A Love That Transcends Time: Book I

~*~ Bittersweet Symphony Part III ~*~

Kikyou smiled through her tears, happy and contented that he was with her in her last moments.

"Gomen 'ne, Inuyasha. I never meant for it to go too far. But my hatred and insecurity poisoned me; I know that now. I just did all of the things I did out of love for you,"

"Sshh. It's okay now, Kikyou,"

"No. I want to make you understand. I don't want you to think of me with hate in your heart. I'm sorry that I killed Kagome. She was the best thing that ever happened to you, and I couldn't accept it. I was jealous, so much so that I did unspeakable things. Naraku, he--"

Kikyou couldn't continue.

"I love you, I hope you realize that by now. I've never spoken the words, and I wasn't sure how to show you. My stupid pride couldn't allow me to love you completely. You're a hanyou and I'm a miko, so I couldn't trust you completely either. I destroyed the both of us, I destroyed any hope of any future together. And that is my biggest regret,"

Her soul was almost out of her body now, her borrowed time dwindling down.

"Make things right, Inuyasha. Take back Kagome's life. Use your wish on the Shikon no Tama and be happy. Please think of me fondly. I love you,"

Those were Kikyou's final words as her body dissolved, the last of her soul slipping away and into the portal. Obscene sounds could be heard as every evil being raced to have a taste of a tainted miko's soul. Inuyasha could only wince and avert his eyes, not wanting to see Kikyou's suffering anymore. Midoriko then closed the portal, the last echoes of Kikyou's soul screaming dying out.

"We never should have doubted you. Forgive us, my lady,"

Miroku and Sango were back to their knees again as they apologized to the legendary priestess.

"Please, enough of that. There is nothing to forgive. I too would have doubted if I were in your position,"

Then she turned to the still hanyou with the faraway look in his eyes.

"Forgive me, Inuyasha. But I couldn't let you kill Kikyou. You would have been changed by that ordeal, and you are a good man. Kagome also would not approve,"

She told him gently, albeit a little rebukingly. Inuyasha awarded her with an empty stare, seeming to have the life drained out of him.

"It doesn't matter. She's not here with me. I don't care anymore,"

Suddenly Midoriko's eyes flare up, her ire apparent.

"So you're just giving up? You won't fight for your mate no longer? I thought you a stronger man, a better man than that,"

And Inuyasha just couldn't take anymore. He lashed out.

"What more do you want from me huh? Haven't I lost everything now? My mate, my pup. Even Kikyou. Maybe I should've just gone with her so I won't feel this pain, this emptiness anymore. Maybe--"
"Hold your tongue, ototo. Before I really send you to hell after that bitch. You're starting to annoy me,"

Sesshomaru cut through Inuyasha's words, not liking his younger brother's words a bit.

"Use your head, hanyou. You still hold the power to get your mate back,"

Sesshomaru said as he pointedly stared at the Shikon no Tama that Inuyasha still held in his hand.

"That's right! All you have to do is wish on it, Inuyasha,"

Sango said excitedly. But Miroku didn't share her optimism.

"You forget, Sango my dear, that the Lady Kagome's last wish was not to be revived,"

"What? But Inuyasha's not going to Hell anymore! Surely that changes everything. Kagome-chan will definitely want to come back now,"

The piece that was Kagome's soul still floated through the air, as though at a loss on what to do. Midoriko then takes charge.

"She could, but she will not. Listen to me, all of you. This is not your time. Another battle ensues for the safety of the world, but not in this time and place. It will be at Kagome's time, Kagome's place. All of you are needed to take arms there,"

"Are you saying we have to go to Kagome-sama's time now? Use the well?"

Midoriko shook her head.

"Unfortunately, no. That is not how simple it will be,"

"Then how in God's name are we going to do that?"

"The jewel whispers to me. It says it will still be needed in the future. It is the only hope against the evil that lurks there,"

"So what are you implying? That my brother shouldn't wish on the Shikon no Tama? Do you actually think we'd agree to that? Kagome left him the jewel, it is his right,"

The priestess rounded on the demon lord, her expression serene though her eyes tell another story. They were busy shooting daggers at Sesshomaru.

"Do not talk to me about rights, youkai. And if anything, the sole right of the wish comes to Kagome. She was the Guardian of the Shikon no Tama,"

"But my brother's her mate, her husband, if you like. That gives him plenty of right. Besides, the wish is going to be made for Kagome's sake,"

Sesshomaru still argued. Before anyone could open their mouth though, the pink orb that was Kagome's soul transformed.

"Stop this,"

Inuyasha was suddenly paying attention.

"Kanai,"

He breathed.