The next morning dawned and not one of the travelers managed to leave their beds until well after sunrise. Kagome, who tended to wake up around eight in the morning on any day she was allowed to sleep in, had attempted to get up, only to have long arms wind around her and pull her back into bed. She had laughed and given in as he pushed his face into the curve of her throat, before closing her eyes and snoozing until the timer on her watch went off at ten.

When the two finally emerged, they found that the others had followed their example. Sango and Miroku shared a room at the other end of the manor-house and had yet to appear. Kagome felt a bit guilty that they had lazed away so much of the morning, but Seiko waved it away with a smile, saying that he hadn't been up all that long himself and had been afraid that he had out-slept his own guests.

It was a rather humorous comment, given that their host was a rooster.

They had just taken their seats and had their plates and utensils placed before them when the others arrived, yawning and rubbing at puffy eyes. Kirara had allowed one of the guards-in-training, a half-grown Kawausoyoukai pup, to carry her down the hall and lay her before the fire that already burned on the hearth in the drafty room. He slowly stood, only to have the sweet little feline butt her head playfully against his ankles. Kagome could see his indecision, before he turned big brown eyes on his lord. They widened in a pleading fashion and Seiko heaved a sigh before giving in.

Kirara never could resist young ones, and she soon curled up with the youngster, purring as he ran his small blunt claws through her fur.

As promised, the breakfast was wonderful and hearty. Enough, even, for a Tora of Sesshomaru's size. Though at first he had declined, Seiko assured Sesshomaru that it was more than fine to take his true form in the courtyard to properly partake of his morning meal. All youkai must do this from time to time, to keep up their energy reserves.

Kagome had smiled before following him out with her own plate in her hands.

He had been a bit hesitant to eat in front of her, as it generally proved to be a rather bloody undertaking, but she had simply informed him that blood was blood and he'd never had to watch her brother and his friends eatafter they came home from soccer practice. Even then, he'd been careful to keep from tearing into his meal as he was accustomed. So Kagome had marched over and sat in the grass just feet from the small pile of Formosan-shika the hunters had brought in earlier. Even in full Tora form, his surprise was evident.

"I will see you eat eventually, so you might as well get over it. I've watched Kirara eat before. Nor am I squeamish."

Slowly, golden eyes on the small form seated so calmly near his forepaws, he began to eat in his normal fashion. And true to her word, she never lost her smile, nor did he sense any unease.

It was the first time he'd ever allowed another to see him eat in this form. Tora were by nature voracious eaters, and tended to devour their prey with a marked lack of politesse. In nature, a mortal tiger would gorge until full, mauling anything that threatened their kill. And under normal circumstances, the beast would be clamoring for her heart. But it did not…

Instead, it rumbled its happiness with her company. He snorted quietly as he realized that not only did the little female have his beast wrapped about her little finger, but his heart was soon to follow.

And he wasn't in the least bit troubled.

"You are certain he went this direction?"

The blue-eyed one snorted at his companion. "Tracks don't lie. And those say he went in that direction."

The green-eyed one narrowed his eyes at the other's insolence. "I am your elder, and as such-"

He got no further as a blur of gold and dark hematite ploughed recklessly into his midsection. He grunted as he fell back, shaking his head to clear away blurred vision as a wild, feral grin spread across his face.

"Too much?"

"You damned well sounded like Grandsire! 'Proper learned behavior of the cub leads to well rounded adults.' Bah!" He straddled his fallen companion, pinning him as he bucked wildly. He snickered at the rough curses that fell from the first male's lips, then growled in playful protest as he was abruptly unseated and thrown. He grunted as he was tackled, before bursting out laughing. "Can you imagine what the old one would say if he could see us now?"

"You two aught not be playing like cubs! You have almost reached your second millennium and should behave like the adults you supposedly are!" He even curled his upper lip before lifting his nose in the air in a perfect imitation of their grandsire, as if he'd encountered a bad smell in the air.

The blue-eyed male grinned at the dead-on impression. Sure they loved the old male, but honestly! There was only so much they could take. It was a large part of why they had taken this assignment in the first place. They had always craved adventure and had greatly mourned the loss of the old ways when they had gone sailing and raiding with their cousins and uncles. But all good things must come to an end, and so they had bowed to progress.

But they were the first on a very long list to be given assignments of this nature, and there had yet to come a time that they did not leap at the opportunity.

Because boredom was a state that left much to be desired.

Miroku may not use a katana as his weapon of choice but he had been trained to use one from the time he could walk. His father had known that his son would be the wandering sort, it was part of their nature and nurtured for generations. He'd wanted his son well able to care for himself with not just the conventional 'tools of the trade', but with anything that might come to hand.

Now, he stood with his arms shaking under the strain of sparring with Sesshomaru. He'd asked for the loan of a blade from Seiko's weapon's master, as he wished to brush up on his skills. Not long after, he'd entered the airy, well appointed dojo to find that the Tora had beaten him to it.

He'd found himself staring in awe at the way the other male shifted in the fluid dance of the blade. He'd noticed almost immediately that a great many of the forms and patterns differed from the ones he'd become used to. Typical sword katas were practiced and deemed perfected when they flowed like water through the air. But this new style added an element of brutal power that he knew would be unstoppable.

He had no idea why he'd done it, but he had requested a spar with Sesshomaru. The other male had been curious as to his reason, but had simply nodded his acceptance and settled into position with all the lethal precision of the predator he was.

That had been hours ago and Miroku was finding that even his vast stores of energy would soon fail him. He retreated from a taunting sweep of the lengthy blade, his teeth gritted to keep ahold of his blade as the youkai's own collided with it. Then the edge of his opponent's blade lashed out and drove deeply into one of the broad columns not far from where his head had been, scarring the wood. Miroku took it as the warning it had been intended to be and kept a better watch over the Taiyoukai's proximity. He'd long ago discarded his robes in favor of fighting with his upper half bare to the incoming breeze.

Sweat trickled down his back and itched across his stomach, but he ignored it to advance once again. He was well aware of the fact that the other male was using only a fraction of his power and speed during their skirmishes but to Miroku's credit, the youkai's pale skin had taken on a faint shimmer, as if he'd been dusted in silver, the markings over his shoulders and biceps gleaming darkly.

They had taken a short break to have a hurried lunch, as the monk did not wish to have his muscles stiffen from inactivity. Their respective females had swiftly wiped them down with cold, wet cloths, before retreating to the sidelines, though Kagome had taken a moment to tie back the long, flashing length of Sesshomaru's hair.

Word of their mock-battle had circulated about the youkai of Seiko's guards. But they did not manage to beat their lord to the best seat in the house, and so took up the available walls in the spacious room. There was not even the typical murmur of voices as Miroku circled his taller opponent, seeking a weak point in a defense that he already knew from rather painful experience that he would not find.

Sesshomaru was impressed by the human male. He had a strength of will that would have done any Torayoukai proud. He could see the fine tremors of his limbs and the way he held himself carefully erect in an effort to disguise his almost complete exhaustion, though he had not given in. The Taiyoukai had purposefully slowed his sword strokes in an attempt to allow the human to study his movements and give him a fair chance in defending himself. He remembered his brother doing the same for him; the over-exaggerated thrusts and the gentle parries that had shown him the proper forms to mimic.

Normally, he would not have taken it upon himself to 'instruct' a human. But he was a part of Kagome's family. He was not even the unofficial alpha of their little pack, but he was the most experienced. According to the beliefs of his maternal family, it was the responsibility of the strongest to further the martial education of the other males in their chosen pack. He'd never before had the opportunity to teach another, and he found himself looking forward to it.

It would be some time before he would begin Kagome's training, as was common amongst those that took mates from outside their breed or race. It was looked upon as a privilege to teach one's mate, and he thought it might be best if he began to shape his teaching techniques with one who already possessed the rudimentary skills.

But right now…?

His longer reach and a skillful flick of his wrist had his blade licking around the other male's wrist, prompting Miroku to release his increasingly tenuous hold on the hilt. It was done out of simple mercy, for he did not wish the other male to be forced to call a halt. He had enough respect for him to end the bout before that happened. Just as he had enough respect to not allow an honored opponent's sword to hit the ground, snatching the blade from its downward trajectory, spinning it through his fingers, and presenting it hilt first to the male who stood panting before him.

It would not be well done to break the male on their first encounter.

Miroku accepted the offering and stretched his back with a groan. Right now, he was tired, his limbs feeling like overcooked noodles. But he knew that soon everything would tighten up and he would wish he was in his bed, where he could sleep off the effects. He felt a slender, strong arm slip around his shoulders, and leaned against Sango as she led him towards the shoji-door. If he was lucky, she would lay him out and work some of the soreness from his muscles before he bathed and retired for the evening. He realized with a bit of surprise that the sun was beginning to set. But the tremble in his legs let him know in no uncertain terms that they were fully aware, and that they were not impressed with his foolishness.

The sudden commotion behind them drew their attention, and they turned to the raucous cheers of the male crowd as Sesshomaru pushed Kagome up against the scarred pillar and mockingly demanded that she reward the victor. The human couple laughed when Kagome responded by driving her fingers through his hair and tugging him down to place a loud, smacking kiss on his smirking lips. She would have leaned back and wiggled free after that but he copied her hold and held her still. She squirmed and giggled, then kissed him back while a grinning Seiko herded the hooting youkai from the room. The Tora finally allowed her to pull free to gain much needed air, nipping her bottom lip before allowing her to slide down his body.

Miroku was not in the least surprised to see the starry-eyed look of girlish happiness that graced Sango's lovely face. Try though she might to hide it, his huntress had a soft spot for romance. And while he was thankful that he was allowed to fill that much needed niche in her life, he couldn't help but chuckle as Sango clasped her hands together and leaned against him while gazing adoringly at the other couple.

Sesshomaru snorted as he turned and caught sight of Sango's expression. His lips curved upwards, even as he nudged Kagome.

Sango turned bright red and hurriedly turned away to hide the telltale response. She maneuvered Miroku swiftly back into position, but it was a lost cause, because even the back of her neck was blushing. Kagome chuckled and moved to follow them from the room, Sesshomaru not far behind with that oddly playful smirk still curving his lips, and Miroku had to wonder what bit of mischief he would instigate next.

As time passed, the Tora had slowly allowed the imp harbored by all those of the feline species to emerge. Though never harmful, it had made for some rather…interesting…occurrences. One incident was permanently etched into his memory. He still wasn't quite certain what exactly had occurred, because neither of them chose to speak about it (at least within his range of hearing), but Kagome had emerged from her sleeping bag some time after Sesshomaru. Her posture was strange, and she kept tugging down the hem of her 'night gown' as her face gained an intriguing rosy hue. But he suspected it had something to do with the scrap of lace wrapped about the Tora's wrist and almost hidden from view by his sleeve.

He had his own theory about what the scrap truly was…but he was keeping it to himself.

He grinned, though he was careful to keep it hidden behind a stray lock of hair that had escaped during the match. He let Sango take as much of his weight as she wished in an attempt to distract her. The fact that it would soon lead to her hard-earned skills in massage being practiced on his willing flesh was just another bonus.

Kagome smiled as the others made their way from the room. She'd decided that she wanted to explore the grounds, and so had chosen to reverse course and make for the doors at the other end of the room. Sesshomaru took a moment to slide his sword into its sheath, then slipped the strap over his shoulder after he'd donned his shert.

He didn't know why, but that feeling he got when his fur stood on end was occurring as he neared the doors. It wasn't a sense of foreboding…but he wasn't comfortable with it either, especially with Kagome in the lead. She must have sensed his agitation, because she slowed her pace, turning anxious eyes on the cautious male. He slowly reached out and touched her shoulder, gesturing for her to fall back.

He realized that it was the lack of an identifying scent that was throwing him off. Not many could manage it half as well as those of his family…and he suddenly knew who was beyond the shoji-doors.

A low growl emerged, before he swung Kagome up onto his hip as he stalked out the door. He wanted to keep a hand free and carrying her on his back would increase the chance of her losing her grip mid-fight. Something he would definitely need keep in mind while facing this particular duo, as he did not want to leave her to stand on the sidelines. He could well imagine what the younger would do with her, given half the chance.

Kagome was a bit bemused by his behavior. That and she hadn't ridden in this particular position since she was small enough for her mother to carry her. She vaguely noted that the sensation was not that much different, because unlike most males, his hips did not remain stationary as he moved. Instead they had a subtle sway all their own that must have contributed to the way he did not seem to actually walk but glide.

An answering growl came from just beyond the open doors and Kagome shivered as the bass tone seemed to vibrate her very bones.

Sesshomaru stepped out into the red-hued evening, coming face to face with a pair of beautiful Tora males. Their resemblance to Sesshomaru was striking and Kagome eyed them in curiosity. The two blinked in surprise as they took in his possessive hold on her person, before the darker one said something in the language Sesshomaru occasionally slipped into. His voice was like the after-echo of thunder, raising the hair on the back of her neck.

She had the sudden mental image of the beast pinning its ears back. "Minn!" he hissed in response.

Yet, there was a notable lack of true anger in his tone.

The taller of the two stepped forward. Not as heavily built as his companion, he was still quite a bit stronger than the common male…though neither was as large as Sesshomaru. They stepped closer and Kagome could see the way their amazing eyes gleamed with mischief.

"Could this have not waited till the morning, Freyr?" Sesshomaru's tone was almost teasing, and she realized that not a one of them was displaying any signs of true aggression. "At least until everyone had gained enough rest to put up with the likes of you?"

The golden male smirked. "Lovely to see you too, bróðir."

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a.n. - oh my god…there's three of them…::gulps::

minn - mine