I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry that it took me this long to update! I have been attacked by a major case of writer's block and then add into the equation that I work two jobs now and you get a really long wait for an update. I'm really sorry. I'm also sorry that I didn't respond to reviews on my last update! I just noticed that as I went back through the story. I will now respond to all reviews since then:
Fanficqueen306:You're welcome for giving you a Koga :) (and yes, you spelled his name correctly :P)
TheDoctorsTimeLady:I'm glad you enjoyed the connection between Haru and Saya. I quite enjoy it a lot myself. :) And there will definitely be jealousy on the hanyou's part :P Thank you, and I hope you are still around to read this chapter update as well as this response :P
Timewriter: I know! So much awesomeness! Yay! Beta approval! XD Oops! Mistakes! XD Oh well! XD But of course :P
YaoiLovinKitsune: That's because he is :P He's basically Koga with a brain XD
GuardianGirl24: Thank you for your praises :D
A large thank you to everyone who reviewed! I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well, and please, don't forget to review for this one as well! :D Onto the chapter!
Chapter 6: Training Begins
Saya was awakened by the persistent prodding of a finger in her side. Shifting over to see who dared to disturb her slumber, she discovered Hiyori with an exasperated expression. "I have been attempting to awaken you for a while now," whispered the miko.
"Sorry," Saya whispered back as a yawn interrupted her speech, "I tend to be a heavy sleeper."
"I noticed." Standing, Hiyori motioned for Saya to follow her. "Time to begin your training."
Nodding, Saya made to get up, but a whine caused her to give pause. Yue was curled against her side. The small fox began whining again and shuffled closer to Saya. The girl smiled before glancing up at Hiyori, who nodded and indicated with her head where she would wait for Saya.
The miko in-training scooped Yue into her arms and approached Sango and Kirara as quietly as possible. She did not go unnoticed. The small neko raised her head as she watched the girl approach. Yue still resting peacefully within one arm, Saya raised a finger to her lips to indicate the neko not to wake Sango. Kirara settled down once again. Saya placed Yue next to the neko who sniffed the pup before pulling her closer by the scruff. Yue settled down without complaint and instantly resumed her slumber. Kirara glanced at Saya before settling into sleep as well. With a small smile, the tired girl returned to the awaiting miko's side. The duo walked until they were situated in an area which held different sizes of rocks and boulders. She could not see all details due to the lack of light illuminating the land. Saya turned to the other miko. "So, what are we doing here, exactly?" Another yawn escaped from her lips.
"Before we can begin your spiritual training, you must improve your stamina and reflexes. You are severely lacking in both."
"Why don't you just teach me the incantation for the shield used for me yesterday? That seems like it would be easier." The girl struggled to keep both eyes open. She was not a morning person in any definition of the word.
"What incantation?"
"I saw your mouth moving when you put the shield up."
"Oh, that." Hiyori laughed. "I was simply muttering beneath my breath about how much work there was to accomplish where your training was concerned." Saya sighed while Hiyori smiled. "Shall we begin?" Reluctantly, Saya nodded. Hiyori grinned before climbing atop a large boulder.
Looking up at the other woman, Saya asked, "What exactly am I supposed to do?"
"I'm going to be tossing all sorts of things at you, including spiritual energy, and you have to dodge them."
"That doesn't seem too difficult," Saya muttered, missing the mischievous smile that passed over Hiyori's lips.
She hurt—that was all Saya knew. Every fiber of her being ached. Her body protested every step she took. All she wished was to collapse and regain the energy she lost during her so-called training session (more like a sadistic game of dodge ball where everything thrown possessed the probability of severely injuring her) with Hiyori. Upon returning to camp, Haru took one glance at the haggard looking Saya and made a delightful offer.
"Want me to carry you?"
Saya was about to answer when Hiyori spoke first.
"Her stamina needs improvement; it will not occur if she gets carried after her training. She needs to walk on her own two legs no matter how miserable she may feel. It builds character, and she will not feel a thing after a few more sessions." Saya was then forced to walk, even though she had a nice, comfy ride traveling beside her. Hiyori was kind enough to carry Yue for the tired girl, as she could barely walk, as the miko did not wish to see the pup injured.
After traveling for some time, Haru asked, "Are you gonna make it? You look like you're about to collapse." His doubt of Saya's stability was not hidden upon his features nor his tone.
"No, I'm not. I was ready to collapse after I finished that hellish training session, and now I'm really ready to fall over. I, honestly, don't know how I'm still standing, let alone talking."
"If you have enough energy to complain about my training methods, then you have more energy to spare than I thought. It seems I did not push you enough in your training. I shall correct such a mistake in the morning," Hiyori called from where she walked leisurely between Saya and the rest of the group. Saya growled beneath her breath while Haru laughed quietly.
When the group paused their journey for lunch, Saya collapsed onto the ground with a groan. "I'm not moving from this spot for six hours!"
Hiyori smiled as she placed the kitsune on Saya's chest before she assisted the group in preparing their meal. On the ground beside her, Saya lay slowly fading in and out of consciousness. She soon fell fast asleep.
Inuyasha glanced up from his food when Sango spoke some time later. "Should we wake her? She should eat as well." Her question was directed at the miko, but the demon slayer's gaze rested upon the slumbering female.
Hiyori shook her head. "She needs her sleep. Let her rest for now. I shall wake her when we are to depart." Nodding reluctantly, Sango finished her meal. Inuyasha watched as the miko glanced at Saya; the small kit rested contently upon her chest. The sight seemed to bring a small smile to the miko's face, but for what reason, remained unclear to Inuyasha.
The hanyou finished his ramen quickly before departing to scout ahead. He wanted to make sure nothing was headed their way. He was certain at least half of the group would be useless if something were to attack; they would worry about Saya's safety too much. Not only did he want to make sure nothing was headed their way, but he also wanted to get away from the one called Hiyori. Something about her did not set well with his senses. She had a different scent than most mikos; she still reeked of purification—a scent Inuyasha loathed because of what it could do to him—but there was another scent, something fainter and oddly familiar, that he just could not put his finger on. Once assured the coast was clear, he returned to camp.
"Pack up; time to leave." Everyone followed his command, and prepared to leave once again.
Saya was completely unaware of anything that surrounded her; she had not even been aware of the fact she had fallen asleep until she felt a light thump to her side. She sprung up, ready to attack the person who would dare do such a thing. Yue mewled in protest, suddenly in her lap, as she too was suddenly awakened.
"Oh, good, you are awake. It is time to depart," Hiyori informed with a smile.
Saya's eye began to twitch with aggravation. "You could have just tapped my shoulder, ya know. You didn't have to kick me!"
Hiyori cocked her head to the side in a considering manner. "I suppose you are right. I shall remember that for next time."
"Oh, hell no. Whoever wakes me up next is not going to be you!"
"I train you in the mornings, so I shall be the next to wake you."
Saya groaned and plopped back onto the ground. "I don't know which is worse: having no sleep or being left here for the demons."
"Oi! What's takin' you women so long?"
"Saya's not wanting to get up," Hiyori answered.
Inuyasha strode over and tossed the grounded female over his shoulder as though she were a sack of potatoes. Saya's eye twitched as she tried to get out of the hanyou's hold. Unfortunately, she was unable to control her energy enough to purify him, and her strength would never compare to that of Inuyasha. With a sigh, she resigned herself to being carried and glared at the dark auburn haired female who walked pleasantly beside Sango and Miroku—Yue resting within her arms once again. The kit seemed to be content in her position unlike Saya, who kept imagining Hiyori's death in multiple ways.
"I hate you," Saya stated simply while staring pointedly at Hiyori.
The female smiled pleasantly in response.
Saya's eyes narrowed. Haru walked behind Hiyori with a teasing smirk on his face. "Shut up, Haru," Saya gritted out.
"I'm not sayin' a word."
"But you're thinking it."
"Pipe down, would ya! You're givin' me a headache," grumbled Inuyasha as he shifted his hold on Saya.
"You could just put me down, ya know. I can walk on my own."
"You'll just slow us down, and we need to cover as much ground as possible. We already lost a lot of ground this morning because of your slow ass." Saya rolled her eyes, too tired to fight with him at the moment. Saya was beginning to fall asleep again at the steady movement of Inuyasha's steps, but what he muttered caused her eyes to snap open in irritation. "Geez, you're a lot heavier than Kagome."
"What was that?"
Inuyasha dumped Saya onto the ground. As she got to her feet, Inuyasha responded, "You heard me, wench."
Saya's eye began to twitch with agitation, something that was becoming a habit of hers around the hanyou. "You—Ah!" Before Saya could finish her insult, a bolt of lightning struck down; the force of the collision caused Saya to be swept away and slam her back into a tree. Hiyori rushed to her side as she slid down the trunk.
"Shall I check for any broken bones?" Hiyori asked. Though she would have anyway; she was just being polite by asking.
Saya nodded; the wind had been knocked out of her making it difficult to speak. Hiyori nodded before erecting a dome of transparent, white-gold energy to encase Saya. As the minutes ticked by, Saya slowly began to regain the ability to breathe with ease. While Hiyori tended to Saya, Inuyasha faced the man atop a male bovine that had appeared with the lightning.
The man turned his small, black eyes in Inuyasha's direction. "Draw your sword, Inuyasha, for I shall attack with or without you doing so." The man stood and charged Inuyasha, a hammer raised.
Saya turned her head in the hanyou's direction. "Inuyasha needs help; I should—"
"Stay where you are and allow me to heal you. You would be of no help to him in your condition. He will be fine." Uncertain, Saya nodded and allowed Hiyori to continue healing her. The sounds of the battle only added to her unease about the situation and caused her to start fidgeting. "If you keep fidgeting, you will not heal properly. He will be fine. You, out of all of us, know how strong he is. Now, stop moving."
The sounds switched from metal on metal to something unfamiliar to Saya. Several minutes later, a voice was heard.
"Totosai, that should be enough."
The hanyou glanced down. "Myoga?" Saya, however, could not see with whom he was speaking.
Totosai put his strip of leather away and turned to Hiyori. "Do I know you?"
"I should not think so. You may be thinking of my mother. I have been told we greatly resemble one another."
"Hmm…"
Hiyori returned her attention to Saya, dropping the encasement. "You should be healed now." Saya leapt to her feet and dashed to rejoin the others barely remembering to mutter her thanks toward the other female. The group sat in a circle to discuss the sword Inuyasha possessed; Hiyori followed behind slowly.
"So you're the person who forged the Tetsusaiga," asked Inuyasha.
"That's right, but I can't stand the fact that the great sword I made is being used in such a way. I'll just have to take it and turn it into cutlery." Tetsusaiga was shoved into Totosai's face; the old man was forced to open his mouth and push his head back in order to avoid the blade. "I was only joking!" His words sounded off due to having to speak without moving his lips too much, lest they get cut by the blade. Inuyasha returned to his previous position, replacing the sword in its sheath. Totosai sighed in relief before he continued his speech. "It is a shame that you have used the true power of Tetsusaiga only once. Perhaps you are not fit for such a powerful sword."
"I don't care what you say, this sword is mine, and so what if I've only used it once? All I need is practice!"
"It has been many years since the Shikon no Tama has returned to this land. I wonder how powerful the demons are that possess these shards—I am quite certain that there are multiple demons with multiple fragments. Do you honestly believe you can continue swinging that sword around blindly as you have and defeat those stronger demons?"
"Perhaps you should hear him out, Inuyasha. He is right: The remaining shards are bound to be held by demons who possess great power—more powerful than the one we have recently faced. We simply do not have time to wait around for you to try and master your sword." The voice of reason came in the form of Miroku.
"Indeed, Master Inuyasha. Totosai created the Tetsusaiga. He knows the secret to unlocking the full potential of your sword! You should hear him out." Saya glanced around for the source of the voice. She saw a flea resting upon Inuyasha's shoulder. Could that be where the voice came from?
"But first, there is one who seeks my life. You must protect me from him." Totosai sat up, gazing fearfully ahead of him. "He's here…" Inuyasha stood and looked behind him. Approaching the group was a male who was quite tall. His long, white hair swayed in wind as he walked. Across his cheek bones, two magenta stripes resided. On his forehead was a blue crescent moon. His eyes were the same color as Inuyasha's: a golden yellow, and about those eyes was—magenta eyeshadow? He was dressed in white and fur. He was incredibly attractive. Saya stared, trying to keep her mouth closed.
"Sesshomaru," ground out Inuyasha. The hanyou tensed; his hand instantly gripped onto the hilt of Tetsusaiga.
Sesshomaru's golden eyes flickered toward the crowd standing behind Inuyasha. "I see you still harbor Father's affliction for humans." His cold gaze swept over each individual, resting momentarily upon Saya before continuing onto the next.
"Who is that?"
"Sesshomaru, Inuyasha's older half-brother."
Saya heard the whispered conversation between Sango and Miroku, but couldn't believe her ears. That hot guy was Inuyasha's brother? Damn, they both have some pretty good genes… Saya attempted to shake off her thoughts. Now would not be a good time to be distracted. If Inuyasha was acting this way, there had to be a reason. This Sesshomaru guy (no matter how attractive) must be dangerous, so she needed to stay on guard—no matter how much her mind kept slipping.
His cold gaze focused on Inuyasha once again. "Why have you plotted with Totosai to conspire against me?"
"Because you're evil incarnate!" Totosai answered behind the hanyou.
Saya had to bite her lip to keep the laugh from escaping. She knew this was hardly the moment to laugh, but the statement was just so…blatantly spoken—as if it were a well-known fact. It was difficult for her to keep a straight face. Totosai, however, did not find Sesshomaru's glare pointed in his direction amusing.
"I never said that I was talking about you…" he trailed off and began looking around innocently. Saya stared at the old man in disbelief and exasperation. This man did not seem to possess a backbone to speak of. He was such a coward!
"If you beat Inuyasha, then we'll talk about making a sword for you."
Sesshomaru's lips turned upward in a small, but malicious, smile. "Very well."
Sesshomaru instantly took to fighting. Saya reached back to withdraw an arrow, but a hand on hers stopped her short. Glancing to the side, she saw Hiyori shake her head. This is his battle; he needs to do this himself seemed to be what she was silently conveying. Warily, Saya retrieved her hand and watched with baited breath as the brothers continued fighting. Sango reached for Hiraikotsu, taking a step forward to assist the hanyou—only for Inuyasha to shout at her.
"This is my fight. I don't want anyone's help!" It made Saya momentarily glad that Hiyori had been the one to stop her; she might have started yelling at the hanyou if he had told her that—something that would not have helped anyone in this situation. At one point during the fight, Saya feared that Sesshomaru would actually kill Inuyasha.
"I knew that runt would never stand a chance against Sesshomaru," Totosai muttered almost sadly.
"What do you mean by that? You're the reason they're fighting, nimrod!" exclaimed Saya.
"Oh, I am?" Saya's eye twitched, and she could no longer control her irritation over the cowardly ways of the old man. With a shout of agitation, she turned and hit Totosai in the head with his own hammer. "My apologies," the old man muttered as a large lump began forming on his balding head.
"Annoying old man…" Saya huffed again before redirecting her attention back to the fighting siblings.
Inuyasha knew that if he didn't do something soon, this would be the end for him and Tetsusaiga, with Sesshomaru attacking the sword as he was. Just as he was running out of ideas, he smelt something: the winds colliding together in the vortex of the two youki, and the fissure that it created. Inuyasha swung Tetsusaiga, and felt Sesshomaru disappear.
"I knew he could do it," Shippo exclaimed.
"Yes, there was no doubt in my mind that he could pull it off." The fickle old man was hit over the head again by Saya before she approached Inuyasha, who knelt on the ground. He had not moved since unleashing the power of Tetsusaiga upon Sesshomaru. Saya had to watch her step; the ground was covered in long trenches, all stemming from where Inuyasha knelt. When she got closer, she saw the hanyou's ears twitch, but he did not move.
"Did I get him?"
Saya looked around. Not a trace was left of his brother. "I'd say so; there's nothing left of him." Inuyasha nodded slowly before standing. He found his way to a stream with his nose. Once there, he knelt down and splashed water into his eyes, clearing away the poison that Sesshomaru had so kindly bestowed upon him.
While the others approached the duo, Saya turned to survey the area. She didn't know why, but she felt something staring at her. It was a little creepy. Saya was so absorbed in her thoughts, she didn't hear the conversation taking place around her.
"Inuyasha, did you feel the Wind Scar slice through Sesshomaru?"
The hanyou shook his head. "That's the thing, I felt him just…disappear once it got closer to his body."
Totosai scratched his chin. "Just as I feared: Tenseiga protected Sesshomaru, even though he thinks it's useless."
"It saved his life?" Sango asked.
"It appears that way." The old man sighed before turning to Inuyasha. "I suppose because you have learned how to use the Wind Scar, I will allow you to keep Tetsusaiga." Inuyasha's eye twitched. "Give me the sword."
"Why should I do that? You had been threatening to take it away." Inuyasha's tone was heavily laden with irritation.
"So I can fix it. It has gotten pretty dull with you swinging it around like you had been!"
Inuyasha scoffed. "Whatever, old man."
Hiyori approached Saya as the girl continued to stare off into the trees. "Saya-chan?" She snapped out of her thoughts and turned to Hiyori, asking what was up. "Are you all right? Do you sense something?"
Saya frowned. "I'm not entirely certain. I keep getting this feeling that I'm being watched, but I can't see anything. It's starting to creep me out."
Hiyori hummed in thought. "Perhaps it is just your mind playing tricks on you. We did watch a heated battle. It could just be your senses on high alert for nothing."
"Yeah, I suppose." Saya glanced to the trees once more before sitting down and chatting with the rest of the group while they waited for Totosai to finish mending and sharpening Tetsusaiga. After a while, Saya noticed something was off. "Hey, where's Haru?"
The wolf demon was hidden within the woods that surrounded the group. Haru stared at the wolf across from him. This was not good.
"Are you certain?" The wolf nodded. The young wolf demon sighed. "Guess I have no choice. Tell him that I will return shortly, and I'll be bringing someone who will be of great value to us." Haru ran a hand through his hair as the wolf disappeared. Things just became complicated.
And another bonus scene! Just a fair warning on this one: I don't have my beta edit these as a whole, and I haven't done a whole lot of editing on this. I apologize. Please do not forget to review and let me know what you thought about this chapter. Any creative criticism welcomed! :)
Saya was made aware of someone nudging her in an attempt to awaken her. Groaning, Saya slowly opened her eyes and blearily looked around. She soon discovered Hiyori next to her indicating Saya to stand and follow. The sky was still dark as Saya forced herself up and followed Hiyori away from the group. The two continued walking until they reached a flat land with boulders and smaller rocks lying around haphazardly. Saya could barely make out where some of them were. Gazing around, Saya asked why they were there.
"We're here because you need to improve on your stamina."
"What are you talking about?"
"You couldn't dodge that attack aimed directly at you. If you had better stamina and reflexes, you could have been able to get out of that situation, and I would not have had to throw up that barrier to protect you."
"Well, why don't you just teach me the incantation that you used for that barrier?"
"What incantation?"
"I saw your lips moving while you erected that barrier in front of me."
"Oh that?" Saya nodded, and Hiyori laughed. "I was muttering about how annoying it was that I had to save your butt and about how I was going to train you like no other." Saya scowled. "Shall we begin?" When Saya nodded, Hiyori climbed atop a large boulder.
"What exactly am I supposed to be doing, anyway?"
"I'm going to be tossing all sorts of things at you, including spiritual energy, and you have to dodge them all."
"That doesn't seem so difficult," Saya muttered. Saya missed the mischievous glint in Hiyori's eyes and the smile that played upon her lips.
Saya felt a sharp pain on her temple. "Ouch!" The pebble fell down onto the ground. "What the hell? You didn't say we were starting yet!"
"The enemy won't either." The statement was followed by another pebble that Saya managed to dodge. Hiyori decided to step up the game by throwing larger rocks, and then she added energy balls into the mix.
Saya attempted to evade all attacks aimed in her direction, but only managed to avoid less than half. She was sure to have bruises in the morning, if not later that day. She felt as though she were Sakura Haruno in her training sessions with Tsunade-sama. On the journey back to the campsite, Saya felt as though she would soon greet the ground with her face.