InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Love Ain't Forgotten Easily ❯ Prologue

Disclaimer: Don't own him, this is the only one I'll put!

Couple of notes about this story: Kagome's father is alive, some evil people…don't seem as evil (maybe they aren't, I don't know). Also, I call Kagome's grandfather Jii-chan since I don't know his name and I didn't like Gramps.

Prologue

-1504

Kikyo Tsukino stood off to the side of the dance floor, fanning herself as she chatted with her best friend, one Kagura Toriyama.

“My, isn't he dashing?” Kagura giggled, fanning herself wildly as one of the lords, waltzed by. “And he's a bachelor!”

Kikyo sighed, and rolled her eyes. “Don't tell me you're still trying to set me up, Kagura, dear. I've already told you a number of times that I don't want to get married!”

“Nonsense, my dear, utter nonsense.” Kagura waved her hand dismissively. “What is any woman without a man? And what is any man without a woman?”

“She's fodder for the gossip crowds, and he's just considered `charming'.”

Kagura looked a little taken aback. “I did not mean to insult.”

Kikyo sighed and excused herself, saying she needed some fresh air. She made her way to the veranda, still waving her fan wildly. It was so stifling in here!

Inu-Yasha Noshiro, her chaperone for the evening, saw where she was heading and followed. Some of these noblemen were rather unscrupulous; they would take advantage of any young woman out alone.

***

Kikyo sighed; could the man ever leave her alone?

“Inu-Yasha,” she sighed, turning around. She snapped her fan shut with a quick flick of the wrist, her pleasure at seeing him well hidden. “Why do you follow me?”

“Your father told me to protect you, young lady, and I intend to do just that.” Inu-Yasha came up beside her.

“I don't need your help.” She sniffed disdainfully, and stalked away.

“Kikyo Yumi Tsukino,” he snapped, stopping her dead in her tracks.

She was in trouble now; no one ever used her full name unless they were very angry. Slowly, she turned around. She dropped her gaze to the ground, ebony hair falling around her face and hiding it, knowing he couldn't resist. “Yes, Inu-Yasha?”

He took a deep breath as his heart clenched at that stance; that shamed, submissive look taught to her by her nurse of seventeen years.

“Look at me,” he whispered. She raised her head. “All you need to do is listen, Kikyo, and respect your father's wishes. All I want is for you to be safe.”

A smile flickered across her face for the briefest moment before disappearing again. His conscience began to nag him now, telling him that he should tell the other half of the reason to her, even if Lord Tsukino would fire him from his job.

“Kikyo,” he began, watching her eyes come up to meet his. “Your father…” I have nowhere to go! I can't!

“Yes, Inu-Yasha?”

He gulped. “Your father, the esteemed Lord Tsukino, has…arranged you a marriage.”

She gasped, holding a white-gloved hand to her delicate mouth. “W-what?”

“Your marriage is set for a week from now, to Lord Koga Yamamoto of the wolf lands. I was ordered not to speak of it to you, but the man will only make you miserable.”

Kikyo fanned herself quickly, but her simple white dress revealed her trembling.

“What am I to do?” she asked him. “I don't want to marry that horrid man!”

Inu-Yasha sighed, and ran a hand through his long silver hair, ears twitching madly. “I've no idea, madam.”

“Sea!” she cried. “I can flee there, can I not?”

His head snapped up. “Kikyo, no! Do you have any idea how many women have tried that? And what happened to them when they were found out?”

“I-I've read books—”

“Romance novels, Kikyo! Those are fantasized tales, always given the best possible outcome. If those were to actually happen in this life, those women would be raped upon discovery! You know that.”

“Yes.” She hung her head again. “But, Inu-Yasha, I don't want to be married yet!”'

“I know. But your only other choice would be to marry someone else before then.”

“Can't I just run away?”

“There are dangers on land too, Kikyo.”

She burst into silent tears, hidden by the black hangings of her hair. “I can't marry. I won't be tied down!”

“I can't help you, Kikyo.”

Her head came up, and he saw her plan in those deep brown eyes. “I can help myself.”

His own eyes widened. “Kikyo, no!”

“What other choice do I have?” With that, she turned and fled.

He tore after her, knowing where she was headed.

***

Kikyo also knew where she wanted to go. There was a cliff over the sea at the edge of the garden, and death was better than being bound in marriage.

She heard Inu-Yasha calling behind her, and stopped for a moment. He caught up seconds later.

“Kikyo, you can't—” He was silenced as her lips crashed against his. He fought down the rising passion just enough to push her away.

“Kikyo?” he said, breathing faster than he should have.

Her chest rose and fell at an increased rhythm. “Don't let him sell me.”

“I wouldn't, but I have no say in the matter.”

“Neither do I, but I'm doing something about it, aren't I?” She kissed him again, this time wrapping her arms around him and refusing to break away.

Inu-Yasha knew he should stop and try to talk some sense into her, but the girl was so warm and inviting, which she hadn't been when they'd met in secret before.

He deepened the kiss, feeling her meld into him, desperation fueling this taboo ardor.

“Take me away,” she whispered through their lips. “Come with me. I will marry you. We can find some place far away from here to settle. I can make you happy.”

“But, Kikyo, your father!” He shoved her away.

Her expression was suddenly one of hate. “What of him? You've already defied him once tonight by telling me of the marriage. What is once more?”

“Kikyo…” He had to resist pulling her into his arms again.

Her face became a cold, impassive mask. “Make that twice. You told, and you also let your charge from your sight, during which she killed herself.”

She shoved his hands away and fled, the sound of the sea close now.

“Kikyo, please don't!” He tore after her, desperate to make sure she didn't—

He burst from the foliage just in time to see her throw herself over the cliff. He ran to the edge, even though he knew it was too late.

“Kikyo!” His screams echoed into the night, falling on deaf ears.

***

It was a wretched Inu-Yasha that made his way back to the house. He would have to inform the masses now that Kikyo was dead, but…

How could he tell them that she had killed herself?

It's entirely my fault, he thought as he made his way in her father's direction, his face betraying none of the turmoil within. I told her she was going to have to get married when I was told not to. If she'd just found out on her own…this wouldn't have happened. She would have been miserable, but at least she would have been alive.

“Excuse me, Lord Tsukino, sir?” Inu-Yasha's voice was gruff, something it hadn't been before, and the lord noticed. He excused himself from the conversation and followed Inu-Yasha to a more secluded spot.

“Inu-Yasha? What is the matter?” Naraku asked, trying to sound empathetic and somehow managing to succeed.

“Your daughter…Kikyo…she was out in the gardens for a walk,” Inu-Yasha began, almost tripping over his words. He immediately made himself stop. “I was following her, like you ordered. She wandered off the path a little, and—” I'm about to lie to the only man I've ever trusted. “She stumbled and…I'm sorry, my lord, but she fell off the cliff edge. Your daughter is dead.”

Naraku feigned shock. “She's…what?” he whispered. “No! This can't be! Are you sure?” Tell me, did you see her mangled little body on the rocks below, you dirty little half-breed? DID YOU?

“Yes, my lord. I attempted to save her, but, alas, I could not move quickly enough.”

Naraku glanced around the room. “I hate to break up this happy occasion, but I do not want Kikyo's spirit to be angered. I shall make the announcement.” He walked away.

I knew when I told you that information you wouldn't be able to keep it from her, Inu-Yasha. You think I didn't notice all the times you and Kikyo snuck off together? Well, the little bitch finally got what was coming to her, and yours will be soon enough.

***

A week later…

Inu-Yasha moved with unconscious silence through the garden until he came to a stop at the cliff edge. Kikyo threw herself off here barely seven days ago to avoid the marriage that would have happened today…yet it feels as if just happened. Gods, why do I feel so damn guilty? I didn't force her to come here, I didn't force her to jump, I only told her the news of her marriage, which she had a right to know anyway—

He interrupted his own thoughts by shredding a tree. It only vented part of his rage, however, so he destroyed another. And another. And another. And many more until he finally realized that it was pointless.

“Killing trees will not bring her back,” he muttered to himself.

“You're right, it won't.”

Inu-Yasha jumped at the sound of the voice that belonged to a dead girl. He turned slowly, his eyes wide. “K-Kikyo?”

“Yes, Inu-Yasha.” The girl trailed over to him, the simple white dress from the other night bloody, ripped, and wet. “I'm here.”

“You—you didn't die?” He could scarcely believe his eyes.

“No, Inu-Yasha, I did die.” Her arm, cold and clammy, wrapped around his own. He jerked away, eyes wide. “I am just visiting, asking you to come with me…”

“What do you mean, come with you?”

A smile formed, not gentle, but rather that of the cat after the mouse. “I mean, die for me, Inu-Yasha. Don't you love me enough for that?”

“You're not Kikyo! She's dead!”

“I told you, I'm visiting, just long enough to get you to come with me.” She was moving toward him, forcing him to back away.

“I-I won't go!” Inu-Yasha took another step back.

“Yes, you will.” She moved closer, and he shot backwards—

He had completely forgotten about the cliff behind him.

***

A/n: I KILLED INU-YASHA! I CAN'T BELIEVE I DID THAT! WAAHHH!!! Oh yeah, and Kikyo's not as evil in this. Normally I don't like her and try to make her evil, but in this one she's just a bit conceited. Still don't like her, though.