ж. vii --- [ video ]

[bcuzofmiasma]

[private]

Kikyo... I... you were right. I need you.

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I don't understand. Why am I so... what have they done to me? I feel... I feel...

[ Guess what happened to Naraku because of the event? He's no longer cruel, evil, and suppressing his emotions. Now he's a heartbroken open floodgate of every emotion he's kept pent-up for five decades. Onigumo's out, for the most part. Have fun with him. ]

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[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

I...see. [Her features soften and she moves to sit beside him, holding his hand between her hands.] Is it so horrible? Most humans long for love.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ He didn't want to talk about this. But... he had to. He needed her now, more than ever. Damn you, Animus! ]

I hated you because my love for you made me weak. It brought me -- us -- pain to know we could never have you. That's why I wanted the Shikon no Tama. To erase that feeling. That pain...

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[The human emotions weren't just on the surface or something that could be chalked up to lust. No, they were deep - much deeper than she had originally considered. But it made a strange sort of sense.

Without hope, anyone - human or demon - could easily go mad.]

The Shikon no Tama is composed of both good and evil. Perhaps one side would have understood your feelings, but I can guarantee you that the other side would not. It would find a way to bring you to an even more wretched state.

[So many were mistaken about the Jewel.]

I was its protector because I had no desire to acquire it. [And she had the power to calm it into dormancy.] I...didn't want anyone to obtain it and use it wrongly. It's...inevitable that you would forget yourself if you used it. The power would overwhelm you and you would forget how to feel anything for anyone.

[Kikyo releases his hand and gazes at her palms.]

I'm...fragile now. I know I am. But I don't want to see you or anyone else fall prey to its sick desires.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ Naraku's eyes were clamped shut as she spoke. What the Animus had done to him... he felt so... so... ]

It was all I could ever think about. I would have given anything to be free of that torment. I knew your heart belonged to InuYasha, even if he had chosen Kagome. You could never love a... a monster.

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

Onigumo -

Naraku. [Yes, his aura remains. She should address both of them.] You were only a monster when you listened to monsters. I hated them for what they did to you and...to me.

But I see the truth now. You're there. [A small smile touches her lips.] I thought you were lost.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

The demons knew what he felt for you, Kikyo. So they made me. He was a broken man, a husk who was better off dead. He gave his body to demons so that he could take a form you loved. But I... I hated those emotions. I hated them because I knew they could never be returned. It made me weak. It brought us so much pain...

[ Naraku buried his head in his arms, propped up by his knees. ]

So I saw the Shikon no Tama. I thought it was the only way I could ever forget what I felt for you. But... here we are. In this world. This hell.

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[Feeling oddly daring, Kikyo lifts her arm and wraps it around his shoulders. Considering how his body can morph, this position would not be advisable usually - but now...]

I did not take care of Onigumo out of obligation. There were many who would have gladly let you die. But...I could not. Like Inuyasha, I saw a piece of myself in you.

[They were both trapped in "bodies" (or roles) they wanted to dispose.]

I've been to Hell. [She says this quietly.]

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ His head peeked up as she embraced him like that. That was something he'd have never expected from Kikyo, but... he leans into her. It's something he's wanted for years, but couldn't have ever brought himself to do now. Again... damn you, Animus! ]

I lived it every day until now, Kikyo...

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[Their proximity didn't truly sink in until she felt his hair tickling her cheek. Because of her clay and bone body, sensations were...significantly dulled. Yet she could feel his presence.]

There's hope...for both of us.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ Now he's doing something unheard of. He's... almost smiling. And it's for a good reason. ]

Maybe there is, Kikyo... I'm convinced now that maybe I can be with you. I have to...

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[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[His expression might have been enough to make her blush. But, unfortunately, her skin is doomed to always be porcelain. Yet she can't tear her eyes away from him while he looks...happy? Is that -

Did she cause that?]

If you have to, its already been decided. [A wry smile twists her lips as she lays her head, tiredly, on his shoulder.]

[Action] This is going to be so awkward come next week.

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ He picked his head up to look into her eyes. ]

I could not have earned your love by now.

[ No. Not Kikyo. Her heart was all but ice. It wasn't possible... was it? Could it have really been that simple? ]

[Action] They're going to be like two people experiencing a very odd hang-over.

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

...no. [Lying seems pointless.] Harming others will only earn my wrath. [Her brow furrows.] I prefer your weaknesses and your human traits.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ Naraku couldn't answer that at first. He returns to cradling his head against yours. ]

I need you Kikyo... I'll do anything...

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[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

I'm not leaving you. [Her words are soft, but her promise is strong.] We needn't move until you're ready. [Awkwardly, she slides her fingers through his hair in a comforting motion.]

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

... thank you.

[ It's all he can say at the moment. ASDASD HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH RIGHT NOW. ]

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[Kikyo says nothing, but she does keep up the comforting motion. Soon, her hand is smoothing down his back and over one of his shoulders.]

I...didn't know. Not fully. [A pause.] Kaede told me what you had said, but I didn't believe her.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

You were the only person who had shown me kindness, Kikyo. You were so beautiful... so pure... I knew from that moment on you were the one I wanted. Not even the demons could take that away from me.

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[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

If you can hold onto that...

[She sighs and draws her knees to her body.]

I believe that side of you is stronger than the demons. [Her expression falls.] I'm not...pure anymore. You know that all too well.

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

If it is... it is only because you opened yourself to me. Just as I have for you. [ He shakes his head at that. ] You are to me. I love you no less for it.

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[Suddenly, her young age is written starkly across her features.]

It's something you...held against me. It's something I despise about myself. How can you accept it so -

[Yet her grip tightens on his robe. Momentarily.]

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ His hand reaches up towards Kikyo's face, laying flat against her cheek. ]

For the same reason you are able to accept me.

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

I do not speak freely with many. You...have always listened. [Though she has often wondered why. Now she knows.]

Even as you are now...

I won't give up on you. [She shifts and embraces him properly, eyes closed tightly.]

[Action]

[bcuzofmiasma.livejournal.com]

[ Her words brought a small smile to his lips, and as she embraced him, he instinctively does the same, his arms wrapping around her waist. ]

Stay with me, Kikyo... [ Naraku says quietly. ] Please.

[Action]

[k-i-k-y-o.livejournal.com]

[Releasing a quiet breath, she nods. Eventually, she will leave to check on Inuyasha, but, right now, Naraku needs her more. This might be a turning point for all of them. This might be a taste of peace.

She is so tired of fighting.]

Rest. [Leaning her cheek against his cheek, she murmurs -] I won't leave you.