AN: Ok folks, here it is, the next chappie of Whole Again is here. Tell you the truth I didn't know if I was going to update because of the lack of responses from ya'll. I am a believer in 'if it's pointless…'. This is what happens when people DON'T REVIEW. I won't know if you people like this or not. But for all those who do and haven't reviewed and want the next chappie, you should all thank the single person who did say "Hey where's the next chappie? I wanna know…" and to my single person… thank you for your gentle push into posting this, without you I would have waited longer.

Ok, that's enuf of my ramblings. Let's continue shall we? Enjoy…

CHAPTER 9

"Kikyo, what are you doing here?" Kagome growled at her incarnation.

"Claiming what is mine. You should know that by now." Kikyo brought up her bow and arrow already to fire, all she had to do was draw the arrow back.

Kagome knelt down to Shippo and pulled him into her embrace. "Shippo, you must promise me something." Shippo looked at her like she knew something was going to happen and didn't tell him. "Take care of them." And with that she put down the confused kitsune. She grabbed her bow and arrows and walked up behind Inuyasha. "Kikyo! It isn't his fault, I set him free. If you want a fight........" A dangerous growl escaped her and she glared at the undead miko. "FIGHT ME!!"

'What the HELL is going on? I thought she wanted.......' "Kagome what the hell are you doing!?" Inuyasha spat out. Kagome glared over to him as if to say "This is MY fight."

"My fight isn't with you, my reincarnate, but with the one who betrayed me."

Kagome stepped in front of Inuyasha. "Well, guess what Kikyo, I'm making it my fight." Kagome mentally ran through the list of spells she knew, finding the right one, she smiled.

Inuyasha could hear her muttering something and guessed she was serious, it was a spell. He had no idea which one, but he had a feeling he would find out soon enough.

Shippo glanced over to Kagome's sleeping bag, and found Alina awake. She seemed to have fully recovered and was standing on her own feet. "Alina......?"

Alina started walking up to Kagome. When she was side by side with Inuyasha, she transformed into her full size. For a kitten it was still an impressive sight. The flames from her body were almost identical to Kirara's, only her spots remained to be the difference between the two.

Kagome had finished her spell and the barrier went up just after Alina stepped out of the way. The cat demon sat on the right side of her hanyou companion and nudged her leg, asking to be petted. Kagome rested a hand on Alina's forehead and buried her fingers in the cat's hair, gently scratching the grateful demon's scalp.

Kouga and Inuyasha tried to get out of her barrier but each time they were knocked onto the flat of their backs. Sango and Miroku could do nothing but stare at the scene that played in front of them. Inuyasha voiced what everyone caught in the barrier was thinking. "Dammit, Kagome. Why won't you let us fight with you?"

Kagome didn't look back only stated that it was something that they wouldn't understand. It was a "miko thing". "Besides......... this is personal." Kagome's aura began to crackle

'God, she's gorgeous when she's mad. I thought she was irresistible before, but now......... damn.' Kouga could feel a smooth heat growing inside him, but pushed it back down. 'Now's not the time for that.'

(AN: for once I think Kouga was able to control himself… I'm impressed… yeah, right.)

As Kagome's aura grew to the fluid blue flames the group inside watched in fear at how the fight outside the barrier would be.

"Kagome!! What the HELL do you think you're doing!?" Inuyasha screamed from inside the barrier. "Kikyo, don't you dare harm her." The rest of the group could only watch in horror as the miko fight was staged, they were helpless to stop it. 'I can't let this happen.' Inuyasha continued to fight to get out of the barrier.

Kagome's aura grew in strength and intensity. She was surrounded by a powerful blue fire that looked as though it could consume her.

"My dear reincarnate, why do you insist on fighting me?" Kikyo held her ground, with that horrible smirk of her face. (AN: God how I would just LOVE to slap that right off her face… Ok sorry to slow it down… please continue.)

"That's one reason why. I'm tired of constantly being reminded of being your future self. Besides if Inuyasha won't do it then I will........ I will put you to rest. It's time for you to leave this life. Why are you always trying to kill me anyway?"

"Because.......... when I get rid of you, Inuyasha and I can finally be together. He cares too much for you to leave you." Kikyo was raising her voice slightly so as to be sure all the occupants of the barrier bubble would hear her. Kagome found a hint of annoyance in Kikyo's voice, as did Inuyasha.

"I don't know if she can win this......... it might be too much for her. Her power isn't quite as strong."

"Thank you, Miroku for stating the OBVIOUS!!! We know this already." Inuyasha spat. 'Gods, Kagome how could you think you would be able to fight her? You know how
powerful she is...... wait a second....... is that what you're thinking? Because you know her tricks and her power....... and she doesn't know of yours yet?......... Can she possibly...........' "KAGOME!!!"

"I'm kinda busy right now Inuyasha......" Kagome growled.

'Can you hear me?'

Kagome glanced back in affirmation. "What do you want?"

'Look, I think I can help you, but first there is something I need to know.'

Kagome visibly tensed. "What?"

'Can you talk back into my mind?.......... it would be a bit easier.'

'What do you think? That when I'd get a power that I wouldn't explore it? Shippo and I had conversations......'

'Ok, good. Next question: What the hell are you thinking you can fight her? Is it because you know her power?'

'Duh, Inuyasha.'

Said demon growled. "Dammit Kagome, why do you have to be right for once?" That earned him a more than a couple of stares from the trapped group. "She knows what she's doing........ for a change. Besides all we can do right now is watch, the barrier is too strong and she's not going to let us out."

Kagome closed off her mind from outside thought, the last thing she needed was to be distracted right now. "Alina, you stand guard of the barrier. I don't want her to break it." The cat growled in response and went to stand between the mikos and the barrier. "Now then, Kikyo, shall we 'dance'?"

"I don't wish to fight you, but if I must to get Inuyasha to be with me.......... THEN SO BE IT!!" With that Kikyo let loose an arrow at Kagome, who dodged it easily. Kikyo pulled another arrow out and strung it in the bow and aimed for Kagome's heart.

Kagome froze and stared at the undead miko. Neither made a move or a sound, they just stood there. All at once the fight continued; there were arrows fired, curses thrown, and spells cast and dodged. The audience in the barrier bubble though were silent in watching the impressive way both miko's were fighting. Alina caught any of the enchanted arrows that flew towards the barrier, even if they weren't meant to break it.

(AN: I'm not good with fight scenes so we're just going to skip that part)

There was a scream and a brilliant flash that made the night sky bright as day. When the light faded all was silent; nothing moved, nothing dared to move.

AN: wipes some sweat off her brow I hope it was good for you, I'm still debating over it.. till next time... whenever that shall be…