Hey all. Thanks for the reviews. Also, I don't own Inuyasha but I kidnapped some of the characters for awhile. Don't worry, they will be returned, but the will be just a little disoriented.
Kagome awoke the next morning to find Shippou had buried himself into her dress. Kagome couldn't help but smile at him. She gently tapped him and said, "Shippou? Shippou, it is time to get up." He groaned and mumbled, "Five more minutes." Kagome unwrapped him from her dress and said, "Come on Shippou, we have to leave soon." Shippou slowly opened his eyes and looked up at Kagome. "I'm up, somewhat." Kagome ruffled his hair and then picked up her back. "I'll be right back. Don't leave the clearing. I am just going to be changing into my fighting kimono, ok." Shippou nodded and watched her enter the forest. A few minutes later, Kagome came back into the clearing. She wore her black fighting kimono, which had a silver trim. Her hair was up in a ponytail and her wings were closed on her back. "Ready?" Shippou nodded and then hopped onto her shoulder.
Kagome came to a large fortress and was stopped by two guards. "What is your business here?" Kagome looked at the guard who spoke and said, "I am here to join the great lord's army." The two guards snickered and one said, "This pretty little thing thinks she can get into the Great Lord Sesshoumaru's army. She's nothing but a pathetic…." He was cut off when Kagome hand wrapped around his neck and held him up against the gate. "Do not underestimate me just because I am a female. Know open the gate and let the General of the army decide whether or not I am suitable for the army." Kagome released the guard and the two quickly opened the gates. "Follow me. I'll take you to the general." "Thank you." Kagome then followed the guard into the fortress as the other guard rubbed his neck.
The guard led Kagome to a large dojo that was situated at the back of the fortress. When she entered the building, there were many soldiers sparring with each other. Some saw her enter the room and stopped sparring. Soon, all the soldiers had stopped and turned to look at how had come into the building. They all looked at her and she felt a little uncomfortable. Shippou was still perched on her shoulder and cautiously looked around the room. All the sudden everyone heard, "Why have you all stopped practicing?" The soldiers parted a path and a tall, blonde haired dragon youkai stepped out of the crowd. His eyes fell on Kagome and said, "I am General Roku. What is your business here, Miss?" Kagome bowed to the general and said, "My name is Higurashi Kagome and I wish to join your army." Many laughs and snickers came from the soldiers, but Roku held up his hand and the soldiers quieted. "Well, I have never admitted a woman into the army before; but I don't see the harm in have you go through the trials. Do you agree, Lieutenant Kenji?" A tiger youkai with a mixed hair color of red, yellow, and orange came up to Roku and said, "I don't see anything wrong with it. Let us see what she can do." Kagome had Shippou go wait by the guard and then was led to the middle of the dojo and awaited the first trial.
Her first opponent was a pathetic looking neko youkai with black hair pulled into a low ponytail. They both got into a defensive stance and the neko youkai attacked first. He was about to bring his katana down on her, but she blocked it in a blink of an eye. She then twirled around to behind him and before he realized she was behind him, she brought the hilt of her katana down on his neck. The neko youkai fell to the ground unconscious. Kagome didn't even break a sweat and all the soldiers stared at her in disbelieve. Whispered began to start like "I can't believe she took him down in one hit" or "Did you see how fast she moved behind him."
Kagome leaned on her katana and said, "Was that supposed to be difficult?" Roku and Kenji looked at each other and then Roku came up to her and said, "I guess I underestimated you. I apologize." Kagome waved it off and said, "I get it a lot." Roku smile and said, "Well Kagome, the way that soldiers rise up in position is that one will challenge the other for that position. You are going to start as infantry. Unfortunately, you can not challenge my position. You can challenge up to Lieutenant, which is Kenji position right now." Kenji crossed his arms and said, "And trust me, Missy, I am not an easy fighter to beat." Kagome nodded her head and then said, "What happens if someone took Kenji's position? What would he become?" "He would drop down to Commander." Kagome nodded and then turned to Kenji and said, "Kenji, I challenge you for your position." Roku turned his head to her and said, "Are you sure you want to do that, Kagome? Kenji is one of our best fighters, besides our lord and me." Kagome nodded her head and said, "I am the strongest fighter from where I come from; so I am confident I can take him down." Roku sighed and said, "Alright. Kenji do you accept her challenge?" Kenji nodded his head and the two walked out to the floor and all the soldiers encircled them in a large circle.
Kagome and Kenji took the defensive stance and Kenji said, "I hope you know what you are up against." Kagome smiled and said, "I have full confidence in myself." Kagome was the first one to attack and ran straight at him. He prepared to block her, but at the last second, Kagome changed her direction and came at him from the side. Kenji quick had to change his stance in order to block her attack. Kenji readjusted himself and then took a swing at Kagome, but she in return blocked it. The two continued fighting for quiet some time until Kagome had knocked Kenji to his knees and then placed the tip of her katana at the base of his neck. Kagome was out of breath, but managed to say, "Looks like… I win." Everyone was in awe. Kagome had manage to defeat one of the strongest fighters in Lord Sesshoumaru's army in less than half an hour. Kagome sheathed her katana and then helped Kenji to his feet. Roku came up to the two clapping and said, "Congratulations Kagome. It seems that you have won the challenge." Roku then placed his hand onto Kenji's shoulder and said, "I'm sorry, my friend; but it seems that Kagome won the fight fair and square, so now she is the lieutenant." "Well, I am glad that it was a fairly descent fight." He then looked at Kagome and said, "I must say, Kagome, that I am quiet shocked that you were able to take me down. I wish to also apologize for misjudging your abilities." Kagome nodded and said, "Apology accepted." Roku then spoke up and said, "Well, we must go to Lord Sesshoumaru to inform him that you are now his lieutenant." Kagome smiled because this is exactly what she wanted.
Roku and Kenji led Kagome down a long hallway and Kagome was fascinated by the style of architecture. Kagome earlier had asked that the guard take Shippou to the room she would be saying in and that she would see him later. The two youkai came to a pair of oak doors and Roku knocked twice. They all heard someone from the other side of the door say "Enter," so Roku opened the door and all three of them entered. Kagome saw that it was a study of some sort for there were a couple of bookcases, but not enough to be considered a library, and a large mahogany desk in the middle. Sitting at the desk was an inu youkai with long silver hair and was wearing a white kimono with a little bit of red on it. The three of them bowed to the youkai and then Roku spoke, "Lord Sesshoumaru, I wish to inform you that Lieutenant Kenji has been replaced by our new Lieutenant Kagome Higurashi." Sesshoumaru looked up from the paper he was going over and Kagome saw that he had brilliant golden eyes. Kagome bowed to his and said, "It is an honor to serve you, my Lord." Sesshoumaru didn't say anything to her, but looked at Roku and said, "Why was I not informed that she had joined my army earlier?" "Forgive me, my Lord, but she arrived this morning and fought her way into the army like all the other soldiers have. Once she had been admitted, she turned around and challenged Kenji for his position." Sesshoumaru turned his eyes to Kenji and said, "And you agreed to her challenge?" Kenji bowed his head and said, "Yes, my Lord. I had underestimated her abilities and she won in a fair fight." "And that will be your down fall. Never underestimated anyone, even if it is a female." Sesshoumaru then turned to Kagome and said, "Lieutenant, your duties are to report to either General Roku or me. General Roku will fill you in on everything else. You're dismissed." The three of them bowed and left the study. Sesshoumaru watched Kagome leave and thought to himself, 'No one has that kind of ability unless they are planning something. I will have to keep an eye on my new lieutenant.' Sesshoumaru then continued to read the paper he was before hand.