all she had ever wanted for him. She…

She just wanted to be a part of the equation.

Jealousy. It had lead her here. When had she become this person? Was she not the same woman who nursed the thief onigumo? She had known of his crimes, knew of the evil in his heart…

And she still did what she could for him, hoping he would repent.

She had once been a woman full of love, kindness…

Forgiveness.

Would the woman she was then… be happy for Inuyasha?

Happy that in this very moment, he did not look like a tainted hanyou, but a person wiling to protect something precious? A person willing to make a life, and love something more than raw power?

He had changed… In all the ways she hoped he would 50 years ago.

He had pushed Kagome behind again, ready to face her.

How could she force this on him?

She wanted to die, to be done with this world. She was so weary.

But she wanted Inuyasha with her.

What lingered in her soul were the vile emotions of a greedy human. This type of woman would never have been trusted with the care of the scared jewel.

Kikyo wondered if she could move beyond that. If her soul would ever reach nirvana.

She knew there was only one way to find peace; and that was through Inuyasha.

~.~

“Kikyo.” His voice was steel, tense with emotion.

She just looked up at him, as if taking in every line of his face. The delicate curve of his ears. The fierce look of molten amber in his eyes.

She didn't want her last look at him to be one of hate. Just once more… could he show her love?

“I… I am sorry….” She stuttered out.

“Sorry? You tried to purify him!” Kagome rashly said, peeping her head out from behinf the hanyou. A low growl warned her to keep her place. The last thing he needed was Kagome in anymore danger than they were in now.

“You're right. I did. For that… I apologize.”

“Kikyo… I am with Kagome. There is nothing that is going to change that.” He tried once more. “If that means I have to forcibly make you understand, I will. I don't want it to come to that, but I wont think twice if you put me in that position.”

It was there. It flickered in his eyes, the waver, the slight show of love she had been hoping for. It was enough.

“I do not intend to make you do that.” She said, her voice lower.

Inuyasha raised a brow, ready for whatever the miko would throw his way.

“I... will let you go Inuyasha…” She felt vulnerable, for the first time in ages. “If that is what you truly desire.”

“Kikyo…”

“You do not need to say a word more. The look in your eyes… It is enough.” A sad smiled graced her lips, taking in his face once more.

She turned her back, leaving the two to stand in awe. She had work to do.

~.~

Kikyo stepped out from the river, water droplets streaming down the curves of her body. She felt no enjoyment from the cool relief of the water or the soothing warmth of a hot spring. She did this merely as a ritual.

She needed to cleanse her body as well as her mind.

She meditated, letting go of her thoughts and trying desperately to find a sense of peace. She wanted that now, more than the air she breathed.

Her final task was to pray. She begged the Gods to have mercy, to let judge her soul on all the pieces of her life, not just the last act.

She said her silent prayer that she could return. Not to this world, to feel the earth beneath her feet, but to the person she was before anger and jealousy had engulfed her. She wanted that unburdened feeling once more.

Hate was a heavy weight to carry.

Giving up… would mean abandoning her quest for Naraku. Her vengeance.

But perhaps, it was never hers to have. She was recalled to this world not by the Gods, but by a witch. She would have to trust that Inuyasha would secure it for the both of them.

And for the hanyou…

She prayed for his happiness; he was not to be her destiny. She no longer had one; it was fulfilled 50 years ago. All she had done was meddle in the fates of others

At first, when her soul animated the clay body, she felt rage. The anger at Inuyashas betrayal, the pain that he had caused her not only physically, but the trust he had broken.

The promise of so many things shattered.

But then, she was able to move past it to a much more manageable emotion- she wanted to reestablish the bond they once shared and fulfill the promises they had made to one another.

And when she realized that his heart was occupied by another…

The jealousy burned as intensely as the fire that cremated her body. She felt the flames licking at her soul every time she laid eyes on the dog demon.

He belonged to her.

Belonged.

And now… he belongs to Kagome.

Her soul had once again found a new feeling. Regret. Remorse.

The person she was now… was vile. So far from her values, so very different to who she had been in life.

She hurt the one person she wanted to save more than anyone else. Kagome had spoken true. In her fit of rage, she had not notice he had changed at all. He had been saved long ago.

Kikyo found sat beneath a tree, enjoying the comfort of the shade, the cool feel of the breeze against her skin.

Closing her eyes, she retreated within herself, on the tight grasp she held on her soul. All this time, it was an effort to keep in anchored in her body. All she had to do was let go.

She concentrated on that brief instant with Inuyasha, the momentary flicker of love in his eyes. Enough. It had to be enough.

She let go of all that bound her to this world

A bright light engulfed her, as the clay body fell slack. Her soul collectors whipped around her, carrying her cradling her soul carefully.

For the first time, she was headed for peace.