A/N: Argh. This story is giving me so much trouble, the only reason I'm not stopping is for two reasons. One, I don't like to leave things unfinished and two, my reviewers just might stalk me and kill me in my sleep. Not a pleasent thought. Alright, so it's a little short. I don't want to start the scene where you meet the miko teacher (you'll understand when you read) until next time. If I start it now...

silver pup: I don't think I have, but when I read stories, I usually only pay attention to the titles. I'll have to check it out, though. I did, however, find a long crossover story that looks interesting. It's called Ties Me to the Future by Tsubasa Kya. The only reason I haven't read it yet is I don't have the time.

inukuramaRmine: I appreciate that you think my story is as good as it is. I think I get what you're saying. All I know is that I didn't want drooling fangirls all over my story, so I had to cover him up somehow. Just call it...magic. But you gave me a new idea, which I think some people might appreciate a little more.

Water Block: I wonder how many times your comments have made me chuckle. As to the male's POV, well, sorry but it's not going to happen again for another chapter or two after this one. I'm going to focus on Kagome right now.

kimonoprincess: Sorry to disappoint you. I explained above why this chapter is shorter, and I'll try and make the next one longer for you. Sound good?

atamagaokashii Ookami: I can't just have them fall for each other in a snap. Not that I wouldn't absolutely love to be able to do that, but I just don't write like that. Granted it'd be much easier...I guess you're just going to have to be a little patient.

April-nee-chan: Great scene! It made everyone who I showed it to laugh, even my parents. How people come up with crazy stuff like that is beyond me, but I'm not complaining!

Thanks to mizushoubai, firevixen73, pitbull123, Sakura Blossom-Cilla-85, ranchan23, BlueMonkey89, Hoshiko Megami, AnimeMoonlightGoddess, Black Hands, vixenia, and Ryukotsusei.

Also, I have a new fic that I'm writing if people want to check out something new. It's just a little thing I'm doing on the side, for times when I'm hitting ACE writer's block or can't think of something for the plot. I'd really appreciate it if some of you check it out and let me know what you think.

Please Note: This chapter has yet to be beta-ed! I will repost it when my beta checks it over!

"Can I go now?"

"No. Not yet."

"Please?"

"Not yet. Hold still."

"Come on, she's taking forever."

"Be patient. You're lucky we were able to find someone on such short notice."

"That doesn't mean that I'll wait around forever for her to get out here."

"Patience is a virtue, you know."

"Then it's a good thing I'm not very virtuous."

Sango glared at her friend Kagome. She always had to have the last word in, didn't she?

Two days of a complaining wolf demon and a restless miko were enough to drive even the most calm and collected doctors over the edge. Sango was one complaint away from flinging herself into the passing traffic and ending her misery. She uncrossed her jean clad legs as she entertained thoughts of death. Really, it seemed much better. A nice, quiet grave. No more work. No more complaints. Just- a quiet...end...

"Earth to Sango." A purple sleeve waved in front of Sango's face. "Are we done yet."

Sango heaved an exhasperated sigh. "For the last time, stop acting like a young child and wait."

Kagome crossed her arms, the too-small sweater borrowed from Sango pulling just a little too tight across her chest. She shifted her wieght slightly, the old wooden chair she sat in creaking with the movement.

Kagome was bored. She had been cooped up in a boring hospital for the longest time, then she was immediately dragged to this drab waiting room to wait some more.

At least they could've had a magazine or something. The walls of the room were wooden, beautifully polished and gleamed in the drab lighting. The only light gracing the room came from the pathetically blinking flourescent lighting on the ceiling. There were no pictures on the walls. The only furnishings were a couple broken-down chairs that would've been better suited for kindeling. The layout left no room for windows in this small enclosure. The result left Kagome itching to leave and wishing for the great outdoors.

Not that she had ever been an outdoors-y person before...

Kagome shivered. There seemed to be absolutely no heating here, too. Kagome tapped her tennis shoes against the stone floor, ignoring the annoying look Sango shot her. There was something about this place that had Kagome dreading meeting this new person. Whenever she moved, she got this creepy shiver rushing down her spine. Kind of like how one might feel if they were to walk into a creepy swamp in the middle of the night. A swamp that had all those scary noises. And a spooky mist that rose up and made you lose track of the path that you swore was right in front of you just a moment ago. And then, all of the sudden, you hear a noise that you know belongs to something that isn't entirely human and is coming to have you for supper. And you knew for a fact you were the main dish.

Sometimes having an imagination wasn't a very good thing. Especially when someone like Kagome was sitting where she was.

"Good day, child," a voice said from behind Kagome. Not entirely prepared for someone sneaking up on her, Kagome screamed and jumped from her seat. The voice turned into a dry cackle.

Sango, her own heart beating quickly, refused to show her surprised. She rose gracefully and smiled. "Hello. Thank you for meeting us."

The woman bowed her head and came into the light, allowing Kagome to finally examine her. Snow white, waist length hair fell, unbound, down the woman's back. The color of her hair contradicted the young face of the woman. She looked to be no more than Kagome's own age, but something nagged at the back of Kagome's mind and told her that this woman was at least five times even Sango's thirty or so years. Cold black eyes held no emotion as the woman began to exchange pleasentries with Sango.

Her garb confused Kagome. Didn't she read somewhere that priestesses wore red and white? The colors of this priestess' outfit were a dark blue, almost black, haoriwith red strings weaving around the sleeves and collar. Her blue-gray hakama flowed with her as she stepped forward a little, wooden sandals making dull clicking noises on the stone floor.

Kagome jerked her attention back to the two women, realizing that one of them had just asked her a question. "I'm sorry?"

Sango jabbed her elbow into Kagome's side. "Priestess Tsubaki was just asking if you knew what kind of training you wanted. You can do offensive or defensive, and then you have to choose what kind of feild you want to get into. She was just explaining that."

Kagome shook her head. Turning to the priestess -apparently her name was Tsubaki, now-, Kagome said quickly, "I need to speak with my friend for a moment, please."

Tsubaki's mouth turned into a grin that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Of course."

Sango sputtered protests as Kagome dragged her towards the front door. Stopping just short of exiting, Kagome turned to her friend.

"I don't like her. One bit," Kagome whispered harshly, crossing her arms.

Sango narrowed her eyes. "Why not?"

"It's just a feeling, alright?"

Sango shook her head. "Look, it's not like there are a million miko here that we can pick and choose from. You have to have a good reason for not wanting her to teach her. And if that's so, it'll mean more work finding a new one."

Kagome ignored the guilt trip that Sango was trying to send her on. She had been caught in this trap once, and it wouldn't work again. "Look, there's something about this entire place that just doesn't feel right, okay? I happen to trust my instincts, and right now they're screaming at me to get my ass out of here."

Sango sighed wearily. "We can't just go by instinct. If that were the case, I wouldn't have gone out with Miroku."

Sango watched as her friend unconciously rose her chin in a motion of stubborness. There would be no changing her mind. "Look, just give her one chance. I need a little time to find a new teacher anyways, and it's not like I can just hand out fliers or anything. Besides, you can't wait much longer without having even a little bit of control going on."

Kagome reluctantly agreed, and they both turned back to Tsubaki. "I've decided on offensive."

Tsubaki nodded. Pulling out a notebook from somewhere in her sleeves, the pale woman began to jot down information. "What kind of weapon do you prefer?"

Kagome, confused past all reasoning at this question, immediately replied with "Katana". Hey, if she were going to learn to fight, it might as well be with a cool weapon. Not like the bow.

"No! No, no, no! What part of No don't you understand?"

Kagome gritted her teeth, sweat pouring down her neck, arms...basically everywhere. Her arms were lead from holding the sword up. She had thought the first lesson would be tough, but that was nothing compared to now.

The past week had been spent learning how to properly hold and block with the katana. Nothing more, and certainly nothing that had to do with actually working her miko abilities. Wasn't the whole point of being a miko using your powers?

Tsubaki hadn't been helping her already short temper. Kagome was being pushed so far, that she woke up sore and fell asleep after each session as soon as her head hit the pillow at night. By now, she didn't even have enough energy for work and had been using her vacation time to get in her lessons. She had taken to having her brother over at her house whenever he could be there to take care of Yuuki. She was just too tired to care anymore.

Speaking of, Tsubaki gave her what Kagome had labeled The Look. "You aren't even trying, you lazy ass." Kagome bit her tongue to keep from saying something she would regret. "How many times have I told you?" Tsubaki shook her head pathetically and curtly told Kagome to go wash up and head home. "After all, there's only so much I can teach a dunce."

Kagome slammed her weapon into its sheath. Sango was going to get hurt if she didn't find a new teacher soon. Kagome was just about ready to rip Tsubaki's head from her shoulders. The only reason she kept her temper under a tight reign was that she owed Sango for footing the hospital bill.

Rushing into the locker rooms (which had surprised Kagome. This place seemed more like a gym than anything else) and taking a quick, but cold, shower, Kagome fled out of the building.

"Ah. Sunlight," she sighed. It was a beautiful day, and it saddened Kagome to think that she wouldn't be able to enjoy it. Muttering darkly, she began the short trek home.

She was stopped halfway there. "Kagome!" Sango called. Kagome wearily paused and waited for her friend to catch up. "Priestess Tsubaki told me I had just missed you. I've got great news."

Kagome turned half-lidded eyes to her friend. "It better be good. Right now I want to fall into bed and sleep for the next century."

Sango seemed to snap back to earth. "What happened to you?"

"You know," Kagome shrugged. "Working the same damn excersizes every single day for the past week, sweating like a pig while my dear teacher insults me to my face, the usual."

Sango deflated. "I see. Well, then this might cheer you up. I found a new teacher for you, but she's out in the country."

Kagome perked up at this. "You mean I don't have to go back to that old hag again? When can I meet her?"

Sango turned one calculating eye onto her eager friend. "You think you can handle a little trip out? I think you ought to spend the rest of the week there. It'll do you some good to hang out in the fresh air and all."

Kagome's jaw dropped. "I just can't leave Yuuki! Who'd watch him on such short notice?"

Sango pulled Kagome into a walk, continuing where they had left off. "If your family doesn't want to watch him, I suppose I might have room enough for another animal for a little while."

Kagome threw her arms around Sango and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! You don't know how much I need this right now."

Sango laughed and pulled back. "First things first, I think you ought to pack."

End Chapter
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