Chapter 22: With me or with me? 

Her words were the last thing heard in the room, it was a complicated question. She doesn't need a fake "I'm sorry" that conveys nothing but feigned sympathy, nor does she need an "it's okay" when she even knows how she feels about this whole thing. 

"Anything I say now will be false and without depth, I think the only person who can judge you is yourself."

I didn't shy away from her stare, even when her brow started to furrow at my words, that was what I believed and what I thought. 

"Mmm... Good night."

"Sure, I hope you have it."

Finishing the staring confrontation, he got up from the zabuton he sat on and said goodnight before going to the futon to sleep. I return the words as a civilized person that I am even more so now that I've gotten used to sleeping on the floor.

Kikyo pov. 

Waking up in the middle of the night, as I feel the shinidamachū's approach. I open my eyes before lifting my whole body off the futon and begin to move towards the door, avoiding the seven presences moving around the room like every other night. 

Now with more souls and with some of my power regained I can see them clearly despite their transformation, though it is only possible in moments of being careless or too startled. They are seven golden-colored furry tails and a pair of ears that wiggle atop his head according to his emotions. If I couldn't tell the difference in the quality of energy he gives off, I would have considered him a hanyō solely because of his appearance. 

"Shall we go again?"

"Yes, this will be the last time."

It was time to leave this village and look for Inuyasha to finish my purpose on this earth, I couldn't keep staying here passing the days as if I was alive... I can't, I don't deserve to live happily.....

Shaking my head to clear it of those thoughts, I gave her one last look and advanced to the sliding door opening it, to step out into the hallway next to the spirit. 

"Last one, you plan to leave without warning?"

The spirit's question held no hint of judgment, it was merely a question you would ask an acquaintance without any imposed pressure. As I pondered his words, we arrived at the courtyard outside the house and from the sky the shikigamis began to arrive along with the souls. 

"Yes, despite the last few days... we are complete strangers to each other."

He doesn't know me and I don't know him, even with the help of the last few days... No, I must do it and end Inuyasha's life for his betrayal, then I will be happy. 

The conflicts in my mind were eradicated when I thought all this was to end Inuyasha, because it is... Right? Ignoring my doubts, I start absorbing the soul fragments brought by the shinidamachū one by one. 

"Then I take my leave Miss Kikyo and hope to see you soon."

Watching the spirit dematerialize, I stand for a few moments before I start walking towards the exit of the town in the complete darkness of the night. 

*Touch* *Touch* *Touch* *Touch*

My footsteps were heavy and I could tell thanks to the noise they generate from walking on the wood of the bridge, making me notice that with each passing second I get closer to the exit of this village. 

"Why are you following me?"

It was impossible for me to generate noises while walking, my sandals were flat and my steps were controlled in detail, then there was only one option. Turning around and looking back I met a tall young man, blond hair and a faded black yukata with a sword at his waist.

"I'm not following you, you just happen to be going in the same direction as me."

Seeing that my expressionless face doesn't make him stop his following, I turn around and continue walking, entering the periphery of the surrounding forest in a few minutes.

"So how long will I walk in the direction you're headed?"

I seemed to feel a disturbance in the energy from behind me, most likely if I turn around now I will manage to see him in his other form, though I ignore it completely in anticipation of his answer. 

"Interesting question... Probably until I get bored or maybe forever, who knows... I'm very fickle."

The voice normally full of vivacity that characterizes him from my point of view, took a turn of uncertainty and I could even feel ignorance for the future... it was all so human. 

"As you wish, most likely this will be over soon."

My journey will end soon with the death of me or Inuyasha, but in the meantime I'll let him do whatever he wants. 

"Well then, which way is our destination?"

The vivacity returned to his words, though it felt a bit forced. But who was I to point that out. 

"In telling you about my current situation, I've thought everything through more calmly and found small incongruities in the situation, now let's go visit my younger sister Kaede."

It was the complete and utter truth, although I wished to make Inuyasha pay for his betrayal and reclaim his life, now that the will not blind my actions, I noticed the strangeness of Kaede being with him at the time of my resurrection.