Later that night
It was rare that the gang ever got a full night's sleep, and tonight was no exception. Just as the group had drifted off into the fourth stage of sleep to meet their dreams, trouble stirred.
Inuyasha was of course sleeping in the corner of the room that he shared with Miroku. From his sitting position holding his sword, he shot open his eyelids. A familiar smell had caught his attention. He rose and slid past the girl's room in a manner that he thought of as sneaky, but everyone knew he was leaving. Because of his behavior, everyone but Rei had a pretty good idea where he was going.
Rei wasn't afraid to ask, "Where is he going?" she whispered to Kagome.
Kagome sighed. She didn't like the answer. "Since he didn't wake us right away screaming about demons or Naraku, I guess he's going to meet Kikyo…"
"What? Are you kidding? She's dead!" Rei couldn't understand the allure.
"Yes, but I guess…" Kagome shifted her eyes away. She didn't like the way that Rei was looking at her so intently for an answer. She wished that Sango would pipe in to dismiss the subject or at least answer for her, but of course she kept to herself in these matters. The only way Sango would speak up is if Rei openly insulted either Kagome or Inuyasha.
"So, why don't you go after him? What is he going to do with that woman this late at night?"
Like a lot of things about Rei tonight, Kagome didn't like the way she said that. Kagome had sat up earlier in the conversation, and now she just looked down at her lap. "I don't know…"
"Well, I'm going." Rei pushed back the covers of her tatami mat.
Finally, Sango found her voice, "Going where?"
"I'm going to go after Inuyasha." Indeed, she was already dressed in her miko garb. Before the other girls could protest, Rei was already outside with her bow in hand.
Kagome, like always, did not follow. She was in the habit of leaving Inuyasha be when he left in times like this. Every time she had chased him or gotten to Kikyo before him, bad things had happened. She had seen or heard things that she would rather have not known, only because the reality of the situation broke her heart. She thought she knew that Inuyasha still loved Kikyo.
Rei however, had no qualms about following after him. She had a few choice words for Inuyasha. It's what she did for her friends back home and she knew it's what they would do for her. Maybe they wouldn't be as direct as she was about to be, but she wasn't the princess of Mars for nothing, right? She couldn't sit back and watch any of her friends' hearts be broken by a guy. Even if that guy was a half demon with long claws…and fangs…or even if they had super human strength. She could take him on…without her wand…any fire power. Rei was beginning to consider waiting until the morning to confront Inuyasha when they were on more even ground in the daylight.
Turning was too late now as she had entered the mountain range close behind him.
Their sure is a lot of forest and open land in this time period… Rei mused.
It seemed that no matter where they were tree cover and mountain range was only a few steps away.
She sneaked along carefully, picking her way through the trees and fallen leaves. Ahead, she could see the gleam of white hair shimmering in the moonlight. Soon, she was close enough to hear voices. She quickly hid herself behind a tree to listen.
"What do you mean you don't want to see me?" Inuyasha was asking Kikyo, "Why else did you come?" Inuyasha raised his hands in frustration.
"You seem to think too highly of yourself, Inuyasha." Kikyo was responding. "I have no business with you tonight. That woman is who poses the greatest threat." She pointed with her bow in the direction of Rie's tree.
"Eek!" Rei squeaked with embarrassment, her cheeks red.
She covered her mouth as she subconsciously made the noise, the whole situation becoming more comical as the seconds ticked by. She decided that since Kikyo had pointed her out, it was no use in hiding any more. She stepped out from behind the tree to let Inuyasha see her.
"Are you so concerned with me that you can't even smell another person drawing near?" Kikyo scoffed at Inuyasha with a raised eyebrow.
"No! I noticed, I just thought that it was better to ignore her. She isn't that important you know…" Inuyasha crossed his arms.
Rei stepped forward, "You have business with me, miko?" Rei directed to Kikyo. She hadn't expected this sort of a turn out.
"That shard in your hand…How did you get it?"
"It shot into my hand after slaying a demon." Rei answered truthfully.
Kikyo narrowed her eyes. "That was no accident. Naraku is plotting against me and he is using you as a tool."
"Me, a tool for Naraku? I am no one's slave. Besides, why should I believe you?"
"You talk as if you know more than I. You are mistaken. No one in this world can know that demon better than I can."
"Is that because you're so old?" Rei smiled.
"Joke while you can. But be warned, my life is not yours for the taking, no matter what your destiny." Kikyo turned to leave dramatically with these last words ringing in Inuyasha and Rei' ears, but Rei didn't play that game.
"What do you mean, 'no matter what my destiny'?" Rei hurried toward the woman. When she caught up with her, she grabbed her should to turn her around.
Kikyo pushed Rei away with her bow instead of turning to face her. "I am not one for frivolous violence. I hadn't planned on fighting you until Naraku had forced you. Would you prefer that I kill you now?"
Inuyasha like most men was fascinated with fights between women. He hadn't moved once from his spot where Rei first found him. He merely looked on at the two women and their confrontation stupidly.
Rei was insulted at how confident Kikyo sounded talking about defeating her.
"You think I know nothing about Naraku? Well none of you know anything about me! I don't know what you think my destiny is, but if sending your mummy body back to hell is what will send me home, I dare you to fight me!" Reis hand was clasped tightly around her bow, her other clasped tightly into a fist. She stared at her adversary with flame in her eyes shooting from her glare.
The scene of the fight, despite the drama and fiery words, was beautiful. Taking Inuyasha out of the picture, it was a picture of two beautiful miko facing each other in a moonlit forest. They stood on a slight hill, trees and leaves swaying in the breeze around them. Reis hair was long and unbound, and presented a more luscious view than Kikyo's as it fluttered next to her seductively. Their stark red and white clothing was a striking contrast to the dark background of the forest.
Kikyo picked her next words carefully, and delivered them with just as much forethought. "What makes you think you can stand up to me?"
Rei didn't even think about what her response would be. Just like all the times before the words came to her lips before she even knew they would come, and delivered them just at the most dramatic moment. "I am Sailor Mars!" She yelled proudly, raising her right hand in the air.
All of sudden her right hand began to glow red, the light growing to envelope her entire body. She body rose above the ground, her eyes losing color. Her hair flowed gracefully; head tilted back, her limbs outstretched.
"I fight for love and justice, and will triumph over evil!" Rei continued with her speech. The things that were happening to her were nothing foreign. Everything about the minutes that passed only reinvigorated her making her feel powerful.
The ends of her clothes were suddenly charred, and it transformed. The loose fitting shirt now hugged her waist, the long sleeves remaining. Her read bottoms burnt right above her knees turning them a skirt. Her nails glowed brilliantly for a few moments, changing them to a red shine.
She stood tall and proud and faced Kikyo. "And that means you." She pointed to her in a classic Sailor Mars pose, smiling from ear to ear.
The scene had changed. The tables had turned and Kikyo didn't know what to expect. The girl she thought she had so clearly been able to read had just transformed right before her eyes. She had no idea if it was of the girls own power, or if it was due to sacred jewel shard. One thing was for sure. Kikyo wasn't feeling so confident any more.