Previously…

"That's a great idea, no one can see through Shippo's disguises," Kagome added.

"There's no one else but you who can do this Shippo," Inuyasha said as Shippo visibly brightened up at the praise he was receiving.

"Alright, I guess I'll do it," Shippo replied confidently as he disappeared in a flash of smoke.

When the smoke cleared, it was like Alice was looking into a mirror. Shippo had perfectly transformed into her.

Chapter 11: Wind and Fire

Wow, I'm impressed Alice thought.

"Here," Kagome said as she handed Alice a light blue kimono, "Now that Shippo is you, you'll have to go in disguise too."

Alice took the kimono and quickly put it on over her own clothes, seeing as it was big enough to look normal when she did so.

"Okay, this is weird," Alice said as she finished tying her new kimono's obi.

"Really, then no one will be able to tell I'm using fox magic?" Shippo asked timidly.

"You've come this far and you're backing out now?" Inuyasha growled.

Shippo, with a look of determination on his face, ran towards the village saying, "No way, I can't let you guys down. Let's go!"

Everyone followed Shippo to the mansion's gate where they stopped and talked for a bit.

"Okay Shippo, this is it. Good luck," Alice said as she patted Shippo on the head.

This is too weird Alice thought as she patted herself, in a sense, on the head.

"Inuyasha, you should stay here for now, the guards will be too suspicious if you come along as well," Kagome told Inuyasha.

"Okay, but call me if anything happens," Inuyasha replied before he ran off to somewhere in the town.

Alice watched as Inuyasha's form disappeared and wished for a moment that he wouldn't go too far because the plan might backfire on them.

"Let's go," Kagome said as the three entered the castle courtyard.

Alice felt herself tense in a mix of fear and anger as she saw the place she had been only moments ago, when she felt Kagome lightly bump into her and whisper, "Calm down, everything going to be fine."

Alice nodded as they continued to walk through the courtyard, but when a guard came to them she quickly turned around so they couldn't see her face. No need to take chances.

"Hey, this is the headman's house, what business do you have here," the guard asked as he came up to the trio.

"I found the girl on the wanted poster and came to turn her in," Kagome explained.

"Hmm," the guard replied while looking over at Shippo. "I see you've caught her. Here, come over here and wait on the white sand."

The trio did as instructed and walked over to a patch of white sand.

"Well that wasn't too hard," Kagome whispered when they got to the white sand.

"Yeah, well at least we got through easily," Alice whispered back.

"It's all because of my acting," Shippo said happily.

Kagome and Alice nodded as they looked around the courtyard, on the lookout for any guards that might over see them, but strangely enough the place seemed deserted.

What happened to all of those guards, I could've sworn there were more when I first came here Alice thought as they began to walk away silently from the sandy spot.

When Alice got close to one of the buildings she heard a faint buzzing sound.

"What is that?" Alice asked Kagome, trying to keep herself from looking around the corner.

Just then a wasp-like demon flew by just inches where Alice was causing her to stumble down on the ground.

"Saimyosho!" Kagome exclaimed as she tugged Alice back.

"Saimyosho?" Alice coughed as she looked towards Kagome, "What are they?"

"They're poisonous insects that Naraku uses, and if they're here then Kagura must be as well," Kagome explained.

"It's defiantly Kagura," Shippo said.

"Unfortunatly for us, I think that Saimyosho must've spotted you," Kagome told Alice who finally recovered from the shock of the situation that had just occurred.

"What? Aw come on, nothing can be easy around here huh?" Alice complained.

Just then, two massive demons appeared, one in front of the trio and the other in back.

"What?" Alice exclaimed as she turned around to face the demon from behind.

"Well that confirms that they found us," Shippo muttered.

Yeah, no kidding Alice thought bitterly If only I had my… Wait! Alice thought as she caught site of sword resting on a nearby tree.

My sword! If I can get that, these demons are finished. Alice quickly tried to get pass the demon but had to jump out of the way of its claws as it lunged towards her.

This action pushed Alice to the ground and Kagome quickly ran over to her, "Are you okay?"

Alice nodded but watched in anger as the demons approached the group.

"Alice, catch!" Alice heard a voice say and before she knew it her sword had been flung right to her.

In an instant, Alice let her Shikigami flow through her sword as slashed the nearest demon, destroying it. Alice then looked over to see Inuyasha running towards them.

"Inuyasha!" Alice called.

"I saw the Saimyosho fly by and I ran here as fast as I could. I expected this to happen," Inuyasha growled as he clawed at the other demon, which dodged his attack.

In a flash, Inuyasha unsheathed Tessaiga and brought it down on the demon, killing it with ease.

Shippo undid his transformation and sighed, saying, "So much for our plan."

"Yeah, I know," Alice muttered as she took off the blue kimono that was covering her usual outfit and put her sword back in the loop of her obi.

"Now what?" she asked.

"Those demons were nothing, but now that the Saimyosho have spotted you, both Naraku and Kagura know you're here," Inuyasha replied while looking over at Alice.

"Oh great, so there goes our plan," Alice muttered.

"Yeah, Kagura must already know that we are here," Kagome said worriedly.

"I guess all we can do now is to go to the headman's house huh?" Alice asked as she started to head towards the center of the mansion.

"It's dangerous but it is the only option we have left," Kagome agreed.

"Here I come," Inuyasha growled as everyone began running towards the headman's house.

"Inuyasha seems pretty excited about this," Shippo said from where he sat on Alice's shoulder.

"That's only because he loves to fight," Kagome replied while casting a glance at Inuyasha's direction.

"Well, you have to admire his determination," Alice put in, but as they rounded a corner Alice bumped into Inuyasha.

"Hey what's the deal?" Alice snapped before looking over to see a demon next to the village headman, poised to attack.

"Help me!" the headman pleaded.

Hmph, he doesn't deserve our help at all but something isn't quite right here.

"Yeah and why should I help you? Last time I checked you wanted me locked away in that awful cell," Alice replied coldly but as the demon lunged for the headman, she quickly sent out her Shikigami and killed it.

"Thank you so much, I don't deserve your kindness," the headman said to Alice as she walked over to him and helped him up.

"Hmph, you're right, but now is not the time to be worrying about that. What're you doing here? Why were those demons attacking you?" Alice asked.

"I was tricked by that Kagura person, I had no idea the castle messenger was a demon," the headman replied truthfully.

"Where is she now?" Inuyasha asked.

"She's just ahead. She tried to feed me to the demons," the headman replied.

"Alright, let's go!" Inuyasha said.

As they ran by the headman, Alice heard Kagome say to him, "It's dangerous here, you should hide or something."

"Come on Kagome!" Alice yelled back to her.

Kagome nodded and quickly followed Alice as Inuyasha led them into the mansion and through the doors of a room. Once inside, Alice saw a woman standing in front of them, wearing a white and red kimono and having her short black hair tied up in a short ponytail.

"Kagura, I knew it was you," Inuyasha yelled as he entered the room and when Kagura turned around, Alice saw she was carrying a fan in her hands.

"I thought I heard you guys," Kagura replied.

"So, you're Kagura huh?" Alice said angrily, "What business do you have with me?"

Kagura looked over at Alice before responding, "So you're the girl."

"I have a name you know… But before we fight, tell me did you bring me here into this world? Because if it was you you'd better send me back!" Alice yelled narrowing her eyes and unsheathing her sword.

"Send you back? How amusing," Kagura replied, "Why would I do something like that?"

Alice glared at Kagura as Inuyasha spoke up, "You're pathetic as always. Get ready Kagura, cause I'll cut you to shreds!"

"Go ahead mutt," Kagura replied as she swung her fan and let out a gust of wind yelling, "Dance of Blades!"

Alice easily dodged the attack and sent out her Shikigami towards Kagura who merely blew the flame away.

"Such weak attacks won't work on me," she yelled.

Tck, so much for the fire Shikigami Alice thought as she dodged another attack from Kagura. Two demons had appeared in all of the chaos and both Kagome and Shippo were fighting them off. Alice saw Inuyasha swing his Tessaiga towards Kagura, but the attack missed Kagura and instead made a huge hole in the floor.

"Inuyasha, I'll distract Kagura," Alice whispered as she passed by Inuyasha and swung her own sword at Kagura.

"Fine, just keep her busy until I'm ready, and when that moment come you'd better get out of the way fast," Inuyasha replied.

Alice nodded and continued to swing at Kagura who was just barley dodging her attacks.

"Get back!" Kagura yelled as she summoned more wind blades towards Alice.

Perfect Alice smirked as she let loose her new Shikigami, the wind Shikigami, and blocked Kagura's attack saying, "You're not the only one who can use the power of the wind!"

Kagura's face angered a bit before she yelled, "Yes, but I have far more control over it than you! Dance of the Dragon!"

Alice gasped as she saw three huge tornadoes whirling towards her. She managed to dodge them for the most part but one of them clipped Alice's arm, sending a red trail of blood down it.

Alice gasped in pain as grabbed her wounded arm and glared at Kagura, but before either could say a thing Inuyasha yelled out, "Kaze no Kizu!"

Alice immediately jumped out of the way just in time to see a blinding light come within inches of where she had just been. Kagura had done the same thing but as Alice could see, she didn't dodge the attack fully because her arm was injured as well.

"Damn! How could I let this happen?" Kagura yelled as she backed up, holding her own wounded arm.

"Ready to die Kagura?" Inuyasha yelled back, raising his sword high in the air.

"Wait a minute Inuyasha! We have to ask Kagura what she knows about the wanted posters," Kagome interrupted.

"Keh, I guess you're right," Inuyasha replied but just then Alice sensed something terribly wrong.

"What?" Inuyasha yelled as he too sensed what Alice sensed and looked around.

A bright flash of light filled the room as Alice recognized in horror what the light was and what it meant. She quickly used her wind Shikigami and blew everyone out of the way just before a fire Shikigami swarmed around her.

Alice screamed out in pain as she closed her eyes, feeling the fire searing her skin.

"Alice!" everyone yelled and when the fire cleared Alice fell to her knees and found herself gasping for breath.

"Shikigami? Is that you Utsugi?" Kagura called out in surprise.

She's right, this is Shikigami, but who's Utsugi? Alice thought as she opened an eye to look at their new arrival.

"Heh, lucky me. Naraku has sent someone to help me. Don't expect any thanks," Kagura said as she cast a glance towards the demon.

Alice saw that a demon was walking straight towards her and turned around to face her.

"Stop! Don't go any closer to her!" Inuyasha yelled as he jumped in front of Alice.

"Be careful Inuyasha, I don't think she's your typical demon," Kagome warned.

"Keh, I don't care what it is! I'll destroy anything that gets in my way! Kaze no Kizu!" Inuyasha yelled as he sent his attack towards the demon.

"You're wasting your time," the demon replied calmly as it repelled Inuyasha's attack.

What? It repelled the Wind Scar? Alice thought at the same time as Inuyasha growled, "Dammit, it didn't work."

"Now it's my turn," the demon said as it let loose another fire Shikigami attack towards Inuyasha.

"Inuyasha!" Alice yelled from where she knelt behind him when she saw Inuyasha fell on one knee as the attack ceased.

Alice then shakily got up and stood in front of Inuyasha telling him, "Stay still Inuyasha you're hurt."

"Keh, it's only a scratch," Inuyasha replied as blood flowed from his wound.

"Your wound, it's beautiful. It's like the setting sun…" the demon tailed off, interest clearly audible in its voice.

"What are you talking about?" Alice yelled to the demon, taking her gaze away from Inuyasha and locking it on the demon.

"Who are you? Why do you know how to use the power of Shikigami as well?" Alice demanded as she raised her sword towards the demon.

"Are you the girl?" the demon replied, ignoring Alice's questions.

"Shut up! I've already gone through this a hundred times! I have a name, its Alice, and it's about time you people start using it!" Alice yelled as she swung her sword, letting out a strong fire Shikigami attack.

The demon also sent out its Shikigami which met Alice's halfway. Both attacks pushed at each other before the demon's slightly pushed Alice's back. But before it could reach them, Alice's attack cancelled out the demons.

"Get out of the way!" Inuyasha yelled.

Alice ignored Inuyasha, falling to one knee herself as she saw the demon turn towards her saying, "Hmph that was pretty impressive."

The demon then turned and walked towards the exit before calling over her shoulder, "Kagura, I've seen enough. Let's go."

"Fine," Kagura replied as the two jumped on one of Kagura's feathers and flew away.

"Wait!" Inuyasha called after them before grabbing his wounded arm.

"Inuyasha, stay still for a moment would ya?" Alice snapped as she walked over to Inuyasha and used her healing Shikigami to heal his wounds.

"Keh," was all Inuyasha said as he allowed Alice to heal his wounds.

"What about yours?" Kagome asked Alice.

"I'll get to them later, they're not as bad as they look," Alice replied as she took her hand away from Inuyasha's arm, revealing a healed wound.

"Wow, that's amazing," Shippo exclaimed as he saw Inuyasha's arm.

Alice got up and looked up where Kagura and Utsugi disappeared to. Who was that Utsugi? Alice thought as she walked out of the room and straight into the village headman.

"Oh, you've defeated them," he said as he saw everyone exit the room.

"Are you blind! Can't you see that they just ran away?" Inuyasha growled angrily.

"Calm down, can't you see that he was affected by this too," Kagome told Inuyasha.

"Thank you for your understanding," the man replied as he bowed towards the group in respect, "I had no clue that the messenger from the castle was a demon. I'm greatly sorry for what has happened to you, please forgive me."

"That's okay, you're not the one to blame here," Alice said softly before her voice hardened again, "Kagura and Utsugi are the ones to blame, not you. Don't worry about it anymore."

"Oh you're so kind. You're such an angel," the man replied to Alice who blushed a little at the statement.

"I think you may be taking things a bit too far," Shippo cut in as he looked towards Alice.

"Come on, Alice really is kind," Kagome defended Alice, who nodded thanks to Kagome, who continued, "From what we've heard Kagura and Utsugi say, it seems like there's a connection between Naraku and you being here."

"Yeah, it's too bad we couldn't get them to spill the information though," Alice replied feeling frustrated.

"Don't give up, I'm sure we'll bump into them again," Kagome said.

"Yes, and I doubt Naraku will be leaving us alone anytime soon," Shippo agreed.

"Well next time I'll finish the job," Inuyasha vowed.

"Let's head back to Kaede's village for now," Kagome said as the group headed out of the mansion but Alice stayed where she was, staring up at the sky.

Naraku huh? Could he be the reason why I was sent here? Why would he do that though? I've never even met him before Alice thought before she heard Kagome yell out, "Alice! Come on!"

Alice sighed, she would figure thing out eventually but for now she had to focus on what lied ahead of her before she could move on to more serious matters.


Well that was a fun chapter!

Fighting scenes are so fun, but seriously when I saw Utsugi's mask in the game I was like O.O" (Try telling me you wouldn't react the same way xP) But nonetheless, she is pretty skilled in Shikigami but then again so is Alice who managed to block her attack while injured.

In the next chapter I'm sensing new arrivals as well, but will they be good or bad? Stay tuned xD

Please read and review~