The Fox's Son

Chapter 41 - Beliefs or Truths

Kikyo continued to follow the man as they manuevered through the forests. They walked in complete since, only the sound nature passing between the two. Although she hid it under her cool persona, the priestess felt nervous and unsettled. She had no idea where he was taking her and she knew that they had to at least have been a mile away from Inuyasha's group right now. She couldn't call on her soul collectors and she couldn't use her powers, due to whatever he had done to her. She could only stare at his back as she walked through the forests, his tall statue seeming to shadow hers.

Naruto feel her anxiety and nervousness as she walked behind him. Behind that mask of coolness and indifference, was someone afraid, worried, lost, and one overcame with sadness. He could feel the swirling emotions as they continued to journey through the woods. The red head couldn't help, but be disappointed in the situation. While their little reunion was bittersweet, he couldn't get beside the fact that the mutt did not choose. He allowed the women to choose for him. If Kikyo had not given him her blessing, he would have still stood in that clearing without a doubt. He couldn't shake the feeling that the situation would one day come to bite him in the ass.

Deciding to break the silence between the two, the masked man spoke. "Lady Kikyo?" he called.

The dead priestess snapped out of her thoughts as she heard her name. "Yes?" she answered.

"That was brave of you." Naruto said. "What you did back there."

Sadness begin to overtake her again at the mention of what just happened, which didn't go unfelt by Naruto. She took deep breath before nodding slowly. "They deserved each other. She can make him happy.......even more than what I ever could." she said, the last part laced with sadness and grief.

Naruto just nodded as he continued to walk. He pitied the restless soul. While she may not have done everything right, he could understand. Loneliness is something that consumes you until your nothing more than a shell of yourself. The inability create bonds and have relationships that are stable and always within reach can weigh on someone and even cause one to close themselves off to the world. They walked in silence as they walked, where they were, Kikyo had no idea.

"What is love, Lady Kikyo?" Naruto asked suddenly.

"Pardon?" Kikyo asked, making sure she heard correctly.

"What is love?" he repeated.

Kikyo went silent as she thought about the question. Collecting her thoughts, the miko finally answered. "I believe love is much more than a romantic affection. It is a strong connect between two people that runs much deeper than the physical aspects. It is a warmth. A feeling of protectiveness, respect, and acknowledgement. It is a mental and emotional bond that supersedes any situation or trial. It is the strength that causes us to put the other peron's needs before your own." she said distantly, thinking about her and Inuyasha.

Naruto listened intently to what the woman said. He could see the swell of emotion that began to rise in her voice as she defined what love meant to her. Judging by her nostalgic and distant tone, you was more than likely thinking about her and Inuyasha. Although he didn't know with her or Kagome saw in the hanyou, he understood what it was to love someone deeply. So, on that principle, he understood what priestess was feeling at the moment. When she was finished, Naruto simply nodded his head before moving to speak.

"Perhaps." Naruto said before he paused for a moment. "Would you not agree that acceptance would be a part of respect and sacrificial aspect of love?" he inquired the woman.

"I suppose so." Kikyo answered.

"Permission to ask you something personal, milady?" Naruto asked.