"Begin growing from where you are - not from where others think you ought to be by now." ~ Steven Douglas Lawrence

…..

A silence had grown around the group like a clinging vine, which if real would slowly collapse their lungs. A variety of eyes looked with mesmerized wonder into hues of blue. It was as if the hands of a clock had ticked till some unknown force ripped at the fabric of their existence causing them to come to a screeching halt. Inky black swirled in ethereal brilliance as small hands released their hold of a wooden bow.

He slowly approached her with confusion displayed upon his face. She instantly felt his hand on her cheek as she looked into his golden eyes. He was at a loss of words and she could tell. She was barely even aware of what she had even done moments before.

"What…" was all that could escape his lips until the rest drizzled off like a trickle of water from his mouth. Those golden eyes of his sent her so many messages at this time, she knew not of what to do.

"You act as if I know the answer…"

…..

Sango's Hiraikotsu whizzed by Kagura's head in a hiss of fury. The wind demoness smirked at the attempt as she watched the other's continue to fight off Naraku's latest creation. It was quite a beast to behold.

The creature held illuminating amethyst eyes which stared down upon the group as a dark chuckle erupted from its throat. Gnarly crooked horns sprouted from its head and a forked tongue peeked out of his mouth as he licked his fangs. Giant-like clawed hands continued to swipe at Miroku and Inuyasha, while Kagome stood on the wayside glaring up at the wind demoness whom sat upon her feather glancing at the scene taking place like a mere spectator.

"Damn it…" grunted Inuyasha as he tried grasping the hilt of Tetsusaiga again so that he could pull it out of its sheath. The moment this monster had come it had given him no time to pull out Tetsusaiga. The evil being had thrust him across the area into the trees before that could even happen.

Chances were that he wasn't going to get a long enough time to get the damn sword out without some help. Kagome saw this, but was sadly disappointed when Inuyasha called upon Sango's help instead of hers.

A seething anger began to bubble up in Kagome's body, yet she had no idea why. She was just as capable as Sango to ward of the demon long enough for Inuyasha to pull out his sword. Why hadn't he asked her to be the one to do it?

'Because he doesn't believe you can...' a haunting voice echoed in her mind. She unconsciously gripped her bow tighter in her hands till her knuckles turned white. Her stunning blue eyes shut tight as a low hiss escaped her lips. It wasn't fair.

"I can do it!" she screamed as she ran up to the group. Inuyasha now holding a transformed Tetsusaiga glanced back at Kagome startled. Sango and Miroku held similar expressions, but kept their eyes on the task at hand as the beast swiped at them again. Kagura's gaze turned from the fight to the miko as her brow arched upwards.

"What the hell are screaming about?" choked Inuyasha as a light blush came to Kagome's face after realizing how much of an idiot she just looked like. She lowered the bow in her hand to her waist as she looked up to him.

"Just, let me fight…" was the soft murmur that came from Kagome's lips. Inuyasha looked at her in disbelief before snorting and turning his attention back to the fight. He motioned for Sango and Miroku to get out of the way before striking Naraku's latest beast down.

A spray of what was left of the demon spread around the area before resting on the ground. Inuyasha gave a smirk and lowered Tetsusaiga slightly and began to head towards Kagome. Once he found himself in front of her, he stopped.

"By now you should know that you are a person not meant to fight, so don't interrupt mine to ask stupid questions" Inuyasha growled before moving his attention to Kagura, "Now all that's left is to finish you off,"

A malevolent cackle filled the field as Kagura gazed down on them from her spot on the feather. Once her laughter had stopped a wicked smile spread upon her face, which sent the group spiraling into confusion. What could she have planned?

"Come now hanyou let the little miko play," Kagura all, but hissed as the smile on her face grew wider. Kagome's eyes narrowed dangerously as she reached for an arrow from her quiver. Oh how this bitch was to pay…

"Are you crazy?" snorted Inuyasha, "She'd probably get hurt and let you get away,"

An arrow almost embedded itself into Inuyasha's head, but missed by an inch and hit a tree nearby. The tree sizzled and smoked for a minute until the purifying powers surrounding it dissipated. Inuyasha's ears flattened against his head and his eyes grew wide in utter bewilderment. Had Kagome just shot at him?

"Next time I won't miss on purpose," Kagome said in the same haunting voice that had filtered through her mind minutes ago. She quickly side-stepped Inuyasha and aimed her next loaded arrow at Kagura. Her eyes squinted in concentration as she prepared to shoot.

"Hmmm… you've got spunk kid. Sure, you're fighting for the right team?" Kagura cackled as she eyed the girl before her. Did this human actually believe that she could to harm to the wind demoness? Kagura found the situation entirely amusing.

"Oh I assure you, I reside on the right team," Kagome said as she released her first arrow. The wind demoness simply smirked and blew a blast of wind which knocked the arrow off course.

"You seem highly confident, but why are you even on a team? I see no purpose for you. Besides with every arrow you shoot at me I can easily deflect it. There must have been something wrong with my head, for me to actually think a human like you could be worthy enough for anything…" Kagura said in a smooth monotone voice.

Kagome's eyes began to cloud over into a soft gray and her mouth became one grim line. The rest of the group stood back and could only watch as these events took place. There thoughts were scattered all about, but all their minds at one point or another echoed the same thing. What had happened to Kagome?

"You have no right to tell me what I can and can not do. No one has that right, but me," Kagome spoke out in a deep serious tone. The arrow shot out from the bow and flew by Kagura, this time however nicking her shoulder.

"Nice effort, but why do you believe that I can't tell you what to do? You are truly nothing more than a human," Kagura said barely giving a second glance at the tiny wound on her shoulder. More arrows were fired around Kagura, but not one hit their mark right on. The wicked grin returned to Kagura's face. That is…until Kagome spoke up again.

"Why do I believe it?" Kagome bellowed, "Because I'm in control of my own destiny!"

Kagome's last arrow had been released and one would only have a second to actually see the shaft of the arrow before it was engulfed in a blinding light. Kagura only had the time to widen her eyes before the light struck her. Opposing energy hit the group so hard that everyone was thrown backwards.

Dust flowed around like thick smog as the light from the arrow slowly died away. Coughs erupted from the group as they staggered to their feet to view the scene around them. Or at least they tried to see.

Kagome was the last to get on her own two feet as she leaned on her bow lightly for support. Once she was fully standing she let out a hard cough into her hand. She squinted to try to look through the dust as it slowly floated downward.

Soon the cloud of dust was less dense and the group caught sight of what else floated down with the dust. A breath caught in their throats as tiny tuffs of once was a giant feather made their descent to the forest floor.

This leads to our current situation…

…..

"I'm surprised Miko" came a cool voice, "That you don't know the answer to a question you created,"

Inuyasha stiffened at the familiar voice. When had he come? Did he do it while they were all distracted? Or did he feel the energy blast from far away? Kagome's eyes widened as she turned to the voice.

"Sesshomaru?"

…..

I hope you enjoyed this lil' chap. I thought I'd try something new by adding a quote at the beginning that would go with the chapter. Is it a good idea? Should I continue doing it? Read and Review. YAY! I hope you enjoyed it.