Chapter Nine: The Brightest Flame

Disclaimer: No, I haven't gained the rights since I posted my last chapter. Maybe next time, but for now, I don't own Inu-Yasha.

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Kagome looked upwards in complete awe of the great building before her. It was so incredibly large; she didn't understand how anyone could ever actually get used to living in a place like that. She supposed that if someone had lived there all their life then it would seem normal, but it was still strange to think about.

Kagome took a small step backwards in surprise as the huge doors of the castle creaked open.

Sesshomaru cast a quizzical look in her direction. "Follow me," he ordered, walking confidently through the open doors.

For once Kagome didn't even think to argue. Tentatively, she took her first steps into Sesshomaru's home.

This hallway is so big, Kagome thought. It's just amazing!

Sesshomaru couldn't tell just what this human was so excited about. She's practically radiating surprise and joy, he thought, frowning. How odd. In his experience, these two emotions did not usually come hand in hand.

"Where are we going," Kagome whispered, intimidated by the vastness of the rooms.

"To find my training master," Sesshomaru replied.

"…But not to greet me," came a voice from down the corridor they had just passed.

Kagome whirled around, while Sesshomaru turned slowly, deliberately.

If Kagome had found the castle incredible, it was not nearly so striking as the resemblance between the figure before her, and the demon behind her. The man's hair was comprised of the same long silver strands that Sesshomaru's was, but his was tied back in a high horsetail. He also had stripes across his cheeks that were similar to Sesshomaru's.

Remembering her manners, Kagome quickly bent at the waist to move her body into the position of a respectful bow. "Lord Inu-Taisho," she exclaimed, somewhat nervously. It wasn't that she was afraid of the demon lord, in truth she felt safer around him than Sesshomaru, but she so wanted for him to think well of her that is made her rather self-conscious. Although they had never met before, he was one demon that had earned her respect. She knew that he had bravely sacrificed himself to save Inu-Yasha and his mother, Isayoi.

But here he was in front of her, very much alive.

Sesshomaru glanced over at the girl, a smug expression on his face as he lowered his head in a half-bow. I didn't tell her Father's name, but she already knew it, he thought. And she said that she lived in a place without demons.

"So, you are the human that Sesshomaru will be protecting," Inu-Taisho stated, looking her over. "What is your name?"

"My name is Kagome," she answered, raising her head.

Inu-Taisho regarded her with interest. "What is it that you think of this test, Lady Kagome," he inquired.

"Well, I volunteered to be a part of it, my Lord," Kagome told him.

Inu-Taisho's thin white brows moved up in disbelief. "Did you now," he looked over at his son in curiosity, as if searching for a confirmation of this unusual statement.

"Did you believe that I would have taken a human with me by force," Sesshomaru asked, his tone of voice bored.

Kagome almost laughed. Hmm…I wonder why Lord Inu-Taisho would ever think that? Sesshomaru would never try to kidnap anybody. Except for Jiro, she added silently, rolling her eyes.

Inu-Taisho caught this expressive gesture, and for just an instant a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. She would be perfect.

"Sesshomaru, do not bother to find Takumi, I give you leave to begin your test. You shall protect this human for the duration of two weeks. If at the time your test ends you are both still alive, then you will have gained my confidence. Return to me when the time is up. Go now," he told them. "The test will begin at tomorrow's dawn. You will stay here for the remainder of the day, and through the night. Rest well, for in the morning you set out."

Bows were exchanged, and Inu-Taisho watched their forms recede as they left. He saw his son walking stiffly away, as though to his death, while the girl…the girl's stride was determined.

Humans, he thought, are amazing. There were so many demons that underestimated their value. He, however, had always believed in the words of his old training master. As his training master had once said:

"The lifespan of all creatures in this world can be compared to a simple candle. We demons are a dull flame — we burn slowly. We preserve ourselves, and for the majority of our lives we feel little or no emotion. Other creatures, such as humans, feel everything, and burn more brightly. They are the most vibrant creatures. However, they are used up quickly, and they live the shortest lives."

There had been several goals in Inu-Taisho's mind when he had decided what Sesshomaru's final test would be. First, he had wanted to make sure that his son would be able to protect both himself and someone else. He had not wanted his son to end up like he had. Inu-Taisho grimaced at the painful memory of Sesshomaru's mother's death. He shook himself mentally, and pulled himself together. At least his son wouldn't face the same tragedy.

This had not been the only reason for the bizarre test, however. In addition to being able to protect someone, he had wanted Sesshomaru to become one of the few demons that did not underestimate humans. Someday he will understand, Inu-Taisho sighed wearily.

It was probably best that he leave now so that he would be able to return in two weeks time no matter what crossed his path. Despite being a demon, Inu-Taisho had always been one to "burn more brightly." He did not try to constantly conceal his emotions, and he spent his life wandering in order to see the world, and protect his lands.

Turning, Inu-Taisho walked purposefully down the corridor and through the castle doors.

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"I will show you to your room," Sesshomaru told her as they rounded the corner.

"Wow, really? I get my own room," Kagome asked. Sesshomaru nodded curtly. "Wow," Kagome said again, a happy smile now on her face.

"This way," he told her, motioning down the hallway. "The door to your room is the third one down on the right-hand side."

"Okay, thank you Sesshomaru," she called as she ran down the hall to her room.

How easy it is to please this human, Sesshomaru thought, heading for his room. He could hear a delighted scream echoing through the castle, and he was willing to bet that it wasn't coming from his training master.

It was time to get some rest. His test would begin at dawn.

………………

She'd said it twice in the last minute, and she was about to say it again, "Wow," Kagome breathed as she entered the room. "It's so big!"

The ceilings were high, and the floors were made from smooth wooden boards that had been arranged in patterns. However, these things didn't interest Kagome nearly as much as the…

"Bed," she screeched happily, dropping her backpack and running over to bury her face in the fluffy pillows. "No sleeping outdoors even though I'm in the feudal era!" Kagome sighed in content.

As excited as she had been about having her own room, she still had more than half of the day left. She almost went to go find Sesshomaru to ask him if she could look around the castle, but she decided against it. She didn't want to push her luck before the test had begun, and he would probably want to prepare for it alone.

Although it was far from fun, she chose to catch up on some homework, and study the map that Lady Asherah had given her. If she knew which direction they needed to head in to find the swamp then she wouldn't even have to tell Sesshomaru about the quest. She wasn't sure how he would respond, and after all, his test was merely to protect a human, not necessarily to go out of his way to help in any other way. In the end, she was hoping that she wouldn't even need his protection; she might be able to kill the demon with her purifying arrows alone. Maybe.

She walked back over to her backpack, pulled it open dejectedly, and prepared for several hours of boredom. It was the best way she could think of to kill the day.

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Thank you for reading! I know it's short, but they'll be starting their adventure soon, and maybe then you'll get more…we'll just have to wait and see! This website hasn't been working for me for the last few days. (I don't think that it was my computer, I'm pretty sure the whole site was having issues…) Anyway, I couldn't access my account or give reviews, or any of that. So basically…that's my excuse for not updating!

Thank you to everyone that reviewed before the site went down, and to everyone that may have tried to review and couldn't after the site went down! Luckily, you can make up for it now…go review! ;) Thanks again for reading!

NekoYasha101- Thank you for reviewing. (In background Inu-Taisho: "Sesshomaru! I am your father! Mwa. Ha. Ha? Who wrote this script?") lol

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