"Truth Revealed"

By: Shi-chan

Rating: PG

Warnings: Nothing much... fluffiness and stuff

Disclaimer: I'm not in the mood right now for this legal crap e.e

Author's Corner!!

Shi-chan: Hello everyone. Okies, here I am, writing the EIGHTH chapter to my lovely fanfiction which all adore so incredibly much.

Sesshoumaru: Well someone's in a monotonic moon, ne, wench?

Shi-chan: e.e Shut up. I am NOT in the mood. Has anyone heard about the accident with the Trailblazer and the two 13 year-old boys, Melvin and Zack? Well I knew them. I just got back from Melvin's funeral, and I'm typing this so I'm not a happy person. *shudders* I'm never going to another open casket funeral...

Sesshoumaru: Does death scare you then, wench? How pathetic.

Shi-chan: My friends' death scares me. Not my own... *looks at wrist* BUT ANYWAYS!!! On with the story!!!! :)

***NOTE*** I'm sorry if this is angsty... see author's notes for details.

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Inuyasha, Fiore, and Takashi all looked up with wide eyes, trying to figure out who held Kagome in the midst of the air. Realizing he was unable to do so at the moment, the hanyou ceased the opportunity to rid himself of the tiger and his wench. Digging his talons into his shoulders, Inuyasha agley jumped behind the pair. "CLAWS OF BLOOD!" He screamed, thrusting his bloodied claws into Takashi and Fiore's backs and puncturing their hearts. Both fell over, immediately dead.

Once that was over, Inuyasha turned his attention back to Kagome and the figure floating in midair. He bit his lips when he saw the twitching furry tail of the figure. From the embrace the two were sharing, they were obviously in love, and the tail gave away whom Kagome was with. "Sesshoumaru-sama..." Kagome murmured, her eyes pressed together and blurry with tears. "Gomen nasai... I'm such a burden to you... I was trying to go back to my time to talk to my family, but... Oh, I'm so weak I couldn't even escape a little mortal girl and a tiger youkai!"

The hanyou watched silently as the priestess and his elder brother gently glided to the floor, landing gracefully on their feet. The lord youkai ran several of his talons through the girl's hair and pressed his lips to her forehead gingerly. "Nonsense. Speak not of yourself in such away again, or see the extent of my anger, Kagome. Come now, thank the half- breed for disposing us of those pests so we can be on our way to your time."

Kagome turned around slowly and came face to face with the inu youkai she had formerly loved. "Ano... arigatou gozaimasu, Inuyasha." She stuttered, staring at the ground since she was unable to look him in the eyes. The silver-haired half human sighed and took her hand into his own. Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow, hoping he wasn't still going after the miko.

When the hanyou released Kagome's hand, the almost complete Shikon no Tama lay in it. "Come get me when you put it back together. I want to make sure you don't make a stupid wish on it." Inuyasha told her softly, his eyes glossy. The priestess knit her eyebrows together, sensing his grief, and was about to respond when a rather agitated feminine voice cut her off.

"Well, then, Inuyasha. Would you really give that precious jewel to a shoujo not even of this time? One who loves your brother, who's attempted your murder, and is not even a true priestess? She'll likely taint the Shikon no Tama versus purifying it."

The trio looked to the entrance of the castle to see the undead miko standing there. Her kimono was slightly torn and had small bloodstains here or there, proving she had a hard time reaching the place they were currently in. Sesshoumaru now had a quite amused look playing at his flawless features. "I no longer have intent to kill my younger brother. It is obvious Kagome does not wish his death be, so it shall not come by my hand. And so long as I cannot wield the Tetsusaiga, there is no point of it being in my possession." His expression then turned rather angry as he finished, "That set aside, Kagome is hundreds of times the priestess you'll ever be. She's strong enough that she'd not need to steal a soul to go on in this world. Her powers are more than just what you left her."

Inuyasha and Kagome stared in awe at the demon lord. It was clear he had truly accumulated affections for the mortal girl, but for him to stick up for her? It wasn't one of those things you'd expect to see often. Kikyou smirked and pulled a bow from her quiver.

"Alright, I see. No one cares of my presence anymore, but they all bring up the girl who is my reincarnate. The world believes because she is the newer version of I that she is the most powerful, does it not? I shall prove them all wrong." She cast her tongue across her teeth and glared daggers at the futuristic girl. "I challenge you to a duel. You may use any power of the priestess, and you are allowed a bow and arrows. We'll see who the true, pure miko is here."

Kagome stepped forward, in obvious acceptance of the challenge. Laughing, Kikyou tossed her an extra bow and a small quiver of arrows. "That's all you are, girl. Myself in a new body, untamed with magic and archery. I will not lose you the likes of you."

Inuyasha's eyes grew wide and he stepped between the teenager and the woman. "No, Kagome! You can't fight Kikyou! She's be trained with this for her entire life, and you've just begun less than a year ago! She'll kill you..."

Sesshoumaru shook his head, knowing Inuyasha's words were about to backfire, even if they were out of concern. The hanyou never did have a way with words. Deciding he wanted to prove he loved the reincarnate, he gently laid a butterfly kiss across the girl's neck. "Hurry and rid us of that horrid creature with your appearance." He muttered only in regard to the duel.

As the Lord of the Western Lands glided into the air and out of range, Kagome shot a dirty look at the half-human. "You really don't have any confidence in me, do you? It always was, 'you better not miss, wench' or 'be careful and try to aim, Kagome!' You don't think I can win?! Well this is why I can't stand you anymore! At least Sesshoumaru believes in me!" With that, she slung her quiver on her should and pushed Inuyasha out of the way.

"I accept your challenge, Kikyou."

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Author's Corner!!

Shi-chan: Okies I don't really like original characters, so I wanted to rather quickly get Fiore and Takashi out of the way. Sorry about that quick ending to them. ^.^;; Anyways, people were asking if Kikyou was still alive or whatever, so there's your answer. I wonder who will win... *hasn't thought that far yet* LOL I'll get the next part up soon.

~Shi-chan Meows~

=^o^=