Author's Notes: Once again, a big thank you to the readers who provided reviews.

Inufan (6/3): Yes, Inuyasha does look up to Sesshomaru, though he isn't going to openly admit it. Likewise, Sesshomaru too, does care for Inuyasha… to a certain degree.

Guest (16/3): I'm glad you're enjoying this story. Sesshomaru and Kikyo's relationship will develop, don't worry.

Guest (22/3): Thank you. I'll try to continue to do my best.

Guest (7/4): And here's the newest chapter.

Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).

All characters (Kikyo, Sesshomaru, and Inuyasha) from the series Inuyasha that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Rumiko Takahashi. I do not own anything regarding their creation; I have Rumiko Takahashi to thank for that.

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Chapter 6-Jumbled Feelings

"None shall survive my swift retribution." -Sesshomaru on revenge

"A soul thrives within vengeance. However it alone… will not resurrect me." -Kikyo on revenge.

Since the Inu no Taisho's reign, there were rumors concerning the west's garden. It was believed that any couple who swore their love for each other there would receive eternal blessing and their feelings would flourish. Driven by curiosity, many Inu youkai investigated the mystic area and found evidence of the garden's flowers emitting fragrances capable of stimulating love hormones. With that discovery, the notion of magic being involved was discarded, though many still visited the area, apparently fascinated by the beautiful scenery.

Spacious and picturesque, groves of trees flanked both sides of the nerve-racking stone walls that obscured the garden from outsiders. Fruit trees were running through the left side of the lawn, trailing the cosmic-blue river that gathered water as a small pool downstream.

With the arrival of fall, the leaves adopted the blazing brilliance of hues varying between orange, brown, and red. The breeze caught the branches, compelling them to loosen their attachments. Leaves fluttered and permitted the wind to carry them down, where they settled silently as a disarrayed carpet on the grass.

Inuyasha's bare feet slid against the surface of nature's carpet in his endeavor to brandish Tessaiga. Unlike most visitors to the gardens, the hanyou had little interest in sightseeing and was completely devoted to his training. Kicking up clouds of dust and leaves, he wielded his enormous blade with his two hands steadily in a repeated and well-rehearsed series of movements.

'HA! One, two, three! Down we go!' Tessaiga was swung down vertically, stopping just inches from the earth. Having no desire to demolish the place, Inuyasha abstained from slamming the cutting edge onto the ground and producing Tessaiga's signature move, Kaze no Kizu.

'Up and again, and follow through!' Instead, he raised his sword above his head and brought it down again, this time diagonally. The Sword of the Honorable Ruler hacked the empty space, rippling the air with its demonic energy.

"Come, this is the garden I was talking about."

Inuyasha's ears perked up at the sound of Kotori's voice, his senses instinctively homing in on her presence. Her aura responded to him with a fondness uncommon for the demoness, and the half-demon wondered if she was even aware of it. Before he had time to ponder on the matter, however, he sensed another aura approaching. Unlike Kotori's, there was no warmth emanating from this new presence. In fact, the newcomer's aura was so pure that it caused Inuyasha's youki to stir restlessly within him.

His body tensed, every muscle in his body twitching. Without a second thought, he hid in the nearest and largest blossom tree in the center of the area. He leaped onto the branches effortlessly and in a crouching position, shielded himself using the leaves of the ancient tree.

'Why am I hiding? Darn it, I'm not afraid!' Safely perched on one of the higher branches, the hanyou cursed himself for his stupidity. Irritated that his instincts had kicked in and sparked a flight response, he found himself blaming the purification powers for appearing so suddenly and attempting to extinguish his youki. Yet, why must he hide? He should have stood his ground. Even as he pondered on the question, his body stubbornly remained rigid as the two sources of power drew closer.

Inuyasha swiped angrily at the leaves tangled in his hair. He looked down and spotted Kotori, her long ponytail and khaki kimono easily identifiable. As if it was a sin to stare, his eyes briskly roamed her captivating frame before moving to gaze upon the one whom the demoness was conversing with. His breath was caught and stolen immediately. The latter was truly a striking woman with pale skin and gratifying curves that her tattered miko garbs failed to fully conceal. Her long hair was like a flowing river of black ink that effortlessly rivaled his silver tresses in length.

Aside from her beauty, what also captured Inuyasha's attention equally was her carriage. She was practically radiating with holy light. The realization came to Inuyasha, and he knew why his gut feeling had warned him to stay out of sight. Compared to the miko, he was just a speck of dust in the shadows. His strength was no match for hers, just like it was no match for Sesshomaru's. For the second time in his life, Inuyasha felt utterly outmatched.

"Mmm. Curious... Inuyasha-sama is always here this time of the day," Kotori said, tapping her chin as she searched for said hanyou. Finding no glimpse of red amongst the lush green, she heaved a sigh and turned to Kikyo. "Apologies, I thought he was here… You see, I had hoped to introduce Inuyasha-sama to you, Kikyo-sama. He may be a half-demon, but I believe he has a sense of ego and possesses the skill to rival most pedigrees of his kind. He can come off as rude at first, but he's really kind at heart. I think you will grow to like him and enjoy his presence."

Kotori's words struck gold. Inuyasha gawked and nearly lost his footing. He was only saved from a humiliating fate by a nearby branch. In a swift move of his hand, he grabbed onto it to steady himself as the newcomers dismissed the slight movement of the leaves, believing it to be caused by the light breeze that was constantly playing with their long hair.

For the briefest of seconds, Inuyasha wondered if he was mishearing things. After all, Kotori was never one to openly and directly praise someone who was not Sesshomaru. But then again, perchance the demoness was unaware that Inuyasha was eavesdropping. Did she let her true feelings slip? It was conceivable, and Inuyasha could only will it to be true.

'She complimented me! That stubborn woman actually said something good about me! My ears didn't fail me.' His heart skipped a beat and his cheeks burned with the intensity of a fire. Taking several lungfuls of air, Inuyasha forced himself to calm down so he could continue to spy on the pair below him without being detected. In any case, he couldn't help but want to hear even more praise showered upon him.

Not a word came from Kikyo as she respectively listened while Kotori rambled on about Inuyasha. The miko didn't miss the enthusiasm dancing in Kotori's eyes when she was talking about the hanyou. Her sapphire pools sparkled like the ocean reflected in the sunlight, glistening with overflowing joy.

"Inuyasha-sama can easily destroy his foes with a single swipe of his fang. More importantly, he's gallant, being one of the few willing to challenge Sesshomaru-sama directly. Back when he—" The keenness died down from Kotori's voice and she lowered her tone, returning to an impassive monotone. Her face darkened as though reminded of something unpleasant. "—But he's also a big fool! He's rather self-centered, thick-headed, and quick-tempered!"

Kotori made her irritation public with a loud huff following her sentence, and Kikyo couldn't help but wonder if the demoness was trying to convince herself that Inuyasha was not worth any of her effort or time.

Whether it was the leaves tickling his nose or Kotori's criticism was something Inuyasha would never find out, but at that exact moment, he felt a sneeze working its way out of his nostrils. With an enormous sneeze that startled even him, he let out an alarmed cry as he toppled off balance. His bare feet clawed air instead of bark and gravity quickly caught him in a rapid descent.

Thud!

The clamor warned Kikyo and Kotori, who immediately whirled their heads around. What greeted their sights took them by surprise. They stared, dumbfounded, at the subject of their conversation lying face down on the ground next to a tree.

Kotori, partly used to Inuyasha's constant dramatic entrance, managed to recover first. She bit her own tongue, though her effort to hold back her merriment was clearly in vain. A snicker slipped passed, followed by unrestrained laughter. Covering her mouth to hide her amusement, she noticed from the corner of her eye that even the usually indifferent Kikyo was smiling. At that, her lips twisted upwards further as words of mockery rose to the surface of her mind. "Heh. Inuyasha-sama, I never expected you to take so much pleasure out of kissing the floor."

"Uh, hell no!" That did it for Inuyasha, who sprung to his feet abruptly upon realizing that being prone on the floor would only support Kotori's comment. He tried dusting his clothing with his palms to make himself more presentable — not that it helped much since his hands were caked in dirt and sweat. He would have to get a maid to wash his attire later, as soon as he escaped this embarrassing predicament.

"I-It was your fault! You made me fall, idiot!" Realizing the futility of his action, Inuyasha stopped what he was doing and barked out defensively, all the while shooting Kotori a heated glare.

Instead of being offended, Kotori merely smiled. It was an innocent smile, one that instantly put Inuyasha on edge. "Now, how was it my fault?"

"Keh, if you weren't speaking about me, then—"

A fake gasp left the back of her throat, inadequate to deceive Inuyasha but effective in getting his guard up. The idea that the hanyou knew something was coming but didn't know what to expect sent an odd thrill down her body. She truly enjoyed leading him on and laughing at his childish behavior. Why? She wasn't too sure, but she felt it was essential that she gained some form of dominance.

"Mhmm. So you were eavesdropping," Kotori said, the faintest hint of a playful smile on her lips. She was familiar with the hanyou's youki and habits, and that familiarity had allowed her to determine that he had in fact been eavesdropping on their conversation. He did well to conceal himself at first, but the way his youki spiked in response to her praises had sold him out. A little keen to have another banter like the one earlier, she decided to bait him out with her belittling. The sneeze and his fall were certainly unexpected, but Kotori thought that the chance was too good to abandon.

"I… I wasn't! I was… was resting up there when… you… you two came along. That's all there is to it!" denied Inuyasha, mortified that he was caught red-handed. The stutter that plagued his speech served as a detriment to his attempts at explanation and made it all the more comical for the demoness' viewing pleasure.

'He's a novice in the art of deceit.' Despite having met Inuyasha for less than ten minutes, it was apparent to Kikyo that the hanyou was a terrible liar. He kept tripping over his tongue and averting eye contact. Seeing him now, the miko had to wonder if this was, in fact, the same warrior who had led the west against the east's first division and dispatched the entire unit with ease.

Kotori obviously wasn't fooled either. Since Inuyasha was still in denial, she opted to take matters into her own hands. With a wave of her arm, the demoness directed her index finger at the half-demon's chest, before questioning his motivations for his actions. "Oh. So you were being slothful were you, Inuyasha-sama? But… I find that difficult to believe, considering you have never neglected a training session before," she said, punctuating her statement with a raised eyebrow as if to imply that the hanyou's excuse was rather flimsy to begin with.

"I… I…" Inuyasha didn't get to finish before Kotori placed a finger to his lips, effectively silencing whatever he had planned to say next. The demoness flashed him her trademark smile, the corner of her mouth quirking upwards as her other hand gestured toward the tree next to them.

"Do you not believe that it is a peculiar choice to hide yourself in a tree during a training session? Surely you must have a rather convincing explanation for your actions, do you not? But if you have none, then allow my deduction. You were, in fact, training when, for some unfathomable reason, you decided to take cover in this very tree the moment you detected our presence. Am I correct? You can tell us. We won't bite."

"…" Inuyasha was lost for words. Incapable of suppressing his embarrassment any longer, he turned his back towards the pair to prevent them from seeing the red tint on his cheeks. Trying his hardest to regain composure, he crossed his arms over his chest and mumbled something incoherent.

"What was that? I didn't quite catch that." Taking a step closer to the silver-haired hanyou, Kotori slyly placed both hands on his shoulders. She leaned towards him, her head rested next to his ear. His flushed face made her smile and her sapphire orbs glinted like a sharpened knife. "Or would you prefer to whisper like this, Inuyasha-sama?

Startled by the sudden warm breath against his collarbone, Inuyasha instinctively leaped forward and away from the demoness' reach. Spinning on his heels so that he was facing Kotori, Inuyasha dropped his brows as awareness set in like stone. The smirk that the demoness wore plainly revealed her intention. She was once again trying to toy with him, getting amusement from seeing him flustered and riled up. Disinclined to fall for her tense, Inuyasha forced his racing heart to relax. It was no simple task though, for Kotori's alluring features were causing more blood to rush towards his face. He could feel his cheeks burn.

'I gotta calm down. Don't let the mood sway me over.' He inhaled a mouthful of air and took a step back when Kotori advanced. A single drop of sweat dribbled down the side of his forehead, and he briefly deliberated how formidable Kotori was if she was to become his enemy. Just a mere look from the demoness caused his usually powerful legs to melt like ice in a heat wave. With that in mind, the best solution would be to look away. Fortunately for Inuyasha, his much-needed distraction came in the form of the miko, who was speculating the scene before her. He couldn't tell whether or not she was amused, though he couldn't care less right now. His eyes darted towards her and the effect was immediate. He felt at ease when his golden pools fixed on her mahogany ones. The nervousness that plagued him like a disease vanished, as though the miko herself was the vaccine.

'… All good! Yes, Kotori's just playing around, like all other demonesses do when they try to flirt. Is it the mating season for Tori youkai already? Damn it! I didn't think that an uptight like her could get affected by the garden… but come to think of it, I've never seen her around these parts often. Keh! I gotta bring her back to her damn senses before something stupid or ridiculous happens! Damn her for doing this!' Since his nerves settled, Inuyasha could no longer tolerate himself being slowly backed against the tree. Another two timely matched steps back and he had reached his limit. A frustrated snarl left his lips, his fangs prodding out to demonstrate his annoyance.

Enthralled by the sound that sounded husky to her furry ears, Kotori perked up with a dangerous grin. Now completely under the garden's spell, she gave the impression of someone intoxicated and Inuyasha silently cursed her low alcohol tolerance. After all, she shouldn't have been affected otherwise, though Inuyasha did catch rumors about how unrelieved tension relating to love could cause one to become more susceptible. Still, it was a subject he didn't wish to dwell on, especially not at the moment.

"Snap out of it, Kotori! What the hell do you think you're doing?! This isn't like you! You're gonna introduce me to the miko, right? Get to it then, darn it!" hissed Inuyasha, gesturing towards Kikyo for emphasis.

His words cut through and lifted the strange fog that clouded Kotori's judgment. Shock flickered through her eyes. Blue waves of emotions roared inside her sapphire pools, only to die down moments after she regained her self-control. The memory of her actions raided her brain, causing her ears to jerk as the complexion of her skin changed dramatically. A mixture of fear and bewilderment set in. 'No way! I-I-I tried… I actually tried to seduce Inuyasha-sama! I don't believe this! I actually lost myself under the fragrance of the garden. This is a first …'

"Ah, um… well, you see…" Desperate to avoid Inuyasha's trailing gaze, Kotori looked everywhere else. She racked her brain for something to say. Anything would do, if only just to divert Inuyasha's attention. That was when she recalled the existence of the third person in the area.

"Ah, yes! Inuyasha-sama, I want to introduce you to Kikyo-sama. Because of her… er, special position in the west, I want you to tend to her whenever I'm unavailable." Unwilling to upset the miko by mentioning her status as a prisoner of war, Kotori corrected herself after a second thought. She had just gotten past the stage of being on the receiving end of Kikyo's daunting glares. She certainly wasn't keen on a replay.

"Inuyasha here," Inuyasha nodded at Kikyo before approaching her warily, just in case she shared Sesshomaru's repugnance for hanyou.

"And I'm Kikyo." The miko returned the nod and gave a short reply. It left little for Inuyasha to continue the discussion, and he was left to ponder on his next words.

"Well, uh, if you run into problems or get lost, you should come find me. I hang around these parts a lot. But remember, don't go looking for trouble. You got it… uh, Kikyo?" He tested the syllables with his tongue and found a preference for addressing the miko directly by her name.

The woman nodded in acknowledgment.

Inuyasha seemed to have run out of things to say, for he allowed silence to swallow them awkwardly. Luckily, Kotori intervened, having decided that Inuyasha was hopeless in terms of socializing. "It's commendable that you're willing to help her, Inuyasha-sama. But, you know, I believe you'll be the one who gets caught in a tough spot before anyone else."

"What did ya say?" barked the half-demon, but still visibly grateful for the change of atmosphere.

"Your ears are functioning properly. Considering your tendency to get into trouble, it's quite probable that we'll end up having to rescue you. Just like that last time when you got stuck in a tree, remember?" Kotori smirked, recalling the time that the hanyou had gotten his hair tangled in a branch after taking a nap. Stranded for the entire afternoon, it had taken half a dozen of youkai to get the fuming Inuyasha back down. Cutting his long mane had been the proposed plan, but that was shot down immediately by the half-demon before anyone could get a pair of scissors.

"T-that was centuries ago! Stop bringing up old history, already," the hanyou retorted with his traditional snort. "Argh! Whatever, I was just trying to be polite. I'm going now, okay? I've got better things to do." The excuse was lame, and Inuyasha knew it; he was supposed to be practicing in the garden, not heading off to wherever else.

Kotori chuckled after Inuyasha was out of sight and Kikyo couldn't hide the ghost of a smile that graced her lips. It was obvious to her that Kotori and Inuyasha had feelings for each other but were too stubborn to admit it. Instead, they played it safe and provided casual hints, with Kotori resorting to bantering and Inuyasha keeping his feelings personal.

Kotori laughed a little longer, taking the opportunity to ease herself. Then she turned to Kikyo, her smile not waning in the slightest. "Inuyasha-sama sure does have his interesting moments. But it's quite unusual for him to freely offer his help. He's the kind of person who doesn't go back on his word, so you can rest easy knowing that he'll look after you. Anyways, shall we move on? I wish to show you the archery field next"

Cutting straight through the garden and passing the servants' quarters, Kotori led Kikyo to a field with an evenly trimmed lawn. Not a single strand of the low-cut grass was out of place; they all swayed little in rhyme with the breeze and crunched when beneath their feet.

On the far end of the pair were wooden posts impaled into the soil, sequenced in a horizontal line to resemble a line of soldiers. Youkai archers stood on the other end, taking turns to shoot the human-shaped targets formed from twigs and dried grass. After unloading their quiver, the shooters returned to the end of their respective line before the next ones took their stance. It was a systematic routine with a seemingly never-ending cycle of training, all to ingrain the necessary skills into every fiber of their existence — to serve the Lord of the West, they had to be deadly, focused, and precise.

Kotori beckoned Kikyo closer to the field. As they drew near, the archers all stopped to stare at the miko with distrust. Their bodies tensed like a bow fully drawn and impatient for release. None of them had forgotten who the human before them was — the murderer of their countless kinsmen. Their youki reacted violently and the urge to shred the miko apart amplified. But one warning glare on Kotori's countenance held them back, forcing them to lay aside their pre-drawn weapons.

Kikyo glanced at the youkai around her with indifference, sparing them no more than a glimpse. Their hostility was nothing new. She was their natural enemy, and only an anomaly like Kotori would ever consider being friendly toward her. Their intimidation didn't scare her, or as she willed herself to believe. Despite everything, she couldn't help but feel on edge. Her stoic mask was perfectly still on the outside, yet her insides contorted with uneasiness.

Here she was, deep within the enemy's territory, with no means of protection save for her own astuteness. Her preferred method was to use her powers and deal with any demons as swiftly as she could. But that was impossible given her current circumstance — shackled and wounded, like a stray pet picked up by an abusive owner. Her fists clenched and unclenched while she silently hoped for a non-violent encounter with the demons.

Although Kotori failed to see through the pretense on Kikyo's poker face, she did sense the heavy malice in the air. She stopped dead in her tracks, signaling Kikyo to stand behind her. That behavior caught the demons' notice, and immediately, all eyes fell on her. It wasn't how she wanted to get their attention but she supposed it was effective nonetheless.

"What gives? What's she doing?"

"Shielding the human? How distasteful."

"But that's Kotori-sama! She's Sesshomaru-sama's elite guard, isn't she? Why is she doing this?"

"I called it. A traitor to the west. That's what."

Kotori's keen ears picked up the quiet gossip amongst the crowd. How quick they were to judge, she mused. Their disapproval was strong but nothing the demoness couldn't withstand. Only the last comment overstepped the boundaries of her forbearance. No one should ever question her loyalty to the west. No one but Sesshomaru himself was given the privilege of doing so. Kotori's jaws tightened and she searched the crowd. Unfortunately, the speaker was small and was using his size to his full advantage. He was protected from Kotori's growing rage by the taller demons at the front.

'Endure it. Ignore it. This is all for Sesshomaru-sama.' Forcefully quenching the burning irritation from the pit of her heart, Kotori compelled herself to remain calm. While picking a childish fight with that rude youkai would be satisfying, it would serve nothing but complicate the matter. The last thing she wanted was to leave a mess for Sesshomaru to clean up. The demoness had to complete Sesshomaru's orders, for imperfection in her tasks was something she couldn't bear to live with. Neither her honor nor loyalty would allow that.

A soundless sigh left Kotori's lips. She was beginning to think that bringing Kikyo here was a terrible idea. Hastiness was a fault she often found in Inuyasha, though this time, she was the one who apparently leaped before thinking. Things would have been much simpler had she taken an extra step and explained the circumstances with the miko and Sesshomaru's orders prior to introducing Kikyo to the demon race. What was she expecting? Did she foolishly believe the others would welcome and accept the miko with open arms?

'What's done cannot be undone. I'll simply improvise. I'll have to make this very clear.' Shaking her head once to remove all reservations, the demoness cleared her throat and began her announcement. "Listen, everyone! I know you are all speculating as to why the miko is here. I assure you that I can hear your criticisms. Before you continue with your accusations, let me inform you of Sesshomaru-sama's instructions. The human miko is allowed into the lower quarters of the west, as long as she is there with supervision. She is to participate in archery training, lest her skills tarnish. Know that the miko is important to the west. Therefore, anyone who harms her will answer to Sesshomaru-sama."

"Yes, we understand!" Just as the presence of the Inu daiyoukai could stun many youkai into silence, the mere mention of Sesshomaru instilled enough awe and fear into the youkai's hearts. No one in their right frame of mind would want to become a pesky thorn to their lord. If they were annoyed with the arrangement in any way, then they did not show it. Instead, all of them bowed in acceptance before returning to their original post.

Their response pleased Kotori and she returned to her task of being a guide. She turned towards Kikyo and gestured towards the even plane that spread out before them. "Here is the archery field for the west. It is quite the spectacle to look at, isn't it? Our soldiers train on it every day, but you may use it as well. This field is usually empty in the mornings, so let me know whenever you wish to practice here."

Kikyo remained silent, her focus shifting to the restraints on her wrists. The extensive chains allowed some mobility, though she doubted she could fully draw a bow with the restriction. The temptation of grabbing a weapon and charging toward Sesshomaru's chamber for a frontal assault was doomed to fail. There was no easy way. She would have to consider what other limited options she had left. She would have to consider carefully which alternative actions were still available.

Thwack! The familiar sound registered in her ears and Kikyo glanced over Kotori's shoulder with mild interest. Forty arrows left their strings and struck the target. Nearly every bullseye was penetrated by a shaft, save for two. The shooters that had missed were approached and scowled by a scorning overseer holding an enormous bow in one hand and a quiver in the other. Matching his weapon in height was the overseer's awe-inspiring six-foot-seven broad frame, with heavily built muscles rippling across his bare upper torso. The only fabric on him, a furred hakama that covered his lower body, was caked in dirt and dry strands of grass. Unlike the other youkai around him, he had no armor and wore just a silver wrist guard on his left arm. But what Kikyo found more startling than his fashion sense was the spear-like bullhorns that protruded from the top of his bushy ginger hair. There was no questioning its efficiency. It could well and truly pierce through a human's body with minimal effort.

Kotori, noticing that Kikyo's attention was elsewhere, traced her gaze until her sapphire orbs landed on the bare-feet youkai that towered over the other archers.

"Oh. That's Waramaru-sama, the bull youkai known for his skills with a bow. The reason eludes ys but most youkai in the west aren't apt in archery," the demoness paused and tapped her katana that rested in her belt. "I suppose most of us just prefer other weapons. Waramaru-sama is an exception, though. He decided to challenge what we deem impossible and has come close to perfecting his skills as a master archer."

Kikyo was only listening half-heartedly as the subject of their conversation approached them. His jagged eyebrows were low and dangerous, resembling black serrated lightning. The burning flame of vengeance that scorched his eyes was something that Kikyo instantly recognized and was very familiar with.

"Waramaru-sama," Kotori addressed the bull youkai politely, bowing her head in respect. In truth, her position outranked him, though she believed the renowned warrior deserved her respect.

The archer merely grunted in response as he inspected Kikyo up and down. "Miko," he spat gruffly, with apparent disdain.

Kikyo disliked how this youkai voiced her title. While she was never too fond of the demon race, this particular individual reminded her of a snake preparing to strike its victim with venom. Her brows knitted together before returning to their original resting position. Regardless of her discomfort, she knew better than to start a fight. Swallowing her pride, she bowed her head somewhat to demonstrate reverence.

"Yes? Is there perhaps something you would like from me?" she inquired, despite already knowing that it wouldn't be good.

Waramaru said nothing as his scarlet eyes continued their exploration. He absorbed every detail of her body as if trying to integrate her existence into his brain.

A chill traveled up Kikyo's spine, and she had to suppress the urge to shiver. The way the youkai looked at her, with his leech-like gaze, made her uneasy. Even if it was not yet to the point of being as unsettling as the one she had endured by Sesshomaru, it was close enough to be worrisome. Unable to stand the scrutiny any longer, she let out a breath and broke the silence. "It seems that you do not have any urgent business. Perhaps you should leave and return to what you were previously doing."

Waramaru gave another grunt before shoving the bow in his hand toward Kikyo.

"What exactly is the meaning of this?" asked Kikyo. With a bemused expression, she took the weapon cautiously, her eyes never leaving the bull youkai's.

"You are famous for your skills with a bow, correct? Then take this, miko, and show me how great you are," Waramaru said. He cracked his knuckles, a menacing gesture that indicated his intent to challenge her.

An understanding of the situation crossed Kotori's mind as she quickly made her way between the two archers. If her suspicions were right, the situation would become disastrous in no time flat. She had to stop Waramaru's provocation before Kikyo could take the bait. "Ah, please wait, Waramaru-sama. Kikyo-sama has yet to recover all of her strength. This demonstration should take place on another pre-arranged occasion."

"Kotori! Is something wrong with you?" Waramaru swiveled his head toward the demoness with a fiery look in his eyes. His anger had gotten the best of him, and the fact that Kotori held the higher rank was left forgotten in the back of his mind. "Why are you, an elite guard for Sesshomaru-sama, speaking up for a human? Even giving her an honorific? Did you forget that this was the person who slew many of our own?"

"I have not forgotten either," Kotori stated clearly, a firm edge to her voice. The truth was there in his words and the demoness had to wonder why she would go so far to aid the miko, the natural enemy of her race. It wasn't as if she had forgiven her for slaughtering her comrades. Even now, the pain of the losses still lingered in her mind. But she was also able to look at the matter rationally. "But the circumstances have changed. She is currently an ally of the west."

"Ally?" Waramaru echoed, disbelief shaking his voice before it morphed into rage. "You speak of her as an ally? You have become delusional, Kotori. She is nothing more than an object and deserves no respect from any of us. In fact, she is a tiny insect, who remains alive only because we have yet to lift our feet to squash her. Shield her, and you will be eliminated alongside her."

Several youkai that had gathered around in a circle nodded in agreement. The once hushed crowd was stirred up again by Waramaru's statement. Some began to whisper and mumble to each other, accusing the miko of using dark magic to brainwash the celebrated swordswoman. None of them could believe that Kotori had just defended the miko verbally. However, their chatters were silenced by a stern voice.

"That is enough of your nonsense, youkai. If you wish to witness my abilities, then I will gladly show you them," Kikyo abruptly snapped. No longer could she withstand being a bystander while the demons misdirected their anger toward the only one trying to defend her. As foolish as it was, she found her pride overpowering her judgment. She was going to stand her ground, rather than cower behind Kotori. Her pride was the glue that kept her soul together after her defeat. She refused to let it be trampled on by these ignorant demons.

"I refuse to have it any other way. Now, show me what you have, miko." Waramaru scowled as he spat out her title in a clear show of disrespect. "Most unfortunate that our competition involves not aiming at each other. My challenge for you: you get ten arrows, and you must hit the center with every last one of them. If you miss, you will suffer the consequences of being tied up for our next round of target practice. That is the Chousen I have laid out before you. Do you dare to accept?"

"Very well, youkai. I shall accept… but know that I do not intend to humor you," Kikyo replied calmly, as if she wasn't the one who was staking her life. Her slender fingers slid down the wooden surface of the bow, feeling the power resting within. Despite it being larger than her usual weapon, she still felt confident she could handle it. "And what will happen if I emerge victorious?"

"Hmph… if you do somehow win, then my life shall be left in your hands. It will be yours to claim, as according to the ancient rules of a Chousen." Although stunned by her daringness, Waramaru recovered quickly and replied. The notion of actually losing never crossed his mind, not even for the briefest of seconds.

"No! Please wait! You can't do this, Waramaru-sama. Sesshomaru-sama has yet to give his consent," Kotori interjected, her voice filled with urgency. Being a resident of the west meant that she knew fully too well what a Chousen — or a challenge — entailed. More commonly referred to as a death dual, it involved two combatants squaring off in a seemingly harmless game. The victor would receive all the glory and the loser would be subjected to whatever the former wanted. Given the current situation, it was evident to Kotori that Waramaru sought to kill Kikyo. A Chousen was the perfect excuse for him to disguise the miko's execution. 'This is bad. Kikyo-sama has no idea of the mess she has gotten herself into. How can she bet her life so casually? I can't let the Chousen proceed, otherwise… I'm bound to face Sesshomaru-sama's fury!'

"Please, Waramaru-sama. You must reconsider," Kotori pleaded.

"This is a personal matter between the miko and me. Stay out of this, Kotori, if you know what's good for yourself!" hissed Waramaru, his eyes burning with hatred as he stared straight into Kikyo's composed twin pools. Her self-possessed posture infuriated him, and he wondered just how long she could keep her cool. It wouldn't be long now, he thought, until he cracked the miko's composure and reduced her to a sobbing mess as she begged for a swift death.

'If Kotori is too terrified to revenge our fallen comrades, then I'll do it. I'll avenge them, for the wench will die today.' Waramaru silently vowed. The bulky warrior was confident that Kikyo would fail. It was impossible, not with the heavy chains that restricted her movements. As sure over the fact that the sun would soon set, Waramaru knew that the miko was as good as dead the moment she gallantly accepted his dual.

More Author's Notes: Just as a heads up, there will be a delay in the next update since I will be devoting myself to some studying. Don't worry though, I'm still around and haven't abandoned this story. I will continue to update as soon as I can.

Glossary: Kaze no Kizu - Wind Scar, Tessaiga's signature attack.