A/N: Hello, hello. So, I just wrote this out. It's almost five in the morning, I can't sleep, I got like two hours in. I had a brutal headache yesterday and had to drive an hour and a half yesterday both ways to pick up my family from an airport out of state.
I am tired and I apologize if this chapter isn't as good as the others. Also, I deleted half of it on accident and had to rewrite it. I feel it isn't as good as it was even though it wasn't even twenty minutes apart. My tired ass brain couldn't figure out how to recover it in my word app, so there's that.
Enjoy!
True to her word Kiyko invited Kagome along with Sango and was accompanied by Sesshomaru out of the grounds of the compound.
Although neither knew what to make of it or what the womans intentions were it was enjoyable to stretch their legs.
Following Kiyko to a clearing she had set up bales of hay, scarecrows, and other targets to practice with. With Seshomaru and Sango hanging back somewhat Kagome notched her arrow first taking aim.
"Your stance is too rigid Lady Kagome." Kiyko commented. "Relax your shoulders some and focus that tension on your bow string not your body."
Glancing at her Kagome took a steadying breath but did as she suggested, she hadn't even realized how taught she was.
Chalking it up to nerves she settled her muscles allowing them to relax and released her arrow.
Hitting the target she nearly hit the middle mark. "Very good." Kikyo commended.
"You are up my lady." Kagome said. Stepping back she watched as Kikyo took out an arrow with practiced ease and took her pose.
The bow seemingly became an extension of herself as she drew the arrow back and let it fly knocking Kagomes arrow out of the way and hitting the target.
"Incredible." Kagome gaped.
"I have been training for as long as I can remember." Kiyko looked to her. "This time put everything you have in to it."
"Everything I have?" Kagome questioned. "What do you mean?"
"Allow me to show you." Kiyko replied. Taking out another arrow Kagome saw as she infused it with spiritual power. Glowing a soft baby blue in color with wisps of energy snaking around the shaft it focused on the arrow head.
Letting it loose it hit the target erupting in a wave of light that made the ground around it shake. Staring at her for a moment Kagome gave a determined nod.
Kikyo's energy hung in the air. It was pure and powerful. She didn't detect any deceit or demonic energy from it that may indicate it was a trap. Glancing at Sesshomaru he tipped his head slightly in encouragement.
Gripping an arrow from her quiver she drew it back against her bow string. Closing her eyes she centered her spiritual awareness feeling her fingertips tingle as the energy seeped into the arrow.
Opening her lids she saw her pink light that was her aura embed itself in the arrow head. Releasing the arrow it hit the target disintegrating Kikyo's.
"Amazing." Kiyko commended. "Your power is strong, fledgling, but mine is as well. In time I know that we will master our abilities."
"Who are you?" Kagome asked putting her bow down at her side.
"I am who I said I am. I was the Lady Kikyo of the Miko compound. My sister Kaede and I lived there with our parents for our entire lives." Kiyko said.
"One day a monk came and began to ask questions of me. From that point I questioned myself, what I had been raised to believe, and eventually what I could do to help."
"That had already been over a year since we had come to learn of the fall of the Higurashi compound and it was then the monk informed me of what had occurred there. I agreed to help him in freeing the demons from their chains."
"Just like you Kagome I also broke the seal that held the demons hostage and set them free to live their lives to their choosing. Kaede and I traveled afterwards. It was when we were recently approached and briefed on what was happening at the Kimurya compound that we came to be in."
"You sent for us. You requested us to come here." Kagome said as the pieces clicked together in her head.
"Yes. Undoubtedly you have come to find that there are many seals here and I am not capable of breaking them all on my own." Kikyo further explained.
"Kaede has no knowledge of any of this and possesses no spiritual ability to date, I would prefer for now she didn't as it would be dreadful for my sister to become a liability if she were to be found knowing the truth."
"I understand, completely. Thank you Lady Kikyo for being upfront with us. Going forward I know we can all work together to free this compound as well." Kagome smirked determinedly.
"I had hoped you would say that." Turning to Sesshomaru she bowed respectfully before straightening out. "Tell me Lord Sesshomaru, have you had any luck in uniting your people?"
Walking towards his wife he stood beside her tall and full of authority.
"This one is hopeful. There is a demon whom I have spoken with…"
"Oh, let me guess which one?" Kagome said snottily.
'Not now mate.' He projected to her as he continued to speak. "I am hopeful she will find it with in herself to bring our kind together."
"Hopeful." Kikyo mused. "It seems these missions always start off as such."
"With out any hope then it never would have happened in the first place." Kagome said.
"Indeed." Kikyo agreed. "I am going to practice some more. If you would care to join me please feel free."
"Actually, Lord Sesshomaru and I here have some things to discuss." Kagome stated pursing her lips.
"Of course, by all means." Kikyo said bowing out. Briskly walking away to where they would have some privacy Kagome led him behind a large outcropping of rock away from the other two.
"So, the woman who is going to unite all the demons is the one you screwed, isn't she?" Kagome demanded. Smiling at her widely he pulled her to him. "Don't you touch me you bastard!
Cheat on me and then…"
In a flash she saw what had transpired between Sesshomaru and Kagura. She saw the other woman brokenness and could feel her raw emotion as her words changed in her own mind as she explained what her role was within the compound.
The idea that she was forcibly impregnated along with Sesshomarus knowledge of what that entailed left her in tears.
Pulling her closer to him he held her more gently as wept against him. "I'm sorry my love for doubting you. That poor woman. All of her babies…"
"Yes." Sesshomaru soothed nuzzling the top of her head with his cheek. As Kagome began to settle after a few minutes he kissed her forehead prompting her to look up at him.
"There is a human male here, he goes by the name of Kohaku. Inform Miroku to approach him. Become his friend at best, gain his trust at most. I believe he is in love with Kagura. That can be a powerful motivational tool."
Nodding in understanding Kagome placed her face back to his chest wiping her tears on his kimono.
"I have missed you." She said meekly. "Being separated from you makes me realize me how fortunate we have been for so long. I wake up in the night wondering where you are and find myself in a panic searching for the children before I remember."
"Yes." Seshomaru agreed. "We are here for them. Everything we are doing is so that one day they may be able to have a place in this world and not have to hide."
Nodding her head Sesshomaru brought her gaze back to his by placing his forehead to hers and tilting her head up. Her blue orbs were hazy and wavered with unshed tears.
"Stay on guard wife. Even though Kikyo has claimed to be on our side I am going to send correspondence to master Mushin to request confirmation. Until then do not disclose information to her."
"You too husband. I saw how Kagura looked at you." She replied smirking playfully. Taking her lips passionately in a kiss she wrapped her arms around his middle.
"Never doubt my love for you or my unwavering devotion." He whispered against her. "I would kill for you and die as well my lady."
"Same." Kagome said softly.
"We should head back as to not rouse suspicions." Sesshomaru recommended.
"Just let me hold you bit longer love." She said softly settling back into his embrace.
"You always have me, my little one." He replied holding onto her all the same.