Sherds
Title: Sherds
Fandom: Inuyasha
Character/Pairing: Kikyou/Enju
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~500
Notes: Originally written for iyfic_contest's "Yuri" theme.
Sherds
The moon hung low in the sky, its broad face reflecting just enough light to guide Enju’s steps. She hurried, afraid to fall behind her quarry. Then, in a burst of speed, they raced ahead of her, deep into the forest and out of sight. She was about to admit her defeat and turn back, when a figure stepped from behind a tree, her calm face porcelain pale in the moonlight.
“Kikyou.” The name came out in a gasp, scarcely more than a whisper.
Kikyou only raised her head almost imperceptively. “You followed the shinidamachuu,” she said. “Surely you expected to find me.”
Enju nodded, all of her carefully rehearsed speeches flown from her head. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth as she finally spoke. “I...yes. Can--can you make them stop coming? I tell them there is no need, but they won’t listen to me.” Kikyou was silent, studying Enju’s face. Enju dropped her gaze, unable to withstand the unspoken question in those eyes. “I’ve already broken the promise I made to Kagome.” She gave a humorless laugh. “ ‘Try to live?’ I don’t have a place in this world. All I am doing is surviving.” She wrapped her arms around herself, daring to look up at Kikyou again. “So it is best not to continue this meaningless farce.”
“And,” Kikyou began softly, “do you think the same is true for me?”
Enju shook her head, taking a step forward. “You are different. You have a purpose. You are...stronger than me. And I know...” She brought her hands near her face, almost a gesture of prayer. “I know that you will help me.”
“I wonder.” Kikyou reached out with one hand, fingertips just tracing the line of Enju’s jaw. “What is it that you truly want from me? Permission to die...or a reason to live?”
Enju could feel herself trembling as Kikyou’s touch lingered on her cheek. “You...you are the only other one like me. You understand what it’s like.” The words were spilling out of her now, and she didn’t know where they came from, hadn’t known she’d felt this way until she heard the things she said and knew they were true. “If I were with you, I wouldn’t be alone. I could be strong. If you brought me with you-”
“My path is not your path,” Kikyou cut her off, not unkindly.
“Then I have no path,” Enju said bitterly. “I am scraps and sherds, something meant to be buried and forgotten. I am not meant to live, and I am weary of surviving.” Her eyes met Kikyou’s, beseeching. “If you won’t help me that way, help me another.”
Kikyou paused, feeling her resolve cracking at the yearning of one so alike, almost a sister. Her other hand moved to Enju’s face, cupping her cheek. “Is this truly what you wish?” The girl nodded, a sigh escaping her lips, and closed her eyes, for the first time looking at peace.
Kikyou brought her mouth to Enju’s, and the stars fell.
Fandom: Inuyasha
Character/Pairing: Kikyou/Enju
Rating: PG
Word Count: ~500
Notes: Originally written for iyfic_contest's "Yuri" theme.
Sherds
The moon hung low in the sky, its broad face reflecting just enough light to guide Enju’s steps. She hurried, afraid to fall behind her quarry. Then, in a burst of speed, they raced ahead of her, deep into the forest and out of sight. She was about to admit her defeat and turn back, when a figure stepped from behind a tree, her calm face porcelain pale in the moonlight.
“Kikyou.” The name came out in a gasp, scarcely more than a whisper.
Kikyou only raised her head almost imperceptively. “You followed the shinidamachuu,” she said. “Surely you expected to find me.”
Enju nodded, all of her carefully rehearsed speeches flown from her head. Her tongue felt heavy in her mouth as she finally spoke. “I...yes. Can--can you make them stop coming? I tell them there is no need, but they won’t listen to me.” Kikyou was silent, studying Enju’s face. Enju dropped her gaze, unable to withstand the unspoken question in those eyes. “I’ve already broken the promise I made to Kagome.” She gave a humorless laugh. “ ‘Try to live?’ I don’t have a place in this world. All I am doing is surviving.” She wrapped her arms around herself, daring to look up at Kikyou again. “So it is best not to continue this meaningless farce.”
“And,” Kikyou began softly, “do you think the same is true for me?”
Enju shook her head, taking a step forward. “You are different. You have a purpose. You are...stronger than me. And I know...” She brought her hands near her face, almost a gesture of prayer. “I know that you will help me.”
“I wonder.” Kikyou reached out with one hand, fingertips just tracing the line of Enju’s jaw. “What is it that you truly want from me? Permission to die...or a reason to live?”
Enju could feel herself trembling as Kikyou’s touch lingered on her cheek. “You...you are the only other one like me. You understand what it’s like.” The words were spilling out of her now, and she didn’t know where they came from, hadn’t known she’d felt this way until she heard the things she said and knew they were true. “If I were with you, I wouldn’t be alone. I could be strong. If you brought me with you-”
“My path is not your path,” Kikyou cut her off, not unkindly.
“Then I have no path,” Enju said bitterly. “I am scraps and sherds, something meant to be buried and forgotten. I am not meant to live, and I am weary of surviving.” Her eyes met Kikyou’s, beseeching. “If you won’t help me that way, help me another.”
Kikyou paused, feeling her resolve cracking at the yearning of one so alike, almost a sister. Her other hand moved to Enju’s face, cupping her cheek. “Is this truly what you wish?” The girl nodded, a sigh escaping her lips, and closed her eyes, for the first time looking at peace.
Kikyou brought her mouth to Enju’s, and the stars fell.