Authoress Notes: I'm still pressing on through these story renovations! It keeps me busy during quarantine, at least. Speaking of which, I hope everyone is doing well! Love you all!
A Corpse Cries!
Tao Jun & Li Bailong!
Day in and day out for the past two months, Kagome functioned on a repetitive routine.
Wake up.
Run fifty kilometers in weights with Yoh.
Come home and exercise, spar, or meditate with Yoh.
Shower, then prepare breakfast.
Go to school.
Come home and exercise, spar, or meditate with Yoh.
Bathe, then prepare dinner.
Prepare obento for the next school day.
Study.
Pass out in bed.
Anna did not relent on Yoh's training during final exams, but Kagome took the time to focus on her studies. Manta's exam results were as expected: he received the highest scores across the board. Kagome was amazed at how he pulled off such a feat when he spent so much time at the Asakura residence.
He stayed over so often that it was almost like he lived there too. Sure, he always had a book in hand, but there was still the chaos that came with the territory. And oftentimes, he was forced to do chores by Anna. There were also plenty of times that his studying was interrupted by the ghosts of the previous owners playing pranks on him. And if he ran away screaming, he would sometimes end up taking a shoe to the face, courtesy of Anna.
Despite being unable to attain a spot in the top ten scorers, Kagome was proud of ranking number eleven in their class. Her mother, of course, was ecstatic that she ranked so high while training to be a shaman and sent her extra in her allowance. Higurashi-san's level of support for her daughter struck awe and admiration from her friends. They were not present for the conversation. But apparently, when Kagome asked for permission to stay with Yoh and Anna for a while, her mother readily agreed. She reassured Kagome not to worry about her current Tokyo home because it was owned by generous older relatives who charged no rent on it.
Thus, Kagome trained all the way until exams and summer break. She could not deny her mother's request to return home for the first two weeks, so the priestess ended up on an extended break from her training. It was a break from Anna's special training, at least. She still meditated with her cousins and grandmother every day. The priestess had to ignore the incessant remarks from Sesshomaru during the entire stay. But Sesshomaru's criticism was a small price to pay for the entertainment that was her grandfather and cousins trying to exorcise her spirit. Sesshomaru appeared stoic as they gathered around him, holding wards, reciting incantations, and throwing salt. But Kagome could tell that he was not amused.
It was the middle of August and there were only two weeks left for summer break. Kagome was not surprised to be thrown into the fire as soon as she turned to the Asakura residence. She was greeted by Yoh's teary-eyed glomp and Manta's smile. Her rigorous physical training resumed and her chores were plentiful. But, the girl found that she did not mind the return to this life. She even looked forward to making dinner after her bath.
Tonight was much cooler than the previous ones, so Kagome opted to forsake a luke-warm shower in favor of relaxing in the hot spring. With a fluffy towel wrapped around her frame and her pulled up into a ponytail, the girl stepped out into the crisp night air. Kagome's face wore a content smile as she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She then walked over to the edge of the water and tentatively stuck a toe in. "Alright, time for a ni—!"
"Could you keep it down?" Anna suddenly asked as she walked towards the spring. "I've had a long day and I don't need you disturbing my bath." The dainty blond held a pastel pink towel to her body as she settled into a spot a few meters away from Kagome.
Kagome could not help sweatdropping as she asked, "Oh yeah? What did you do all day?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Anna was quick to respond. "I had to make sure you and Yoh didn't slack off on your training," she explained straightforwardly.
The priestess almost facepalmed. "Riiiiiight," She muttered. "About that, this is late but, what's with you and Sesshomaru anyway? I mean, what do you get out of helping me train?"
"Hmph," Anna huffed as she folded her arms over her chest. "I thought you would have figured that out by now…" The girls' eyes connected. "I'm the one who proposed that I help train you, in exchange for…"
Kagome was genuinely surprised that Anna was the one who approached Sesshomaru. It was not that she could imagine her prideful spirit actively searching for help, but Anna… Anna did not seem like the type either. The priestess leaned forward as the answer drew her in, "In exchange for…?"
"You making my meals every day," Anna finished bluntly. "Eh!?" Kagome anime fell into the spring but quickly resurfaced, gasping and sputtering. "You're a much better cook than Yoh so I thought your skills would be useful."
"What did you do when I was visiting my family then?!" Kagome questioned.
"Ah, the dumpling took over your job." The answer was just as simple and blunt as most things that Anna said. "You're much better though so I'm glad that you returned."
It was the first semblance of a compliment that Anna paid to Kagome. But, it felt off. It almost felt like the other girl only wanted her to return because of her culinary prowess. "Yeah…" Kagome sighed, "That doesn't make me feel better." She then sunk further into the water, allowing the pool to engulf all but her head. 'What am I saying? I'm acting like a pessimist…'
Kagome's internal scolding was interrupted by Anna's nonchalant reply of, "That's fine. I wasn't trying to make you feel good. It's not my purpose."
"I've noticed," the priestess replied sharply. The more that Anna spoke, the more combative Kagome felt. Simply ignoring the other girl was possible, but tonight, she was unsatisfied with that. "You have nothing kind to say about anyone, do you?"
"Hmph," Anna turned away from Kagome, exposing her back to the other girl. She leaned against the lip of springs. Her head rested within her folded arms. "I'm not you," she stated. "I only give credit where it is due. I'm not the type of person who sugarcoats everything and hand out gold stars for any accomplishment."
Kagome scowled as she responded, "I'm not looking for praise or anything. I just wonder why you make a point of being so harsh all of the time!" The priestess took a step towards the medium, a hand raising to her chest. "I was raised to believe that kindness takes courage!"
Anna was quiet as she mulled over Kagome's words. She then shook her head before peering over at the priestess from over her shoulder. "If that's true, then you'll never understand me. And that's fine."
Kagome's jaw clenched as she glared at Anna. "You're wrong!" the priestess countered. Anna's sharp eyes did not waver or avoid Kagome's heated gaze, even when the priestess marched over to her. The springs sloshed around the girl as she closed the distance between them. "I'll never understand because you don't want me to understand!"
"Understanding me has nothing to do with your goals," Anna's eyes narrowed as she spoke. "Ultimately, you want to become stronger so you can be a great shaman. But until then, you'll be relying solely on Sesshomaru's—no. On Yoh's strength. Even at his current level, not even Yoh has a chance of surviving the Shaman Fights in Tokyo. You should focus on that goal before trying to confront me about mine."
Kagome's fist trembled at her side. She forced her voice into a whisper as she repressed the heat burning beneath her skin. "Anna-san…." She hissed, her head lowering and bangs shading her eyes. "You're unbelievable. You're avoiding addressing the real problem here."
"Oh?" Anna's eyebrow raised curiously. "And what would that be?"
'Why?' Kagome breathed a curt exhale, both a sigh and huff at once. She broke her lock with Anna's eyes as she muttered, "Nevermind. It doesn't matter." 'Why can't we get along…?' It was their first verbal altercation, and yet...it felt like the tension had begun long before tonight.
Anna instilled a sense of doubt in Kagome, a feeling that she thought was buried since she met her new friends in Tokyo. What did she doubt though? Her dreams? Her goals? Her friendships? Or, herself as a person?
The itako noticed how Kagome's outburst ended just as suddenly as it began. The smile on the priestess' face was a reflex. It did not reflect the emotions swirling her stormy eyes.
"Hmph," Anna huffed a bit. She had no wish to see Kagome like that. "So Higurashi," she stated, bringing the other girl back to reality. "You hate me now?"
"No," Kagome's response was simple and sweet, just the way Anna wanted it. "I don't hate you…" She added. "How could I?" She lifted her head and asked back, "And you? Do you hate me, Anna-san?"
"...I don't hate you," Anna answered as she rose up from the bath and hoisted herself onto land. "I'm leaving now." Her stride to the changing room was leisurely. "Don't waste time. I want dinner soon." Her small frame disappeared behind the flaps of the doorway.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
It was a warm Sunday morning. Kagome and Yoh were preparing for their morning run. As Kagome strapped down the velcro on her white running shoes, Yoh slipped on his sandals. He looked up at her face and noticed that his training partner was not beaming like she usually did. "Kagome-chan, are you alright?" he asked. "Did you get enough sleep last night?"
Kagome gave a single nod to both questions. "Yeah, I'm just…" A small smile graced her lips, "I'm just not feeling one-hundred percent today." The smile was unconvincing but Anna interrupted Yoh's train of thought with the flop of her sandals hitting the floor. She slipped into the shoes. She was dressed in her usual attire, but today she had a pink purse slipped over her shoulder.
"You going out?" Yoh asked curiously.
"I have a few personal matters to attend to today" she answered. "You two better not slack off on your training."
"We knooooooww," Yoh moaned back obediently as his head lowered a bit.
Anna tied her red scarf around her head and shot Kagome a sharp look from over her shoulder. "Especially you, dobe," She added sharply.
"Stop calling me that!" Kagome shouted back.
"It seems you've gotten a bit too comfortable with your current weights. You'll find heavier ones in the storage room." Anna said to the priestess, completely ignoring her protest. "Rejoice, dobe. You get to wear what Yoh is wearing now." As she walked out of the door, Anna tossed in a final command,"Be sure to change the weights before you leave."
Yoh laughed nervously at the horrified expression on his best friend's face. "Now you get to suffer on the same level as I do, Kagome-chan," he pointed out with a grin.
"Anna-san just did that to torture me!" Kagome exclaimed. "I'm still not used to my current weights, and now she goes and adds even more to my load!"
"Don't worry, Kagome-chan," Yoh stated easily. "It'll all pay off in the future because you'll become even stronger this way."
"...yeah, I guess you're right," Kagome admitted hesitantly. She had known that all along. But it did not change how she felt.
With Kagome's new weights, the two had set off on the usual course through the area. They met up with Manta at a nearby park. The teens then continued the course as a trio as they had done before. Manta rode his bicycle while Yoh and Kagome jogged. Twenty minutes into the jog, Yoh noticed how Kagome's pace was gradually slowing down. She started off right at his side, but lagged further and further behind a quarter of the way through the exercise.
She was pushing herself, he could tell.
A stolen glance over his shoulder revealed the girl drenched in sweat. She was panting heavily, but she intentionally muted the sounds of her struggle. She had to force her feet to push off the ground with each step. She truly wasn't ready for the weight increase, but she was now trying to hide it.
The Asakura frowned and called over to his friend that led the procession, "Hold on, Manta!" The blond blinked and hit the brakes. He steadied himself with a foot on the ground as he turned to face his friends.
"What's up, Yoh-kun?" Manta asked, but he was quick to find the answer as his eyes followed Yoh's to Kagome who was shakily jogging her way over to them. "Ah…" Twenty seconds later, Kagome caught up and bent over, panting and sweating profusely. "Jeez…" He muttered as he noted the obvious exertion on the girl. "Anna-san must have something against you, Kagome-chan," Manta pointed out. "It's obvious that you're not ready for these weights, but she went and made you wear them anyway... Did you two get into a fight or something?" he asked.
Kagome's body visibly stiffened at the question. Despite having caught her breath, she did not straighten up her posture. She stayed in her stooped over position, her bangs were a curtain that concealed her face.
The priestess could sense the worry in Yoh's voice as he inquired,"you two are getting along, aren't you?" She bit on her lower lip as she stopped herself from lying.
There was a small dilemma. Kagome did not want to lie to her friends. But at the same time, she did not want to worry them. And, she did not want Yoh to feel guilty about anything that Anna said or did to her.
"So you did fight!" Manta exclaimed, Kagome's silence confirming his hunch. "About what?!"
Kagome sighed softly as she realized that her hesitation spoke on her behalf. She stood up straight and tried to smile as she explained, "We did have a small altercation last night. But it wasn't anything too bad." Yoh and Manta's fixed concern told her that they were not convinced. "Or else you would have heard it..." she added as her smile became brilliant. "Right?"
Manta felt himself shrunk away at the sight Kagome's shining aura, "I-If you say so…"
"You two," Yoh suddenly said, alerting Kagome and Manta. "Look over there!" He pointed down the street to a female spirit dressed in a yukata. She was staring directly at them as she pointed down an intersecting street.
"That's one of the people that haunt your house, Yoh-kun!" Manta exclaimed.
"It looks like Anna-san wants us to change course," Kagome stated.
Yoh moaned at this, his body slouching as he pouted, "awww, man...this probably means we have to run farther today…!"
And so the three of them followed the spirit until sunset. At the end of the course, they were led down a grassy slope to a riverbank. It was at the shore that the spirit smiled politely, bowed, and disappeared.
By this time, Yoh was stooped over panting heavily and Kagome simply collapsed to her knees, gasping for air. "T-That was true torture!" Kagome exclaimed, and Yoh nodded in agreement. They had been running from early noon until now, the time when the sky was a mixture of pink and orange swirls. The glistening water was a brilliant marigold sea.
"That Anna..." Yoh groaned. "Why'd she pick this place?" He wondered aloud as he stared out at the wide river. "I hope she doesn't want us to swim across..."
"Knowing her, I wouldn't be surprised," Manta remarked with a twitching eyebrow.
"Hey guys, look!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed. She was looking in the direction of a suspiciously parked black van just up the slope. Three figures dressed in dark cloaks and talismans emerged from the vehicle and faced the teens.
"Who the hell are they?!" Manta's eyes bulged as he noticed their stony expressions.
Suddenly, the figures lunged into the air, ripping off their cloaks as they soared. They revealed themselves to be men dressed in Chinese warrior attire. Their bodies adapted offensive stances as they dove at the teens below.
Yoh could tell from their trajectory and eyes that they were after him. "Move out of the way, you two!" Yoh shouted at Kagome and Manta without taking his eyes off of the attackers. Manta screamed as he scrambled away, Kagome merely nodded and went in the opposite directions of Manta.
Yoh, however, stood his ground. A brutal onslaught of nunchucks bashed and battered the young shaman. He could only cross his arms across his face to protect his vital regions.
"Yoh-kun!" Manta and Kagome chorused in unison. The Asakura grunted as an attack sent him falling to his butt.
'I've got to help him!' The priestess thought as she frantically removed the weights on her wrists and ankles. With each release, Kagome felt her body shed mini-mountains.
"Yoh-kun, we should run for it!" Manta called from across the way. "You're far too exhausted from all the running to fight back!"
Yoh shook his head as he shakily got to his feet, "Actually, I'm too tired to run anymore. The only way out of this is to fight." Suddenly Amidamaru appeared at his side. "So Anna finally let you go?" the shaman asked with a small smirk. The presence of his partner boosted his confidence. Amidamaru nodded solemnly.
"And just where have you been all day?!" Kagome huffed when Sesshomaru appeared before her. "I'm sure Anna-san wasn't holding you captive."
"Just be grateful that I came to your rescue," the demonic spirit responded bluntly without even humoring his partner's question.
"To my rescue? Don't you mean to my aid?" Kagome's eye quirked. "Some partner you are," she added in a deadpanned tone.
"Priestess, show me what your body is capable of," the demon lord ordered.
"So you're really not here to help," Kagome narrowed her eyes at her spirit, but she complied as she sidestepped a nunchuck that flew at her face. The sound of Yoh's snicker from behind her made the priestess glare at the shaman from over her shoulder, "Oh, shut up!" She then easily ducked beneath a swift kick.
Kagome inwardly marveled at how light her body now felt.
The rush of adrenaline reenergized her once aching muscles.
"Sorry!" Yoh apologized as he deflected a jab from his side. He was grinning as he spoke and dodged, "It's just great to see you two getting along so well~"
The three continued their assaults on Yoh and Kagome. But the duo found that evading and deflecting each attack was unbelievably simple. It was almost suspicious. "Wow, do we even need to do Hyoi Gattai for this fight, Yoh-kun?" Kagome asked.
Yoh grinned at her while dodging another swing of a nunchuck and replied teasingly," now, now. Let's not get too cocky."
"What about you? You're the one grinning like an idiot during a fight," Kagome pointed out while ducking under a kick from one man.
"You're right. Time to finish this," Yoh declared. He quickly merged with Amidamaru and picked up a conveniently fallen metal pole from off of the ground.
"Every time there's a fight, there always seem to be a pole lying around," Kagome sweatdropped as she avoided yet another attack from the Chinese warrior.
"We're not complaining!" Yoh and Amidamaru shouted in unison as they swung the pole, bashing two of the men across the ribs and taking them out in a single sweep.
"Yoh-kun, no fair!" Kagome exclaimed as she continued to receive a barrage of attacks from her opponent. "You only won because Sesshomaru here won't merge with me!" She told him.
Yoh scratched behind his head and admitted, "Ah? I didn't know it was a competition."
Manta sweatdropped as his friends casually had a conversation during the fight, "Yoh-kun really has rubbed off on her if she's that lax in an actual fight…"
Kagome glanced at Sesshomaru as he observed her movements. "Alright, you want to see what I'm made of? Then watch closely!" She then smiled at Yoh as she cupped her hands in prayer position. "You might want to stand back~" was her only warning before she closed her eyes.
Yoh's eyes widened, screaming in horror as he ran away from the priestess and towards Manta. He could sense a spike in energy as her body was enveloped in swirling blue light. The shaman dove, covering his head with his hands as Kagome's energy exploded, blowing the last assailant away.
The priestess placed her hands on her hips, turning to her spirit with a proud smile. "See? I have a lot more control than I did before~" She stated as she caught Sesshmomaru's eyes.
"Expending so much energy on one attack is not a favorable strategy."
Kagome sighed while shaking her head with a shrug, "I should have known. There's no pleasing you." The priestess was then caught in a brief lecture from her partner, one that made her groan a bit. It almost felt like she was being scolded.
Meanwhile, Manta was wide-eyed as he glanced over at the motionless body that was blown across the grass. He blinked when the talisman on the body dissolved. Moments later, the body turned into ash and was scattered by a passing breeze.
"Kagome-chan," Yoh stated as he and Manta ran over to the girl as Sesshomaru finished chastising her. "I think you went a little overboard there," he pointed out while scratching his cheek. He smiled sheepishly and instantly raised his hands in surrender at the girl's silent glare. "Sorry, sorry!"
"I still don't know everything about shamans but I think your training is paying off, at least," Manta stated with a smile that made Kagome relax and nod appreciatively.
"Finally someone noticed~" The priestess readily agreed. "Alright," she sighed as the rush of adrenaline ebbed away. "Let's head home now. I'm sure one of us still has to make dinner."
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome frowned as Yoh buried his face into his shoulder, wetting her shirt with his tears. "Anna-san, don't you think that's a bit much?" Kagome asked worriedly while rubbing the sobbing shaman's back. "Poor Yoh-kun is still having enough trouble with his current weights."
"Y-Yeah! Trouble!" Yoh piped in miserably as he attempted to lift up his arms. Gravity and the heavier weights kept his arms firmly at his sides.
Anna did not even bother to look at them as she munched on a rice cracker and watched television. "You don't think that I'd let Yoh continue to wear those weights after I'd given them to you, did you, dobe? Since you're now wearing those weights, Yoh has no choice but to upgrade his own. I can't have you on the same level as him. It's as simple as that."
"What is that supposed to mean?!" Kagome questioned with a suspicious glare, she continued rubbing soothing circles into Yoh's back.
"Now, now..." Manta's smile twitched as he patted Kagome's leg.
"My number one priority is to train Yoh to become strong so he can become Shaman King, and I can become his First Lady," Anna stated. "I can't have you become a threat to his chances," she admitted brazenly.
Yoh lifted his head from Kagome's embrace, sniffing as he gave his fiancee teary eyes, "B-But Anna, there's no way Kagome-chan and I would ever fight over something like that!"
"Yoh, no more complaining and excuses from you," Anna stated sternly without taking her eyes off of the television. "Once you become Shaman King you can do anything you want with the world...and with me."
The three other teen's faces became beet red at the statement.
"W-w-with you?!" Manta stuttered while holding his burning cheeks. He aimed an accusatory look at his friend, "Yoh-kun, how lewd of you!"
Kagome took a step towards Anna, her hands balled into fists as she questioned, "A-Anna-san, is that supposed to be some sort of motivation for him or something?!"
Anna looked over her shoulder at Kagome and replied, "No, more like something to look forward to." She then turned back to the television and continued, "But that shouldn't bother you at all. Yoh is going to be my husband after all. And you are only a friend, right?"
The question silenced the room instantly.
Kagome's anger was eradicated as logic set back in.
Anna was right.
Yoh and Anna were engaged to be married for years now. The two were intended to be wed long before they even became friends. Who was she to be outraged at how intimate they were together?
Anna was right.
But still, Kagome found herself biting her lower lip as her eyes softened. Her anger was gone, but she was still unhappy. There was a new emotion that replaced the anger. It was an unpleasant emotion that rooted her feet and silenced her mouth.
All the while, the fist at her side shook without a sound.
"Anyway, Yoh," Anna broke the silence. "I'm hungry. Dinner. Make it," She commanded.
Yoh's jaw dropped to the ground, "What?! After all that training and fighting today?!" Yoh then turned to give Manta and Amidamaru his most pitiful look. They innocently avoided the gaze and whistled casually.
'Don't give me that look, Yoh-kun...' Manta inwardly told his friend. It was difficult, but he had to resist falling into the trap that was Yoh's miserable gaze.
"Ka-go-me-ccchhaaannn!" Yoh sang in a pitiful tone as he outstretched his hand toward her pleadingly. Unfortunately, Kagome was not fast enough to look away and pretend not to see Yoh's puppy-dog eyes.
"But Yoh-kun—!" Kagome protested as she looked around the room, searching for inspiration for an excuse. But how could she think when he got on his instep and did a deep, traditional bow so that his forehead touched the floor? "I-I'm tired too and—!" she began again, but she could not stop the guilt.
Manta's look was sympathetic as he watched the priestess' resolve easily crumble. She truly was a sucker for Yoh's begging. But, it was better her than him. Manta knew that Kagome could not resist Yoh when he wrapped his arms and legs completely around her leg and rubbed his cheek against it, begging, pleading, and imploring her to bail him out of this one...
The priestess blushed and pouted. She closed her eyes and looked away to hide her embarrassment. "Fine!" she huffed while crossing her arms. "Just stop begging already!"
Yoh quickly recovered. He sat upright and wiped his eyes. "Saved." He whispered. "I owe you one, Kagome-chan," he grinned widely before plopping down on his back lazily.
"I know," she replied with a tender smile. Even though she was tired herself; Kagome could not help but smile upon seeing Yoh relax and wind down.
"Hmph, get to it then, dobe," Anna said sharply.
And the moment was ruined.
That routine continued for the next few days. The cycle of training slowly but surely consumed the remainder of their summer break. Wake up. Run fifty kilometers. Come home and exercise or spar with Yoh. Cook dinner. Bathe. Prepare food for the next day. Go to sleep only to wake up and restart it all again. There were times that Manta and Yoh prepared the meals.
But this particular Friday afternoon was a bit different from the ones before. When Kagome and Yoh met up with Manta in the park this day, Manta had paused in mid-stride to gawk admiringly at a movie poster. "Yoh-kun! Kagome-chan!" He said, halting the two in their run, "Come look at this!"
The two complied and came to stare at the movie poster with their starry-eyed friend. On the cover of a poster were multiple shots of a well-built man in a variety of kung-fu fighting poses and with different sorts of weapons. "Li... Bailong...? Wasn't he famous... seventeen years ago...?" Kagome slowly asked, trying to recall who the actor on the poster was.
"Seventeen years?" Yoh inquired. "That was before we were even born!"
"Mmhm!" Manta nodded excitedly, "the legend of Li Bailong still lives on historically today and it always will! Li Bailong is not only a great actor, but he actually is as strong as the movies portrayed him! You two should definitely see this movie! All three of us can watch it together!"
"But Anna hangs on to all of the money, and she'll never give me money to see a movie..." Yoh stated, already defeated and bummed out. "She'll see it as an unnecessary expense."
"It does sound like fun though," Kagome stated. "If you want, I still have plenty of allowance leftover to pay your way in," she offered with a smile.
They continued their running course, and along the way, Manta told them all about Li Bailong non-stop. He emphasized some points by trying to demonstrate some of the greatest moves used by the kung-fu master. "And so, what do you think of him? Wouldn't it be helpful in Shaman Fights if you guys were to watch the movie and pick up some techniques?" Manta asked hopefully. He had spent the entire time telling his best friends of the amazing career of Li Bailong, his idol, and he hoped to convince them to see the movie with him.
"Shaman Fights are completely different from martial arts though," Yoh pointed out while continuing to concentrate on running at Kagome's pace.
"I guess so..." was Manta's disappointed reply.
Kagome abruptly stopped and said, "Guys, let's stop here for a sec." She stooped over and panted for air. Her throat was dry and burning. It became even drier the more that she inhaled. The muscles in her arms and legs pounded and pulsed. "So anyway..." The girl urged between pants. "Continue, Manta-kun."
Yoh looked down at Manta and asked," Manta, why do you want us to see that movie so badly?"
"..." Manta looked to the ground and bit his lip. "Because..." he began, "because you two are my best friends, and I want you guys to know... about the things that I like."
"I see..." Yoh said with a smile, as he just built a resolve. "I guess asking Anna for some money won't hurt."
"Oh, I doubt that~" Kagome chimed teasingly.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
Kagome sweatdropped.
So this was the brilliant plan they came up with?
While Yoh and Kagome sat around the table eating lunch, Anna was munching on rice crackers again and watching TV again. Amidamaru and Sesshomaru were sitting near their respective partners, while Manta talked about the greatness of Li Bailong some more. It was half Yoh's plan, half Manta's plan. They hoped that if Anna overhead Manta's tales of Li Bailong, she would be amazed by Li Bailong's greatness and give Yoh money to see the movie.
Kagome sighed as she placed some rice into her mouth. She had expected a bit more from Manta, as he was usually the logical one. But… Manta fanboying and gushing over someone who he idolized was a side of her friend that she did not mind seeing. It was sweet, and endearing.
"And after traveling across the world, learning all the different types of martial arts. Li Bailong created his own Kung Fu called Daodan Do, but it's just called Daodan in China! It's said to be the most powerful martial art in the world. Even more amazing, it is that it's said to be as destructive as missiles!" Manta stated with a confident expression and an extended pointer finger.
"No," Anna said straightforwardly without even looking away from the television. "I won't give you any money to see movies."
"Whhaaaattt?!" Manta and Yoh whined. Kagome was not surprised so she continued eating in silence.
"Got a problem with that?" Anna's voice lowered and became sharper.
"A-Anyway..." Manta continued shakily. "Daodan's purpose was not to become a weapon to defeat enemies. Li Bailong created it to understand himself through martial arts, and to find the greatest things in the world..."
"And what exactly is that supposed to be?" Kagome asked, tilting her head to the side a bit.
Before Manta had the chance to respond, Anna asked, "Why are you even humoring him, dobe? It's simple. Because he's weak, he unconsciously admires the strong. And such admiration is stronger the more farfetched the strength is."
Amidamaru then spoke up, "I disagree, Anna-dono. Manta-dono admires strength not because he is weak, but because he is a man."
Kagome patted Manta's shoulder comfortingly when he suddenly sat glumly in the corner of the room. "I guess it is far fetched..." Manta muttered.
"You shouldn't get so depressed over words like that. If you do, you'll never be able to keep up with anyone," Yoh offered calmly.
"Yeah, cheer up, Manta-kun," Kagome added with a sweet smile. "I think having someone who you admire is healthy."
"But still..." Manta said. "Anna-san is somewhat correct… The story is pretty farfetched. Before he could complete Daodan, Li Bailong suddenly mysteriously died... And his body even disappeared during the funeral. It remains a mystery even now." Manta explained, completely forgetting about his depression and Anna's words. "Maybe it's all just a sham..."
"A dead body...disappeared?" Anna inquired. Kagome blinked, absently wondering why Anna's interest would suddenly become peaked by that prospect.
"Looks like you've changed your mind," The priestess stated while looking at Anna.
"I'll go too," the blond girl added as she stood up.
"EEEhhhh?!" Kagome and Manta chorused, unable to hide their disappointment.
Yoh smiled upon finishing his lunch. He sat down his empty bowl and said cheerfully,"Alright, then we'll all go together!"
During the trip to the theater, Anna brought up the rear of the group, opting to travel with the spirits. Thus, Manta was able to continue his excited chatter about Li Bailong to his friends. Kagome and Yoh only got a few words in, but they did not mind.
S.H.A.M.A.N.K.I.N.G.
By the time they exited the movie theater, night had fallen long ago. Yoh stretched while grinning like a fool and proclaimed excitedly," Wow! That Li Bailong really is amazing!"
Manta immediately got pumped up too and balled up his fists, "He is, isn't he?! Charging into the criminal bases and taking down all the bad guys by himself! He's just so cool!"
Kagome sweatdropped and clapped embarrassedly when her friends reenacted their favorite scene from the movie in perfect unison. "Don't make me laugh!" Yoh and Manta said coolly with crossed arms. "Taste my fury!" they suddenly yelled when performing different moves and martial arts stances from the feature.
"What idiots," Anna mumbled while looking away and pretending not to see them.
"I'm with you on this one," Kagome nodded in agreement.
"I've found a new level of respect for you," Anna replied as she watched the boys unimpressed.
Despite herself, Kagome ended up in a fit of giggles at their performance. Manta delivered a flying kick to Yoh and sent him crashing to the ground dramatically. The brunette grunted as a shaky hand reached into an invisible jacket. He aimed a fingergun at Manta, only for the blond boy to kick it out of his hands. "Y-You guys...are such dorks…!" The priestess snorted out between her laughter.
"Easy come, easy go," Anna stated in a deadpanned voice.
Amidamaru piped in with his opinion, "I've never seen a movie before, but I must admit that I was truly touched by Li Bailong's strength and bravery. He truly was a great warrior."
The samurai then turned to Sesshomaru, looking for the demon lord's opinion. "Humans will always be less than impressive," the demon stated bluntly.
The samurai spirit scratched the back of his head and inquired with an embarrassed laugh," Really...? I thought he was great." Sesshomaru did not even dignify Amidamaru's opinion with another response, which deflated the samurai spirit. He sighed aloud and his shoulders slumped greatly while bowing his head... Somehow, he felt a lot less cool when Sesshomaru was around... and he wanted to look cool and mature in front of Yoh but—.
Kagome smiled and patted the samurai on the back, "Oh, don't worry about that guy! Sesshomaru's superiority complex is on demonic levels. Don't think you have to act like him."
Yoh nodded as they began walking home, "Yeah! You're already a thousand times cooler than Li Bailong!" He reassured his partner.
"Do you really think so, Yoh-dono?!" Amidamaru sobbed out his tears of joy.
"Of cour—! Oof!" Yoh's head had only turned for a split-second when he ended up walking into something hard.
Everyone was surprised to see more men like the ones from before assembling in front of them.
"Those are—!" Kagome gasped.
"Kyonshi..." Anna finished.
"I see, they're moving corpse puppets!" Manta exclaimed while unconsciously taking a step back. This time there were about fifteen of the corpse dolls. Each one had steel claws attached to their hands.
Instantly Yoh put on his serious face and stated," You guys stay out of the way..."
"There's too many of them!" Manta retorted worriedly.
Kagome then turned to Sesshomaru as Yoh picked up a short metal pole and merged with Amidamaru. She latched onto her partner's long kimono sleeve and looked up at him with determined and hopeful eyes. "Sesshomaru, let's do it!"
"Pardon?"
"I've trained hard to become stronger for a while now! And we haven't tried merging since that incident with Tao Ren!" Kagome stated. "Shouldn't we start trying it again?!"
"You're still too weak," Sesshomaru stated. It was not the words, but how easily they came from his mouth that cut Kagome deep. Her fingers relinquished their grip on his sleeve. She watched Yoh and Amidamaru make quick work of the group.
The fight was over within a matter of seconds. A heap of corpses surrounded the boy's sandaled feet.
Yoh grinned cheerfully as he walked back up to Kagome, Manta, and Anna. "I think I'm actually getting better at this," he stated.
Amidamaru appeared and agreed, "Definitely, I feel even stronger and merging with you is much more comfortable and—Eh-?!"
Yoh, Manta, and Amidamaru grimaced at the defeated, gloomy aura that Kagome emitted. She raised a hand, "No, please… Continue rubbing it in my face…"
Their conversation was interrupted again. This time, it was light applause that came from a young woman that was standing not far from them, just out of the reach of the light of the streetlamp. "You easily defeated so many Kyonshi all by yourself. I must say that I greatly underestimated you. I apologize for that, but your performance was great, Asakura Yoh-kun~"
"Huh?!" Yoh's jaw dropped as he looked confusedly at the stranger who addressed him by his first name with an endearing honorific at the end. He then raised his hands defensively, silently protesting innocence when both Anna and Kagome looked from the young woman back at Yoh suspiciously.
"And just who is she, Yoh-kun?" Kagome asked, emphasizing the -kun with a dangerous undertone.
"T-That's what I'd like to know," Yoh replied with a nervous grin.
"Identify yourself," Anna demanded coolly. Manta looked between Kagome and Anna and the mysterious stranger that suddenly stepped into the light. She was a beautiful young woman that was obviously a few years older than them. Her black cheongsam displayed her ample curves. She had deep blue eyes and green hair that was pinned up in the back.
"My name is..." the young woman stated calmly. "Tao Jun. I'm Ren's big sister."
Anna inquired straightforwardly with a hand on her hip, "Are you also a shaman?"
Jun smirked at them and responded proudly,"Indeed, I am. I am a Dàoshì."
"Ah, I see," Manta stated while opening up his encyclopedia. "Dàoshìi, a type of shaman that can control kyonshi with mere commands. With words written on charms, it's possible to control kyonshi with multiple commands."
Jun replied, "That is correct." She then looked directly at Yoh and announced, "I came here to ask a favor of you, Yoh-kun~"
Kagome bristled at the sultry voice that Jun used. 'T-This woman is…!'
"For my dear little brother, Ren," Jun continued while maintaining eye contact with Yoh. "May I please have your samurai: Amidamaru?" she asked, her voice slow and saccharine.
"Eh heh…" Yoh smiled sheepishly while scratching his cheek. "Even if you ask nicely like that…"
"Of course not!" Kagome piped in. "Yoh-kun would never give up his partner like that!"
Jun glared at Kagome and scoffed, "And I presume you are the one Higurashi Kagome-chan?"
Kagome almost fell over when she heard Jun address her in such a familiar manner so freely. "Tao Jun-san!" Kagome shrieked. "At least have some respect and address me as Higurashi-chan!" she blurted out. "And Yoh-kun is Asakura-kun to you!" She added while driving a finger into Yoh's cheek.
The priestess' face was lightly flushed as she glowered at the older girl. "Oh ho~?" Jun looked amused before her blue eyes traveled up and down Kagome's body, making the younger girl cross her arms over her chest and shrink away defensively.
"Just what are you looking at?!" Kagome shrieked, feeling mortified at being openly examined.
Jun chuckled behind a hand, "You must forgive me. I was just admiring your beauty. You're quite the charming young lady, you know."
Kagome was disarmed at the statement. She untensed as she brought a finger to her lips, "Oh...well, if she has such good tastes then she can't be an enemy…"
"How easily you're swayed," Manta muttered in a deadpanned tone.
"I'm glad that you think so~" Jun smiled. "I think Tao Kagome is a lovely name, do you agree?"
"Huh…?" Yoh shot the Dàoshì an incredulous look. He then looked at Kagome, who looked completely mortified once again.
"Oh God!" Kagome placed her hands on her cheeks as she trembled. "Y-Yoh-kun, she's going to kidnap me into her family…! And probably use me for slave labor!"
"Yeaaaah…" Yoh sweatdropped. "I'm sure that's the plan…"
"What an imagination~" Jun smirked before suddenly peeling back one of the long slits in her dress, revealing her long, shapely legs and a garter belt.
Manta flushed while slapping his hands over his eyes. "H-How lewd!" He squeaked.
"Yoh-kun, I suggest you just hand the samurai over quietly," Jun warned calmly, but her voice became noticeably harsher and more commanding. The Dàoshì grabbed three talismans in each of her hands and called out," Come forth my warrior, Li Bailong!"
At Jun's command, the earth behind them suddenly slit open with a burst of golden light. A massive, barbarian-sized kyonshi leaped from the divide and landed behind Jun obediently. This man towered well above his master, making her appear like a mole against a mountain.
"It couldn't be..." Yoh stated with wide eyes.
"It is..." Manta said when the talisman fell off the kyonshi's face, revealing the familiar and emotionless face of his hero. "It's Li Bailong's kyonshi..."
"That's right. Li Bailong is my primary spirit," Jun declared proudly. "And after the movie, you should be well aware of his strength. He's the strongest of the Tao family's possessions: the ultimate corpse weapon..." she explained.
Those words struck a chord within Manta.
He stood there frozen and almost broken,"L-Li Bailong...a p-possession...? A weapon?!"
"So...before I command my Li Bailong to attack," Jun addressed Yoh. "This is your last chance to hand over your samurai spirit peacefully."
"No," Yoh said sternly. "You don't want that, do you, Amidamaru?" he asked his spirit.
"Of course not," Amidamaru replied without hesitation.
"So, you intend to stand in Ren's way until the end?" Jun asked.
"That's not it," Yoh said once again. "But Amidamaru is my friend, that's why I refuse to ever trade him off like an item."
"Friend..." Jun whispered. She stifled a laugh, "What a foolish idea."
Kagome gasped; both Jun and Ren had been surprised by Yoh's declaration of Amidamaru being his friend... And they both ridiculed the thought of shamans and spirits being equal partners. 'What's with this family?' she wondered to herself.
"Well, it seems that I'll have to kill you then!" Jun declared as she threw a new talisman onto Li Bailong's face, "Combat seal, equip!" Kagome gasped when Li Bailong suddenly got into a fighting stance. "Li Bailong, teach that kid a lesson!"
With that command, the kyonshi instantly sprung into action, and Yoh and Amidamaru charged him head-on. Li Bailong's nunchucks thwarted the shaman and sent Yoh skittering back.
"Since Dàoshì controls the spirit's actual body, they can always maintain Hyoi 100%," Anna said.
"Which means this kyonshi's power is equivalent to the living Li Bailong's," Kagome concluded.
Yoh was not deterred. He charged at the kyonshi without hesitation, but Li Bailong used the chain of his nunchucks to ensnare Yoh, the chain wrapped firmly around the pole in his hands "Yoh-kun!" Manta cried out when Li Bailong open fist punched Yoh in the gut and made him cough up blood.
It took the martial artists merely seconds to pummel the shaman till his body went limp.
Jun calmly walked over to Li Bailong, who had Yoh haunched over on his massive fist and said," Resistance is futile. You can not defeat me, so..." she leaned over and whispered into his ear, "Hand over that samurai spirit."
This scene was a familiar one.
The priestess' small hand flying through the air, creating a sharp slap against skin.
Jun held a burning, red cheek.
Kagome glared up at the Tao, her blue-gray orbs were narrowed with anger. "...That's quite enough..." she whispered harshly. "Don't you dare try to harm him any further!"
Manta stared at the scene that seemed like a replay of Yoh's first fight with Ren. 'K-Kagome-chan...keeps losing her cool...' he thought; his body was trembling from amazement and fear at the same time.
"Why don't you people understand that spirits are not just tools for shamans to use and give and take so easily?!" Kagome shouted, making Jun narrow her eyes in return. "How many of you will come here trying to spread your garbage notions?!" She looked directly into Jun's shocked eyes as she continued raving. "You and your brother—you're both sick! I know for a fact that spirits are a shaman's allies, their friends! If you were to die, and someone suddenly began to treat you the way you treat spirits, you wouldn't be happy, would you?! Are you saying that once a person dies, they're no longer human?! That's ludicrous!" Kagome's tirade ended with her panting heavily from the adrenaline rushing through her.
Manta nodded, his fists balling up as he added, "Kagome-chan and Yoh-kun are right! Li Bailong was my idol, my hero! And yet you treat him so poorly, like he's an object! But even in death, Li Bailong is Li Bailong! So he definitely deserves better!" He shook his head, tears flying out. "He deserves respect, even if he's doing terrible things!"
Anna then stepped in front of Manta and explained, "Li Bailong is not the one at fault here. Although that is his body, he is still but a kyonshi. His actions are being controlled by her. The only bad person here is that woman over there."
"Hmph," Jun smirked and countered,"A shaman is someone who controls spirits. The spirit's will is meaningless. In the Tao family, to become great shamans, we receive our primary spirits when we are children. Ever since I was born seventeen years ago, Li Bailong has been under my command. He was the best present that my father has ever given me."
"No way..." Manta whispered while dropping to his knees in despair. "The Li Bailong that I've always admired... was killed...just to be used as an object?"
"All of you children are foolish and misguided. It's stupid to cry for kyonshi," Jun said coldly as she finally removed her hand from her cheek. She looked from Manta down at Kagome, "Kyonshi do not recognize feelings because they have no feelings. I'll have to teach you that lesson today."
"T-that's not true!" Yoh suddenly protested as he struggled to call out in his winded state. He staggered backward, away from the grip of Li Bailong. "Spirits aren't things... There are no spirits without feelings because they are feelings." Kagome was quickly at his side. She placed her hands on Yoh's back to steady him before he could fall over.
"Yoh-kun, you shouldn't move around yet," Kagome stated worriedly.
Yoh offered Kagome a pained smile and told her," I'm pretty tough you know. Besides, I can't stay down. I remember what happened the last time you slapped a member of the Tao family..." he stifled a laugh.
"This is different," Kagome shot back. "I'm a lot stronger now."
"I have no doubt about that," Yoh replied with a smile. "But this fight... belongs to Amidamaru and me." With that said, Yoh finally stood up tall and drew the pole that he used as a sword once again.
"Impossible!" Jun gasped in shock, "No one should be able to stand after receiving an attack by my Bailong!"
Yoh smirked and replied," Amidamaru and I...we can't be taken down by weak attacks executed with hesitation.
Jun narrowed her eyes in frustration, "What hesitation?!"
"No matter how much you claim that you can control a spirit's body," Yoh said. "You can never control their hearts or feelings!"
"Yoh-kun, look at that!" Kagome's voice was almost breathless.
Everyone saw it.
A single tear flowed from Bailong's eyes. It silently ran down his cold, pale face. "Li Bailong... he's crying..." she whispered as her face became crestfallen.
She felt that feeling again... The same feeling when she empathized with Rin's spirit back in the forest with Sesshomaru. Somehow, Kagome could feel her soul reach out and connect with Bailong's... She could feel all of his anguish. Bailong's inner turmoil was almost overwhelming sad.
"Tao Jun..." Kagome whispered. "You truly are ignorant..."
"What?!" Jun snapped while glaring at the priestess.
"You're causing Bailong so much pain and sorrow," Kagome whispered. "So much regret."
"Li Bailong!" Yoh yelled at the crying kyonshi. "Just wait, I'll destroy that talisman and set your soul free!"
"Let's see you try!" Jun retorted. "Bailong, be his escort to the underworld!" she commanded.
...The kyonshi did not budge.
"BAILONG!" Jun shouted, stomping her foot in frustration. The kyonshi slowly drew his weapon and then charged at Yoh once again with tears in his eyes. Yoh tried to stave off the attack, only to be thrust back again. Bailong then dealt a barrage of punches and kicks directly to Yoh's body.
"Anna-san, lend Yoh-kun some help!" Manta said, looking up at Anna, who only remained a spectator.
"I have no intention of helping Yoh," Anna replied. "This is just another trial he has to overcome to become Shaman King. I refuse to marry a man who cannot pass something like this."
"What kind of fiancée are you?!" Manta countered.
"We women are realists," Anna replied simply. She spotted Kagome moving from the corner of her eye and added, "Except that one."
Kagome latched onto Sesshomaru's sleeve once more and pleaded, "Sesshomaru, come on! Yoh-kun needs a hand here! If we lose, I promise to never ask again until you think I'm ready! So please!" Sesshomaru did not even bother looking at her or responding to his partner's plea.
Anna replied for him, "It's futile, dobe. Sesshomaru and I have an on-going agreement. One of the conditions being that you two will not interfere with any of Yoh's fights..."
"So that's why?!" Kagome asked Sesshomaru, not holding back her anger in her voice. "Well, forget it! I'll do it on my own!"
Manta looked up at Kagome and asked, "What do you mean?!"
Kagome closed her eyes and held out her hand in front of her as if to grab something that was invisible. "I ask for your assistance," she whispered to herself. Manta's eyes widened when a familiar golden orb of light appeared in front of the priestess. The orb elongated and curved into another shape. Seconds later, the light faded into the form of the golden, crescent bow. Kagome took hold of it.
"I may be a failure as a shaman," Kagome said as she materialized an arrow of pure, blue light in her other hand and took aim at Bailong. "But let's try my luck as a priestess..." she finished.
Authoress' Notes: Oof. I got caught up in other things and this chapter ended up taking two weeks to go through?