"Ugh," I groaned as I blocked another powerful kick which Hiei threw at me. We were fighting for nearly 30 minutes and it was clear that he was going easy on me. And, it started to piss me off. After all, I didn't show everything I've got, too.
"Stop it, Hiei!" I shouted between the gasps.
"Stop what?" he asked innocently, panting slightly.
"Don't go easy on me! Fight seriously!" and with that... I punched him straight in the face.
It surprised us both. I had no idea that I'd manage to hit him! I was sure that he'd block! But, after a couple of seconds Hiei recovered from the shock and glared at me fierily. Finally, he decided to play seriously!
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I was lying on the grass, panting heavily. My body was exhausted, my legs weren't able to support me anymore, my whitish silver hair was scattered around my face and on the ground, my face and back were covered in cold sweat and some minor bruises. Oh, did I mention that my bottom lip was bleeding? I was so tired that I couldn't even... wag my tail.
"Hn... You... Lost..." Hiei was lying beside me, in a very similar state. Okay, so his lip wasn't bleeding, but his hand was. It still held the deep mark of my teeth. Yep, he trapped me, so, in order to get free, I bit him. Serves him right.
"Hah, you... Wish..." I couldn't help but smirk; I had this strange urge to annoy the Hell out of him. "It was so funny when you... Screamed when... I bit you..." I chuckled shortly, but my arching in pain stomach hurt too much "'Iiiah! Let go, let go! You stupid mutt!' That was pretty... Pathetic."
A shadow fell over me and the next thing I knew was Hiei appearing on top of me, a seriously pissed expression on his face. I hit the weak spot.
It seemed that he was too angry to talk, he just glared at me. I'm lucky looks aren't able to kill; I'd be dead in a matter of milliseconds.
Deciding to play along, I smirked and parted my lips to say something cheeky and smart, but all of a sudden, I've imagined Hiei back in the kitchen, you know, without the top part of his clothing. My face heat up and I was thanking the goddesses that Hiei was too distracted to read my mind.
However, he did notice my wild blush. "What?" he snapped, looking at me oddly.
"G-get off," I pushed him off and sat up, trying to hide my flushed face. Too bad that Hiei didn't finish then; he was still pissed at me for making fun of him, and he grabbed my shoulders firmly. My stomach twisted and, without thinking much, I aimed a punch at his face. I missed only by few inches, but I did scratch his cheek, which started bleeding. He raised his arm to protect his face and I took the opportunity to strike; I managed to kick him square in the chest. He rolled away, but stood up quickly. I did the same. And with that, the fight began once again.
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"So, what did you decide?" Hiei asked me calmly, looking at the sky from the tree branch he was sitting on. I was sitting on the other branch, oppositely to him, my tired legs dangling in the air. A sigh escaped my lips.
"I guess I'll go and improvise," I said after a while "I'd attach him right away, but I need to know, who shot."
Hiei nodded, still not looking at me. I had no idea what hour was it, but it was pretty late, since the sun already began to set. Around 6-7 PM, I assumed. So, that means that I've spent all day fighting with the annoying fire demon. Great. Time sure flies fast!
Sighing for the last time, I jumped down from the branch and landing quite gracefully on the ground. I dusted my blue kimono, fixed my hair and looked up, glancing at Hiei, who was staring right back at me. 'Go on, just do it!' I told myself strictly.
"... Thanks," I smiled, pleased at myself that I finally had the chance to thank him and doing it. Hiei didn't say anything in response. Just smirked. Somehow I knew that it meant 'No problem'.
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I exited the bathroom, fully dressed. My wet hair was dangling around my face. I began to dry them using a fluffy light green towel and I was surprised to see Inuko sitting on my bed.
"Huh? Oh, hey Inuko." I greeted, sitting on my bed next to her.
"Kikyo-san...? I have a question." she started firmly.
"Yes...?"
"When we'll begin our training?"
I was taken aback by this sudden question. Of course! So many things happened that I forgot that Inuko was my apprentice! Well, I didn't exactly forgot that, but I did forgot about the trainings.
"Listen, Inuko. Right now, I have something important to do, but after I promise we'll begin our trainings, okay?" I said.
"Yes! I can't wait!" she smiled. She's so cute when she smiles... Was my mother thinking that, seeing me smile? Did she felt the same warmth of pride, just like me at the moment...?
For a couple of minutes we talked. Well, actually SHE talked. About our life here. Our home. Her school. And, she talked about a boy, Kiken. She talked about him with such passion, her soft brown eyes were sparkling. His name made her smile. And blush slightly, as I've noticed.
"... and, when I got lost in school while searching for my locker, Kiken-kun appeared and helped me!" her smile grew wider at the memory. My stomach did a nasty flip. I saw this Kiken boy ONCE, but I knew I disliked him for some reason. Very much.
"Inuko-" I paused suddenly, as the words 'OVER PROTECTIVE' and 'PARANOID' echoed in my head once again.
"Yes?"
"Nothing." I ended quickly, "I'm happy that you're enjoying this life."
"Aren't you?" she asked curiously, blinking.
"Well, I..." was I enjoying this life? Life which was concentrated on fights and missions, away from the survival journeys? "I'm still not used to stay in one place for such a long time..." I said honestly.
"Well, I did felt uncomfortable, too!" Inuko nodded, "But now, I'm not! I have friends here!"
Friends"... that's good," I smiled weakly. If she was happy here, then we'll stay as long as she likes.
All of a sudden, my ears perked up as I heard Kurama's voice calling everyone for supper. Inuko smiled at me for the last time and got off of my bed, heading towards the door.
I wasn't hungry. But I wasn't full, either. I just... Wasn't in the mood to eat. Yep, that's it. I just lied back on my bed, thinking about this night over and over again. Before I noticed, I drifted to a dreamless sleep.
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I was standing in the dark forest, waiting. I maybe was looking calm and collected on the outside, but inside was a mess. My insides were twisted from nervousness and excitement. My hands and tail were shaking slightly, my 'calm' face was covered in a thin sheet of sweat. Questions were flying back and forth in my head, but were interrupted, as a figure came out from between the trees.
"Hello, Kikyo," he looked identically like Kage, except the eyes. Even the scent was the same!
"Hn," I glared, my fury rising inside. My jaw was clenched tightly, just like my fists. 'Wait until the shot, Kikyo! Calm down!' I shouted mentally, but the voice was fading away fast, being overwhelmed by my wrath.
"Huh? What's the matter?" the guy asked, "You sounded s bit terrified yesterday..."
That was it. I couldn't control my emotions anymore. Jumping forward, my clenched fist made contact with his fake face. I knew that it was not my friend Kage, so it was easy for me to beat him. The looks couldn't fool me. I had the advantage - he wasn't expecting such outrageous actions. He didn't have the time to recover from the shock, I couldn't let him. Quickly appearing behind him, I grabbed his wrists, immobilizing him. I could hear him yelp in suprise and pain.
"Kikyo, what're you doi-"
"SHUT UP!" I shouted, looking around panicky. The shot should come soon by now... "I know that you're NOT Kage, so don't bother pretending."
"Bitch," finally, the guy slowly transformed himself into his real form. Just then I've noticed his long tail which was approaching my hands... Shit!
"NOW!" I yelled out without thinking. As if the sniper was waiting on my command, he/she shot. A bullet flied from between the bushes and dug in the Cat's chest. The imposter gasped, blood pouring from his mouth. His eyes rolled back and his muscles relaxed. I let him go and the lifeless body landed on the ground, a red pool forming under it.
But I didn't pay attention to the body anymore. Taking out the gun Kage gave me once, a not so long time ago, I rushed towards the source of the bullet. Indeed, a person was standing there, a similar gun in their hand. They didn't run. They just stood there, as if waiting for me. Unfortunately, the moon got hidden behind the clouds and it was too dark to see the person's physical details.
I came closer slowly, my tail twitching, my Spirit Energy concentrating. I raised my gun, aiming at the person. They mimicked me.
"Who the Hell are you?" a deep growl escaped my throat. I was trying to slow my heartbeats down a bit, I could clearly hear them in my ears.
The wind blew the clouds away, revealing the silver moon which lightened the area. I was finally able to see my new opponent. Black hair, dark pink, almost red eyes, a cocky smirk on a handsome face... I gasped.
"Kage?!"