"I'm a little busy Kagura, what do you want?" Kagome had more important things to do. Saving the wolf tribe from themselves and getting Rin back safely was more important than fighting at the moment.
"Nuraku has given me orders to take your heart," Kagura said in a matter of fact way. She flicked her fan and prepared the wind to become her humble servant.
Kagome shook her head in frustration. This was just not her day. Maybe she could bluff her way out of this. There was no time to waste fighting with Kagura. "Do you want to die today Kagura?"
Kagura smirked and rolled her eyes at the youkai priestess. She was loath to admit her jealousy that the delicious demon lord chose the miko instead of herself. Many times she flirted openly with Lord Sesshomaru, only to be snubbed. Even Kagura's jealousy wasn't strong enough to force her to take on the youkai priestess willingly. She'd been watching the miko's power grow through Nuraku's spies. Apparently her power was such that she had Nuraku himself shaking in fear. No, she really didn't want to fight this woman.
"It really isn't up to me priestess. I am but Nuraku's slave, so prepare yourself," Kagura knew the conviction was missing from her voice. Nuraku was watching. She had no choice.
Kagome was disappointed that her bluff failed. She could tell Kagura wasn't feeling up to the battle. Maybe she could make this short.
Kagura threw her blades, but Kagome flipped swiftly to the left landing on her right hand and pushing off to land once more on her feet. She silently thanked Jaken for his excellent choice in her clothing. She took a quick breath and gauged the distance to Nuraku's witch. Kagome took off running straight at her with great speed. Half way there Kagura raised her fan, but Kagome took a sharp left. Her slash attack failed as Kagura took to the air. Kagome swung, but rolled through the empty air as her prey elevated beyond her reach.
Kagura began to feel a little better about the situation. Maybe she had a chance after all. Her thoughts went to Nuraku. 'This miko may be my only chance to one day be free of his filthy grasp.' She glanced around to see the poison insect, which hovered, just beyond the battleground. 'Damn, I have to make this look good. The last time I defied him I was chained for weeks in that disgusting dungeon.' With another flick of her fan she sent a second wave of blades at the miko, barely missing her right leg as she flew from the razors path.
At the moment Kagome wasn't sure how she avoided that last blade. It was close. When she flipped to break from it's deadly path she felt something strange happen, but now was not the time to figure it out.
Kagome was tiring of this game Kagura was playing with her. She'd hoped to get Kagura with her claws, then rendering her wounded and therefore unable to fight. The sorceress was too fleet of foot to get that close. She took in the situation and her position. She focused her energy and could feel it sparking around her.
Kagura watched as the miko began to glow with a white light. Sparks snapped about her body as her eyes melted into an iridescent gleam. She braced herself, because she knew this was going to hurt.
Kagome released the blast at her opponent. She tried to control the force, but was unsure if she'd been successful. It hit the wind sorceress with a deafening blast of light. She hurled a hundred yards before she crashed against a tree, knocking it to the ground. A crumpled and bleeding Kagura lay struggling for breath. She cautiously approached the demon. "Kagura?..."
Before another word could be uttered, several huge flying insects surrounded the fallen minion of Nuraku. Kagome watched as the giant hornets lifted Kagura and flew away.
"Well, at least that's over with," Kagome mumbled, and turned back towards the village where Kouga grabbed her. On the way her breathless and frantic friends met her. Kagome calmed them and proceeded to explain what had occurred.
"So Kouga is behind Rin's disappearance. That must be why Sesshomaru left you behind," Miroku mused, as he held his chin between his fingers in deep thought.
Kagome had not thought about that. 'Could he have known it was Kouga all along?' The thought was even more disturbing. That could only mean that he meant to slay the wolf prince.
"I have to find them. This is all my fault," Kagome's voice was full of worry.
"This is not your fault Kagome. You had no knowledge of what Kouga was planning. With Kagura's appearance, it sounds as though Nuraku had a hand in this too. It's just like him to play with people's lives for his own devious motives," Sango stressed through clenched teeth. One day soon they would make him pay.
Kagome stood up, and closed her eyes as she told her friends about the strange feeling that had come over her during the fight. Her powers were still new and developing further with each day. The venom from the Kyoufu Akuma was powerful. Her natural miko powers seemed to be weaving together to create something entirely new to the human and youkai world. It was frightening, if she dwelled on it, but now was not the time for that.
"I hope I'm right about this, Kagome said, just help me focus Miroku."
Miroku began to chant a soothing melody that he learned from his father. In times of great stress he often relied on it to keep a level head. The holy chord filled the air as the monk stood clasping his hands together in deep concentration.
Kagome cleared her mind and allowed Miroku's tune to seep into her entire being. She focused on her feet, and the ground beneath them. With great control she pushed.
Sango almost let out the 'eek' that popped into her mouth when her friend lifted from the ground.
Kagome was unaware of her departure from the Earth's gravitational pull. Something felt different, but she wasn't sure. She opened one eye to peek toward the ground. Then she fell.
Miroku jumped out of his skin when he heard the thud of his friends' bottom hitting the dirt. His eyes flew open to see Kagome wince from the impact. Ever the gentleman he immediately grabbed her hand to pull her to her feet. "Are you alright, Kagome?"
"Yep," Kagome said as she brushed her rear end off. "I probably just bruised my butt, though."
"Oh, let me check that for you," the monk said with a grin.
Before he could get a good grip Sango busted him over the head with her weapon. "Keep your hands to yourself hentai!"
A very pained monk crawled back to his feet. "I merely wished to check for injuries." His statement was met by two 'Humphs' from the ladies. "May we begin again?"
After yet another failed attempt, Kagome found herself stuck in a nearby tree, but three tries later she found herself hovering over the little clearing looking down on her friends. She couldn't hold back the laughter. It felt wonderful!
Sango was elated that Kagome finally succeeded in her many attempts. She stood watching as her celestial friend hovered above her. It saddened her a little, though. The old Kagome seemed to be disappearing before her very eyes, and in her place was this beautiful vision of power. Her shimmering hair danced in the winds behind her. Her garments looked as if they were alive. They only thing that remained of the old Kagome was her pure hearted smile. That smile reminded her that although her friend was different on the outside, her good and caring heart still remained intact on the inside. She waved up to Kagome and gave her a great big smile. "Be careful, Kagome!"