Why…

That was a question asked many times.

Why did it happen to ME? What have I done to deserve this?

Questions like this are never answered for thee must answer them with your own mind. These questions are never answered due to blaming the others, those only involved in the situation, those whom you consider cruel and hateful for not saving you.

You don't always get a second chance…

When you do, you are not always thankful…

Kikyou watched her dragons' approach and surround her body, souls leaking into her like heat on a freezing cold day. She sighed softly.

So many shadows…

They seemed to surround her- like so many others.

Hatred…

She felt it deep in her veins, black like tar. She wished against it. It had led her to Hell, a place where a priestess would never belong. Now, she walked- no, trudged on with her stupid, non-existent life. She had nothing to live for. No smiles, no hope, no love!

Love…

She no longer knew and part of her hoped to never know it again. But another part, deep inside her heart wanted it- longed for it. It was an illness, one no herb could control.

Inuyasha?

She turned around, seeing only the mist, forming the vision of her old lover.

"Inuyasha!" she tried to yell, it being covered by the young girl's yelp.

It was strange to see her. Her own soul lived in the body of the young woman, one in which she hated. She hated herself- how ironic. It was an awful feeling but none new to her now. She touched her own face, feeling the cold hard slap- but no one was there to give it. A tear stroked her moonlit cheek. She had not felt such feelings in a while.

Sadness…

Question: why?

A non-existent question to one whom asks no question. Only those whom are obsolete can determine who and who does not answer nor ask questions. The only questions these kind ask are only too perplexing to our own minds.

Sesshoumaru believed in this thoroughly, though he dare not show belief anything but himself.

Mercy?

What a word! And yet, he caught himself showing it when Rin was present.

That strange little girl… causing him to do such things. He wasn't quite sure how she did it either. He would think about it until his head ached slightly. Frustration took over and he rolled over on his side, staring at the young girl, cuddled into his giant, fluffy tail, sleeping soundly in the moonlight.

Insomnia…

Sesshoumaru knew that well. When he had traveled all this time alone, or with his companion, Jaken, with no sleep, it just never seemed to come. He never felt tired and his body never exhausted, at least not for long. He shivered slightly as a shadow of a cloud was cast upon his body.

Shadows…

There were way too many. He hated them. At points he could see them change into those of the damned.

Inuyasha, his wench, Kagome, - and all those other unfortunate bastards.

But…

Perhaps he was the unfortunate one. He was the lord of the western lands, yet, to his dismay, was given a phony sword, only used to heal. He was not one to heal! If hadn't had it, he wouldn't show mercy because of a child attaching herself to his leg. Nay, it was his own fault. He was the one who had healed her. It was unfair. Why did Inuyasha obtain his father's legacy, when HE, the great Sesshoumaru, was not even allowed to touch it without the aid of Naraku. He never asked many questions for not much perplexed him, but this, however, was too much. It was most likely for the love of that- shall he say it- mortal woman. How could he have gone so low?! It had only been a month or so since the death of his own mother! He softly closed his eyes, trying to calm himself, finally drifting into a light but undisturbed sleep.

Kikyou groaned as she noticed the sun rising, an orange ball filling the still dark sky. She used to love it so. She also used to love Inuyasha, though. Strange, things that you love so much can quickly change into hatred. There was that word again. She preferred to despise things- hate was not an option to a miko, especially her. She wasn't really considered a miko, however. She was basically dead, just wandering around aimlessly with no intention but revenge. That was how she lived out almost every day of her life now, except for her occasional stay in villages.

Memories!

No! They had to stay out of her mind! Those memories were no longer. Her sister was old and foolish. He loved one, evil, HERSELF, a disgraceful woman who wore small outfits instead of that of a pure miko! But, she wasn't a miko. She was Inuyasha's new lover and there was nothing she could do about it. There was no point to it. This was worse than Hell! Why couldn't she just die and not remember anything?! How many questions did she ask herself though? Far too many, obviously.

The warmth from the sun was not welcome. She walked by night. She liked it better that way. She was a child of the moon and looked that was too, while Kagome was the exact opposite.

Two spirits may be similar but not one is alike, even in reincarnation.

She sat in the dew-covered grass and stared at the sparkling creek. It was so lovely, but she wouldn't know, because she was Kikyou, evil terror, and clay pot. What a load of bull shit! She had feelings! She tried to show them! But she also had dignity and pride, things she had not normally cared about in her past life.

Her past life?

Was that what it was? That was what she referred it to, but was she truly correct? She was not her reincarnation. She was just… there. That was all. She had nothing and nobody and she convinced herself she didn't want it. She was beginning to realize, however, that she was kidding herself. She desperately longed for someone to love, someone with a small intention of protection, someone to hold her in his arms the way Inuyasha once did. That was all over now. All she wanted to do was kill Inuyasha.

And that was exactly what she was going to do………

"Lord Sesshoumaru!" a call beckoned, awaking the demon from a much-needed sleep.

"What is it, Jaken?" he asked the one who had been keeping watch.

"Someone is coming," he said in his scratchy tone.

Sesshoumaru stretched and stood. He walked up next to his small companion and stared out across the horizon. A young woman seemed to trudge mindlessly toward them. Her scent was familiar. It was a lot like the young woman that traveled with Inuyasha's scent, but it was different. It had a sadness behind it. Not only that, but it had the soft smell of the ash of Hell. This was not Inuyasha's woman. This was his ex. This was the young priestess, Kikyou, who was cursed to those around her. Demons considered her against them, as did humans, which meant everyone hated her. There was something alluring about her though. Something lingered at very tips of her hair, flowed through her body, and glowed on her tender hands.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, who is pretty lady?" Rin asked sleepily.

"Go back to sleep, Rin," Sesshoumaru said, irritated that she had awoken.

Kikyou turned her head upward, squinting her eyes to try and understand who she was seeing. She wasn't exactly sure, but whoever it was reminded her of Inuyasha. Silver hair seemed to catch every whiff of every wind. His golden eyes glowed with murder and satisfaction. He was quite handsome and his face had the markings of a demon, a dog demon no less. She had one question threatening her mind.

Who was this guy?