A Sword's New Master

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha or any of it characters.

Chapter 1: Pass

Wispy, white clouds rolled gently amidst the clear, blue sky. Red and yellow leaves swayed lazily in the brisk breeze, carrying the smell of fall in it's passing. It was a beautiful day in the Fuedal Era.

"Did you hear me, Inuyasha!?" hollered on overly agitated miko. "I said we need a break! Do you really think we would be able to fight Naraku in this condition anyway?"

The red-clad, half demon continued walking, either not hearing her… or pointedly ignoring her. The twitch of his ears told her all she needed to know. Before she could unleash her temper on her unsuspecting victim, another voice was heard.

"Kagome is right," The wise voice of Miroku interjected. "Us weak mortals are no match for your demonic strength." he complimented, undoubtedly hoping to flatter their friend into giving them what they wanted.

The three humans watched his back, waiting to see what his reaction might be.

Inuyasha merely continued walking.

Kagome snapped, having had enough of his foul attitude. "Sit!"

A resounding slam was heard, followed by a string of muttered words she chose to ignore. A clawed hand rose from the rubble shortly followed by a very angry looking half demon. "What the hell was that for?!"

Rather than answering, she set her backpack down on the ground before taking a seat on a nearby boulder, choosing to ignore him just as he had done previously. She listened as he climbed out of his life-size crater, huffing and grumbling the entire time. "Fine! Have your stupid break, but we're leaving again right away and I don't wanna hear any whining then, got it?" he ordered bossily before jumping into a nearby tree, leaning against the bark and crossing his arms over his chest.

Kagome fingered the Shikon Jewel hanging around her neck absentmindedly, glancing down at the shards they had managed to gather and sighed. I wonder how many more of the shards there are yet? she thought curiously. They knew that Kouga possessed two, plus there was the one planted in Kohaku's back, as well as the overwhelming amount that Naraku possessed, but did he have all of them? Or were there some still remaining that even Naraku had yet to find?

For two years I have been here, and still I'm on the same quest. Not like I have any room to complain, after all I'm the one who broke it. It's my duty to gather them all again, but I wonder if we will ever find them all?

She took out her water bottle, taking a long swig before the sounds of the blustering half demon were heard, forcing her and her friends on the road again. They walked straight until the sun disappeared behind the horizon before they stopped, refusing to take another step. As night fell they gathered around the campfire lost in conversation as Kagome finished cooking the ramen. She poured equal amounts into separate bowls before proceeding to distribute them amongst her friends. Inuyasha greedily snatched his, managing to inhale every morcel without stopping to take so much as a breath.

After they'd bathed, the group settled down into their sleeping arrangements for the night. Shippo curled up with Kirara and fell asleep immediately. Sango and Miroku lay right beside them, though Sango had erected a barrier between herself and the perverted monk using her Hiraikotsu. Inuyasha leapt up into a high tree and closed his eyes, seemingly ignoring them altogether. She brushed off his tantrum and sat contently watching the fire for a few minutes before she rolled out her sleeping bag and climbed in. It wasn't long before a resounding slap was heard, causing Kagome to giggle to herself. Minutes ticked by and eventually she was lost to the darkness that welcomed her.

The next morning Kagome awoke lazily, feeling the sting of the morning air on her cheeks. Burrowing further into her bedding, she waited for the ever impatient hanyou to start yelling and demand she get up to make breakfast—but it never came. Rather than Inuyasha's rude awakening, the sound of swords clashing greeted her ears. She peeked open one eye before sitting up and looking towards the source of the ruckus.

She caught sight of Inuyasha's red robe mingling slightly with another familiar attire. After looking it over a few more times through bleary eyes, she recognized it belonged to none other than Sesshoumaru. She shook her head exasperatedly. Here we go again.

Over the past two years, the increasing number of battles exchanged between the blood brothers had gradually become less interesting each and every time. None of them were effected anymore by the always failed attempts to kill one another, nor the meaningless threats they spouted and then never followed through with. Kagome wasn't sure why they even bothered, assuming it was merely a way of checking up on the other without seeming concerned, though they would never admit to such things so the point was moot in her opinion.

Looking over to her friends, she found their still slumbering forms, a sigh escaping her. "Lucky." she muttered. Extracting herself from her bedding and straightening her pyjamas, she grabbed her school uniform and moved behind some trees near the edge of camp, beginning the task of changing for the long day. After she had changed, she stuffed her pyjamas back into her bag. Deciding to make breakfast to avoid the yelling from Inuyasha that would surely come after he supposedly won his battle with Sesshoumaru, she pulled out the last remaining packages of ramen. As she waited for the water in the pot to boil over the residual embers, her attention fixated on the battle due to the lack of anything else to do in the meantime.

Both of the brothers faced off, their swords locked at the hilt. Kagome stifled a yawn as Inuyasha pushed away from Sesshoumaru and released the Wind Scar, missing his target horribly. She caught the curse he muttered as he attempted to locate his brother's whereabouts.

She returned to making the ramen and ladled it into bowls, placing them on their makeshift tree-stump table to let them cool off. It was a true wonder how her friends never complained about eating the same meal every day. Kagome was downright sick of instant noodles now.

Her task finished, she resumed watching the battle with the smallest amount of interest. She cradled her cheek in her hand, her elbow resting on her knee as a new sound reached her ears. Blue streaks of lighting shot out from the blade of Sesshoumaru's sword, his Dragon Strike barreling towards Inuyasha and striking him directly.

Kagome gasped.

Inuyasha crashed into the tree line off to the side as Tetsusaiga flew through the air, landing on the ground a few feet from her before transforming back to it's dormant form. She ran to the fallen sword and picked it up. Turning to where her friend had landed, she considered running it back to him before Sesshoumaru decided to attack him once more. What's going on? Sesshoumaru never uses his attacks like that during these fights.

Turning to said demon, she was startled to find his eyes fully trained on her. Kagome stilled instantly. His amber gaze narrowed at her slightly, but he made no move towards her.

Inuyasha took the chance and lunged for his brother, claws poised.

Without removing his gaze from hers, Sesshoumaru threw his sword at Inuyasha, halting the attack as it pierced his chest. Inuyasha fell to the ground, blood pouring from the wound where Tokijin was lodged.

"Inuyasha!" Kagome called, moving to run towards her fallen friend. Suddenly Sesshoumaru stood directly in front of her.

"Run, Kagome! Get out of here!" yelled Inuyasha weakly.

She narrowed her eyes at Sesshoumaru. His golden eyes filled with a strange glint, making her heartbeat pound quicker. She took a hesitant step back, then another. He rushed towards her with blinding speed. Before she had the chance to turn and run, she was pushed backwards, her back connecting hard with something sturdy. She groaned, focusing on the demon who now had her trapped between the trunk of a tree and himself.

Her neck strained to look up at his face due to their proximity. His eyes rested on the sword which lay in Kagome's hands briefly before turning upwards and meeting her own. Instinctively, she gripped the sword tighter before she swung, aiming for the daiyoukai's head. His arm shot out, gripping the blade of Tetsusaiga and holding it in place. She fought to remove the sword from his grip but to no avail.

Defiance and determination shone brightly in her eyes, she would not be killed by Sesshoumaru of all people. She would fight him tooth and nail if need be.

Kagome was caught off guard when suddenly Sesshoumaru's other hand reached up and nails lightly grazed against her arm. Her eyes widened in surprise and her lips parted ever so slightly. She felt them slowly trail along the length of her arm, then her shoulder, before moving up her neck and finally stopping. A shiver crawled up her spine at the sensation. She could hear her raspy breathing in her ears, as well as the uneven pounding of her heart beat.

A small smirk made its way across Sesshoumaru's face, his glowing eyes filling with an odd gleam. His gaze momentarily shifted to the sword, it's hilt still encompassed in her hand while the blade remained within his. He returned his focus to Kagome, lowering his head down to her ear. "It seems that I have passed the test, miko." His smooth baritone voice rumbled before disappearing from sight.

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