Someday, I'll surpass you; Kagome: Are those two close? Morning light slipped through the gaps in the leaves, scattering broken gold across the forest clearing.
Inuyasha stood in the center of the clearing, Red Fang held across his body, a faint cold gleam shimmering along the blade.
Sesshomaru stood opposite him, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his silver-white hair drifting gently in the morning breeze.
The two of them stared at each other.
The air was like a string drawn taut.
"Are you serious?"
Sesshomaru's voice was cold.
"Of course I'm serious."
The corner of Inuyasha's mouth curved into a grin.
"Outside the village, you took down twenty Great Demons by yourself. I saw it clearly."
"I want to know how far I still am from you."
Sesshomaru fell silent for a moment.
"You will get hurt."
"How would I know if I don't try?"
As soon as Inuyasha finished speaking, the ground beneath his feet exploded into a crater.
His figure left an afterimage in the air as Red Fang swung upward from below, the blade light like a crescent moon, aimed straight for Sesshomaru's jaw.
Sesshomaru retreated half a step.
Red Fang's edge swept past the front of his chin, less than an inch away.
Inuyasha did not stop.
The instant his first strike missed, his body flipped in midair, and Red Fang swept horizontally, chopping toward Sesshomaru's neck.
Sesshomaru retreated again.
Inuyasha's brows furrowed.
"Is dodging all you know how to do?"
Sesshomaru did not answer.
His right hand loosened from the hilt, then tightened again.
"Your speed is enough. Your strength is a little lacking."
"Tch."
Inuyasha landed, bent his legs, then sprang up fiercely.
This time, he did not use his sword.
He spun in the air, his right foot