AN: Ok so I've been getting some requests for longer chapters. Would you guys prefer that I continue with updating every day or two with chapters around their current size, or would you prefer that I wait and update less frequently with longer chapters?

So I looked up oden, apparently it's a dish where just a bunch of things are thrown in a pot and cooked. Personally I think it looks pretty nasty but whatever.

I tried to put a little more description in this chapter cause a couple of people asked for it. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 4

Dinner in the great house was surprisingly simple. Kagome had been expecting an obnoxious affair with every person in the house, but it was only her, Sesshomaru, Shippo, and Rin.

The room was around the same size as Kagome's bedroom back home. The table was long, but it wasn't meant to seat more than six. It was a rich, dark wood with intricate carvings. In the middle was a scene of a pack of dogs running through trees with a full moon overhead. A three inch border went around with an elaborate design. The legs were thick and ended at the floor in the shape of giant claws. Kagome couldn't help but be impressed.

The meal was wonderful, oden made with only the best ingredients. Kagome loved it and ate every bite. The only thing lacking in the meal was the conversation. Apparently Sesshomaru liked his meals to be silent.

Kagome lay in bed sandwiched between Shippo and Rin. When she had slide open the door to her room she had seen two giggling bundles hidden under the covers of her bed. She had given in to the pleading eyes they had given her when she pulled back the comforter so now both kids were fast asleep beside her.

'This is the first story I have heard of Inuyasha and Sesshomaru's father. It must have been hard on him to loose his father and then both of his brothers in such a short time span. I don't know what I would do if I lost Souta… I can't believe that Inuyasha and Sesshomaru still fight with each other after everything that their father had to go through because of sibling rivalry! I am beginning to understand his reasons for giving them the swords; he had wanted to force them to be a team. Inutaisho had wanted for his son's to have what he had been denied but those damned demons can't stop their jealous fighting long enough to realize how strong they would be working together.' Kagome sighed, depressed at the situation.

Kagome was beginning to realize that yesterday's training had been more of an evaluation than anything else. When she had arrived outside for her lesson she was simply told, "Defend yourself." Instantly Sesshomaru had disappeared and two cuts appeared on her arms.

Kagome was now only half standing inside of a pink barrier looking haggard. Sesshomaru flew about her shield probing for any weakness. Satisfied that it was strong, he stepped back.

"You need to work on making your barrier smaller and more portable. Right now you are safe, but you are unable to attack your opponent or pull a retreat. You may leave the training field when you have succeeded in forming a shield that lies directly on your skin and burns your enemy when they make contact."

Kagome could only stand there and glare at his back as he calmly walked away.

'Ass.'

Kagome had finally managed to perfect her shield an hour before dinner. Repon had walked by, seen her still training, and offered his aid. With his pointers she had finally managed to get it down. It was as impenetrable as her other shield had been, but it was better suited for combat.

A group of servants brought in their plates and glasses and quickly exited. The only food on the plate that Kagome recognized was steak, cooked to perfection. She immediately reached over for Shippo's plate and began cutting his up.

Rin watched for a minute interested by what Kagome was doing before turning and asking, "Sesshomaru, will you cut up Rin's meat like Kagome is doing?"

Kagome jerked her head up in surprise. She starred at the demon lord, waiting to hear his response.

"Miko, you shall cut Rin's meat as well."

Kagome felt her anger rise at the command, 'Who does he think he is ordering me around?! He could have just as easily asked me and I would have said yes! Why doesn't he just cut it himself?' Just as Kagome was about to tell him as much, realization hit her, 'He can't.'

She silently reached over and took Rin's plate, cut the meat, and handed it back. She felt guilt override her as she began eating and noticed that Sesshomaru avoided his meat. She wanted to offer to cut it but knew that his pride would never allow it.

As the children munched happily, Kagome couldn't bring herself to do more than pick at her food. She excused herself as soon as she could without causing offense saying that she wanted to explore the gardens before bed.

The next few days went by without any major occurrences. Each day Sesshomaru would give her a new task to master and leave her to do so. Kagome was getting used to her powers and learning how to manipulate them better, but she still needed help from time to time. Luckily, after that second day Repon had taken it upon himself to begin supervising her after Sesshomaru left.

Kagome was surprised when she realized she had made a friend out of one of Sesshomaru's soldiers. As she trained they talked and she shared with him about Inuyasha and her quest for the Shikon Jewel. Repon had been able to offer some very insightful information. He told her that inuyoukai mate for life, which was why Inuyasha always ran to Kikyou, she was his mate. Few demons moved on once their mate died and those that did only did so after a few hundred years. For Inuyasha it had only been a matter of months after Kikyou passed from his life that she came back to life. While not the most reassuring thing, it did let Kagome know that she needed to move on because Inuyasha never would during her lifetime.

By the end of her first week with Sesshomaru, Kagome found herself settled into a routine and happy. Her combat skills were improving in leaps and bounds, she was almost over Inuyasha, and her adopted son had found a best friend.

It was the beginning of the second week when Sesshomaru announced that she would practice healing herself.

Kagome looked up at him confused, "But Sesshomaru, how am I supposed to practice that?"

The second the words left her mouth she found herself starring down as blood ran out of two deep gashes on her leg.

Kagome stifled her cry and began to concentrate instead. After a few minutes she found the right way and her cuts began to glow. They slowly sealed themselves and she sighed in relief.

"Too slow. You would have new wounds before you had even finished healing the first. You will practice healing until it is instantaneous."

For the first time since the day he had evaluated her, Sesshomaru stayed for the whole lesson. Kagome swore he was enjoying getting to cut her up and she thought she might have even seen the hint of a smile.

Finally Sesshomaru ordered a break. Kagome flopped on the grass exhausted while Sesshomaru walked inside to take care of something. The blood loss was beginning to really affect her. When a servant came with water she immediately gulped half the jug.

By the time Sesshomaru returned Kagome was feeling better and had gotten her second wind.

"We shall see how well you heal while in battle. Use everything you have learned and try to defeat me." His tone of voice clearly said that he wasn't expecting much.

Kagome's skin glowed pink as she called her shield. She lunged at him, using her powers to increase her speed as a pink sword materialized. Sesshomaru dodged quickly as his whip shot out and left a cut on each of her cheeks. The whip would have gone threw her if she hadn't had her shield.

Sesshomaru disappeared from view and then Kagome found a sword at her throat. Sesshomaru was standing behind her with his sword against the front of her neck.

"Surrender."

"Not yet I won't!" With that Kagome expanded her shield out, pushing Sesshomaru a few feet away from her.

"Girl, must I explain again that this large barrier is ill suited to battle?"

Kagome smiled as her barrier disappeared for a split second before reappearing around Sesshomaru. "Would you like to surrender my lord?"

When he stood there saying nothing, Kagome slowly allowed the miko shield to shrink down to the point it was grazing his skin.

As the smell of burning flesh drifted to his nose, Sesshomaru grit out, "Miko, that is enough for today."

Sesshomaru waited a moment and when the shield still did not disappear from around him he began to feel anger rise. Just as he opened his mouth to command his release, he noticed the concentration on Kagome's face. Slowly the barrier surrounding him began to fill with a liquid pink aura.

While his face remained impassive, his mind began to panic. 'What is she doing? Does the girl mean to betray me? Is she truly attempting to destroy this Sesshomaru?'

The shield filled to the top with Kagome's magic and stayed there a full minute before it suddenly all evaporated. As Kagome slumped to the floor, Sesshomaru lunged forward and placed his hand around her neck while the other hand was pulled back, ready to attack as poison dripped from it.

"What was the meaning of that?" Sesshomaru demanded.

Kagome gave a weak smile and then passed out. It was then that Sesshomaru noticed the hand dripping poison. His left hand. She had returned it.