InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ New Life ❯ Chapter 30 ( Chapter 30 )

Year: 1536
Month: February

Before the light of dawn could break, Kagome stirred. Rising, she gave a small smile to the others. Within moments, Shippo was standing next to her. Stepping out of the camp site, she moved a little way into the surrounding trees, coming to stop in a small clearing. Shippo veered off to the other side of the clearing. Settling in the grass on her knees, she kept her gaze before her on her hands. She waited.

On the other side of the clearing, she heard Shippo let out a yip of fear and pain but then growls came. So Sesshomaru had gone after Shippo then. This was their training. They had long gone past the necessity of knowing when their opponents would attack. She now merely awaited Hiroki. Her heart seemed to attempt to fly out of her chest as the dread pushed down on her. Was this indeed their training? Was this a true attack? She licked her lips and then suddenly claws raked down her spine. Giving a sharp cry of pain, she stood, her own hands up as though she wielded claws. Her eyes searched the darkness. Where was Hiroki?

For a moment, she saw silver and then she felt the lash of a poisonous whip against her back. The poison sizzled on her, threatening to throw her into a state of unconsciousness. Chi instantly came to the fore of her mind. “You will not use that creature miko.” Claws buried themselves in her right shoulder, sinking deep within her skin. She stared up at Sesshomaru in shock and slight fearfulness. This was the true Sesshomaru? She had never seen such speed nor felt the power she now felt. Licking her lips, she tried to speak but fear silenced her.

She watched disgust appear on his face before he removed his claws and threw her away from him. Kagome hit the ground and couldn't stop the cry of pain that escaped. She could feel the poison eating away at her flesh. She remained on the floor, gasping for breath. She heard his footsteps come close to her. “Apparently you are as weak as this Sesshomaru thought. Your pup has more promise.” Anger filled her. They hadn't gone too far from the camp site so Arie hadn't needed to be woken but her anger brought her shadow into wakefulness.

Arie shot up from her place, gasping for breath. Glancing around, she noticed that the others were still asleep. Kagome and Shippo had to have gone off to train. She assumed as such considering Sesshomaru and Hiroki were nowhere in sight. Frowning, she glanced around. It was then that she felt the pain from Kagome. Anger overrode the pain though. Jolting to her feet, she rushed out and followed Kagome's emotions.

As she reached the edge of the clearing, she heard a feral snarl and saw Hiroki and Shippo battling it out. Both retained their humanoid forms, but it appeared as though they were both about to change. The pup was obviously losing as he had more fatal wounds than Hiroki did. It appeared to be a battle to the death. Suddenly, she watched Shippo charge forward, only to vanish right in front of Hiroki. She watched the elder kitsune give a roar of pain as blood bloomed from his right chest. She watched the lord fall to the ground, Shippo standing above him. In that moment, she witnessed two more tails form. She blinked in surprise. There was a total of 8 tails now.

She gave a small gasp, drawing Shippo's eyes to her. They were burning with an intensity she had never seen before. Then he turned to the other side of the clearing, as though dismissing her. Indignation rose within her. Scoffing, she turned her attention and witnessed something she wished to never see. Kagome was dangling in Sesshomaru's hand, claws digging into her neck. Her body was limp. Cursing, she moved to attack but Shippo moved in front of her, stopping her advance. “No. Mother has things under control.”

Arie scowled. “He's killing her! They betrayed us!”

Shippo shook his head. “No, it is training. We were becoming too content with our training partners.” Arie narrowed her eyes.

“The kit is correct.” The rough voice of Hiroki had Arie whirling, baring her teeth at him. He was standing barely. She watched him move to Shippo and clasp his shoulder. “You have passed your part in the training kit. I am honored to be the one to have been the one to teach you in this.” Shippo glanced at Hiroki, not really giving him a passing glance. In proof of Hiroki's defeat at his hands, Shippo no longer was needed to bow to him. At his young age, he had surpassed one Taiyoukai. He would become a legend now.

Hiroki's gaze focused on his own pupil. He frowned. “It would seem your mother will not though. I had high hopes for her.”

Shippo chuckled darkly. “Mother isn't finished yet.” Hiroki frowned but decided not to speak, merely watching the battle. He was worried if he had to admit it. He had grown fond of the miko long before finding out about the lie that had been told. Sesshomaru had been far too eager to be the one to test Kagome.

Settling on the ground, he glanced over at her shadow. “Tend to my wounds shadow.” He caught the disgruntled look the mermaid cast him, but she obeyed his orders.

Kagome and Sesshomaru stared at each other. Sesshomaru was disgusted. He had gained a small scrape on his cheek. Kagome had received far more lethal wounds though. He had thought she would have been better considering Hiroki's praise. He had been disappointed. Kagome's eyes were glazed but she still retained the smirk in her eyes. After a few moments, Sesshomaru began to squeeze. It would be better to kill her now.

Kagome felt the claws digging deeper and knew now was the time to reveal her power. He had brought her close enough now. Reaching up, her hands found the stub of what was left of his arm. She forced herself to speak although it was rough. “I refuse to fight half a youkai.”

She watched the anger appear in his eyes and he brought her close. “You will die this morning miko.” In that moment, power surged through her body and came out her hands, encasing Sesshomaru's shoulder with the missing arm. He reared back after a few minutes as the purifying power became searing.

Landing on the ground, Kagome raised herself partly up. A dry laugh escaped before she coughed. Sesshomaru was struggling to regain his composure as it felt as though his missing arm was being eaten away. As the light died down, he darted forward, only to come against a barrier. He raised his left arm and brought it down, the claws scratching against the barrier. This caused him to freeze. He had both arms. A growl echoed in the clearing.

Kagome rose to her feet and drew the barrier in. It washed over her, healing all her wounds. Crouching, she brandished claws that were a bit longer. She looked more youkai than human now. It was one more step to completely bonding with Chi. There would be one more bonding before the last one. The last would be to reclaim her soul from Naraku. She didn't bother to wait, darting forward with speed and bringing her claws down. Sesshomaru instantly deflected it.

Hiroki and Arie gazed in shock at the fight. They had had no idea that had been possible. Shippo was merely smirking. Hiroki focused on Shippo after giving Arie a haughty look. Arie immediately began to continue her task. “How was that possible kit?”

Shippo glanced over his shoulder, grinning. “My mother has many talents. Some of them, even I do not even think she knows about. Her power continues to grow over time. When we left, I noticed a surge in her power. She had done something like this before but on a far less extreme level.”

Hiroki narrowed his eyes partially. “You will explain.”

Shippo glared at Hiroki before giving a small sniff in irritation. “I lost a couple fingers and she grew them back.”

Kagome could feel madness rising within her. A giggle escaped as she whirled out of the way of Sesshomaru's claws as though she were dancing. Tilting her head, her eyes sparkled maliciously. “You're still so slow…” She could hear Chi laughing inside her head. Claws raked down her side, causing blood to spill. Rolling her eyes, she leaped back and glanced down, pouting. “You ruined my clothes.”

“Woman, you become irritating.”

Eyes snapping up, darkness grew within. “You will die dog!”

As Kagome lunged forward, Inuyasha, Kouga and Sango appeared. Not a few minutes later, the others appeared one by one to watch the fight. The sun was about ready to rise. It wasn't quite there but almost. It was Kouga that was the only tense one. His beast was lashing out within, wanting to destroy this monstrosity. Whirling, he stormed into the trees.

Kouga's mind was seething. Why couldn't they see that Kagome wasn't the Kagome they once knew? That was an imposter! It had to be. His Kagome was innocent. She didn't have darkness that lingered within her. He had moved far off when he felt youki settle around him. Tensing, he looked around. “Who's there?” He flexed his claws.

“So, you seek the abomination's destruction.” The voice was feminine. He whirled. There was nothing there.

“What abomination?”

“The one you call Kagome.”

Kouga snarled. “That is not Kagome!”

Laughter echoed in the woods. “You are still loyal to your ancestry then Kouga of the wolves.” In that moment, red eyes peered out of the darkness.

Kouga's eyes widened and he fell to a knee. “My lady…”

“Rise Kouga. We shall destroy the creature. I cannot save your Kagome, but I can ensure that creature causes no more harm.” Kouga nodded.

Kagome and Sesshomaru seemed to dance around each other. Each left their own marks on the other, but neither would submit. Bringing his claws up, he swung downward. Kagome flipped back a couple times, only to barely dodge Sesshomaru's blade. So, he was playing this game. Kagome reached to her own blade. Leaping away, she moved the sheathe to the other side of her hip so that the blade was facing down. It was time to test out the sharpness of her blade. She watched Sesshomaru advance on her with his sword, swinging down. It seemed as if time were standing still. Nothing registered except the almost nonexistent sound of Sesshomaru advancing. As he swung down on her, she brought the blade out in a flash.

The blade reflected in the dying nightfall. Whirling, she swung again, aiming for his side but he dodged to the side. The tip barely nicked his side. They remained in silence, staring at each other, testing the other's willpower. Within the silence, a piece of Sesshomaru's hoari fluttered to the ground. As the piece hit the ground, both charged forward. Kagome swung the blade expertly. It was obvious that Sesshomaru had the upper hand as Kagome had mainly only had miniscule training in the use of her blade. She knew the moves, but she had never actually performed them.

As the sun finally rose, it reflected on the two in the clearing. No one had seen this last move but Sesshomaru stood before Kagome, his blade resting lightly on her neck. He smirked in triumph, but Kagome's eyes laughed mockingly. She leaned forward, causing a fine line of blood to move down her neck to the top of her breasts. In that moment, Sesshomaru felt the blade against his stomach, ready to spill the entirety of his stomach contents. It was a tie. Barely. Removing the blade from her neck, he took a step back. He turned his back and walked toward the others. They were staring in awe at the regrown arm and Kagome. She had been able to almost beat Sesshomaru.

Sango and Kikyo couldn't tear their eyes from Kagome. They watched her in fascination. She was alive still. They watched Kagome tremble once before collapsing into an unconscious heap on the floor. Both females rushed forward, lifting their sister and pack mate into their arms. Her pulse beat steadily. Hearing footsteps, Kikyo and Sango looked up and saw the rest of their small pack move forward. Arie curled against Kagome's side. Shippo stood a few feet from them, looking at her worriedly. He bent forward and lifted her blade, holding it protectively. Inuyasha stood awkwardly to the side. Ayame and Zia moved forward, to take a hand each. Miroku stood directly behind Sango holding on to her shoulder to comfort her.

As Hiroki advanced, he couldn't help the smile. His pupil had been holding back. He had always wondered about the strange weapon she carried with her. The blade was on the wrong side. Now he understood just what type of blade it was. The way she usually carried it; it was meant to be a sword of protection. It did not kill, simply maimed. The other side was darkness. It was death. She would use that as a last resort. Either way, his pupil had passed her training. He was proud of her. It was strange really. This little nonhuman had become powerful on her own. He paused by her friends. Glancing to Inuyasha, he nodded to him. “You have chosen your alpha wisely Inuyasha. She will ensure your pack will prosper and survive.” He watched Inuyasha blink in surprise. “I have no doubt that your brother will give to you your inheritance now that you have sought the correct path. We will reside here for the day to allow her healing.” He then moved away to go collect food for the small pack, knowing they would be unable to leave their alpha.