Shayril: I'm back everyone. Gomen for taking so long to post the new chapter, but I haven't really had a chance to sit down and write like I thought I would.

Inuyasha: That's because you were stupid enough to get landed in summer school.

Shayril: SIT!!! (Inuyasha slams to the ground) Just because I'm not good at Algebra doesn't mean I'm stupid.

Kagome: Yeah!

Shayril: Besides, that's not the only reason I haven't had a chance to write. I've had work, my computer broke down for a little while, and we've been renovating my house so I've been busy helping out.

Aliri: Plus, Kalika disappeared again. Only this time, we don't know where she is. Navi and her family are out looking for her right now. Which leaves me with all of the work.

Shayril: Yes, and you're very good at it. (Eyes widen) Did she take the triplets with her?

Aliri: (Nods) She doesn't want you watching them.

Kagome: Why not? Shayril's good with children.

Aliri: Because she doesn't want them to grow up as moody as Shayril is.

Inuyasha: (snorts) So she'd rather have them grow up to be complete bs like her.

Kagome: (hits Inuyasha in the back of the head) That's not nice!

Inuyasha: Well, it's true.

Kagome: So! Doesn't mean you have to say it.

Shayril: (watches as they begin arguing) I think that's my cue to let you go on and read. Enjoy!

Tarnished Armor

The Return of a Battered Spirit

Kagome sat on the walls surrounding Inu-Taisho's keep as she had when awaiting her betrothed's return from their borderlands. The sun was shining just as brightly as it had been on the day her world was turned upside down by Naraku. Her lip curled in a snarl at the thought of him. He would pay for what he did to her. He would not escape her and he would not be able to hurt her so easily now that she was a full youkai.

Her anger deflated as common sense took over. In her present state, he would indeed be able to do it again. While it was true she was a full youkai now she did not know how to properly use her powers to their full extent. A situation that she needed to remedy as soon as possible. Rising to her feet with a determined look on her face, she set off to find her betrothed. Though she still shied away from physical contact with him she knew that he was the best one to teach her how to use her new powers. There were three reasons for this. The first, was the fact that he was one of the most skilled fighters in all of Japan. The second, was the fact that it was his blood that gave her these powers, so they most closely resembled his. And the third, was the fact that working in close quarters with him she would be able to learn to become comfortable in his presence again.

Sesshoumaru was with his father discussing the new inventory for the army. They looked up in surprise when his betrothed stepped into the study.

"Is there something you need, Lady Kagome?" Inu-Taisho asked kindly.

"If I may, I would like to speak with my intended when he has a free moment," she said calmly.

"Certainly," he looked at his son. "We can continue this later, Sesshoumaru."

Kagome shook her head. "That is not necessary, Inu-Taisho-sama. It can wait until you are finished. I merely wished to inform him that I wished to speak with him."

"We shall be finished here within the hour," Sesshoumaru finally spoke up. "I will meet in the library if you would like."

"I would prefer the gardens, if you don't mind."

He nodded. "Very well. I will meet you there within the hour."

With a slight bow, she left them. Once the door clicked closed behind her father and son exchanged questioning looks. After a moment Inu-Taisho shrugged and they returned to what they were doing.

In the gardens almost an hour later Kagome sat with her back leaning against the trunk of a red maple tree. Her eyes were closed as she tilted her face towards the sun that filtered through the leaves. And that was how Sesshoumaru found her when he entered the gardens for their meeting. He frowned inwardly at her lack of caution. You'd think that after what happened she would keep a better guard. He debated whether or not to teach her a lesson, but decided it would be wiser not to attack her, even if it wasn't real, considering the shaky ground their relationship stood on.

"Smart move," her voice cut through his thoughts. "I'm glad to see that my future mate isn't an idiot."

He looked down at her in slight surprise, which actually showed when he saw that her eyes were still closed. "When did you gain the ability to read thoughts?"

"I did not read your mind," Kagome replied.

"Then how do you know what I was thinking just a moment ago?"

"Because I would have thought the same thing." She finally opened her eyes. "We are not so different, you and I."

Choosing to ignore that comment, he addressed the reason for being here. "What is it you wished to speak to me about?"

"I want you to train me."

"You already know how to fight."

She shook her head. "Not well enough. I want to be the best and I want you to teach me."

"Wouldn't you prefer someone else?"

"No."

"After what happened I would think that the last thing you would want to do is spar with me."

"Actually, considering the images that play through my mind I want to kick your ass, despite the fact that I know it wasn't you," she told him.

"Again I ask, why not have someone else train you?"

"I told you. I want to be the best. To be the best I need to be trained by the best," Kagome said. "Besides, my new powers came from you, so who better to teach me how to use them."

Sesshoumaru silently stared at the woman before him for a moment. There was a certain hardness about her as she spoke of becoming a better fighter. In everything else she was still the same loveable girl, but in this she was unyielding. And despite himself, he approved. He was certain he could turn her into a deadly weapon that would strike fear into the hearts of her enemies. And then it dawned on him. That was exactly what she wanted. She had one enemy in particular in mind. He shook his head.

"You will not go up against him," he told her with a note of warning in his voice. "I will be the one to bring him down."

"NO!" she snarled. "He is mine!"

Sesshoumaru bristled. "You will do as you're told."

His betrothed glared at him. "I am not some meek little cow to follow your every whim, Sesshoumaru. If that is what you are looking for in a mate then you will be sorely disappointed."

"Kagome..."

She cut him off. "That bastard tortured and raped me. He was trying to break me. Now, I will be the one to break him before I send him into hell where he belongs. I am asking for your help in this, not your opposition."

Once again he stared at her silently. She had risen from her seat and stood defiantly with fire burning in her lapis eyes. At that moment he saw the spirit that had nearly been lost by what Naraku had done. It was battered and torn in some places, but it was there and it was healing. All it had needed for its return was for her to find a purpose. That purpose was to see Naraku dead. She was becoming herself once more. He would not stand in her way, for he found that he preferred this Kagome, the true Kagome, to the meek little, soft-spoken lamb she had become after the attack.

"Very well," he said. "I will train you."

Shayril: Okay. There's the chapter. Sorry it was so short. The next one will be longer, I promise.

Kagome: YAY! I get to learn how to fight better.

Inuyasha: Feh! You'll never be better than me, wench.

Kagome: Wanna bet. By the time Sesshy's done training me I'll be able to wipe the floor with you ten times over.

Sesshoumaru: Indeed. My students only become the best fighters. (Looks at Kagome) And must you call me that ridiculous nickname?

Kagome: You don't like it?

(Sesshoumaru gives her a blank look)

Kagome: Okay, okay. What about Sesshou?

Aliri: That's been used to death.

Kagome: Sessh-chan?

Sesshoumaru: Also used in excess.

Kagome: (grins) I know! How about Roo?

Inuyasha: (Bursts out laughing) ROO!!! I like it.

Sesshoumaru: (growls) Absolutely not. And before you even suggest it, you cannot call me Fluffy either.

Kagome: Awww. You're no fun. (thinks a moment) What about Maru?

Sesshoumaru: That has been used before, but it is acceptable.

Shayril: Well, now that the issue of Sesshoumaru's nickname has been settled.....

Inuyasha: (still roaring with laughter) ROO!!!!!!!

Shayril: (glares at Inuyasha) As I was saying, now that the issue of the nickname is out of the way, I think it's time for us to go. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. Gomen in advance if I don't. Ja!