Review Replies:

Fluffy! Fluffy! This was not a toothe-ache worth chapter, personally I like Fluffy chapters especially when it has to do with Sesshoumaru. Great chapter, love the card game and sickness part, kinda endearing. Update Soon with another great chapter like this. –Phalon22

Ah, I am glad that someone agrees with me. No huge cavities here. I thought so too!

Catherine-the-elf

Yes, I discovered this a few days ago, mentally kicking myself all the while. He still has his arm though. I'm not changing it. :P

GottaLufftheFluff- I finally found it, I'm so proud of myself! Amazing as usual Lelyn! Only one problem... You GOTTA write more! I've already read these at school, I was hoping for something new. Oh well. Write more soon. And don't forget to CALL ME!
(DO NOT SAY ANYTHING ABOUT MY SPELLING!)
HUGS - Guess?

Hello Moo. You poor, pathetic little friend of mine who can't spell…Whoops! Did I say that out loud? (avoids a large blow to the head) I have taken the liberty to correct your spelling above. You should be proud of yourself, Moo. Hugs. (And I did call you but my mother is making me talk in French on the phone to practice for Quebec in may…-rolls eyes-) You'd better be grateful…I wrote this whole chapter in between your phone calls, and all of it today.

cool, i love it, it's funny and, i don't know how to describe it, i have a big vocabulary but none of the words i know suit this fic, it's just too good, i hope you update soon. –blu-babe

It's reviews like this that make me all warm and fuzzy inside…and encourage me to write more!

-giggles like a school girl- aw how sweet true love... IT SO TOTALY ROX MY SOX! WHO! lol XP well laterZ i'll be waiting for your update! –Red Skyies

Good to see you back! Thank you for reviewing!

Thank you as well to all the rest of you who reviewed!

Disclaimer: Me no own Inu. (cries and slams bedroom door) Me no own Sesshy neither!

LB: I worked very hard to give you this chapter, even if it is a bit short. I think that going on the internet so much is bad for me, cause I wanted to finish this chapter extra good…ah, well. Hopefully the next one will be better. Enjoy!

Chapter Five. Awaiseikou

"Lord Inuyasha! Up and about, I see?"

"I told you I'd heal on my own. Now I'm getting the hell out of here." The girl's face fell. "Oh…I see. I thought that maybe…Don't you at least want to know my name?"

"After you felt my ears this morning, I don't think so. I wasn't asleep, you know." Her face flushed red. "Well…well, just to spite you, I'll tell you anyway!" He covered his ears so as not to hear her, humming as Shippou often did when being insolent. She decided that she could play that way too. She was silent for a minute. As soon as he uncovered his ears, she shrieked, "MY NAME IS KISEKI!" He growled, clasping his ears. "Dammit, wench! That hurt!" She tweaked his ears. "Sorry." He grumbled. "No, you're not. You did it on purpose! And stop touching my ears!"

"But they're so…fluffy."

"Don't I know it. Kami, you're worse than Kagome…"

"Who is Kagome?" He sighed. "She was a miko I met once."

"Was? Once?"

"She's dead." Kiseki fidgeted uncomfortably. "Oh. Is that why you were…?" He nodded miserably. "I'll find that bitch, Kikyou…I'm not letting this slide…" Kiseki pretended to ignore him and shoved a bowl of rice at him. "Eat." He sniffed it curiously. "Not as good as ramen, but it will do." She cocked an eyebrow. "What is ramen?"

"It's from the…Kagome invented it." Not entirely true…but close enough. Kiseki shrugged. "I've never heard of it. What is it?"

"It's noodles with flavoring."

"Flavoring? Like spices?"

"And beef."

"I see… Well, eat the rice. It isn't ramen, but it is food."

"Feh. Could've fooled me." She whacked him over the head. "Thanks a lot, oh, mighty lordly-ness!"

:-:-

Kagura frowned. "Kanna. Where is Naraku?" The white-haired girl pivoted slowly. "He is gone. He shall return by morning." Kagura smiled softly. Perhaps this was her chance to find the miko. "I shall return before he does," she muttered as she left Naraku's castle.

:-:-

Sango bit her lip, willing back the tears. "Miroku." He nodded. "We need the help of a demon or a miko, Miroku. We can't do this without at least a miko." She paused, and drew her katana. (A/N: She does have one, right?) Kagura landed next to them. "Sheathe the katana, taiji-ya. I bear good news." Sango lowered the sword to her side, not sheathing it. Kagura sighed. "That will do, I suppose. And, you, houshi, take your hand from the beads." He did so hesitantly. She spoke quietly. "I have only a moment with you. The miko is alive."

"You mean Kikyou." Kagura looked at her strangely. "No…Your friend. Kagome?" Sango's eyes widened. Miroku mumbled, "This must be some sort of trickery." Kagura shook her head. "No. She is with someone who protects her."

"Who!" Sango demanded. "Tell me!" Kagura frowned. "Very well. She is with Lord Sesshoumaru. That is all that I can reveal to you. I hope that one day you may consider me worthy of a favor."

"And what is that?"

"Killing Naraku."

:-:-

Kagome blinked her eyes open. Whoa. Sesshoumaru must have been tired after staying up all night and playing cards. She didn't dare move. He looked so peaceful in his sleep. She realized that she was cuddled around his boa. She blushed, but didn't let go. Instead, she shifted one arm and tentatively traced her finger over the stripes on his cheek. It was as soft and smooth as the rest of his skin, and the color was stunning. She grazed the crescent moon with her index finger. He was so…wow. Indescribably attractive.

This was amusing. He didn't think she knew that he was awake. Even so, she was being very bold, for a ningen girl, especially. She relaxed with a whisper of a sigh, fully prepared to fall asleep again against him. He frowned at the emotions coursing through him. He couldn't…feel…for a human. Something about her calmed him, attracted him, caught his attention. She was so young, innocent, delicate. She had no way of protecting herself except for her arrows of purification. But how would an arrow fare her in close range battle? It wouldn't. He had to give her another weapon and teach her to use it…whoa, Sesshoumaru…what was that about? You don't have to do anything. You have no obligation to her. She has obligation to you. He pushed the sudden thoughts to the back of his mind. It was a calm season, causing a decrease of unrest in the Western lands, and Naraku had not made his appearance known. Sesshoumaru twitched at the mere thought of that hanyou bastard, Naraku. He, Sesshoumaru, would have to teach Kagome to use a close-range weapon for the battle against Naraku. Happily decided, he resolved to let her sleep next to him for a little while longer.

:-:-

"Choose any close-range weapon that interests you." Kagome browsed the large armory. She scrutinized every sword, spear, and weapon. She was nearing the end of the long array, when she spotted something. It was a slim, glittering katana. A design of an inu form was intricately engraved on the blade, yet not decreasing the sharp quality of the sword. She lifted it, along with its sheath, and felt a tingle run through her arm. "This one," she decided. Sesshoumaru studied the blade. It was an excellent choice, and suited her perfectly. Slim, delicate, and incredibly strong and durable. Perfect.

:-:-

He unsheathed Toukijin, to commence training with her. Her eyes widened, but she trusted him not to hurt her. She drew the katana, then paused. "Can I call it something?" He cocked his head slightly to the side. "What?" Of all the sentimental...

"Well, Inuyasha's sword is called tetsusaiga, and yours are Toukijin and Tenseiga. Can I call mine something?"

"If you wish it."

"Awaiseikou." He raised an eyebrow in slight surprise. "You have thought about this?"

"No, it just kind of came to me. Are we going to start now?" He nodded. She swung the katana a bit wildly above her head, and he shook his head. "No. You have been watching Inuyasha too much. That is not how you wield a sword of any kind, let alone a katana." She nodded and paid close attention as he showed her how to hold Awaiseikou. She was surprised when she began, for her miko aura seemed to extend to the sword, illuminating it. She crossed it with Sesshoumaru's several times, like she had seen in movies, then clanged it against his armor. He smiled faintly, and they continued. This time, every time she got near him, he sped out of the way. She groaned in frustration. "I'll never be as fast as you! It's not fair! You were letting me win at first!" Sesshoumaru did not respond, but merely dodged Awaiseikou again. She sighed, trying to keep her anger under control, then gave a blind swipe with the Awaiseikou. She gasped as she realized she'd actually pierced his armor and gone through to the skin. He gasped slightly, subdued, and slowed down. "That…was excellent. You focused your anger." His youkai blood was taking longer to heal the injury than it normally would. "And," he added, "you have somehow used your miko power to purify your sword as you do your arrows." She sheathed the katana and rushed to help him, face pale. "Oh, Kami, I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru!"

"No matter. I will be fine in a few…hours." He had been about to say minutes, but he realized that this wasn't correct. He sheathed the Toukijin, and she grabbed his hand, hardly pulling him up, as he was standing up anyways, but trying to boost him up with her shoulder. "We'll continue later," she explained, needlessly helping him up to the castle. He didn't really need her help…but he decided to let her feel important, anyway.