Surprises: Part two: Kagome's POV
After my training with Sesshomaru was over, I felt the need to bathe and think before I went to lunch. I was so sweaty that I was sure that it would be frowned upon for me to eat in that condition. Plus, with me and Kikyo being alone with Sesshomaru's mother, I knew I needed to change my clothes into something more suitable. I couldn't believe it when Sesshomaru decided to walk me to my rooms after our little training exercise. I was red faced as I followed him to the room. He stopped right outside my door and told me that he would get Natasha to get me ready for lunch. After he walked away, I swiftly entered my rooms and ran straight for the hot springs. I quickly disrobed and practically jumped into the water. I found a comfortable spot to relax and let my mind wander.
I thought about all that I have learned so far today. From Miroku talking about the importance of knowing one's self, and the fact that I had to dig deep within myself to find my true power as a miko. At that point, I started to think about my mother. Would she have taught us this sooner? Would she have even wanted us to know? Wait… Of course she would her last words were "Please, make sure they become the young women they were meant to be." She wanted us to be able to get the training necessary to become the mikos we were always supposed to be. To have the ability to protect and heal those we care about and to help those in need. I also started to think of the life I left behind.
After mother died, we were never even given the chance to truly grieve. We immediately became common servants for our "Father". Always doing all the work around the house and making the meals and fetching him whatever he desired. I couldn't believe the first time he brought a woman of the night into our home. Kikyo and I did everything we could to ignore the sounds coming from the next room. They were horrible. I'm not even sure she enjoyed it with the screams coming from her throat. After that night, Kikyo tried to run away. I think that is when she met Inuyasha. When Onigumo finally found her, well it wasn't pleasant and I had to help pick my sister off the ground.
That night, I stood up to him. I reminded him of his promise to our mother. He simply laughed at me and told me that I was too naive if I thought he truly meant what he said to her. It was all for her benefit and he had no intention to go through with it. He continued to mock me by telling me that I was nothing but a worthless little bitch who would become a common whore once I was old enough and he had the chance to "Break me in." I still trembled at the thought. I never wanted to be at the receiving end of that man and I wasn't even sure I wanted to give that part of myself to anyone.
At that point, another person came to my mind. Sesshomaru. The way he kissed me, the way he circled me during training. I'm sure he was probably analyzing my abilities, but at the same time it felt almost like he was checking me out. Even if it was only in my mind, It seemed as if he was trying to see if I was worthy of his attention. I know I shouldn't think this way, but I couldn't help it. Part of me wanted him to want me, to desire me. I wanted him to come to my rooms right now and make me feel the warmth I was felling during training. Wait, what am I thinking. I should never think those things about him. As if a god like him could ever want a commoner like me. Oh, well. I guess the only way to know how he feels would be to get to know him. Just then my thoughts were interrupted by the door sliding open.
I turned to look and saw Natasha coming to my side to begin washing me. After my bath was done, she helped me into my Kimono, but made sure I had fresh training clothes on underneath. I guess Sesshomaru informed her of my continued training after lunch. I decided that after my training with grandma, I would try to find Rin and see what she could tell me about Sesshomaru. Maybe she could give me some clues as to why I have been getting strange feelings around him. We made it to the dining hall and I sat in the same spot I sat down for breakfast in. Sango quickly stood and took the seat next to me so she could talk to me.
"So, Kagome, how was your training with Lord Sesshomaru today?"She asked with a small smile.
"It went alright, I think. I know I have a lot to learn, but with all of your help, I'm sure I will be completely ready when the time comes." I said hopefully. I really didn't want to become a burden to anyone and I want to protect them all in any way I could. It seems strange since I have only just met them, but everyone here already felt like my family. I knew they would keep me safe and help me mature into the woman my parents wanted me to be.
"I was thinking..." She continued, "Maybe every day after training with Kaede, You could always train some more with me and Miroku. Lord Sesshomaru thinks it would be a good idea and I would love to use that time, to not only get to know you a little better, but also to help you progress a little faster since we don't know quite yet when this war will happen. We need to make sure you are ready. Lord Sesshomaru seems to think that you are the one who is truly destined to defeat the vile lord of the north and I for one will never question his judgment."
"Well, today I was thinking of spending some time with Rin. She kind of reminds me of an orphaned kit that I took care of in Edo. Plus, She seems like quite the adorable little girl and I'd love to see what she does in her free time. Maybe we can start tomorrow, if that is okay with you?"
"Of course it is! I don't want to rush you into anything. Besides, Rin has told me that she likes the pretty lady living in the castle, Which I'm sure is you by the way. She told me that she wants to spend some time with you and that maybe you would like to be her friend too."
I smiled at that. "I would love to! I have never met so many nice people in my life!" I practically squealed. Just then Sesshomaru entered the room along with Rin who, again, skipped to her seat. Once everyone was seated and Sesshomaru took the first bite, we all ate in complete silence.
I was shown to the library right after lunch with Kikyo standing beside me. As we were waiting for Lady Inukimi to arrive, I took the time to speak with my sister. "How is grandma Kaede doing?" I asked on bated breath.
"She is well, and looking forward to seeing you and to training both of us. Actually, she seemed quite surprised that we were never taught. She thought that after mother's unfortunate demise, that Onigumo would seek out another miko to complete the training mother never got to with us." She said the last part with so much disdain that I'm sure Onigumo himself felt it. "She also said to be respectful and to mind our manners in front of the lady mother. She doesn't react well to disrespectful behavior and will quite possibly send us to hell just to teach us a lesson."
Before I had a chance to respond a very beautiful voice came from behind us. "Wise woman, that Kaede is. She is right by the way. I can and will send you to hell if you give me even the slightest reason to do so." Her voice sounded like bells and we both turned to see a woman who was almost the spitting image of Sesshomaru. Long beautiful silver hair, braided to one side of her head. Piercing golden eyes and a crescent moon in the middle of her forehead. She stood a little taller than me wearing the most beautiful kimono I had ever seen. It was white with small roses along the hems, and a picture of a silver dog imprinted on the back, under the full moon. I was in awe of her and barely managed to take my eyes off of her to give a respectful bow. Once given permission, we both rose from our bow and proceeded to sit at the table in front of us.
"Today, I will start teaching you of youki culture, Specifically, Inuyouki. Since young Kikyo is an Inuyouki's intended, she really needs to know and my son has requested that you become knowledgeable with everything I have to offer, though I do not know why. Anyways, We will begin with movements and what they mean to us and then go to courting and mating rituals. After that you will be taught how to sit, stand, walk and talk in front of other youki. Since you are affiliated with my son, you are above all those who will walk through this house, excluding me, Sesshomaru, Inutiasho, Iziayoi and Inuyasha. Therefore, there is a specific way you must talk to them when around guests of this house. After that we will move on to other breed of youki and their mannerisms and finally, you will read books from this massive library about our histories and learn from them. I can't have anyone represent the house of moon who doesn't know a thing about us. Our little learning sessions should take about two months as long as you keep up and don't test my patience too much. Shall we begin?" She said with almost a sadistic smile on her face.
That was the longest session I have had in my entire life, but I was glad for it. I really am enjoying learning all the things I need to know to survive this new world I am living in. I walked out of the library and was immediately directed to the infirmary, where grandma Kaede was waiting for me. "Grandma!" I yelled whilst running to her and embracing her for the fist time in many years. I last saw her the day we berried our mother.
"Ah, Kagome child. I have missed ye so much. How have ye been fairing?" Grandma Kaede asked as she hugged me back.
"I've been well. I guess, we should probably get started though. We have a lot of ground to cover and I really want to impress Lord Sesshomaru with something today." I said with a slight blush to my cheeks. I knew grandma was smart enough to know what was going on in my mind, but she paid it no further attention. We started off my hour with her by learning different herbs and their medicinal uses. Then she took me outside to start practicing with a bow. I shot at targets and at first I was not good with it at all. Even though I concentrated and tried as hard as humanly possible, I would miss the target each and every time. All the while getting words of encouragement and criticism from grandma. I was told that I first needed to learn how to use a bow properly before I could learn to infuse my arrow with my reiki. It was the most difficult thing for me to do. I took in all that I was being told, and with my last arrow to let loose for the day, I actually hit the mark. I was so proud and grandma gave me a warm hug and told me that I would get better with time. She told me that every miko she knew could use a bow. Even my mother, and that she would be so proud of me if she could see me now.
To hear those words come from my grandma, made me start to cry. "I miss her so much, her and daddy! I can't believe they are gone!" I wailed inter her arms. I let loose everything I had been holding inside since mother left us. I started to feel like a weight was being lifted off my shoulders. As I was starting to calm down I heard my grandmother soothing me.
"There, there child. Let it all out. I know it has been hard on both ye and Kikyo, but I promise it only gets better from here."
Her words rang through to me and I looked up to her and smiled. The first true smile that I have let myself have in ten years. "That's my girl. Now, ye better be going and remember to change back into ye kimono. I'm sure ye would like to have a little free time before dinner. I will see ye tomorrow and we will pick up where we left off." I gave her a nod, one more hug and took off. I still wanted to see Rin and maybe learn more about Sesshomaru before I had to be in a room with him again.
A/N: Whew, that's it for training. I think I will probably focus more on character relationships and skim past training. Don't worry though, I will have some scenes of Sesshomaru training Kagome, as it will be the main time they have to learn about each other together. As always, Please R&R. I love you guys and I love this story. I feel like my chapters will very in length, but I will write until my creative juices stop flowing for the day. I will also try to split up big scenes like these last two chapters, so I can add plenty of details without it becoming a super long chapter. Plus, I love some small suspense! Until next time!