The One I Love
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters
A/N: You guys are seriously the best! You have no idea how much your reviews mean to me. The trip to Florida was sooooo much fun! I am definitely taking your suggestions for the story into consideration as well, so don't think I am ignoring you just because I have not responded individually. I have an idea for where I want this story to go, and your ideas all in some way or another give me my own ideas for how to get there. So thank you! This is the longest chapter I have posted so far, even if it is not that much longer. I hope you all enjoy it!
Chapter 21:
Kagome stood next to Kanae and Sesshoumaru at the entrance of the Western Capital. Kouga stood before them, giving Ayame some last-minute instructions before he left. Kagome shivered a bit as the mountain breeze brushed past her, chilling her through the thin material of her gown. Despite her discomfort, she kept her hands folded in front of her, her back straight and her chin up. She knew that Ayame had done it on purpose.
She was dressed in a thin gown, something that was normal in the formal setting of the Western Lord's palace, but Ayame had conveniently misplaced Kagome's cloak just before they were to join the others outside for Kouga's departure. Kagome wasn't going to let Ayame get to her. She knew that the demoness was hurting, but it was hardly Kagome's fault. She refused to allow herself to feel guilty...
...Or at least let Ayame know that she did.
"I will be back as quickly as possible," Kouga said to her then. Kagome's eyes blinked rapidly as she focused on what he was saying, her mind previously distracted by her own thoughts, trying to convince herself that she wasn't actually cold.
"I will be waiting, my lord," Kagome told him, smiling kindly as he approached her.
"Your family should be here soon," he told her, cupping the back of her head and tilting it back so that she looked up at him.
"I know," Kagome told him softly, her mind going to the night before when she felt his fingers tangle in her hair and pull her close. Despite the fire in his eyes, Kouga placed a soft, chaste kiss against her lips before he released her. She felt her cheeks grow warm at the gesture and she lowered her eyes shyly.
"Take care of my bride, Lord Sesshoumaru," Kouga said with a crooked smile, his eyes on his stoic ally. Said ally did nothing but nod his head once in acknowledgment before he turned his eyes away from them.
Kouga reached out for Kagome's hand, bringing it to his lips gingerly before giving her one last smile.
"Safe travels, my lord," she told him, bowing her head in farewell.
"Farewell, my lady," he said softly, meeting her eyes evenly before he releasing her and turning away.
Kagome watched him push off the ground before he vanished in a burst of speed down the mountain trail. She sighed before she moved her arms around herself, turning her attention to her companions. Kanae was smiling at her while Sesshoumaru stood there with a bored look on his handsome face. Kagome's heart started to race in excitement when she remembered her training that was to begin soon. Sesshoumaru had not mentioned it to her yet, but surely he would not go back on his word?
She continued to stare at him expectantly until she heard Kanae speak.
"Would you like to join me for tea now, Lady Kagome?" she asked her, holding a hand toward the city's doors.
"The priestess will be busy until the evening meal, Kanae," Lord Sesshoumaru said, walking past both women to go the doors himself. "I am afraid your tea time will have to wait."
"Busy, my lord?" Kagome said, failing to hide the excitement from her voice.
"Unless you have changed your mind, priestess?" he said over his shoulder, one eyebrow raised in question.
Kagome looked into that cold, golden stare and smiled brightly. She shook her head and held her hands together behind her back. He made a noncommittal noise as he turned away from her again to press his palm against the door. Kagome fought tooth and nail to keep herself from bouncing with joy. She looked over at Kanae who looked terribly confused. Kagome bit her lip, unsure of what she should tell the tigress.
"You may join us if you wish, Kanae," Sesshoumaru said. "The priestess needs proper training attire. I will be waiting in the training arena."
"Yes, my lord," Kanae said with a smile of understanding before she looped her arm through Kagome's. Kagome blinked down at their joined arms before she looked up at the grinning demoness. "There is no greater way to bond than on the training field, my lady. Come now, I have some clothing you may borrow."
"Alright," Kagome said with a chuckle, letting Kanae led her through the doors after Sesshoumaru.
She heard steps behind her and almost gasped. She had forgotten about Ayame. She looked over her shoulder at the demoness who was glaring suspiciously at her through narrowed eyes. Ayame was her attendant, she was supposed to be with Kagome at all times, but Kagome did not want the demoness around while she was training. She didn't need her negativity as a distraction. She was sure training with Sesshoumaru was going to be difficult enough as it was.
"You are dismissed for the day, Ayame," Kagome said, not bothering to turn around.
"Lord Kouga said-" Ayame began angrily.
"Lord Kouga is not here," Kanae interrupted, stopping just beyond the doors to turn and face Ayame, turning Kagome around with her. "I am more than capable of tending to Lady Kagome for the time being. Your services are not necessary."
"Fine." Ayame growled, balling her fists at her sides. Kagome watched with a satisfied smile as Ayame wandered off, disappearing among the bustle of the Merchant Level.
"This way, my lady," Kanae said, tugging lightly on Kagome's arm. "Lord Sesshoumaru is waiting."
"When you said you had a friend that could help, I never expected this," Miroku said warily, looking down below them from their place in the sky.
Sango chuckled and leaned forward a bit, urging the beast they rode on to go faster. Kirara was a fire neko. Miroku had known her as the stray kitten that would show itself on occasion at the inn Sango ran. He had no idea that the same kitten he had fed scraps to countless times was actually a demon in disguise. And such a large one at that.
The feline was larger than a horse, and stronger for that matter. The creature had thick yellow fur with black on each paw and on her ears. In her demon form, she had large fangs that protruded from her lips. As she flew, Miroku could feel the warmth of the demon fire that formed at her heels. He and Sango sat atop her back, clutching onto the long fur as she flew over the land, following the scent of Kagome that lingered on the gifted cloth Miroku had retrieved.
Sango was not herself either this day, or at least not the Sango that Miroku had come to know from his time in the village. Sango had always been a fierce character, but today it was multiplied tenfold. She was dressed in some strange attire that Miroku had never before seen on a woman. It clung to her body like a second skin, the material was black as night. He could not quite name the material of her clothing, but she had told him that it was very much like armor. For her sake, he hoped it was true, for she wore no breast-plate or padding, nothing to protect her from whatever dangers they would face on their search for the Eastern lord and lady except for that ebony cloth. She wore a type of skirt to protect some of her modesty, but the fuschia fabric held slits on either side to prevent it from hindering her movement. Her lovely brown hair was held up high on her head to keep it away from her face, and there was a sword secured at her waist. But that was not the most intimidating part of her ensemble.
Strapped to her back was a large weapon that Miroku held no name for. It was made of something akin to ivory, but not as white. It was at least twice Sango's size, and after Miroku had tried lifting it himself, he realized it was at least ten times her weight. How this dainty, lovely little thing managed to lug it around was a mystery to him. It was not straight, but bent at an odd angle. Sango said he would understand the purpose for its shape when and if she had to use it. She had called it "Hiraikotsu."
Kirara suddenly dropped, diving downward, causing Miroku to yelp and grip firmly onto Sango's hips, pressing himself flush against her weapon on her back. Sango only laughed, not even bothering to remove his hands. Had Miroku not been struck dumb with terror, he would have made some suggestive comment or another. At the moment though, all he could think about was the speed in which they approached the hard, unforgiving ground.
"She's found a fresh trail," Sango explained, having to shout over the wind rushing in their ears.
Miroku only nodded, knowing full well Sango could not see him, but too frightened to trust his voice just yet. His stomach lurched as Kirara pulled up at the last second so that her back paws touched the ground before her front. Miroku let out a startled cry as his hands lost register on Sango's body and he slipped backwards off the feline, landing hard on his back, thoroughly knocking the wind from his lungs.
"Who are you?" a feminine voice demanded.
Miroku struggled to sit up. Once he was upright, he noticed that he and Sango were no longer alone. Before him stood two women and a young man, all dressed in travel gear atop three separate steeds. The woman at the front appeared to be a bit older, if the the strip of silver in her brown curls was anything to go by. Her brown eyes were locked on him, a sword pointed in his direction. Miroku looked to the woman at her flank, and gasped.
"Lady Kagome!" he cried out joyously, jumping to his feet. Behind him, Sango dismounted from Kirara, taking a firm hold of her weapon as she studied the trio before them.
"It isn't her," Sango said, her eyes locked on the younger woman that was now studying them through narrowed eyes.
Miroku stopped is approach and looked at the young woman again. Of course! This couldn't possibly be Miss Kagome. This woman's face was absolutely cold, void of any emotion but suspicion as she looked upon them. She was also much paler than he had remembered the Eastern Lady to be. When he finally managed to get a good look at her eyes, he felt his shoulders drop in disappointment. Brown. This couldn't be her.
"How do you know my sister?"
Miroku looked over to the young man that was now at the older woman's side, his hand on the hilt of his own sword. His eyes were a familiar sapphire blue that made Miroku snap his fingers in realization. He smiled and looked to Sango.
"This is her family!" he told her, watching her blink in confusion at him, releasing her hold on her weapon. "She must be safe if she came this way!"
"What are you talking about?" the boy said, jumping off of his horse. Miroku turned to him with a smile.
"We found Lady Kagome's carriage in ruins a day or so ago," Miroku explained. "We were following her scent and we came upon you all. Surely you have seen her recently?"
"Tell me how you know her and I may answer you, priest," the older woman said, lowering her sword.
"She is a friend," Sango said. "We met her during her travels with Lord Kouga and we were extremely concerned when we found that she may have been attacked. We have been searching for her and our lord in case they were in need of rescue."
"You are a demon slayer?" the man asked, approaching her warily, staring at her weapon.
"Yes," Sango said with a nod. "I have been in retirement for some time, but I continue to protect the village that I reside in."
The boy looked her over once, before he looked back at Miroku. He nodded his head in approval before he held his hand out to him.
"My name's Souta."
Kagome stood in front of the full length mirror in Kanae's chambers at a loss for words. She looked herself up and down once more before she turned her head warily in Kanae's direction. The demoness wore something similar to her, but her midriff was exposed revealing a firm, muscular abdomen. Kagome gulped and looked back up to Kanae's face, which was smiling at her suggestively.
"This can hardly be considered suitable attire," she began, her voice cracking as she spoke, folding her arms over her own stomach.
"On the contrary," Kanae said, coming to stand beside her. "This is the training attire of all the women in Lord Sesshoumaru's army. Most demonesses choose to dress thusly. It makes for better movement. Gowns and skirts are hardly proper on a battlefield."
Women? After all that trouble he made over me being in battle that bastard has females in his army?! The nerve!
Kagome looked back at her reflection, her anger temporarily forgotten, and gulped. She was wearing clothing made from some thick, brown material that covered her entire body save her head, hands and feet. It clung to her like skin, leaving almost nothing to the imagination. Kanae buttoned the last button on Kagome's side, making the suit impossibly tighter. Kagome blushed furiously, running her hands through her hair that was hanging loosely down her back.
"That reminds me!" Kanae exclaimed, coming to stand behind her, taking Kagome's thick raven locks in her hands.
Kagome held perfectly still as Kanae's hands wove through her hair, twisting the locks into a braid running along the back of her scalp all the way to the long ends that curled at her waist. Kanae used a ribbon to quickly secure the braid, tying it tightly before she released it and stood back to admire her handiwork. Kagome looked at her reflection and blinked in surprise. She didn't recognize herself. She looked like something much more fierce than she thought herself to be. A warrior, though she had always considered herself as such before. She felt a small smile tug at her lips.
"There, now you are ready," Kanae told her with a satisfied smile.
Kagome stepped onto the sandy grounds of the training arena, taking in her surroundings with care. The place was round, surrounded with short walls that separated rows of seats that went up the outer walls. The area before her was empty save for a wall that held all sorts of strange-looking weapons to the far left, and Lord Sesshoumaru that stood at its center, waiting. Kagome took in his appearance with a bit of surprise.
She had known Sesshoumaru was a soldier, but to see him now out of his formal clothing in nothing but tight breeches and a leather breast plate strapped to his torso, she didn't know how to react. His feet were covered with well-worn boots that laced up to his knees, and he was strapping leather arm guards onto his forearms as they approached. His own silver mane was tied securely at the nape of his neck. At that moment she couldn't help but acknowledge the fact that Sesshoumaru was, in fact, incredibly handsome. It was then that the demon lord decided to look up at her and she almost froze in her movements.
He was studying her with a look that she had not seen on his face before. His face was not cold, but it still was not kind. His eyes looked her up from her boot-clad feet to the top of her head before his amber eyes finally met her own. Kagome swallowed, not feeling herself calm until his stoic mask was firmly back in place.
"You took long enough getting here," he told her, turning away to walk toward the far left wall. "Come."
In that instant Kagome furrowed her eyebrows and ball her fists at her sides. Though this was the Sesshoumaru that she knew and felt comfortable around, she still did not like his attitude toward her. She looked over her shoulder at Kanae who simply smiled and nodded her head in Sesshoumaru's direction. Releasing a sigh, Kagome reluctantly followed.
"There is not much that I can teach you concerning your spiritual powers," Sesshoumaru began as they walked. "But I will teach you all that I know about combat with and without a weapon. Your body will be pushed to its limits and then beyond that. You will spend your time in this arena putting it under tremendous strain. You will feel pain, you will feel exhaustion, you will feel despair."
Kagome studied Sesshoumaru's back as he walked before her. Was he trying to frighten her out of training with him? If he is, it will not work.
"I cannot help but feel as though you are trying to talk me out of our agreement, Lord Sesshoumaru," Kagome said, stopping until her turned to look at her.
"I am simply giving you warning, woman," he told her, his golden eyes boring into hers. "I will not go easy on you just because you are human. I will train you just as I was trained. If you believe yourself incapable of doing so I suggest you leave now."
"I hate to disappoint you, my lord," Kagome said, lifting her chin as she spoke. "But I don't give up so easily."
Sesshoumaru huffed in response, and Kagome could have sworn she saw a smirk on the normaly nonchalant demon's lips before he turned away from her and approached the wall. Kagome looked over at Kanae who was smiling encouragingly before she took a deep breath and continued after Sesshoumaru. He was standing before an assortment of weapons ranging from swords to staffs, to weapons that were so strange, she had no idea what they were. She ran her eyes over them all before she looked up at the demon male.
"You are accustomed to the bow," Sesshoumaru said reaching out to grab hold of a short sword from the top of the wall. "But a bow is almost useless in close combat. You will be trained to use a different weapon, you are free to choose whichever feels most comfortable. Your weapon is an extension of yourself. It is best to keep that in mind when making your choice."
He handed her the short sword then, which Kagome held awkwardly in her right hand. She looked up at Sesshoumaru with unsure eyes before she gripped it firmly with her left as well, holding out before her. The weight was off. Her tiny wrists could never be able to support the sword's weight. If she felt this awkward with this, there was no way she'd feel comfortable with a broad one. She shook her head and gave the weapon back to Sesshoumaru.
"Not a sword," Kagome said, biting her lip and walking past him to look at the other weapons.
She ran her hands over a set of knives before a strange pair of blades caught her eye. She walked toward them, reaching up to take them in her hands. They resembled trident in a way, but the outer prongs were much shorter, leaving the middle one about as long as her forearm and deadly sharp. They were made of metal, the hilts of each were wrapped in some kind of braided leather. She held them out before her, looking them over carefully. They felt comfortable in her hands, light and easy to control. She turned to Sesshoumaru, holding them up for him.
"These," she said, looking up into his amber eyes. He rose an eyebrow before he took the weapons from her hands and twirled them expertly in his own larger ones.
"These are called sai," he told her. "They are light, but deadly if the user is trained properly. You will have to be fairly close to your opponent to use them."
Kagome nodded her head in understanding. Sesshoumaru nodded his head once and turned the sai so that the hilts were in her direction. She took hold of them and let her arms fall to her sides.
"Alright," Kagome said, squaring her shoulders and looking up at him. "Now what?"
For some reason, the grin Sesshoumaru gave her then made her feel anything but comfortable.
Kouga was almost to the first village on his list when he felt a surge of spiritual energy coming from the forest just before it. He stopped in his tracks. His brow furrowed before he gave in to his curiosity at the sound of a woman's scream and took off in a sprint toward the source of the power.
He picked up the scent of blood just before he found the remains of a fierce battle. He looked around at the carnage, the fur and blood from some lower level demons scattered among the trees. At the center of it all was a woman, her back to him, on her knees, breathing heavily. She suddenly spun around, looking over her shoulder at him with wide, frightened eyes.
"Don't come any closer!" she cried out, pushing herself to her feet with the aid of a tall, obsidian staff. "I mean it!"
"I mean you no harm," Kouga told her, holding his hands up as he approached her slowly. "I only want to help. I am Lord Kouga, Lord of the Eastern Lands."
The woman's shoulders drooped in relief. Kouga stepped closer to her carefully to make sure she knew she had no reason to fear him. It was in that time that he was able to study her further. She was quite lovely. Her hair was a silvery lavender color, long and thick, falling past her waist. Her blue eyes were much like his own, icy and bright. She had red-painted lips, small and plump, bright against her ivory skin. Her robes were black, but he could tell that she was a priestess. Her body still radiated spiritual power from her battle. Her appearance was strange for a human.
"I can help you to the next village," he told her, reaching out to help her. "I am on my way there now."
"Thank you so much," the woman said, taking hold of his hand with her own. She stumbled a bit, dropping her staff and falling into Kouga's arms. He steadied her, gripping her elbows firmly.
"Are you alright, ma'am?" he asked her. She looked up at him with a soft smile and dewy eyes.
"Please, call me Tsubaki."
Kagome let out a grunt as she was tossed to the ground again. She was breathing heavily, sweat pouring from places that she didn't even know she could sweat. She groaned when she saw his shadow stand over her again. Her body was throbbing in time with her heartbeat, the only part of her that wasn't hurting was her hair.
"Had enough?" his voice was full of amusement. Kagome growled and pushed herself up on trembling arms.
"I am... just... getting started," Kagome panted, struggling to get to her hands and knees.
"Don't be foolish, woman," Sesshoumaru scoffed, dropping to a crouch in front of her. "You are past your point of exhaustion."
"I don't care," Kagome said, gritting her teeth as she forced herself to her feet. Her whole body felt heavy, her head spinning when she was finally able to stand. She widened her stance and lifted her fists before her, squinting at Sesshoumaru's crouched form. "We are not done yet."
"As you wish," Sesshoumaru said, moving swiftly to his feet.
Kagome didn't even have time to blink before an open palm was sent her way, striking her square in the chest and knocking her backwards several feet. Kagome's eyes opened wide, her back arching painfully as the wind was knocked from her lungs. She gasped silently, her body perfectly still as she fought to catch her breath. Finally, she took in a mouthful of air, her body relaxing enough for her to curl into a ball on her side, squeezing her eyes shut tight.
"Are you alright, little one?" Kanae asked, dropping to her knees at the girl's side.
"M'fine..." Kagome wheezed, pushing herself up on one elbow to glare at Sesshoumaru.
"We shall train more tomorrow," Sesshoumaru said, strolling out of the arena without so much as a glance in her direction.
Kagome watched him go until he was out of the arena before she let herself collapse onto the sand beneath her, breathing heavily. Kanae put a cool hand on her forehead, brushing back her bangs. Kagome looked up at the demoness through tired eyes, taking in short breaths through her parted lips. Kanae reached out to grip Kagome's shoulders firmly. She pulled her up into sitting position, waiting for Kagome's sign that she could continue.
"Let's get you cleaned up," Kanae said softly. "I have an oil that will soothe your sore muscles."
"Thank you, Lady Kanae," Kagome said weakly. "You don't have to do this."
"It is my pleasure, my lady," Kanae told her with a wink. "And call me, Kanae, please."
"Kanae," Kagome corrected with a tired smile. "And a warm bath does sound rather pleasant at the moment."
"After the beating you took, I would imagine so," Kanae said jokingly, lifting Kagome to her feet and and putting an arm around her waist. She reached down to scoop up Kagome's sai before she pulled her other arm over her shoulder and led her out of the arena.
"Thank the gods," Kagome moaned, sinking into the hot pool of water.
The baths here were incredible. Kanae had called it a hot spring, but all Kagome cared about was the fact that the water was delightfully warm. She sighed contentedly as the warm water soothed her muscles before she dipped herself beneath the water to wet her hair. When she came up, she heard a quiet splash to her left.
She spun to face the sound, covering her chest and gasping in surprise when she noticed Kanae's yellow eyes staring back at her. Kagome let out a relaxed sigh and put a hand over her throat.
"You scared me," she breathed, leaning against the lip of the bath and tilting her head back. Kanae released a pur that had Kagome looking at her from the corner of her eye. "What?"
"You should not bear your throat to a demon, my lady," Kanae told her, wading a little closer. "Ever."
Kagome sat up straight and rose an eyebrow at the tigress, a soft blush growing on her cheeks. Kanae's golden hair was slicked back from the water, her golden skin was glistening from either the steam around them or the water itself, Kagome wasn't sure. Her pupils were large and round as she fixed her gaze on Kagome's neck.
"You are a strange demoness, Kanae," Kagome said, fighting the urge to tilt her head to the side. "Your actions toward me would suggest that you are... attracted to me."
Kanae threw her head back and laughed, her fangs flashing as her melodious voice echoed around them in the bathing room. Kagome's lips turned up a bit at the sound. Kanae looked back at her, her pupils normal once more. She too leaned back against the edge of the pool, sinking into the water until only her head was above the water.
"You have much to learn about the ways of demons, little one," Kanae said, looking up at the stone ceiling. "We are not like humans. We do not fight our carnal desires, no matter how... abnormal they may seem to you."
Kagome studied the demoness for a moment longer. Kouga had mentioned that she may be here on behalf of the Southern lord, but Kanae had yet to give any information about what exactly her purpose was here in the Western Capital. Kagome bit her lip, not sure if it was her place to ask, but Kanae had told her that she wanted to be friends. She worried her lip a bit more before she finally got the nerve to ask.
"Why are you here in Lord Sesshoumaru's palace, Kanae?" Kagome asked her, noticing the way Kanae's body tensed at the question. Said demoness released a sigh before she turned her head, still letting it rest against the lip of the bath as she spoke.
"I suppose you of all people can understand the reason for an alliance among the regions," Kanae told her. Kagome's eyes widened a bit and she nodded. "My father sought such an alliance with Lord Sesshoumaru. I was a... gift, you see."
"Then, you are Lord Daichi's daughter?" Kagome asked her, to which the demoness responded with a nod. "And you are to marry Lord Sesshoumaru?"
"If he so chooses," Kanae told her, sitting up straighter. Kagome averted her eyes as the tops of Kanae's breasts were lifted from the water. "Lord Sesshoumaru has never taken interest in any specific female, though, so I have no idea why my father thought that he would choose me. Perhaps he thought that Sesshoumaru's need for allies in this war was desperate enough for him to need to make sure an alliance with the South was guaranteed, but... as you can see, Lord Sesshoumaru isn't exactly up to my... standards."
"Because you are attracted to females?" Kagome guessed with a small smile. Kanae chuckled softly and nodded her head, looking back up to the ceiling.
"Yes, I am," she said with another sigh. "But I will not turn my back on what my father asks of me for the sake of our lands. Neither will I force Lord Sesshoumaru's hand on this; I doubt anyone could. And even if Lord Sesshoumaru does not wish to marry, I would still insist that my father join him in this battle. If not, we are all doomed to this new enemy."
"You are a strong female, Kanae," Kagome said in awe. The demoness pushed away from the wall and looked back at Kagome over her shoulder.
"As are you, Lady Kagome," Kanae said, her face serious. "You may be able to fool everyone else, but I know that you are hesitant about Lord Kouga. He is not who you expected to marry, is he?"
Kagome tensed and sat up straighter, ignoring her nakedness for the moment as she stared wide-eyed at the demoness. Kanae did not flinch as she studied Kagome, turning in the water to face her fully.
"Why would you think-?" Kagome began.
"I know what love looks like," Kanae said. "I can smell physical attraction. I can sense neither when you and Lord Kouga are together. Was your marriage arranged?"
Kagome turned away from the demoness to rest her arms on the edge of the pool, putting her head on her folded arms. She stared blankly at the stone floor, trying her best to word her thoughts correctly before she spoke them.
"No, it was not arranged," Kagome said quietly, hearing Kanae moving through the water to take a position similar to Kagome's. "But... he was not my first choice in a husband. I was... engaged to someone before Lord Kouga, but it... it didn't work. Lord Kouga heard of my power and sought me out. He will say it was love at first sight, but... I don't know why I'm telling you all this."
"Because our situations are somewhat similar," Kanae said lightly. "I doubt you have anyone you can confide in. It is... nice to have someone to listen; To understand."
"It is," Kagome admitted, turning her head to the side to look at her companion. "I was honestly a bit worried that I would not be able to fit in here. I am glad that you are here to make things easier."
"I am glad I can help," Kanae said with a genuine smile. "And I am glad that there is finally someone besides those snooty bitches at court to talk to."
The two females laughed loudly together, enjoying the rest of their bath in the comfort of each other.
The next morning Kagome was awoken by the sound of rapid knocking on her bedroom door. She groaned, running her hands over her face before she responded.
"Who is it?" she called weakly, knowing no matter who it was, they'd be able to hear her.
"It's Kanae!" the female shouted. "Hurry, Kagome, you are very late for your training session with Lord Sesshoumaru!"
Kagome sprang upward and then immediately regretted doing so. Her entire body was wracked with pain. Every muscle was incredibly sore, and every time she moved it only reminded her that this was just the beginning. She winced as she struggled to get out of bed, throwing her covers off of her in one swift movement in an attempt to avoid more discomfort.
It didn't work.
"Lady Kanae," Kagome called, taking a sharp breath when her ribs ached in protest. "I require... some assistance."
Kanae was in her room before she could blink, rushing to her side to help her to her feet. The demoness gave her a sympathetic smile when Kagome bit her lip in discomfort.
"Forgive me, my lady," Kanae said, gripping Kagome's forearms and pulling the woman to her feet.
Kagome let out a small cry as the muscles in her legs and back screamed in protest. She didn't even have time to scold Kanae, because in that next instant, said demoness was pulling her nightgown up and over her head. Kagome would have been alarmed, but Kanae was moving too quickly for Kagome's tired body to react. She winced when her arms were pulled upward as well, wishing with every fiber of her being that she did not have to move.
"Lord Sesshoumaru has been out there waiting for almost fifteen minutes," Kanae explained. "My lord is not patient. We must make haste."
Kagome could only nod her head as Kanae went about dressing her, moving Kagome's arms and legs for her to get her into her training suit. Kagome let out the occasional gasp or whimper at Kanae's movements, but besides that, she was silent. She could not ruin this. She was depending on her sessions with Sesshoumaru with everything she had. If he decided to stop training her, then there was no way she would partake in this battle or any other for that matter. She refused to simply be a conduit for the jewel's power. She was more than that. She had to be.
"No time to braid it," Kanae said when she came to Kagome's messy hair.
She pulled the black mane high atop Kagome's head and secured it with a strip of leather before she hurried to find Kagome's boots. Kagome could do little but stand there. She had no idea how she would be able to train through this pain, but she had no choice. Gritting her teeth in determination, she braced herself for the moment where she would have to start moving herself.
"I shall carry you to the arena to make up for lost time, but I do not think Lord Sesshoumaru would like me assisting this much during your training," Kanae said with a smile. Kagome tried to smile back, but found herself unable to do so.
"Thank you, Kanae," Kagome breathed, squaring her shoulders in determination. "I will manage."
A/N: There you go, guys! I'll have the next chapter up as soon as I can. Hope you liked it!