Later that night

Rei could sense the demonic aura of Kagura. She got up, grabbed her bow and arrow, and walked silently into the woods.

Despite her efforts, he companions were roused. The group watched as Rei crept into the trees, on guard.

"I don't smell anything…" Inuyasha sniffed the air.

"You'd better follow her Inuyasha." Miroku suggested.

"If she wants to get herself killed, that's her problem." Inuyasha was about to bow his head in sleep again, until he saw a dangerous look in Kagome's eyes, "OK, OK! I'll go, grr…" He got up and followed Rei into the woods.

It hadn't taken Rei long to find Kagura. She was leaning up against a tree in a little clearing, waiting patiently. "So you're the new priestess. I don't know why you're traveling with Inuyasha, but I can only guess. What I really want to know is where you came from, and of your powers." She unfolded her fan.

"Too bad for you, because I already know all about you, so that makes me better equipped, doesn't it?" Rei strung her bow.

"Silly girl, you think you can defeat me with a bow and arrow?" Just then, a sacred arrow flew past Kagura. She had moved just in time. Kagura looked around suspiciously. "We'll continue this later…undisturbed." She took a step back and vanished. Rei looked over her shoulders, into the eyes of the un-living.

" You must be Kikyo." Rei smiled and turned to face her.

"I did not shoot at that demon woman to save you. I merely want to know the same the same information before Naraku can learn of it. What are you doing with Inuyasha?" All the time, Kikyo's face was emotionless as stone. Her eyes seemed to be trying to pierce through Rei's, looking for a clue

"What's wrong? Afraid of more competition than you can handle?" Rei giggled, she was hinting towards Inuyasha. Rei wasn't the best yet at verbal intimidation unless she was transformed into Sailor Mars. So resorting back to her high school girl taunting was the best she had. Even for its immaturity, the jab seemed to work.

Kikyo narrowed her eyes, "What are you implying?" she asked.

"I think you know." Rei put her hands on her hips and shrugged her shoulders, "First a young girl comes along wearing skimpy cloths and looks like you, not too bad." Rei looked at the other miko a tilted head and raised eyebrows. "You are the original. But now another one comes along with unknown abilities and is also a priestess. Now you're a little worried."

"Don't you dare talk like you understand me, you…"

"You what?" Rei interrupted. "You don't know what or who I am. Just like with Kagura, I have the upper hand." Rei wasn't giving Kikyo a chance to intimidate her.

Rei knew Kikyo wanted both her and Kagome out of the picture, but she wasn't going to let that happen.

"Your not even supposed to be here. Your time was up years ago, you talking mummy-" she nearly dodged an arrow, and strung her own bow. Inuyasha had now fallen upon the scene. He didn't know what to think. He saw that they were about ready to slit each other's throats without a second thought.

Inuyasha had expected that it would have been difficult to tell Rei apart from Kikyo from a distance, if the woman had showed up. But now he saw that it was foolish of him to think that, just because of their clothes and long black hair. First off, they both smelled differently, obviously. Second, they were both so completely different from the other in the way they stood, walked, or carried them selves in general. Kikyo was quiet and had a realistic confidence, while Rei was load and aggressive with a sure confidence. Kikyo walked straight and proud, Rei flowed with grace.

"I know not of your intentions here, but I do know you don't belong here either. I know you come from the future just like Kagome." Now it was Kikyo's turn to dodge an arrow, but she blocked it with her bow. She looked past Rei and noticed Inuyasha watching them. "We'll continue this later." She turned and walked away into the darkness of the woods.

Inuyasha came out of the trees.

"Well I'm sure not making friends quickly." Rei said jokingly.

"I'm not so sure you'd want to with the likes of them." Inuyasha snorted.

Rei was a little surprised at his comment by Inuyasha.

"But I thought you still loved Kikyo."

"That doesn't excuse the times she tried to hurt Kagome. I don't want to have tyou as an excuse to get close to her." He looked down at her through his yellow eyes.

"I understand." She walked past him back to the camp.

"So Kagura and Kikyo are after you? I'm impressed. They must sense something about you that we haven't yet." Miroku was thinking patiently by the fire.

Sango spoke up, "Naraku is probably planning to use Rei to his advantage, but Kikyo probably just doesn't like her."

"I'm sorry to have attracted more attention to all of you." Rei apologized.

"Well, you sure have had an eventful night to say the least." Kagome smiled encouragingly.

The talk eventually quieted down, and the group fell back asleep. Or, they all pretended to be. No one actally dreamed for another hour or so, with the thoughts of the nights events running through thier heads. No one had more to worry about than Rei. She had talked to Kagura and Kikyo confindently, but she really didnt know if she could handle them without her wand. She worried about her grandfather, her frieds, and the furture she had left behind. What dangers were back home, that she couldnt help fight? What dangers were after her here, that she knew nothing about and felt defenseless agaist? How was she supposed to get home? Rei, at the moment, felt defensless. She hated feeling this way, and often forced herself to believe otherwise, no matter what the situation. Her confidence had always roused the scouts before, but now she couldnt even rouse herself.