(A/N: Sorry for the long updates. I've got lots of work to do and I've got lots of work due on Monday not to mention I've got Saturday classes... and I can't think of what else to write. Oh thanks for all your encouraging reviews. Hmm but I'm starting to think, should this be a Kurama and Kagome fic or Youko and Kagome fic. So hard to tell.)


Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or Yu Yu Hakusho. But I don't think Yu Yu Hakusho is really mentioned in this yet...
It had taken hours of traveling through shadows but Kagome had finally made it to the Western Castle. She had been here before when Sesshoumaru insisted on her getting training before the final battle when he first joined the group and first witnessed the group hold up against a hoard of youkai. He hadn't participated in the attack or defense. But he opted to just watching to see the extent of their abilities. Let's just say Kagome wasn't in the best condition when they finished. She had been the target of the demon attack because of the jewel she carried around her neck. She had successfully made a fool out of herself when her long ranged attacks became futile when the demons surrounded her and was too close to shoot arrows at. Inuyasha was busy trying to protect Kikyou from the hoard of demons and didn't see her situation until she gave a much undignified scream. The ever so stoic lord had surprisingly saved her from being killed but she was still bloody and bruised. After that he had insisted or demanded that they train unless they want to get killed within the first five minutes of the final battle with Naraku.

Chuckling sadly to herself, she couldn't help but think bitterly, 'That still didn't keep them from getting killed.' Oh those months of training really killed her and her friends, literally. She and her friends had to be in constant alert because Sesshoumaru attacked at any moment he deemed right and with the added training in the mornings too. It turns out that he had no qualms about killing them but he would revive them right after with the Tenseiga. That was their punishment if they weren't alert, death to only get revived again for another day of training. Kagome died so many times that she didn't even bother counting after the first ten times. It hurt like hell at first but she gradually got use to the pain and barely even winced. Not that she had much choice when she was dead... luckily getting revived from Tenseiga also meant no scars, sickness, or any other body problems.

In the mornings each one of them would take turns taking on Sesshoumaru until they all tire out. The only rule for his advantage was no holy powers. This also meant that Kagome was a sitting duck. She somehow got Sesshoumaru to teach her how to use a double katana. She had improved drastically from the beginning of the three month torture to the last month where she could hold her own against him. It didn't mean that she would beat him in a fight without her miko abilities but she could hold her own for awhile. All her friends had improved and gained at that experience.

Settling herself on a branch in front of his palace, Kagome let her energy flare a bit to tell Sesshoumaru that someone was in his lands waiting for him. She had picked a particularly leafy tree to get out of the noon sun. Kagome knew that she wouldn't have to wait long when she sensed his presence in his library. In less than a minute Kagome jumped down and just avoided being melted but apparently that was what was happening to the branch she had situated herself on.

"What do you want fox? You are trespassing on my lands."

"Gees, Sesshoumaru-sama, you'd think you, being a lord and all, would be more polite."

"I will not stand by with you insulting me," with that he lunged forward and drew his sword, "you will die." Drawing both her swords, Kagome quickly blocked his sword with one of hers leaving the left hand to defend if necessary. Sesshoumaru was surprised but it was covered with his emotionless mask. Kagome who had lived with this stoic demon for three months easily saw through his mask.

"Surprised?" Kagome kept up the defense while Sesshoumaru was still on the attack.

"How did she?" He had no time to dwell at that thought as he observed her fighting skills.

"You have not attacked. Why?" He gracefully jumped back and rounded her looking for an opening to attack.

"You're very observant just like I've heard," Kagome complimented, "if it were someone else," 'like your brother,' "they would have gone straight to attacking ruthlessly without even attempting to strike a conversation or find out what happened." She raised her sword in her left hand when Sesshoumaru reappeared above her. Kagome blocked fluently before jumping back and sheathing her weapons. Bowing down she attempted a peace treaty.

"Forgive me, Sesshoumaru-sama, I heard from neighbouring villages that you're in need of a lieutenant for one of your generals. I presume that my skill meets your liking?" Finally after sheathing his sword, he nodded his head.

"Yes, follow me up to the library." They walked in complete silence. When they walked up to the guards at the gate, all Sesshoumaru was give a slight nod and they parted for him. They walked straight down the halls until they reach a set of large red-wooded doors. Pushing it aside they entered. Kagome stood before the desk as she watched Sesshoumaru walk around and sit on the desk. All around the room were neatly placed books and scrolls. It was a vast library of knowledge that surprised Kagome when she first been here not that this was the first. "It's so good to finally be back in here."

"State your name."

"I am Kagome, milord, but please call me Kage."

"Tell me, why have you decided to come to me?" His face was relaxed and passive but underneath that he was truly curious.

"Well, I've got nothing else to do for another 50 years or so, so I thought that traveling would be fun. That is until I heard that you needed someone to help manage your army, so I changed my mind and decided I wanted to meet you." Honestly that was partially true. Shrugging it off, she waited for his reply.

"I normally don't have females in the army. But your skills in combat are satisfying so I'll appoint you second in command to my central general Kaze." Seeing a nod and a bow come from the fox, Sesshoumaru proceeded, "Jaken, call Kaze in."

"Yes, milord," came the squeaking reply of the green retainer.

"Sesshoumaru-sama, I want to ask you something," seeing a stiff nod, Kagome continued, "why in the world do you keep that imp around?" seeing an eyebrow raise, Kagome just shrugged, "I was just curious."

"You don't come by loyal servants that often," was his curt reply before there was a knock on the door. "Come in."

The figure that came in was about 6 inches taller than Kagome. He wore thin plates of armour on his chest and arms. Underneath that he was wearing a white haori and a pair of light blue hakama. His long black hair was pulled into a tight ponytail. He had pointed ears and had light blue eyes. He had an elegant face with high cheek bones. Overall, he looked handsome. He could have also passed for a human with very handsome features if not for his claws, ears and fangs.

The last time Kagome had been here, she didn't like this guy's attitude towards humans and particularly females of any race. He of course, thought that humans were filth, similar to what Sesshoumaru thought of humans before Rin came into his life. And he thought that women shouldn't be on the battlefield and should be better suited being maids or slaves for the men, by cooking, cleaning, or stuff that guys were 'too manly' to do. That conversation had really ticked Sango and Kagome off.

"You've requested my presence, milord?" The wind demon gave a bow and rose again at the nod Sesshoumaru gave.

"Meet your lieutenant, Kage."

"You can't be serious, Sesshoumaru-sama! She is just merely a girl! She can't fight in battle!" Kaze sounded genuinely horrified.

'Yup, the same old Kaze,' thought Kagome.

"I am more than able to hold up against you," giving a glare at the general, Kagome let loose a low growl of annoyance.

"I am not so easy to defeat, girl," Kaze returned the glare full force taking up her silent challenge.

"Enough. If you two wish to test out your abilities, you may do so in the dojo but not here. Kaze, Kage will be your lieutenant until I say she is not fit or she is dead. Other than that, you will not question my decisions." Both bowed and gave an apology before glaring at each other promising actions to their words. "Kaze, Kage, leave. Jaken come in."

"Yes milord," both of them said before bowing down and leaving the library.

Once out the door both demons gave each other death glares, having a silent war of wills. This lasted for five minutes or so before Jaken came out and interrupted them.

"Kage-sama, milord has instructed me to find you a room in the west wing. Follow me," abruptly, Kagome turned on her heels and followed the small imp to the west wing. She passed many familiar doors but only those doors seemed newer which shouldn't have been a surprise. But what was surprising was that she was led to the very same room she stayed in before.

"Milord has instructed me to tell you that you are expected to have dinner with him in the evening. The servants will come by when dinner is ready. There are hot springs to the door on the right. You may get ready in there. I will be leaving." Jaken turned around and left through the door he had previously came through.

"Well he sure seems nicer. Demons... never really nice to humans," rolling her eyes she took off her armour and weapons and searched through the drawers for a suitable kimono. Each kimono was made out of the finest silk. But all the kimonos in the drawer were either too fancy or too hard to move in.

"Ah... what's this?" Her fingers brushed the silky fabric and finally pulled it out. It was a navy blue fighting kimono. Scattered around the hem of the kimono were delicately woven silver threads that looked like stars. It had an elegant look and it was easy to move around in. On the back was imprinted the crescent moon in silver. The colour greatly complimented her eyes. "This is perfect."

Sliding open the door, Kagome was facing a very welcoming hot spring. Stripping down, Kagome folded her cloths and took off her undergarments and placed everything within reach of the hot spring. Kagome went to the nearby chest and took out a fluffy towel and wrapped it around herself. Turning to the side, she opened the other chest and took out the bathing supplies. There were soaps, shampoos and oils that smelled of various flowers, fruits and some didn't even have a smell.

Taking out her favourite strawberry scented shampoo and a soap that smelled of wild flowers, Kagome walked to the hot spring and let the towel fall before slipping in.

"Ah... this feels so good!" When she was inside the Shikon no Tama, she was just there as a spirit which meant that there was no need to eat, or bathe, since they won't get dirty. But she would still need rest because the spirit would still get tired. She poured the shampoo into her hands and started to wash her hair and tail. After that she washed her body with the soap and soaked in the hot spring for a little while longer.

Just as she was about to turn into a prune, Kagome stepped out and dried herself. She dressed herself in a fresh pair of undergarments and an over sized T-shirt that she got from her black travelling sack which was the silk clothe Kai used to wrap her presents. She then set off to the rigorous task of washing her own cloths and drying it. 'I don't trust the servants to wash my personal stuff. Last time I did that, it ended up lost or placed in the wrong room! It took me ages to find out where it went!'

After she dried and folded her cloths, Kagome took off her shirt and wore the fighting kimono. Sitting down on a chair near the mirror, she started to comb her hair and tail while humming a happy tune. Taking some hair, Kagome made four small braids two on each side of her face and tied the rest of her hair in a high ponytail. She had used neatly cut strips of the white silk Midoriko gave her to tie it up.

Satisfied, Kagome took some silver eye shadow and applied a bit just so that it was barely noticeable. She also put some gloss on her lips. Kagome stood up and looked at the full length mirror and strapped down all four of her swords. Hogosha and one of her old blades were on her left hip and KageMusha and the other old blade on her right. Looking through the window, the sun was setting. In a half an hour the sun will be completely set and dinner will be starting.

"Well since I have nothing to do, I'll explore a bit," quietly slipping into the shadows, Kagome strolled through the shadows in the hall. Ten minutes had passed before Kagome got bored and decided to go to the dinning hall. As she sifted through the shadows, some muttering was heard down the hall. Curious was the fox, Kagome waited for the person responsible for the noise to pass.

"It's absurd Kendoshi-sama. I don't know what Sesshoumaru-sama was thinking putting female as my second. The only thing she probably is good at is distracting all the men in the army! She was so scrawny I doubt that she has any real power," Kaze rounded the corner talking to a wolf demon that Kagome dubbed Kendoshi. Kendoshi's armour gleamed in the torch's light revealing how well kept his things were.

"Hahaha... well at least she's a looker. Or would you prefer it, if you had an ugly hag as your lieutenant?" Kendoshi shook his head causing his long flowing black hair to tumble down to his waist. He had brown fur patched around his arms. His brown tail that just swept passed his knees was swinging back and forth as he walked. His solid blue eyes held amusement as he continued to talk to Kaze. Overall he reminded her of someone she knew.

"What would the difference be? That fox acts like a grumpy old hag! She acts so much like a male, she challenged me to a spar and then ran away with her tail between her legs!" by this time Kagome was seething. Quickly she stepped out of the shadows just one metre in front of them.

"So Kaze, I hear you like talking about people behind their backs. Is that any way to talk about a lady?" her voice seemed to startle the two out of their conversation, which earned a smirk from her. Turning her attention to Kendoshi, Kagome introduced herself. "I am grumpy Kaze's lieutenant, you may refer to me as Kage," she stuck her hand out to shake and he grabbed it without a thought.

"Lovely maiden, I am Kendoshi, one of Sesshoumaru-sama's generals from the north. My clan helps watch the northern edge of the western boarder and reports back to Sesshoumaru-sama," instead of shaking her hand, he brought his mouth down and brushed her knuckles with his lips causing Kagome to blush in the dark.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Kendoshi-sama."

"The pleasure is all mine," his masculine voice was low and when he finally let go of Kagome's hand he had a little smirk on his face.

"How the hell did you sneak up on us without us sensing you! And give some respect to your superiors," Kaze brought both their attention back to him.

"This weak, powerless kitsune used one of her abilities," she pouted only to cause Kendoshi to laugh straight out. Kaze just seemed even more aggravated, "and I only respect those that deserve respect. Anyways, Kendoshi-sama, are you going to be staying for dinner with Sesshoumaru-sama?" he nodded, "Great! Let's go before we're late!" She grabbed both their arms and dragged them to the dinning hall just as a servant exited.

"Kage-sama, Sesshoumaru-sama instructed me to find you and tell you dinner is ready."

"Thank you," when the servant left, Kagome knocked on the tall oak doors before entering. At the head of the long table was none other than Sesshoumaru. To his right was a fox demon that had cream coloured hair and tail. His ears were also cream coloured but were tipped with black. He wore armour and had a sickle with a chain around his waist as a weapon. His haori and hakama he wore under the armour had different shades of green allowing him to blend very well in the forest. Judging by his appearance he was an illusion kitsune. He was currently giving a report to Lord Sesshoumaru about the region he watches over while a female fox sat beside him stroking her large belly.

The female fox had gorgeous reddish orange hair that went passed her knees and surprisingly had humanoid ears with tips though. She had an elegant face as she regarded the people standing by the doorway but her gaze lingered on Kagome the longest as they've never met before. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of orange with flecks of golden yellow reminding Kagome of the warm sunset. She was most likely a fire fox or more commonly known as red kitsune. She was wearing a formal black kimono with pink sakura blossoms scattered around the edges. Her red coloured tail lay on her lap as she continued stroking her round belly. It was clear that she was pregnant and was down to her last month or two.

She nodded at Kaze and Kendoshi and turned her gaze to Kagome. She gave a warm smile and Kagome returned it. The kitsune that was talking to Sesshourmaru earlier had finished his report and was now starring at Kagome. When their eye's met, Kagome couldn't help but let out a little gasp.


(A/N: I think fanfic likes messing with my writing. When I save the changes they change all my ' and " into question marks. So I have to go through everything and fix it. So if I missed a few you know the reason why. I've got to do math now. I wonder if I'll get sleep tonight... so people be greatful I updated tonight.)