A/N Thank you Laura-chan for reviewing, it was the beacon that led me to update the story. Enjoy this bit and maybe in a few days I'll have the next chapter up. It's already partially written.
Disclaimer: No, as much as I'd like to believe I own Inuyasha, I don't, so don't sue me for writing this.
Chapter 4
Sword Dancer
Miroku took it upon himself to go to the shrine early the next morning to run into Kagome. She came just minutes after he arrived and he had to quickly run out to meet her.
"Oi, Lady Kagome!"
She turned to face him and smiled. "Yes, houshi-sama?"
"Would you mind coming with me to my apartment…"
"That is very rude of you to ask me. I care not to go anywhere with you."
He tilted his head to the side. Kagome was the first girl to resist his charm; oh well. "Not for me. There's a frog in there that should be a prince. At the rate he's going he'll probably be awake when he's 50."
"Oh, you're referring to your roommate, Inuyasha. Why should I go wake him? Some people need their beauty sleep, and I think he could use a lot of it." She continued walking to the main shrine where she would change into her miko outfit.
"Ouch. That was a little harsh. Just come over. The shrine doesn't even open for another 2 hours, so you'll be fine." Miroku followed after her as she walked across the cemented ground. She was carrying a large bag today.
"Maybe some other day, but I am occupied, Houshi-sama. Go bother someone else, would you?"
"Whatever." He fell back and watched her leave in awe. Beauty, grace, charm, intelligence; what didn't this girl have?
*
Kagome finished changing and pulled two swords from her bag, leaving a third still hidden. She tied both sheaths to her waist on one side and entered the dojo. Both swords were removed from their coverings and the miko stood with the two blades against her chest.
Now, where was that boom box she had heard the other day? Ah yes, in the corner. She concentrated her mental energy and the music began to play. The song playing on the radio station tuned to was a heavy rock tune that sparked the nerves.
Her ears listened to the tune for a minute before she moved. One sword swung through the air, whistling slightly as it moved. Kagome's eyes were closed as she swung the sword around lightly and kept another one to her chest. As time went on, the other sword joined the first in the dance. Both forward, one back, down, spin, twist, above, to the side.
The swords flew around her as she gracefully swayed with the hard music. Her body swayed and turned with the momentum, her feet glided across the wood floor. It was a unique sword ballet. One of the swords was then spun so the blade circled in front of her body. A hand twisted and contorted to keep the metal spinning like a baton. After a minute, the other sword was also spinning beside the first.
Without warning, she gripped both handles and pulled the swords down to point at the floor. The song had ended. Sound erupted from the opposite side of the dojo as a person clapped and congratulated her. It was Miroku.
She opened her eyes and glared at the menace. How many times did he spy on her when he should have been working? Too many; after only two day's time she had sensed him snooping around her and spying at least a dozen times.
"Miroku-sama, I have already expressed to you that I dislike your spying on me when I'm doing things." Kagome sheathed both of the swords and began to walk towards the young monk.
"Lady Kagome, where did you learn to do that?" His gaze followed her as she moved across the planks without a sound.
"I have always done this, it is nothing new."
"It's amazing. You should have people pay to see you do that."
"I have. It isn't that great." She walked past him and out of the building.
"What? I'm not talking little performances; I'm talking huge crowds, a stage, and other things that come along with that."
"Been there, done that."
Miroku trailed after the shrine maiden. Her steps quickened, but so did his. "I don't believe you."
Kagome turned and looked him directly in the eye. "When you were in high school, what was the one thing everyone talked about and wanted to go see?"
"Hmm…let's see here…" he scratched his chin and looked up into the sky. "Ah yes: now I remember. It was The Sword Dancer. A girl who danced with swords and did extraordinary things."
"And what happened to her?"
"She disappeared. No one had seen her face so no one could find her."
"And now you're looking at her. Fame isn't what its all cracked up to be. Believe me."
"Liar. The Sword Dancer is much older than you and is probably in another country by now."
"You never saw her face, no one did. How would you know how old she is?" Kagome glared at Miroku. "If you don't believe me, I don't care. But don't you ever bring up performing with me again. Got that?"
Miroku nodded to her and she turned away from him and stormed off towards the main shrine. She was fuming by the time she returned to her bag. So she kicked the material in her anger. "How dare he! Can't he just leave me alone?"
The rest of the day was bad in the eyes of the young miko. To her the world was out to bring her down. First it was Miroku, and then a college freshman came by to cry away her sorrows.
*
"My brother was a sweet boy. He never did anything wrong. Then he was possessed by a demon and killed all of my family and friends. I barely survived. The police didn't understand what was wrong and…and…they shot him! Eleven bullet wounds in the back!" The girl cupped her head in her hands and cried heavily. "The demon left as he was dying and he saw what he had done and died crying."
Kagome gently rubbed the girl's trembling back as she told her awful tale. Indeed, Kagome could feel bandages under the shirt as she massaged the heart stricken girl. What a horrible thing to experience, and at such an early age too.
There was silence for a few minutes as the girl sobbed. Then she turned to Kagome and smiled weakly. "Thanks for listening. I have to go now."
"It was no problem, the name is Kagome. You can come by here any time you feel like it." Kagome smiled back comfortingly and stood up with the other female.
"My name is Sango. I think I'll take you up on that offer. See you later." Sango slowly made her way down the steps that led to the shrine and away from the young shrine maiden.
Listening to Sango's tragic story weighed down on Kagome and made her day all the gloomier. She stood where she was for a few minutes until she saw the first of the boys meandering in for kendo club. That is when she turned and briskly walked away before any of them could see her. After all, all they did was drool; and that was disturbing.
*
Inuyasha yawned as he climbed the shrine steps. He still hadn't fully awakened, though he didn't know why. The amount of sleep he had received was well over enough to revive him, and he hadn't done anything that would have worn him out.
Kouga greeted him when he reached the top of the staircase and dragged him off while chatting nonstop.
"Inuyasha. I've been thinking. Since you already can beat any one of the other members without breaking a sweat, and I've recently been informed of a superb sword wielder, how would you like to have a challenge?"
Inuyasha perked up slightly and nodded. "Sounds like fun. But he won't mind when I beat him, will he?"
"No, of course she won't."
Inuyasha froze in mid stride. "Wait, SHE?"
"Yes, the sword wielder is female. But she's just as good as any guy, so there's no worry." Kouga continued forward, rambling about the match and how it would be quite the sight.
"I don't fight girls…"
Then a voice came from behind him. "Maybe not. But I owe you for that shower. So I'll not be holding back when we duel."
He jerked around and met the gaze of Kagome Higurashi. That movement had made him feel light headed and he put his hand up to steady his forehead. Kagome moved forward with concern at his state and tried looking at his face.
"Inuyasha, are you alright?"
"Yes." He ground it out and walked away from her. What was wrong with him?
At the beginning of the club meeting, it was announced that Inuyasha would be dueling the famous and mysterious Sword Dancer. Loud chatter broke out with that announcement, people showering questions on both Kouga and Inuyasha. The duel was to take place at the end of the announcements, so many of the boys wanted everything to go faster, but in begging for it ultimately ended up slowing it down even more.
~
A/N What will the match bring? And what is wrong with Inuyasha?