KC: Okay I got a record number of reviews for this. Most of which were encouraging, I got my very first flame, here it is and my response: From: oblivionknight7: your right this chapter did suck, next time write a better longer one.
Okay even if it wasn't the greatest chapter on the planet you could at least point out what needs improvement! You're allowed your opinion but that was just rude. If you're not going to say what needs fixing then don't comment.
All right, now on with the chapter, like promised, it will be longer and more eventful.
Disclaimer: InuYasha doesn't belong to me.
Three days had passed since Kagome's arrival to the 'castle'. She had spent most of her time with Sesshoumaru, and today he was going to begin teaching her how to fight. Kagome was rather excited, she had always been a little curious about fighting after seeing two boys in her class get into one. Plus, it would be Sesshoumaru teaching her, whom she had decided was her new best friend. He was so complicated, more than half the time Kagome had no clue what he was thinking, the only time she had ever seen any real emotion on his face was on her first day at the castle, he had blushed after she hugged him. Kagome was still trying to figure out why a simple hug would make him so flustered.
A soft knock at her door brought Kagome out of her reverie. "Hairimas!" She called and a young looking kitsune youkai entered the room. This was Katsumi, Kagome's personal attendant, assigned by Sesshoumaru to take care of her and follow any order Kagome gave her. "Kagome-sama, I was sent by Sesshoumaru-sama to escort you to the dojo." She said, bowing respectively to the sever-year-old.
"You don't have to call me 'sama' Katsumi-san, Kagome is fine." Kagome said as she got up off her futon and followed the kitsune into the hallway. Katsumi nodded and apologized but somehow Kagome got the feeling she would continue being called 'Kagome-sama'. Katsumi led Kagome through a series of hallways, past numerous shoji doors and countless other servants before reaching the dojo. At least, that's how it seemed to the little miko.
"Sesshoumaru-sama is awaiting you inside." Katsumi said, bowing to her Lady as Kagome slid open the door. "Domo Katsumi, wish me luck!" Kagome said cheerfully as she slid open the door and walked in.
Sesshoumaru was standing in the center of the dojo, wearing a dark blue hakama with his matching haori slung over his shoulder. Kagome bowed as she entered and removed her shoes. "I see the clothes you were sent fit you well." Sesshoumaru said, commenting on the hakama and kimono she wore. The haori currently forgotten on her desk. She nodded enthusiastically, "Hai Sesshou-sensei, arigato!" As of today, Kagome was to refer to Sesshoumaru as 'sensei' in the dojo, since he would be her teacher.
He motioned for her to sit, and as she did so he began to speak. "You've never had any sort of combat training in your life so this Sesshoumaru will start at the beginning. Before you can wield any type of weapon you must be physically fit. Starting today you will begin rigorous training to strengthen both your mind and body. After This Sesshoumaru believes you are ready, you will begin practice with a weapon." He looked at her to see if she was listening, she had absorbed every word like a sponge.
"Very well." Was all he said and motioned for her to stand, she did so and he took a small step away from her. "We will begin with your arms and work from there, follow my example." And with that, Kagome did push-up's, crunches, ran laps and did any other exercise her body had strength to do.
O.o.O.o
It seemed, according to Katsumi, that Sesshoumaru was being so hard on her because of some gathering that would be taking place soon. Apparently, the young inu-youkai thought it wouldn't be safe for her and decided that she at least learn the basics of defense, to quote Katsumi; "Not all the lords of Japan are like my Lord, both he and Sesshoumaru-sama are dignified creatures, but many are corrupt by power and would kill a little girl like you as soon as they'd look at you, if it would ensure them power." That slightly frightened Kagome, but she tried not to let it show and vowed to do her absolute best in her training, so she could make Sesshoumaru proud and not have him worry about her well-being.
For the next three days Kagome trained with such vigor that Sesshoumaru was taken by surprise. She still had much work ahead of her but he could already see her improvement, and her dedication spoke volumes to the young youkai. Also, he had noticed Katsumi watching their training sessions occasionally and she had been giving him strange looks, as though she were trying to tell him something he couldn't quite understand.
o.O.o
The servants were bustling more so than usual, for today Inu no Taisho would be returning. Katsumi and two other youkai were fussing over Kagome, making her try on dozens of kimonos-none of which seemed to make all three youkai happy- and her doing things with her hair and whatnot. Kagome hadn't seen Sesshoumaru all day and wanted to see him, but even if she managed to escape Katsumi, she'd be trampled by the other servants rushing about, performing last-minute chores.
Sesshoumaru finished tying his obi and sighed, it was always hectic like this whenever his father returned home but Sesshoumaru could never seem to get used to the all the bustling and noise that accompanied the return of his father. He had been hoping to spend a little time with Kagome but Katsumi had already practically barricaded the door to her room so they could 'prepare her', whatever that meant. Sighing once again- after all, he was in his private chamber were no one could see his signs of boredom- he exited his room and maneuvered his way to where Katsumi had taken Kagome.
Always the polite one, Sesshoumaru knocked on the door and announced himself rather than try to barge in, as others had tried (they were met by a very deadly Katsumi) and waited to be let in. After a few minutes, he guessed they were stuffing Kagome into another kimono; Katsumi let the young lord in.
"Sesshoumaru-sama, gomen nasai for the wait." One of Katsumi's attendants said as she bowed to him. "Sesshoumaru-sama, you're just in time, I think we've finally found the perfect one." Said a beaming Katsumi. Before Sesshoumaru could say anything, Katsumi moved aside to reveal Kagome.
Once again Sesshoumaru felt his cheeks ting pink. Kagome wore a light purple kimono with silver sakura leaves imprinted along the sleeves and the bottom hemming. She looked incredibly cute, and the second the thought entered his mind he mentally slapped himself; she was a human, besides, he was young, these odd feelings were normal….right?
He felt everyone's eyes on him and he cleared his throat, "You are right Katsumi that will do nicely." He said in as much of a business voice as he could and left the room.
Kagome looked at Katsumi, confused as Katsumi and the others giggled. "Katsumi-chan, what's so funny?" She asked. After composing herself enough to speak properly, she answered the curious girl, "Didn't you see Kagome-sama? Sesshoumaru-sama was blushing; I don't think I've ever seen that before!" She exclaimed, bursting into another fit of giggles. Poor Kagome still didn't quite understand this, "Why would he blush, does he have a fever?" She asked, looked up at her attendant with large innocent eyes. Katsumi simply patted her on the head, "You'll understand soon enough, you're a growing girl, you'll figure it out."
Once again in the safety of his room, Sesshoumaru sighed, this time from embarrassment and exhaustion. What the hell was this girl doing to him? This time there had been others present when his emotions bubbled up. He had to get them under control, this surely wasn't befitting for the son of Daiyoukai of the West.
KC: Hey Yo! I know it took awhile and it's not action-packed, but this is the next chapter. This is really just one of those character-development chapters, where you get inside the mind of the characters a little more. As you can see, Sesshoumaru is beginning to have feeling for Kagome, which he can't quite understand. I think the next chapter or the one after that will be the last where Kagome is in that timeframe. After that, the story will really jump; I'm already plotting it out. Also, over the summer I'll be out-of-state so I don't know when I'll be able to post, I'll try to type up as many chapters as possible though so it won't end up on hiatus.
And thank you for all the reviews once again! They inspire me to continue writing.
