Spirits by Priestess Skye

Aka-Shita

A thick, heavy, black cloud hung low covering the green of spring. Slowly, it strangled the nearby villagers as they struggled to inhale without breathing in any of the miasma. Even she was having difficulities, though Sango had long since given her a mask her own. Kagome readied her bow and notched her arrow, aiming straight ahead. Her target should have been the cause of the poison. Instead she just wanted to break through it and see what it was she was facing.

The tip began to glow pink as she felt her own power swirl around it. She found strength in it, felt the familiarity as it surrounded her in its warm embrace. The first time this had happened she had been shocked. The next several times she had concentrated on simply using the weapon. It wasn't until recently that she became confident in her skills as an archer. Was this how Kikyou felt? She wondered idly. Would the priestess have been as thrown off by her holy powers as she was? Somehow she highly doubted it as it seemed that everything came easily to the now dead woman.

Glancing around, she looked toward the hut that hid Inuyasha from prying eyes. She could feel his nervous energy, having been tuned into him for years now. He wanted to fight. They had the argument earlier before sealed him away. He was human, he didn't have the strength he usually did and she knew he would act in the same reckless manner, human or hanyou. None of them could afford him being stuck down fatally because he was rash.

But she was human and she could fight, so why couldn't he? His logic was sound, as was his rationalization. It broke her hear to look at him and deny him what she wanted, as it always did. He wanted to protect her, to allow her to stay in this time safely. Part of her was thrilled that he would go so far though they were nothing more than friends...good friends...best friends. Another part of her was insulted because she knew that this was something she should be able to do on her own.

Finding the perfect moment, she released the notched arrow and watched as the light broke through the dark. Miroku stood off to the side, guarding his three little ones as Sango stood poised to fight, hiraikotsu in her hand. Very rarely did they ever need to fight without Inuyasha, but there were times that it did need to be done. And they were successful each and every time.

They would be successful again too.

"Fools," the creature hissed as its grayish-blue skin peered through the darkness. "You know not what you're facing."

The voice was deep and largely masculine for such a feminine looking creature. Green hair flew out behind her, blowing gently in the wind. Its eyes glowed, lighting her lips now as they curved to form the next words. "You choose to disturb my slumber and trespass; you also choose to pay the price."

"Trespass?" she shouted. "This is a peaceful village and our people have no conflict with youkai. You're the one who brings trouble with you."

"Girl," it turned its eyes on her, its tongue lolling out of its red mouth. "I do not bring trouble, but rather you do for situating yourself against a youkai of my stature. Your little toy is no match for me. Even your hanyou friend can't save you now." Momentary shock filled her face, her inability to hide it confirming the creature's thoughts. "Yes, I know he's not here and I know why. I've been watching you two for the better part of the month. How is it that two such unlikely friends, a hanyou and priestess, can live together in peace?"

Her ire was up as she notched one more arrow, aiming it at the youkai. She told herself to remain calm, that mikos don't let their emotions get the better of them. There was a reason why they were spiritual fighters and it was because they had a calm way of looking at the situation.

Or so Kaede had told her.

Ye need to be aggressive, child, yet ye also need to know when to step back and view things from afar.

Passive aggressive, Kagome had murmured then.

Aye, that would be a good term for it.

"We live in peace because we choose to, because we know there are options other than constant war between two species. I have many youkai I call friends."

"The lord will not tolerate their deception."

"Lord Sesshoumaru is an ally and a friend," she stated.

"Lies! Lord Sesshoumaru would never lower himself to ally with humans. You, miko, must die. I will give back to Lord Sesshoumaru that which is rightly his. These lands belong to him, not that wretched spawn of a hanyou. Too long I've watched and waited for him to return to claim them as his own. Now, I will deliver them to him, as well as your head on a stick."

White hot energy rolled through, knocking her back onto her hind quarters. Unable to hold the arrow in hand, she let it go, watching as the pink light around it faded into nothing. Turning, she glared at the youkai who would dare interrupt her battle.

"You are not yet strong enough to defeat him, Miko," Sesshoumaru replied as he sheathed his blade. "He was weak, but you are weaker."

"I am not weak. I helped defeat Naraku."

"That does not make you strong. It merely makes you lucky." Turning his head, she followed his gaze in the direction of the Goshinboku. Their last encounter had resulted in her sitting by the tree for days listening, yet hearing nothing. "There is an uprising on its way. Humans are merely pawns in the game."

"And your role in all this?" she demanded to know, mentally calculating ways she could strengthen her village.

"I am neither here nor there. But you will be asked to choose sides. As it is now, you cannot win."

"I won't lose."

His lips quirked upward in what she could only assume was an arrogant smirk. "The hanyou has no secrets," he declared, changing the subject. "It is better that he fights than he hides. He is not strong enough yet either."

Turning on his toe, he disappeared into the dust as it began to settle to the ground. She turned to free her friend from the barricade but stopped in her tracks as Sesshoumaru's voice echoed back.

Do not dally in your efforts, Miko. While there is time, it is not on your side.