Chapter Eleven
"Round One" (Part Two)
.
.
.
.
.
Misao gave an excited huff and stood from the blue pillow she sat on, stretching her arms and legs. A girl her stature stood across from her, preparing to spar as well.
On the other end of the arena, Kagome stood in place with the three archers she was competing against. She took a deep breath and wiped her sweaty palms against her hakamas, tightening the grip on her bow.
"Come on, Kagome. You can do this." She tried to reassure herself.
"The task is simple," Kaede's voice started as she stepped onto the mat in front of the contestants. "Try to get as many points as ye can. The yellow ring is ten points, the blue ring is thirty points, and the red target is fifty points."
Kagome studied the four-colored ring some fifty feet in front of her. The distance between the two was slightly further than it was in the dojo and that struck a small nerve.
"Lastly, the outer white ring is zero points." Kaede made sure to mention. "When I raise my hand, ye will draw your arrow. When I drop it, ye will release on my command. Ye have five chances to get the highest amount of points. Understood?"
All of the contestants nodded.
"Let's go little weasel girl! Woo hoo! Yeah!
Misao glared in Sanosuke's direction as his booming voice stood out from the anxious crowd.
"Good luck, Misao." Sango sang with a hint of teasing in her voice. She winked at her friend and Misao smirked with a roll of her eyes.
"Contestants ready?" The head monitor of the arena floor asked, getting nods from all of the instructors.
With a blow of his whistle, Kaede rose an arm in the air at the same time as the combatants and swordsmen started sparring.
Kagome drew her first arrow and waited for Kaede's signal. When it was time, Kagome released her arrow and her mind slowed everything down as she watched it travel in a straight path, glowing in purple and landing on the blue ring in between the yellow ring and the red target.
"What? No way!" Hitomiko, seeing this power for the first time along with 98% of the population around, gasped and stood from her spot on the floor beside her best friend. The energy she witnessed and felt was just about as strong as her own and almost as strong as Kikyo's.
Everything seemed to stop and annoyed wasn't even the word to describe how Kikyo was feeling. Her hands balled into fists on top of her lap and she couldn't help but scowl. Is this going to happen every time she releases an arrow? She thought.
Kaede urged everyone to settle down and she raised an arm to signal her students to get ready for their second shot.
When Kagome shot again, the purple glow was still present.
"Ugh, this is embarrassing. I'm distracting everyone." She mumbled to herself, making note of the thirty extra points she accumulated. Not only was she distracting everyone else, but she was distracting herself worried about everyone else and their lack of focus on their own tasks. She couldn't blame them too much though. By the way they reacted, she knew they'd never seen anything like her powers before; or lack of controlling them, that is. So, she wasn't alone in that aspect.
"Do not worry, child. Keep going." Kaede encouraged.
In the stands behind the contestants, Kagura and Naraku had their attention on Kagome along with nearly everyone else with curious minds.
"Kikyo doesn't possess such powers, does she?" Kagura asked.
"She does. It seems this Kagome isn't able to control her own. But she will be a very valuable asset to my plan."
Naraku disappeared into the shadows and Kagura stayed behind to oversee the competition until the end.
"Kagome's powers are extraordinary." Ayeka commented, fully engaged in what was going on.
"I'll say. I've never seen anything like it." Megumi spoke up. "How's Misao doing down there?"
"She won!" Sanosuke cheered.
"That's my girl!" Ryoko joined in with him.
Pretty soon, Sango's turn had arrived as well as Kaoru's for swordsmanship. Kagome and the people she was competing with were having their scores tallied up. By the grace of God, Kagome had barely made it on to the next round, coming in second place with 130 points with the first place winner with 150 points.
Sango and Kaoru advanced to the next rounds and it seemed as if the blares of cheers and boos wouldn't stop. Thankfully, the end of day one was approaching and the final contestants were withering down.
"Attention!" Kagura took her place back in the center of the arena on her white feather. "We've had a successful first day of the Winter Games. The finals will be held tomorrow and the contestants are as follows…" She gestured to the screen behind her.
Sango and Misao were the last two standing for their category. Kaoru and a younger male were the finalists for swordsmanship. Lastly…Kikyo and Kagome for archery.
Inuyasha noticed all of his friends' eyes drift to him in the instant Kikyo and Kagome's names and pictures showed up on the screen. "What the heck are you all lookin' at me for?!"
His outburst made them look away. They all hung around until they were almost the last ones in the arena, waiting for the few missing to complete them.
"Miss Kaoru!" Kenshin was the first to spot his secret, not-so-secret love interest enter the arena with her friends by her side. "You did a great job, that you did. These are for you." He smiled sweetly.
Kaoru's face lit up at the colorful bouquet of flowers he presented to her. "Wow, Kenshin! They're beautiful! Thank you!" She hugged him tight around his neck and quickly backed off, suddenly feeling shy around everyone.
"Good job, ladies! Ready to head over to the Akabeko to celebrate? Aoshi and Sesshomaru's treat." Sanosuke suggested, unbeknownst to the pair he chose to pay for everyone.
"Yeah! I've worked up quite the appetite." Misao nudged a shoulder against Aoshi in a playful manner.
"Sanosuke is such a pest." Sesshomaru breathed.
"Ah, come on, you're the rich guy." Sanosuke picked at him, earning an eye roll.
"My dearest, Kagome. You looked great out there." Koga whirled in out of nowhere, pushing Inuyasha out of the way of his path to get closer to Kagome.
"Watch it, wolf!" Inuyasha growled.
Koga ignored him, taking Kagome's hands in his. "Let me take you out to dinner to celebrate. What do ya say?"
"Step aside! She's going out with us, tonight." Inuyasha butt in, separating the two.
"Can I get a word in, here?" Kagome managed, stepping in between the two.
"What is this?" Megumi blinked, never before seeing this behavior coming from the pup and the wolf.
"A love triangle, I presume. It all seems so familiar." Ayeka rolled her eyes over to Ryoko who was already glaring at her.
"Don't start with me, Princess." Ryoko warned.
Tenchi looked between the two, pleading that they stay calm after what happened at the Summer Festival. "Now, now, ladies." He simpered.
"You should just make your exit now. Isn't your clan waiting for you or something?"
"Don't you have a bone to fetch, puppy?" Koga challenged, getting in Inuyasha's face, causing Kagome to step back from the two.
"No, but I'll gladly break all of yours and scatter them all across this island!" Inuyasha pushed back, baring his sharp canines.
"Okay! That's enough!" Kagome pushed back between the two, stretching her arms out. "This is crazy! Koga, you need to take a chill pill! Inuyasha, you sit!"
In the instant of Kagome giving Inuyasha a certain command, the beads around his neck pulsed and glowed purple and forced him to the ground. Everyone was stunned and stood frozen with curiosity as Inuyasha shakily pulled himself up into a sitting position, the beads in his clutches.
"What…the hell…was that?!"
"Inuyasha! I'm-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean- I'm not sure what happened!" Kagome stuttered, rushing to help him up. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, but- "
"Inuyasha."
Everyone's eyes followed the voice belonging to Kikyo, who stood just a few feet away from the group.
"K-Kikyo. Uh," This was the second time Inuyasha hadn't sensed her nearby when she was within earshot of him.
"Sit? Is that the word?" She asked him.
Inuyasha shrugged his shoulders. "How the hell am I supposed to know? I guess so! Where is your crazy sister?! Ask her!"
"But, it didn't work when Kikyo just said it." Kagome was confused. "Why did that just happen?"
"Perhaps Kagome has a spiritual connection with Inuyasha." Miroku guessed. "and having such a connection, she's able to activate a word of subjugation with him. He is a dog demon, after all."
Inuyasha looked to the ceiling. "How much more complicated can things get?!" He yelled to no one in particular.
Kikyo didn't stick around to chat any longer. She stormed away from the group and out of the arena with the most menacing scowl anyone had ever seen her display. Inuyasha couldn't even bring it upon himself to go after her. This, along with him not acknowledging her beforehand was just adding more damage to their questioning, unsteady relationship. Nobody knew what to say. And in the midst of the sudden silence, Kagome's barely audible 'I'm sorry' could only be heard by her demon friends, while her face said what human ears couldn't pick up.
.
.
.
Sorry for the wait. I've finally had time to post this half. And I am working on the next chapter and I hope to have it to you guys soon! Work was taking up my time during the months I didn't post and since I'm stuck inside because of a snow storm, this is where I'm channeling my energy lol Hope you enjoyed it! xoxo