Chapter 39
The next day...
"Wake up woman. You have training to attend to." Sesshoumaru handed her a sword and told her to get dressed.
She took the sword and leaned it against a wall. "I'm not going to train anymore." She turned away from him.
He took her by the arm and turned her back to him. "Why not?"
"What's the point Sesshoumaru? I can use it, but it did me no good. When Naraku came I didn't even have it with me."
"Katame, even if you had it with you it would have still done you no good. Naraku was my equal with the sword. He would have taken you anyway. And what's more he probably would have cut off your sword arm as well. Just to punish you for your insolence."
He looked at her closely. "Do not give out my love. You have a great deal of skill and strength for a human. There are demons out there that you could defeat on your own if you had to. I want you to keep up the training." He stepped away toward the door. "I will see you out side in a few minutes and if you are not there soon I may have to come and chase you out there myself." He reached over and patted her bottom for emphasis.
Katame nodded and Sesshoumaru left.
Outside in the garden Miroku was sitting on a bench. He still refused to take off the bandage that bound his eyes. Shippo had taken on the duties as guide to the monk. Helping him find his way around the palace grounds. Inuyasha was standing talking with him when a terrible clamber arose. "What is that? What's going on?"
Inuyasha reached over to his friend and whipped off the bandage. "Why don't you look for yourself?"
"Give me that back. You know what your brother will do to me if he catches me looking at her." Miroku was understandably nervous. After the beating he had received from his friend and the ever present threat of loosing his eyes to Sesshoumaru. He wasn't taking any chances.
"Don't be silly Miroku, you are too far away from her for him to bother with you. And besides, you should see how much she has improved. Don't worry so much, I wont let him hurt you."
"No? Inuyasha, I'm not risking it, not a chance." He put the bandage back in place.
"Hmmfff, chicken."
"Yeah well at least when I leave here, I won't be blind." Miroku was adamant. He was staying at the palace only until he was certain that the young wife of Sesshoumaru was all right. Then he and Sango would continue on their quest to find more of the fragments.
Katame had not noticed Miroku's bandages before this. Miroku had made a point of keeping himself out of her sight. She came over to him and asked. "What did you do to your eyes that you have them bandaged?" She reached up to touch the monk's face.
Miroku backed away. It's only temporary. I'll be fine my lady."
Shippo piped up and said. "Oh his eyes are fine he just doesn't want Sesshoumaru to tear them out because he is looking at you again."
"Shippo!" Inuyasha's voice carried a warning.
"Is this true? Miroku? Come here!" She commanded and grabbed the bandage away. "Look at me!" He wouldn't so she stomped on his foot. "Look at me!"
"Ahhh" his eyes popped open. Then he put his hands to his eyes. "No. You don't understand."
"Oh I understand alright. Sesshoumaru!" She grabbed the monk by the arm and dragged him over to Sesshoumaru. "Sesshoumaru! I have a bone to pick with you! Why is this man hiding his eyes? What did you threaten him with?"
"I should think that was self evident. He has been looking at you and I will have his eyes if he dares do it again."
"Sesshoumaru that is enough! You told me you trusted me. Do you trust me or not?"
"You I trust. Him on the other hand I do not trust. Not even half as far as I could throw him."
"Then trust me, will you. I would have told you if I'd thought for a second that he was any kind of a threat. You know that! So have a little faith in your wife, Sesshoumaru.
"As you wish." Sesshoumaru walked on unfazed by his wife's tirade.
And as for you, Miroku! If I ever see you with this on again." She shook the bandage at him. "I will personally rip your eyes out. Do you understand me?"
"Yes ma'am." He fell to the ground.
"Get up! My name is Katame and not Sesshoumaru. I don't need to see you grovel to know you've heard me."
"Can I not at least explain?"
"Don't waste your breath." Katame was unmovable. "It won't change anything." She walked away. "Men, all or nothing they just can't do things down the middle. Uhnnggh!"
"I'm not going to win am I?" Miroku looked up at his friend, Inuyasha.
"No. Not with that one. Perhaps with a lesser woman you might, but not her. Anyone who can withstand my brother for this long has to be strong. She is very strong indeed."
"I believe you. But shouldn't I at least try to apologize to her?"
"Yeah, but I'd let her cool off a bit first. With her in that mood, she might just bite you."
A week later and the humans and demons were ready to part company.
Inuyasha and Katame had decided that it was time for them to continue the search for the jewels. Sugumi was old enough to travel all the time now. In fact he had become quite used to living outdoors. They would go with Miroku and Sango. There were still many jewel shards left to find.
The two brothers went for a brief walk while the others said their goodbyes.
"I want to thank you Inuyasha, for helping me all this time. Is there not something I can do for you in return?"
"Sesshoumaru, the only thing I want from you, is a promise that you will be kind to that girl of yours. I've grown very fond of her and if I find you have mistreated her. I might have to come back and take it out of your hide." Inuyasha was smiling. He knew his brother wouldn't hurt her ever again. "If you need me send word I won't be far. I'll come by from time to time to visit. If you don't mind."
"You and Kagome are always welcome. Make sure you keep training Sugumi. He still has a great potential in him, Inuyasha. Oh, and try to get a little more control over that woman of yours. She has too much of a will on her."
Inuyasha's eyes sparked with mischief. "I do, every night Sesshoumaru, every night."
The women were saying their goodbyes back at the steps of the palace.
"I'm going to miss you. How long do you suppose you will be?" Katame was missing her already.
"I don't know Katame, but we will come by once in a while I'll make sure of that." Kagome hugged her friend.
"Sugumi, be a good boy for your mom. I'm going to miss you. But you can fly and you know were I live, so I expect to see you here often." She gave the boy a kiss on his forehead.
"I will aunt Katame. I'll even bring mom sometimes." Sugumi hugged his aunt.
She put Shippo into his hood. And warned the little demon. "Don't you bother Inuyasha or that pretty little tail of yours will be hanging from his belt as a decoration." She took a small comb from her hair and gave it to Shippo. "Use this to keep it nice and tidy." She ruffled the little guy's ears.
Miroku stepped forward and took Katame's hands in his. "Thank you lady Katame, for all your hospitality and the mercy you showed to a foolish monk." He bowed.
"Miroku, you need a wife. The very next village you go into, get one. And keep her close. That way when ever you get the urge to look at a woman, she can hit you." Katame smiled at him. "In less of course you're looking at her, then maybe she won't hit you so hard."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"We'd better get going." Sango wasn't much for small talk or lengthy goodbyes. She was still hurting inside. Even though Naraku was dead and her people avenged. She was still alone. She would continue with Inuyasha on the quest for the shards for a while. Maybe time would eventually heal her heart. She doubted it.
The group turned and left.
Katame leaned against her husband's chest and remarked. "It's going to be awfully quiet around here. What will I do?"
Sesshoumaru looked down at his wife. "Don't worry Katame, you'll think of something."
(This is as far as the story goes for now. I do have ideas to continue it, but I'm not sure. The story sounds pretty complete as it is. Although in future chapters I have Katame slaying a demon and Miroku getting a wife. What do you think? Let me know. LadySesshoumaru41)