InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Battle of Heart and Land ❯ Demonstration ( Chapter 4 )

A/N: I keep getting more and more ideas for this fic and I'm getting quite excited! Woo!

And just as a note, all the times I have Kagome `remember' things about either Sesshoumaru (like last chapter with the Rin saving thing) and Inuyasha (as you'll read in this chapter) DID happen. If you have not already watched Inuyasha: The Final Act then you may not quite know the incidents I am referring to :) Hulu has the episodes I believe, so catch up if you haven't!

Enjoy! R&R! -MissKatt

The Battle of Heart and Land

By: MissKatt

Chapter Four: Demonstration

“Shall we continue?” Yune asked her temporary master. Kagome nodded at her and they continued on to the room. The miko stared up at the walls as they walked; they were decorated with tapestries of great battle scenes and wars. A few were decorated with portraits of inuyoukai she didn't know or recognize.

She was lead up a flight of stairs and down another hall before her guide came to a pause in front of a room. “Here we are, miko-sama.” Yune announced and slid the wooden doors open, bowing to Kagome and letting her walk in first.

“Ah, it's beautiful!” Kagome admired once she stepped in. The room was fairly large for Feudal Japan. Her room was the size of Kaede's hut. The walls were a cream color, matching Yune's kimono, and the floor was of dark oak. The bed, she silently jumped for joy that it was an actual bed and not a roll out mat, was raised off the ground by wooden planks and covered with a large cushion. The blanket was a silk material with a fur skin inside of it, making it heavy and warm, but soft and silky at the same time. There was another set of wooden doors and she walked over and slid them open, curious to see what was behind it. She was pleasantly surprised to find it led to a small balcony that over looked a lusciously green courtyard.

“Are you hungry, Priestess?” Yune asked, standing at the entrance of the room. Kagome looked at her and nodded, suddenly realizing how hungry she really was. “I will have someone cook something and then bring it to your room. Is there anything else you require?”

Kagome thought for a second before smiling at Yune. “No, I think I'm okay for the moment, Yune-san. Thank you so much for everything.” The inuyoukai nodded and dipped into a bow before leaving the room, sliding the doors shut behind her.

Kagome sighed and felt the sudden heaviness on her back. She had almost forgotten that her backpack was there; the weight on her heart seemed to have had drowned out the weight on her back. She shrugged off her hefty side kick, setting it down on the floor. She sighed and laid down on the bed, admiring its soft comfort. She pulled the pillow to her, resting her head on it as she laid down on her stomach. Reluctantly, her mind traveled back to Inuyasha. She recalled the first time they met.

She remembered seeing him pinned to the tree, stuck there by Kikyou's arrow, bounding him there until the seal was broken. She thought he looked like a God, so peaceful, so beautiful. But then she broke the seal and he was most definitely not peaceful. It had taken them a while to even consider each other friends. Even when they had become more than friends, they still fought. But, she had always thought that had brought them closer.

Didn't it?

Kagome felt tears brim her eyes when she remembered their first kiss. She had been desperate to save him from his demon self when his human side was trapped within the looking glass. He had hurt her, yes, but it wasn't him. He couldn't control himself. She gingerly pressed her finger tips to her lips when she recalled her kissing him, him returning the gesture once he was back to himself.

Then there was the time when he found her in the darkness of the Shikon no Tama.

Would she ever kiss him again?

Could he ever look at her the way he used to? She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. Love him, marry him, and bare his children. But she realized that unless something drastically changed, it would only be a dream. A dream that she thought she was living. A dream that had wasted the past five years of her life.

Wasted.

She had the sudden realization that things might not get better. That things will continue to fall apart. But why? She had no answer. The tears that she had been trying so desperately to fight began to fall freely down her face. She buried her face in the pillow and began to weep.

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“Kagome-samaaaaa!”

Kagome was startled awake. She quickly bolted upright in bed and tried to get a hold of her surroundings. Ah, that's right. She was at the Western land's castle. She blinked and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She looked to her right and saw the fourteen year old girl staring at her with her hands on her hips.

“Kagome-sama! You have to get ready! You are supposed to be on the training grounds in a few minutes!” Rin scolded.

“Ah! I can't be late!” Kagome panicked and shot out of bed. She did not want to disappoint Inukimi. Something burned in her veins to prove her worth to the Lady of the West. She stood and then looked down at the teenager who was holding up a pile of folded clothes.

“This is what Inukimi-sama has requested you wear.” She said with a big smile. “Hurry and get ready!” Kagome stripped off her modern clothes and dressed in the garb presented to her. The pants were black and reminded her of a much slender version of Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha's pants. Her kimono top was white, the sleeves only reaching her elbows, with an embroidered purple crescent moon on each shoulder. She slipped on the short boots provided, tucking the hem of the pants in them.

“Thank you, Rin-chan! Now, can you show me where the field is? And let's hurry!” Rin beamed up at the older girl and lead her from the room, literally running down the hall and down the flight of stairs. Kagome struggled to keep up with the girl, nearly stumbling down the stairs. Geesh, was she out of shape! After Naraku had been defeated, she hadn't really been as active as before.

As they approached the field she saw that it was about a mile or two long; a forest of trees lined the edges. When they arrived onto the field, she noticed all the youkai standing orderly on the grass. They were lined up a couple meters away in ten lines of thirty, maybe more, and were sparring against the line of people in front of them. Three hundred more or less of inuyoukai. Would that be enough? She wondered and then walked over to Inukimi.

“Ah, Kagome,” She began and smiled at the Priestess. The lady was sitting upon several padded pillows, her female servants kneeling on either side of her, holding umbrellas to shield the sun away from their lady's face. “How nice for you to join us.” Kagome dipped into a low bow.

“I'm sorry, Inukimi-sama, I was more tired than I thought.” Kagome offered lamely. She really had no excuse, but what else could she say?

“You are forgiven, Miko.” She replied and turned her attention to her training troops. “Look at my marvelous subjects. All of them full of strength and power.”

“Yeah, they look strong.” Kagome commented, watching the demons spar against each other. They were fast; she almost couldn't keep up with their movements.

“Of course they are!” She scoffed. The two females watched the troops train in silence for a good while before the queen spoke up again. “I grow bored of watching. Now I am eager to see your skills.” The great inuyoukai looked at a servant next to her. “Bring her a bow and quiver. Or perhaps you have a different weapon of choice?” When Kagome shook her head, the youkai quickly fetched her weapon.

“Inukimi-sama, I haven't done this in a while, so if it might not go as planned,” Kagome said as she took the bow from the demon, feeling the familiar weight of the bow in her hands. She tied the quiver onto her back and felt like she had been taken back to when the group would travel together to find the jewel shards.

“We shall see.” Inukimi said and gave her a sly smile. Kagome looked up when Sesshoumaru walked over to them, Jaken not far from his heels. She noted that Inuyasha was nowhere to be found.

“Where's Inuyasha?” She asked, looking up at the dark lord's face. He was wearing something similar to her outfit. His pants were white, his top white with the purple flowers around his shoulder and sleeves. She couldn't help but think that he seemed to glow in the sun light.

“Sparring with the others,” Sesshoumaru answered and glanced down at the Priestess. He assumed there would be no more insulting from her end today.

“Oh,” She said and looked away. Of course he was. That was why they there. She straightened up and looked at Inukimi. “What do you want me to do?”

“For now, let us just see your purifying powers.” She smirked again. It always nerved Kagome when she saw that smile on the Lady's face. “You may want to get ready.”

The miko nodded and walked over to the open filed area, away from the two inuyoukai. She took a deep breath. It had been a long time since she had used any of her powers; she really hadn't needed them since Naraku had been alive. She hoped she still could use them. Those kinds of things didn't just disappear, did they?

“Are you ready, Priestess?” Inukimi called from her spot on the side lines.

“Yes!” She piped up after being drawn from her thoughts.

“Jaken, I believe this is your task.” Sesshoumaru looked down at his toad servant.

“Yes, m'lord! Leave it all to me!” He did unnecessary stretching and then slammed the tip of his staff into the ground. “Now, human! Try this one!” Kagome tried to ready herself for what may come. The old man head of Jaken's staff opened its mouth and a stream of smoke seep out. The smoke swirled up to the sky and darkened the whole sky above them. Even the youkai who were practicing paused to look up at the sudden darkness.

`Oh, boy, what is this?' She thought, biting her lip and staring up at the sky. She drew an arrow and nestled it onto the taught string. Suddenly from her right a demon shot out from the clouds and flung itself at her. She quickly pulled back the bow string and took aim. Once she felt the familiar warming sensation in her chest, she released the string sending the arrow reeling towards the demon, the arrow lit up with her pink purifying powers. Her aim was a little off, but the demon was still caught in the blast. She blinked once it was gone and smiled happily. She still had it!

“Hmph! How about this!” Jaken shouted and tapped his staff again. Kagome whirled around when she heard a howl in the sky to her left. She quickly drew another arrow and released, this time it made impact with the demon and incinerated with a pink flame.

“Then try this!” Jaken snapped and smacked the ground once again. This continued on again and again. Every demon he had sent at her, she obliterated. She was down to one arrow when she looked at Jaken as he howled angrily and smacked his whole staff on the ground repeatedly.

Uh-oh.

A swarm of demons gathered in the sky above her. She gulped and backed up slightly, drawing her last arrow as she did. They began to shoot down towards her, each one making their own screeches. She panicked for a moment. Is she going to be able to defeat a group so large? She had never done that! She closed her eyes for a brief moment and concentrated on the warmth in her chest. When the demons were close enough, she released her arrow. The light was bright and strong and seemed to absorb all the demons as it passed easily through the cluster of demons.

“Yes!” She cheered happily and turned to Inukimi with a large grin. She felt very proud of herself.

“Once more,” She heard Sesshoumaru. What?! Her muscles were burning and sweat shinned on her forehead. She wanted to be done already. Didn't she prove her worth? And she was out of arrows, how was she supposed to do this? But then the dark lord began to walk over to her. What was he doing? “Prepare yourself, Miko.”

“Huh?” She asked and blinked at Sesshoumaru as he stood in front of her. Surely he didn't expect her to fight him. That would be crazy! Especially since she didn't have a weapon! “But, I don't have a weapon to fight with.”

“Do you think the enemy will care?” He asked with a raised brow. His mother had asked him specifically to do this last part of her demonstration. If the miko passed, his mother would accept her as part of them. If not, she would be sent back to the village.

“N-no, but I don't have a chance against y-” Kagome cut herself off with a scream of pain. She dropped the bow and began to rub vigorously at her burning, stinging eyes. He had swiped his poison masked hand at her. There was poison in her eyes! She tried to open her eyes and tears fell freely down her cheeks. She couldn't see! He blinded her. She moved her eyes from right to left and could still need something. She felt a sudden powerful force slam into her stomach and she stumbled back, somehow remaining on her feet. Her hands went instinctively to her stomach to try and rid the pain, but it was too great.

He was attacking her.

This was bad! She couldn't go up again Sesshoumaru. Inuyasha barely stood a chance against him, how could she?

“Sesshou-” She stumbled back again when another powerful blow caught her in the shoulder. She felt as if her arm would fall off from the force. He was playing with her. He had to be. She knew he could kill her in one blow, so why wasn't he? Or was this pay back for her calling him a softy last night?

Inukimi watched with careful eyes. Yes, she had ordered her son to do this to the human. She had to test the miko to see if she was qualified enough to be part of the kingdom's army and fight alongside them. She had to make sure she was a powerful enough to stand amongst them.

The blows continued and Kagome barely remained on her feet, refusing to fall down. But what was she supposed to do? She felt her energy being sucked out of her from each blow she received; she was weakening and fast. When she felt the blow to her face, it was the last one. She flew up in the air and landed hard on her back and she swore it cracked. She lost all her breath and struggled to breathe in.

Then she heard his footsteps. She hadn't heard them before; she had been too preoccupied trying to figure out why he was attacking her. She sensed him, he was close. Very close. And then, she saw him. Well, didn't really see him, but his aura. In the darkness of her sight, she saw a faint outline of silver tinted with gold and purple. It reminded her of a sunset on a snowy mountain. Somehow she knew it was him and nothing else. She saw the outline shift, something on its right swung back and she suddenly knew it was his fist.

“No!” She shouted and flung out her own hand. Then she felt it. Felt the new power surging through her and releasing itself from her fingertips. There was a muffled grunt and the silvery sunset shadow backed away. “Huh?” She looked down at her hand. Even though she was still blind, she saw her hand was illuminated with her shinning pink powers, but here was a new tint of purple to it. What was this? She felt something different than before.

“Kagome-sama!” She heard and saw the yellow outline of Rin. Even if she hadn't heard the little girl's voice, she knew it was her. She could just tell. She felt the girl's hands on her shoulders. “Kagome-sama, are you okay? Ohh, I do not know why Sesshoumaru-sama did this to you! I was crying as I watched. I am so sorry, Kagome-sama.”

“Ah, it's not your fault, Rin-chan,” Kagome spoke softly, closing her eyes and then opening them, but it did no use, she was still blind. She felt her eyes brim up again. Was this permanent? “I think I just made him mad and this was his way of telling me.”

“How would you have upset him, Kagome-sama? He did not seem mad at you. I can usually tell.” Rin helped Kagome sit up and pain shot through her body.

“When I talked to him last night and said he had a big heart. It must have upset him.” She said and bit her lip.

“Do not think so highly of yourself, human.” She looked up and there was the beautiful, silver sunset outline she had seen earlier. She hated that it was so pretty, since she had such a raging hate for him at that moment. She flinched away from him when he squatted down next to her.

“Get away from me!” She snapped, anger lacing through each of her words.

“Do you not wish to see?” He asked and without waiting for her answer she felt his hands cup her cheeks, thumbs rubbing across her eyes. She flinched again, but only because they were wet. Wet? Ew. “Open your eyes.”

On his command she opened her eyes. Slowly, her eyes began to clear the more she blinked. She could see again! She felt relieved, but then she saw the dark lord's face still in reaching distance. She ground her teeth together and drew her arm back. She then swung with all her might at the dark lord's face, fist lit up with her pink power. The punch hit and Sesshoumaru's head snapped to the side from the force.

A/N: Sorry this chapter was a little shorter, but I HAD to leave you guys at a cliffy :) Please do me a favor and review! If I get to 10 reviews, I'll make the next chapter extra-long! Hehe

-MissKatt