R&R longer note at the end

Ikaruga followed behind the green haired girl as she led her out the back of the shrine to a large clearing towards the back, as they approached they saw the two of the sisters stood with Kagura at the sides, the third sister stood in the middle of the clearing wearing a striped shirt and black skirt.

"Madam Kagura has informed me that this is a practise duel" Renka said as she looked at Ikaruga and Naraku standing either side of her "So there will be some rules which I have decided on. No killing, when I declare the match over then it ends, no dismembering, avoid the eyes as well". The two girl's nodded as they took their starting positions, Ikaruga rested her hand on the hilt of her blade waiting for the signal to begin she watched as Naraku looked at her.

Renka raised her arms as the two girl's continued to lock eyes before dropping them signalling the start of the match, as soon it began Naraku charged without hesitation her shinobi outfit and leg flails appeared in seconds as she jumped into the air, Ikaruga looked up caught completely off guard at the speed of the girl as she dodged the incoming onslaught as the metal flails slammed into the floor where he had been moments ago.

"Shinobi trans" before Ikaruga could finish she drew her sword blocking the incoming attack as the force threw her backwards, she watched as the green haired girl struck again forcing her to dodge once more trying to put some distance between her and the girl but it was useless. Naraku continued her relentless attacking as she Ikaruga remained on the defensive, Hanabi an Kafuru watched on from the side lines as the match continued both of the two girls already knowing the outcome of the match before it happened.

Kagura stood observing the black haired swords woman, if she didn't come up with something soon this match would not last much longer she turned her gaze to Naraku as she continued her assault, this was more than a match to her Kagura had known her for long enough to tell her true intent even if no one else could.

XXX

The black haired swords woman continued to dodge as Naraku kept her on the defensive, the adrenaline ran through her veins as she felt herself beginning to slow her stamina reaching its limits as she continued to dodge. There had to be something she could do she thought as she tried to dodge again, feeling the hard metal crash into her sending her backwards she saw the green haired girl charge again ready to deliver the ending blow.

"That's enough" Renka called out as Naraku stopped jumping back her leg flails disappearing as she was declared the winner, Ikaruga stabbed her sword into the ground as she cursed her own weakness. The three sisters looked over unsure what to do or say as the black haired girl stared intently at the ground, they turned to face Kagura who slowly shook her head as she headed back towards the shrine the sisters followed on.

"Do you know why you lost?" Naraku asked as she approached, Ikaruga continued to stare at the ground ashamed of herself, ashamed of her weakness "Do you know why you lost?"

"I'm weak" Ikaruga responded her voice monotone "I lost because your stronger than me". Naraku stared at the girl before leaning down grabbing the front of her clothes pulling her to her feet, Ikaruga looked into the girl's eyes as she tried to release herself of the grip she was in.

"Do you think someone weak would be able to withstand my onslaught for so long?" Naraku asked a hint of anger in her voice "If that is your answer then you don't know why you lost, I suggest you stay here until you figure out the real reason you lost". Tossing the girl roughly to the ground Naraku walked away, the black haired girl watched as she left being reminded of the reason she began this journey, she was weak that is why she lost or was it? What was this girl trying to tell her? Was there something more? A truth she had yet to see?

XXX

Kagura wondered up the path to the clearing later that night, she had been informed by Naraku of their conversation and had gotten a little concerned when the girl hadn't returned. As she reached the top step she stopped seeing the black haired girl meditating in the middle of the destroyed courtyard, her sword laid out on the floor in front of her as the legendary shinobi approached. Sensing her presence her eyes slowly opened as she looked ahead, she looked at the sky noticing it had gotten dark.

"Have you reached your answer?" Kagura asked as the girl looked at her, she had spent the whole time thinking on Naraku's words and had reached her conclusion.

"I believe so" Ikaruga said "She said it wasn't my weakness that cost me, so there is only one thing it could be. I'm lacking something".

"Your partly right, the thing your lacking you have seen" Kagura said as Ikaruga looked on a little puzzled "Don't beat yourself up on it the sisters have failed to master it as well, if you're unsure what it is then think back. The start of the fight". Ikaruga focused back on the match she had with Naraku, something about the start she needed to remember she replayed the opening moments again and again until it hit her she looked to Kagura who smiled.

"That's why you lost" Kagura said as she stood in front of Ikaruga "You can pull it off but you have to put the work in, once you learn that then you should be ready to master your ultimate goal". Ikaruga got to her feet as she smiled picking up her sword she followed the girl back to the shrine, her mind set on mastering the new technique.

Wow, Naraku does not chill out when she gets serious but it was required to push Ikaruga to the next level. It's the only way she knows how to be after being with Kagura so long who can be very serious at times, now seems that Ikaruga had reached a conclusion to what she has to do so I feel like when she learns it maybe we should have a little rematch between the two girls