December 10

My last day of training was today. I never expected it to go like this.

It started out simple enough. Anana was recapping everything we had gone over and making me perform the various spells that I had learned in my time here. Each time she didn't say anything about whether I had been good or bad at it but by the smile on her face and the glimmer in her eyes, I could tell that I was doing something right.

"Now, for one final test," Anana said.

"Whatever it is, I'm ready for it," I said eagerly.

All of a sudden the ground started to shake. Then the ground opened up and Anana and I were thrown backward as a huge bug-like demon that seemed to be made of vines appeared.

"Someone has disturbed my slumber!" it said angrily.

"Get out of here, it's no business of yours!" Anana said.

"How dare you defy me?!" the demon exclaimed.

Suddenly, a bunch of vines shot from its body and completely engulfed Anana.

I gasped. "Anana!" I ran over to try to help her but suddenly the vines were wrapped around my arms and legs as well and I couldn't move.

"You bastard!" Inuyasha said. He'd already had his sword out and was ready to obliterate the demon. However, he didn't anticipate how strong the vines were. As soon as they gripped onto him, he couldn't move no matter how much he struggled.

"Inuyasha!" I exclaimed as I struggled against the vines. My only thought was to get to him and protect him.

He must have been thinking the same thing. "I'm coming, Kagome! Give me a minute!"

This was no use. The vines were so strong, I wasn't sure if he would be able to break free. I didn't want to know what the demon would do if he couldn't. There had to be something I could do.

I used the technique Anana had taught me to channel my spiritual powers through my hands and blasted the vines off me. The demon was burned by it and recoiled in pain but it didn't retreat. Now I was free but my bow and arrow had been knocked out of my hand when the demon came out of the ground. Once again, its vines aimed straight for me. Only this time I was prepared and I was able to put up a barrier to deflect it. I was fascinated, I had never done that in a fight before.

I started to run towards my weapons and grabbed them aiming straight for the demon's heart. Just like Anana had instructed me I could sense such a strong demonic aura, it was almost overpowering. But I was able to counter it with my spiritual powers and the blast that hit the demon was unstoppable.

Inuyasha was immediately released and fell to his feet. On the other side of the courtyard, Anana was freed as well.

Inuyasha sheathed his sword and then came over to me. "Kagome, that was incredible!"

"Are you okay? Are you hurt?" I said, still worried about him.

He kissed my lips. "I'm fine. You were amazing."

I heard a clapping sound and turned to see Anana walking towards us putting her hands together. "Wonderful. You've passed your final test."

"You planned for this to happen?" Inuyasha said incredulously.

"No, of course not. Even I couldn't have planned for that. But it made for a better final test than anything I could have come up with. Kagome, you have learned all I can teach you and you seem to have embraced it well. I know that whatever happens from here you will continue to be an amazing priestess."

"Thank you so much for all of your training, Anana," I said. "I've learned so much and I really appreciate it."

"You are welcome, my dear. Now, I say we should have a celebratory dinner. I will have the chefs make the best meal they can come up with."

The rest of the day was much calmer. I felt such a sense of pride as it went on. Before we came here I never would have thought there was so much to learn about being a priestess. I'm still astounded by how much I've learned. I never thought that I would be capable of it.

We go home tomorrow morning. It was fun here but I do miss our house. I'm also looking forward to being able to put into practice what I've learned here.