A/N: Alright guys, here's the revised first chapter of Monster ^^ It's still not to my liking, but I have to live with some things in order to avoid changing the plot entirely. More prominent additions/exclusions will be seen as I continue to revise. It would be helpful if you let me know which version of the story you like better :)

Kagome smoothed out her blue dress carefully, her knees tucked under her to prevent the wind from whipping her cloths about. Her sister, Kikyo, sat beside her, face a mask of indifference to the breeze that blew strands of her long black hair free from behind her ears. The silence ensued for a few moments, before Kagome tentatively dared to ask, "Sister, are we to begin?"

Kikyo did not answer her verbally. Instead, the priestess stood to her feet, allowing her hair to fall down to her knees. It made her look almost childish, but the expression on her face held wisdom and maturity far beyond her years. Kagome quickly unfolded her knees and stood as well, slinging her container of arrows over her shoulder and grasping her bow with sweaty palms.

"Draw your bow," Kikyo commanded, her eyes showing a hint of passion. Although the stern features of her face hide her excitement, Kagome knew that Kikyo had been waiting for this final battle after years of preparation. Kagome's final lesson was a harsh one-fighting against someone she loved so dearly.

Kagome's hands shook as she carefully pulled out an arrow from its holder, positioning it on the bow and pulling the string taunt. Kikyo's own bow was poised to fire seconds sooner, no hesitation slowing her down.

"Shoot."

Kagome fired right towards Kikyo's heart, her aim dead-on, but the power behind the attack greatly lacking. Kikyo fired her own powerful shot and the arrows collided midway, clattering to the ground as sparks of violet and white showered around them.

Kikyo's position relaxed as she realized how weak her sister's attempt had been. She sighed loudly to voice her disappointment. "You aimed, but did not intend to kill," She told Kagome as she leaned down to pick up her fallen arrow, "by now I assumed you would have-."

"Don't move," Kagome's arrow appeared from nowhere, directed at Kikyo's throat. She pressed it softly into the miko's flesh when her sister attempted to maneuver out of range.

Kikyo smiled, "You move quickly, your speed has improved," her left hand rose slowly and Kagome's arrow jabbed harder, " try the right hand." she whispered. Too late Kagome noticed the small knife heading straight for eye, but at the last second she dropped her bow and grabbed the knife between her thump and forefinger. She ignored the sliver of blood flowing from between her fingers and clasped the rest of her hand around the cool metal edge. Pulling backwards with all her might, she forced Kikyo to her knees. Raising the arrow point up, she coiled her arm behind her head, and threw the arrow as hard as she could. With a loud thud the weapon pierced the rough soil left of one of the nearby trees, glistening with sweat where Kagome's fingers had clutched it.

"You're dead," Kagome said, putting her hands on her knees as a wave of nausea rolled over her. She tried to inhale, but her throat constricted and she ended up coughing harshly instead.

"No," Kikyo responded, allowing a smile to play on her lips, "you're dead."

Kagome began to choke, staggering forward before collapsing to her knees. Her chest was tight and her heart beat loudly in her ears. Her sight became blurry and darkness threatened the edges of her vision. A small wooden vial suddenly appeared in front of her, pressed to her lips.

"Drink," Kikyo's voice ordered, sounding muffled and far away. Kagome obeyed and swallowed a bitter tasting liquid that stung her lips and throat, bringing tears to her eyes. "Poison," Kikyo finally revealed after her sibling had finished off the remedy. She pointed at Kagome's hand. The small cut was gushing out blood at a much faster pace then a normal wound of that size, and it didn't seem to be slowing too much despite the medicine Kagome had received. Kikyo tore off a bit of cloth from her sleeve and began to wrap it carefully around the cut. "It was on the knife, you should think before you pull foolish stunts like that." she pulled the cloth hard into a bunny eared fashion, eyes down. "You once again failed to beat me."

"Damn it," Kagome muttered, rewarded instantly with a sharp tug on her make-shift bandage.

"We are Priestesses, we do not use foul language," She stood up and outstretched her hand to Kagome. "Come, I shall give you the jewel."

Kagome looked at the hand in surprise, then looked back up at her sister with a furrowed brow. "But, I didn't beat you..."

"You have proven you are worthy enough," She answered, and for a moment her mask fell down, and she revealed to her sister what she was feeling: pride.

Kagome stared, shocked, before smiling warmly and sliding her palm into Kikyo's, allowing herself to be pulled up. They looked at each other in silence for a few moments, contemplating what should be said next. "So," Kagome started, "I am no longer your apprentice? We are equals?"

Kikyo nodded. "Yes, Priestess."

The two sisters paused for another minute, allowing the title to set in. "Let's go home," Kagome said at last. The two turned and began the trek back towards the village. They had arrived only hours ago, apprentice and teacher. And now they left, Priestesses of equal status.

"I smell something," Inuyasha whispered to himself, dog ears pricking up as the sound of footsteps and low voices filled the forest. "Feh," he muttered as the tones of females became obvious, "It's just two girls from that village." But as they got closer, he noticed the arrows on their backs, the bows swinging slightly on their shoulders.

Priestesses.

He was suddenly on edge, sitting up in the tree he'd been leaning back on and preparing himself for a meeting.

"Oy!" He shouted as the two mikos came into view. He narrowed his eyes at them and dug his claws into the trunk of the tree. "What are a couple of hags doing in this part of the forest? If you hadn't noticed, there are demons living in this region."

One of them looked up in surprise, then narrowed her eyes when she spotted him. "Hold your tongue," she spat, "if you hadn't noticed, you are addressing Priestesses."

"Oh really, wench?" Inuyasha scoffed. "I thought mikos would be a bit more...mature."

The girl flushed. "I am a Priestess." She argued. "And it's Lady Kagome, to you."

Inuyasha laughed, swinging from the tree and landing a few feet away from the pair. "You seem a bit bold, considering you're the one who's trespassing here."

"Leave the hanyou be," The other threw over her shoulder, "I thought I told you, Kagome. Don't play with stray dogs."

Inuyasha growled in annoyance, standing to his full height and staring down at the smaller woman. "I know of you, Priestess. Kikyo is your name; am I right? The one who reeks of demon blood." He cracked his knuckles loudly since the Priestess still would not turn to face him. "I hear you guard a certain jewel."

Kikyo's head turned at the mention of the jewel. "How do you know of that?" She asked sharply.

"A villager of your wandered past. He seemed quite happy to share his information with me. He said that this shikon no tama of yours had the power to grant any wish."

"A villager, you say?" Kikyo eyes narrowed. "Who did you kill, demon?"

"I didn't kill anyone, smartass." Inuyasha said, leaning back into a fighting stance. "He gave me his name, Takeshi. Ask him yourself why he bothered."

"I despise fowl language," Kikyo slid the arrow into place, ignoring Inuyasha's claim, "and I hate lying half breeds like you, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha ears went flat against his head, the word he despised hanging in the air. Half breed… half breed…

"Be quiet," he growled, raising a sharply clawed hand, "or I'll split you in two."

Kagome looked between them of them in confusion. Surely this wouldn't result in a fight. Not so soon after receiving her title.

"Kagome," Kikyo said coolly, "go home, I'll be with you soon." She pulled back the arrow until the string was taunt, eyes trained to react to the slightest movement of the hanyou.

Kagome bit her lip.

Kikyo tensed, preparing to shoot, "Go now, Kagome."

Inuyasha smirked. "Yeah, Kagome, go run back to your safe village. Little girls shouldn't fight in adult matters."

Kagome's face turned bright red and, against her better judgment, she stomped her foot. "Don't you start with me! You barely look eighteen!"

He shrugged, "Better than looking ten."

Kagome stomped her foot again. "I!" Stomp, "Am!" Stomp, "A woman!" Stomp, stomp.

A hand was suddenly around the young miko's throat, and she felt claws dig into the flesh. "Be quiet," the hanyou hissed as he pulled her towards him in a tight hold, "you annoy me." Kagome suppressed a squeal as Inuyasha positioned her in front of him as a human shield. She stared at Kikyo with apologizing eyes as her sibling watched in disbelief.

"Let her go, coward," Kikyo ordered, but her bow lowered ever so slightly in hesitation.

"You know," He said smugly, backing away into the creeping darkness of the trees, "I don't think I will."

Kikyo's hand tightened on her bow, eyes wavering with contained rage. "I'm warning you, half breed…"

Inuyasha's eyes flashed. "Congrats," he said coldly, "you just blew it." He leaned downwards, then burst up in a great show of strength, lifting Kagome with him. Kagome screamed as the earth vanished from beneath her feet. She reached out towards her sister in a futile attempt to grasp hold of something. Kikyo dropped her bow and tried as well to grab onto her sibling's outstretched hand. Their fingers brushed slightly, and then she was gone, absorbed into the evening shadows of the woods without a trace.

"Kagome…" Kikyo whispered in disbelief, staring at the space where she had been only seconds before. "Kagome!" There was no answer. Fear flooded Kikyo's senses, cold and desperate. She turned, not knowing what else to do, and fled in the direction of the village.