Ch.6

The Face Behind That Mask

Kagome smiled triumphantly as she made her way towards Yuuta's men. "Kagome, look." Shippou whispered into her ear. She turned her head slightly catching the youkai out of the corner of her eye. Locking onto the white hair of the three men immediately as she felt that familiar pang. 'Inu's huh.' She turned and walked further into the crowd turning to whisper quietly to Shippou. "I think it's safe to say these are Sesshomaru's men. Makes sense, we are in his territory. I don't know why I didn't figure it out sooner." Shippou eyed Kagome watching for signs of the sadness he knew was there, grateful that they remained clear and unfazed.

"How many?" Shippou looked past the crowd. "one, two, three...three here with the men and two up on the hill, I can't get a good look but I'm guessing their the commanders of the group." Kagome straightened her back and cleared her throat as Shippou continued to watch the two on the hill. "Speak for me when I get out there."

"Wha..?" Shippou glared as he turned only to find her already walking onto the field. Shippou's face fell in annoyance. "She could've at least waited until I answered." He moved closer to the front as Kagome neared the middle of the field. Mumbling under his breath as he cupped his hands around his mouth 'Let's show 'em what you got, mom'

Kagome made her way to the middle of the field as she waited for Shippou's voice. "He wishes to fight." Kagome grimaced inwardly 'Really? that's all he could come up with...' Kagome stopped when she reached the middle standing confidently. 'Well boys, lets see what you got.' She watched as one of the men from the hill shot down towards the others, keeping her eyes ahead as she listened to the footsteps of the four as they walked back across the field.

Smiling as one of the men took his place across from her. Kagome eyed the dog demon, his composure completely relaxed. He was tall and thin with piercing ice blue eyes and snow-white hair shaved on the sides and back leaving only a strip of long hair in the middle pulled into a ponytail sprinkled with braids of varying sizes. And of course those lovely grey stripes adorning his face. All in all he was something to look at. 'It must be an Inu thing, to look this good.'

"Nice mask. But don't you think it's a little dramatic?" Kagome scoffed at the inu quickly launching forward. Now wasn't the time for talk. As expected the youkai easily dodged her attack flipping mid air landing gracefully behind her. Kagome knew all too well what to expect and had planned accordingly. She quickly spinned and flipped away from the dog demon's oncoming sword. Kneeling on the ground waiting for the youkai to launch forward, she stilled herself as he inched closer. Watching as he brought his sword down 'one, two...NOW!' Kagome thrust her sword out blocking the youkai's attack and punched him in the abdomen blowing him backward as she pushed a tiny bit of her power into the punch.

She wasted no time grabbing his fallen sword and hers crossing them above his neck as she stood above him. "Fuck! What the hell was that?!" Kagome smiled as she heard one of the other youkai call out the winner. 'Too easy.' Kagome sheathed her sword as she offered her hand, quickly returning his sword. "Wow Hideyoshi, you really fucking suck! That fight lasted less than a minute." Kagome watched as another came running.

He looked just like the other but his strip of long hair was done up in two long thick braids that lay side by side only to stop at the end and fall into a hundred smaller ones. 'Man, they have nice hair.' Kagome laughed inwardly as the two continued arguing. 'These two have to be related!' Kagome nodded as Hideyoshi congratulated her. Walking back up the hill and leaving his brother behind.

"Hey guy, you may have beat my brother, but I'm warning you I'm a hell of a lot better than him." Kagome couldn't help the half laugh half snort that followed. She watched as the inu youkai glared thoroughly annoyed. "All right guy get ready, 'cause I, Hideki, am gonna kick yer ass!" Kagome sighed. 'I suppose they want me to work my way up...oh well the more the merrier, right?' She smirked as she launched forward. 'Alright boys, I'm game.'

Kagome panted as she stood above her most recent victim. Grinning at the cheers and praise coming from her comrades and even one of the previously defeated Youkai, which Kagome found to be incredibly amusing. There he was cheering and jumping around as the two brother's stood pouting. 'Definitely like him.' She watched as Yuudai whistled loudly. It was hilarious how much energy the shortest member of the group had. He looked completely different than the brothers. His hair more cream-colored almost a tan-ish brown and his eyes were a gleaming green a little darker than Shippou's.

Then there was the big oaf brushing himself off next to her. The guy was huge, his dark brown hair pulled into a short bushy ponytail and his eyes a dark burgundy. Despite his overbearing presence the man was as handsome as the others. 'What is it with demons and being absolutely gorgeous? It's like its a necessary qualification.' Kagome stifled a giggle as she bowed to the giant and turned to find Shippou. 'Ugh this mask is killing me and seriously this whole not talking thing is driving me crazy.'

Shippou smiled up at her as she flopped down next to him. "I don't think any of the men can believe you just beat all those youkai." Kagome laughed openly as she loosened her mask and let it fall to her chest. "Ahh that's better." Shippou watched as she fell back on the grass. "So only one left. Do you think any of the other's suspect anything?" Kagome threw her arm over her eyes shielding herself from the blaring mid day sun. "No they were all too distracted by the fighting to even think about it. Although I've had a lot of comments on the mask." Kagome giggled as she moved her arm to look up at Shippou.

"Did you get a chance to size him up for me?" Shippou looked out across the field and sighed. "Naw, I was too busy watching you kick those inu's asses. It was too good to pass up and besides you shouldn't worry anyways. You got this."

"Kagome-san!" Mumbling under her breath Kagome replaced her arm over her eyes wishing away the quickly approaching Takeshi. "Kagome-san, I am amazed you were able to dispatch all four of those youkai." Shippou stood and cleared his throat. "I think I'll go size up the enemy now." Kagome glared at the retreating kit, willing her gaze to burn through his body. 'Little jerk, leaving me like that. Now I'm stuck!...With Takeshi!'

Standing up she grimaced as she turned her eyes to Takeshi's overly enthusiastic grin. "I do believe you should rest now Kagome-san. The air is much too cold for your fair skin and I am sure those battles have taken a toll on your small frame." Kagome grit her teeth as she gave Kinjo her sweetest smile. "Thank you for your concern, but I'm not going anywhere before I fight the last one." Kagome stood and looked over Kinjo's shoulder toward the hill. "Now if you excuse me I would like to get a bit of water."

"That guy really kicked your ass, Shouta." Katsuo cleared his throat just as Shouta turned to glare at the smallest member of the group. "You didn't fare any better, Yuudai, or did one too many blows to the head cause you to forget?" Yuudai snorted, throwing his chin in the air as he crossed his arms. "Like you can talk, Katsuo. You haven't even gone against the guy...Besides I was just taking it easy on the guy, he is human after all."

Yuudai's only response was a few raised eybrows and dismissive grunts as the others focused their attention on the figure across the field. "Did any of you sense anything...strange from that one?" The other's looked on as the figure dissapeared once again behind the group of men. Hideki furrowed his eyebrows as he looked on. "Nothing strange other than that mask." Before Katsuo had the chance to respond Hideyoshi turned, a strange look in his eyes. "There was one thing...Before our battle even began, the guy smelled of sweat and fatigue and no matter what his scent never changed even when he exerted more force, it remained a constant."

"Hmm strange indeed. I think it's time I see for myself." Katsuo waved the men off as he slowly made his way down the hill. 'The others say they did not sense much...Despite the scent cloaking. This Onna is much more than just a warrior if she can pull off something like that.' Katsuo slowed down as he came up to the middle of the field still not able to catch a glimpse of the little Onna. Scanning the area he made eye contact with the red-haired Kitsune and nodded, watching as he immediately turned to find the masked figure. 'I wont have to wait much longer to find out.'

"Kagome! Oi, Kagome!" Shippo grumbled as he pushed his way through the crowd of men. "Hey!" Kagome turned just in time to see Shippou stumble through an opening of bodies. "Hey, yourself! What's up?"

"It looks like mister mystery just decided to come down for a bit of fun, just thought I'd let you know." Kagome's eyes widened as she rushed to tie her mask back in place and cover her hair with the hood. "Great timing, I was getting a bit worried I would have to sit and listen to Takeshi's rambling." Shippou snorted as he rolled his eyes. "That man really is dense. In any case you better get out there." Shippou stepped to the side as Kagome rushed through the opening, watching as she made her way to the edge of the crowd. Before stepping out she turned and winked. "I'll be back in a few." With that she made her way gracefully onto the field.

'feh, she better.'

Both human and youkai stared on in silence watching as the two fighters drew closer. "I'm glad to see you are not too fatigued. I must say I have been looking forward to this." Katsuo's only answer was an intense glare as Kagome stood before him. "Will you not speak, Samurai?"

"Hmm very well, then...lets begin, shall we." Kagome had little time to react as Katsuo came flying towards her, pulling her sword from its sheath and blocking his blade at the last moment. Katsuo came to a stop behind the small figure only to be immediately greeted by a narrowly avoided swing to his midsection. 'Kuso! The girl's faster than I thought.'

His dodge turned into a quick sprint as he jumped over the masked onna, landing behind her. Within seconds he had vaulted back towards her, his sword barely making contact with the robe as she spun away. "You are much quicker than I first anticipated, not an easy feat for a meer mortal." Kagome only huffed and launched towards Katsuo head on, only to dodged by the white-haired demon much too easily. "Tired?" Kagome growled as she ran towards the demon clashing swords immediately only to be spun off by the youkai.

Kagome grunted as Katsuo landed a kick to her hip, falling to her knees she used her hands to flip back landing a few feet away. 'He's going way too soft...' She stood and launched backwards dodging another blow from the dog demon. She launched forward swinging her sword towards him as he landed only to be blocked. Kagome felt her feet slide backwards watching the two swords spark as Katsuo pushed forward. "You're quite skilled you know, but I do wonder how uncomfortable that mask must be." Kagome snorted as she pushed back sending Katsuo backwards. He launched forward sending sparks flying as their swords reconnected. "You know, I think you should remove that ridiculous mask. Lets see what face lies beneath...Onna."

Kagome's eyes widened in surprise, breaking her silence as she rushed for answers. "How did you...did the others know?" Katsuo laughed as he pushed harder against Kagome's sword. "So, she talks, does she?...They didn't suspect a thing. They were much to busy getting their asses handed to 'em." Kagome furrowed her brows as Katsuo donned a very satisfied smirk. "Then, How did you know? Tell me?"

Katsuo pushed her back and launched himself into the air landing behind her. He quickly wrapped an arm around her slender waist and brought his sword to rest against her neck. "How could those beautiful eyes belong to a man? Take it off and let me see your face." Kagome shivered at the youkai's husky whisper. Scolding herself for her train of thought she brought her leg up and rammed his knee. She had no doubt she had fractured and maybe even broken it, but she knew he wouldn't be down for long.

She pushed herself away and flipped backwards putting a good distance between the two. She watched as he stood and watched her, his eyes locked with hers. She smiled as she spoke only loud enough for him to hear. "Congratulations on finding me out..."

"It's Katsuo." Kagome smiled at the anticipation in his voice. "Well how about I get a little more comfortable." Katsuo smirked as she moved, her back facing the others. Watching as her small hands reached behind her hood slowly untying the ribbon that held her mask in place, letting it fall to the ground.

He held his breath as she removed the robe, loose black strands blowing in the wind as they escaped the bun. 'Beautiful.' Kagome launched forward tearing him from his musings. "Don't think just because I'm a woman I can't beat your ass." Katsuo smirked and laughed at the girl. "Don't think that just because you're a woman, I won't beat yours." Kagome smiled back, her eyes locking with his. "Good, I wouldn't want it any other way."

Kagome couldn't help the sense of pride that welled up inside her as every man on the field grew quiet. It wasn't everyday you silenced an army of men. "Well I do have to say one thing." Kagome raised her eyebrow playfully as Katsuo's smirk widened. "Oh, and what might that be?"

"You are the most...attractive samurai I have ever met." Kagome couldn't help the soft dusting of pink at the inu youkai's compliment.

A.N.

I just want to say thank you to the few that have reviewed! Your reviews really do keep me encouraged. I promise I am not a review whore but hearing you guys' thoughts and opinions really helps! :)

Anyways I hope you enjoyed the chapter!