Chapter Five:

'Has it really been six months since that day?' Kagome sat under a tree on the grounds of Sesshomaru's castle watching Shippo and Rin chase Jaken. For the last few months, she has been training hard with either Sesshomaru or the monk of the village nearby. She knew going in that Sesshomaru would not be easy on her, but she had no idea how tough it would actually be.

At first, she was surprised to know they would be going to his home to train. He believed Naraku would not make his presence known for a while so there was no point in searching for him right away. She was glad to know that she would be sleeping on a bed instead of the ground while working on her training. Also, that the children would be safe inside the castle walls at the same time.

Sesshomaru focused on her powers first. She thought it would be easy and boy was she wrong. She found out there was a barrier on her powers and the training it took to break it was mentally and physically exhausting. After the first month, they finally tapped into her full potential. They then focused on using those powers. Now she could make barriers that covered the whole castle! Her purifying arrows also grew by strength so much that they had to be careful when practicing.

Then came the physical training. Sesshomaru did not go easy on her just because she was a human. He told her strength comes from pain. Well with the amount of pain she was in on a daily basis she must be pretty damn strong by now. They practiced with swords, hand to hand combat, anything he could teach her he did.

The most shocking part, is after a while they started to become well...friends. It took a while but slowly she watched as his firm mask softened. When they were sparing once, after a good hit to Kagome, she had called him a bitch. She was certain he was going to strike out at her, but to her surprise, he looked like he was fighting not to laugh. She caught his faint smile before he swiftly turned and headed out of the room. After that day, it was Kagome's goal to make him crack. Every day she would joke or push his buttons, but the most she got was a smirk.

Finally, on the second month of her training, it happened! They were working on hand to hand combat when Sesshomaru came at her from behind. Kagome fell onto her stomach and the Lord fell with her. After only a few seconds, Kagome's laughed and said "LORD SESSHOMARU! I knew you were a dog but seriously!" He quickly got off her and gave her a strange look. "In my time we call that position 'doggy style'." Sesshomaru's eyes grew wide and when she started laughing he couldn't help it he laughed with her. Of course, once he realized what he had done, he was quick to remind her that he was a demon Lord who would never sully himself with a "lowly human." She then went on to tease him mercifully after that. Of course, he made her pay by knocking her on her ass more, but as the joking and easy conversation grew they somehow formed a friendship.

It was strange, he rarely talked to her but would always listen as she rambled on about her life in the future. It seemed to intrigue him enough to ask her more about it. So as time went on she grew more and more comfortable around him.

Even though things were going pretty good for her, she still caught herself sometimes thinking about Inuyasha. Was he happy now? Did he ever miss her? OF course, he didn't. He had his love with him now and his burden was gone. Still, he was always on her mind. She also missed the others terribly. She would take a bath after training and wish Sango was there to talk to about her dreams and their future. She missed joking around with Miroku and watching him get slapped when he took the jokes too far. She missed it all. But she knew that they were better off without her. Shippo never really talked about what happened, he didn't want her to get sad but she knew he missed them too.

She was brought out of her thoughts as she sensed a familiar aura headed towards her.

"Miko"

"Dog"

"It is Lord Sesshomaru, Miko. This one will not stand being called a dog."

"And this Kagome will not stand being called something other than her name," Kagome smirked at him.

"Hn. As you say...Miko." Sesshomaru lightly smiled in her direction.

"Yea yea yea. So DOG, what's the plan for today? Are we sparing or you afraid I'm gonna kick your butt." She beat him once in a spar and never let him hear the end of it.

"This Sesshomaru will never let you win again." Kagome laughed at his response. "This one believes there is nothing more to teach you. You have grown strong in the last few moons and it is time we set out to destroy the half breed."

Kagome was shocked! She didn't know what to say so she just blinked wide-eyed at him.

"My scouts have come to believe NArku has come out of hiding. There is also talk of a new demon who has been targeting Mikos. He smells of Naraku. We will leave at dawn. Take today to relax and prepare for our journey. I do not know how long we will be gone."

As he walked away Kagome turned back to watching the children. On one hand, she was excited to go out and test her new skills. On the other, she was afraid to run into Inuyasha again. She hoped that when the time came she would take her training and let none of her feelings show. She was strong now. She didn't need him. She could do this!

Shippo and Rin played until it was time for dinner. They ate together and she told them they were leaving in the morning. Both seemed pretty excited to get out of the castle for a while. After she bathed them all it was time for bed. As she did every night she told them a bedtime story. Their favorite one was beauty and the beast. Believe it or not, she has caught Sesshomaru listening in a couple of times when she told the story. She even tried to get him to sing with her once when she sang the song from the movie for the children. He would just huff and walk away. She would get him one day.

Once Shippo and RIn were asleep Kagome retired to her room. She was anxious and knew sleep would not come easy to her. After a while she decided to walk and clear her head. Walking the gardens of the castle she was not surprised when Sesshomaru joined her. They often walked at night after training not speaking just enjoying each other's company.

"What has you troubled Kagome?" Kagome smiled that he used her name.

"Not really troubled I guess, just anxious." She responded quietly.

"Oh... If you are worried about Naraku or this new demon you should not be. You are much stronger than you were. You could purify me to dust right now if you wanted too." He smiled at her laugh. "But, I get the feeling this has to do with this one's brother instead."

Kagome just smiled. It sometimes amazed her how in tune he was with her feelings. He could read her like a book. "Both I suppose. I do not doubt my strength as i used too, and I do not doubt that you will protect me. But, yes I am still worried. I am worried about you and the children being hurt if I fail." He gave her a look like she was stupid. It made her laugh. " I am also nervous about running into Inuasya. It is bound to happen eventually. I just hope I am strong enough to move on and let him be happy."

"You will one day explain to this Sesshomaru why it is you no longer travel with my brother. I do not believe he would leave you for her."

"But he did. He loves her isn't that enough of an explanation? Let's not talk about it right now ok? Let's just enjoy this peace while we can." He gave her a look but conceded. They walked for a while before heading off to bed.

Sesshomaru did not understand. He knew Inuyasha scent marked Kagome. It was only something you did to an intended mate to keep away other males while you court a female. He must have done this without her knowledge for he was sure she would not let him go so easily if she was aware. Sesshomaru himself has been secretly doing it to her for a while now as an added mark of protection for her. Also, as a way to wake his Baka ass brother up and realise if he didn't fix his mistake then he would mate her himself. He has grown to care for her in the short time they have been together. She was powerful and would make a good mate. He would see her protected at all costs.

Across the hall an all-knowing kit watched his mother walk into her room. He was really hoping they ran into Inuyasha soon. He couldn't wait to see the look on his face when he smelled Kagome. Maybe he would finally let the dead woman go and stop hurting his mother. He went back to bed with a smirk on his face. 'This is gonna be fun!'

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Morning came and Kagome felt good about heading back out there. She had trained long and hard and she would not waste it hiding behind a man to protect her. She would protect the ones she loved and would no longer be a burden. Naraku was goin down. She dressed in a white tank top and jeans. She had got some comfortable hiking boots before she came back knowing now that she no longer had a certain Hanyou to carry her she would need to dress more appropriately. Looking in the mirror she couldn't help but feel smug at the muscle tone she had gained during her training. She even had a slight six-pack! She felt good, she looked good, she was a new woman.

"Kagome! Are you ready!" Rin ran into her room excited to be heading out.

"Yep! Lets Go!"

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I promise this is an Inu/Kag story but come on who didn't see this coming lol