A/N: Hello, hello. How is everyone? Glad to be back to writing this story again, there's so much drama going on in my other two I just needed this comfort zone.

Eventually yes, something will happen after what Sumiko did in the village. Just not right now...you know we've got a wedding to plan and Rin just had a baby so lets give them some time.

Enjoy!

"Again Sumiko." Sesshomaru commanded as she was once again knocked to the dirt by Kuro.

"It's not fair 'Shomeru. Kuro's bigger than me." She whined wiping her face as she stood.

"It is not about your opponents size that is a determining factor if you will you succeed in battle or not." He stated. "Being smaller means you are more agile, most of the time. You can use your smaller stature to move into your opponents blind spots around their own body."

Groaning she readied the wooden sword as Kuro did as well.

"Come on Miko." He grinned clearly enjoying torturing his elder sister. Running at him she dodged as he brought the sword down only to have her somersault out of the way and parry.

With two hands she grunted trying to match his strength from her kneeled position on the ground. Glancing at his feet she saw they were not planted firmly into the ground as they should be.

Moving quickly she shoved with all of her might while she swept her leg against his calves forcing him to lose his balance and topple over.

"Whoa!" He yelled out caught off guard as he fell to the ground. Standing up Sumiko jumped for joy a few times.

"I did it! I did it!" She enthused. "I got Kuro down."

"One time!" He shouted angrily back coming to stand. Knocking her down with his shoulder she stared at him incredulously.

"Not fair Kuro! I won!" She fired back.

"Sumiko. Your opponents will not play fair. In a real battle the one you are facing will seize any opportunity to strike you down, as you should as well." Sesshomaru said.

Angrily she tossed the wooden sword down. "I don't like you anymore 'Shomeru! You were nice, now you're mean!"

In a moment she was being held up by the front of her kimono high off the ground being seized by Sesshomaru with one clawed hand.

"Am I?" He replied staring into her eyes as she struggled to get away from him.

"Yes!" She whined with tears beginning to fall.

"Sumiko. You will learn to protect yourself and this one will ensure it. If that makes me the villain in your mind, then so be it." Putting her back down on the ground she sobbed and ran home.

"'Shomeru?" Kuro questioned as they both watched Sumiko run away.

"We are through for today Kuro." He said walking off as well. Taking a deep breath he picked up his sisters sword and walked back home as well.

"Hey, what happened?" Kagome asked Sumiko as she laid on her futon crying.

"Miko thinks 'Shomeru's being mean." Kuro stated walking to place the training swords down.

"And Kuro too!" She yelled her entire body tensing. "They don't like me no more!"

"Oh, the drama." Kagome whispered.

"Hm, yes…wonder where she gets it from." Jinenji smirked eyeing his wife.

"I honestly have, like no clue." Kagome replied smirking back at him knowingly. Sighing Jinenji stood and picked Sumiko up carefully by placing his hand underneath her and carrying her outside.

He walked towards the stream that was fuller then it had been the year prior but not nearly as it had been in the past. Sitting beside the waterfall he held her in his hand as she wept before stopping after some time.

Sniffling she sat up rubbing her eyes.

"Sesshomaru is not being mean." He said. "In fact, it is the opposite. He is teaching you how to defend yourself because he cares for you."

Shaking her head she crawled into the crook of his arm burying her face in his kimono. "Sumiko, you know how we talked about how I got all of these scars?"

Nodding she sighed. "People hurt you."

"Yes, yes they did. Not your mother or I, Sesshomaru or Rin would want to see you hurt this badly on your body or worse." He said. "Sweet girl, Sesshomaru is teaching you to fight so that way if someone really tries to hurt you you will be strong enough and know what to do to stop them."

"Or for other people?" She asked her voice muffled against him.

"Yes, or for other people."

"I don't like a sword." She said.

"Your mother is an archer. I'm sure she would love to teach you. Then there is Sango who is an amazing warrior, she can train you as well." Jinenji offered. "Even Miroku is skilled in fighting."

"What about you Pa?"

"I was never taught but I have learned over the years that sometimes you have to, especially to protect the people you love."

"Okay." Sumiko sighed out moving her face away from him. "I need to say sorry to 'Shomeru."

"Did you say something cruel to him?" Nodding her head she bit her lip.

"Yeah." Climbing down she sucked in a breath and looked up at him. "Thanks Pa."

"You are welcome sweet girl." Taking her small hand that wrapped around his finger they made their way back to the farm.