Frost-Bite

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Inu Yasha or the Yu Yu Hakusho characters.

Meanings:

`Thought'

"Speech"

Beast/Avatar

When you see something like this "Oh come on" … (Its a word drawn out: Like soooooo)

Chapter 10

"Why Is It Always Me"

The morning routine lasted longer than normal going over every strategy, most scenarios that could happen, every trap, every weapon, signals of danger, stealth, and manipulation of her powers and using different talismans to aid her and then the sparing with her weapons and hand to hand. Kagome found herself ravenously eating her rabbit and sweet potato like a starved kitten for milk. The workout she had with Kariudo and Toran left her so hungry and tired at the same time Kagome knew she would need a nap and wasn't sure if Toran was going to let her sleep on the furs or on her back.

So lost was she in her head Kagome missed what Toran had told her. Both the panther and lion looked at each other realizing that she was talking to her beast the way her eyes kept changing color from blue-gray to a deep dark blue that would ensnare you if you looked to long. Oh Kagome was having a joyous time speaking with Yuki the things she was learning from her was remarkable.

You must always hide your aura and power from others keep it tightly sealed when in areas not known to you, yet always be prepared for danger even while resting or talking to me.

Kagome agreed on that one she knew to well the trouble she usually finds herself in without even trying or looking. It seemed she was a magnet for every possibility the world and the Kami threw at her. Speaking of throwing Kagome felt coldness on her face but couldn't think of any reason. There it was again that cold feeling. Her beast chuckled lightly knowing what was going on. To help her other half the beast told Kagome that the panther and lion were flicking small snowballs at her face to get her attention. Wide eyes turned to a playful glare. 'Watch this Yuki.'

Neither one saw it coming Kagome called her power to her forcing it outward and manipulating it to what she wanted it to do she fired from all directions sending a shower of snow caking the two unsuspecting felines who yowled in fright but they wouldn't explain that to the other. Hearing laughing Kagome got up running as the two chased her throwing snowballs at her as she dodged and ran, hiding behind trees to retaliate only for her to fall into a sinkhole of snow being buried.

"Where did she go? She was just here a second ago." Toran called to her cousin who was walking around the huge tree seeing Kagome's footsteps then nothing. Looking up she was not hidden in the trees so where did she go.

"That is strange, wait did you hear that?" Of course she heard the muffed help. Taking a step further Toran stepped in the spot that held Kagome's last footprints on bent knee she knew what happened hearing the muffled call once more.

"Kariudo quick Kagome's in a sinkhole we must retrieve her before she runs out of air." They wasted no time Toran called upon her powers to open the hole that swallowed the miko whole. Once Kariudo caught sight of Kagome's head he rushed and plucked her from the snow hole holding her to himself. Kagome coughed out the snow that was in her mouth and the first thing she said was.

"Why is it always me getting caught up in, under on or inside something." Wiping the snow from her body Kagome looked to the two concerned faces.

"Thank you guys for rescuing me once again. I swear I'm prone to just about anything happening to me." Kagome found herself in a bear hug squished between two bodies the air from her lungs squeezed out hearing a wheezing sound both felines looked at their precious hold before letting her go one hand to steady her.

"Don't scare me like that. Do you know what would happen if you disappeared or even died before your time? Of all the things to happen you get trapped by the force of nature." Kagome looked up at Toran her gray-blue eyes reflecting hurt and shame for scaring them.

"I didn't mean it, and I was alert to my surroundings but never thought to check for sink holes. A snow sinkhole, I've only heard tale of them but never known anyone to have fallen into one, until now, it... It just caught me by surprise?" Kagome kept on speaking about the hole when her face was pulled upwards to face Kariudo.

"That is another thing you should start to learn." Kagome looked up at him her eyes telling him that she was sorry and he wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her but she needed a new lesson to learn.

"Starting right now you will practice using your powers for anything and I mean anything that you find yourself surprised, scared or overwhelmed. You can't let what happened here today catch you off guard just because its nature doesn't mean its always calm." Kagome looked at Kariudo really looked at him then to Toran who kept rubbing her finger where the blood oath was made. It really hurt them to know she could have suffocated from the snow and now she felt even worse than before.

"In use of your own words, suck it up... What's done is done now you can only learn from it. I can't pet you and hold you because you are feeling hurt Kagome. This is a life lesson, just as others you've gone through and grown stronger. This is nothing different use just have to use your brain to figure things out before they happen and if they do happen what are you going to do next? Pout, cry, scream? No, your going to take charge and use your powers to do whatever you need to do to get out of that situation or others more severe." Nodding her head Kagome pulled away from Kariudo, she really felt stupid for falling into a snow sink hole and worse for making them worry. With a sigh Kagome spoke.

"I get the point, I will start using my powers not just protection but to look out for the obvious and as the seasons change come with it different dangers. I'm sorry okay, I learned my lesson but how do you tell that there is a sink hole in the snow?" Kagome's question caused Toran to smile.

"That is simple miko, you just pulse your ki or youki around you as you walk or run this way you do not tire yourself. Should you come upon something out of the ordinary you will know beforehand." Blink, blink, blink. Kagome blinked once more.

"When did we practice this? I don't quite remember this lesson being taught?" Giving a huff Kagome sat down and began to pulse her ki outwards she's only done this to check for youki signatures so now she was to bid it to tell her about the forest from ground up. She was not going to fail this time round.

"Keep a steady breath good now let your ki out slowly like a steady stream, yes now let it seek out and search for the wonders of the forest and see all that your ki senses open your mind miko let the known be known." Toran tutored Kagome giving helpful hints here and there hoping she would sense and understand what her power is telling her lays all around.

"Wow, I never knew my power or any power except the God's could do this kind of thing. This is truly amazing. Ah ha a rabbits den oh my." Kagome slowly used her senses to see all that was truly around her and the hidden dangers Toran warned her about and not just sink holes a pack of wolves feasting on a deer carcass there was so much to know and she would be exploring everything and be more alert to unknown and known dangers.

"Okay enough for now slowly bring your ki back to you. No don't let it snap, slowly miko you want to feel rejuvenated and ready for the day. That's it almost there. Good you have done very well miko. In time it will become instinct to do as you have done without even thinking about it.

Kagome rose the ground dusting her rear off she smiled at Toran before leaping at her which of course Toran tried to prevent but it was no use when the miko wanted to hug you it was best to let her and be done with it. Kariudo chuckled at the two females banter and strike out at each other only for the miko to win the upper hand giving Toran a lot of much needed hugs.

"Alright, alright you have taken your hug for the day miko let us continue packing up camp. Kariudo I have a satchel with water and meats for your journey back down the mountains." The mention of Kariudo leaving made Kagome a little sad but knew they had to let him leave he only tagged along to help train her like Toran wanted and now that Kagome learned the basics she would be able to move on with little help. But for now she would bid him a goodbye and a hug for helping and caring for her she owed him that much.

"Okay off with the sad face where's that beautiful smile, yes that one. This is not the end Kagome its only the beginning and we'll run into each other again someday." The last of his words were more of an somedayfh... Due to her running at him crushing him in her own girly bear hug.

Once camp was cleared Kagome now standing above and further away from the hole where they had made camp. As she watched Toran fascinated with how easy it was for her to use her youki creating a snow drift filling the hole as if it never been there. Now that was clever. Once the trace of them being here was wiped away they said their final goodbyes to Kariudo who smiled saying.

"Thanks, Kitty this trek was nice and meeting Kagome even nicer." He wagged his eyebrows up and down teasing the now red faced miko.

"It was nice meeting you too Kariudo, keep safe and thank you for helping me train. By the way don't be such a lecher it will only get you slapped." Kagome laughed as she patted his hand saying goodbye. Kagome walked over to Toran who nodded at her cousin smiling at him one last time he returned the smile before bounding away and up the mountain they came from last night. Then he was gone from her senses.

"Finally, we got rid of him so lets be off. The faster we get there the more of a chance we have to recover before the babe is born." Kagome didn't say anything nodding her head she climbed up Toran's back once seated and Toran's arms securely wrapped against her thighs she began a slow jog that turned into a full blown run then to jumping the cliffs up to the top of the mountain.

"Finally, we got rid of him so let's be off. The faster we get there the more of a chance we have to recover before the babe is born." Kagome didn't say anything nodding her head she climbed up Toran's back once seated and Toran's arms securely wrapped against her thighs she began a slow jog that turned into a full blown run then to jumping the cliffs up to the top of the mountain where the running became easier.

Maintaining her stride, Toran sent out her yoki in search of danger while the miko looked on curious of her surroundings, Toran supposed she would be as well if she were ningen having never traveled so far into untamed land before. This is where most Earth youkai lived away from prying eyes, old and ancient as the Earth itself they were Kami in their own right and she dared not venture into their domain knowing they disliked intruders which is why her yoki pulsed lightly in a non threatening manner.

Kagome wore a happy smile upon her face as they raced through the dense forest taking in the sights which were a blur most of the time but when she concentrated on her eyes to see better she could for a few seconds before going back to the shortsighted version.

Your eyesight will strengthen when you have trained and mastered your senses and powers.

'I know I just wish I could see better now all the time. I didn't know how good youkai had it? I mean eyesight, being able to see such far distances and in the dark as well not to mention underwater. I've always wanted better eyesight for aiming my arrows but never thought of having almost x-ray vision.' Kagome laughed with Yuki who told her of many things she will learn as she grows into her new power.

Now, I want you to concentrate on your hearing. Listen to all the sounds around you. Do you hear Toran's feet crunch in the snow, or her heart beat rapidly or the screech of the eagle to north? So many wonders to learn and understand one cannot learn all in a day?

Do not let yourself get overwhelmed! You will need to remain calm and steady always stay one step ahead of everything that may try to throw your senses or balance off. Remember, once you begin training your senses your taste buds will change as well. This, I wonder how well you will handle the new change that will happen.

'Did you just say taste buds? Now why would that change? Why wouldn't I handle it? And when will this happen? What are you not telling me?' Kagome questioned Yuki who know more than she was letting on.

Everything you've learned and trained to do will continue to grow physically as for your taste buds they will change. As you grow into power your body will demand certain meals of which I cannot say for we have not reached new limits. My guess would be meat no not just any meat youkai meat and bones. Mainly heart, liver, kidney, and in some cases lungs and brain that will rejuvenate the mind and body when under duress.

'Like that calmed my queasy stomach. At least I've got time before I eat any of that. Thank Kami for allowing me to wean into other meats!'

All in due time little warrior. For now just relax your mind allow your ki to ebb and flow. I want you to understand the feeling and how it reacts to the environment and yourself.

'If anyone would have told me this would happen to me a year ago I would have fought and argued day and night with them denying everything.' Kagome truthfully told her beast who only barked out laughter.

Kagome was jolted in place by a harsh landing that made her molars ache from the impact. Taking a look around Kagome knew they have arrived at the junction to where the ice maiden's home lay above the snow and ice.

"We have arrived now we must climb." Toran spoke breathlessly.

"But that's a sheer drop there are no nicks or ledges not even cliffs…!

"Calm down we are not climbing the outside we will take the passage." Toran spoke the words that had Kagome wiping sweat from her brows silently thanking Toran and any Kami that was listening to her silent prayers.

"A secret passage…. In a mountain side?" Spoke the wide eyed Kagome.

"Now you doubt miko?"

"Uh, no it just seems impossible."

"Yet you travel time!"

"Okay you have a point."

"Hn." Toran walked towards the face of the mountain nothing out of the ordinary.

Whispering an incantation Toran expelled her powers outward flooring Kagome literally as she covered herself as best she could while trying to peak at what Toran was doing. Toran's power swelled pummeling ice and snow all around her as her incantation hit its pentacle creating a portal into the mountain 'The secret passage' Toran spoke of. Toran's power died down leaving Kagome covered

in several feet of snow. Walking over to where the miko was covered in layers of snow she looked down at the awe on the miko's face.

"What?"

"That was amazing."

"It is my power. I find no amazing in it." Kagome willed her power to melt the snow so she could stand and meet Toran who began walking toward the passage.

"The passage will not stay open for long Kagome. Come." With that Kagome followed Toran in and up the stone stairway leading to the world of the Ice Maidens.

End Chapter.