Three weeks had passed since the news of his miko putting the general in his place had reached his ears. The first few days had been touch and go with the general coming to complain about the miko, but she was a quick study and had began to impress the general. From the general's reports it seemed both the miko and the hanyo were benefiting from the training. The hanyo was learning basic commands and form, which improved his technique and accuracy, the Miko was learning precision blade work, given she already had been taught hand to hand. Sesshomaru looked down at the short blade in his hand, it was simple and deadly. He'd just gotten it from Totosai and was on his way back to the den. It's milky white hilt shone as the flickering light from the hallway lamps reflected off it. Gently he withdrew the blade from its bamboo sheath. The blade was unlike anything ever heard of, it'd taken Totosai and three monks two whole weeks to make it. Sesshomaru ran his tongue over his partially regrown fang. The blade was forged using his fang and thrice blessed steel, Totosai had raved on for almost an hour about how he'd almost purified himself while sharpening it. Sesshomaru slipped the blade back into it's sheath before pushing the door to the den open. Given the time of night he had expected the den to be vacant, instead he found his wards and Kagome asleep on the pillows, all cuddled together. Normally he'd carry each of his pack to their beds but instead he grabbed a large blanket from his room and covered them. Afterwards he hid the tanto in a chest before making his way over to his small pack, slipping off his shoes, and climbing under the blankets. Careful as to not wake them he pulled his miko up against him and cradled the children against her before draping his arms protectively across them. It wasn't long before he joined them in slumber.
Yueyui had began her morning work as usual, bringing breakfast to the den, but as she opened the door and began to step through, she nearly dropped the tray of food. Quietly she stepped back out and closed the door silently. She stood staring at the door before her. What she'd seen went well beyond what she'd expected. Alphas rarely slept with their pack, she'd known Lord Sesshomaru and Lady Kagome had been sharing a room while she was injured, but Lady Kagome had returned to sleeping in her own room a couple weeks ago. The way he held them was usually limited to one's mate and offspring. She wondered if her Lord intended to make Lady Kagome his mate. A few more heartbeats passed and she decided to knock on the den door to give her Lord some time to gather himself. Finally she heard her Lord speak telling her to enter. Pushing the door open once more she saw her Lord sitting next to Lady Kagome's sleeping form. Yueyui bowed and sat the tray on the table.
"If you'd like, My Lord, I shall wake them to eat." She said as she bowed once more. Sesshomaru nodded his head and she walked over to the children first, waking them as she did every morning. She sat up Shippo who was the closest and began tickling him until he woke and began giggling, she did the same for Rin. She stepped closer to the sleeping Lady Kagome, but her Lord waved her away. Bowing Yueyui went to serve the food to the children and with one last bow she exited the room.
Sesshomaru looked down at the Miko's sleeping form, she looked so peaceful. Softly he placed his hand on her shoulder and sent a soft but sudden pulse of youki into her. Not enough to hurt, just enough to bring her powers to the surface and awaken her.
Kagome groaned as she felt Sesshomaru's youki jostle her from her slumber. She rolled slightly noticing her bed didn't feel like it usually did. Opening her eyes she realized she was in the den, memories of playing with the children last night came to mind. She was usually so tired from training by the time she made it back to the family wing she was already falling asleep, it hadn't given her much in the way of time to spend with the children. However she'd felt more awake when she came back to the den last night and decided to spend time with the kids while they talked about how their day had been. After that she was a little fuzzy on the details. She figured she'd fallen asleep on the pillows. Slowly she sat up and stretched, the smell of food caught her attention and she inelegantly crawled over to the table before looking back at Sesshomaru.
"Are you planning on eating breakfast with us this morning?" She asked as she plopped an omelet on her plate. Sesshomaru stood and made his way to the table. Effortlessly he seated himself next to her. Kagome just smiled and uncovered the rice bowls before handing one to each of the kids and one to Sesshomaru. Kagome grabbed a jar that held jam, it'd taken her almost the whole week to get the kitchen staff to agree to make it. She took a spoon and dropped a small blob of it on her omelet before spreading it on top. Shippo and Rin both made a face at the combination, leaving her to stick her tongue out at them.
Sesshomaru stared curiously at the concoction on the Miko's plate. She just smiled and took a bite.
"Mi-Kagome, what IS that?" He asked, confusion on his face.
"Breakfast?" She said, looking at him in a mirroring confusion. If he were a lesser demon he'd have rolled his eyes.
"I see that. Why are there fruit preserves on your eggs?" he asked eyeing her food.
"It's yummy?" She said as if it were obvious, "Would you like to try them?" She asked as she held a piece of the omelet out with her chopsticks, her hand hovered below to keep it from falling to the floor should she lose her hold. Sesshomaru eyed it warily but, against his standoffish nature, he leaned in and ate it. The taste was sweet and fruity, it added itself to the taste and texture of the eggs. It didn't really suit his tastes but he could understand why the Miko liked it. Kagome looked at him expectantly when he didn't say anything.
"Human tastes will always confound me." He said hoping she would accept the answer.
"You didn't like it?" She asked with a hint of pout in her voice. Sesshomaru tried to think of a better reply.
"I don't care for sweets." He confided. Kagome crinkled her nose in response.
"Well, more for me then." She said playfully as she took another bite. Once breakfast was finished Kagome and Sesshomaru changed and made their way to the training area. General Kaii and Inuyasha were sparring when they arrived. The Miko started towards a weapons rack with a dagger on it, but he placed his hand on her shoulder before she was out of arms reach and turned her to face him.
"Kagome," he said as he reached into his sleeve and pulled out the tanto he'd had commissioned for her, "this arrived last night. A gift, from your Alpha to his Beta." he said handing it to her. He put effort in remembering to call her by name now instead of just 'Miko'. He still slipped up from time to time, but it only ever really happened when he was confused or startled. Neither he'd ever admit to being.
"Sesshomaru, I told you I could just use a normal blade." she said looking down at the beautiful blade in her hands, "But thank you, it's beautiful." Sesshomaru nodded in acceptance of her thanks.
"I had it forged to withstand the intake of your reiki and to increase your control on your reiki as well. It should be easier to use then a worthless training dagger, would you care to try it out?" He asked pointing to a dummy target that had been set up. Kagome awkwardly pulled the blade from the sheath and Sesshomaru shook his head at the motion. Quickly he walked up behind her and slid the sheath into the straps of her hakama and sheathed the blade. With a smooth motion he pulled her back flush to him and gently supported her dainty hands in his massive ones. With his left hand he led her left hand to the sheath and his right hand led her right hand to the hilt, carefully he showed her how to draw the blade in one smooth, fluid motion.
Kagome flushed red as she was pulled into contact Sesshomaru's body, the motion felt very intimate, though she knew he probably meant nothing by it. He repeated the action on drawing and sheathing the blade a few more times before releasing her to draw the tanto herself. When she did it to his liking he motioned for her to attack the dummy.
Using the skills she'd been practicing all week, she ran at the dummy, and attacked it once as she got the feel for her new blade. Kagome walked back to her mark and tried again, this time controlling her reiki into the blade. It was exceedingly easy to manipulate her reiki into the new weapon, easier than even her bow. The blade shone bright pink as she raced towards the target once more. Her strike left a slightly pink glow to the wound she'd left on the dummy.
"Very good." Sesshomaru said . Kagome turned to look at him and noticed the general and InuYasha were watching her. Ignoring them she sheathed her blade and began to walk towards Sesshomaru who was grabbing a swords and dagger from the weapons rack. He walked out to her and handed her the dagger she'd been training with for days before. Standing across from her he took a sparring stance and held out the sword, it was obvious he intended to spar with her. Kagome took her position and waited, when he didn't make the first move she did. Running straight towards him she extended the blade to stab him. With the ease only a demon could manage he dodged her blade and swiped his blade towards her. Quickly she ricocheted the on coming blade away from her with a well placed counter before resuming her offensive stance. This dance continued for an hour, each time they reset positions Sesshomaru's speed increased. With one final push Kagome brought her blade to Sesshomaru's throat and held her position. Sesshomaru took a step back and nodded signaling the completion of her daily training. Her breathing was heavy from the exertion she'd put forth and she used her hand to fan her face in an effort to cool herself.
"I need a bath" She said to herself as she pulled the top of her damp shirt away from her skin and fanned her chest by moving the shirt back and forth. Pushing herself to her feet, she took one step before faltering and falling on her butt. Sesshomaru walked closer to her and crouched so she could climb onto his back. Kagome waved to InuYasha and General Kaii as her and Sesshomaru left the training area. Kagome had thought it was odd for Sesshomaru to spend time with her, she'd chalked it up to him wanting to see her use his gift. She yawned and laid her head on Sesshomaru's broad shoulder. She was so sleepy, training always took a great deal out of her. She thought about taking a nap before lunch, but soon she was lulled into slumber by the gentle sway of Sesshomaru's steps.
Sesshomaru could feel the Miko's breaths even out as she fell asleep, he'd have to wake her when they got back to the den, but for now he let her sleep.
