I am sorry about the wait. I survived the hurricane so I don't really have an excuse...except I'm lazy...umm...I don't have much else to say so...Enjoy

Disclaimer:...same as the chapter before last chapter, before last chapter...(hehe)

Chapter Ten: Friendly Fire

When Kai woke up she saw Kiyoshi standing above her. She was startled and sat up. "What are you donig here?" She demanded. He shook his head chuckling. "I should be asking you the same question." In response to Kai's confused expression he added. "Look where you are."

Kai looked around and saw the bottom of the BoneEater's well. She sighed, "How did I get here?" She asked weakly, she slowly began to realize what had happened. Mournfully, she stared her ruined claws or fingernails more like it. Kiyoshi placed a half-gloved hand over hers. Kai felt her face grow hot as her heart beat quickened. She was speechless. Afraid to look at Kiyoshi, she turned her head.

He sighed. "What are you so afraid of Kai?" She closed her eyes and slowly opened them. Kiyoshi still sat at her side waiting patiently for a reply. Glancing at his face she noticed that he was red as well. Somehow that made her feel better.

"You know damn well, but I am afraid of!" She accused her voice quivering. She instantly regretted what she said and looked away again. Kiyoshi's hand tightened over hers. "I mean...Look at me. Look how weak I have become!"

"Kai," He said his voice revealing no sign of impatience but pure understanding. "You may not be as strong as you usually are but you still have the power of a priestess. That is just as strong, if you look at it a different way."

That shut her up. What if that was true? Was her spiritual powers as strong as her demonic powers were?

Kai blinked and looked up. She frowned as she squinted her purple eyes. A raven was sitting on the side of the well. She was sure it was demon without having to smell it. "Kiyoshi." She said alarmed.

"What?" He picked up on her urgency. Silently she pointed upwards. He saw the bird take off. "What the hell?"

"Let's get out of here." Kai said. Kiyoshi sighed at her serious tone. Blushing he wrapped an arm around her waist. "Hold on." He said. Kai placed her arms under his neck and with one great leap Kiyoshi cleared to therim of the old well and landed softly in the solid ground. It took a moment for them to let go.

"How wonderfully touching." A voice remarked sarcastically. Kiyoshi and Kai looked for the source. Standing in front of them was Kasumi.

"What the hell do you want?" Kai demanded and reached for the Akahoshii forgetting that it was a demonic blade thus useless.

Kasumi threw back her hood and looked Kai and Kiyoshi over. "I want the Ice Pendant." She said bluntly.

"Like I would give it you." Kiyoshi snapped.

"Oh, so you do have it," Kasumi said her voice playful. Kiyoshi watched her with a wide open mouth. "You look cute when your clueless." Veins in Kai's forehead burst. She drew her sword however usless it was and swung at Kasumi. She did a backflip and landed gracefully on ground behind her. The front of her cloak was sliced. Kai stared at her sword. It was pulsing faintly and the blade shrank. She sighed.

"Can't use it?" Kasumi taunted. Kai wasted no time. She turned to Kiyoshi. "Akahoshii," she muttered under her breath. "If you won't wield for me...work for Kiyoshi." The blade glowed red and she passed it to him. (remember her sword can do that) The sword transformed in his palm. "My fate is in your hands." She said quietly. "So don't screw this up."

Kiyoshi flashed her a heart-melting grin. "Of course." Kasumi resentfully watched their exchange. Loneliness struck her heart. Her ravens formed a shield around Kasumi. Kiyoshi heistanted.

The raven witch began to chant a spell and a black lightning bolt struck Kiyoshi. Shocks with sent through his body. He groaned in pain. Kai felt her heart rush with hate. How dare she hurt Kiyoshi!

Without thinking Kai charged and tackled Kasumi causing the birds to scatter. Kiyoshi watched the two girls in awe. The two girls rolled away and got to their feet. Both of them rubbing a bump in their heads.

"You bitch." Kasumi snarled.

Kai growled. Why that of all things? (hehe see the sixth chapter of Reborn Horror) She swung her right foot out and kicked Kasumi square in the jaw. The ravens disappeared in the sky. Kiyoshi watched them leave and felt his heart sink with a horrible feeling.

The fight between Kasumi and Kai continued, until the raven witch shot Kai with her lighning attack. Kai deflected with a purple shield. She felt a rush from using her spiritual powers. It always seemed natural. Without much thought Kai swelled with a purple cloud that slowly began to choke Kasumi. She collasped and raven cawed urgently and the cloud was penetrated when a flying sickle pierced Kai's right hand. She felt backwards and the breath left her lungs. Not ready to give up, but she body had other ideas. The magic had taken it's toll on her body. One she couldn't pay immediatly. Her head lolled lazily to the right. She stared at the flying sickle embedded in her wrist. Familiar kanji on the handle filled her heart with dread. It couldn't be...his?

A pool of blood soaked the ground. Kai felt in the uncomfortable feeling of sliding away from awareness. Was this death? All she saw was a dark eternity.

No, she thought firmly. This wasn't death. This was no where near the end. I refuse to die!

Kai's eyes flickered open, but all she saw was darkness.

(Intermision...srry i just had to put this...)

Kagura was limping away. Sesshomaru, Rin and Jaken had already left. Her mind stood aloof from her physical body. She was able to observe in a black void, like a nightmare. But she would never wake up. Naraku had control and he wasn't about to left to go. Kagura felt him in her mind reading her thoughts and manipulating her memory. All of Kagura's flaws and insecurities were written in a code Naraku had no problem deciphering. He grinned at the venerability of the wind witch.

Mechanically Kagura stood up and walked to Kai's village. Naraku's grand plan was in motion. All he needed was time...

"Kohaku?" Kasumi asked. She wasn't sure if it was really him standing in the distance. "Is that you?" He was motionless analyzing the damage from his weapon. His torrmented expression touched her. She looked away. Kohaku loves Kai, she thought. Kasumi closed her eyes. She heard Kiyoshi move closer to Kai. When she opened them again. Kohaku had fled and Kiyoshi was shaking Kai with tears in his eyes. Kasumi felt detached to the scene before her. She was never close enough to someone to ever feel the pain of loss, with the exception of her mother who will forever stay in her memory as a model to avoid. She could never die as her mother did. No matter hard she was pushed.

She swallowed at looked at Kai. She was her enemy who fell from her own friend. Kasumi had not intended for her to die. No, Kai isn't dead, she reminded herself. But it was only a matter of time...

Kasumi clenched her fists and walked to Kai. Kiyoshi drew the Akahoshii with full intent to slay Kasumi where she stood to vent his anger. She felt his overbearing wrath and every nerve in her body was alert. Kasumi looked at Kiyoshi and muttered a spell. The handle of the Akahoshii pulsed and the blade shrank in its small size. Kiyoshi snarled a curse and threw it down and lunged at Kasumi. Without thought she uttered another incantion and a black shield appeared around her. Kiyoshi was thrown backwards.

The dark miko leaned over Kai and sighed. The other young woman's eyes were open, but they were cloudy. In the purple and golden depths, Kasumi saw something. She gasped and recoiled. The image was gone as fast as it came. Heistantly, Kasumi placed her hand on Kai's wrist. A shock was sent through her body and Kasumi felt rivers of fire coarsing through her veins. She gritted her teeth in determination. Black lightning wrapped around Kasumi's forearm and was sent through Kai's body like a circut.

A blood-curling scream broke Kasumi's concetration. It was her own. She collasped and felt against the ground. She saw Kiyoshi advance with the Akahoshii pointed at her throat. Was this her end? Kasumi was unsure.

A cough brought everyone's attention. Kai sat up and stared at Kasumi in utter disbelief. Kasumi saw her eyes lit with bewilderment and at the same time realization. The young demon knew that Kasumi tried to heal her, when she expected her to end her life. Kasumi winced as the metal shackle on her wrist tightened to the point where it was a wonder her hand didn't come straight off.

Kai saw the piece of metal and gasped. "Naraku..." She whispered. Her eyes were clouded with mixed emotions. Why the hell did this strange follower of Naraku try to save her?

Kasumi mumbled between tears. "I am sorry." She slumped over and Kiyoshi and Kai leaned in to see what she was doing. Kasumi then bolted up, snatched the Ice Pendant from Kiyoshi's neck and did a backflip and landed on a rock. Her ravens appeared around her. "Forgive me..." She whispered and she disappeared into a black fog she conjured.

"What the hell?"

hehe...evil cliff hanger. What do you think Kasumi saw in Kai's eyes? Is she evil or not?

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