AN. : Hy everybody. I am back with another chapter. I know it took me long enough but I am sorry. My muse is such a pricky one. I hope you like this chapter. Enjoy.

The following morning, Kagome woke up with a start. At first she couldn't remember where she was or how she ended up there, but after a moment or two, memories of last night started flowing in her mind. She was in her room, tucked under the sheets and bedcovers. 'Did I fall asleep in his arms? Did he bring me here and tucked me for the night?' These were her only questions, but as she could not remember, she dropped them for the moment and thought of their discussion about Rin. She was set on asking her during dinner time. 'But until then I have to put on my training clothes and go to breakfast. I don't want to make Sesshoumaru wait for me.'

As she entered the room, Sesshoumaru was, as usual, already at the table waiting for her. They ate in silence and went to the garden for their usual meditation. While focusing on her inside emotions, trying to rein them, a vision came forth in front of her eyes.

'Kagome … where are you, my child? What happened to you? Are you alive or dead?'

It was a middle-age looking woman, black hair strewn with white hairs, sitting on a chair in her kitchen, her black eyes now red and puffy because of crying.

'Mother? I am here. I am alive and I am healthy. Nothing happened to me. Mama, do you hear me?'

But as hard as she tried to speak with her mother, she couldn't hear Kagome and soon after that the vision dispersed, letting behind a worried sick Kagome.

'Sesshoumaru, I want to go home and talk with my mother. I have to tell her what happened. She is worried sick because of me and I miss her very much.'

'Very well. You will leave in a fortnight due time. Until then you have to train seriously for the tests the other lords will submit you to. Come now, it is time for us to start.'

'Sesshoumaru, will you come with me? I mean in my time … I want mom to see I will be safe and to meet you … I know she would like it also.'

'As you wish.'

That being said, they stood and walked towards the dojo. The morning session was now hand to hand fight. She was supposed to learn how to use her poisonous claws and whip into a fight without any other weapons. They were fighting as hard as they could, Sesshoumaru not allowing her any moment of rest. She was learning fast, but not fast enough for her to be able to fight the Lords in a moon's cycle due time. So he was pushing her to her limits, never going easy on her. And she was as stubborn as a mule, not asking for a break when she was not able to move anymore, but pushing herself more and more every time. When he decided to go back in the gardens for the meditation, Kagome was all covered in scratches, wounds and gashes from his claws and poison, her clothes torn on her legs and arms. Sesshoumaru was only sporting some very deep gashes but that was all. In fact, his wounds were that deep he couldn't stop the bleeding.

'I can help you with that.'

'I do not need anyone's help, woman.'

'You arrogant prick. I have infused your poison and purifying powers as well in those gashes. The purifying energy won't allow your demonic side to heal your body; it will only heal naturally, like a human would. And trust me it will take more that a few days to close those wounds. So, do you want me to help you or not?'

'Fine.'

Kagome walked to him and located the nastiest gash he had. It was on his chest, so she had to take his haori off. Seeing him bare-chested, she started blushing. She was so embarrassed, but still couldn't stop just staring. She caught herself in time though and fighting back her blush she put one hand over his gash. At the slight touch, Sesshoumaru flinched ever so slightly it would have gone unnoticed by a human's eyes but Kagome caught it.

'I am sorry. Stay still now.' and then she closed her eyes. She started chanting and gathering her healing powers in the palm she had over his gash and released them. She felt them stretch all over his wound stopping the blood's flow and repairing the tissue. A few minutes later, when she sensed that those wounds were healed she went to the others and one by one she healed the few scratches he had.

'Why wouldn't you heal yourself? You are in more need than I am.'

'Because my wounds are not bleeding anymore. My body is already healing them and even the deepest ones are almost healed. I think the combination between a demon and a miko helps a lot in healing injuries. Until the meditation is over, I will be completely healed.'

The day passed smoothly and Kagome found herself enjoying the second part of the training. She showed some inclination towards fighting with a sword and Sesshoumaru was thankful she was not a total klutz. She was, in fact, a fast learner and by the end of their training she learned the defending stance he was teaching her and she was able to deflect many of his attacks. She was improving.

'Indeed she is a fast learner and she is improving. But she does it slowly, too slowly. If she is to acquire swordsmanship by the end of the moon's cycle she would fail. She will most likely be able to defend herself and inflict some wounds, but she would never have a chance in front of the other lords. But the tests are not at the ball. We will only introduce her there, but she will be submitted to the trials when you would choose for it. That is correct, but I want her to be able to defend herself and be able to fight back any danger it might come to her. Are you expecting any of the lords or ladies to try harming her? Are you suggesting that it might be dangerous at the ball for our intended? I do not know who would be reckless enough to try and harm this Sesshoumaru or his mate-to-be. But I want her ready for anything.'

Around dinnertime Sesshoumaru once again stopped the training and they went to the gardens. After their little ritual was over, they walked to their respective rooms to prepare for dinner. When Kagome came down from her chamber and entered the dinning room she saw that not only Sesshoumaru was already there, but Rin and Shippou also. Embarrassed she was late, she bowed slightly and said:

'I am sorry for keeping you waiting. I did not intend to do so. It was only because I had more difficulties with tying the obi.'

'Liu is your maiden. Did she not help you? I will see to it after dinner. She would be punished.'

'I told her I can handle myself. Besides, I had asked her to try and mend my training clothes for I have no others and they were quite torn after today's training. She was busy in repairing them so you need not to punish her.'

'Very well then. Come and sit down now. Let us eat.' Sesshoumaru said.

Dinner was quiet, too quiet. The pups were eating in silence, none of them saying anything. The silence was so thick she could hear anything in the castle. There were two servants talking in a nearby corridor about their choirs for the next day. In a room on the first floor, a servant was instructing two other in becoming her new maidens. Since Kagome heard her name, she paid attention to the discussion. The head servant was telling the other two she was their Lord intended and they must listen to every wish and request she had and to not let her do any choirs, not even dress herself. Kagome was pissed off. She was neither a Lady not was she a court lady to let everybody do things for her. She cast a sideways glance at Sesshoumaru and by the slight smirk on his lips and the expression in his eyes she knew he was eavesdropping in the same discussion. He was very curious as to what she would do or say about that. He knew she wasn't used to having servants, but she was about to become the Lady of the Western Lands, so she had to start acting like it.

'I will not let them do everything for me. I will still do things by myself.' She said calmly, not even looking at him.

Dinner went undisturbed and as they finished and the pups were about to leave the room, she stopped them. They remained seated and she closed her eyes, brought her hands in front of her chest as if praying and started chanting. Sesshoumaru and Shippou could feel the barrier being put up.

'Rin, I want to ask you something. It is very important so please listen to me.'

Rin said nothing, but her eyes clearly said 'I am listening.'

'Rin, I want to ask you if you would like to become a demon.'

'I-I-I-I-

'It is fine. You do not have to answer right now. You can take some time and think about it. If you want it, I can grant that wish.'

'Why?'

'Because I know Sesshoumaru loves you as a father loves his daughter. And I know you love him as if he is your father. If you choose to become a demon, you would live longer than a human does; actually it is quite possible you never die, only if someone kills you. You would be close to Sesshoumaru and Shippou and me. Think of your answer before you give it to me.'

'Sesshoumaru-sama, what should I say? What do you think it is better?'

Sesshoumaru opened his mouth to answer but Kagome beat him to it:

'He cannot tell you what to do. It is your and only your decision. You have to decide on your own.'

Rin looked at all of them. 'They are all youkai. They will live for many centuries from now on. Shippou is just a pup but soon he would start his training and I will be left alone. I will grow up and in a few years I will have to find a mate. I will age in time and die when my time will come. I just found my family and to be separated from them so fast would be as painful for me as I know it would for them all. Lord Sesshoumaru loves me. He never showed it or said it, but I know it in my heart. Kagome and Shippou treat me as their kin and she would be such a good mother. She is kind and careful with us. Shippou is just a child like I am. And he likes to play pranks to Jaken-sama and we always have fun and laugh. If I would be a demoness, I could start training with him and play more and develop our powers.' These were her thoughts. So after a while, she said:

'Kagome-sama, I would like to be a demoness.'

'Rin, are you sure about this? Because if you are not, I cannot help you.'

'Yes, Kagome-sama, I am sure.'

'Very well. I hope I still have your permission, Sesshoumaru.' He said nothing, only nodded, his face unreadable, but his eyes so intense and full of emotions. Kagome took the Shikon no Tama from around her neck and set it in the hollow of her hand. She looked at it and said:

'I wish for Rin to become a youkai.'

'Your wish will be fulfilled.' whispered a voice.

The jewel turned a bright pink shade and right at that point everything around her turned black, letting her floating in the abyss of darkness with the Shikon as her only light. As if on cue to her thoughts, a silhouette appeared in front of her.

'Kagome-sama, thank you. You have purified the jewel and set my soul free.'

'Midoriko, what will happen now? Where am I?'

'The Shikon will go back in your body, but it will never be used again. It has no other power now but to protect you. You are in the jewel right now. Do not worry, Kagome-sama, for you will return back in a moment. Because of your wish, my soul has gained its peace. But since I will leave this world, I wish to leave you a gift. It is my choice to bestow you with my wisdom and my swordsmanship skills, for I know you will need them in your future.'

As she finished talking, Kagome was engulfed in an amethyst colored aura.

'Thank you, Kagome-sama.'

Before she could respond, she was again back in the dinning room, the jewel in her palm, engulfed in the same aura. Before the aura dispersed, the Shikon no Tama lifted from her hand and flew towards her body, disappearing at the mere touch of her skin.

After the jewel was once again in her body, powerless and purified, they all turned gazes on Rin. Her hair had grown a good length and turned silver with silver-blue streaks in it; her eyes were silver-blue; her hands ended in claws and she had also fangs; her ears were pointed like Sessoumaru's and Kagome's. She had grown in height also. She had a cute, silver, bushy tail also with silver-blue streaks. She was a silver fox youkai.

The many scents and smells and the noises she could not hear while a human rushed now towards her nose and ears and she was on the verge of passing out because of them. Kagome saw it so she caught her and said:

'Take a deep breath Rin. You know, the best thing to calm your senses and rein the new sensations is meditation. Now, sit down, cross-legged, and close your eyes. Focus on your inner turmoil and try to clear your mind and put an end to it.' Rin did what she was told and as soon as she was concentrating on her inner emotions Sesshoumaru said:

'You approve of meditation. I thought you did not find it good for anything.'

'I never said I didn't find it good. I know it is useful and it does miracles, especially in situations like this. It will calm her and teach her how to handle her new senses.'

'Yet you never approve of it when you have to do it.'

'It is not that I do not approve it. I find it calming, but not always. Because in these calm moments it so happens that I have visions, short ones and not clear enough to understand them fully. Visions of your servants' fates, of people I have never met, but clearly you did, for all of them have said something in your fate.'

'Hn. How could my servants have something to say in my fate?'

'Every person you meet, and it can be only for a brief moment, has something to do with it. They put their mark on your future, knowingly or not, even if you like it or not. It does not matter who they are.'

'Hn.'

'I do not like the meditation for I have these visions. And instead of being able to concentrate and calm my senses, I end up being more frustrated and unable to concentrate upon my tasks. But I will never complain about that. I would have never told you this thing if it weren't the case at hand. It is my destiny to be the demoness of Fate and I embrace it.' Kagome ended her explanation.

When their little conversation was over Rin opened her eyes. She was a little calmer than after the transformation and Kagome told her in a maternal tone:

'You will feel better in a few days. If you continue with your meditation every morning and evening, you will see that it would come easy for you. And besides, I know Sesshoumaru here will be more than happy to train you in using your senses and new powers.'

'I cannot train you personally Rin, for I have to train Kagome. But I will ask one of my most trusted generals to train you and the kitsune cub. Be ready tomorrow morning at dawn.'

'Sesshoumaru, you have to regard that they are mere cubs and they need to play. Do not occupy their entire day with tedious trainings, for they will grow sad.'

'Hn, this Sesshoumaru will do what he finds best for his pup. I suggest you either let yours join the trainings, or train him yourself.'

'Sesshoumaru, you can train them through games also. And I will demonstrate it to you.'

'You have no time. You must train yourself for you must be able to use the Tessaiga before the Lords' gathering.'

'Very well, do as you wish with Rin's training, but I will take care of Shippou's.' Kagome said, anger building up inside of her, her aura flaring all aroud. 'Shippou, I want you to train with Rin in the morning and after lunch, I want you to go in the field and play with your tricks.'

'Yes oka-san.'

'Rin-chan, Shippou, let's get you two to bed. It is long since it passed your bed time and I can see you can barely keep your eyes opened. Rin, you are more adorably than before. Do you know what kind of demon you have become? You are a silver kitsune youkai.'

'Really? I want to see how I look. Come Shippou let's hurry up. I want to see myself in a mirror.'

The pups ran to the door but could not exit the dinning room. Kagome went to the door and at her mere touch of the barrier it disappeared, allowing them to hurry up to their rooms.

'Why a kitsune youkai?' Sesshoumaru asked her coming from behind.

'It must be because of her mischievous character. I think it suits her very well, don't you?'

'Indeed. Kagome, thank you for this.'

'You are welcomed, Sesshoumaru.'

He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to his chest and laid a butterfly kiss on her lips. He was amazed at his doing but the moment her body pressed against his he knew she belonged there, right next to him. 'So you admit you love her? I do not love her. I merely find her presence to my side acceptable. Then why do you keep her in your arms? For she must accustom with me holding her. I do not want anybody at the ball to think my mate is embarrassed with me. It is a custom for the mates-to-be to act as familiar with each other as they can. Ooook. Keep saying that to yourself. But you will see the real meaning soon enough. Hn.'

Kagome was madly blushing at his touch. She knew they were going to be mated, but she could not fight back the rushing of the blood in her cheeks. She was embarrassed at the mere thought of them together, holding each other. 'I wonder if I am going to blush like this at our mating ceremony also. Someone is impatient. I think you will blush even more than now. Think of that well toned body of his over yours, kissing every inch of your skin- Oooh, shut up.' Just as her thoughts were turning to that direction, her scent changed and Sesshoumaru could smell her arousal and embarrassment.

'S-S-Sesshoumaru' she said with a small voice, trying to snap out of her naughty thoughts, 'can you please let go? I am tired and I would like to go to bed now.'

Sesshoumaru let go of her waist, a puzzled expression in his eyes.

'You do not have to feel embarrassed of this Sesshoumaru. We will be mated soon enough and there is no need to blush at my mere touch. We have to be comfortable with each other until the ball, or the other Lords will think you have not accepted my courting and will try to court you.'

'Why would they think that?'

'You avoiding my touch is a sign of rejection in youkai tradition. That means you are free to be courted by other youkai and they will not hesitate doing so. I cannot let the Lords think my intended rejected me. It would not do.'

'Oh …' she managed to say in a small voice. 'I will try my best Sesshoumaru.'

'Although I know you can defend yourself thanks to your tremendous miko power, you have to learn to use the sword before we arrive in the Est. I will not have any harm done to you.'

'Thank you.'

That being said they left the dinning room and went straight to their rooms. Kagome went straight to bed, pondering what he told her about rejection. 'He is right. I cannot show him any sign of rejection, not now and not at the ball. I must control myself when in his arms and not turn my eyes away because of my embarrassment. I must not give the other Lords a reason to think Sesshoumaru can not submit his intended. And as much as I hate it, I have to show him submission at the ball. That is the best idea you have had until now. But you must also show them you have pride and you do not submit to anybody else but your soon-to-be mate. That is exactly what I intend to do. And you have to keep your eyes opened, for there will be demons that will want you for both your power and beauty. You must learn the art of swordsmanship as best as you can in the next moon's cycle. I agree. I will work twice as much as until now.'

Determined to be able to fight Sesshoumaru with swords and call it a draw in the end, she fell asleep. The dawn found her already dressed and ready to start the training. She went to breakfast, and to her surprise, Sesshoumaru was not there yet. She took her usual seat and did not have to wait for long. He entered soon after her and the servants brought them the breakfast: raw meet. They ate in silence and Kagome made to move towards the gardens for the meditation but Sesshoumaru stopped her and told her:

'You need no meditation in the morning. I trust it that sleeping calmed your mind and you can concentrate upon the task at hand. From now on you will need meditation only at lunch time.'

'Thank you, Sesshoumaru.'

They made it to the dojo and started their training. She was set upon giving her best and she concentrated better than until that point. The morning passed rapidly and the sparing session was upon them. Thanks to Midoriko's skill, she was able to stand her ground and inflict some shots but she was always the one ending up on the floor, her sword several feet away and the tip of Sesshoumaru's katana at her neck. As the days passed by, she improved very much and by the end of the fortnight, she was able to deflect all of his attacks, although she was not in the position to attack him for he could deflect her sword easily.

One night, after a sparing session, Sesshoumaru said:

'I believe that today is the last day of a fortnight since we talked about you going home. We will take our leave tomorrow at dawn, for it will take us half a day to get to Inuyasha's forest. I intend in staying no more than it is necessary.'

'Of course Sesshoumaru. We will not stay more than two days. Is that ok with you? I have some things to settle while there, for I do not know when I will be able to see my mother and friends again.'

'Two days seem satisfactory. Take your sword for it is not safe to travel without a weapon.'

'Hai, Sesshoumaru.'

That being said, they parted ways and went to their rooms, Sesshoumaru ordering their dinner to be brought in their chambers.

AN. : First of all I have to thank everyone who reviewed and all the people who read my story but didn't review.

Secondly, I feel like I have to explain something to you. Well I said in the third chapter that Kagome didn't know how to put down a barrier and that she didn't know how she put up the barrier around her and Sesshoumaru. And now in this chapter and the previous one she put up barriers as well as getting them down. The explanation is that the first barrier, the one in the third chapter was not put up by her, but by the swords, Tessaiga and Tenseiga, and she was the only one she could put it down.

Ja ne.