A Sister's Gift

Chapter 39 – Final Player’s Revealed

‘I will have to keep my eye on Kagome and her companion, Kikyo. The last four days of competition have proven that the two miko’s are both of powerful miko bloodlines. The added effects of the taiyoukai’s blood, has now served to gift the priestess Kagome with more strength than her human body should hold.’ Onigumo thought with malice.

The whole situation was beginning to wear on Onigumo’s nerves. His plan was quickly becoming quite risky. If the two of them were to succeed in the final test, then one of them would be the chosen protector of the jewel, and no doubt when the one is attacked the other will be there to defend. It was now painfully clear that he could not handle the two miko’s, their protector’s, and the Imperial army all at once.

It’s time to bring in reinforcements.

Onigumo called upon his servant to deliver a message. The lone saimyoshou appeared rather quickly, and settled in front of its master for instructions on its next mission. The insect stared at its master patiently as it tried to shake off the uneasy feeling. The master had changed so much that it was almost impossible to recognize him. Even his scent was altered in this new body.

Onigumo gazed into the eyes of the hell’s insect. He bore into the tiny mind imprinting one thought. One message to be conveyed to his kin.

‘Naraku calls for aid.’

The wings of the saimyoshou suddenly came to life and the insect rose from its perch to deliver its masters message.

Naraku watched as his messenger departed, feeling that he made a good decision to call for aid. His disguise would only serve to get him so close to the sacred jewel, but attaining the gem would be a very dangerous undertaking. He would expect his allies to arrive by midnight. That should give him ample opportunity to devise a plan to best utilize their special talents.

Naraku stood and gathered his sword and pouch. He had to be going, in order to arrive in time for the final show. The final contestants were to be announced and then the showdown of miko’s would begin. He certainly couldn’t miss that. Prince Hasun would be angered if his dear cousin, Onigumo was not there by his side to cheer the favorites on.

~~~***~~~

Kagome stood next to Kikyo as they awaited the announcement by the daisaiin. Today the number of contender’s would be diminished to five. Only five miko’s, out of one hundred. Kagome felt pretty confident in her performance, and from what she witnessed, Kikyo held her own as well. In a way she hoped that their skills would carry them into the final five, but another part of her wished for the failure. Her life could possibly then have a chance of returning to some semblance of normalcy. If she were to be given the task of keeping the jewel pure, the road ahead would be an extremely difficult one.

Daisaiin Senshi stepped up to the podium, and the whispered murmurings from the crowd immediately died down. Kagome grabbed Kikyo’s hand, who returned the motion with a reassuring squeeze. They would get through this, together.

Sesshomaru and Inuyasha stood behind the mass of red and white clad women, awaiting the announcement with the other youkai protector’s. The wolf youkai, Tooru, stood nearby, as they all awaited the announcement of the finalists. Tooru seemed a little anxious, possibly worried about his mistress, but Sesshomaru felt none of that. He knew his mistress would be in the top five. She had proven herself time and again against each obstacle placed in her path.

A sly smile curved the corner of his elegant features. Kagome’s power had increased to an almost frightening level since the mating bond was completed. No other miko here held her unique abilities. Even Kikyo could not begin to compare. Inuyasha’s wench proved herself to be the best archer of the two, but speed, power, and agility belonged to Kagome. She crushed her opponents in hand to hand. He had to hand it to that demon exterminator, for as much as he loathed the bitch, she was a solid warrior and had trained Kagome well.

Hand to hand was Kagome’s forte, but she also swept the competition away in the battle of blades. Her newfound speed and agility gave her a sharp advantage. It was shear pleasure watching her disarm one opponent after another. Even Kikyo fell to his mate’s attack. It was poetry in motion.

Sesshomaru grunted in satisfaction at the memory of it. Her moves were fluid and graceful, only coming close to matching his own. Together they would be near unstoppable in battle.

Not only had her body become battle ready, but the bond has served to further enhance her womanly curves. Her raven hair shone with added brilliance and her eyes now held the crystal blue opulence of shimmering pools of cool water. Her smile was still as sweet, but now held a hint of mischief when her tiny fangs peeked out of her full rosy lips.

Sesshomaru shifted in order to relieve some of the uncomfortable pressure he now held between his legs. Inuyasha noticed, and made an over exaggerated show of gagging, which the full demon ignored with little effort. He was becoming accustomed to Inuyasha’s immature and brash behavior, occasionally finding some humor in the half-breeds antics.

The daisaiin began to speak and Sesshomaru shifted his attention back to the old human woman.

Senshi looked out over the crowd of miko’s. She was proud of them all, but had to make the final cut. The burden was a hard one to bear, as she felt responsible for choosing the right ones. So much depended on it. While there were two miko’s that were cut from the final five because of certain circumstances, she felt it was the best. Not only were fighting skills needed. Other factors had to be considered as well.

The old daisaiin sighed heavily. She was certainly feeling her age today. Her old bones ached, and she knew her days here were limited. She hoped that she had done the right thing, by these young women. The two replacements she chose were not as skilled in battle, and she hoped that her decision would not put them at risk for death and failure.

Senshi smiled at the crowd of young women, before beginning her announcement. “I would like to thank you all for coming to the aid of your Emperor, and myself. Each of you has lived up to your renowned reputation for being the strongest of miko’s. You have all performed well, and honored your family by your show of strength and bravery. However, as you all know, I am forced to release all of you except five. These five will continue the challenge by competing in one final event. The performance of the remaining five will be used to determine who will be given to honor of protecting the renowned Shikon No Tama.”

The old woman could literally feel the nervous wave of emotion pouring off of the crowd before her. It was time to get this over with. “Misaki of the village Hiren. Yuka of the village Sumida. Tokie of the village Onegwe. Kikyo of the village Sentora. Kagome of the village Kyoto. Congratulation’s my children, and may Kami be with you. The final event will be held at the Imperial Arena, please proceed there immediately.”

The disappointed murmuring and excited cries of the few who were to go further in the competition filled the morning air. Sesshomaru, Inuyasha and Tooru waited patiently for their mistresses to join them, before heading to the arena. One thing worried them all. The daisaiin sounded concerned for the finalists. More so than usual. What does the final event hold in store for their miko’s?