InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Sage ❯ A Confrontation between Rivals ( Chapter 17 )

~*~*~*~*~*~Edited version~*~*~**~*~*~

 

A/N: Thankies again for the wonderful reviews!!!! *dances around happily* You all never cease to amaze me with your wonderful comments. I don't really have much to say in this AN but please read the last AN. There is a little something for everyone ^_^

 

A/N: *hands out popcorn* Now on with the show ^_~

 

Chapter Seventeen

A Confrontation between Rivals

 

Sorano tied the obi of her hakama as she looked in the mirror. She had just finished her date with Sesshomaru and decided that since Kagome and Sango had gone on a double date that she would train at the United Alliance. It had been a while since Sorano had dawned her haori and hakama. It was a gift from Suzuki when she pasted the Elite Exam. The hakama and obi were a deep grey/silver and the haori was a true white. Sorano grabbed a hair ribbon on her way out of the locker room.

 

The Training Room had been left open a little later as per her request. Sorano didn't feel the need to have people watching her as she trained. It was actually quiet bothersome to have all the rookies and other teams watching her as she honed her swordsmanship. Sorano reached the training room and placed her hand on the identification scanner near the door. The door hummed to life and as Sorano entered the room the lights came on.

 

“I was wondering when you were going to show up.”

 

Sorano smiled as she looked at her unexpected guest. “Well it seems that I will not have the pleasure of training in silence. What are you doing here Suzuki?”

 

Suzuki grinned, showing her fangs, at Sorano. “I'm here to make sure that you haven't gone soft.” Suzuki drew her katana and faced off against Sorano.

 

Sorano walked over to the weapon rack and chose a lightweight katana. “I can assure you Suzuki I have not gone soft.” Sorano walked into the center of the room and faced off against Suzuki.

 

Suzuki flicked her tail and grinned. Her eyes shone a deadly fierce orange. She isn't going to make this easy now is she?

 

***

 

Kagome couldn't believe what she was seeing. There was Inuyasha changing before her very eyes. His normal amber eyes changed to a deep crimson red. Light purple jagged striped appeared on his cheeks. What is going on? Why is his youki changing? Oh my Kami-sama! He's changing into a full-blooded youkai!

 

Kagome turned away from Inuyasha and glared at Koga. “Koga let me go this instance! Inuyasha is changing because of you! Now please Koga let me go and get out of here.”

 

“I can take anything that Inu-kurro can throw at me! You are coming with me. You belong with me.”

 

Kagome pulled against Koga's death grip on her wrist as he tried to pull herself away. A menacing growl from behind her stopped both Koga and herself. Kagome slowly turned and looked at Inuyasha. His fangs, which had elongated past his lower lip, were bared and his claws extended. Kagome could see his red youki flowing from him as he growled at her. He's not growling at me. He's… he's growling at Koga.

 

Kagome jumped slightly when Koga growled back at Inuyasha. What are they doing? Are they talking to each other? Damn it where is Rin when you need her. She would know what was going on!

 

“Kagome…”

 

Kagome turned and saw that Miroku was shielding Sango as they slowly backed away from the table. People in the restaurant were doing the same. No one was moving very quickly as they feared that this would draw the wrath of the hanyou that was turning into a youkai before their very eyes.

 

“Sango you and Miroku get out of here. I know that Inuyasha will not hurt me. Go now!” Sango nodded as she grabbed Miroku's hand and ran from the restaurant. When Inuyasha didn't even look in their direction the others in the restaurant decided that they would run for it too.

 

Soon it was just Kagome, Inuyasha and Koga standing in the restaurant. A silence fell between them as Koga still refused to let go of Kagome's wrist as she was starting to loss the feeling in her hand because he was holding onto her so tightly.

 

“Inuyasha…”

 

Inuyasha cocked his head in her direction but didn't take his blood red eyes off of Koga. Kagome bit her lip as she slowly reached out with her free hand. “Inuyasha…?”

 

Inuyasha whined softly as she gently touched his cheek. Okay so far so good. Now if I could only get Koga to let me go this would be all over. No sooner had Kagome thought this then Koga pulled her wrist sharply, causing Kagome to come crashing into Koga's chest. The wind was knocked from Kagome as Koga wrapped his arms tightly around her.

 

“Koga… I.. can't… breathe…” Kagome gasped as she tried to fill her lungs with much needed oxygen. Inuyasha threw his head back and growled deeply. The sound of it made the hairs on her arms stand on end.

 

“Don't even think about it Inu-kurro. Kagome is mine! You are not worthy of her!”

 

Kagome finally managed to get in some air as she pushed against Koga. “You can not decide who is good enough for me Koga. The way I'm looking at it you are the one you is not worthy of me!”

Koga looked down at Kagome and sighed. “You don't know what you want my Kagome. But that will all change. You are powerful and we will have powerful pups. I will mate and mark you my Kagome and then you will have no choice but to be mine for all eternity.”

 

“Have you lost your mind Koga! Listen to yourself! Now let me go this instance or I'll make you let me go!”

 

Kagome growled out when Koga just smiled softly down at her and held her even closer. I have had enough of this! I'm really sorry Koga but you aren't listening to reason anymore. “Koga… gomen…” Kagome closed her eyes and started to chant.

 

“Kagome…” Koga never finished his sentence. Kagome finished her chant and a large infusion of miko shot out of her and launched Koga into the table behind him. Kagome quickly turned and ran to Inuyasha.

 

“Inuyasha. Inuyasha can you hear me!” Kagome placed her hand on his cheek once again. Slowly Inuyasha looked down at Kagome and whined softly as he leaned down and buried his face in her neck.

 

Kagome gasped as Inuyasha wrapped his arms around her and began licking and nipping at her neck. It felt like her whole body was on fire. Just his simple touches were driving her crazy with need and a lust that she couldn't even explain. It was as if her body and soul were calling out to Inuyasha and he was answering with his.

 

“Inuyasha… come back to me…please come back…” Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha and held him tight against her.

 

“Ka..gome…”

 

Kagome pulled back slightly and looked at Inuyasha's face. His face was contorted as he tried to fight his youkai blood. The next few moments happened so fast Kagome didn't even know they happened until she heard the growling and snarling. Koga had managed to shake off the effects of her miko. When he came to he saw the two of them embracing his rage took over. He jumped across the room and ripped Kagome from Inuyasha's embrace. Kagome toppled over and fell hard on the marble floor.

 

Koga and Inuyasha were now circling each other. Each one snarling and growling. Inuyasha bared his fangs as he leapt at Koga. Koga was too quick and leapt out of the way. Koga twisted around and tried to kick Inuyasha. Inuyasha ducked the kick and slashed at Koga. Kagome screamed as Inuyasha's claws cut through Koga's shirt and ripped against his flesh.

 

“You'll pay for that Inu-kurro!!” Koga growled out and attacked Inuyasha once against.

 

Kagome slowly stood up. She grasped at her side as a new pain filled her. She had never felt this kind of pain before. It was like there was something inside of her that wanted to purify the souls of the enraged youkai that were fighting in front of her.

 

Kagome fell to the ground as Inuyasha once again slashed at Koga. Koga's blood now covered Inuyasha's fingers and claws. Koga growled as he wiped the blood from his chin. “Not bad Inu-kurro but I will have Kagome! She is my woman! No hanyou is going to have her!”

 

Koga snarled as he leapt forward. He drew his hand back ready to strike. Inuyasha predicted his move and side stepped it at the last possible moment. But Koga was only feint attacking. The minute Inuyasha stepped to the side Koga brought his other hand around and ripped his claws through his chest.

 

“INUYASHA!!!!”

 

***

 

Sorano panted softly as she stared at Suzuki. They had been training for a good two hours now and there didn't seem to be a winner showing her face in the near future. “You have improved my apprentice.”

 

Sorano grinned as she stood up straight, “I am no longer you apprentice Suzuki. I stopped being your apprentice the minute I became an Elite. Or have you forgotten that?”

 

Suzuki cracked her neck and rolled her shoulders, “You will be my apprentice forever the way you're going. How many times have I told you to challenge me?”

 

“I will not challenge you Suzuki.”

 

Suzuki sighed as she sheathed her katana, “Sorano you are more the ready for the task. Plus I will be leaving for Russia soon and the Japan Office will need at new Head Elite. I was expecting you to challenge me a long time ago. Word has already spread that you are the new Head Elite.”

 

Sorano gasped, “What! Who would say such things?”

 

Suzuki raised her hand and waved it off. “Sorano listen to me now as a friend. You are ready to challenge me. If I could I would challenge you so that you wouldn't have too. But it's time for the United Alliance to have a new Head Elite. And I can think of no better person for the job then you.”

 

Sorano shook her head as she headed towards the weapons rack, “Suzuki it is not a point of if I am ready or not. It is the fact that you are like a sister to me and I can't take the Head Elite away from you. You trained me and yes I say that I am not your apprentice but in the back of my mind I know that this is true. I am not ready as you think I am to become what you want. Maybe on day but that is not now. When I am ready and I believe that I can challenge you then I will. But not a moment sooner.”

 

“You are the most stubborn youkai I have ever meant. You were ready years ago. I remember when Kaeda assigned you to me. I knew from the start that you were going to be the one to beat me in a challenge. I trained you yes but it was you, all by yourself, that surpassed me.”

 

Sorano turned and looked at Suzuki, “I do thank-you for your confidence in me but I do not have it myself. I have a lot to deal with right now and I can't be thinking of the Head Elite Challenge right now.”

 

Suzuki ran a hand through her wild flaming hair and sighed, “Suit yourself. But remember I leave for Russia soon. Once I leave the Japanese Office will be left without a Head Elite. Can you think of anyone who would do a good job?” Suzuki didn't wait for Sorano to answer. Instead she turned and left the training room without looking back.

 

Oh Suzuki the trust you have in me is amazing but I am not ready to become the Head Elite. I have someone who needs to know what I do before I can ever even thinking about becoming the new Head Elite. He has a right to know what I am and if he choices to leave me because of it then so be it. At least I will have told him the truth.

 

Sorano sighed as she left the training room and headed back towards the locker room. She needed to talk with her team and then they could figure out what they were going to do. They need to have some sort of a normal life. I can a least give them the option.

 

***

 

Inuyasha screamed out in pain as his blood flowed down his chest from the wounds of Koga's claws. The pain in Kagome's side almost doubled as Koga leapt back and licked Inuyasha's blood from his fingers.

 

“Inuyasha! Koga! You two are suppose to be friends. No one is worth what the two of you are doing to each other!” Kagome slowly stood and tried to ignore the pain in her side. She slowly made her way towards the two fighting boys.

 

“Please stop this! I am not worth the two of you fighting.” Kagome stopped just shy of two feet from Inuyasha. “Please Koga listen to me. I know what I want and I want to be with Inuyasha. Please understand this Koga. I don't care for you that way. I just want to be your friend. I know it's hard to hear but you have to know the truth. I need Inuyasha.”

 

Koga looked from Kagome to Inuyasha and then back again. Koga did the one thing that Kagome wasn't expecting. He started to laugh. And he laughed hard. “Foolish girl! You are really senseless aren't you. I know you don't mean that and once I take care of Inuyasha I will take you as my woman.”

 

Koga growled as he lunged at Inuyasha. Kagome, ignoring the pain in her side, jumped in front of Inuyasha. Koga couldn't stop himself. He was already to far into the attack to stop himself. Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha as Koga's claws sliced down her back. Kagome opened her mouth but no scream can. I protected you Inuyasha like I always said I would.

 

Inuyasha caught Kagome as she started to fall to the ground. An unearthly yell escaped Inuyasha as he slumped to the floor holding Kagome's limp body in his arms. Koga stepped back and slowly raised his hand. The scent of Kagome's blood hit his nose and he retched.

 

Koga fell to the ground and tried to keep himself from being sick. Her blood was pooling on the ground as Inuyasha held her closer to him. Koga looked at the scene before him as hot tears ran down his face. “What have I done…” Koga leapt up and ran from the restaurant.

 

***

 

Inuyasha was ready for Koga's next attack. He wasn't going to fall for the same trick twice. Inuyasha had never felt so alive before. It was like his blood had changed to fire. It burned through his veins and fuelled him on. All he was thinking about was blood. Blood of Koga. Blood of the rival that dared claim what was his.

 

Koga leapt through the air and started to descend upon him. That's it ookami breath come and try to attack me. My blood is calling for yours to be spilt. I will show what happens to all those you dare to take my mate away.

 

Suddenly Kagome was standing in front of him. She had a sad smile on her face as stood between him and Koga. NO! My mate! Inuyasha tried to move her but it was already to late. Koga couldn't stop the attack and Inuyasha was to slow to stop Kagome from being hit by it. Kagome wrapped her arms around Inuyasha just as Koga's claws ripped through her tender flesh. The sound of her skin ripping rang in his ears. Kagome opened her mouth is a silent cry as she fell into his arms.

 

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome as he slumped to the ground with her limp body. NO! My mate!! I let my mate get hurt!! Inuyasha wrapped his arms around Kagome and let go an earthly howl that seemed to be ripped from his very soul. Inuyasha didn't notice, as Koga leapt from the scene. He didn't even notice that Sango and Miroku were running back into the restaurant. All he knew was that Kagome's blood was soaking into his pants and spilling onto the marble floor.

 

“Inu..yasha..”

 

Inuyasha pulled Kagome back and looked into her slowly dimming eyes. “Kagome…”

 

Kagome slowly raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. He could already feel the warmth slipping from her hand, “Come back… to me… Inuyasha…”

 

Inuyasha's youkai blood screamed as he fought with everything he had left to suppress his youkai. Inuyasha closed his eyes as he felt his blood cool and his heart stopped hammering in his ears. Slowly Inuyasha opened his eyes and looked down at Kagome. Kagome smiled softly as she rubbed her thumb over her cheek.

 

“My Inuyasha.”

 

“Kagome no baka! Why! WHY! I wasn't going to die! I am a hanyou. I heal so much faster then you do! I would have lived! You can't leave me you can't”

 

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha. Suddenly Sango was kneeling beside Kagome. “Kagome!”

 

Kagome turned her head and looked at Sango. The twinkle in her eyes was already gone and Inuyasha could smell death on her. “Sango…” Sango let the tears run down her cheeks as she took Kagome's hand in hers.

 

“Kagome heal yourself! You have to! I can't lose another person who is dear to me!”

 

“Oh Sango. I can't… I don't have the energy to.”

 

Sango wiped haphazardly at her tears, “Why? Why don't you have the power?”

 

Kagome coughed and blood started to trickle down her chin from the corner of her mouth. “I have not… had time to… to fully regain it… no tears… Sango…”

 

“Kagome…” Kagome turned slightly and half looked at Inuyasha. She smiled softly as she looked at him.

 

“Inuyasha… I promised myself that… that I … would protect you… I did… did…” Kagome's eyes stayed to roll into the back of her head.

 

“NO! Kagome you stay with me! Stay with me! I need you!” Inuyasha gently shook Kagome and her eyes fluttered open.

 

Sango wiped at her tears and a new look of determination filled her eyes, “Fuck this! I am not losing you! I will not let you die Kagome!”

 

“Sango… you can't… no one… no…”

 

“Fuck protocol! I said that you are not dying and I mean it!” Sango pulled open the top of her dress and revealed her choker necklace. What is she doing?! I don't fucking care what she is doing as long as she helps Kagome.

 

Sango reached up and gently touched the large pink jewel that was on her choker. “This is Hiro Sango, Agent 1103 calling in an emergency Code Bronze. I have an agent down! I repeat I have an agent down!”

 

She's fucking lost it!! What is talking about? Is she really talking into her choker?! Inuyasha gasped as Sango's choker lit up. A voice filled the air and the jewel flashed in time to the pitch of the voice.

 

“This is Central Command Operating 229. Emergency Code Bronze as been received. Activate down agents nano-tech immediately.”

 

Sango nodded as she reached over and took Kagome's hand once again. “Inuyasha lay Kagome on the floor. You can't be touching her when I do this.”

 

Inuyasha nodded and gently placed Kagome on the floor as he scooted away. Sango took Kagome's bracelet in her hand and turned it until the red jewel was facing upwards. “Kagome we needed to tell them sometime and now seems like as good as time as any.” Kagome weakly nodded as Sango pushed the red jewel and held it for a few moments.

 

Suddenly the bracelet lit up. Not only that bracelet but also the one on her other wrist and her two anklets. “What the hell!!…” Inuyasha jumped to his feet as the bracelets and anklets shot out white tendrils that wrapped themselves around Kagome's body. Inuyasha shielded his eyes as Kagome's body lit it. As quickly as the light appeared it vanished and what Inuyasha saw caused him to gasp.

 

“I thought it was a dream… I knew it was a dream… Red?”

 

***

 

A/N: I hated to end it there but it is the perfect set up for the next chapter. I know I said that there would be citrus goodness in this chapter but I didn't want to rush it. So it will be in the next chapter.

 

A/N: Now this is the Author note I want everyone to read.

I am having a Contest

 

Here is the Contest. At the end of an earlier chapter I put out a challenge to my readers to come up with a logo for the United Alliance and Team Sage. I got a really good idea from one reviewer (than-you moonwave!!!) But I need more people to make suggestions. So I decided to sweeten the deal ^_^

 

Anyone can enter the contest. All you have to do is review with your idea for the emblems of the United Alliance and for Team Sage. Please be as descriptive as you can. Also please leave your email so that I can get in touch with you if I don't really picture the emblem the way you describe it. (if you don't feel comfortable leaving your email on the review then just email me talilea_bessimer@yahoo.ca with your email)

 

The deadline for the contest is going to be August 1, 2005. I will announce the winners at the end of the chapter that I post on that day.

 

3. Now for the sweet part of the deal. The winners get a prize. The first part of the prize is that the person that ends up winning will be making a cameo appearance in the story. I will create a character that is theirs and they will appear in one of the chapters. The second part of the prize is that I will send you a print of your favourite character whether they be an Inuyasha character or one of my own. You get to choose your favourite scene from the story and I will send you the print of that scene with your favourite character.

 

A/N: So there you have it. I will be busy the next couple of days and I might not be able to update for a few days. But I will try my best to update. Plus reading my email that says I have reviews really help me to try and work writing into my schedule. Huggles Tal ^_^