Ch. 12 Surprises
Guardians
WITH ARIA
Aria woke up a dawn as she did almost every morning to go for a run, but this morning was different because Aria was starting the Inutachi's training back up and their newest member had never seen them train before. Aria would have to prove herself a good teacher to Inutaisho because he was alpha even above Sesshomaru and therefore his word was more important. She also knew of the Inutaisho's extreme curiosity as well and was very wary of it she could not afford at this stage of the game for anyone to else besides Kaede to know what she was though she doubted even Kaede knew the true extent of what Aria was and was cable of.
Anyway she knew she already had his attention by the simple fact that he watched her intently last night, though she knew Kagome had more of his curiosity directed at her and that was the way Aria wanted to keep it.
WITH INUTAISHO
He watched as Aria took off into the forest as she had the day before hand he knew she was keeping her body conditioned, and that was why she ran every morning she was definitely an experienced worrier. He was also reminded of the fact that she wasn't from this time period just like Kagome, yet she also seemed more at home here just like Kagome which made him wonder what if the two females who had captured his interest were meant to be here rather than in the their own time?
WITH INUTAISHO
Aria returned to camp an hour later and made breakfast just as she had the previous morning, but he noticed something in the way she acted this morning shift. She was still the same non-talkative person as yesterday, yet she seemed more like a leader that doesn't take orders from anyone he wondered at this change and what it meant. She must have sensed him looking at her or something for she looked up at him and when their eyes met he had to keep from sucking in a breath sharply that look in her eyes was full of challenge. The challenge was directed at him, yet he didn't feel like she wanted to fight him in a challenge of dominance. Then how else could she be challenging him if it was for a show of dominance? Then he remembered that she was human and there were many other ways that humans challenged each other besides fighting.
The trouble with figuring out the challenge in this case was the fact that he hadn't know the girl that long so how could he figure out in what way she was challenging him?
WITH ARIA
Aria had just finished her run and setting the course for her students run today, and she was very pleased because the course she had set would test all the skills she had taught them so far. The test would give her alpha a good measure of her worth as a member of the pack for him to judge her on.
She knew he watched her take off for her run an hour ago just as she knew he was watching every move she made from the moment she entered their camp sight. When she thought he was sufficiently immersed in studying her she turned sharp blue-green eyes full of challenge on him. She almost laughed outright at the look of utter shock on his face as he tried to rationalize the look she was giving him. He was likely thinking at first it was a dominance challenge, but the seemed to realize she was human, though she admitted in her head that was far from the truth. In truth she knew all about youkai culture and traditions, but her current alpha didn't need to know that so she reviewed in her head the plans she had for today. She would take Inutaisho with her and they would fallow the group secretly today on their run so Inutaisho could see at least some of what she had been teaching her students.
Then would be sparring so her current alpha could see what she had been teaching them in that department. If she didn't want to give away what she had planned she would have smiled a devilish smile that would have sent chills down anyone's spine.
WITH EVERYONE
Everyone woke up to the smell of Aria's cooking once more, however they immediately noticed the slight change in Aria's demeanor and they all groaned almost at the same time they knew what that look meant. Inutaisho looked on in confusion what made all of them groan like that this early in the morning it had something to do with the challenging look in Aria's eyes this morning he was positive about it but what?
Meanwhile a silent observer watched from the shadows and awaited what was about to happen next.
WITH SESSHOMARU
He had been trailing his half-brother's group since the day his father was revived and he mentally laughed in total glee. His father nor he had ever met a female such as the female who had recently been traveling with his brother's group if he had been shocked then his father would be outright speechless. After all the female was very powerful not as powerful as he or his father of course but powerful no the less she preferred to speak with actions rather than words much like he himself. She was skilled her technique as flawless as his, and her eyes cruel and unyielding to her enemies as well. Though she had an undeniable softness to her that he lacked or at least he believed he did she could be much harsher on her students than she was, yet she only pushed them enough to where they got better not to the point where it was perfect.
She gave compliments when she thought it necessary or deemed that her pupils had earned it. She was an excellent cook and had even made him who had never particularly liked human food want to try her dishes with their appetizing smell. One thing that puzzled him was the look she got on her face sometimes when everyone else was asleep a look that showed great wisdom and age. He thought that someone so young should not have such wise and world weary eyes.
She looked as if she had survived countless centuries and seen all the horrors each new century brought, yet had still not given up on life despite all she had seen.
It made the young lord wonder what had occurred in her past to give her such a look whatever it was he had a feeling it wasn't something good that no one should have to go through.
WITH EVERYONE
She simply said "same as before" then her students led by Inuyasha took off into the forest much as she had earlier that morning. Inutaisho had an inquiring look on his face, so she explained "your youngest and his group asked me to train them shortly after I joined the group" he nodded his head in understanding. "Why don't we trail the group so you can see how they do?" He got a thoughtful look on his face before nodding decisively and they took off into the forest after the rest of his son's pack.
As they drew nearer to the group he noticed that the fox kit and the fire neko traveled with them on their run as well though at least in the fox kit's case it was to support the rest of his pack. As the run progressed he looked at the women beside him with new respect and saw why his son and the others only offered a groan in protest they knew with an opponent lie Naraku they needed training like Aria was giving them.
She didn't just make them run though that was part of it she made them climb up trees and jump from tree to tree on their root as well and if there was a cliff or piece of land relatively steep she also made them climb that. No doubt the tree and cliff steep incline climbing was to build up strength in their arms and legs in place of weighted training gear. She was brilliant and he couldn't wait to see what she had in store for sparring.
After the morning run…
As soon as they reached camp they all collapsed on to the cool grass of the clearing Inuyasha had chosen as their camp last night. Aria had sure pushed them hard to day harder than she had in a long time it was almost like she was trying to prove something which very well might be the case with their newest member likely being the source. It honestly wouldn't surprise them any after traveling with her for a while and having her be their teacher they had grown to be able to interpret some of her actions though she was still quite the mystery even to Kagome who had known her since they were children.
After a short break/ cool down time Aria got out the sparring equipment and they knew they were in for a long and thorough sparring session. And they were right they were beaten mercilessly Inuyasha was even thrown into a couple of trees a few times. Each time the others watching from the sidelines saw and heard the impact of Inuyasha hitting one of the trees they cringed nearly as one and knew their friend was going to have some pretty nasty bruises at the very least from this sparring session.
WITH INUTAISHO
He was impressed with the women she was a harsh task master but not harsh in a bad way and she showed an ease and skill similar to that of his oldest son. She even threw Inuyasha into several trees like it was nothing to throw a person that was slightly taller than she herself was. He was right to be excited about the sparring session and he had finally figured out the reason for the challenging look in her eyes earlier. She was telling him without words that just because he was here now did not mean she was not needed anymore because she was keeping her place as their teacher.
He was right traveling with his youngest would be fun.
|End Chapter|
Author's Notes: Here's another chapter for you done and over with. What do you think is Inutaisho's personality good or do you think it should be different what about Aria being a lot like Sesshomaru or is she really like Sesshomaru at all? Read to find out more!
Purplerose97