The two opponents stood in the area waiting on the King to give the word for them to begin. Ayame watched Koga for the most of the time they were waiting and the second eldest son was doing the same. Koga knew that from the first battle that he should not underestimate the young woman. Even though she was not a miko, she was still one of the warriors from the Trails. Now that the prince had some time to study it, he took the time to consider exactly what his opponent went through. The Trails were well-known around the realm and what people had to endure during the levels of the Trails was not for the weak of anything. This made it still shocking to register that Sango and Ayame were the best of the lot, especially at their age. Koga smirked, he knew he would not be disappointed and he of course did not want to disappoint his opponent.

"You keep smirking. What is so amusing?" Ayame narrowed her eyes

Koga shrugged shoulders and he started stretching "You might say I am excited" In a matter-fact tone he then says "I am going to be fighting one of the Warriors of the Trails"

Ayame slightly smiled "I can't make any promises that I won't kill you"

Koga turned around backing her and just said "It wouldn't be your best if you didn't"

That was it, the moment Ayame was waiting for, the off guard chance and with it, she did not wait for the start of the match, she started it herself. Ayame knew she was quick and as far as she knew there was none quicker on their feet than her. Little did she know she was so wrong. With a dagger in one hand, her opponent met her attack head on blocking affectively. Koga just smirked at the warrior as Ayame stood there shocked by how quick the prince was able to block her attack. All the spectators just watched, the girls seeming lightly shocked and so was Kaede, though she did not show it. The King did not seem upset for the start of the fight without his signal, he was a bit impress to know that Ayame was quick on her feet, but the King knew for sure that Koga was much quicker.

"So you're quick, good to know" Koga narrowed his eyes while still smirking at the young warrior

Ayame matched his expression "So are you"

Koga pushed Ayame back which cause her to do a back flip and land on her feet "Actually I'm much faster"

With that said the prince moved so fast that at first Ayame had no clue where he would attack. It was then that she remember what she cannot see, she would have to use her other senses to find. She closed her eyes and used her other senses to single out where Koga was. Ayame opened her eyes just in time to leap high into the air as Koga was about to attack from behind. The Queen gasped at how high the young woman jump and the King leaned forward in his chair while looking marvelled. Koga looked up at Ayame, not only had she anticipated his attack but she had jump higher than anyone could imagine. It looked like Ayame was floating in the air and the young warrior took that moment to release her attack. She threw shuriken one after the other making it look like a rain of knives falling from the sky. Koga tried dodging one after the other and the ones he could not dodge, he reflected with his dagger. Ayame landed after a while and the prince and the warrior just stared down each other. Koga was tired of the dodging of attacks and realized the only way this fight would end was with head on combat.

'If I can't land a hand on her maybe I can exhaust her and get the upper hand' The prince thought

In the entire Kingdom it was no secret that Koga was fast, but he was also known for his stamina and endurance. The prince could go on fighting for hours, even days, long after his opponent was exhausted. For the prince this took a lot of training to store up his stamina like that but it is one of the aspects that gave him the upper in battle.

Koga looked at the ground, where multiple shuriken were laid. The prince realized these were ordinary shuriken, actually when he took a better look they looked this leaves. Koga just smirked picking one up from the ground and twirling it around on his fingers. "So leaves huh! Why something so non-destructive?"

"My dear prince, in the hands of a novice, it may seem that way, but in my hands they make me a dangerous woman" Ayame gave a light smile to Koga

"Really! Let's see" Koga threw the shuriken in Ayame's direction

Ayame caught the shuriken and in her next move blocked Koga's attack. The two opponents continued their battle, dagger and shuriken in hand trying to land an injury on the other.

Kaede took this time to voice her assessment of the first fight knowing that Ayame and Koga would be at it for a while. "So you gave your sword to Inuyasha, it seems fitting for him"

The King nodded his head without looking away from the two fighters "I thought that it would help in the control of his anger and tempter". Kaede raised an eye brow but the King did not have to look at her to known he had to explain. "Inuyasha while growing up was always trailing after his brothers, wanting to be strong like them in every way. The person he idealized most was Sesshomaru, I don't know why, could be because they were so similar in appearance or whether it was because he was the youngest and weakest and Sesshomaru the eldest and strongest. Whatever it was Inuyasha was hell-bent on beating his brother, but Sesshomaru never made it easy for him. So I found that he developed a rage of sort, one that would get out of hand at time, so I give him Tessaiga in hopes that it could help him with controlling his anger"

Kaede nodded in understanding "So I guess the only thing the sword can't control is that big mouth of his"

The King laughed and the Queen did too "Unfortunately Lady Kaede it cannot"

The old woman smiled a bit "Shame"

"What of Kikyo, I see you have trained her well, though I will say she seems merciless" The King now turned his attention to Kaede as the old woman looked towards Kikyo.

"The truth is it was not easy, she is one of the most stubborn young women I know, and all four of them are stubborn. However she is keen to learn and keener to fight if she has too" Kaede took a breath

"So nothing like Ayame, I can see" The King and Kaede looked at the pair.

They were still at it. Strike after strike after strike, not one person letting up, not one person getting tired. If Kaede considered it, she would say that both of them were equally matched and that the fight was getting nowhere, but she did not consider it because she knew that she would be wrong.

"Ayame is a bit like Inuyasha, mouthy" Kaede stopped when she heard the Queen giggle

"Just how Koga likes them" The Queen looked on

Kaede continued "She is quick to rush into things, and in a battle people would say that would lead to a disadvantage, but Ayame makes it into an advance for herself"

King nodded "By being quick"

"Not just that your majesty, but also keen with her other senses and light on her feet" The King, Queen and Kaede turned to the person who just spoke.

Kohku just kept staring at the two fighters, for he knew first-hand what Ayame and his sister was capable of, it was that of course that made them the best warriors in the Trails.

"You are free to speak Kohku" The King encouraged the young one to go on

"Ayame is quick because she is so light on her feet which also makes it easy to jump higher that humanly possible. She did this by wearing weighs on her feet every day, it was difficult at first but worth the reward in the end" Kohku admired Ayame

"Interesting, but how about her senses, she could not see Koga coming yet she dodged like she knew" The King was looking at Kohku but this time Shippo chimed in.

"That's because she wore a blindfold each time she trained. Ayame trained herself against herself, if that makes sense" Shippo pondered for a moment " Ayame knew she was fast but if she was faced against herself then how could she beat her speed. If someone moves faster than one can see, then one must depend on their other senses to defeat their opponent. Touch, smell and hearing can work a lot better against an opponent of speed. If someone is moving fast, there feet still need to touch the ground no matter how long it stays there, that still makes a sound and a vibration and everyone has a scent, not using her eyes, sharpens her other senses" Shippo looked back at everyone and smiled "Did I do good Lady Kaede?"

The old women smiled "Very good Shippo and you too Kohku. Keen like you should be, but let's not forget she uses leave shuriken because the thinner they are the easier they are to throw and to hit their target"

The King and Queen were astonished at the children's intellect and keen eyes, it made the King smiled as her put his hand on Shippo's head and gave it a light rub. The Queen gave a look at Rin who was just watching quietly "Rin is there anything you want to add"

Rin shook her head "Not yet, I'm waiting"

This puzzle both the King and Queen but Kaede decided to carry on with the conversation "Koga" was all she said waiting for the King to focus on the conversation again. "Fast, very fast, sharp instincts and from what I can see stamina and endurance, aside from his strength and sword play"

The King was about to talk but the Queen beat him to it "The sharp instincts came naturally, not only in him but all of our sons. The speed however, from the time Koga was a young child, he would push the heaviest objects in his way, it help to build his speed, strength, stamina and endurance. Wasn't easy. It took longs days and even longer nights. Sometimes he would even pass out from exhaustion and be bedridden for days, yet whenever he was better he went right back to it. I do not think his strongest asset is his speed, stamina or endurance, but his will to never give up"

Kaede could hear the adoration the Queen held for her son. The way she talked about him was a mother who was clearly proud of her child. Everyone was quiet now and watched as the battle went on.

As Ayame pushed off of Koga attacking her, the young warrior just stood there. Ayame would not lie to herself, she was feeling a bit wore down and by the look of Koga, he was not. Ayame then realized what was happening 'He is only coming at me head on to wear me out'. Ayame stood up straight, if she wanted to win this battle than she had to do something quick.

Koga could tell that Ayame was getting tired just like he wanted and it would not be long before she was caught off guard. Koga saw her heavy breathing and was about to strike again but notice that Ayame stood up straight like she was not even tired. Koga saw her hold her hands outward from her body, wrist up and just like that a chain of leave shuriken flowed from under her sleeves. Koga watched as the young woman ready herself for battle. Ayame shot the chain of leave shuriken with her right hand at the prince, Koga dodge like he has been all the time but what he was not expecting was the recoiling of the chain to be so fast and out of nowhere both set of chains was coming at him from both directions. Koga reflected one with his dagger, but there was no dodging this time and when the attack hit him, he was thrown backwards landing on his feet. There was a cut on his side but nothing major, or should I say nothing he had the time to study about because Ayame was quick on him, coming in for a direct attack. Koga grabbed her hands hitting Ayame hard in the chest which cause her to be thrown back but not before releasing her chains again. Koga reflected both with his dagger and used his speed to get close to Ayame to attack again when he thought he had a perfect opportunity from behind, to not just his surprise but everyone else's, the leave shuriken chain came up behind Ayame like it was protecting her.

"Something you forgot to tell us Lady Kaede" The King raised his eye brow at the old miko

"Her leave shurikens are enchanted, forge for her by our blacksmiths, one of the many weapons given to warriors of the Trails. Now you know. Now when will Koga reveal his Goraishi, we all know you passed down one weapon each to your sons" Lady Kaede was now the person to raise her eye brow

"Touché" The King said as he looked on

"Wow you guys are wiping all the secrets for these guys" Sango just watched the battle

"Well we all know how Ayame is" Kagome giggled

"Over the top?" Kikyo was awake but still very much weak from her fight.

Kagome gave Kikyo a playful look "More like determined"

"So I am assuming her leave shuriken are enchanted" Miroku was not really asking but yet still waiting on a response

"Yes" Kagome said

"Interesting" Sesshomaru said aloud

"Oh it's about to get more interesting" Sango smirked

"I don't doubt it won't" Sesshomaru said, for he knew that Koga was about to use the only weapon that could help him win this battle

"So your leave shuriken are enchanted, nice trick" Koga narrowed his eyes at Ayame

" Well you didn't leave me much choice now, did you! Wearing me down to make me too tired to defence myself, when clearly you could go way beyond required of a human" Ayame was just looking over her shoulder, not fulling giving Koga her attention "So right back at ya, nice trick"

"Well thank you, but I have one more trick up my sleeve" Koga reached into his armour and pulled out what looked like to be a claw and secure it to his arm. "Ready?"

In a flash Koga moved on the attack coming straight for Ayame. When he striked down, the claw came into contact with the leave shuriken chains. The power emitting from both opponents weapons was strong and for a minute Ayame thought the chains would break. The young warrior pushed her opponent from her but Koga was much quicker not lingering long on the ground and attacking Ayame every chance he got. Ayame realized that Koga's speed was picking up and the only way for her to keep up was using her other senses. She closed her eyes and tried to read the prince's moves. Koga knew he just needed one good vantage point, a moment where her leave shuriken chains would not have enough time to counter. The prince picked up more speak attacking Ayame at what seemed like every angle at once. Ayame is finding it hard to keep up with him, for she had never anticipated that someone would be just as fast as she was. She could hear every footstep he made when he touch the ground, yet they all sounded like they were happening the same time. She could hear every time he moved against the wind but it all sounded mashed together. She could smell him yet it seems like his scent was everywhere. Ayame knew she could not keep up and that for once her senses were not working for her. By studying so much on her senses and her leave shuriken chains protecting her from every attack, in a split second Koga had an opportunity and all it took was a blast from his claw. Koga created an energy blast and disbursed it towards Ayame, while still attacking her head on distracting her. Ayame was so engross in reading him that when she realized a blast was upon her it was too late. Ayame opened her eyes just then as the blast hit her head on, sending her flying across the room. When it seemed like she would hit the wall, Koga caught her, landing gracefully on his feet.

"Are you okay?" Koga's voice held true concern in it

As Ayame just breathed heavily she look up at him with one eye open the other closed "That wasn't the true extent of your claw's power"

"No, I just needed enough to stung you, not hurt you" Ayame smiled up at the second youngest prince "Can you stand?"

"I might need some help" Ayame said

"My pleasure" Koga smirked

He lifted her up in his arms and carry her over to her friends and his brothers. As he lay her down gently next to Kikyo, Sango and Kagome rushed to her side

"Not bad red head" Ayame gave Sango a look that let her know she was not amused by the name

"I still lost" Ayame said in a matter-of-fact tone

Kikyo put her hand on her should and squeezed "Yes but that was a great performance"

Ayame smiled at Kikyo, then looking at Kagome and Sango who just nodded their heads.

"Yeah, I guess you ain't just a loud mouth, you got skills" Everyone at that point looked over to the person who had just spoke, a bit shock at what he said "What? Why are all of you looking at me like that?"

"Well if it's coming from you Inuyasha, then I guess I wasn't all that bad" Ayame giggled and so did the other girls

It was in that moment that each of the princes realized they loved to hear the sound of the young women's laughter, it was warm and inviting, something they all thought they could get accustom too. In that moment Lady Kaede came over to assess Ayame's injuries. They were not major, but it was clear she would be nursing a big black and blue mark for a while.

"The winner of the battle is Koga" The King announced

"Which means up next is Sango and Miroku" The Queen said smiling.