Until We Meet Again

As Kotori lifted the curtain, she couldn't help but notice the scratch on her cheek. Unfortunately, it seemed that the poison from the arrow was beginning to spread. Though she had patched it up with bandages, she still felt the effects throughout her body. The priestess remained in the same condition, causing concern to show on Kotori's face.

Suddenly, a few creatures with long, eel and insect-shaped-like features dropped a soul into the weakened corpse, and soon life filled in her brown eyes once more.

" Do not move too quickly the wounds that were inflicted on you still haven't hea—" Kotori paused in midsentence and watched a miracle happen from the soul collectors.

How is that even possible?!

Upon waking up, the young priestess experienced a severe headache but managed to compose herself and sit up comfortably. As she tried to piece together her thoughts, she struggled to recall the events that took place at Naraku's castle. She vaguely remembered being restrained with chains. Feeling a bit disoriented, she asked, "Where am I?"

Kotori was taken aback by the question and nervously fidgeted with her index fingers. "InuYasha and I discovered you underground, with no signs of the demon responsible for the atrocities. You've been sleeping for fifteen days and nights, and we're now residing in a village where we're helping out. In case you're wondering, InuYasha and the others are currently engaged in battling demons."

" Oh, I see." Kikyo closed her eyes and laid back on the mat.

That battle must've taken a lot from her.

Kotori turned her head to the loud noise of trees tumbling down one after another. She rushed out of the hut and the demon broke through the barrier that was set up by the monk and his followers.

" Where are the others? I thought they were supposed to be killing this right now! What in the world is going on?" She clenched the shaft and took a deep breath.

I will not let you anywhere near Lady Kikyo!

She charged towards the demon and was fast on her feet as she landed on blow on the creature's shoulder. However, the more Kotori moves the quicker the poison traveled through the bloodstream.

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[ Somewhere outside]

" Are you sure this is the right direction?" the fox demon questioned and looked at the map from his companion's shoulder.

" The headmaster said that the demon should be in this cave." Miroku pointed out.

" I don't sense anything in there," Sango spoke.

InuYasha was already annoyed but then he caught the whiff of blood. It came from the village, he could hear the screams from the people panicking.

" Ko is in trouble guys!" Shippo shouted, worriedly.

By the time everyone got there many people ran to find safety. The homes were completely destroyed and standing in the center badly beaten was Kotori. She used the last bit of her strength and strike the demon as her sword transform, wielding enormous powers.

" InuYasha, you came for me." She begin to lose balance on her feet and fell on her knees. As he ran past her and into Kikyo's arms, Kotori collapsed completely and hit the ground hard.

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[ After some time]

The bandage fell from her cheek and the poison spread from there. It was like a black curse devouring half of her face. The slightest movement caused great suffering as sweat dripped from her forehead. It hurt all over as she held her arms over her stomach.

" Ko, are you sick? Does it hurt anywhere?" the demon asked and continued to put the damp cloth on her head." The others would be back soon, okay. Feel better quickly so we can play more and more—Lady Kikyo, she is going to be fine, right?" he asked.

" I cannot say for sure." She responded as she checked the woman's pulse.

The curtains lifted up once again and the others returned from the mountains. As the others walked one by one and news to share from the evidence that was found.

"An arrow?" the fox demon questioned in confusion.

" There's a small residue mixed with dry blood, I've never seen anything like this before in the demon slayer village. And the monk has no idea of what it could be. Lady, Kikyo would you please observe this with your eyes." Sango spoke.

" It's just probably a stupid scratch. All of you are worrying for no reason, that woman is fine." InuYasha sighed and was irritated...

In a few minutes, the priestess discovered the residue and recalled her instructor created such a powerful powder that can kill demons instantly. However, there was no such cure.

" I will need to take her with me to monitor the progress of the poison." She place her hand on Ko's head and a small light glimmered." I can delay the symptoms for just a while."

Kagome stood outside of the hut and kicked the pebbles on the ground. She could not stand the sight of the two of them together. She looked down at the ground ashamed.

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" Kikyo, I was afraid... I thought he was going take you from me again."

Stars filled the sky. It was promised life in the darkness, a sense of warmth springing from the cold when InuYasha's lips touched Kikyo's. No matter how many years had passed the two shared a bond so deep and passionate that it was literally impossible to come between them. It was the moment that anyone that knew him would see his gentle eyes and his breathing deepen just a little bit.

" Why does my chest hurt? It's almost unbearable to control." Kotori opened her eyes, looking around the campsite, and could not unsee the sight unfolding in front of her. Her body was screaming to run away as her heart softly cried but she kneels down with the firewood and keeps warm waiting for the others with a thin blanket wrapped around her. The emotions were ranging and caused her soul to painfully pulse multiple times.

" STAY AWAY FROM MY INUYASHA AND GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS FROM HIM." She yelled and slowly recognized the words slipped from her mouth. It was far too late to apologize. Her hand moved on its own and was trying to break the two apart from their romantic embrace.

' How can I even be jealous of a man that is not even mine?..... He's like family to me, right?

At this moment, Kotori noticed that InuYasha is her weakness. She is unable to train and learn from her mistakes because he always lingered in her mind.

"Do not pay her any mind, InuYasha Lashing out is one of the side effects.--- You should probably head back with the others, I must part ways with you once more."

" Please stay..."

" Little Ko's life is at risk from that arrow the demon slayer found near the castle, it had a very potent powder."

The two of them walked away.

" I have a deadly poison. How terrible is my luck? I haven't even kissed anyone yet.' An insane idea emerged from her head.

"Excuse me, Master Kikyo. I believe I may have dropped something, and I will need to step away momentarily."

"Alright, Ko."

Kotori abruptly halted her steps and rushed towards the half-demon. Their lips collided in a moment of sheer ecstasy, creating an unparalleled connection between them. As their eyes locked, a million thoughts were exchanged and their second kiss was even more fervent and zealous.

" D-Don't leave!"

He felt uncertain and conflicted about his emotions towards her, yet his heart raced uncontrollably without any respite.

Kotori was taken aback by the words that came out of his mouth. She hurried towards the woods, waving her hand as she shouted, "Until we meet again! Please convey my farewell to the others. I must hurry before Master Kikyo reprimands me."

The priestess inquired if you were able to locate the item you had lost.

"I'll cherish it forever, yes."