InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Unexpected ❯ Chapter 3

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Inuyasha stood before Sakura with the wind in his hair. The sun had risen only an hour before, but everyone was up to see the final test. The air was crisp and the earth slightly damp, as a result of a light shower the previous night.

�I am going to go into the forest and you are to find me. You will begin to track my movements after 5 minutes. You must defeat me, Sakura, using all that you know.� Inuyasha told her. The girl nodded. �I�m ready.�

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 05.12.2005 | Pages: 2 | Words: 2.1K | Visits: 207 | Status: Work In Progress

Disclaimer: Inuyasha and associated characters are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, not me. All I own is the plot and a few original characters.

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Sakura was exhausted. She had been training for the last week with Inuyasha and Sango. Inuyasha taught her to sharpen her senses and run faster. He showed her flips and other tricks in the air to control her falls. She could now jump much higher than the average girl and was twice as agile. Her reflexes also improved. Sango instructed her fighting stances because only she understood a girl's balance, strengths, and weak points. Inuyasha taught her swordsmanship.

She stood up slowly to follow Kagome and Sango to the bathing spring. Sakura knew the village and the forest much better now, considering she spent all her time training there. The girls reached the spring in a few minutes and stripped their clothes without a fuss. Sinking into the blissfully hot water, Sakura sighed contently.

“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Kagome asked mischievously. Sakura was going to spar with Inuyasha as a final test. Sakura rubbed her tired muscles, trying to relax them. Sango was resting her head on a rock, eyes closed.

“No, I'm looking forward to it. I have an excuse to fight and kick Inuyasha's ass,” Sakura replied nonchalantly.

“Sakura, you know what I'm going to say, but I'll say it anyway. Don't get carried away,” Kagome warned her friend. Sakura and Inuyasha didn't get along too well. The hanyou had little patience and Sakura was determined to exceed his prejudiced expectations. Sango raised her head and smiled.

“I noticed you two were a little tense. Inuyasha is using reverse psychology, Sakura. Or else he wouldn't bother to do any of this. He knows you can be of help because you are Hikari's reincarnation.”

“Yeah, Sakura. I've seen him when he watches your movements. He was impressed,” Kagome chimed in.

Sakura nodded while rubbing her shoulders. She was so used to feeling sore that it didn't make a difference anymore. She didn't mind though; it meant her training really was effective. She spoke over her shoulder, “Miroku, if you are in the bushes, I suggest leaving before Sango gets out.” The monk's scent had hit Sakura's newly sensitive nose.

Sango scowled and picked up a rock. She whipped it into the bottom of the bush to hear a satisfying thud and “Ow!”.

“I am going to go into the forest and you are to find me. You will begin to track my movements after 5 minutes. You must defeat me, Sakura, using all that you know.” Inuyasha told her. The girl nodded. “I'm ready.”

Inuyasha smirked and turned on his heel. He took off running after a few steps. Their friends wished Sakura good luck as she waited for the minutes to pass. Then she took off

after him.

Sakura ran through the woods, using her nose to find Inuyasha's scent. The winds were shifting slightly to make it difficult. She took a running leap and broke through the canopy of leaves. A few branches scratched her bare arms. Suddenly, a distinct smell smacked her in the nostrils. It was slightly smoky, like a campfire. Inuyasha's scent, she thought triumphantly. She quickened her pace and followed it carefully.

Inuyasha looked over his shoulder to see a speck of gray following him. It was Sakura, who had finally found him after 15 minutes. He was expecting a good half hour, but the girl approached him rapidly. He sped up his paces and leaped high into the air. His dog ears picked up the rush of air as Sakura followed him up. He landed in a clearing not far from the well. Kagome was already waiting there with Shippou. Sakura flipped forward and landed neatly. She learned fast and mastered the technique, Inuyasha thought proudly.

They faced-off each other, very much aware of their audience. Inuyasha smirked and said, “Fight me bare-handed first.”

“Gladly,” the spirited girl replied, rushing at him. The hanyou was expecting her move and dodged. Sakura pivoted and lunged again, punching his arm. They continued dodging each other's blows and kicks until Inuyasha punched her in the gut and she laid a roundhouse kick on his side.

Sakura jumped back and readied herself, ignoring the pain. It didn't hurt too badly. She felt oddly calm and mentally relaxed, but her body was taut. Drawing her sword, she challenged Inuyasha with her seemingly violet eyes. This time, Inuyasha took the offensive first.

He drew Tetsusaiga in its transformed state. With a growl, he ran towards her. Kagome and Shippou each gave a small shriek.

“Inuyasha might kill her! What is he doing?!” Kagome all but screamed. Miroku and Sango remained passive, and Sango told her friend to calm down.

“She'll be fine. You've only seen a little bit of her training. Sakura can handle it, and Inuyasha isn't a complete baka,” Sango said confidently.

Sakura wasn't fazed at all when her instructor drew the enormous sword. They clashed their blades together, feeling the auras churn and flare. Sakura bent low and tilted her sword. She grazed Inuyasha's right side as she passed, stopping a few feet behind him. He turned to face her again and taunted her.

“How did you miss?” he asked mockingly. Sakura gritted her teeth as another wash of calm overcame her. For some reason, her arms swung up and hurled down towards the ground to the left, away from her target. She didn't remembering thinking about doing that. Inuyasha's smirk widened as he sped towards her. Sakura stayed put, bringing her weapon up to defend herself.

Miroku watched as Sakura missed Inuyasha completely. He saw a small rush of ki form along the cut of the sword. It grew bigger and bigger. The energy began to curve to the right, running behind Inuyasha.

“Inuyasha! The attack is coming right at you!” he yelled. Sakura's head snapped to look behind her opponent and saw blazing ki cutting the ground. She put her weight forward and tackled Inuyasha. They slid to a stop two feet away from where the attack struck. Inuyasha tried to roll her over but failed. A few tumbles later saw Sakura on top of Inuyasha, her sword transformed and at his throat.

Kagome and everyone else ran to the two of them. They helped Inuyasha up. Shaking his head, Inuyasha looked at Sakura.

“When did you learn to do that?” he referred to the attack and the transformed sword.

“I didn't.” Sakura raised her katana and looked at it in wonder. “How did I do it?”

“Ye are holding the Cold Blossom in your hand, Sakura. `Tis the mighty sword of the nymph.” Kaede told her when she caught up to them.

Inuyasha `hmphed' and turned to leave. “We will discuss this later.”

Sakura blinked. What had she done?

Author's Note: what did Sakura do? Is Inuyasha mad? Pls review!