DW: OOO! I got a bit done, so I decided to spare you all the suspense of
waiting a month. Hopefully, this should tie you over for a week or two,
until I move and everything gets stable. Gomen in advance. Fight scenes
just really aren't my thing, so I'm hoping that this doesn't totally suck.
Inu: Hey! This fish tank ain't getting any lighter!
DW: Oh, looks like I gotta go help my Inu-chan move more stuff out of my room. I'll do the review responses with the next update. Jan e, minna!
~~~
Having made her challenge, Kagome pushed forward slightly, allowing the sharp blade to cut into her neck. It hurt, but it gave her the space she needed to deliver her attack. As she pushed forward, Kagome dropped her shoulders and rammed both her elbows into Maria's chest and gut. The girl's eyes widened in surprise as she felt the breath leave her body. She dropped the knife, and let the now enraged Kagome escape her arms.
Kagome jumped away and turned to face Maria, who had managed to get her wind back. Kagome delivered a powerful snap kick to the side, which Maria barely managed to block. Maria then returned with several punches to Kagome's chest. Kagome managed to deflect the blows to her side, but she thought she felt something give way as they connected.
Ignoring her pain, she then delivered an elbow to the side of Maria's face, causing her lip to split. Kagome didn't allow herself to get slow. As soon as her elbow connected, she pulled it back and did a back flip away, right as Maria grabbed for the blade she had dropped.
Inuyasha stopped struggling when he saw what was going on. Everyone was staring, unsure of what to do. Kagome was fighting with her kidnapper, and fighting as though she had been doing it all her life. And the best part was that she was winning.
But then, the Maria girl grabbed the knife she had dropped. Inuyasha could smell Kagome's blood, and he could see the red on the knife blade, as well as on her neck. She was tired, but was somehow finding the energy she needed to go on.
Kagome saw Maria pick up the blade and she dropped into a fighting stance, both legs spread to keep her balance and both arms up in defensive positions. 'Shit. Now she has the advantage.' But inside her head, she heard the words of the two men she loved. Tasuki's gentle voice mixed with Inuyasha's rough one, becoming one. 'You can do it. I believe in you. And I love you.'
Kagome then heard just Inuyasha's voice in her mind, repeating what he had said at the club. 'I will give you my strength, because it is you who gives me strength.' She felt her strength slowly return to her as she heard his words. She heard a slight hissing sound. Kagome looked up just in time for the blade to swing down. She took a half step back and it missed her, but barely. She could feel the wind created from the knife stroke.
'That was way too close.'
Kagome wasted no time. She had to end this fight, and fast. 'But, I do not want to be a killer. Not like this.'
Her neck was throbbing from the shallow cut and she could feel her blood running down her neck. Maria continued to slash at her wildly, trying to score hits. Kagome used her speed and agility to avoid the knife, a rhythm starting as she dodged and Maria attacked.
In her mind, a rhythm began, and her body began matching it to the movement of the blade. She twisted, swayed, jumped, and rolled her body as the knife came at her. To those watching, it looked as though the girl was dancing while the Black Spider attacked.
Kagome narrowly rolled her hips and stomach away from a slash that could have taken her down. 'I've got to end this. I need just one wrong move from her.'
Then, she saw her opening. Maria left her left side open to attack as she drew the knife up and threw it. With all of her strength, Kagome kicked up, her shoe connecting with Maria's ribcage right as the knife hit her in the left shoulder. Kagome felt something give way in the girl's chest and heard a sick cracking sound, but then her thoughts were a blur as the sharp blade pierced her skin and slid home into her body.
"YAAAAAHHH!!!"
Kagome screamed and dropped to her knees. She gasped and sucked in air as her shoulder responded to the foreign object now residing in it, trying not to cry from the intense burning pain that spread all over her body. Maria dropped to her knees in agony as well, seeing the knife deep in Kagome's left shoulder, the tip poking out of her back.
Kagome looked down and to the side. She could see the handle sticking out, the blade completely imbedded in her flesh just above her breast. Her body was telling her to curl up in a ball and give in. Her blood was quickly soaking through her jacket and shirt, leaving two red teardrop stains as it flowed down her arm, back, and chest.
Kagome looked at Maria, who was panting and wheezing. She didn't seem able to stand up. It was all the opportunity Kagome needed. She ripped the knife out, not caring about the pain the action caused or the blood that shot out with the action, and thrust it at Maria's neck. Maria's dark eyes widened in shock as Kagome halted the blade's bloody tip at her throat, sparing her life.
Kagome slowly stood up, still holding the knife. Her left arm dangled uselessly, unable to move due to the wounds. She looked down at the kneeling girl. "Bitch, I told you not to insult the guy I love, or mess with my family. But as much as I'd like to get revenge right now, I won't kill. Not this way. I've beaten you. I'm giving you a second chance. It's more than Tasuki ever got."
Kagome dropped the knife with disgust and turned around. She grabbed her shoulder with her right hand, trying to stop the flow of her lifeblood. She knew that the knife had done some major damage to her body. She started to slowly walk towards Inuyasha, who had freed himself from the others and was running to her.
Her steps were becoming harder and harder for her to take, and her vision was starting to blur slightly. Her body was reacting to the loss of blood and all the stress it had been through. Vaguely, Kagome was aware of the warm liquid running down her arm and onto her hand, where it dripped off of her fingers.
Inuyasha reached her and caught her in a gentle hug as she collapsed against him. Kagome looked up at him, smiling, and her eyes half closed. "I guess you were right. I did need to learn that stuff." Inuyasha just pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck, glad that she was alive. Sniffing the air around her for a second, he gently licked at the cut on her neck, allowing his tongue to heal the wound. Kagome stayed silent as he worked, closing her eyes as she concentrated on willing her pain away.
No one had moved. But then, Maria grabbed her knife and stood, shaking with the effort and having trouble breathing. Kagome had done some serious damage with that last kick. But, Maria knew that she could not fail. Kikyo had said that the girl must either be captured alive, or killed. Plan A, which was to capture her alive, had failed, and so the only option left was to kill her.
Raising the knife, Maria brought it back, preparing to throw it into Kagome's unprotected back. Inuyasha saw this as he glanced up. Growling, he quickly swung Kagome around so that she was behind him, drew his gun and took aim, all in one movement. He saw Maria throw the knife at the two. With his free hand, he caught the blade by the handle and at the same time, squeezed the trigger.
Maria's head snapped back as the bullet hit her between the eyes. She fell to the ground in a dead heap. Sango had rushed over to Kagome when Inuyasha had pushed her behind him and was now holding her. Inuyasha dropped the knife and lowered his gun, sticking it into the waistband of his jeans. He turned, red spots on his shirt, and took the semi-conscious Kagome from Sango, carefully picking her up. Carrying her as if she was made of glass, he walked towards the house, calling for the medical staff to get into the hospital wing.
~~~
~~~
Inuyasha heard her scream of pain, but it froze him in place. He watched in slow motion as his Kagome fell to her knees, her opponent doing the same. He stared as his Kagome ripped the blade out of her shoulder. Blood flew from the wound as she grimaced. Then, she turned with the blade in her hand to Maria, who was on her knees in pain from the kick to the side. He watched as his Kagome, her eyes full of pain, sadness, and anger, thrust the bloody knife at the girl's neck. It stopped within millimeters of her throat.
Kagome's tired voice could be heard over the silence. "Bitch, I told you not to mess with the guy I love, or with my family. But as much as I'd like to, I won't kill. Not this way. I've beaten you. I'm giving you a second chance. It's more than Tasuki ever got."
Then Kagome dropped the knife, a disgusted look on her face, and walked towards him. Her hand was on her shoulder, trying to stop her blood, which was now dripping off of her fingers. She was tired, sweating, bleeding, and breathing hard. But she had won.
Inuyasha quickly ran to her side and caught her in a hug right as she collapsed. He was surprised to see her smiling. Then she spoke. "I guess you were right. I did need to learn that stuff." Inuyasha was just relieved that she was alive and in his arms. But, she was bleeding. Her shoulder would need serious medical attention, but he could do something about the cut on her throat.
He gently nuzzled her neck. He had seen the cut and knew that it wasn't that deep. If it had been, she wouldn't be living still. He sniffed to see if she were bleeding anywhere else except her shoulder and neck. Not finding anything else, he turned his attention to the cut. Hoping that she wouldn't think of him as disgusting, he began to lick the wound, cleaning it and mending the skin.
As his tongue passed over the cut and the blood disappeared, the skin began to heal almost immediately, not leaving a scar. It was a special power of inu youkai. Their saliva had potent healing properties. Kagome just stayed silent, somehow knowing that she shouldn't move. As his tongue passed over her wound, it immediately healed.
As he gave the final lick, Inuyasha raised his eyes to Maria. She was now standing, and had the knife in her hand. 'What does that bitch think she's doing?' He saw her raise the knife, bringing it back to throw. 'Oh, hell no. Kagome gave her another chance, and she's blowing it. Gomen, Kags, but she's gonna die now!'
Inuyasha quickly swung Kagome around so that she was behind him, pulled out his gun and aimed for the spot between her eyes. Maria released the knife and it flew at him. Inuyasha stretched out his left hand and caught the blade by the handle, the reddened tip pointing at his chest, drops of Kagome's blood flicking off onto his shirt from the force of being thrown. At the same time, he squeezed the trigger on his gun.
He watched as the girl was thrown backwards as the bullet hit her. He had shot her right between the eyes. 'No way is she getting up after that.' The body fell, and he lowered his arm. Kagome was safe now. He dropped the knife and stuck his gun in the waistband of his jeans.
Turning around, he saw that Sango was now supporting Kagome, who was still bleeding from her shoulder and on the verge of unconsciousness. He scooped her up and carried her into the house, yelling for the medical staff.
~*~*~*~
Inu: Hey! This fish tank ain't getting any lighter!
DW: Oh, looks like I gotta go help my Inu-chan move more stuff out of my room. I'll do the review responses with the next update. Jan e, minna!
~~~
Having made her challenge, Kagome pushed forward slightly, allowing the sharp blade to cut into her neck. It hurt, but it gave her the space she needed to deliver her attack. As she pushed forward, Kagome dropped her shoulders and rammed both her elbows into Maria's chest and gut. The girl's eyes widened in surprise as she felt the breath leave her body. She dropped the knife, and let the now enraged Kagome escape her arms.
Kagome jumped away and turned to face Maria, who had managed to get her wind back. Kagome delivered a powerful snap kick to the side, which Maria barely managed to block. Maria then returned with several punches to Kagome's chest. Kagome managed to deflect the blows to her side, but she thought she felt something give way as they connected.
Ignoring her pain, she then delivered an elbow to the side of Maria's face, causing her lip to split. Kagome didn't allow herself to get slow. As soon as her elbow connected, she pulled it back and did a back flip away, right as Maria grabbed for the blade she had dropped.
Inuyasha stopped struggling when he saw what was going on. Everyone was staring, unsure of what to do. Kagome was fighting with her kidnapper, and fighting as though she had been doing it all her life. And the best part was that she was winning.
But then, the Maria girl grabbed the knife she had dropped. Inuyasha could smell Kagome's blood, and he could see the red on the knife blade, as well as on her neck. She was tired, but was somehow finding the energy she needed to go on.
Kagome saw Maria pick up the blade and she dropped into a fighting stance, both legs spread to keep her balance and both arms up in defensive positions. 'Shit. Now she has the advantage.' But inside her head, she heard the words of the two men she loved. Tasuki's gentle voice mixed with Inuyasha's rough one, becoming one. 'You can do it. I believe in you. And I love you.'
Kagome then heard just Inuyasha's voice in her mind, repeating what he had said at the club. 'I will give you my strength, because it is you who gives me strength.' She felt her strength slowly return to her as she heard his words. She heard a slight hissing sound. Kagome looked up just in time for the blade to swing down. She took a half step back and it missed her, but barely. She could feel the wind created from the knife stroke.
'That was way too close.'
Kagome wasted no time. She had to end this fight, and fast. 'But, I do not want to be a killer. Not like this.'
Her neck was throbbing from the shallow cut and she could feel her blood running down her neck. Maria continued to slash at her wildly, trying to score hits. Kagome used her speed and agility to avoid the knife, a rhythm starting as she dodged and Maria attacked.
In her mind, a rhythm began, and her body began matching it to the movement of the blade. She twisted, swayed, jumped, and rolled her body as the knife came at her. To those watching, it looked as though the girl was dancing while the Black Spider attacked.
Kagome narrowly rolled her hips and stomach away from a slash that could have taken her down. 'I've got to end this. I need just one wrong move from her.'
Then, she saw her opening. Maria left her left side open to attack as she drew the knife up and threw it. With all of her strength, Kagome kicked up, her shoe connecting with Maria's ribcage right as the knife hit her in the left shoulder. Kagome felt something give way in the girl's chest and heard a sick cracking sound, but then her thoughts were a blur as the sharp blade pierced her skin and slid home into her body.
"YAAAAAHHH!!!"
Kagome screamed and dropped to her knees. She gasped and sucked in air as her shoulder responded to the foreign object now residing in it, trying not to cry from the intense burning pain that spread all over her body. Maria dropped to her knees in agony as well, seeing the knife deep in Kagome's left shoulder, the tip poking out of her back.
Kagome looked down and to the side. She could see the handle sticking out, the blade completely imbedded in her flesh just above her breast. Her body was telling her to curl up in a ball and give in. Her blood was quickly soaking through her jacket and shirt, leaving two red teardrop stains as it flowed down her arm, back, and chest.
Kagome looked at Maria, who was panting and wheezing. She didn't seem able to stand up. It was all the opportunity Kagome needed. She ripped the knife out, not caring about the pain the action caused or the blood that shot out with the action, and thrust it at Maria's neck. Maria's dark eyes widened in shock as Kagome halted the blade's bloody tip at her throat, sparing her life.
Kagome slowly stood up, still holding the knife. Her left arm dangled uselessly, unable to move due to the wounds. She looked down at the kneeling girl. "Bitch, I told you not to insult the guy I love, or mess with my family. But as much as I'd like to get revenge right now, I won't kill. Not this way. I've beaten you. I'm giving you a second chance. It's more than Tasuki ever got."
Kagome dropped the knife with disgust and turned around. She grabbed her shoulder with her right hand, trying to stop the flow of her lifeblood. She knew that the knife had done some major damage to her body. She started to slowly walk towards Inuyasha, who had freed himself from the others and was running to her.
Her steps were becoming harder and harder for her to take, and her vision was starting to blur slightly. Her body was reacting to the loss of blood and all the stress it had been through. Vaguely, Kagome was aware of the warm liquid running down her arm and onto her hand, where it dripped off of her fingers.
Inuyasha reached her and caught her in a gentle hug as she collapsed against him. Kagome looked up at him, smiling, and her eyes half closed. "I guess you were right. I did need to learn that stuff." Inuyasha just pulled her closer, nuzzling her neck, glad that she was alive. Sniffing the air around her for a second, he gently licked at the cut on her neck, allowing his tongue to heal the wound. Kagome stayed silent as he worked, closing her eyes as she concentrated on willing her pain away.
No one had moved. But then, Maria grabbed her knife and stood, shaking with the effort and having trouble breathing. Kagome had done some serious damage with that last kick. But, Maria knew that she could not fail. Kikyo had said that the girl must either be captured alive, or killed. Plan A, which was to capture her alive, had failed, and so the only option left was to kill her.
Raising the knife, Maria brought it back, preparing to throw it into Kagome's unprotected back. Inuyasha saw this as he glanced up. Growling, he quickly swung Kagome around so that she was behind him, drew his gun and took aim, all in one movement. He saw Maria throw the knife at the two. With his free hand, he caught the blade by the handle and at the same time, squeezed the trigger.
Maria's head snapped back as the bullet hit her between the eyes. She fell to the ground in a dead heap. Sango had rushed over to Kagome when Inuyasha had pushed her behind him and was now holding her. Inuyasha dropped the knife and lowered his gun, sticking it into the waistband of his jeans. He turned, red spots on his shirt, and took the semi-conscious Kagome from Sango, carefully picking her up. Carrying her as if she was made of glass, he walked towards the house, calling for the medical staff to get into the hospital wing.
~~~
~~~
Inuyasha heard her scream of pain, but it froze him in place. He watched in slow motion as his Kagome fell to her knees, her opponent doing the same. He stared as his Kagome ripped the blade out of her shoulder. Blood flew from the wound as she grimaced. Then, she turned with the blade in her hand to Maria, who was on her knees in pain from the kick to the side. He watched as his Kagome, her eyes full of pain, sadness, and anger, thrust the bloody knife at the girl's neck. It stopped within millimeters of her throat.
Kagome's tired voice could be heard over the silence. "Bitch, I told you not to mess with the guy I love, or with my family. But as much as I'd like to, I won't kill. Not this way. I've beaten you. I'm giving you a second chance. It's more than Tasuki ever got."
Then Kagome dropped the knife, a disgusted look on her face, and walked towards him. Her hand was on her shoulder, trying to stop her blood, which was now dripping off of her fingers. She was tired, sweating, bleeding, and breathing hard. But she had won.
Inuyasha quickly ran to her side and caught her in a hug right as she collapsed. He was surprised to see her smiling. Then she spoke. "I guess you were right. I did need to learn that stuff." Inuyasha was just relieved that she was alive and in his arms. But, she was bleeding. Her shoulder would need serious medical attention, but he could do something about the cut on her throat.
He gently nuzzled her neck. He had seen the cut and knew that it wasn't that deep. If it had been, she wouldn't be living still. He sniffed to see if she were bleeding anywhere else except her shoulder and neck. Not finding anything else, he turned his attention to the cut. Hoping that she wouldn't think of him as disgusting, he began to lick the wound, cleaning it and mending the skin.
As his tongue passed over the cut and the blood disappeared, the skin began to heal almost immediately, not leaving a scar. It was a special power of inu youkai. Their saliva had potent healing properties. Kagome just stayed silent, somehow knowing that she shouldn't move. As his tongue passed over her wound, it immediately healed.
As he gave the final lick, Inuyasha raised his eyes to Maria. She was now standing, and had the knife in her hand. 'What does that bitch think she's doing?' He saw her raise the knife, bringing it back to throw. 'Oh, hell no. Kagome gave her another chance, and she's blowing it. Gomen, Kags, but she's gonna die now!'
Inuyasha quickly swung Kagome around so that she was behind him, pulled out his gun and aimed for the spot between her eyes. Maria released the knife and it flew at him. Inuyasha stretched out his left hand and caught the blade by the handle, the reddened tip pointing at his chest, drops of Kagome's blood flicking off onto his shirt from the force of being thrown. At the same time, he squeezed the trigger on his gun.
He watched as the girl was thrown backwards as the bullet hit her. He had shot her right between the eyes. 'No way is she getting up after that.' The body fell, and he lowered his arm. Kagome was safe now. He dropped the knife and stuck his gun in the waistband of his jeans.
Turning around, he saw that Sango was now supporting Kagome, who was still bleeding from her shoulder and on the verge of unconsciousness. He scooped her up and carried her into the house, yelling for the medical staff.
~*~*~*~