Sorry to have kept you all waiting so long for this installment, it kinda sucks, but I'll let you be the judge. I have the ending and the events leading up to it all planed out, I just need to type it. So don't worry... there is more on the way!!
Chapter 11- The 1st TestKagome lifted her sword just in time to block Kikyo's advance. She gritted her teeth as she stared eye to eye with her reincarnation. Kagome gave a large push, causing th priestess to stumble back.
"You are strong." Kikyo admired. "But not strong enough!" She advanced again, this time with a battle cry and increased vigor. She swung wildly. The first swing Kagome blocked. The clink of metal on metal caused Kagome's sword to vibrate in her hand.
The second swing came in so fast that Kagome had to duck under it. Kikyo took advantage of this by brining the but of the sword down on the younger girl's head. Kagome fell to the ground at Kikyo's cheap shot.
Outside of her mind, Kagome moaned in pain. The group was getting closer to the castle. Both Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru could smell it with every breath. Inuyasha, walking next to the cart heard Kagome moan. He silently reached over the edge and took her hand as they walked.
Kikyo stood over the weakened Kagome and smirked. This is too easy, she thought. She kicked Kagome in the side, causing her to role over, "come on get up." Kikyo urged. "Surely you can do better than that."
Kagome slowly reached for her sword and pushed herself up on her hands and knees before climbing to her feet. Her face and uniform were smeared with mud, her hair was tattered, but she was determined.
This time Kagome attacked. Wielding her sword above her head she attacked, and her enemy blocked, spun, and blocked the advances again. It was like she could anticipate Kagome's every move.
"Good." Kikyo smiled as she blocked ever advance. "You're getting better."
This caused Kagome to get even angrier and advance upon her enemy with more hatred. Kikyo smiled, knowing her plan was working. Kagome was getting sloppy. "I hope Inuyasha didn't teach you to fight. If he did, then I will surely be able to easily kill him."
Kagome lurched at Kikyo, her sword aimed at the priestess' heart, but Kikyo side stepped and lifted her own sword, grazing Kagome's cheek. Kagome reached for the wound which was now beginning to seep blood.
"I thought this was all in my mind." She whispered as she winced at the pain of the wound.
"It is." Kikyo replied. "But sometimes the mind can be just as painful, if not more, than the body."
Inuyasha breathed deep, inhaling the scent of the Luwi Assassin's lair, the foliage, his friends, and even the horse's fowl stench. Then there was Kagome's scent. It was always so fresh and sweet. He'd slowly come to realize that there was no scent he loved more then hers. He longed for it when it was gone and couldn't inhale enough of it when she returned.
There was something knew in the air. He recognized it, and instantly became sick to his stomach. It was the scent of blood, human blood. And not just any human, Kagome. He turned to look at her, her shoulder wound was healing, it hasn't been reopened. Then he saw it. A gash across her face and the blood that was running down her cheek.
"What the hell?!?" He said loud enough to make the others stop and turn as he jumped into the cart to lean over her.
Kaede turned in the seat to watch Inuyasha wipe Kagome's blood on his sleeve. "What is that Inuyasha?" her raspy voice asked.
"Kagome's blood, it's a sword wound, but no one's attacked her, we've all been here the entire time." Inuyasha stated baffeled byt the sight.
"Maybe the attack was not from here." Sesshoumaru said in his usual, yet annoyingly, calm manner.
"What do you mean?" Inuyasha growled at his brother.
"Maybe," the old priestess said, "the attack was from within."
Sango looked on worriedly. "You mean, the other soul is attacking her?"
Kaede nodded. "Yes and if we don't get it out soon, Kagome may be lost."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Inuyasha asked. "Kaede, take care of Kagome, I'm going on a head." Without another word he leapt into the air and towards the castle.
Kikyo and Kagome continued to battle. Kikyo also slashed up Kagome's arms. These wounds too stung Kagome more then she could bare. It took all of her strength just to block Kikyo's advances. The sword was heavy enough, but now with gashes on each arm bleeding though her uniform it felt like the heaviest burden in the world. Even Kagome was not aware that the wounds were showing to the outsiders as well.
Without a thought she lunged at Kikyo, who didn't expect this sudden rush was stuck by Kagome's sword in her right shoulder.
Mai sat meditating by the alter. Suddenly she glanced down at the pile of clay infront of her. She leaned in, curious about a substance that had recently immerged from it. It was dark and oozed slowly from the clay skin of the priestess.
She reached out her fingertips and placed them in the ooze then lifted the reddened tips to the light of the setting sun. It was blood.
Kikyo punched Kagome in the face sending her flying backwards, and causing her first wound to bleed even more. She then grabbed Kagome's sword from her shoulder and held both swords in her hands. The priestess gazed down at the school girl and smiled despite her wound.
"It's over Kagome. I have won this round."
Kagome sat up. "Yeah... this round, but there are still 2 more to go."
