Chapter Ten

Later the Next Day

"We sure are lucky someone had died. That way we didn't have to make up a story!" Miroku smiled happily as he drank his tea.

"I sure wish I could go home. Just to take a nice hot bath really…" Rei sighed sadly.

"I know, to get a bath here, theirs so much hard work involved!" Kagome whined. The others just looked at them curiously. The two girls sighed in unison with mutual understanding.

"Well, at least we get beds tonight." Kagome offered.

"Yes, we should sleep well tonight." Sango smiled.

But the night was early and the group dispersed to find their own sources of entertainment. Miroku went to fondle women, Inuyasha to train, Sango stayed behind to give her weapons some TLC, and Kagome and Rei went of with Shippo to do some shopping.

While in the market the girls talked amiably about the future and typical girl things. Kagome was happy to finally have someone her own age from the future to talk to.

"So, are you a Miko too, Kagome?" Rei asked.

"Well…" Kagome put a finger to her chin in thought, "I am the reincarnation of one, and I live at a shrine, and I have Miko powers, so I guess I am technically."

"But you've never had any formal training?"

"No, nothing like you."

"Well, than I believe that an honorific is in order!" Rei put her hands on her hips and raised her head in mock superiority.

Kagome giggled, "Oh, yes, Sensei!"

The girls continued they're window-shopping for a while, window-shopping in the huts. As the sun was setting they finally decided to turn back to the house they were staying at for the night. That was, until they came across a mantis demon.

It had chased a man from the fields into the village and now was causing mayhem. The girls ran head on into the rush of fleeing villagers.

Kagome didn't understand why they were doing this, "Rei! What are you doing?!" She wasn't going toward the demon; she was chasing Rei to drag her to safety.

Shippo agreed from Kagome's shoulder, "We should go back for Inuyasha!"

"He's probably on his way any way!" Kagome called.

The giant green monster was now in sight and eyeing the approaching girls.

Rei stopped and spun around. "There are people in danger and you want to run away? Waiting for someone else to do what you should is no better! You called yourself a Miko…"

"But, I…you cant handle this on your own!" Kagome stammered.

Rei shouted over her shoulder as she continued toward the demon, "Even out of uniform I am a Sailor Scout! I will never run from a fight!"

"Kagome, what are you doing?" Shippo wondered as Kagome stood still where she was, eyes shaded.

She knew Rei was right, because she relied on Inuyasha for everything. When she was by herself she thought of herself as helpless no matter how daringly vocal she was to assailants. Rei wasn't like that. Rei worked on a team too, but she wasn't afraid to fight alone against anyone or anything. Kagome didn't run. She didn't run to back up Rei. She didn't run away to find Inuyasha. She stayed where she was and watched, neutral.

As Rei approached closer to the mad mantis demon, shouts around her from the villagers were heard. They shouted that a priestess had come to save them that they would now be saved.

Rei didn't hear these shouts of praise or trust, all she knew was that she had to slay this demon. She held out her long bow and strung her arrow. As the demon thrust a spiky claw threw the air in her direction, she fired. At the moment of release she tried to recall what she had done the time that the arrow had spontaneously burst into flames when she had fired at Inuyasha. Luckily, it worked.

The end of the demons appendage was blown off and it retreated in pain with a wail.

Rei took the opportunity of the demons distraction to fire another shot at its head. It made contact and blood spewed. She put her arms to her face to block the mess.

"Ouch!"

Something sharp had embedded itself into her right hand. When she looked, she didn't see anything but a scar and blood.

A scar? How did that happen so quickly? The blood isn't min either it's the demons.

Kagome was there with an answer.

"Rei! A jewel shard just shot at you, are you ok?"

"What?!" Shippo and Rei shouted in shock at the same time.

Kagome explained that it had been in the demons head.

If the girls had wanted to inspect the demon for any signs of foul play they couldn't. The last arrow had sent the demon ablaze, and it now sat there half burned. Villagers were busy putting out the flames before it spread to huts or crops.

Kagome was willing to let Rei keep the shard, but she didn't feel like keeping it from the others. Rei didn't much mind having it or giving it up.

Sango and Miroku agreed that it was safe with Rei, and to let her keep it until she returned home. Inuyasha, however, needed some more (physical) persuading.

The group finally went to sleep after all the excitement was over, but Naraku had other ideas. Only half of his plan for the night had been accomplished.

Authors Note: Read and Review please! I wonder which cousing will get to it first...firemaided or sailormars...thanks guys!