AN: This is important! I need input! I'm toying with the idea of giving Kagome a bow as well, but I'm afraid of making her too "uber". I think I like the idea of just giving her the sword and her daggers, but I want to know what you guys think. Please review with your opinions. As always, thank you to everyone who reviewed; I'm really glad you're all liking it so far . Please enjoy chapter eight.

Disclaimer: Hasn't changed, I'm still just a poor college student, sighs.

Sango knocked on Kagome's door at about six thirty that morning. With a groan, Kagome rolled over, looked at the clock, groaned louder, and decided to ignore the pounding on her door. Maybe if I pretend to still be asleep long enough she'll just leave. Who even gets up this early?

"Kagome, come on. I know you're awake in there," Sango called through the door.

With one last sigh and an angry glare at the door, Kagome pulled herself out of bed and marched towards the source of the pounding. "What?" she asked irritably as she yanked her door open. "It's six thirty in the morning. What the hell is so important that you need to wake me up at an ungodly hour of the morning?"

Sango just laughed. "Ah, I see you're not a morning person." She shrugged. "Shikon will break you of that in no time. Breakfast is in an hour so I figured I'd give you some time to wake up and get ready before I dragged you down to the mess hall."

"You mean there's a certain time you have to go eat here?" Kagome asked. "What is this, a military base?"

Sango shrugged again. "Close enough to one I suppose. It's just breakfast that's set, every other meal is of the 'come and go as you please' variety."

"Why is breakfast so different?" Kagome almost whined.

"Because it gives us a chance to see everyone. That way we can reassure ourselves that our friends are still alive or find out if they're not," Sango replied.

Kagome instantly shut up. It made sense, if she thought about it. The work these people did, the work she would now be doing, was dangerous and a life could easily be lost if one was not careful. Street life was the same, but most of the time no one ever really cared if you came back or not. You might get lucky and make a close friend, but even then that person would have moved on within a couple of days. It was just natural that someone could die on the streets so no one bothered with it too much when someone did. Here though, here they're more like a family. They care about each other, Kagome realized. That's going to take some getting used to.

After a quick shower and a mental note to find a place to get more clothes, Kagome changed into the only other set of clothing she had brought. Much like what she had been wearing, her top was a long sleeved black shirt and ripped, dark jeans. She left her black plastic bracelets on the nightstand but made sure her chocker was secure around her neck. Taking a moment to look in the mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair before tying it up in a loose and messy ponytail. Her eyes fell on the reflection of the heart shaped pendant on her chocker and her fingers reached up to touch it almost reverently. Shaking her head furiously when she saw the tears in her eyes, she walked out into the hall and saw Sango waiting for her.

"About time," the other girl grinned. "I was beginning to wonder if we'd make it to breakfast or not."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "It's not even seven yet. So what are we doing for half an hour?"

Sango pretended to look thoughtful. "Well, I could always kick your butt in the practice ring, but I think that will have to wait till later." She glanced over at Kagome. "First, I think I'll show you where all the important places are."

Kagome just chuckled as Sango latched onto her arm and began to drag her down the hall. "Just the important places?" she asked. "That shouldn't take very long."

Sango smiled mischievously. "That all depends on how you define important."

Kagome found herself laughing. Maybe I can get along with this girl after all, even if she does wake me up absurdly early.

As they walked, Sango explained that the structure consisted of twenty-six floors above ground and five below ground. Most of the floors below ground held various practice rooms, courts for basketball, and one floor even housed a pool. The last floor, however, was designed more like a bunker, "Just in case something ever happens," Sango had explained. Above ground, the first floor was where the mess hall was located as well as a job board that let everyone in the building know who was where and doing what. Floors two, three, and four were basically an indoor mall for the people that lived in the complex. Sango explained that everyone got paid for every job they went out on and the mall was a great place to blow extra cash. She had dragged Kagome down to the second floor and showed her where all of the best shops were, at least according to her. She had shown her the best place to find good, cheap clothes and Kagome made a mental note to stop in once she had enough money to buy what she needed.

One store in particular caught Kagome's attention as they walked past. The storefront was shaped like a giant skull of some sort with sharp teeth poking out. "What's that?" she asked.

"Hmm? Oh, that's Totosai's place. He can fix of forge any kind of weapon, but he charges you in weird ways," Sango replied.

"Weird ways?" Kagome repeated. "What do you mean?"

Sango shrugged. "Last time I needed to get my Hirikotsu fixed he charged me five strands of hair and a small vial of blood. Plus the bones of the demon I had killed."

"For what?" Kagome asked, unsure whether to be shocked or unnerved. "What would he do with all that?"

"He makes weapons out of demon bones; that's what my Hirikotsu is made of." Sango looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think the hair and blood was just to fix my weapon." She shrugged. "I don't know how he does it, but he's the best. I'd say if you don't mind weird prices, see him."

Kagome nodded and glanced once more at the storefront. Part of her was intrigued and another part fervently hoped she never had to meet the man personally.

Soon enough, Sango was dragging her into the mess hall and into the line. "You don't have to pay for meals here," she said. "All meals are free."

Kagome nodded and picked up a tray. Before long Sango was leading her through the tables and Kagome found it difficult to balance her tray of a bowl of cereal, an apple, and a glace of orange juice and weave successfully through the crowd of people, tables, and chairs. Finally, Sango came to a stop and Kagome sank into a chair next to her. She had just started on her cereal when she heard someone shout Sango's name.

"Sango!" a girl's voice called. "There you are! I was wondering where you were this morning!"

"Hey Rin," Sango greeted the girl as she sat at the table as well. She was petite, her face was young, though Kagome had the impression she was about her own age. She had dark brown hair that fell to just below her shoulders and bright brown eyes. "Sorry, I was showing Kagome around."

Rin turned to Kagome. "Hi," she greeted with a large smile. "My name's Rin. Are you new here?"

"Kagome," she replied, quickly swallowing her spoonful of cereal. "Yeah, just got here last night."

Rin's smile widened. "Ah, you must be the girl that broke the barrier then."

"Um, yeah," Kagome said. "I, uh, didn't really mean to."

"Sure you didn't," Inuyasha snorted from beside her. Kagome looked up in time to see him take a seat next to her. "You don't break barriers by accident, idiot." He looked over to the other occupants of the table. "Sango, Rin," he greeted.

Kagome was about to retort when a loud slap drew her attention back towards Sango. Miroku had suddenly appeared next to her and a large red mark marred his cheek.

"Really?" Sango asked, sounding annoyed. "Do you have to be a pervert this early?"

"Ah, but Sango my love, I haven't seen you all night," Miroku replied, smiling despite the angry red mark that Kagome could now tell was a handprint.

"Give it up, Sango," Inuyasha advised. "He's never gonna get the hint."

Sango just sighed and turned her attention back to her food. "That's what I'm afraid of."

"So anyway," Rin said as if nothing had happened. "Have you been assigned a partner yet?" she asked Kagome.

"Unfortunately," she replied with a grimace. "I got the luck of working with him." She jerked her thumb over at Inuyasha.

"Hey, I'm not happy about it either wench," Inuyasha growled. "I don't like having to play babysitter."

"I'm not helpless!" Kagome yelled. "I took care of myself just fine on the boat and you know it!"

"They were low level demons and you still got hurt," he said, pointing to her arm.

"So did you," Kagome hissed. "Worse than I did. So if anyone's going to be stuck taking care of both of us it'll probably be me."

"Here they go," Sango said. "I swear, they can't carry on a single, civil conversation to save their lives."

"I must admit, I'm beginning to question Kaede's sanity on putting them together," Miroku agreed. "I'm almost afraid we'll get the news they really have killed each other someday soon."

Rin just laughed. "It's just a phase," she giggled. "Before we know it they'll practically be inseparable."

"Never going to happen!" Kagome and Inuyasha yelled at the same time.

"Must you be so loud in the mornings, mutt?" a cool voice interrupted.

"Shut up, bastard," Inuyasha growled.

Kagome looked up and found herself looking at a boy maybe three years older than herself. Like Inuyasha, he had long silver hair. He seemed to look a little like Inuyasha, but not at the same time. His face bore two purple stripes on each cheek and a blue crescent moon was in the middle of his forehead. Kagome knew instantly that he was a demon, a fairly powerful one too.

"Is that anyway to speak to your betters, mutt?" the boy asked, his eyebrow raised. "Come, Rin, we must be going."

"Right, we've got a new mission," Rin smiled as she stood from the table. "Well, Sesshoumaru and I will see you all later," she said cheerily. "Good luck Kagome."

"Do us all a favor and don't came back, bastard," Inuyasha yelled after them.

"Did I miss something?" Kagome asked.

"Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha are brothers," Miroku began.

"Half-brothers!" Inuyasha interrupted. "I'm not completely related to that stuck up jerk!"

"Anyway," Miroku continued. "They don't really get along and we're all pretty certain that if it wasn't for Rin, Sesshoumaru probably wouldn't even bother being a part of this place."

Kagome looked at him blankly. "So what is it about Rin then?"

"She's his mate," Miroku said, as if that explained everything. At Kagome's frown, he smiled. "Basically, she's his soulmate, his one and only in this world." He shrugged. "He doesn't exactly like humans, but he tolerates them because of Rin. And, because she wants to help others, they both came here and joined up."

"I wish they hadn't," Inuyasha grumbled.

Kagome sighed. "He's your brother, shouldn't that count for something?"

"No!" Inuyasha growled. "He's a stuck up bastard."

"Good to see you're still with us," another voice interrupted before Kagome could reply. "So Kaede decided to keep you around after all."

"Kouga," Kagome said looking up.

"So," the wolf demon grinned. "If we're playing for the same side, do I get a name?"

"Move along, flea-bag," Inuyasha growled suddenly. "You're not wanted here."

"Ah, puppy, didn't see you sitting there," Kouga said.

"Seriously, get going," Inuyasha replied.

Kouga sighed. "Well, another time then," he told Kagome. "Still, can I get a name before I leave?"

Kagome looked him over. "Why?"

Kouga grinned. "I'm just curious."

"My name's Kagome," she replied.

"Well then, Kagome, I wish you luck here." He turned to go. "Later puppy."

"Just leave, wolf-breath," Inuyasha growled.

Kagome turned to her partner. "Seriously, do you not get along with anyone here? So far you seem to hate pretty much everyone."

"Keh, whatever," Inuyasha scoffed. He was not going to tell her that he just didn't like seeing Kouga talk to her. This is so screwed up, he thought. Why am I so drawn to this girl, I barely even know her.

After breakfast, Miroku and Inuyasha left the girls saying something about clearing up a long-standing tie in basketball. Sango took Kagome up to see Kaede.

"She said she'd see you after breakfast, so we might as well go now. After that, we can get you some clothes to train in and I'll show you just how much you have left to learn," Sango grinned as she left Kagome in front of Kaede's door. "Just come find me in my room when you're done."

Kagome nodded and waved as Sango began to disappear back down the stairwell. With a sigh, she turned to the big doors and knocked once.

"Come in," Kaede called from the other side. "You're earlier than I expected," she said as Kagome walked through the door.

Kagome shrugged. "Sango got my up at six thirty and I've already eaten."

Kaede nodded, a gentle smile on her face and Kagome found herself comparing the old woman to a kind, but strict grandmother. "Very well, child. Before we begin your instruction, I have something for you." She reached into an open drawer. "These were dropped off later last night and I was told they belonged to you."

Kagome walked up to the desk to see eight of the ten daggers she had brought with her from the Mainlands. "I thought I'd lost these," she said reaching out to take one. "I never saw any of them after the attack."

Kaede chuckled. "Yes, well I imagine that the Thunder Brothers were quite scared of what they saw you do and did not want to give you any more weapons you could use against them."

Kagome just sighed as she started tucking the daggers back into the hiding places she had for them. One went in a hidden sheath in each of her boots and the remaining six were tucked into holders on either side of her waist.

"May I ask where your sword is?" Kaede asked suddenly.

Kagome shrugged. "In my room, between my bed and my nightstand. I didn't think I'd need it so I left it there this morning."

Kaede nodded. "No, you will not need it for your training today, but I advise you to keep it with you at all times."

Kagome just nodded. "All right, I can do that. So, what exactly am I going to be doing today?"

Kaede chuckled again. "Today, I will be testing your abilities to see what you can do. Why don't we head down to one of the training rooms, I'd rather not get my office destroyed."

About an hour and a half later, Kagome made her way back up to her room. She felt drained, but not exactly tired. Kaede had her demonstrate how she had used her powers on the boat as well as tested her abilities to sense auras and purify others. Once Kaede was satisfied that she had seen all Kagome knew herself to be capable of, she had begun to tell her the history of mikos as well as what they were capable of. She had begun to show Kagome how to create a barrier herself, though she quickly realized that it would need to be something Kagome would have to practice. All in all, though, Kaede had said that she was impressed with shat Kagome could do and the mastery over her powers that she demonstrated thus far.

Opening the door to her room, Kagome saw a bundle of clothes sitting on her bed. Walking over, she found a piece of paper resting on top of the bundle.

Kagome, these are some of my old sweats, I think they'll fit you.

Change quick and come see me. We'll see who wipes the floor with who.

Bring your sword and we'll get a little practice in there too.

Sango

Kagome smiled as she picked up the bundle. She changed quickly and, though she left her daggers behind, she made sure to grab her sword. This'll be fun, she thought as she walked across the hall to Sango's room.

Sango answered after the first knock and grinned. "Good, you're ready to go." She stepped out, firmly shutting her door behind her, and Kagome noticed she was carrying a sword of her own. "Come on, let's go grab a room before they're all taken. Just so you know, you can't claim being tired as an excuse when I win."

Kagome smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it. Though I may point out that I'm not at exactly 100 percent when I win."

Sango just laughed. "We'll see, Kags, we'll see."

The two girls found an empty room easily enough and Sango wasted no time in getting started. She said they'd work on Kagome's hand-to-hand combat first since she already had some experience with a sword. To say Sango was a fair teacher would be an outright lie. She drilled Kagome and, after explaining a block or attack just once, she went right for Kagome, expecting her to have gotten it already. Kagome didn't mind though, at least she had some form of instruction. What she did know about fighting she had taught herself and just had to hope it worked. Two hours later both girls were lying on the mats, arms and legs spread, just trying to calm their pulses.

"Not bad, I must say," Sango said. "Your style isn't anything formal, but it works well for you."

"Thanks," Kagome replied and laughed dryly when her stomach growled. "Let's say we hold off sword practice until after we've had lunch."

Sango laughed when her own stomach growled in response. "It looks like I agree with you. Besides, we could do with some time to cool down before we start fighting again."

Kagome hummed in response and forced herself to get back on her feet. She smirked down at Sango. "So, safe to say we tied?"

Sango laughed and stood as well. "This time, I suppose we did."

AN 2: So, two longer chapters almost back to back. I hope you guys appreciate this ;P. Please don't forget to tell me what you think about giving Kagome a bow as well when you review. And make sure to give that review button some love, he's feeling kinda lonely.