That was a quick update, go bumble!
I have to admit though, I lost so much interest in this story that I had to write out a summary of each chapter and what would happen in each one. I really hope it doesn't show in my writing.
I really need to stop pulling all-nighters just updating and trying to figure out a good plot. -.-'
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.
--Chapter Nine--
"Move your feet, Kagome!" Sango commanded, charging at the priestess with her sword raised high.
Kagome side stepped the advance, swinging around to bring her sword down on Sango's unprotected back. But Sango was quicker; she spun around to block Kagome's attack.
"You're getting better," Sango commented, a smile in her voice. Thinking Sango meant a break by her praise, Kagome lowered her sword. The demon slayer took advantage of the moment, turning suddenly on her heel. She spun in a full circle before extending her sword's blade, aiming for the priestess' vulnerable middle.
Kagome had no choice but to protect herself. As Sango's sword came dangerously near to her skin, the priestess brought her sword up in a flimsy block. The clang of the two swords colliding pierced the cold silence of the deserted village, and the force of it threw Kagome to the ground.
She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling with great huffs of breath. Her face was damp with sweat, and her bangs were plastered to the skin on her forehead. Her muscles were screaming with protest at her every move and it didn't help that she didn't have a good sleep last night.
"Once more, Kagome. Then I'll let you have your lunch." Sango lent her best friend a warm smile. The demon slayer pointed her sword at Kagome, daring the young girl to take the challenge.
Kagome internally groaned at the idea of standing up. Sango's lesson always started before dawn, and ended at lunch. Several hours of intense fighting with short breaks really wore the girl's energy level thin.
Stand up! She commanded herself. Don't be the weakling you once were. Fighting off her body's lack of response, she slowly stood up. You can do this, you can do this. Reserve strength seemed to flow through her veins at the chanted words in her mind, and a smoldering determination grasped her heart. She brought her sword up, readying herself for Sango's attack.
Barely noticing the fire burning in the priestess' eyes, Sango took off, her sword slicing through the morning air. Kagome brought her sword up at the same time, cutting off the well-aimed attack before jabbing in an attack of her own.
"Good, good." Sango easily blocked Kagome's strike, dancing out of the priestess' range.
Kagome charged after Sango, her sword aimed for the demon slayer's waist. As Sango went to block the attack with a strong blade, Kagome changed tactics and swung for her vulnerable face. Sango's eyes widened a fraction as she watched the blade near her head. In a second, the demon slayer dodged the attack, and spun on her heel in a full turn, bringing her sword down with great force.
Kagome's sword met hers halfway, the two blades colliding painfully right before their eyes. Both girls threw their strength behind their swords, determined to throw the other one down. Sweat poured down both pale faces as they grunted and panted with their efforts.
Sango's efforts suddenly strengthened, and the meeting point of the blades slowly leaned towards Kagome. "Fight me," Sango grunted, her voice rough with exertion.
Gladly. Kagome pushed hard against Sango's sword, but to no avail. And then the priestess felt the old power in her veins awaken. A ball of energy seemed to grow in her chest just below her heart, expanding rapidly. She felt the electricity of it, the tingling sensation it caused to burn through her dead-tired limbs. She gritted her teeth harshly, her face going red with the effort of holding back Sango's sword.
And then it burst. The power spread like wildfire through her veins, through her limbs, through her fingers, scorching her fingertips. It passed through her burning skin and travelled up to her sword. The blade suddenly turned a bright purple, glowing like fire before her very eyes. The blade shone for a few more seconds before releasing a wave of light and wind.
Her hair was blown harshly back from her face, flapping wildly behind her. Kagome's hands clutched the hilt of the sword, not wanting to be blown away by her own attack. Wide eyes that shone with shock regarded her once ordinary sword. She slowly relaxed her stance as the wind died down. She exhaled sharply before swinging the sword in the air, fascinated at the way it glowed brightly with her spiritual powers.
After a few more seconds, the sword dulled, returning back to its original state. Kagome stared at it a moment longer before realizing her attack had blown Sango clear.
The demon slayer was lying on her back about twenty feet away, her sword flung uselessly ten feet to her right. With a groan, she slowly sat up, groggily shaking her head.
"What was that?" Kagome whispered, her body shaking from the energy it had stripped from her. She was barely standing; only her pride kept her on her feet.
Sango regarded Kagome with wide eyes as the demon slayer got to her feet. "I have no idea," She answered truthfully, slightly out of breath. Retrieving her sword, Sango came to a stop in front of Kagome.
"I will have to talk to Miroku about it; he knows more about that stuff then I do. You have gotten way better, Kagome. I don't think I'll be able to teach you anymore. Only hands on experience will make you better," Sango told the girl. "Now, let's head back. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."
Sango started ahead, and after sliding her blade back into its sheath, Kagome ran to catch up with her. The priestess fell easily instep with her friend, eyes downcast. She hardly saw the dirt road in front of her, her mind elsewhere. That attack was obviously a reaction of my spiritual powers. I guess they act whenever a priestess is in trouble. But I wasn't in trouble… it was only Sango. Maybe it reacted to my emotions?
"I hope Miroku has lunch ready," Sango mused, mostly to herself. Ever since Sango had taken up the task to train Kagome, the monk had been in charge of cooking. Kagome herself didn't seem to notice, but Sango sure did whenever Miroku's cooking nearly killed her senses; most of the time his cooking didn't work out. Sango had to force whatever it was down her throat, and she learned not to ask questions as to what the thing he had prepared was.
When the village came into sight, Sango wasn't shocked at the rise of smoke in the air. Miroku had been warned to cook only outside; Sango didn't need the whole village catching fire from the monk's careless mistakes.
Miroku was holding a twenty-first century pan Kagome had brought back from her time in his hands over a small fire. He shook it occasionally; mixing whatever 'meal' he had cooked. He barely looked up from his work as the two girls approached him.
"It's almost done," He proudly announced. "Why don't you ladies go in and sit down? I'll be a second."
"Be quick, Miroku. We're starving," Sango urged, a small smile on her lips. As if on time, the demon slayer's stomach snarled. Laughing lightly, she led the quiet Kagome into the hut they had declared was their dining room.
Sitting down on the hard wood floor, Sango eyed the other girl. "I hope Miroku cooked something actually half-decent this time," She tried, an attempt at light conversation.
Kagome looked up from her half-daze that had been fixed on her feet. Forcing a small smile onto her face, she shrugged. "He usually does. I mean, his cooking doesn't bother me that much."
Sango nearly choked. "Kagome? Have you been forced to eat too much of Miroku's cooking that it has fried your taste buds? I would rather eat Ramen for the rest of my life other than the monk's cooking!"
"I heard that." Miroku entered the hut, lightly brushing the straw mat that served as a door to the side. His eyebrow twitched, irritation crossing his features as he placed the frying pan in between the two sitting girls. "My newest creation," He mumbled as he sat down.
Sango eyed the chunky mess as he scooped his creation into three small bowls and handed them out. After receiving her bowl, Sango brought it cautiously to her nose, lightly sniffing. It didn't smell half bad, and that's what scared her.
"Hope you like it," Miroku mumbled dryly, still a bit irked about Sango's comment.
Sango watched as Kagome dug in without a grimace or reaction. The demon slayer gave her bowl one more look before cautiously bringing her chopsticks to her lips, popping one chunk into her mouth. She chewed it slowly, her senses on alert. The tasteless chunk refused to break into smaller pieces, and she was forced to swallow it whole. She grimaced as the chunk worked its way slowly down her throat, hitting her stomach like a rock would hit the bottom of a body of water. She waited for a second more, waiting for the pain and the knowledge that Miroku's cooking had finally managed to kill her. But it never came, and Sango gave in to her demanding stomach and attempted to chew another tasteless chunk of what she assumed was meat.
Miroku chewed on his own chunk and swallow visibly before speaking. "How was training today?" He asked casually.
Sango swallowed another piece. "I don't think I can teach Kagome anything more. We'll have to do more hands on experience like the other day."
Miroku nodded in agreement as Kagome suddenly stood up and excused herself. After commenting graciously on the monk's cooking, the young priestess disappeared out the door, leaving the two alone.
Sango put her empty bowl down on the floor. She gave the monk a curious glance before lacing her hands together in thought. "Kagome focused her spiritual powers into her sword without knowing it while we were fighting this morning."
Miroku's brow knitted before giving the demon slayer a curious look. "She did what? And she didn't know how she did it?"
Sango shook her head. "I've never seen anything like it before. Miroku, her sword glowed purple like her sacred arrows! It blew me clear about twenty feet."
Miroku thought for a second. "I've never heard of it myself. But I guess this proves she can channel her spiritual energy into any weapon she holds."
"I don't know anything about how to help her develop it," Sango said, giving Miroku a serious look.
The monk caught her drift. "I can start with her after lunch."
"That is, after she's done with her bath."
Miroku looked confused. "I thought she just wanted time to herself, to think. I didn't know she always went to the springs."
Sango laughed. "Women don't really like to be sweaty and grubby all day, monk." Standing up, the demon slayer gave her bowl to Miroku. "I think I'm going to join her right now."
As Sango exited the hut, Miroku scratched his head. "Women," He muttered to himself.
/----------
Kagome let out a long sigh as she eased her body into the warm spring water. The hot water felt great on her skin, the heat passing through to her aching muscles. She sat down on a rock that was underwater, easing her head back. Her hair slowly sank into the water, flowing out behind her like blank ink.
She closed her eyes, inhaling slowly. The water that lapped gently at the soft skin on her face was soothing, and she found herself drifting. Her thoughts remained on the day's curious events. She remembered the feel of spiritual energy burning through her veins, the power she had felt when the sphere had exploded, spreading to the far ends of her body. She had succeeded in channeling her ancient energy to another weapon other than her arrows, but she didn't know how she had done it. The problem she faced was reenacting the action.
Kagome barely acknowledged the presence of another person as they eased themselves into the water across from her.
"Ah, feels good." Sango's voice broke into the priestess' thoughts. Kagome eased open her eyes and lifted her head to look at the other woman.
"Will we be luring more demons to practice with?" Kagome casually asked.
"Like yesterday?" At Kagome's nod, Sango shrugged. "Miroku and I were thinking about doing it in a couple of days."
Kagome watched as Sango disappeared underwater. When the demon slayer resurfaced, Kagome asked, "Why not tomorrow?"
Sango pulled her long hair from her face, trying to hide her shock. When did Kagome become so obsessed with fighting and killing? "You need training."
Kagome scrubbed her hair clean, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "More training? I thought you said you couldn't train me anymore."
Sango gave the girl a small smile. "Spiritual training with Miroku. Your newly found ability needs to be controlled. Maybe it would even act on your wishes," The demon slayer mused.
Act on my commands? Kagome asked herself. She pondered the thought for a few seconds before continuing with another question. "How long will this training take?"
Sango rinsed off her hair, twisting the long silky strands to rid them of excess water. "I don't know. I don't know much about spiritual training. I guess it would depend on how powerful you are."
Kagome silently rinsed off her own hair, squeezing the water from her raven locks as Sango had just done. "When will this training start?"
Sango stood up, slowly exiting the spring. Slipping her clothes back on, she replied, "When you get back to the village."
Kagome followed suite, quickly dressing. Throwing her damp tangled locks behind her shoulder, she gave Sango a small smile. "Let's not keep the lecherous monk waiting."
Sango's laughter bounced off the trees, filling the air with carefree chuckles.
/----------
Miroku was putting out the fire when the girls returned. He swore under his breath, bouncing around on his left leg, right foot held up in the air. His sandal was letting out a great amount of smoke as he dancing around, causing the demon slayer to burst out in laughter.
She sobered up as he forced his smoking foot into a bucket full of cool clear water. Glancing up, he nodded to them before taking his right foot out of the bucket. After pouring the remaining amount of water onto the fire, he turned to Sango.
"You might want to find something to do. Kagome will need to concentrate, and you being there might not help her any," He told her.
Sango nodded before leaving the two to their business. Kagome watched the demon slayer head over to the graves that were buried at the other side of the village, Kirara joining her after the demon cat appeared from the shadows to her left.
Turning back around, Kagome eyed Miroku. "Okay, let's get started."
Nodding, Miroku led Kagome into a dark hut. After sitting down and crossing his legs, he motioned for Kagome to sit down across from him.
She sat down slowly, mimicking his posture. Crossing her legs, she looked up at him, waiting for the monk to continue. She couldn't see his facial expression, but she knew he was looking at her intensely. As her eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, she saw him close his eyes and inhale loudly.
"First of all, Kagome, you need to relax." Kagome obeyed him, her breath coming and going slowly. "Close your eyes, this should make it easier." Closing her eyes, Kagome waited patiently for his next command.
"Now that you're relaxed, I want you to feel as thought you're leaving your body, and entering your mind. Let your body go numb, and feel as though you are surrounded by the walls of your own mind," He said softly after a few minutes.
Kagome inhaled deeply, doing as he said. She let the feeling of her body float away, and she entered the safety of her own mind.
"Now, empty your mind of all thoughts." Kagome watched with mild interest as her thoughts one by one faded at the monk's command, and she was left in the darkness of her own mind, surrounded by four pulsing walls. She knew she was alone without needing to see, her fear suppressed as she took comfort in the idea.
"Now," Miroku mumbled softly. "Push against those walls with all your strength. You want to break them down."
Kagome savagely tackled the wall in front of her on the monk's command, hitting only a rock hard obstacle. She pulled back, hardly fazed, and attacked the wall again. She hit it violently, digging her nails into its hard surface.
"Don't give up until those walls are gone." Miroku's voice whispered. Kagome stepped back again, giving the wall her most determined look. Taking a run at it, she hit it dead on and pushed with all her might. Don't give up; you can do this. Feeling the wall shift slightly underneath her hands, she felt her confidence rise. She stepped back again, taking in a deep breath. Running once again at it, she felt the muscles in her legs bunch and then release as she flew through the air towards her obstacle. She hit it violently, slamming into its hard surface. Falling back down to the ground, she landed on her feet, watching with great satisfaction as the wall teetered dangerously. She placed both hands onto it, and pushed with all her strength.
The wall gave in, tumbling to the ground before her eyes. But before she could cry out in victory, the other walls faded away and she found herself surrounded by white. Shielding her eyes to the sudden brightness with her hand, Kagome tried to take in her surroundings.
She had no idea where she was. The white world was endless, no boundaries. She didn't know this consciously, but she could sense it. No one was there, but her. As her eyes slowly adjusted, she dropped her hand, stepping forward in a direction she didn't know was up, down, forward, backwards, left, or right.
And then she knew she wasn't alone. The feeling came to her long before she saw the large slick cat coming towards her, its tail flicking behind its majestic form. Kagome stood still, not wanting to draw attention to herself, although she knew that they were the only ones there, and that the cat was not a normal one.
The fur on the animal's back was a bright purple, a glowing comparison to the blank world around them. Large gleaming fangs extended from the cat's mouth, ears focus sharply onto the girl in front of it. As the cat grew nearer, Kagome instantly placed it into the category of a panther. The animal was long and sleek, powerful muscles working underneath it with unnatural grace. It moved without difficulty, no hesitation in its confident step as it finally came to a stop in front of the girl.
Kagome was scared for a second, feeling the danger the panther let out in waves that surrounded her. But her fear was forgotten as she looked into curious black eyes. The panther seemed to grin at her, sitting down in front of the priestess. Without hesitation, she knelt down and placed a soft hand on the cat's giant head. She stroked its soft fur, playing gently with its stiff whiskers before paying attention to its fluffy ears. She looked calmly into its dark eyes, knowing it did not want to hurt her. Black eyes gleamed back at her, intelligence deep within their depths. The giant cat purred loudly, a rumbling from deep inside its throat, as Kagome patted the cat before rubbing its underside.
"It's so beautiful," Kagome muttered out-loud.
Her hands ran down its long length, hands softly petting every inch of the gentle cat. Her fingers trailed over the panther's claws, marveling at the animal's strength and beauty. She continued down to its tail, and she giggled softly at the cat's tail flickered playfully at her face. Her hands worked themselves back up, stopping as they once again reached the panther's face. Intelligent black eyes collided with Kagome's large brown ones.
A calmness seemed to seep through her. Reading the panther's thoughts, she placed a hand on its soft back. Knowing the giant cat could read hers in return, she smiled. The panther was the ancient power that flowed through her veins, an animal that was strong and fierce. She knew it would act immediately on her command, no questions asked.
As the panther nudged her gently with its head, Kagome stood up. The giant cat repositioned itself beside its master, looking ahead. Kagome's eyes were focused on something just four feet in front of her. As she watched, a small animal occupied the empty space where she was staring. As the creature became clearer, she knew it was a mole. The mole was sitting calmly in front of her, its eyes closed. The small rodent was a dark purple, and she knew without a doubt that it meant no threat to her.
Curiously looking at the mole, she turned to her panther. Reading the thoughts in her gaze, the cat stepped forward, intelligent eyes regarding the small animal. It extended one giant claw, and gently poked at the mole.
"Ouch!" Kagome smiled as Miroku's voice came from the little rodent. The big cat turned back around to look at Kagome, waiting for her command.
The priestess shook her head gently, and the panther lazily walked back to Kagome, sitting down next to her.
And then the young priestess' head turned sharply, staring at the white space around her as her senses were suddenly overwhelmed with the presence of others. All around her, animals seemed to materialize. Most of the creatures were smaller, mice and insects, and others, farther away, were as big as elephants. The white world was suddenly filled with animals, some menacing and threatening, others weak and unnoticeable.
And then through the buzzing silence, she could hear a voice calling to her.
"Kagome, come back." The voice was faint, almost a whisper, but she knew exactly who is was.
She faced her panther one last time, bestowing the creature with apologetic eyes. She placed a gentle hand on its head and smiling down at her giant cat. The panther's eyes smiled back at her, understanding in their black depths. Kagome let out an audible sigh before letting the white world fade before her eyes…
"Kagome!" Kagome let out a harsh breath as she opened her eyes. Her eyes were greeted by a darkroom, and a worried Miroku standing over her.
"Are you okay?" His eyes were filled with worry.
Kagome closed her eyes, a hand covering her face as she inhaled deeply. "Wow," She breathed.
I think that part was a bit cheesy, but hey, that's how it goes when I try to go deep.
Now, READ AND REVIEW and tell me how it went!
xx. bumble.
