#||museguided||

[blossomingbellflower]

"Are ya cold, Kikyou?" The temperature didn't bother him much—his body ran hot and the cloth of the fire-rat did a great job at retaining heat. But humans were typically weak, easily succumbing to the weather if they were unprepared. Not that Inuyasha considered Kikyou the type to overlook her own health but... Impulse led him to gather her hands between both of his own, concentrating on her cool skin against his. Memories of his mother guided their hands close to his mouth, where he breathed hot air against her chilled digits. Then he realized what he was doing, lowering their hands and glancing away with a blush coloring his face. "You'd be no good with a bow if your fingers fell off 'cause of the cold," he muttered gruffly. Still, his hands remained covering her own. [ they do deserve good things~ hope you're having a wonderful holiday~ ]

Unprompted || Pre-naraku verse with @museguided

🏹 Kikyou's cheeks was already a shade of pink from the biting cold. Even with the straw coat and fur layer, the chill still seeped through. But it was nothing new. Such were the elements and she had lived long enough to adjust accordingly. "I'll be fine, Inuyasha. Given that it will be dark soon, we must proceed forward to cover as much ground as possible." Plus, the continuous movement will keep her warm. "If the weather--" Before she could finish her sentence, the miko was forced to give pause as her hands were taken. Taken aback, she looked as the hanyou attempted to warm her hands..His own..so warm and larger than hers. Hers was held so gently..almost protectively as he blew warm air onto it.

What was this feeling? Kikyou's own cheeks darkened as heat rose to color her cheeks further. What he had done was unexpected..but not..unwelcomed. In fact..she actually liked having her hand held like this. It was different to the way others have held her hand over the years. Mocha orbs softened and a small smile tugged upon her lips. "Thank you Inuyasha..I appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness.", she responded softly. "I would hate not being able to use my bow.." For a moment, she stopped to reflect upon her next words. "Are your hands doing well? I would hate for yours to get cold if left exposed like this."

[blossomingbellflower]

She radiates a light most similar to her. Shadows dance and linger around the edges of her senses, awaiting the moment her guard is down. Some lunge recklessly, eager for a taste of her flesh, her bright and pure soul, and shriek with glee when her spirit strikes them down. Others observe, testing their boundaries in the form of shrubs that tug at her clothes, of branches that snag her hair.

Of a ghost whispering at her neck. "Priestess. The demons are out to play. Will you not hide so that we may seek?" [ Magatsuhi says hello~ :) ]

Unprompted ask|| Always Accepting <3||@museguided

🏹 How vile.

Kikyou had more than tolerated its antics.

Kikyou's feet came to a halt. With a flick of a wrist, the bow in her hand became a spiritual sword and sliced away at the shadowy tendrils that dared to touch her. Whether they act as shrubs, trees or other components of her environment, she was not blind to their disguise.

It was not the first time she's heard the whispers of evil--from the jewel itself and other sources--nor would it be the last.

"Do I look the type to play with your ilk? Also my patience is wearing thin. I would suggest keeping your distance.", she replied icily. The woman was not fond of how close that voice was. It was akin to a sickening caress against her neck, which resulted in a desire to swat at it. However, she held her hand. For now.

[blossomingbellflower]

It was by pure chance that Inuyasha happened to see her again. The soul collectors hadn't beckoned him to her side, knowing that he could only meet her when she willed it. He had been scouting the area on his own while his group sought refuge in the village nearby. Her scent hadn't even reached his nose when his eyes fell on her familiar figure, causing him to land roughly to catch his footing. The tree branch shook violently, sending leaves raining down, and he knew there was no hiding it. If he could ever hide his own presence from her.

He wished he could, if it meant he could watch her keep the children company, just as she used to. Somehow, coming across this memory felt like a mistake. More so as he dropped down from his perch, remorse for the past making his movements heavy. "Kikyou," he uttered, "were you here all this time?" His voice sounded hopeful, and he couldn't help himself. Since their last meeting, he could only wish that she had removed herself from the fight against Naraku and kept herself safe.

🏹 "Children, return to your parents. It is getting late and I am certain they are starting to worry. Do be quick.", Kikyou instructed kindly, giving the enthusiastic youth the softest of smiles. With a light head rub to one, she bid them farewell and watched them scamper off with post haste. Her gaze were still fixed upon their retreating backs when she greeted the hanyou prior to his own.

"Inuyasha."

Kikyou's soul collectors were nowhere to be found. After all, she had no desire to scare the young ones. It was not out of the norm for her to dismiss the creatures before she entered a village. The goal was to fit in and slip out when her tasks were done. She did not need a repeat of another child seeing her collect and consume the souls of the deceased. That incident was sheer proof that she did not belong among people. That it had been foolish of her to think she could belong anywhere in this world.

She was nothing but an aberration. A parasite. For one moment she had hope..but reality simply and cruelly set her straight.

After the children were no longer in view, Kikyou closed her eyes and sighed softly.

"You should not be here. You belong with companions..not here with me." How often did she need to say it? It was pointless looking for her and even more so to care for her. All she could give him was anguish and nothing more. It was best for him to forget her existence and continue moving forward. As much as she'd like to do more for him, she could not. It was impossible.

Kikyou could be selfish..but in the end, it would cause more harm than good. Her dearest deserved a long, fruitful and happy filled life. He earned the right to peace and a future filled with promises and dreams.

Her heart ached..as it always did when it came to the hanyou. It yearned for things that could never be again. Such feelings had to be swallowed and pushed down into the deepest recesses of her soul. Inuyasha could never know those feelings still exist or desires. It would make things more complicated for him. After all, there was another who had taken her place and doing the things she would have..if circumstances had been different.

"I know what you wish to hear and I am afraid I must disappoint you. I am simply passing through this village. I have not given up my pursuit of him nor will I." , she replied softly, her eyes having since reopened and gazing at an unfixed point upon the ground.

Theoretically, even if she did as he requested, Naraku would still find her. Their fates were intertwined and it was inevitable. Naraku only existed because of her. Kikyou could not in good conscious stop her hunt, even if she ignored everything she had lost because of him.

No matter how much he asked, Kikyou will not listen. She could not. She was not the type to depend on others to begin with. This was her problem to fix.....And..maybe Inuyasha never knew but there was one thing she had lost which broke her in unfathomable ways. The void it left would never heal and for their sake as well as hers, she will not rest until Naraku was removed from this world. She would drag him to hell with her if she must.

Then and only then..would she have some semblance of peace and can relinquish this body back to the soil, her soul to the after life.

Truthfully, Kikyou was not trying to live. There was no life for her in this world. She had to endure this miserable existence until her tasks were accomplished..or she died trying. Despite what Inuyasha wanted, there was no other path for her. Death was the only outcome for her--whether it be by Naraku's, another's or her own hands.

Angling her body away in preparation to leave, Kikyou averted her face. Some days it were easier to keep a tight rein on her emotions and other days..the grief and the sadness bubbled just beneath the surface--offering glimpses to what weighed in her heart and soul. Today it was the latter and Kikyou did not have the energy to adjust the frigid mask she usually wore.

"Return to your friends, Inuyasha. If you should see me again, pay no attention and go on your way." Kikyou's brows knitted together before relaxing.

'For your own sake, it would be best to forget or ignore my existence. That way you can continue to move forward to the future..to the light. I refuse to let you enter this darkness with me..'

"Live well and be happy." With that wish as her goodbye, Kikyou began to leave.

||@museguided||

[hellishparadiseforthelost]

@museguided||

Muso was currently running his hands along his face admiring the smoothness and the attached features, when he noticed the arrival of another. "I have a pretty good looking face, wouldn't you agree?" His lips twitched into a smirk. "Much better than any of the others I have come across."

[hellishparadiseforthelost]

@museguided || Inuyasha

🪶 "How unsurprising to see you here. If you are looking for Naraku, you are wasting your time." Kagura closed her fan with a light flick of her wrist, red tinted lips twisted into a smirk. "I would suggest go look elsewhere but I am tempted to have your head here and now. Hm~".

[blossomingbellflower]

Once, a long time ago, the hanyou had refused to come down from the branches to be in her company. Not that it was her fault—of course not— but the tiny human gremlins surrounding her made him reluctant with their curious stares and constant babbling. Now, that memory was playing before his eyes and tugging at his aching heart as the village kids claimed her attention, briefly pulling on her hands or clothes and showing her the weeds and few herbs they pulled out of the ground. They grew quiet and wary when he approached, slowly returning to playing with each other on the fields as he squatted down by her side. "Dunno how you managed to deal with kids all the time," he muttered after a beat of quiet. "I would've lost it if they wanted to gab my ears off or pull my hair—but you've always been good at it." [ the idea popped in my head and I had to give it to you uwu i missed you too <3 ]

Unprompted asks|| @museguided

🏹 Kikyou’s smile remained on her fair countenance as the hanyou approached. The children, while wary at first, seemed to eventually forget about his presence and returned to their squealing and giggling. Most children had incredibly short attention spans which sometimes worked in their favor. It  also most  likely helped that Kikyou was there to oversee them. Being amicable and a priestess, were just one of the many reasons children gravitated towards her or their parents trusted her to keep their children safe.

No matter the reason, Kikyou had infinite patience for the young ones. After all, she did raise Kaede..until her first passing. One could also say she was gifted with strong maternal instincts, which was why she enjoyed her time with the children. The need to nurture, love and protect them was ingrained into her very soul.

Kikyou had once wanted to have a family of her own. To live simply like any ordinary woman. The miko almost had that..She had been so close..but it was robbed by Naraku. The unborn child in her stomach died that very day alongside her. All her dreams were burnt with her corpse.

“I think it is something that my soul had been born with. A softness for children that simply grew over time.”, she answered lightly, looking towards him. “It is the duty of the strong to care for the weak and..I enjoy it..even when they are causing mischief or trouble.” Slender fingers reached out to gently brush some of those tresses of his from his face.

“There are many explanations for myself  but..you are also pretty good with them. I remember how patient you used to be with Kaede.”, she chuckled softly, brown hues twinkling with mirth. “And Inuyasha..if they did that, your reaction would be understandable.” His ears were sensitive and children needed to learn boundaries. Kikyou could not nor would she fault him if he lost his temper.

That said, a situation like that would need to be addressed carefully and with gentleness.

“At the end of the day, beloved, you will protect them. Keep them from harm and watch over them. It is okay to have a threshold for dealing with children. Just..remember that they are still learning of the world. They are inquisitive. Mistakes will be made as they grow..so as the older ones, we must be patient with them.”

[blossomingbellflower]

❛ do you wish i was different? ❜ [ from Inuyasha /post/693438206833819648 ]

Meme I am too lazy to find|| @museguided​

🏹 Kikyou had been quietly sitting besides him; soft browns gazing at the shimmering lake in appreciation, before her attention was captured by the other’s question. Eyebrows furrowed slightly, expressive, concerned eyes flickered to rest upon him. The miko tilted her head slightly, wondering what had triggered such a question. Had something happen in her absence?

“No.”

A slender but calloused hand moved to wrap around his. A small but gentle squeeze was provided as she leaned to rest her arm against his. “I love and accept all of who you are. Not many people can see what I see..and that is their loss.” Kikyou gave his hand another reassuring squeeze.”You have a good, wonderfully kind and strong heart. You are sweet and thoughtful. Why would I wish for anything different? Why would anyone desire that? With all the imperfections, you are perfect to me.”

[blossomingbellflower]

quotes that broke me starters

❛ i really thought you were going to be my forever. ❜ [ Inuyasha :) ] @museguided​

🏹  Kikyou was quiet, those words just intensifying the pain that resided in her bosom. What was the point of this discussion..? It does neither of them any good to dwell upon what would have been. To entertain such thoughts was a dangerous past time the miko could not afford. For if she allowed her mind to take her down that path..she would be wrenched in two all over again by what she had lost...What they had both lost.

Sadness eclipsed those earthen browns, eyes drifting close to hide the bone deep grief. “Perhaps if things had evolved differently.,,we would have had our forever. Unfortunately..It did not and will never be.”, she replied quietly.”You have a chance for another forever..a happier ending.While I cannot be the one to give that to you..I can do my best to ensure you receive it.”