"Where did you run off to?!" Kagome exclaims with a worried expression.
"We were worried," Shippo informs as he hops up and grabs onto Kagome's shoulder. "Crap, did she have everyone go look for me?" I wonder as I place my hand on my head.
"Sorry, I figured I'd walk around the town while Songo was preparing for the training session," I answer, causing Kagome to let out a sigh as Songo and Miroku walk over to us.
"If you had asked, I would have gladly accompanied you." Miroku insists, causing me to put on an uncomfortable expression.
"Yeah..." I trail off, but then Songo smirks as she rushes over to me.
"Are you ready for you're first lesson?" Songo asks, and I nod, causing her to grab my hand and lead me to a clear area, and everyone else follows after us.
"I need to evaluate you so... Have you ever fought with a weapon before?" Songo asks.
"No, I'm more accustomed to fighting with my fists," I answer, causing Songo to raise an eyebrow.
"Alright then, we'll start with a little hand-to-hand combat." Songo insists as Kirara jumps off her shoulder, and she begins creating space between us.
"But, Songo, aren't you still recovering?!" Shippo exclaims, causing me to put on a worried expression as I look over to where Kagome, Shippo, Miroku, and, surprisingly, Inuyasha were standing.
"It's fine. Now come at me (Y/N)." Songo instructs, causing me to put on a serious expression.
"If you insist," I state as I begin rushing towards her. "They said she was recovering, so I won't go all out." I think as I go to punch her, but she dodges my advance and gets behind me. "She's pretty fast..." I think as I quickly turn to face her and go to kick her, but she dodges it once more and goes to punch me. Leaning backwards, I dodge her as I place my hands on the ground and kick over, almost hitting Songo.
"You're pretty flexible." Songo compliments as I come back up. "Holding back was a mistake." I think as I smirk.
"And you're pretty fast, but-" I interrupt myself as I rush towards her again faster than before, causing her eyes to widen, and she dodges at the last second, but I look over to see I grazed her cheek.
"I was the fastest in my Martial Arts class." I declare, causing her to rush over to me, and she goes to kick me, but I bend down, allowing me to dodge it as I go to make another advance at her. Quickly jumping up, Songo tries to create distance, but I rush after her and go to kick her in the head, but I stop, causing the wind to blow through her hair, but she begins laughing.
"Um..." I trail off as I bring my leg down, causing her to look at me with a satisfied expression.
"It's been a while since I've had such a good match. If you had gone through with that kick, you would have gotten me, so you win." Songo explains, causing everyone to walk over to us.
"That was amazing." Miroku complimented, and Shippo nodded.
"You're so strong, (Y/N)." Shippo points out.
"Murrow." Kirara sounds as she jumps up in my arms.
"You really went through with the Martial Arts, huh?" Kagome questions, and I nod.
"Yeah, I'm glad my Dad made me learn it now, actually," I respond with a slight smile as I pet Kirara, but then Inuyasha, who had been quiet, finally clears his throat.
"We'll leave the village tomorrow." Inuyasha proclaims as he stares at me, but then turns and walks away, causing me to look over at them.
"What was that about?" I ask, causing Songo and Miroku to chuckle.
"It means he thinks you'll be able to take care of yourself." Miroku interprets, and Songo nods as she holds out her hands, causing Kirara to jump towards her.
"He trusts in your strength, which is hard to believe for that guy." Songo jibes. "Of course, he wanted to see if I could really take care of myself or not..." I think as I roll my eyes.
"The sun's starting to set, so let's head back." Kagome insists as she and Shippo begin walking.
"It's weird..." I trail off, causing Miroku to glance over at me.
"That you're in this era?" Miroku questions, and I nod as we begin walking.
"Yeah, it doesn't seem real," I respond, causing Songo to follow after us.
"Well, you won't have to worry. You have the strength to survive, and while we're traveling, I'll teach you how to use a weapon." Songo reassures, causing me to stop and bow to her.
"Thank you," I say, and then look up to see her smiling, but it looked a bit sad.
"Are you okay? Did I say something wrong?!" I exclaim, but she shakes her head.
"No, you just made me nostalgic. Whelp, we'd better get back, I'm sure Keade already has dinner ready." Songo points out as she begins walking, but in a hurry.
"Nostalgic?" I ask, causing Miroku to let out a sigh.
"It's probably about her younger brother..." Miroku trails off, causing me to turn to him, but he begins to chase after her. "The lecher and Songo seem to be pretty close." I think as I stop in my tracks and turn around to look at the sunset, and take a seat. "I look forward to meeting you," the dark voice rang through my head, causing me to put on a thoughtful expression.
"What did they mean by that?" I question as I stared up at the sky.
"So you are the girl the Sacred Tree summoned." A voice rang out, causing me to look over to see a woman who resembled Kagome a bit, dressed in a red and white kimono with a bow in her hand. "Could she be a priestess, but how does she know about the Sacred Tree?" I wonder as I stare at the woman.
"Who are you?" I ask, causing her to grab an arrow and draw her bow, causing my eyes to widen.
"Whose fate did she tell you to change?!" The Priestess exclaims, but I put on a confused expression.
"She didn't tell me, lady," I respond, which only makes her glare at me.
"You better not be lying to me." The Priestess counters as she puts the arrow back into her quiver.
"I have no reason to lie." I recounter, but she looks away from me as I stand up from where I was sitting.
"I'm Kikyo, remember it because if I find out Inuyasha is your target, I won't let you live." Kikyo threatens as weird white snake-looking demons surround her, and she disappears. "Wait, could she be the lady Inuyasha tow-times Kagome with?!" I wonder as I begin to walk back towards the village. "But wait... Why did she look so much like Kagome?" I wonder as I see Keade's house come into view.