{Disclaimer: Again, guess…}
Chapter Twelve: Girl Fight
'Damn, where did this come from?' Inuyasha cursed mentally. The shape shifter just wouldn't be still long enough for Inuyasha to get in a really good blow, but he still managed to knock it on its butt a few times. He smirked as he launched for it again. A sudden breeze stopped him full swing.
"Tell me she didn't…" he groaned. He punched the demon and turned around. Kirara was making her way to him, knocking down the enemy as she went.
"Dammit! I'm gonna kill that stupid girl!"
A blast of white energy from Kirara's back informed him otherwise. Kirara skidded to a stop in front of him, blocking the shape shifter's advances. Kagome dismounted and patted Kirara's back. Kirara growled and took off toward the left of the battlefield. Kagome walked to Inuyasha's side, her eyes never leaving the shape shifter.
"Having trouble, Inuyasha?"
Inuyasha growled and stood in front of her. "What in the hell are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay inside."
Kagome smiled. "You did."
The shape shifter charged at them and Inuyasha raised Tetsusaiga, ready to cut the beast down. His hand jerked up suddenly and he gasped. Something was surrounding the blade, the sword glowing with energy. Inuyasha looked back and watched as Kagome's eyes blazed with light.
"You need a little something special for this kind of foe. Let me help you."
Inuyasha slashed forward, taking the demon by surprise. The Tetsusaiga vibrated with the force, splitting the demon in half before he could blink. Inuyasha looked at Kagome and smiled.
"You might be more useful than I thought."
*******
Sesshoumaru tried to duck the spider's advances, but eight legs are hard to keep up with, even for a Great Demon. He was knocked to the side, skidding to a stop a few feet from the beast. Sesshoumaru didn't notice the beast's silk coming toward him until it was too late. Sesshoumaru braced himself for the blow.
…
The blow never came. Sesshoumaru glanced at the spider, who was now missing a few legs. It stumbled a little before reaching for him again. This time Sesshoumaru was ready. He struck the beast, his poison claws digging into its flesh. The spider screamed and dropped before his feet, dead. Sesshoumaru followed the boomerang to its owner, who was just dismounting Kirara.
"What are you doing here?" Sesshoumaru asked as Sango jogged to his side.
"Kagome and I thought you could use some help."
"She's out here, too. Inuyasha is not going to be happy."
Sango smiled. "He'll live."
A sudden rustle in the bushes beside them alerted them to trouble. Sango gripped her boomerang as Sesshoumaru's fingertips started to glow. Naraku appeared in front of them, with an amused look under his mask.
"A demon exterminator, fighting with demons? Sango, what would Kohaku say?"
Sango flinched before responding "What do you care, Naraku?"
"I care very much. That's why I'm here, to make sure my entertainment for the day isn't spoiled."
Sesshoumaru flicked his whip at Naraku's feet. "Are you responsible for this?" he demanded, his other hand waving across the battlefield.
Naraku laughed. "Surely you would think so. However, this is someone else's idea."
"Whose?"
"Kikyou's. She told me about the chains and how to get them."
Sesshoumaru growled, hearing something like it come from Sango as well. "Where is she?" Naraku jerked his head right.
"Down there."
Sango paled. That would mean that-
"That's right. She's with Inuyasha."
Sesshoumaru attacked, his whip cracking against Naraku's baboon pelt. Sango turned to help Inuyasha when a tentacle slapped her across her back, knocking her to the ground. She struggled under the weight before slashing it with her sword.
"You will not leave. I haven't finished with you yet."
********
Another demon sideswiped Inuyasha, knocking him off his feet. Kagome stepped to the side to avoid being crushed as they fell to the ground where she just was. A slight wind drifted under her nose, and she glanced toward the forest.
Kikyou stood, watching. Kagome turned toward her; her feet shoulder length apart, as Kikyou walked to them. Inuyasha sank Tetsusaiga into the demon and kicked it to the side. It disintegrated against a nearby tree. Inuyasha rolled to his feet and was almost knocked down in astonishment. Kikyou just reached them, the only thing separating her from him was Kagome, who was absolutely livid at the moment. Kikyou ignored her.
"Inuyasha, you are well."
"No thanks to you, bitch."
Inuyasha was accustomed to Kagome's use of language by now, but couldn't help but be a little amused. What was worrying him, though, was the energy pouring off her. It was far stronger than it was when she and Sango rescued him, and just a little out of control. Kikyou and Inuyasha locked gazes for a second before another demon took advantage and clocked Inuyasha from behind. He braced himself before whirling around to fight, leaving Kikyou and Kagome to their own devices.
"A miko, fighting for a demon. Dressed as a demon general, no less. You don't deserve to share a soul with me."
Kagome snarled, her senses kicking into overdrive. "I don't fight for them, I fight with them. I won't stand by and watch Inuyasha die, by your hands or another's."
"You can't use my own power to fight me." Kikyou informed Kagome as she stepped closer to her.
Kagome stopped a few inches from her and shrugged. "Looks like we'll have an old fashioned girl fight, instead."
Before Kikyou could react, Kagome right hooked her in the nose. Kikyou stumbled back, but wasn't fast enough as Kagome came at her again with another blow to her chin. Kikyou stumbled again and fell. Kagome stood above her, a grin plastered on her face. She clapped her hands and they were instantly surrounded by ki. She waited for Kikyou to stand, her 'gloves' glowing with vigor.
"You said I couldn't fight you with your own power. I'm not. This is all me."
She slugged Kikyou again, sending her power-packed punch into her ribs. Kikyou felt something snap in her chest. She crumpled on her knees to the ground. She raised her bow, ready to send an arrow straight into Kagome's heart. Kagome stopped a second before flicking her left hand to the side. Energy shot across the clearing, away from them and to the left of the field. Kikyou released her arrow. With a twist of the hip and a flick of her right hand, Kagome roasted the arrow and blasted right into Kikyou. Kikyou screamed and skidded across the clearing into a nearby tree. She coughed a little, but couldn't help but wonder 'Why did she throw away that first shot of energy?'
*********
"Sesshoumaru, watch out!" Sango yelled as she dodged another tentacle. Sesshoumaru ducked as another tentacle swiped the air his head once occupied. Sango launched her boomerang as he rolled to her feet. The weapon sailed in the air before connecting with an energy stream. The boomerang glowed with the energy, sliced through Naraku and back to Sango's hand, dragging her to the ground with its momentum. Sesshoumaru grabbed her waist and held on to keep her from being yanked across the battlefield. Sango puffed in thanks. Sesshoumaru set her on her feet, checking her for any bruises.
"I'm fine, Sesshoumaru," Sango giggled. He smiled. Suddenly his head jerked up, glaring to the right of the battlefield.
"What is it?" Sango asked, strapping her boomerang to her back. Sesshoumaru paled before whispering
"She's lost control. We've got to get out of here."
*******
Kikyou stood up as Kagome watched her, malice for the undead miko written on her face. A cry from behind her let them know that Inuyasha was finished with his fight. He bolted to them, coming to a stop a few feet behind Kagome.
"Kagome, Kikyou, stop!" he hollered. Neither seemed to hear him, as they both stared each other down. Kikyou finally turned her gaze to him. "Inuyasha, come to me. Be with me."
Kagome closed her eyes. She was used to this. Any moment now, Inuyasha would cross the clearing to her and allow her to try to drag him into Hell.
Again.
'But this time things are different. I'm different. I can do more than call his name.' A hand slid across her stomach and grasped her left side before resting its arm against her. Kagome's eyes snapped open, confused. Inuyasha was behind her, a sad smile on his face. He gaze went from her to Kikyou, who looked ready to cry.
"I will avenge you, Kikyou, but I can't let you kill me." He stepped to Kagome's side, releasing his hold on her waist. "I won't let you kill her either."
Kikyou eyes widened. "I love you. Doesn't that mean anything?"
Inuyasha sighed, but stood firm. "If you loved me, you would want me to be happy. You wouldn't do this."
Kikyou eyes narrowed in hatred. "Fine. Die with her."
She released a ray of light, targeting Kagome. Kagome gasped, realizing she didn't have a chance to duck. Inuyasha jumped in front of her, taking the blow head on. He crashed into Kagome, and they both fell to the ground. Kagome tried to sit up, but Inuyasha lay motionless across her chest. Kagome cradled him in her arms, calling his name as she rested his head against her shoulder. He didn't respond. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
Kagome felt something snap inside her.
Her ki became stronger, building around her in a tornado of force.
She shrieked.
***********
Kagome's cry raced across the land, stopping the battle in its tracks. Each fighter stood stunned at first before the earth below their feet started to shake. Sesshoumaru swore darkly and sent a mental order for his troops to fall back.
"Sesshoumaru, what's wrong?" Sango asked, turning in his arms to rest her hand against his cheek.
He barely noticed.
The ground shook with greater intensity before an explosion went off in the distance, to the left of the battlefield. The shockwave rocketed toward them. Sesshoumaru tightened his grip on Sango and leaped back and up, into the air. He bolted for the castle, landing on the balcony rail. Sango dangled over the side, horrified. A dome of ki spread across the field, destroying anything in its path, stopping short of the castle wall.
Sesshoumaru jumped down to the balcony landing, dropped to his knees and shielded Sango from the force. The roar from the energy was deafening, even to Sango's normal hearing. The roar ceased before they looked up. The battlefield was a wasteland, with a huge crater to the left of it. Kagome stood in it, her shoulders shaking. At her feet rested a small, pink dome. Sesshoumaru and Sango tried to see inside it, but even the Great Demon was too far away to see clearly. One thought came to Sango's mind:
'Where is Inuyasha?'
-----
SF: You know the drill by now. Push the pretty button.