E T H E R E A L

“You waste your time, priestess. I have no need nor interest for your ‘food’.” As easily predicted, Sesshomaru didn’t move one step from where he sat on a rock just beneath the shade of a large oak tree. He’d spied her movements around her packed belongings, and easily guessed her intentions. But he’d done nothing to stop her, either. Stubborn and proud, he was as guilty of letting this exchange unfold as much as she.

He didn’t even deign her with an answer regarding their location, and spoke with a light rise of his chin when a weak breeze blew through the small clearing. “The weak and the young restore their energy through the consumption of crops and prey. A daiyoukai’s strength regenerates naturally over time. One simply needs to spend it wisely.”

The man scoffed under his breath. Why was he even bothering to explain this to her? It was not his responsibility to compensate for a human’s ignorance.

KIKYO WATCHED HIM QUIETLY, observing his expression as he spoke to her. As predicted, he did not react kindly to her words, however, his voice lacked the anger for which she had prepared, which both surprised and pleased her. ❝I see.❞ Her reply was gently whispered into the night, and the priestess did not comment on his explanation or on his refusal. Her arm simply extended and carefully placed the bowl on a clean patch of grass, ❝I have already poured you some, so I shall leave it here, should you change your mind.❞ Without so much as a glance in his direction, Kikyo started eating her own food, all the while using her powers to assess the area around them, searching for other demonic presences.

AS EXPECTED, SHE FOUND none. Between her holy aura and Sesshomaru's youki, she doubted any demons would dare approach them. The sounds of the forest soon became louder, and Kikyo wondered if she would be able to find anything to hunt in the next morning. She would need provisions sooner rather than later, for she chose to travel with little food in order to avoid carrying too much weight. A thought struck her as she finished her bowl and started cleaning it with a piece of clean cloth.

❝IS THERE A RIVER NEARBY?❞ Grey eye searched for golden ones in the dark, hoping he would deign to answer her instead of leaving her to talk to the trees. ❝I need to get some water before sleep.❞

Takeshi's gaze softened, his eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and affection as he absorbed her words. The cool breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the weight of unspoken emotions. He took a step back to give her the space that she sought but there was a slight linger of his hands in the air before they rested gently by his side. " Kikyo, " he murmured, his voice a tender melody that matched hers.

" I knew from the beginning that your path was fated with a mission greater than any regular persons. "

He reached his hand out to her, gently cupping her face in his hands with warmth and reassurance. The young exorcist locked his eyes onto hers as a soft smile played on his lips, a sort of silent promise of enduring love.

" I am not leaving your side... I swear to you that much. "

GREY EYES CLOSED IN ORDER to avoid the radiance of his countenance. His smile was too warm for her own good, as she must remain cold within to maintain her resolve. Feelings were a dangerous melody for her—a siren's song that would surely drag her to her own doom. ❝My only fear is that by intertwining your fate with mine, any harm befalling me will affect you as well,❞ she whispered. Her eyes finally opened, meeting his as her voice darkened, ❝You must understand that by choosing to be by my side, you are endangering your own chance at happiness.❞

And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.

"Even if it is full of love, all a ghost can do is haunt."

He can see the pain in her eyes and he too understands how the loss of a parent effects one's self. At least she was blessed to truly remember her mother. Inuyasha's own memories of his mother were few as he was barely old enough to form memories. He can recall her face but equally - her tears. Visage is scooted closer towards her and he tenderly placed clawed hand upon her own. ❝ You are free to talk about her if you want to continue. If not, I understand. ❞

❝ You've been carryin' this pain . . . just like me. ❞

PRACTICED STOIC FEATURES changed upon the gentle touch of Inuyasha's hand. Grey eyes widened, and rosy lips parted in a rare show of surprise as a wave of emotions she had no recollection of feeling before invaded her heart, warming her chest like a fire repelling the cold of a night. She was so used to people going to her seeking help and comfort, so used to being placed in this state of holiness that demanded constant perfection, that to have someone acknowledge her feelings and show empathy towards her was just... mysteriously magical. Like witnessing a meteor shower for the first time —she knew such thing existed, but had never been privy to its beauty.

KIKYO WAS MOMENTARILY AT a loss for words. Gazing into his beautiful golden eyes, two heartbeats passed before she recollected herself, a small smile finding its way into her porcelain visage as her eyes looked down at their hands. What a mesmerizing sight: his bigger, clawed hand tenderly holding hers, as if she was worthy of protection and not of fear. In that moment, she was being treated as neither a deity nor a monster; she was only human.

❝IT WOULD SEEM WE ARE VERY much alike, Inuyasha. Both of us have lost our parents, and have thus been forced to endure this pain by ourselves quietly, all the while denying our very essence...❞ A pause was made in which she peered into his eyes once again, gauging his reaction to her words. She did not mean to vent, but his eyes seemed to pull the words from her very soul against her better judgment. ❝Did you meet her? Your mother, I mean.❞

Cheryl Strayed, Tiny Beautiful Things: Advice on Love and Life from Dear Sugar

His heartbeat thumped beneath her hand, a tangible testament to the feelings between them. As they lay together, he couldn't deny the love he felt, but they both clung to the unspoken agreement to keep their distance due to their demanding work lives. The impending separation loomed, a bitter acknowledgment that their time together was running out. The conflict between their deep affection and the need for space lingered, casting a shadow over their connection.

" I am absolutely certain. I do not know where it may lead us, however, I am certain that my heart remains with you every time I leave. " He gently tightened his arms around her, planting a tender kiss on her forehead—a silent expression of love, his own language of affection.

EYELASHES FLUTTERED AGAINST ivory cheeks as she savored the feeling of his lips gently touching her hair-hidden forehead. Kikyo did not remember when was the last time someone had kissed her forehead or had been so gentle in their care of her —she was used to being the one to give comfort, not the one to receive it. ❝Takeshi-san.❞ His name was spoken in a gentle tone, a melodic whisper that was easily carried by the wind. The sound was uttered merely to reassure herself that this was not a dream. He was real.

❝IT PAINS ME TO REMEMBER THAT I have a duty to fulfill, and that such duty prevents me from being with you. If only the jewel did not exist, we could be together.❞ A sad sigh passed her lips before she took a step back, gently pushing his chest in order to put some space between them. ❝If only I was not so selfish, I could tell you to go and forget about me. However, I cannot bring myself to let you go.❞

There's always a song, that song you can't forget after listening to it. Mine is this. Lately I can't stop listening to this song by Ailee whose title is Breaking Down. This track is from a Korean drama (Doom at Your Service).

I hope you will enjoy this song, see you soon.

Victor Hugo (via quotemadness)

A sculpted stone image of Jizō Bodhisattva along with other stone monuments and images among blooming Chinese bellflowers on the grounds of Gangōji Temple (元興寺) in Nara

Image from the temple’s official website