Chapter 36

Kagome found herself in Urahara's underground training room with Renji and Chad. Chad came to the shop asking Urahara to train him, but the shop owner didn't think he was the best person to train him. So, he pushed the responsibility on Renji. Kagome wasn't sure Renji was going to be able to help train both of them at the same time, but it was worth a try.

Renji released bankai and was using that to pummel Chad into the ground. At first, Kagome wasn't sure what he was trying to accomplish, slowly, she began to see the method to his madness. By pushing Chad into a corner, it allowed him to reach into the depths of his soul and bring forth his power.

Kagome watched from the sidelines. She should join the fight, but Chad needed the training more than she did. She looked to her left as Urahara approached.

"Shouldn't you be preparing for the winter battle as well?"

"Winter battle?

"Oh, I forgot you were resting when I explained things to Abarai-san. The Hougyoku is in a dormant state right now and doesn't have the full power Aizen is looking for. It will be at least four months until he will be able to wage his war."

Kagome shook her head. "The Hougyoku, or Shikon no tama isn't dormant."

He raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know how much you've been told, Urahara, but I am that jewel's guardian. You may think you are the one who created it, but in truth Midoriko, a priestess of long ago did. You know about my adventures in the past. That gem is the same jewel I shattered five hundred years ago and wished out of existence. I don't know how it came back, only that it did. The jewel is slightly different than before however. It used to have four souls inside, but now it's down to three. It's because of that, that the jewel feels like it's not at full power. It's because it isn't."

"If the jewel isn't dormant like you say, what is keeping Aizen from proceeding with his plans?"

"I don't know. Maybe he thinks it's dormant and not fully mature. If I can get my hands on that jewel, I can keep him from using it."

"How so?"

Kagome looked down at her hands. "I've retained some of my purification powers. The jewel is black right now because Aizen is evil at heart. The jewel reflects the holder. The thing is if the jewel is pure enough, it has a nasty habit of purifying demons and other creatures that are evil."

"What are you insinuating?"

"I tried doing it to Naraku and it almost worked. I'm stronger now than I was then so I can guarantee it will work. The only problem is Aizen has to have the jewel inside his body. Purify the jewel while it resides in Aizen and it will reduce him to a pile of ash."

"That's very risky, Higurashi-san."

Kagome nodded in agreement. "I know."

"Then might I suggest training? I'm sure Renji and Chad could use another target." He pointed his fan at the two trying to kick the crap out of each other.

Kagome smiled. "Well, I suppose it's time to give Renji a little payback for a previous training session." Kagome unsheathed her sword and released it at the same time. She jumped into the fight and let loose with a Shakkaho.

The blast hit Renji square in the back, sending him flying into a large boulder. He picked himself up and shot a murderous look in the direction of the kido blast. His eyes widened when he saw Kagome standing there with a devious grin on her face.

"Wasn't it you who taught me never to let your guard down. You never know when you'll have more than one opponent." She grinned.

He flashed her a cocky grin. "If that's how you want to play, bring it on!"

He sent Zabimaru her direction. Kagome put her sword out to block the snake's giant teeth. Her katana absorbed the damage and stored it inside the blade. She pushed it away and readied another kido attack. Renji saw it coming and countered her blast with a burst of energy from the mouth of his snake. The energy blast collided midair. Renji's blast was stronger and barreled towards Kagome. She just shook her head.

"Bankai." Her sword disappeared and changed into a dome like barrier. The barrier absorbed the attack and started to glow. She saw Renji's eyes widen. "Kai!" Kagome released the burst of energy from her shield.

Renji managed to dodge the burst of energy and noticed Chad coming up behind Kagome for a sneak attack. He was surprised when the big guy's armored fist slammed into the barrier and bounced backwards several feet. He knew her barrier could take kido based attacks with ease, but he was sure it would be weaker to physical attacks. It reminded him Orihime's ability to reject.

Kagome's barrier started to hum again and both guys ran behind boulders as it released its stored up energy. The burst smashed the boulders to smithereens and shredded their clothing. Chad faired the best. His shirt was ripped to shreds, but his pants remained unscathed. Renji however wasn't as lucky. His kimono was almost completely missing and his hakama looked like they'd been through the shredder. Luckily his important bits were covered, but that was about it.

Urahara whistled from the sidelines. "Higurashi-san, if you wanted to see that much skin, all you had to do was ask."

Kagome felt herself turn the color of a stop sign. She tried to look away from Renji, but her body was betraying her, forcing her to stare at him. It's not a bad sight, but…but… her thoughts turned off the moment her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she fainted.

Renji, thinking Kagome fainted because she over exerted herself, walked over to her and picked her up.

"You know, Abarai-san, You should probably wait until she wakes up before you try any funny business." Urahara shouted.

Renji's eye twitched. "Shut up, Pervert! She over exerted herself again. I'm just putting her in bed so she can get some rest."

"I'm sure she'll recover more quickly if you join her."

"If I wasn't holding her, I'd come over there and kick your ass!"

Kagome started to come to. She opened her eyes, wondering if the last thing she remembered was all a very strange dream. She looked up to see Renji holding her. That's not a bad thing. Wait, where is his shirt? She scanned the area to see Chad without his shirt as well. Her eyes widened. Oh my goodness…They'll think I'm some sort of pervert!

She scrambled to get out of Renji's arms, catching him off guard. Renji started to lose his balance. He tried to stop Kagome from squirming, but she wasn't listening. Eventually he was forced to let her go. She hit the ground and her foot managed to get hooked around his and he fell over on top of her.

Urahara cat whistled.

"Renji…get off me…"

He pushed himself to his elbows and looked down at her. He couldn't tell if she was upset, embarrassed or just plain confused. He rolled over so he was no longer lying on top of her. "What the hell was that for?"

Kagome sat up and pointed an accusatory finger at him. "What was that for? You were holding me that close and you're missing almost all your clothes! Do you know how that feels?"

"And whose fault is it that my clothing is ruined?" He countered.

Kagome tried very hard not to scream her favorite command word. It wouldn't do her any good against Renji anyway instead she tried to shift the blame. "Whose fault is it that you couldn't dodge the attack? You too slow or something?"

"Too slow? I'll show you too slow!" he jumped to his feet and grabbed his sword.

Kagome followed suit.

Urahara shook his head and chuckled under his breath. This was more entertaining then he thought possible. "I'll leave you love birds to your training. Do try not to leave any stains!" He snapped his fan shut and walked towards the ladder.

Renji and Kagome turned to the shop keeper at the same time. "Shut up Urahara!"

He raised his hand and waved. "Oh, and please not in front of Chad, that's just rude."

oOoOo

A few hours later, Renji, Chad and Kagome were panting heavily and covered in sweat. They'd been training nonstop and Kagome and Chad could hardly move. Urahara made his way back downstairs to watch the progress of the training.

The hatch opened and Orihime and Yoruichi made an appearance. They approached the shopkeeper. Urahara opened his fan and waved it at his face. "Good to see you Inoue-san! Long time no see!"

Urahara walked over to a small table and sat down, motioning for both Yoruichi and Orihime to join him. They heard the shattering of a large boulder and turned to see Chad lying amongst the rubble. Renji stood over him with his bankai released.

Renji looked over at Urahara. "Urahara-san, he can't go on any longer. I'm going to call it a day."

He nodded and hollered for Tessai and Ururu. "Hit Sado-san until he wakes up please!"

Kagome objected. "Wait a sec…"

Surprising everybody, Chad managed to rise to his knees. "I can still fight."

Renji shook his head. "There's a limit for trying to be tough."

Sado took him at his word for the time being Kagome too needed to call it a day. She was tired to the bone. She walked over to Orihime.

"Urahara-san…what did you want to talk to me about?" Orihime asked.

"Just now, Matsumoto of the tenth squadron was here."

Kagome was confused. She hadn't felt Matsumoto's arrival, yet she had been busy getting the snot kicked out of her.

Orihime, however seemed to know what was going on. "You're well aware of it aren't you? The story of Ouken."

"The word should have spread to Madarame-san and them by now. It's a sudden situation and it was totally unexpected but, in any case, because of this Soul Society and we have both decided to prepare for the upcoming war set for this winter. It's an all out war. More blood will probably be spilt than ever before." Urahara explained.

"I see…I also want to get stronger." Orihime said.

"I thought so. Then I will tell you, Inoue-san. As for you, I will have you removed from the war front."

"Huh?" Orihime and Kagome both stuttered.

"Tsubaki. Ever since he was injured from the battle with the arrancar, he hasn't been able to recover, right?" He pointed out.

Orihime brought her hand to her chest and looked at the ground. Kagome walked to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. "Yeah, he was torn up so much…trying to heal him is like trying to find a splinter. I don't even know where to begin."

"Tsubaki is your only means of fighting. With him lost, I cannot allow you to participate in battle. That's obvious."

Chad finally made it to his feet and looked over at Urahara. "Wait a sec. Inoue is our comrade. She fought with her heart in Soul Society. Even Inoue herself is saying that she wanted to get stronger. I can't just let you say things so simply."

"Sado-kun…" Orihime stuttered.

"Isn't this just an emotional based argument? Do you want Inoue-san to die?"

"It's not that." Chad argued. "Inoue had the power of shielding and restoration. That is very important during the war!"

Urahara's expression darkened. Kagome noticed a shift in his posture. His shoulder were set stiff and he wasn't making eye contact, though it looked like he was. What is going on? Why Is Urahara saying these things? It's obvious he's lying…

"We already know the protective power of Santenkesshun. But I presume that it won't be useful for this battle. As for her restoration, we have the fourth squadron for that. This time the abilities of Captain Unohana and lieutenant Kotetsu's teams will be on the front line. For the gap that Inoue-san's absence will leave, they have the power many times over."

"But!" Chad interrupted.

Urahara raised his voice. "Leave it! I'm saying that a soldier who has lost his powers will only be a burden."

"Urahara!"Kagome shouted.

"It's ok…thank you, Sado-kun, Kagome-chan. Thank you for everything, Urahara-san. I'm glad you could tell me directly." Orihime's voice was trembling and she held her arms across her chest tightly to keep herself from crying. She even managed to plaster on a fake smile. "Please excuse me!" She turned and ran.

Kagome let her go. She wanted to follow, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. Orihime had her heart ripped out of her chest and bared to the world. She would need some time alone to let her tears fall. Chad however wanted to chase after her.

Renji clamped his hand over his shoulder. "Urahara-san is right. Although the fourth squad is specialized in healing, they are also trained for battle. They are a part of the Gotei 13. On the other hand, although Inoue has an ability, she is after all human. In addition, she has a nature that is not meant for battle."

Orihime…Kagome sighed. Urahara and Renji had a point. Orihime wasn't meant for battle. But that could change. I was the same as Orihime when I first met Inuyasha. Look at me now. I have the power to protect those I love. Orihime can have that too. She just needs to have self confidence. With everybody telling her she's unable to fight, she's going to believe it.

Kagome opened her eyes with her mind made up. If Urahara wouldn't help her, she would. She chased after Orihime. I'll help train her. I'll help make her strong enough to hold her own.

She skidded to a halt when she spotted Orihime talking to Rukia. Tears were rolling down her face and she was trying very hard not to blubber.

"Orihime…"

She turned around to see Kagome standing there. She wiped away her tears. "Kagome-chan…"

Kagome looked over Orihime's shoulder and met Rukia's eyes. "Let's go somewhere more private."