This chapter was written after a review brought something to my attention. I am sure that others were wondering the same thing, so here you are. The reacton that Rei has to some surprising news in this chapter was inspired by my own reaction when I heard the same thing.
The Next Day
It was a classic scene. The gang plus Rei were walking down a dirt path surrounded by trees. They and no one else particularly know where they are going, but they know that some mishap circumstance will point them in the right direction soon or a later.
"Hey, Rei?" Inuyasha turned his gaze toward Rei.
"Yeah?" she responded.
"I keep hearing you talking about you losing your 'wand' or something. What kind of weapon is that?"
"It not exactly a weapon…" Rei wondered the best way to explain it; "My wand is what transforms me into Sailor Mars."
"Like magic? I can transform too, with Fox Magic!" Shippo chirped in.
"Yeah, like that." Rei agreed.
"What's Sailor Mars? Is it your true form?" Asked Miroku.
"Actually, yeah, your could say that. Please don't make me explain the whole thing; it's a very long story. About 18 volumes long…"
"How did you lose it, again? When you fell into the well?" Sango asked.
"Yes."
Sango furrowed her eyebrows in thought. "Then, why didn't Kagome or Inuyasha just go back to get it or you?" She asked.
Rei stopped dead in her tracks. The rest of the group stopped a few feet in front of her quivering form. She stared straight ahead, eyes wide, with clenched fists at her side. In a sudden movement that caused the rest to jump, she smacked her palm to her forehead.
"Why didn't we think of that sooner?!" She spun around and started for the opposite directions. When the rest didn't follow, she looked over her shoulder. "Well, come on! We have to go back and get it!"
"No way!" Inuyasha called to her. "I'm not going all the way back now!"
"That's fine, I just need Kagome!" Rei stopped and waited for Kagome to come after her.
"Eh? Me? Well, I…" Kagome stuttered.
"She's not going!"
"Well…" Kagome started, "We will go back eventually, Rei."
"Eventually?! I have to get back as soon as possible!"
"Don't worry, Rei. Kagome has to go back regularly for her school and things." Sango tried. "It wont be that long."
"Besides," Kagome started, "You don't need it to fight do you? You can just use a bow like me."
"You don't understand! If I can transform, then I can defeat whatever I need to faster and easier, letting me go back to my friends…" Rei lowered her head, "they need me…sniff…"
"Oh, Rei!" Kagome ran to her side. "Don't cry!"
"Don't touch me!" Rei put a hand out to block Kagome.
Kagome was frightened into listening. Rei wasn't looking down anymore, but straight at Kagome. Her teeth were visible in a snarl, her eyes shooting daggers.
"You don't understand! You're here battling evil to save the past! Unless I can return home, there won't be a future worth protecting!" Reis eyes had a distinct glisten, but not a tear was shed.
With her frustration voiced, Rei shoved past Kagome and the others, and continued in their original direction. The others quickly followed, keeping quiet. At least, most of them were.
"Hey," Inuyasha opened his big mouth, "What's to say your friends need you any way?"
"Inuyasha!" Kagome scolded.
"What? There probably fine without her, she hasn't been gone long."
Rei whirled around, "Shut up!"
Inuyasha blinked a few times. "Was that actually supposed to do something?"
"Do you want me to do something?"
"What can you do? You're just a human, and only Kagome can make me sit."
This should have been a clue for Kagome to do just that for his rude comment, but she was too captivated by the confrontation. She, Sango, Miroku, and Shippo were on the side of the road just watching. They knew this was going to be good.
"I don't need those beads to smack your face into the ground!"
"I'd like to see you try…ah!"
Those were not the words to say to a raging Rei. Before Inuyasha could finish his sentence, Rei had her hand at the back of Inuyasha's neck, and her foot sweeping his feet from underneath him. The result was literally, Rei smacking Inuyasha's face into the ground.
"Eat dirt!" was Rei's final statement to the shamed half-demon.
As Rei walked away, her hands were in fists, and her eyes were blazing. Basically, she was unapproachable. The rest of the gang realized this as she walked past, lowering their gaze and not moving a muscle. Once she was in front of them, they followed, leaving Inuyasha to catch up on his own. When he did, Kagome was quick to warn him against speaking.
Sango leaned into the Miroku's ear, and whispered, "Good technique I thought, catching him off balance."
"Yes, and off guard. It was quite a joy watch." He whispered back.
"Hey!" Inuyasha growled.
A while later when Rei had calmed down again, they tried to converse with her again.
"Say," Kagome wondered, "I thought you were physically weak without your wand. Where did you learn that move?"
"My friend Makoto, but I'm not weak. In this world, I'm stronger than your average person. I'm a Miko remember? I have better tricks up my sleeve." She smiled.
"Oh! A smile, you must be feeling better now." Miroku smiled back.
"Yes, I apologize for my outburst earlier."
"It was justified I think."
"Yes," Sango agreed, "Inuyasha isn't known for his tact with words."
"I hope he hold his tongue next time, I don't like seeing you upset." The monk inched a little closer to Rei. "You're smile accentuates your classic beauty."
"Oh? Huh, thank you!" Rei put her hands to her cheeks to cover her blush.
Rei is a sucker for flattery. It stems from her conceited side. But hey, who can blame her? She is a classic Japanese beauty.
"That sure perked her spirit's huh?" Sango said under her breath to Kagome.
"Don't worry about it, he's just trying to put her into a better mood with some flattery."
"Oh, he can go on as long as he likes, as long as it keeps her in a good mood." The pair giggled over this last comment.
For the rest of the day, everyone but Inuyasha walked along in high spirits. Rei knew there was nothing she could do to get home but home that her destiny here would reveal itself soon.