Authors Note:
Hey guys! I do not know what happened but no one reviewed my last chapter! I hope that doesn't mean it didn't post properly and no one was able to read it? I really do appreciate everyone who has followed, liked and favorited the story! I also love reviews! And I also welcome critics! But it means the world to me when I know you guys liked my most recent chapters! And even if you don't I want to know because then I know what NOT to write for those who like my stories! Also there have been a number of times with reviews for this story, where the review inspired the next chapter! So I do get inspiration from you guys as well!
Anyways, sorry this took longer to get out this week. The creative juices would not stop flowing and finally I decided to just put an end to the chapter. Actually truthfully what I did was cut it in half and posted this chapter. Which mean that there is a really decent chunk of the next chapter already written! So hopefully my muse sticks with me so I can get more exciting chapters out to you guys quicker.
Hope you enjoy!
Kagome panted heavily, her knees shaking. She had been doing nothing but train for weeks since this whole nightmare had started. Sesshoumaru had given her permission to join the host club, but having heard stories from some of their whimsical outings, courtesy of Haruhi, she had decided to focus on finding her style and once having completed that, she would then join them and work on strengthening said style in between the clubs distractions. It had been a month and a half of straight training and she was beginning to find a more fluid style. Sesshoumaru nodded to her and put his katana away. He always insisted on training with the real deal. Saying that was how they 'did it' back in the old days, but she knew for a fact that young samurai kids would play with the wooden bokken sword imitation to practice. Receiving a personal katana was a rite of passage in the feudal samurai world. - But she had to admit, the strategy was to be as ruthless as possible and she had learned the hard way to evade attacks, receiving her fair share of nicks and cuts during training. He never let it be anything more serious, which testified of his remarkable control. And the fact they trained with real swords, did certainly drill home to take every match seriously. Deadly serious. He was nothing if not ruthlessly effective in his teachings.
"You have done well. Your technique requires some refining, but you have done well to make it your own while still keeping to your teachings. You do, however, need to work on your stamina. I would like for you to meet with your old friend Tanaka-San to work on your endurance and stamina. I understand she is quite skilled in that area." Sesshoumaru informed her, looking back at her. She glanced at the clock on the wall, she had an hour to get ready and head to school.
"I'll tell her to meet me at school today. I was planning on going and talking to the club today to let them know."
Sesshoumaru looked at her over his shoulder before replying. "Remember what I told you, Kagome." He warned her.
"I know. I haven't forgotten." She held eye contact with him. With an imperceptible nod he turned away and left the dojo. She let out a breath and with another glance at the clock, placed her katana back on the hooks on the wall and then hurried to shower and get ready for school.
Kagome looked down at her phone as it buzzed while she walked towards the third music room at the end of the day. She hadn't seen anyone from the host club since that day at the castle ruins, and she would be lying if she didn't admit the largest reason why was Mori. She stopped in front of the doors, before remembering the phone in her hand. She sent a quick reply, and then snapping her phone shut, she turned the handle and pushed into the room.
"KAGO-CHAN!" Hani flew and leaped into Kagome's arms as soon as she entered the room. She laughed and tilted her head in a smile at the small blonde. At seeing this the rest of the club let out a collective sigh of relief. Haruhi and Kyouya both looked at Mori, who still stood slightly tense, eyes trained on Kagome.
Kagome peeked up at him, then quickly slid her eyes over to the rest of the club. Mori's eyes narrowed in concern. Was she avoiding him? The thought disconcerted him greatly.
"Are you here to visit us again? Please don't leave, we missed you!" Hani's big brown doe eyes watered at the thought she would leave.
"It's okay. I'm not going to leave." Kagome smoothed his hair down softly. Something she had always done for her little siblings, and with an inward cringe, remembering this boy was actually older than her, she slowly removed her hand and let it drop to her side.
Before anyone else could say anything the door opened and the whole club looked back at the door. Kagome's eyes widened just before a hand smoothed over her butt and stroked it gently.
"Ah... I have missed you Kagome-sama." Violet eyes glimmered with mirth, and with an indignant shriek that caught everyone's attention Kagome whirled around and punched Miroku in the face, only for another hand behind him to come chopping down on his head.
"Keep it to yourself for once, you lecher! We haven't seen Kagome in how long and your first response is to feel her up?!" A slender girl wearing a white and green public school uniform glared down at the sprawled boy on the floor, wearing the black equivalent school uniform.
Everyone stared dumbfounded until some of the guests sidled up to him. "um... Are you alright?" One of the girls asked leaning over him. Miroku sprang to his feet and grasped the girls hands in his tightly.
"Why of course my dear! I am greatly honored by your concern, would you do me the tremendous honour of-" Kagome sprang forwards, grabbing his hands away from the girl in one hand, and with a fluidity the host club had never seen her use, she spun and using her momentum, stopped and threw Miroku away from the girls. He staggered and stopped, standing straighter to look at her, mirth dancing in his eyes.
"Now, now, Kagome-sama. You've never been the one to intervene like that before. What has you so alarmed?" He crossed his arms. Kagome rolled her eyes. Annoyed, but smiling at her long-lost friends presence.
"It's because as cheesy as this host club is, I definitely don't need you giving HIM, " she jabbed a finger in Tamaki's direction and said boy flinched as his arm came up in a protective stance, "any more ideas than he already has." Miroku slanted violet eyes into the other boys blue-violet gaze.
"Ahhh... so that's what happened. Replaced me with another ladies man, have you?"
"Hardly." Kagome crossed her arms, though her eyes drifted to Mori. She gave a start to find him already staring at her. She blushed and averted her gaze. Mori let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding. At least that reaction was a familiar one. Now he just needed to figure out why she had suddenly reverted in her reactions to him.
"Miroku... you're an idiot..." The other female sighed tiredly. Kagome smiled and the two girls hugged.
"What is going on here?" The twins spoke in unison, lifting their hands in a shrug and looking at each other in confusion.
"These two are friends of Kagome's from her previous school. Isn't that right?" Kyouya spoke, Kagome looked up at him in surprise.
"Yeah. This is Miroku Watanabe and Sango Tanaka." Kagome introduced them. The two in question bowed to the host club.
"Thank you for caring for Kagome in our absence." Sango supplied.
"It was our pleasure!" Tamaki perked up. "Any friends of Kagome's are most welcome here!" Tamaki said with a flourish and presenting a rose to Sango. Sango's eyes widened and just as Tamaki expected the blush to form on her cheeks, she narrowed said eyes at him and then karate chopped on top of his head.
"Stay back pervert!" Tamaki looked at her with shock and hurt as he held a hand to his head.
"I-I'm not a pervert!" He stuttered. Kagome sighed and held a hand out to him to help him up. Ignoring the cackles from the twins and the supposed monk in training behind her.
"She didn't mean anything by it. She is simply climatized to the lecher of a monk back there. But I wouldn't advise trying to win her over." Kagome shook her head in amusement. Tamaki blinked owlishly at the so called monk.
"A lecher monk..?" Sango and Kagome groaned in unison at the blonde's question, eliciting a raised eyebrow form Kyouya and a curious glance from the rest of the club.
"I am merely a humble gift from Buddha to women. And I thank Buddha by training to be one of his disciples, as well as to try and share myself with every woman I meet. I know it is Buddha's will for me to have my progeny extended to as many women as possible." He said, a twinkle of mirth in his eyes. Hani's eyes widened dramatically, but for once the seemingly innocent blonde boy said nothing. Mori's eyes narrowed as he fought the urge to stand between him and his Kagome. The twins, while snickering, both took up a protective stance on either side of Haruhi, who was watching the so called monk with a peculiar look in her eyes, glad that she was dressed as a boy and wouldn't likely fall victim to the man's groping. Kyouya's face was unreadable, at least until he spared a glance to their silent 'King'. Especially given Kagome's wary look that was being sent his way. - Tamaki's eyes were wide with awe. And finally he jumped up and struck a dramatic pose, one hand out and another poised on his chest. "I completely agree. It is a man's responsibility to make all women happy!" Kyouya sighed in exasperation, there would be no living with him now.
"It is nothing like that." Sango held her arms up in an 'x' and shook her head.
"Tamaki... do you KNOW what the word progeny means?" Kagome rolled her eyes and sighed, a hand on her hip.
"Um... I think so...?" Tamaki shrank back.
"It means he wants every woman here to bear his children." Sango crossed her arms and shot a glare at Miroku who laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
Tamaki's face turned red so fast that steam came out of his ears, then he passed out.
Kagome rolled her eyes and turned to Sango. Ignoring the curious glances of her host club. MINE? She questioned incredulously, shaking her head to clear her thoughts she looked up at her friend.
"Sango... did you have to bring him with you?" She tried to be serious, she really did. But when Miroku came up to her and placed a hand on her head in a brotherly manner, she couldn't help the smile that blossomed onto her face. He had always felt like an older brother to her. Despite his unfortunate habits.
"Well when Sango told me that you were joining a host club... I HAD to see it with my own eyes." Kagome rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of annoyance.
"Thanks for that. I hadn't actually told them yet..." She couldn't hold back the smile in response to his cheeky grin, then squaring her shoulders she turned to them.
"I am not allowed to attend the club anymore because of the tournament. But I am allowed to join you, that is if you guys still want me to do the food prep." She hoped they did.
"Yay! Does that mean we get to see you more Kago-chan!?" Hani threw his bunny up and then in a cute twirl, caught it and hugged it.
"Yes, Mitsukuni. It does. Although having said that I can't stay. I have..."Kagome smirked and slid her eyes to Sango, who quirked a brow in response and crossed her arms," an appointment to get to right now." She finished with a grin.
"Oh, so I'm an appointment now? Should I start calling you, 'your highness'?" Sango snorted.
"No. Kagome-sama should be just fine. Just follow Miroku's example." She teased her friend.
"Ha! Sango I told you that she loved me more!" Miroku boasted. Haruhi felt Mori stiffen as he stood next to her, and she glanced up at the tallest member of their club.
"Yeah, like an annoying older brother maybe." Kagome deadpanned. Miroku placed a hand over his heart. Mori relaxed slightly but only slightly. That was the moment Haruhi understood, and turning wide eyes on Hani who was watching her, Hani gave a small secretive smile and a quiet nod of his head.
"Lady Kagome, you wound me." He pouted.
"Something tells me you'll get over it." Kagome replied dryly. She turned to the club members. "Sorry, but I have get going now."
"Okay! Have fun! See you tomorrow Kago-chan!" Hani waved as flowers floated around him. She smiled and waved back. She lowered her head and finally, for the first time since she had entered the room, she turned to Mori worry and surprise flashed through her eyes as she turned her sapphire orbs on his steel grey eyes, and saw that they were in pain. Her face fell and guilt flooded her, and as Sango grabbed her hand to lead her out of the room, she threw an apologetic look to Mori over her shoulder.
The door closing, cutting them off from each other, a loud creak and bang echoing with a nerve wracking finality. Hani climbed up onto Mori's shoulder and hugged him to comfort him. As everyone dispersed back to their clients, Haruhi stared up at Mori.
"Um... Mori-senpai?" Her eyes widened as she saw the look in Mori's eyes as he turned his gaze on her. "I'm sure everything will be okay, Mori-senpai. Try not to worry. There's always tomorrow to look forward to. Maybe you can talk to her tomorrow." Haruhi shrugged one shoulder, offering a small smile.
"Haru-chan is right Takashi! Kago-chan seems to be pretty busy lately. I'm sure tomorrow there will be time to talk to her." Hani hugged Mori. And Mori looked down, something about all this still unsettled him. Her guilt and apologetic gaze flickered through his mind, and he closed his eyes. After a moment of silence, he looked up and offered as small smile.
"Yeah." He then walked off towards their guests, leaving Haruhi to watch after them. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text. The reply was almost immediate and with a determined nod, she put her phone in her pocket, then moved forwards with a determined purpose.
Kagome had never felt more than she did now, that she needed her foster mother's guidance now more than ever. She was the only mother figure in her life now. And she desperately needed to see her. She knew she was going to have to explain things to Mori somehow, and didn't want to break any of Sesshoumaru's rules, but she also didn't want to explain things with an audience. She needed some motherly advice. So after seeing Jaken and informing him that she was going to drop off the figurine to Kaede, Jaken had called Inuyasha, who had been staying at their house.
"Why Inuyasha?" She asked the Chief of Staff curiously.
"Milord wishes for your utmost safety, so when in public on your own, it is his express wish that Lord Inuyasha accompanies you." Jaken lectured, holding up one finger, giving her a hard look that said he would not cover for her if she acted with the mischief he knew she was capable of. They had a stare down, then finally she let out an annoyed sigh as Inuyasha walked around the corner towards them.
"Fine." She relented with a sigh, turning around and putting her black flats on. Together they left.
A short drive later, the limousine parked on the curb and both Kagome and her adopted uncle got out, to look at the tori gate that stood over top of the large stone staircase leading to the shrine.
"That's a lot of stairs." Inuyasha grumbled. He was holding a wooden bokken sword over his shoulder. And he looked more like a delinquent thug than what she thought a bodyguard should have looked like.
"Did you have to bring the bokken with you? Who do you think you're going to get into a fight with at a shrine? Honestly..." Kagome grumbled, shooting a dark look at him.
"What's with you? Got a problem with how I protect ya?" He cracked an eye to look at her. She glared at him as they climbed the stairs.
"In case you've forgotten, I soundly kicked your ass the other day. If anyone needs protecting it would be you. Besides Kaede is in her 60's, who do you expect to attack you?" She crossed her arms and closed her eyes as they reached the top of the shrine courtyard and began walking towards the house.
"What?! You sneak attacked me! That does NOT count! Leave it to a woman to be dishonorable during a fight." Kagome bristled at his words. She could understand now, the annoyance that her father had held for this man for most of their lives. He was downright rude. And apparently looking for a fight if his cocky smirk was any indication. She wasn't going to satisfy his want for a direct fight. If he wanted a sneak attack, she would give him one.
"Hmph." She turned her nose at him and stepped away from him and towards the house on the shrine grounds. Inuyasha frowned, feeling slighted by the act and followed after her.
Without bothering to knock, after all she had lived there for a little bit over a year, she opened the door and stepped inside. She remembered the chaos of when Kaede had once fostered 5 young children at once, Rin and Shippo amongst them. That many small children cooped up together had been nothing short of chaos. And it was also why after all the kids had been adopted, that Kaede had retired from being a foster parent. So chaos in her foster home, she was used to. But chaos in her foster home was also not what she expected when she opened the door. The chaos that greeted her shocked her, for two reasons, the first being that it shouldn't have been there, the second that it was wholly different from what she was used to.
She watched as Tamaki and the twins zipped around, Hani bouncing happily behind them, Mori walking at a more calm pace, his long legs easily keeping up behind them. Haruhi chasing after them trying to yell at them to behave while on the shrine grounds. The only calm person was Kyouya sitting on the couch with Kaede sipping tea. Kaede eying the energetic and loud group rampaging around the house warily.
"I want to see what Kagome's old room looked like!" The twins intoned with excitement, their "king" leading the way with an excited affirmative, though they were headed in the wrong direction. Kagome's eye twitched.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?!" She yelled at them all. The group skidded to a halt just below the stairs and then everyone slowly turned to look at the glowering figure, trembling from unbridled irritation. Inuyasha standing curiously behind her in the doorway to peek over her head to see what was going on.
Tamaki gulped, "Well... you see... we uh, wanted to see what your foster home was like..." He murmured.
"This is a shrine. Have you no decency?! You can't just go running around! Also I haven't even started as an official member of your club and you've already invaded my privacy. Have some respect!" She glared at him, as Kaede stood and made her way to Kagome, standing in front of the taller female, but an imposing figure with her hands on her hips.
"I understand that ye have seen Naraku again." Kagome visibly sagged and lowered her gaze to the floor, immediately defeated, and the atmosphere went heavy as no one spoke.
"Kago-chan..." Hani's whimpering voice caught everyone's attention. "What does she mean that you saw him again? " His large brown eyes were bright with worry. But what shocked everyone else was that Kagome's face had that haunted look and deep sorrow from the castle ruins. Everyone immediately tensed. Without a word she handed the wooden box to Kaede, then turned around and they all watch as she walks towards the Goshinboku tree, and sits down at the base of it, her back to them and the tree blocking her mostly from view. Inuyasha came to a stop, standing a little behind her and to the side, arms crossed, the bokken resting against his shoulder.
Mori's gaze sharpened as he watched the door slowly close behind her. He saw a young women marred by a horrific past, one trying desperately to be strong, and feeling like she needed to do so on her own. The door closed and he stared at the closed door, Kagome gone from his gaze.
"Kaede-san, what did you mean by she has met Naraku before?" Kyouya asked, pushing up his glasses. When his question was met with silence, Mori turned around to find Kaede's penetrating gaze turned on him. He languidly blinked, his only sign of surprise. After a few minutes of a silent stare down, Kaede finally smiled and turned to the now calm host club. She shuffled over to her armchair and sat down to address them all.
"Let me tell ye what I know of Kagome's history with Naraku Imagawa. Though I do not know all the details, and can only tell ye very little. That man is evil, a creature of greed and power. I have never cast such a title on any person before. My past as a miko would never allow me to believe such a thing of another. However, Kagome came into my care already knowing who Naraku was, he has been seeking her out since before she has been in my care. And all of her pain is sourced to his actions, either directly or indirectly." Kaede sighed tiredly. Everyone looked at her in confusion.
"Are... you saying that Naraku is connected to her families death in some way?" Haruhi asked. Everyone, apart from Kaede, looked at the observant female with shock.
Kaede nodded. "Yes, though I do not know how. And if Kagome knows, she has never told a soul. What I do know is that after she was placed in my care, Naraku approached her. I know not what he said to her, but she came home greatly shaken." She sighed. "I knew that Taisho-sama was looking for an heir, and I reached out to my friend Totosai, who then convinced him to come to my foster home and he then adopted her along with two others. It is our desire to protect her. He took her away and hid her until she started school this year. We had both hoped that he would not find her so quickly. And ye said he found her in Shiga, of all places... it means that he has been aware of her movements this whole time."
Mori's gaze sharpened, and Haruhi saw even Kyouya glower at the old womans words. "Is it possible she is being targeted for a specific purpose?" She asked with concern.
"I know not, child. What I can tell ye is to beware Naraku Imagawa. He has a twisted mind and craves power and control. But he is singling her out." Kaede explained.
Mori moved to the living room window, standing resolute, watching Kagome as she drew her knees up and buried her head in her arms as she curled in on herself. Inuyasha turned and said something to her, for Kagome shook her head in response but didn't look up. Inuyasha sighed, and plopped down to sit on the ground adjacent to her, his eyes trained on the stairs that led to the street. Haruhi and Kaede both watched him move, crossing his arms as he kept his eyes trained on Kagome.
Kagome heard footsteps approach and stop in front of her. She didn't overly care who was looking down at her.
"Surely, ye are not going to make me sit in the dirt with ye?" Kaede asked with amusement. Kagome looked up at her. Her eyes were red and brimming with tears, but she had as of yet refused to let them fall. Kagome's blue eyes dropped to the wooden box in Kaede's hands.
"You didn't open it yet?" She asked weakly, nodding at the box. Kaede's eyes narrowed.
"I was busy answering your friends questions. Ye did not tell him?" Kagome frowned at her words.
"Him? Sesshoumaru knows..." Kaede shook her head.
"The tall silent one." She pointed across the courtyard, that the host club was now exploring, though much more respectfully. Though their excited whispers were slowly building in volume. Kagome followed Kaede's finger to Mori, his steady gaze trained on her. She felt her heart skip a beat and looked back up at her foster mother.
"How did you know...?" She asked, blue eyes wide.
"Ye have always carried yourself with too much heart, child. And it is not difficult to discern with the way he is keeping watch over ye. He cares about ye. I am happy for ye, to have found a good young man to fill your heart." Kaede smiled reassuringly. Kagome shot a glance at her adopted uncle, who raised an eyebrow at her, and Kagome sighed and looked away.
"It doesn't matter now." She said sadly.
"What?!" Kagome and Kaede both looked over at Inuyasha who had barked out the words in surprise. "Please tell me you aren't going to be scared and give up from some positive attention. You aren't the type to be self-sacrificing are you? I might puke if you are." He eyed her with suspicion, sizing her up.
Kagome glared at him. "Of course I'm not." She snapped, though it wasn't really clear which question she was answering. "It doesn't matter because I am only allowed to marry whoever wins the tournament... and Sesshoumaru told me to stay away from him until the tournament results are over. " Judging from the incredulous look Inuyasha gave her, this was the first he had heard of it.
"Ah. So that was why ye came to see me. " Kagome looked up at her with pleading eyes. "Kagome... have ye asked him to enter the competition?"
"What?" She blinked, bewildered.
"He has the bearing of a warrior. I may not know who he is, but he is trained is he not?" Kagome slowly nodded, and Kaede gave her a look of annoyed fondness.
"Kagome. If ye like him, ask him to enter the tournament. Ye are bright and warm, full of heart, but ye are often blind when it comes to the solution of your own happiness. Ye overthink things when ye are stressed child." She sighed in amused irritation. Kagome was floored. It had not even dawned on her to ask Mori to join the competition. She turned wide and awed eyes his way and he blinked and stood straighter.
"Kaede... you always make everything better." She told her foster mother sweetly. Inuyasha snorted when a tear pricked at the corner of Kaede's eyes. With a shake of her head now that Kagome's dilemma was solved, she slid the lid off the wooden box and her eyes narrowed as she scowled.
"It's from Totosai..." Kagome grinned.
"Of course it is. The old coot." Kaede grumbled, sliding the box back down on the porcelain miko doll. "
"Keh. Women." Inuyasha grunter, scowling and looking away. Kagome watched him and then realizing he was confused and upset at being left out of the inside joke she couldn't help but giggle at him.
"Did you just giggle at me wench!?" He yelled whirling on her.
There was a loud yelp and when everyone turned to look there was a scowling and furiously swearing Inuyasha on the ground, Kagome sitting on his back, having pinned him down again a smug look on her face. Sneak attack, completed.
"SIT Boy" she grinned with the mischief that Jaken knew her capable of, and ignored the colorful language that he spewed out furiously.
Authors Note:
Hope you liked it! I didn't proof read it as well as I normally do, since I decided rather suddenly to cut it in half and get the chapter out to you (especially since I never have time on the weekends to work on my stories.) So if there was some confusing auto corrects or grammatical errors I apologize.
Drop me a review! We are getting close to the tournament, then there will be some fun action scenes! I also have a cute and fun surprise fighter for the tournament! Can anyone take a guess as to who it will be? ;)