~Chapter 4~

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, she groaned and rolled over. "Five more minutes."

Shaking her head and throwing the blanket off her, Kisma found angry eyes upon her person. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but it's time for your training to begin."

Sitting up and stifling a yarn, Kagome frowned. "What training?"

"My mother and father decided that you may stay here as long as you need for your heart to heal, but under this roof you must be able to defend yourself." Walking to her closet and returning with an outfit, she laid it beside her. "Every morning, you shall train with the miko my mother has brought at dawn until high noon, then you will then see General Monji of my father's armed forces. He will teach you in the art of combat." Kneeling and braiding her long black locks, she smiled. "I so envy you. He is the most skilled and quite handsome, if I may say so myself." Tying a ribbon at the end, she headed for the exit.

Pausing, she glimpsed her over her shoulder. "And do hurry and wash, from what I was told about the miko mother has brought to train you, is quite strict. From what I gathered from ease dropping on their conversation earlier, she shall deal out punishment if you falter in any of her lessons. So do hurry." And with that, she found herself alone.

Quickly coming to her feet and nearing the hot springs, she gathered her clothes. Entering and placing them on a bench, Kagome shed the elaborate fabrics and slid into the water. Doing a hasty wash and using the oils that were left out for her, she dressed and departed.

Walking down the hall and asking a servant for directions, she soon entered the gardens. Pausing in the entrance, she became mesmerized upon such a lavish sight.

With the most lushest and richest of greens, it was a beautiful site to behold. Various flowers and bushes baring fruit was scattered all about, as a cobblestone path stood before her. Walking along it and smiling as the sweet scents welcomed her, she soon found herself before a large and grand fountain, with a carving of a fish sprouting water from its mouth.

"You are late." A voice sounded, from her left.

Turning, a woman no older than thirty stood eyeing her. Black short locks littered her shoulders, as she bore the traditional miko garb. Shivering as unwelcome thoughts ran through her mind's eye, she frowned.

"I shall tell you this now, I do not accept failure and as a miko of your caliber, you should have no problem nor..."

"Uhm, sorry to interrupt, but I just found out I was a miko two years ago." Kagome voiced. "I have never had any training, since I been on the road searching for the shikon shards."

Frowning, she studied her. "You have muscle toning and from what I have heard of your travels, you have of yet to lose in a fight. If this is so, then how do you defend your being?"

"Well, the others that I travel with protect me. The only thing I use, is my bow and arrows. And that's sometimes used to purify a shard that we can't get to or..."

"This is unacceptable." She snapped, as she began to circle her. "You are nothing but a mere joke, from what I have heard great tells of. The bow is only used when needed. What would you do when they are not by your side and your life is being threatened?"

Paling, she looked away. "My friends are always there to help."

Coming to a stop before her, she gave her a rough shove back. Watching as she fell down at her feet, the woman smirked. "Then you are nothing, but a want to be miko. You should never been called the protector of the Shikon. What I see, is nothing but a disgrace and..."

"What is the meaning of this?" Kisma yelled, as she and her mother entered the gardens. "You are here to train her, not abuse her more than she already is."

Taking a step back and viewing her as she once more stood, she folded her arms. "I am here to train a miko, not some weakling who does not accept her heritage and..."

"You know nothing about my heritage." Kagome stated. "I may not be as well-trained as you and able to defend myself, but I am the Shikon protector because of it. Midoriko herself, is my ancestor and since the day I was born, I was taught of her and where the Shikon comes from." Taking a step and relaxing her whole form, her eyes gave off a soft glow. "Be it that I allow my friends to always come to my aid and know nothing of how to properly use my purification, I am more a miko than you." Narrowing her eyes, her form started to give off a light from her aura . "I don't know how to heal an injury, talk to nature, create a barrier, and summon my purification, but it's what's inside that counts. How many miko or even humans do you know, would take in a young kitsune as her own and help him seek vengeance for the death of his parents? Defend a pack of ookami and their underlings, from vengeful bird youkai? Or have you heard of a miko ever falling in love with a youkai and standing by his side?"

"That has nothing to do with..."

"A miko is more than just what she is and what she can do, but what's inside. We are pure of heart and able to see the light in everything, no matter how bad something is. There are others who see this world in white and black, but it's more than that. I may not be trained as you are, but at least I hold the most important essence that makes up a miko." Turning, a strong wind blew off her as she entered the palace.

Seeing the woman's astounded face, Lu-ming smirked. "I guess I have found the wrong miko to aid her. Your services are no longer needed. Leave."

Lowering her gaze and bowing, she proceeded down the cobblestoned path.

Watching as she reached the garden's gates, Kisma frowned. "I thought she was going to help Kagome?"

"She did not see what made the young girl who she is today and as a set back, she needs soul searching and balance for what she thought to be true. Kagome has opened her eyes and now she see's the real foundation that creates a miko." Facing her pup, she ran a hand through her red tresses. "It's not the power that gives them the title of being called such, but what lies within. And that's balance and no form of bias, which must live in them."

"And her taking in a kitsune?"

"Humans bark at the idea and would shun him, because of what he is. A true miko would see a child in need and come to his rescue. Many would leave him to another that would take him in, but she did the impossible and kept him. Her heart is so big, that she will deal with others looking down upon such and claim him as her kit."

Nodding and staring off in the direction said miko vanished, she sighed. "And her loving a youkai?"

"That my pup, I can not answer. There is a lot of trust and love that was betrayed and I can not speak of what I do not know. If you seek such, you will need to go to the source."

Smiling and linking arms with her mother, Kisma led her through the lush greenery. "Now, what about her training? She will need another miko to help her."

Pausing before a sukura tree, her aura oozed peace and warmth. "I feel that there will be none that would be able to help her now. I shall let her be and will personally see to her myself. Meditation is a great way to channel any power within and find a center. I'm sure once that is reached, all will come easy to her. For now, she needs time to herself and I shall grant it."

Leaning into her side, she smiled and became lost in the beauty all around her.

Watching as she slashed the pitiful youkia down where it stood, he turned away. "Do you feel this will change the way I see you in this Sesshoumaru's eyes?"

Frowning as the now deceased body fall, she sighed. "Is there anything that will please you, mi'lord? I have proved my worth in your eyes more times than I would like to admit. We are to mate, after all."

Clearly ignoring her, he began to walk off. "You have seven days to change how this being sees you. And if not, then before your parents this Sesshoumaru shall announce you are unworthy to hold the title as my western lady and the other half of this Sesshoumaru."

"But what of the alliance between our lands? You would throw away such a chance to..."

"You forget your place. It is not the western lands that are in need of aid, Li. Now remain silent and let your voice remain to yourself."

Folding her arms, she took up after him, but with a heavy heart. For he was promised to her since her birth and she would be damned, if she was going to lose him now.

Leaping onto the ground, Inuyasha froze. Raising his nose in the air and catching a scent, he frowned.

"What is it?" Sango voiced, sliding off of Kirara. "Is it Kagome?"

Shaking his head, he spotted two figures nearing.

Following his gaze, Miroku became puzzled. "Isn't that the kid that follows your brother?"

"Half-brother!"

Rolling her eyes, Sango walked over. Seeing the dragon like youkai move closer, she placed her hands in the air. "I'm not going to hurt her. I was just wondering if she would like something to eat and..."

"She doesn't want nothing from you, you filthy onna." Jaken yelled, swinging his staff.

Ducking and moving to punch him, he was pushed to the ground by the dragon. Laughing, she eyed her. "I'm Sango, by the way. What's your name?"

Giving a toothy grin, she blushed. "Rin's name is Rin."

"That's a pretty name. We were just going to have lunch. What do you think about rice balls and some water?"

Turning, she eyed the dragon. Nudging her shoulder and taking a seat, she squealed. "Thank you ever so."

Watching as they all went about making camp, Inuyasha growled. "What the hell! Why are we babysitting Sesshoumaru's little brat, when we need to go to the southern palace?"

Swallowing her cup of water, Rin raised an eyebrow. "Rin, Jaken, and AhUn are going there."

"Why?" Handing her a rice ball, Miroku raised an eyebrow.

"Lord Sesshoumaru is seeing to Princess Li and..."

"Cram it you child! You never speak of mi'lord's affairs!" Jaken yelled.

Shaking her head and politely shifting her weapon, a thump could be heard.

Laughing, Rin pointed at the unconscious toad youkai. "Lord Sesshoumaru does the same when Master Jaken is being mean."

Walking over and sitting next to her, Shippo gave her a lollipop. "Why don't you travel with us? We're all going in the same direction and we can play?"

Once more looking towards the dragon and receiving approval, she squealed and the two soon got lost in a world of chit-chat.

"Why the hell would he..."

"Inuyasha, if Lord Sesshoumaru has demanded them to come, it may help us to enter the palace to see Kagome." Miroku voiced. "Now stop cursing, there's no telling what your brother would do if he finds out."

"Half-brother!"

Rolling his eyes, all soon were seen laughing and sharing stories with the small child, that none couldn't stop thinking was like a miniature Kagome.

Yeah I know the chapter is short, but please review. And the next chapter Li and Sesshy will finally make their debut in the palace. So buckle up and look for a bumpy ride.