Chapter 48: Dueling Practice

Inuyasha did not sleep the rest of the night after he had spoken with Kagome in the Gardens and Kitchens. It had been days since he had been alone with her at all and he was glad to be given a chance. He had decided that Kagome was a great friend of his and would stay that way, no matter how much more his heart wanted. Inuyasha sighed, somehow, he knew her heart belonged to Bankotsu and he would not interfere with their relationship. Luckily, he still had Kikyo, but he knew she would not fill the entire of his heart.

It wasn't long before he heard the songs of singing birds and the saw the sun peaking through his closed curtains, trying to find way into his dark room. Another reason he had stayed up the rest of the night was to make sure the assassin did not come back to finish the job with Kagome or anyone else in the Palace.

When the hanyou lord was sure that the servants and mostly everyone else had awaken to go about their business in the castle, Inuyasha got out of bed and changed into his usual white yukata, red hoari, and red hakama. Once his disheveled silver hair was fixed, Inuyasha waltzed out of his room and into the hall, just in time to see Kagome enter Shippo's room with a cart full of breakfast.

Not really hungry at the moment, Inuyasha walked farther down the hallway passed Shippo's room towards the Library. Opening the large, aged door, he was relieved to find the room empty. With the door shut behind him, Inuyasha walked straight to the window and drew back the curtains, letting the morning rays of light enter through.

Sitting down on the cushioned sill of the window as he looked over the Gardens, Inuyasha could only remember the time when Kagome had sat where he was, knees pulled up and a scroll on her lap as she looked like an angel under the light. Inuyasha's ears lowered against his skull as he shook the thoughts away. He made a promise that he was not going to have any intimate relationship with Kagome Higurashi…It wasn't like she would…

The Library Doors creaked open and Inuyasha snapped his head to the direction of the entrance, ears listening in alarm as he took a whiff of the intruder. Amber eyes looked to the door until he found Kikyo's head poke through, her dark eyes landing on him as she smiled.

"May I come in?" She asked in her low, but velvety voice.

"Sure…" Inuyasha answered with a shrug.

Amber eyes watched as the Princess of the Eastern Lands walked into the room with great grace and closed the door behind her, her violet dress fitting her form perfectly. Her hair was placed in a low ponytail as two large strands of hair fell on her shoulders. She walked towards him with a smile and stopped to stand next to his sitting form.

"Is something wrong, Inuyasha?" Kikyo asked politely.

Inuyasha sighed, "No…"

"Then why do you look so forlorn?" Kikyo asked with a small chuckle.

Inuyasha smirked, "I just have a lot of things on my mind…"

Kikyo took a seat where his feet were on the sill of the window, "What sort of things?"

The hanyou Prince looked out the window, "About the war…"

"And what about the war worries you so greatly?" Kikyo asked as she placed a hand on his knee.

Inuyasha tensed at the touch but slowly relaxed.

"We're so close to finding Naraku," Inuyasha answered, "But I don't know where to start looking…"

"He will show…" Kikyo said softly as she looked sadly to the ground, "He will look for Kagome…"

Inuyasha looked to the girl with confusion, "What makes you think that?"

Kikyo bit her bottom lip, "Kagome is a powerful miko…No doubt Naraku will be fearful of her strength…"

Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders, "If he does come, I'll just blast him to pieces with Tetsusaiga…"

"It is not that easy…" Kikyo whispered as she shook her head, "Naraku holds an immense amount of power…"

"And why do you talk so highly of him?" Inuyasha asked irritably as he removed his legs from her hand and stood.

"Because he destroyed my home and the armies that protected it…" Kikyo responded, "…I am fearful of his growing power and what he may do…"

Inuyasha growled, "You should not worry about him…You are safe here in the Western Region."

Kikyo stood, "Will you stay with me then and…Protect me?"

Inuyasha looked down at the woman before him as she stepped closer. He was surprised when she stepped all the way up to him and embraced him. The young lord didn't know what to do but place his arms hesitantly around her. Kikyo pulled back slightly to look up at him and Inuyasha found the pain and fear in her dark grey eyes.

"Will you?" Kikyo asked again.

Inuyasha closed his eyes, "Yes, Kikyo…I will protect you…"

At that moment, the Library Door opened and both their heads snapped over to see who it was that entered. Amber eyes widened as he found Kagome standing there in rigid shock. He frowned as he heard her heart start to beat quickly.

"I am so very sorry to disturb you," She stuttered, "I was only going to get a book when…I will…uh…just leave you alone now…I am deeply sorry for interrupting…"

Did she think they were going to kiss or something? Inuyasha sighed inwardly to set the miko straight.

"Kagome…" But the door had already closed.

Kikyo slowly pulled apart from him and sighed. Inuyasha quickly stepped back and sat down on the window sill once more.

"I should go and check on my Brothers…" She said quietly, "Meet me at the Gardens this afternoon?"

"Sure," Inuyasha said and looked out the window towards the forest as he heard Kikyo make her departure.

Why had Kagome started acting weird? She had always been the one who encouraged him with Kikyo, but at that moment, she seemed nervous. Maybe because she thought they were going to do something intimate and she had interrupted something romantic. Inuyasha snorted at the idea as he brought a leg to rest on the sill. Kagome Higurashi could sometimes be really strange.


It was an hour after noon and Kagome was set to meeting Bankotsu out in the Gardens, just as she had asked Jakotsu to tell him. Earlier that day, however, she, Renkotsu, and Miroku had gathered in Lord InuTaisho's Study to discuss the Sin Kingdom's attacks on her and her people.


"So what do you suppose the severed arm serves to us?" Myoga asked as he looked at the appendage that lay on the desk, pulsing a bit with demonic energy.

Kagome sat on a large leather chair as Miroku stood next to it, looking over the limb with a perplexed expression. Renkotsu stood near towards the doorway as Lord InuTaisho sat comfortably in his desk chair. His clawed hand rubbed his chin thoughtfully as his amber eyes narrowed, assessing the arm as if it were a code to be broken.

"It gives off a scent that demons can follow and an aura that Renkotsu, Miroku, and I may track…" Kagome answered, "And from what I can tell, the aura is greatly similar to Naraku's and the Wind Sorceress's aura…"

"Then what are you trying to say, Lady Kagome?" Myoga asked.

"I am not entirely sure what to make of it…" Kagome answered as she frowned, "Only that all three auras seem strangely identical…How can that be possible? I suppose a parent's aura and a child's could be similar, yet even then it is never identical…"

"I believe I may have an assumption…" Lord InuTaisho cut in.

"And what is that?" Miroku asked with interest.

"When Naraku had been controlling my body I could smell his scent and this scent of the assassin's arm is nearly equal to it…"

"What are you proposing, Lord InuTaisho?" Renkotsu asked.

"…I believe, Naraku had created the demon whose arm it belongs to and the Wind Sorceress…from his own body…"

Kagome's eyes widened, "Is that even possible?"

"It depends on the demon," InuTaisho answered as he looked up at her, "Naraku cannot be a demon that transforms because you, Lady Kagome, saw him and the Wind Sorceress together three years ago…"

"But that was a puppet…" Kagome said.

"In order to control a puppet you must control it in meditation," Miroku informed, "Naraku had been too far to have to do so, making it impossible for him to be that female demon…"

"This demon that is now without an arm and the female one from the forest are probably incarnations of Naraku," InuTaisho said, "And it takes a great deal of energy to make one…Naraku must be powerful to have made two…"

"Three…" Kagome whispered.

"What?" Miroku asked.

"He has made three," Kagome said.

"How do you know?" Renkotsu asked.

"There was another girl with him three years ago that held the same aura…She killed my mother…"

"Who knows how many more Naraku has created…" Myoga sighed.

InuTaisho growled to himself, "For now we do not know the extent of his power. What we do need to worry about is why he attacked Lady Kagome and her encampment…"

"They told me to give them something…" Kagome answered.

"What did they say?" Renkotsu asked.

"To hand over a Jewel…But I do not have one…It also does not explain why they attacked the encampment three years ago either…"

"We must find out about this Jewel…" InuTaisho sighed, "There must be a reason why they had kept asking you…"

"I will do some research…" Miroku offered, "Any information I find will be given to you, Lord InuTaisho."

"Thank you, Master Miroku…" InuTaisho answered, "I must now return to war plans…I will call you all again when I need your assistance…"

Everyone nodded in understanding and bowed their heads in respect before exiting the King's Study and going off to their own affairs, Kagome deciding to go to her room to change, and then meet up with Bankotsu in the Gardens.

And now Kagome stood at the foot of the Grand Staircase with her red kimono and black hoari attire, a katana at her waist and a bow and quiver at her back. She wore the matching boots on her feet and her hair was placed up into a messy bun. She bit her lip in nervousness as she walked to the Garden Door and pushed it open, the sunlight momentarily blinding her.

Once adjusted to the light, the heat beating down on her form, Kagome closed the large door shut and looked around. She smiled softly as she watched Shippo and Rin riding ponies on the Track, Jakotsu watching protectively near the fence. Suikotsu sat at the Training Grounds sharpening his clawed weapon and Renkotsu was busy making a few sutras and charms. Miroku, however, was no where in sight.


Looking to the Courtyard, Kagome's smile faded as she found Inuyasha and Kikyo sitting next to each other rather closely as they watched Rin and Shippo. But the smile returned as she found Bankotsu waiting patiently on a small bench near to them, Banryu shining under the sun behind him.

With a chuckle, Kagome walked towards the youngest boy of the Toshibas and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned to look at her, he eyed her skeptically with her outfit and weapons.

"What do you plan on doing, Kagome?" He asked suspiciously.

Kagome placed her hands on her hips, "Training, of course."

"You are still injured," He replied sternly.

"I am fine, Bankotsu," Kagome said as she waved her injured arm, "Besides; I need to be ready for when Naraku tries to kill me again…"

Bankotsu frowned at the last statement, "Are you sure you are up to fight?"

"Of course," Kagome laughed, "I have been doing so for the last five years of my life."

"And what if you get hurt?" Bankotsu asked as he stood and took her hand.

Kagome rolled her eyes, "I won't. I am only going to duel you. Now pick up Banryu and let's go to the Training Grounds."

"You want to fight with Banryu?!" Bankotsu asked incredulously, causing Kikyo and Inuyasha to turn their way fully, curiosity getting the better of them.

Kagome frowned, "Of course, it is the weapon you always fight with…Which other one would you choose?"

"A training sword!" Bankotsu shouted as a matter of fact.

Kagome chuckled, "Naraku would not be using a training sword, now would he? I will be fine…And do not go easy on me."

"This is stupid, Kagome," Bankotsu sighed as he picked up the large sword and followed the miko to where Suikotsu was sitting.

Kagome ignored the Eastern Lord's statement and smiled happily as she stopped to where Suikotsu sat, the man raising an eyebrow with silent question.

"Bankotsu and I are dueling," Kagome answered with a grin.

Suikotsu frowned, "You do not expect your small katana to block off Banryu, do you?"

"I do not expect anything," Kagome responded indifferently as Bankotsu and Renkotsu stood next to her with a frown, "Just to battle and practice."

"You are going to get hurt, Kagome," Suikotsu said seriously.

"That's what I told her," Bankotsu added.

Kagome frowned at the both of them and was about to retort when a small voice called to her.

"Mama!"

All four heads looked to where the call originated from and found Rin to be running towards them. Kagome smiled widely and opened her arms wide as she bent down to embrace the girl. Behind Rin, Jakotsu and Shippo were coming their way, Jakotsu holding his own unique sword over one shoulder. Once Rin collided into the miko, Kagome quickly took her up into the air and spun her around, Rin laughing happily. Everyone watched with amusement until Kagome set Rin gently on the ground.

"Why are you dressed differently, Mama?" Rin asked.

"I am going to train with Lord Bankotsu," Kagome replied.

"Will you get hurt?" Rin asked worriedly as Shippo and Jakotsu stopped behind her.

"No," Kagome chuckled, "I trust Lord Bankotsu not to hurt me…At least…Not too badly…"

The miko looked up at the black-haired-braided man with a teasing chuckle and he could only frown worriedly in return.

"You sure that flimsy sword of yours can take it?" Jakotsu inquired with incredulity.

"We shall have to wait and see, now won't we?" Kagome asked with a wink.

"I still say it is stupid," Bankotsu sighed.

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Just get ready to fight."

Kagome and Bankotsu walked over to the dirt covered area as everyone else took a seat with Suikotsu. Kagome even noticed that Kikyo and Inuyasha had moved closer.

'Let's just see if my plan will work…' Kagome thought as she turned to face Bankotsu, who stood about fifteen meters away, holding Banryu nervously.

The miko threw her bow and quiver full of arrows to the side where Shippo and Jakotsu sat. Removing her katana with confidence, Kagome smirked.

"Ready when you are, Bankotsu," She called.

The male only frowned deeply as he placed Banryu before him.

"Give it your all okay?" Kagome called out, "If you don't…I won't talk to you…forever!"

"That's not fair!" Bankotsu yelled.

Kagome only smirked as she heard Suikotsu, Renkotsu, Jakotsu, and Kikyo chuckle. She gave a serious expression to Bankotsu and after a few seconds, he nodded his head.

All was quiet as the wind blew gently, Kagome's hoari giving a rustle as her loose strands of hair got in the way of her face. She placed her sword before her and waited. After a few minutes, Kagome sighed. It seemed Bankotsu wanted her to make the first move.

"Is this a duel or a Staring Contest?" Jakotsu laughed.

Kagome smirked and moved her right leg forward, Bankotsu eyeing her cautiously. Another step was taken and a sigh of boredom was heard from Inuyasha. Kagome rolled her eyes with a frown and decided to pick up the pace for everyone's sake. Besides, the sooner she tested her move, the sooner she could perfect it to use on Naraku.

Taking a deep breath, Kagome set off to a sprint towards the male whose eyes widened quite considerably as he looked as though he didn't know what to do.

"Just attack me!" Kagome yelled.

Bankotsu quickly understood and brought his large sword up. Rin gasped from the side but Kagome only smirked as she kept charging forward. With a hesitant yell, Bankotsu brought the blade down towards her, earning several yells of her name from the side line. However, it was unheard as she jumped to the side, just as the blade touched ground, sending dirt everywhere.

Seeing as though she was more than capable to take care of herself, Bankotsu seemed more confident that he should give it his all. Smirking, he jumped high in the air and started spinning Banryu with one hand. Kagome's eyes widened at his strength with the large sword but kept her ground.

Again, Banryu was brought down on her and she jumped away, landing behind Bankotsu and giving him a small kick on the back for mock. He chuckled and spun around, the sword striking horizontally making Kagome bend back, the blade barely missing her nose.

"Be careful Bankotsu!" Jakotsu shouted.

Kagome quickly back flipped twice to keep her distance and held her katana out once more.

'Now to use the attack,' Kagome thought.

Running forward at full speed, Kagome anticipated Bankotsu's strike as he swung vertically to her head, Kagome somersaulting out of the way and landing on one knee, holding up her sword for protection. From the corner of her eye, Banryu made a strike for her body and Kagome swiftly turned on her knee and blocked the attack with her flimsy katana. Gasps erupted from Jakotsu and Shippo as the others looked on with interest.

With much strength, the miko pushed Banryu back and back-flipped away once again. Everyone quickly noticed Kagome holding out her katana, the blade bordered in a pink glow.

"What's happening?" Shippo asked.

Kagome charged again with her sword held, the pink glow swirling around the thin blade and collided with Banryu, Bankotsu and Kagome at a stand off. The two then went into a series of strikes and jumps, none getting a hit in as they came out strongly with defense.

It was finally when Bankotsu tripped Kagome onto her back and held Banryu's point to her neck that the match was over.

Kagome started laughing and Bankotsu helped her up, the others running towards the two of them. As Kagome dusted off her kimono, Rin ran up to her and frowned.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"I am fine, Rin," Kagome assured.

"What a duel," Jakotsu commented, "Reminds me of old times…"

Kagome smiled and watched as Renkotsu walked towards her, "What show of style was that, Kagome?"

The miko shrugged, "I assumed since I was able to purify arrows, why not purify the blade of my sword…I just concentrated miko energy into the blade to make it stronger and that much more powerful against my opponent…"

"Interesting…" Renkotsu said as he rubbed his chin.

"Is there anything else you can do, Kagome?" Kikyo asked.

Kagome looked at both Kikyo and Inuyasha, his eyes holding some interest. Kagome then nodded and picked up her sword.

"I am not entirely sure it will work…It is only a guess…"

Everyone watched as she walked towards the targets and stopped about thirty meters away. She took deep steady breaths and kept the katana at her side. With anticipation, Kagome brought her sword up and slashed vertically down. She opened her eyes…Nothing had happened…

Frowning, Kagome retook her position and took deep breaths once more. The blade started to glow and her arm lifted. Instead of vertically, she swung horizontally and gave a small yell. But still…nothing had happened.

Sighing, Kagome turned back to the group and shrugged her shoulders.

"I may need more practice…"

Suikotsu nodded, "Practice makes perfect."

Kagome grinned in agreement and walked back towards them, turning to Bankotsu, "Thank you for the duel…We should do it again some time…"

Bankotsu laughed nervously, "How about you duel with Suikotsu or Jakotsu next time…"

Kagome rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time, "If that is what you really want…"

"Quite sure," Bankotsu answered with a grin.

"Come on," Jakotsu said as Shippo jumped onto his shoulder, "Let's go inside for some lunch…"


Hey Everyone!!!! I am so sorry for updating late, even when I said I would when you all made it to a certain amount of reviews, but I have no access to the internet on weekends, so I couldn't check and update…So, the deal only applies to the Thursday updates…You know, when I update on Monday and you give ten reviews or more before Thursday, then I will update before Thursday…See? Anyways, I updated as promised, on a Monday!!! I hope you liked the chapter!

In this chapter, it was more of a filler. I hope you all liked the fact that Kagome had not interrupted a kiss, but a conversation between Inuyasha and Kikyo…Yeah, I was relieved too when I wrote it. LOL. Uh…in this chapter, we also find out, Naraku has made three incarnations, but I will tell you, he has made more than that. And, Kagome has a new move!!! Well, will have a new move once she perfects it later on…Actually, in about two chapters…I wonder how she will perfect it…Hmmm……Anyways, yeah, I had thought about Kagome purifying her katana like her arrows in one of my other stories I had not published yet, so I decided to add it in this story too, since Kagome uses a katana and is cool when she kicks ass!!! So, because she is able to purify the blade, her sword is much stronger and was even able to fend off Bankotsu's really BIG sword, Banryu…

So, I hope you like the chapter, and review, review if you want to have a sooner chapter!!! Yay!!!

Next Chapter: Chapter 49: A Time To Get Away

This chapter is very long-awaited. 8 pages. I actually can't wait to post it, so review fast. I can't give away too much, but I will hint that you will find out what happened to the 'Grand Uprising' encampment after the attack. So review fast so I can post it up for you all…I'm sure it will be one of the most favored and heart-felt chapters…Sorry, it's not much a romantic one…That's more in two or three chapters…Hehe!!

Disclaimer: I wish to have Inuyasha…But I can't… :(

KIZZEZ!!

Luvinukag83