Hey all! I know that it's been a bit since my last update, but here we go. This is my longest chapter ever, and will probably stay that way.
Just to warn y'all…when this chapter is finished, please don't hurt me. This is a major plot point for this story.
That said, on with it!
Chapter Eight
-DREAM-
The miko looked around, again not knowing her current location.
"Where am I now? This looks like the outside of the castle," she thought aloud.
"That would be because it is."
Kagome whipped around at the sound of the silky voice to see none other than the Demon Lord.
"Sesshoumaru! What're you doing here!"
"I haven't much of a choice in the matter, seeing as how this is my dream," he explained.
"Are you telling me that I'm in your dream again?" He nodded once. "How the hell is this happening?"
"I don't know, but figure it out quickly and leave."
She mockingly saluted. "Yes, Sir! Let me just click my heels together three times and chant 'There's no place like home'."
"What are you babbling about, Human?"
"It's a future thing. You wouldn't understand."
"You try my patience."
Kagome was about to respond when the clashing of metal attracted their attention to the left.
A young Sesshoumaru was trying desperately to defend himself from his father's brutal attacks. He would cry out every few moments as the blade connected with the child's flesh.
"What the hell! How can your father just attack you like that!" Kagome cried out, quite angrily.
"He was teaching me to defend myself."
"But he isn't letting up. You could be killed if he hits you any more!"
"Obviously I survived."
"That isn't the point! He's treating you like an enemy or something!"
"Exactly."
"What are you talking about?"
He sighed. 'Humans'. "Observe."
"Come, Sesshoumaru. Defend yourself!" the elder youkai barked as he continued his assault on the younger.
"I'm trying, Papa! Y-You're too strong!" the child yelled as a swift kick to his midsection sent him to the ground.
"Strength has nothing to do with it." The Taiyoukai was preparing to renew his assault when the scent of salt halted him.
Looking down, he saw tears flood his son's eyes; tears the boy was trying desperately to force back into hiding. Sheathing his weapon, the demon knelt in front of the pup and wiped the tears from his eyes.
"My son, do you know why I am being so vicious during your training?" He sniffled and shook his head. "The enemy will not go easy on you. They will fight you with every intention of taking your life. If I do not attack with all I have, you will not learn."
"But Mama and Uncle don't do that."
He laughed at that. "Ah, but they do. In the way your mother makes sure your motions are perfect and your uncle makes you study so diligently." He paused to stand, lifting his only son into his arms. "You shall one day inherit these lands and everything within their borders. You must be prepared to defend then from those who wish to take them."
"I know, but it still hurts when I get cut," the pup pouted.
InuTaisho ruffled his hair. "I know it hurts, but if you get cut, you learn from it and correct the mistake you made that led to it. Do you understand, Sesshoumaru?"
"I understand, but can we play now? Please?" he begged.
"Let's work on your poison attacks a bit. Then, we will play. Okay?"
"Okay, Papa!"
Wow," Kagome said. "So, your father was showing you an enemy's brutality to teach you how to handle yourself."
"Correct."
"And your mother? What did she teach you?"
He paused before answering. "Movement, flexibility, speed, and flight."
"You can fly!"
"The mist, Woman."
"Oh. I knew that."
"You have company. I suggest waking up," Sesshoumaru stated before disappearing.
"Company?"
-END DREAM-
The knock on the door slowly pulled Kagome from the dream, much to her disappointment.
"Go away!" she yelled, though it was muffled by the blanket that she had thrown over her head.
"Kagome? It's Kouga. You told me to wake you up so that you could visit the dojo."
"I did?"
"You did."
"Don't care. Go away. I'm sleeping here."
She was almost asleep when yelling outside her room put an end to it.
"Sit, boy!"
The curt cry and hard slam proved her theory that it had indeed been Inuyasha causing the noise. Kira's laughter, however, made her feel a bit guilty.
Sighing, Kagome dragged herself from her bed and opened the door, turning her sleep-filled eyes toward the half-demon that was lying face-down on the marble floor.
"Sorry, Inuyasha."
"What the hell was that for!" he yelled, jumping to his feet.
Anger peeked through her tired orbs. "I said I was sorry!"
"Sorry doesn't cut it! Do you know how painful that was?"
"No, but why don't you tell me. SIT!" She turned toward Kouga and Kira, promptly ignoring Inuyasha. "Kouga, give me an hour. Kira, I need a bath, and you're coming with me."
"Um, sure," the two said as the miko dragged the Kitsune into her room.
"I see now what you meant by 'sitting' him. How did you do it?"
"Let me see. After I freed him from Kikyou's arrow, he tried to kill me. My teacher placed the rosary beads around his neck. Any time I say sit he hits the ground. It's quite fun to do, especially when he's up in a tree."
"Um, Kagome, how sick is Sesshoumaru? Be honest."
She sobered. "We're pretty sure that it's actually a spell or curse, rather than an illness. It screws with his vision and caused him severe pain in his chest and sides."
"A curse?"
"Yeah. The problem is, I know next to nothing about curses, minus the fact that a dark miko placed one on me a few years back."
"Uncle knows a lot about curses. Since he's the royal healer, he needed to learn how to cure all who live within the palace walls, no matter the ailment."
"Hmm. Then why is this particular curse so difficult to break?"
"Probably because it has yet to be identified. You can't break a curse without first knowing what it is. It could have dire consequences."
At that point, Kagome sank even deeper into the water and looked as though she were deep in thought.
"Kagome?"
"I was supposed to do something after this, but what was it?"
As if on cue, Kira's ears twitched, signaling the arrival of a visitor.
"You may enter, Lady Taijiya!" the demoness called.
The demon slayer entered the room. "Kagome?"
"What is it, Sango?"
"I wasn't sure if you were aware of the fact that Kouga is pacing in front of your room while Inuyasha looks as if he's about to rip his head off any moment."
In response, the girl's eyes widened as she jumped to her feet.
"The dojo! I forgot!" The two watched as Kagome ran around, attempting to dress herself, as well as pull her wet hair into a haphazard ponytail, all at the same time.
"Um, Kagome?" Kira began, but was cut short as Kagome began mumbling to herself as she almost fell.
"That's not cool. I can't believe that I forgot about that. I mean, I just left Kouga and Inuyasha alone."
"Ka-" Sango began.
"There completely unsupervised."
"There's something that I need-"
"Later guys!" she called as she ran toward her room.
"To, tell, you," the Kitsune finished.
"Um,"
"I am Kira, Lady Taijiya."
"Just call me Sango."
She nodded. "What would you like to know?"
"What were you trying to tell Kagome?"
Kira smirked slightly. "Nothing. Just that Sesshoumaru should be in the dojo by now doing his morning training."
"And? I'm sure that the dojo is big enough for the both of them, right?"
She laughed. "Follow me. I'll show you just what I mean." Kira dressed quickly, then headed toward the training hall, Sango close behind.
'Where the hell is that girl!' Inuyasha mentally screamed.
The hanyou was leaning against the wall across from Kagome's room, staring down at the Kouga, who had given up pacing for sitting Indian-style against the girl's door.
"Something I can do for you, Dog Breath?"
"Who the hell're you callin' Dog Breath, ya flea infested jackass!"
"You, you stupid mutt. Why are you still here, anyway?"
"I'm here, because I don't trust you with Kagome!"
"Well, you're gonna have to let her go when I finally take her as my mate."
"Well, too bad for you, because it ain'tnever gonna happen!"
Kouga jumped to his feet and got right into Inuyasha's face. "She's my woman, which generally means that it is gonna happen!"
"Inuyasha, sit!"
Two near-simultaneous yelps rang out as Kagome rounded the corner. There lay Kouga and Inuyasha, the wolf caught under the hanyou due to their closeness at the time of the submission command.
"If you two are done fighting, I'm ready to go."
"Be, right there," Kouga gasped as the spell ended and Inuyasha was able to move off of him. When he rose as well, he said, "Gods, Inuyasha. Now I know how painful that sit thing is."
"That's nothing. You should see her angry. The madder she is, the harder the command, and the deeper the hole."
"No, thank you." That said, the pair caught up with the girl.
"Um, Kagome?" Kouga began.
"Yeah?"
"The dojo's down the left corridor," Inuyasha finished.
She stopped. "So?"
"That's the right corridor," they both replied.
She thought a moment before brightening. "Oh! I knew that!"
"Sure you did." The guys decided to take the lead.
"What? I did!"
The sword swept through the air with the fluidity of water. The taiyoukai was, as he did every morning, training alone in the dojo, focusing only on the sword in his left hand and the empty room.
While his swordsmanship was nothing less than perfect, he had been without his left arm for quite a considerable amount of time. He was also attempting to bring his senses of smell and hearing to the next level to compensate for his weakened vision.
'I wonder if that stupid hanyou has taught the girl any forms of self defense,' he thought before shaking the thought from his mind. 'Why would I care?'
Because she's powerful and pure.
'So?'
It should be cherished, not destroyed.
'Maybe,' he slowly conceded.
He was so completely focused on his mental conversation and his sword that he didn't notice a trio of people right outside. Once he did, however, he threw the sword at them, which stuck into the wall mere centimeters from the group. A high-pitched scream and the sudden smell of lilies drew his eyes open.
Kagome had jumped into the arms of the wide-eyes Inuyasha, who was blushing deeply, and Kouga was shooting him a death glare nearly on par with his own. Inexplicably, a deep growl was held at bay from the sight of the girl in his brother's arms.
"Wha-what the hell was that, Sesshoumaru!" Are you trying to kill us!"
He walked over to and retracted the sword from the wall. "If I wanted you dead, Little Brother, you would not be capable of asking that question. Now, what are you doing here?"
I, um," Kagome began as Inuyasha put her down, "I wanted to see the dojo. Is it okay for me to be here?" He nodded and she turned to the pair of demons next to her. "Thanks guys, but I'll be okay. You can go now."
"Are you sure?" Kouga asked.
"Yeah. Would you rather we stay here?" Inuyasha added.
"No, it's okay. I'll see you later, but could you check on Shippo, Inuyasha? He should be in the room next to mine." He nodded.
"The wolf is not to enter the girl's chamber," the Demon Lord stated.
"Whatever," Kouga mumbled as they left.
Kagome's awe-filled whistle drew Sesshoumaru's attention as she slowly took in the immense training hall. "This is amazing."
"It is." He paused. "Tell me. Have you been trained in self-defense?"
"No, not really. I just have my bow and arrows, and if you remember, I'm not exactly the world's best shot."
He nodded in understanding. "Kira, bring Akira to me."
She poked her head in. "Right away."
"And Kira?"
"Yes?"
"Bring the slayer to her room as well."
She laughed slightly. "Sure thing." With that, they were gone.
"Who's Akira?"
"You will see."
A few moments later, Kira entered, accompanied by a Kitsune bearing quite a startling resemblance to the demoness by his side.
"How may I be of service?" the demon asked, bowing.
"Rise, Akira." Sesshoumaru turned toward Kagome. "As long as you are here, you will learn to defend yourself."
"Really!" she cried excitedly.
"This is Akira. He will teach you archery to perfect your aim as well as magic control, such as channeling it to your weapon and hands."
"Thank you so much, Akira."
"It is nothing, My Lady."
"Please, just Kagome."
He turned to his Lord, who gave a curt nod. "Okay, Kagome."
"The two of you will begin in the morning. Today, I have other plans for her." At that, Akira bowed, and he and Kira left the room.
"Sesshoumaru, are they related?"
"Akira is her younger brother. He is also my most trusted assassin."
"He's an assassin! How old is he!"
"The human equivalent of, I believe, sixteen."
"Wow, he's young. And Kira?"
"Twenty Two."
"Inuyasha and yourself?"
"Seventeen and nineteen."
"It's hard to believe that you're a Lord at such a young age. Are you young in demon terms also?"
He nodded. "In comparison, I am but a mere pup."
"Yet from what I hear, you're the strongest. I wish I was like that."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm younger and smaller than most of my friends. I hate conflict, so I easily give in. I wish I was as strong as you and Inuyasha."
'She wishes to be more like me?'
"Do not compare me to that worthless half-breed."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
He waved her off and motioned for her to follow him.
"Take one," he stated, pointing to a wall of wooded swords. She chose one, as did he.
"Wow, it's light," she observed as she weighed the sword in her small hands.
"It's a bamboo sword."
"Well, Thank you, Captain Obvious."
"Captain what?"
"Never mind. Why am I holding a bamboo sword?"
"Would you rather me attack with this, or a real blade?"
She nodded slowly. "Good point. Now, what do you want me to do exactly?
"Defend yourself." With that, he charged.
With a shriek, she brought the sword up, barely blocking a direct shot to her head.
"What the hell are you doing! Are you trying to kill me!"
"Less talk."
Kagome barely avoided the demon's next shot. "Sesshoumaru, is this -EEK- what your father –AHH- did with you?"
"Yes, though thankfully, with better results," he murmured as he attacked.
"Well, sorry I've never used a sword before!"
'She's doing surprisingly well for her first time wielding a sword. The girl's instincts are quite sharp,' he thought, quite contrary to his previous statement. 'Interesting.'
The Taijiya reached Kagome's room to find the half-demon leaning against Kagome's door, a deep blush darkening his cheeks, and Kouga holding back both laughter at his face, and anger for the same reason.
"Inuyasha, why are you so flustered?"
He looked up, startled. "Oh! Um, I'm not flustered. What gave you that idea?"
"Maybe because your face matches your clothing," the monk stated as he, too, approached the room. "I was bored and figured that this would be where everyone else would be."
"So, why're we all here if Kagome's in the dojo?" Sango wondered.
"Kagome wanted me to check on the little brat for her. Said that he was next door," Inuyasha explained.
"And? Why are you standing out here?"
"He had to wait for his face to die down, right, Dog Boy?"
"Stick it, you stupid wolf."
Pushing himself off of the door, he knocked once and opened the door to see Shippo and Rin drawing with the little fox's crayons, laughing at the other's masterpiece. Noticing the visitors, the children jumped to their feet and ran to greet then.
"Where's Kagome?" Shippo asked, looking around.
"She's in the dojo," Miroku answered as his hand slowly reached out for Sango's rear.
"Wow. Are they all your friends, Shippo? I only have Lord Sesshoumaru and Jaken and Ah-Un and Tama and Tomo and Kira and Akira."
"Rin, that's Inuyasha, Sango, and Miroku. Kouga's the guy in the hallway."
"Where?"
The kit was about to point him out when Sango screamed and slapped Miroku, who fell into Kouga, who broke his fall.
"One of these days, Houshi, she's gonna kill you," the wolf demon stated as he entered the girl's line of sight.
Inuyasha then felt a slight grip on his arm, causing him to look down to see what was wrong. Rin's eyes were wide and the only emotion that flooded them was pure terror.
Then she screamed.
The scent of fear mixed with his ward's natural floral scent halted Sesshoumaru's attack mid-swing.
Noticing something, Kagome asked, "What's wrong?"
One word slipped from his lips and he dropped the weapon and ran out, the miko right behind.
"Rin."
The screams only caused the pair to run faster, and when they reached the source of the screams, they saw Rin in Inuyasha's arms, Inuyasha trying to calm her.
Before anyone could say anything, the wolf was against the nearest wall, a magenta striped arm holding him by the throat.
"Inuyasha," he stated.
"Yeah?"
"Take Rin to my chambers, now."
"Sure."
Everyone left, leaving only a stunned miko, a scared wolf, and an infuriated Inuyoukai.
"I told you not to enter this room," he growled.
"I-I-"
"No excuses. Leave."
Kouga fell unceremoniously to the floor as Sesshoumaru left. Kagome shrugged apologetically and followed him to check on Rin's well-being.
Upon entering, Kagome walked over to the bed and took the crying Rin from Inuyasha and held her close.
"It's okay, Sweetheart. You're safe."
"I-Is he gone?" she asked through tears.
"Who? Kouga?"
"The wolf man."
"Yeah, he's gone. What's the matter?"
"His wolves killed her," Sesshoumaru stated from near the doorway.
Inuyasha understood immediately. "You used Tenseiga on her, didn't you?" He turned away and said nothing. 'That's a yes,' he thought, looking away.
A sudden and sharp intake of breath caused him to turn back to see Sesshoumaru stumble back into the wall and cover his eyes.
Kagome put Rin down and ran over to him. "What is it?"
"My eyes," he hissed.
She helped him into the nearby chair. "Sango, get me a wet cloth, please."
"Sure." She got up and ran into the bathroom, returning a few moments later. "Here you are, Kagome."
"Thank you." She turned toward Sesshoumaru. "How do your eyes feel?"
"They burn," he mumbled as Kagome leaned his head back and placed the cloth over his eyes. She then covered his ears and yelled, "KIRA!"
A minute later, the demoness ran into the room. "What's wrong?"
"Get Rojin."
"I'll be right back." A short time later, Kira and Rojin ran in.
"What is it, Lady Miko?"
"Something's wrong with his eyes," she explained.
He knelt beside the chair. "Nephew, I need to see your eyes." The elder demon removed the cloth and forced open his eyelids. He gasped at what he saw.
"What?"
"This does not bode well."
"What is it, Uncle?" Inuyasha asked, getting up and walking over to his brother. "Open your eyes, Sesshoumaru." Once he did, Inuyasha's eyes widened. "Oh, man."
"Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.
"He can't see, Kagome."
"What!"
"I'm blind, Miko."
I hope you liked it!Please review, and I thank the person who said that they were a bit OOC. If you read this, please tell me exactly what is OOC about them so that I can correct my lil error. Thanx again for reading my story!