Recap:
He continued to look at her, "There are ways to cover up deceit."
"None of which I know," she said while tapping her spoon on the side of the cut, then placing on a nearby napkin. She could not say too much more without giving herself away, that and Inuyasha was about to pull out his own hair in frustration. Sometimes she thought he was more protective over her time period than she was.
Slowly she stood up and faced the door, "Inuyasha has been to my home as well, if you feel like asking him about it. Though, even you will have a hard time getting anything tangible out of either one of us. I mean, your good, but you're not that good."
She was almost out the door when she heard, "Inuyasha, you shall accompany me on patrol today. It is time you did something useful. The wench will be joining us as well."
Kagome was so grateful right now she could dance. She had gotten out of patrol by pointing out that Inuyasha's recruits needed looking after. Inuyasha had immediately backed her up, saying how she would slow them down and Sesshomaru would be stuck with a human all day. What had really saved her though was Lord Shiho, apparently he and she had a lunch date that neither of them had ever spoken about. Good old Lord Shiho, trust him to know how to lie to a dog demon and get away with it. This of course meant that she was stuck with a bunch of chauvinistic demons but…she'd take that over Sesshomaru any day.
It was moments like this that really made her consider about thinking her plans through a little bit more.
Kagome briefly looked at the men as they lined up. She was going to try a different tactic for training than Inuyasha had. They had tried brute force now it was time for teamwork. You know, the thing Inuyasha claims he never needs but always uses. This was also a great time for her to try and develop her powers, and who better a teacher then the great Dog General himself. Kagome glanced to her left to see Touga standing three feet away. "You're sure this is how I'm supposed to do it?"
Touga grinned, "It is how I was taught."
Kagome rolled her eyes, "In case you forgot, demons and human's are different."
The demon smiled, "Yes but demons and priests are not as different as you think. You see, they were originally created to complement each other. Demon's possess the brute force and your kind are the…peace keepers. This is a perfect time to increase your powers as well as your control. We have all day and no distractions. This is a fairly easy task as well, most demons can do this by their first few years."
Kagome couldn't believe she was about to do this. She looked back over at the lined up demons as she contemplated her situation while rubbing one of her bare feet up against her left calf. Then again, she needed the training as well, no matter what Inuyasha wanted. Kagome slowly closed her eyes and focused on the energy emanating from her body. Instead of bending to her will like Touga promised, it fought back, and hard. She felt a sudden zap emulate throughout her body and she quickly took a step backwards in order to re-gain her bearings. It wasn't working. Her energy was to wild, it didn't want to be controlled. Kagome growled in frustration, demanding to know why the gods gave her broken powers, or maybe she was the broken one. This was why priestess spent years meditating. They learned how to be in command of their powers. Her energy just did not want to cooperate; she was going to need to try something else.
Kagome briefly contemplated telling Touga he was a sucky teacher and that she was leaving but changed her mind. He was after all, working with an incompetent student. She took in a deep sigh and tried to concentrate on things that kept her happy, instead of in the miserable state of knowing she was never going to be able to do this.
So Kagome focused on the little things that most people never paid attention to. The smell of the trees, the grass between her toes, the sunlight on her face. It was breathtaking.
Kagome suddenly felt something light and almost comforting make its way to her senses. It was…the wind. It was framing her face. A thought suddenly stuck her as she remembered her grandfather's ramblings about everything having some form of spiritual energy. Maybe if she could not control her own she could work with Mother Nature's. Once she felt the familiar pull of spiritual energy she again focused her thoughts. She began to manipulate said energy that was flowing around her, the trees, the air, everything, into a solid object. In her mind she pictured something unbreakable. It could withstand weather, swords, poison, anything.
Kagome opened her eyes as she saw a light pink barrier surrounding her. It was small, maybe three or four feet around her, but it was hers. Well, sort of. While it completely surrounded her it was not entirely solid, and it was swirling if you could believe it. It was like the wind itself was staying put just to protect her, but only as much as something as uncatchable as wind could stay in one place. She had never seen a barrier like it before but she was not going to complain about it. Kagome silently beamed. She looked towards the men, "Alright, first team to break the barrier gets to sleep in an extra hour tomorrow."
The first man stepped forward and swiped the barrier with his claws. Kagome watched as the wind picked up speed, almost solidifying before her eyes. It moved with the man's attacks, protecting her with each new swipe he made. He was pushed back but Kagome noticed that her barrier had shrunk down some. The second and third demons were quickly on her as well. Maybe she shouldn't have given them such a powerful incentive.
"Concentrate little one. Remember control," came Touga's voice.
Kagome again concentrated as she took advantage of the great Lord InuTashio Touga's teachings.
Kagome was beat as she fell ungracefully on her makeshift mattress which was really just a floor. It had taken her all day but she finally managed to make an unbreakable barrier. Mind you three demons were allowed to sleep in the next day but it was well worth it for her. While she doubted the barrier could stand up against someone of Sesshomaru's caliber it was better than nothing.
"That was exquisite little one. You have made me proud today," bantered the spirit.
Kagome rolled on her stomach as she took in all that was Touga, "You have been around a lot today."
He smiled, "You needed me today."
Kagome rolled back on her back, "I'm beat, could I please get a decent night sleep tonight? I think I deserve it."
Touga smiled as he floated next to her, "I agree to that one little one. You more than deserve tonight off."
With that confirmation Kagome quickly drifted off to sleep.
Kagome could have cried in joy, she had actually slept! For the first time in…four weeks she had actually woke up feeling slight rested! It was like Christmas had come early. No horrible headache pounding its way across her temple, no need to snap at random people and no need to faint in exhaustion due to sleep deprivation!
Kagome briefly looked out towards the already risen sun and smiled. God, she hadn't felt like truly smiling in such a long time. Nothing, and she meant nothing, was ruining her day today. Kagome briskly walked towards the kitchens, practically skipping.
"Lady Kagome?" squeaked a small voce.
Kagome spun around to see one of the little girls she had met earlier walking up to her. Brown hair, dark brown eyes and a long and very furry tail sticking out from the hole in her kimono. From the looks of it she was a squirrel demon. Kagome smiled as she walked up to the young demon, "What is it sweetie?"
The girl blushed, "Umm…can you um…make my clothes like yours?"
Kagome was momentarily stunned. She had been nothing but ridiculed for her clothes when in this time so the request was rather odd. Then again…she looked down at her outfit. She no longer wore the miniature sailor skirt and see through shirt. Now she wore a pair of low rise jeans, black tennis shoes and a green racer back shirt. Her mother and her had eventually caught on that jeans were cheaper than hundred dollar school uniforms.
"It's just…the boys say I can't play with them cause," the girl started to sniffle, "cause I'm to girly and my dress will get dirty, and I'll trip over it and cry and that-" she didn't finish her sentence because she was crying in Kagome's shirt. Absentmindedly Kagome rubbed the little girl's back. Kagome more than remembered the days when boys were mean like that. Inuyasha was just barely getting over it.
She pulled the little girl away and smiled, "How about you spend the day with me? My son Shippo will love the company. Maybe later on tonight we can work on some play clothes for you instead of that kimono."
The girl beamed as she wiped away her tears with Kagome's help, "I'm Aya."
Kagome smiled as they walked towards the kitchen. Aya was more than happy to have someone to talk to, and boy did the girl love to talk. She was in the middle of telling Kagome a story about how this owl demon had tried to kidnap her as a baby when she suddenly went quiet. Kagome looked up to see that they had stepped into the kitchen and everyone was looking at them.
"Don't worry about them," comforted Kagome.
"But what if they yell at me for talking," whispered Aya as the two of them walked over towards Kagome's counter.
"Then they can yell at me. You're a kid; they shouldn't have any problem with you acting like one. Now, I'm thinking some sugar cookies would be great for today," laughed Kagome as she dismissed the problem with a wave.
After a few minutes of batter preparation and mixing Kagome let Aya take a lick from the bowl. She smiled, "That is so good! Can I have more?"
"Sure," said Kagome as she licked her finger, "the batter is better than a cookie any day."
Aya smiled, "Where did you learn how to make all of these strange foods?"
Kagome internally laughed at her memories, "My mom is from here in Japan but my dad was born in the States so-"
Aya cut her off, "What are the States?"
"Umm…" Kagome had temporarily forgotten what time period she was in, "It's a very faraway place."
Aya's eyes widened as she took another bite, "Farther than the mainland?"
Kagome nodded, "Much farther. When my dad came to visit my mom instantly fell in love, but knew that traditional Japanese meals weren't going to cut it. Every girl around was offering him that. So instead she spent night and day learning how to cook this type of food, the food he would have eaten at home. One bite and he was hers."
Aya was too wrapped in the story to see that Kagome had stolen another bite of cookie dough and thus, going out of turn. "Wow, I like your mommy."
Kagome reached over to ruffle Aya's dark brown hair, "Me too." Kagome grabbed the bowl and jumped off the counter she had been sitting on. She effortlessly grabbed Aya's hands and lifted her down as well. "We have to go give some of this to Miroku, it's his favorite."
"The purple guy?" she asked while also grabbing his lunch.
Hand in hand they walked down the hall, "Yes the purple guy. You should ask him some time to tell you a story; he's an amazing story teller. I think it comes with the gift of lying," she said absentmindedly.
"Does he know about stories that girls beat up the mean boys?" she asked excitedly.
Kagome giggled, "I'm sure Sango or I could persuade him to think up one. It's amazing what a good hit on the head can do for the male species."
Aya looked serious as she spoke, "I should remember that."
Silently they made their way down the hall and towards Sesshomaru's study. Miroku, being the only one out of the two of them who didn't constantly pick fights, was declared mediator. While not traveling he would speak for Inuyasha and his pack while here. Today was one of those times. Loudly, Kagome knocked on the door in front of her. While yes there were demon's present Sesshomaru was more than likely to 'fail' to notify Miroku about her presence if given the chance.
"Lady Kagome?"
Kagome open the door and stepped in. Miroku sat on a pile of cushions sipping his tea while Sesshomaru and Jaken were on the other side of what looked like a desk. It was hard to tell since it was so close to the ground. "Hi Miroku, I wanted to bring you lunch and a snack."
Miroku silently looked at Sesshomaru, "Now is hardly the time to eat Kagome. I will eat at lunch."
"…It's two in the afternoon."
"…Oh…have I been in here that long?" he asked.
Aya stepped up immediately, not even realizing her Lord was in the same room as her, "We made dough! It's really good, but Lady Kagome says that you cannot have any until you eat your lunch."
Miroku's eyes widened as the small girl held up the bowl, "Kagome! That is not fair!"
Kagome took the bowl out of Aya's hands as she went back into mother mode, "You need to eat properly before you get any type of sweets from me."
"But-" he started, but Aya, being a girl and as such quiet often wants to play the 'mother role' cut him off.
"No buts mister purple man. You need to eat right," she said while stomping her foot.
Miroku looked shell shocked, "You have a mini-me now? Why can't I have one?"
Kagome rolled her eyes, "Go to a brothel, you'll find plenty," she said playfully.
"You wound me, my dear Kagome," he said while discreetly trying to grab the bowl that was now back in Aya's hands. Unfortunately he was not quite as smooth as he thought he was.
"Mister purple man! That is cheating!" yelled Aya as she and the bowl both hid behind Kagome's legs.
Kagome, seeing an opening for the little girl to maybe have some fun today took advantage of the situation, "Oh no, now he's really hungry. You better run before he eats it all."
Miroku immediately caught on as he winked playfully at her, "I'm going to eat all the cookie dough."
Aya panicked as she realized the purple man was going to eat it all and there was going to be none left for her. Somewhere inside her she knew that the nice purple man would leave some for her but…he might forget to. Without a moment's notice she was down the hall and Miroku was right behind her. Kagome, after eventually hearing Aya's laughing squeals headed around the corner, turned back towards Sesshomaru and Jaken.
"Sorry, she's been dep-" she started but was cut off by Jaken.
"Wench! No one interrupts Lord Sesshomaru!" he screeched.
Kagome absentmindedly started talking to herself in anger, "He did it again? Why does everyone insist on calling me that? And you know, I swear if Inuyasha calls me bitch one more time I'm tying him to a rock and throwing him in a river."
"Woman, you are once again talking to yourself," said a smooth voice.
Kagome turned back towards her current situation, "Bad habit. Again, sorry about that. He should be back in about twenty minutes so…"
"My Lord, this Jaken, your lowly servant, still needs to discuss the servants with you," he said loudly, once again cutting her off.
Kagome immediately found herself interested in the conversation, so she let the interruption pass. During her time here many of the servants had warmed up to her so she now knew quite a few of them.
"There are only a few changes. Mizui and Rika will be working in the kitchen this week, also serving, and I was thinking that the blonde demoness should be in the gardens," he tried.
Kagome couldn't help but let loose a loud scoff. Mizui and Rika work together? Not likely. Ashika, the blonde demoness, work outside? Where she could get dirty? Fat chance of that.
"Hisho can work with the blonde in the gardens," grumbled Jaken while he tried to ignore Kagome.
Again Kagome scoffed.
"Hama can continue looking after the wench," he inserted needlessly.
Kagome tried not to make a face at that comment. The woman was a beast; Kagome swore it up and down.
Kagome looked up to see Sesshomaru rubbing the temples of his forehead absentmindedly. Obviously he could care less about what Jaken was saying but at the same time knew that the staff needed to be overseen. Kagome decided maybe she should give him a break; she was after all, in a very good mood today.
"You would be better off placing Mizui and Rika apart. Mizui just found out that Rika slept with the demon she liked in order to get back at her for taking Rika's raise. Ashika cannot stand anything to do with the outdoors or dirt in general so her best use would be indoors and away from Hisho. He has a huge crush on her so he will spend most of the day gawking instead of working. You stick to your plans and it will leave you with two incompetent workers outside and two incompetent workers inside. And we all know how you love incompetence," she finished while she pulled out a rice cake from Miroku's lunch box.
Jaken quickly turned on her, not that he was ever on her side in the first place, "I know what I am doing wench."
Kagome's glare turned to ice, "I'm starting to get sick of people calling me that."
"Then you should leave the presence of people who do so…wench," smirked Sesshomaru as he relished in her anger.
Would it be too much if she threw something at him? Like her shoe? Or Jaken? What about that stupid sword he's always harping about? No, he'd probably be all perfectly perfect and catch it or something. Did he have to be such an ass? "You-you…"
"I see that pretend village of yours knows nothing of the proper usage of grammar…wench," he goaded again.
Was he…patronizing her? "You-"
"Yes, me," he finished while leaning down to sign a few papers. Mainly the ones Jaken had brought for approval of for the schedules. In doing so he was showing his blatant disregard for everything she had just said. "If you are done with your incessant screeching I have actual responsibilities that your pathetic little mind could never comprehend."
Kagome was furious. Here she was, trying to help him out like any good person was and he goes and acts all him. He was positively infuriating. Inuyasha was a frickin Boy Scout compared to this mongrel! The bastard had no right ruining her perfectly fine day!
"Fine! But you just wait, Mizui and Rika will be at each other's throats and…" she quickly glanced down at Jaken's parchment, "and Laski will cause more problems between them. She's a huge instigator! And Suri doesn't know the first thing about dragons! She'll be running back and forth between the fields to someone who knows what they are doing. Don't blame me when your whole castle goes crazy! You just watch!"
Kagome angrily stomped out of the stupid room fuming. He was such a, such a, god he was such a dog!
Sesshomaru continued to look out of the room in wonder as the miko so gracefully made her exit out of his study. He frowned momentarily as his half brothers scent radiated off her. It was almost as if Inuyasha were here with him in the room with the way the scent lingered. In fact, he had remembered yesterday morning quite well and was still baffled by it.
For all the time he had come into contact with his half brothers group the miko had always smelled like his brother, as if an extension. It was rather perplexing since he knew human's had a unique scent, just as everything else in the world. No flower smelt exactly the same as no human should. Yes, they all had the undertone of dirt and sweat but they were all unique by their own right. The miko was different. The whelp's sent clung to her like a second skin. More than once he had mistaken her for his half brother when entering a clearing. The past morning was different. She had the distinct scent of the fire cat surrounding her. Inuyasha's scent was no longer present and in continuation the woman's personal scent was not to be found anywhere. Then she had returned only to smell like the half breed yet again. It was almost like her body was…absorbing the nearest creatures scent and making it her own.
Deciding he had witnessed enough of the infuriating woman, Sesshomaru never thought he would ever meet another creature as aggravating as Inuyasha; he looked down at the parchment in front of him. He stopped mid breath as he scanned the names in front of him. Laski? Suri? They had not said these names out loud.
Sesshomaru quickly returned his attention back towards the open door, "Jaken, did the miko just…read?"
Kagome ran up to Inuyasha who was again beating the crap out of the recruits.
"Is that all you got? Kagome could run faster than this," he yelled.
Kagome finally reached him, "You know, just because you sense me coming does not mean you have to throw a random insult about me out into the world."
Inuyasha just smirked, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't need you around to talk trash about you."
"So glad I'm loved," she frowned while plopping herself on the ground.
Inuyasha, finally realizing his friend was upset frowned, "What's wrong with you now?"
"God!" she screamed now that he was paying attention, "I hate that stupid brother of yours! He's so infuriating he makes Naraku look good. It's like he takes a personal pleasure in making me hate him."
"Well, he probably does. He's sort of a bastard that way," finished Inuyasha lamely.
Kagome flew her head back so she could properly lay on the ground. She knew when she decided to be the buffer between the two that she was up for a fight but…how was it he knew exactly what to do to annoy her? Even Inuyasha wasn't this good. "He needs to die," she sat up abruptly, "no, not die, scream in agony for a good few hours."
Inuyasha chuckled, a real live chuckle, "You know, it's pretty amusing to watch you when you're angry…you know, when it's not directed at me."
"Shut up," she said while collapsing on the ground yet again.
"So what did he do?" he asked while signaling the troops to run another lap.
"What doesn't he do?" she countered.
"Well, if I know you, and I'm pretty sure I do, you were probably trying to help in that annoying Kagome way. He probably didn't take your advice, insulted you and now you have the joy of watching it blow up in his face," he finished.
Kagome was shocked. When was Inuyasha ever this insightful? "How-"
"Shippo was listening by the door," he slipped in loudly; glad to have finally caught her off guard. She watched as the famous cocky smirk only dog demons could properly reproduce arrogantly overshadowed his features.
Hell no. One dog pulling one over on her was enough, she did not need two of them.
Kagome was immediately on her feet, "You just wait Inuyasha! I'm taking those ears now!"
Inuyasha knew this fight well. He immediately jumped up and into the nearest tree. Once he landed he made a god awful face at her while smirking. "What? Your puny human arms can't get you up here?"
She contemplating sitting him but knew that she would be cheating. No, she was winning this fight fair and square. No magical necklace. It was at that very moment that an idea suddenly struck her; one that she probably should have ignored, but live and learn. If she could control the surrounding energy to make a shield, and Touga could control her powers to make a shock…maybe she could use the tree to do the same thing.
Quite cautiously she pressed her palms towards the base of the tree her friend was currently residing in. She again, ignored her own raging powers and concentrated on the spiritual essence of the tree and all it could offer her. The tree was different than the wind she had used earlier on in the week. The energy was different and it was more…sturdy. Before she had simply commanded the wind to do as she asked, like Touga had taught her, but the tree was being uncooperative.
She pulled her hand away. The tree, apparently, did not like taking orders. She suddenly thought of herself. She too, didn't like being told what to do. It was rather annoying. In fact, she was much more likely to do what someone wanted when they said please. A sudden idea hit her. Mind you, it was crazy but, she had already accepted that maybe she wasn't as sane as she believed herself to be.
She again pressed her palms to the trees. "Please help me teach Inuyasha a lesson in manners."
"Fucking shit!" yelled Inuyasha as he suddenly felt a powerful jolt make its way though his body. He landed with a thump on the ground, face first. Kagome was about to walk over and gloat when something caught her eye. She immediately dodged when the object went flying at her, thinking it was an attack. When she managed a glance she looked up from her position on the ground to see a tree branch swinging in the air, Inuyasha dodging every which way.
"You woke up a tree?" screamed a voice from behind her.
Kagome spun around, "I didn't mean to! Make it stop!"
Touga smiled a huge smile, "My little one woke up a tree! There hasn't been an awake tree since I was a pup!"
Inuyasha again dodged to the side as the tree branches continuously tried to catch him in its violent snare.
"How do I turn it off?" she screamed again as the tree nearly ripped through part of Inuyasha's torso.
Touga turned towards her, "It is trying to fulfill your request, whatever that might be."
"Lord Inuyasha!" yelled two of the fastest recruits. It seemed they had beaten the rest in the sprint and had seen Inuyasha in trouble.
"Oh, look, its backup!" laughed Touga.
Before they could even attempt to help the two demons were caught in the trees wake. They were immediately trapped and thrown up into the air where the branches repeatedly wrapped themselves around them in order to prevent escape. Eventually all but their upper faces and toes were covered in willow, hanging a good three stories off the ground.
"Oh, no more backup," laughed Touga even harder.
"I-I-" she tried but instead watched as a root came shooting out of the ground and attached itself to Inuyasha's ankle. The root pulled him crashing towards the ground and he landed with a large thump. The root seemed to grow as it overlapped itself over Inuyasha's body, continuously trapping him and pinning him quiet effectively on the dirt floor. Eventually the tree stopped moving and Inuyasha stopped struggling.
Kagome walked up to the regular old Willow and could feel that it was in the same state she had originally found it in, completely dormant. She turned towards Inuyasha, "I am so-so-so-so sorry!"
He was laying flat on his stomach with his arms at his sides, pinned to the ground by the root as he glared at her from the dirt, "What the hell have I told you about trying to use your powers!"
"You totally said not to. Again, I am so-so sorry!" she yelled as she ran up to his very still form. Absentmindedly she attempted to pull the thick roots off him.
"I'm thinking if I can't get them off you can't," he argued.
"I-I-could try to ask the tree to let you go," she offered.
Touga immediately started to laugh, "Please do, I cannot wait to see what it does next."
"Oh shut up," she growled at the invisible man.
"What do you mean shut up? I'm not shutting up! Look what you did!" Inuyasha growled back.
"Oh umm…I was talking to the tree. It was umm…laughing at your current predicament," she tried.
"Fucking piece of wood, and no we are not going to 'talk' to the tree again," he argued.
"Lord Inuyasha?" asked a voice from behind them.
Kagome turned as quickly as she could to find the new recruits standing there like they had just run miles, which they probably had. Kagome watched as their faces turned towards disbelief as they saw their commanding officer pinned to the ground by a tree. "Go down to the weapons division and get Korr. He's got these big spikes and doesn't talk much. Please? I need some super strength to pull him out and I really can't think of anyone else, well aside from Lord Sesshomaru-" she tried but Inuyasha's growl cut her off. She had the distinct impression that Inuyasha would not want her to call his brother.
The demon closest to her froze, "Did you just ask?"
Kagome nodded, "Of course I did."
"But we're lower rank, you don't have to ask us to do anything," tried another demon.
"But it's always more polite to," she tried. Honestly, she couldn't understand why they were having a discussion about etiquette while her best friend was trapped by a hundred year old tree root.
Two of the men stepped forwards, "We'll do it."
Kagome smiled, "Thank you."
Kagome turned back towards Inuyasha, "I'm so-"
"Just shut up would you?" he growled.
"What happened here?" asked a new demon voice.
Touga was again the first to speak, "And the fun continues. My, my, little one, you certainly are fun to follow around. I do not think I even had this much fun while I was alive."
Kagome looked up to see Lord Malik walking up towards her. Oh great, just what she needed. What? Was Sesshomaru around the corner too? She prayed he wasn't, cause Inuyasha wouldn't talk to her for days if he was. "I may have sort of kind of done something I shouldn't have."
Lord Malik scoffed, "Like a true woman."
Kagome turned towards the two recruits, "I'm really-really sorry about this. I promise you I'll bake you something to make up for it."
All she heard were mumbles that she couldn't make out properly.
"Lady Kagome, you have a knack for getting in trouble," spoke the soothing mountain man voice she so wanted to hear. Well, it wasn't actually soothing seeing as how he barely spoke so his voice cracked in odd places, but still, it was comforting to her.
She turned towards Korr, "I swear I didn't mean for the tree to attack them!"
Korr's right eyebrow rose. All but Lord Malik made room for the oversized demon, "The tree?"
Kagome suddenly felt another wave of guilt hit her. She immediately looked down and started playing with her hands while digging her toes into the freshly uprooted dirt. "Inuyasha sort of made me mad and I might have asked the tree to help me teach him some manners."
Again the demon continued to wait.
Kagome swore she felt like a three year old caught with her hand in the cookie jar, "So it may have attacked him and anyone who might have tried to help him."
They watched as Korr took in the situation, "You do not want me to hurt the tree do you?" he asked disbelievingly.
Kagome's head snapped up, "Well no I don't want you to hurt the tree. It was only doing what I asked in some weird round about sort of way."
Korr shook his head and Kagome once again felt like she was being reprimanded.
"You are the oddest human I have ever met," silently he reached up, not even extending his full arm length and reached for the recruits. More gently than Kagome thought possible he unwound the tips of the bendy bark and hauled the two demons out of the tree's hold. He then turned towards Inuyasha and let loose a small yet very unexpected smile. "This is the one that thinks he can take care of himself?"
"Yeah, that would be the one. Thank you again by the way, we really owe you for this one," she said while shaking her head.
"Hey, this ain't my fault! The bitch is the one to blame! She went all crazy on me? And who the hell has heard of a priestess who can control trees!" he yelled.
"I have," said Touga gleefully.
"You know I hate that name! I swear Inuyasha, if this weren't all my fault I would sit you right now-" but she stopped talking when he was pulled even further into the ground thanks to his owe so fashionable beaded necklace. Her hands flew to her mouth, "Oh Inuyasha I'm so so-"
He cut her off as Korr pulled him out of the ground with his massive strength, "Don't even start Kagome. We're talking Ramen, for like a week!"
Kagome was immediately by his side checking for any visible bruises or cuts. "Ramen? For a week? That is totally un-nutritional…"
She looked at his dirt covered face as he glared at her, "…but totally doable. Ramen for a week it is."
"And two more fights with Sesshomaru for any day of my choosing," he argued.
"What? I am not agreeing to that!" she yelled.
"Let's not forget the tree you sent to kill me!" he yelled.
Kagome stopped as she remembered Inuyasha flying through the air through no volition of his own. She sighed in defeat, "Alright."
"Good, I am applying it to yesterday."
Kagome blanched, "What the hell do you mean yesterday?"
"We may have gotten in one or more fights while on patrol," he said while dusting himself off.
"Inuyasha! You cannot fight with him, he's our ally now," she tried to lecture but was cut off by Inuyasha's smirk.
"No talking. You can't comment because I applied them to yesterday," spoke Inuyasha.
Kagome immediately shut her mouth. Damn, he was right; she couldn't say anything about it. Inuyasha, figuring out he had actually won an argument with Kagome, smirked and signaled his troops to follow him for their break.
Kagome crossed her arms and defiantly yelled, "You know I'm no longer feeling all that sorry!"
He of course didn't answer.
Kagome angrily made a face at his manipulation and stomped in the other direction, more angry that she had been outmaneuvered than anything else. You know, this was all Sesshomaru's fault. He turned her perfectly good day into a perfectly rotten one.
Kagome aimless sat on her bed that night while trying to read one of her textbooks. She hadn't wanted to eat that night, seeing as Inuyasha would probably be there and probably bring up how she tried to kill him. He always was good at making her feel worse about something. It went right along with the pity trick.
"I still don't get why we're here. I think Inuyasha has gotten worse since he started hanging out with his brother," she mumbled.
"Oh, still on that one are we?" asked Touga as he walked through the opposing wall.
Kagome pushed her book to the side and rolled over on her stomach, "So what if they don't get along. They seem to be doing fine in their lives right now."
Touga shook his head as he rested his form on her pillow, "Oh yes, they are managing fine now, but what about Inuyasha when you leave? Or even if you stay, what about when you die? Unless you mate a demon you will not live as long as him and he will be alone. You both have come to the conclusion on your own that the friendship route is what is best for you, no matter what you might have once preferred. Eventually he will be left alone. Sesshomaru is much the same. He see's friends as a weakness and isolates himself because of it. His closest kin is Inuyasha but instead of getting past his fears he relishes in them. He would only continue down this path."
"You don't know that. Inuyasha has Sango and Miroku, even Shippo. And then Sesshomaru has…"
"He has no one," finished Touga. "Perhaps you have noticed Rin's absence?"
Kagome's eyes' lowered. She had but never brought the topic up, thinking it was not her place to do so.
"Rin was becoming important to him, so he rectified the situation and located a distant relative of hers. She is living in a small town about three days from here with family she does not know and does not want. I am sad to say that Sesshomaru has yet to visit her. My boy's life is at stake, and it is not just his happiness, or unwillingness to be happy, that concerns me. It is also the repercussions of these views. I have seen his future through a seer in the underworld. He will not die gloriously on some battle field, he will instead become old where his body will decay. He will die alone in this very castle. Honestly, I did not ask this of you just for my youngest son's happiness, but for my eldest son's life. I wish to give him at least one person, one thing that could perhaps change his outcome. I wished for you to save his life."
Kagome had nothing to say. Sesshomaru would die alone? With no children or mate by his side?
"Lady Kagome?" asked a familiar voice.
Kagome craned her head to the side to see Aya standing there, "Yes Aya?"
"Can you tell us a story?" she asked.
"Us?" questioned the miko.
Suddenly three heads popped around the side of the doorframe, Shippo right along with them. She couldn't help but smile, "Sure."
Somehow they all managed to squish into the lopsided bed, but only after massive amounts of shoving, punching and kicking. Shippo and Aya had ended up next to her. "Shippo? Are you okay with this?"
Shippo beamed a brilliant smile, "My momma is the most popular person in the castle, of course I'm okay with this!"
Kagome smiled in relief, "Alright then, how about a story about a demon warrior and his dragon tamer?"
Over the past few days Kagome's life had become somewhat routine. She would get up after a horrible nights rest and head over towards the kitchens, cook for a few hours, hang out with Inuyasha, glare at Sesshomaru, cook some more, hang out with Sango and Korr, feed Miroku when around and play with the children. If she was lucky she'd spend some more time with Inuyasha and maybe even get in an ice chilling bath. And of course, she forgot to insert the annoying ghost who refused to leave her alone. It was helpful though, when he would help her with her powers. While no more attempts with living objects had been tried, her barriers were getting pretty dang good if she said so herself. Today, she thought, would be no different than her already established schedule.
"Cow!" screeched Hama.
Kagome desperately tried to keep her cool as she turned around and smiled somewhat meaningfully at the beast that was Hama, "You rang you overgrown boar."
"I am a horse demon you idiot!" yelled the woman as she began to stomp over.
"Really? Because I know a horse demon and he is one of the most gentle loving creatures I have ever met and you Hama, are in no way related to him. In fact, to call you a boar would be an insult to all the boar demon's I have met," she argued.
"You pathetic-" bellowed Hama.
"Lady Kagome?" came from the doorway.
Kagome turned to see none other than Hiko standing before her, "Hiko?"
"Permission to speak to you Lady Kagome?" he asked formally.
Kagome, knowing it would piss the demon off even more, handed Hama her batch of sliced strawberries, "Sure think Hiko."
As soon as the door swung shut she heard the destructive sound of a bowl shattering on the ground. Hiko looked at her questioningly, "Will you get in trouble for that?"
Kagome just smiled, "Undoubtedly but it was worth it. Now what can I help you with?"
"Well…" he started as he lead her down the hallway, "some of the men remembered how you had offered Lord Sesshomaru to do our mending and wash. We are actually, in dire need of it if the offer still stands."
Kagome contemplated his offer. She wasn't all that busy and it wasn't like it would take all that long. It was one garrison right?
"We've talked and we are willing to train your son a bit as payment," he offered.
"You'd train Shippo?" she asked in disbelief.
"Yes, the fox demon. Though, I am sorry if I offended you by calling him your son. We have just heard him call you his mother before and assumed it was the correct title-" he immediately tried to apologize.
"No, it's fine. I'm just not used to demon's recognizing him as my own. I would be more than happy to do some mending if you are willing to take in my son." Kagome looked over at the hallway she was supposed to be walking down. "Shippo and I will try to come down later today but right now I have a breakfast to dread."
"Breakfast?" asked Hiko.
Kagome nodded her head, "With the other Lords. It's been three day's since I've had to speak to Sesshomaru and I can honestly say I am not looking forward to this encounter. I'm sure he's got something awful to say to me."
Hiko had no words for that. His Lord scared him a little too much for him to have an opinion on the matter. His heels clamped together and he pushed his arms to his side so he could do a formal bow, "Until this evening Lady Kagome."
Hiko turned around and left the hallway as he walked outside to his awaiting garrison. Kagome, unconsciously took a deep breath in, and slowly walked over towards the awaiting dining area. Slowly she stepped in. It seems as if all but Inuyasha were already present. Lord Uza immediately stood to greet her, "The Lady of the hour, now we can begin."
"Inuyasha?" she asked.
Lord Shiho spoke as he sipped his tea, "Sent a runner to say he is having too much fun with the troops and the early morning workout."
Great, she was supposed to eat breakfast here? Alone? "You could have started without me."
Lord Uza playfully shook his head, "And what type of Lord's would we be if we forgot a Lady such as you?"
Kagome tried walking over to her regular seat but was herded by Lord Uza towards a very different position. "No my Lady, you cannot sit on that side all by your lonesome self. You will sit next to your host, Lord Sesshomaru."
Kagome visibly made a face as she tried to turn around and argue, unfortunately his hand stayed on her back as he pushed her over towards the red cushion she had not seen earlier, "No really, I'm okay with being alone."
Lord Uza just continued to smile, "Please, it is custom."
It was only after Lord Malik's huff that Kagome realized that this was yet another one of their little tests. Great, now she was being put on show for everyone to watch. And why did it have to be Sesshomaru? She'd prefer Naraku right now when compared to him.
Quietly, and determined not to lose she slid in next to her 'host'. Of course she made a point not to look at him.
The food was silently brought out and Kagome kept her head down. What with Hama and Hiko on the forefront of her mind, she did not also want to contemplate Sesshomaru as well. Kagome smiled as Mizui handed her the bowl of fruit, "Thank you Mizui."
Mizui immediately blushed at the complement, "Anything else I can get you Lady Kagome?"
"No, this should be fine, thank you," finished Kagome as she took a bite of her food.
With a slight grimace she watched as the raw meat was brought out for the demons in the room. According to Hama's detailed description it was marinated in all sorts of various blood, human and demon, aged and spiced with specific seasonings Kagome had not asked about. Kagome was glad she was only ordered to provide for her and her friends, there were just certain things a person should never have to do.
Out of the corner of her eye she watched as Sesshomaru became, well, him. He knew she had a hard time stomaching the raw meat. He must have seen how she pushed away her own food. So why again was he noiselessly pushing his own plate closer and closer towards hers? Oh, that's right, he is a fricking bastard. She almost squealed when the raw meat he had at the corner of his plate overlapped her own plate. Oh god, the blood was dripping on her own food.
She quickly looked up at him and glared. He of course was to 'caught up in' Lord Uza's story to notice it.
"Lord Sesshomaru," squeaked Jaken as he walked into the room.
Kagome, taking advantage of the situation decided to pull a very bold move and elbowed her plate to the side with a hard thrust. The plate immediately made a hard impact with Sesshomaru's own dish and her fruit went flying on top of his meat. Kagome, extremely proud of herself decided to pull a Sesshomaru and ignore the glare he was surely giving her. When no one said anything she turned back towards her 'companions'. "I believe Jaken was speaking to you Lord Sesshomaru."
He huffed, and yes she did feel the vibration of his growl, as he turned back towards Jaken, "What?"
Well point one for Kagome, and what was even better, he totally knew it.
"It is An-Un, he sort of…flew off," tried Jaken as he prepared for the inevitable kick to his head.
"Lady Kagome, your food!" yelled Mizui as she ran up to Kagome, a towel in hand.
Rika suddenly stepped through the door as she heard yelling. Mizui stopped as she looked across the way. Kagome could practically feel the lighting in the air as they stared at each other across the dining hall. Kagome knew that feeling surrounding her, the way that their demonic energy was colliding in waves. To them, no one else was in the room right now.
"Oh this isn't good," she whispered absentmindedly as she was reminded of the similarity between this stare down verses many of Sesshomaru's and Inuyasha's.
"Whore," whispered Mizui. Somewhere in Kagome's mind she heard Inuyasha yelling 'bastard' at Sesshomaru.
"Cunt," whispered Rika in response. Yet again she heard the familiar voice of Sesshomaru about to attack Inuyasha while yelling 'half-breed'.
It was like déjà vu in female form.
Before Kagome could say anything the two were at each other's throats, scratching, yelling and rolling on the ground. The table became a battle field, one already coated in blood thanks to breakfast. It seemed to two were out for fresh blood as well if the razor claws said anything. A particularly nasty punch was thrown by Mizui as Rika was thrown towards the edge of the table. Kagome immediately ducked behind Sesshomaru in self preservation as utensils and plates went flying. She had already been doused in raw meat once. That was not happening again.
Kagome suddenly heard a large crashing noise as a very familiar two headed dragon decided to fly into the hallway, bursting open the once closed wooden doors. Suri, the poor water demon was right behind him, pleading the animal to stop, "Please Ah-Un, come back to the stables. Lord Sesshomaru is going to be very angry!" the girl almost wept.
Kagome peaked back around Lord Sesshomaru's front as her fingers further intertwined themselves in the loose fabric of his shirt.
"What, you want my brother too? Laski said you couldn't stop staring at him!" screamed Mizui.
She could feel Sesshomaru tense up at that last statement as he watched the girls tumble. Kagome was honestly too frightened to gloat about being right. When she said that house would go crazy she didn't actually think it would go quite to this level. She watched as Ah-Un landed and tore off one of the tapestry wall hangings while chewing on it. At this moment she was incredibly glad she was so short and Sesshomaru was so tall. She couldn't imagine how awfully angry he was right now. Hell, he hadn't even noticed she was clinging on to him yet.
She really should do something though. She was a fricking miko, solving disputes is what her kind did right? And it was obvious from Uza and Shiho that they were too busy trying to keep Ah-Un from eating their clothes and that Malik was unsuccessfully trying to pull the two girls off each other and Sesshomaru…well she wasn't sure what he was doing. He was sort of just standing there like she was.
Fine, it was up to her.
Kagome desperately tried to recall all that she had learned in the past few days. She needed to make a shield, no, three shields, all in a crisis situation which she had never done before. Kagome again called for help from the life force in the room and she could feel the spiritual pull, then something surprising happened. Her own, wild and untamed energy branched out and joined the cause.
What was it, jealous?
When she opened her eyes Mizui, Rika and Ah-Un were all in separate pink bubbles which effectively cut them off from the rest of the world, also known as causing more damage to somewhat innocent bystanders. "Well that was exciting."
Kagome quickly stomped up to Mizui and Rika, "Is there anything you two would like to say to each other?"
"Bitch!"
"Slut!"
"Enough!" yelled Kagome as she rubbed her temples, the shields burst to life as her anger grew, "Mizui, you cannot honestly tell me that you like this guy. He just slept with some random girl without a care in how it would effect you when he knew the two of you were staring something. Can you honestly say that you want to start a relationship with that? As weird as the situation is, you should thank Rika for showing you exactly what a scumbag this guy is. Okay, maybe not thank because she did screw you over, but obvious stop blaming just her. He had a choice in this too."
She turned to Rika, "Rika, do not punish the rest of the world for your self-esteem issues. You are very good at your job, we all know it. But throwing yourself to the nearest guy because you want to prove your worth and value to yourself and the girl who got the job you wanted is not the way to do it. Instead you should try to work even harder and prove that you can take a blow like this as a mature woman, not some adolescent."
She turned to the dragon, "You, stables, now!"
Ah-Un stopped chewing as the light around him faded. His scaly tale immediately went in-between his legs as he took in her angry voice. Both parts of the dragon knew that they were in trouble. "Suri, please don't feel bad, you know nothing about dragons. Please trade jobs with Hisho, Ah-Un loves him and you will still get to work outside."
Kagome let lose the hold her powers had on the two female demons as she sent them back into the kitchens where the rest of the staff were probably listening by the door, "Please get Laski."
Kagome tapped her foot impatiently as she absentmindedly started straightening up the room. She flipped the table back over and grabbed the five empty plates. On top of them she placed the left over raw meat which she doubted any of the Lords would eat. Kagome finally looked up when she heard the swinging of the door, to see a tall five foot eleven weasel demon step into the hallway. Kagome continued to pick up the food as Laski continued to wait. Kagome could feel Laski's nervousness continue to grow as Kagome refused to look at her.
Once Kagome had felt Laski had sweat enough she turned and handed the plates towards Laski, effectively pushing it into the woman's stomach. "Sesshomaru likes an efficient castle."
Laski nodded her head vigorously.
"One where servants do not try to cause problems between other servants because they too, like the much talked about male demon of choice," said Kagome sweetly while wiping her bloodied hands on the nearest napkin.
Laski's eyes went wide, "How did you know?"
Kagome just smiled, "It's a girl thing. He's not worth it though. You should go make amends with the other women while they are still in a forgiving mood…you should know that any guy who makes you feel ashamed about your actions is never worth it in the end. Perhaps that is a lesson you can share with Mizui and Rika?"
Laski's eyes began to water at Kagome's words. The demon, quite spontaneously, reached over and hugged Kagome in an abrupt fashion. Before Kagome could respond Laski had let her go and was already walking back towards the kitchens in a speed walk.
As soon as the door was shut Kagome turned towards Jaken, "Schedule please."
Jaken's face blanched, "You do not honestly think I am giving you the castle rounds do you? You the insignificant human?"
Kagome just rolled her eyes. The toad, being as borderline OCPD as he was, probably had the schedules on him. She quickly reached over into his dirt smelling robes and pulled out what appeared to be three scrolls.
"Give those back!" he yelled. Jaken tried jumping for them but she held them above his head absentmindedly. The first one seemed to be a treaty, which she threw to her left. The second one appeared to be a love letter, which she could only guess he had confiscated from someone because…really? Him? The third was what she was looking for. At one glance she knew that this would not do.
This time she reached into her own pockets where she pulled out a Crayola marker that the kids were playing with this morning. She scratched out a few names, added a few more and used bright arrows to re-do the time slots. When Kagome was done she looked at one of the nearby maids, "You can post this new schedule."
"Umm…it has to have Lord Sesshomaru's signature," she answered timidly.
Kagome looked at the old schedule, which still had his signature, and then to the area the bright new version that was going to be drawn…she always had been good at art. Piece by piece she copied the neatly detailed signature that was Sesshomaru's until it was an almost exact replica of the original, only it was a bright red signature right next to the said original.
Kagome walked up towards the maid and gently placed it into the woman's hands, "All done."
"But…"
"Do you really want to deal with that again?" asked Kagome as she stepped away while walking backwards.
The servant looked down at the changes and then back at Kagome, then back at the changes. With one swift movement she scurried back towards the servant's door towards the kitchens and was gone.
"You insolent we-" started Jaken.
"You call me wench, bitch or whore and I will personally make sure Inuyasha's next Windscar is in your direction," and she didn't stick around to see the stupid toads response.
Kagome watched with pure fascination and joy on her face as a garrison of fifteen men chased her son around the encampment. They were currently determining his stamina and apparently they needed to swipe their claws at him repeatedly to do so. Hiko had frequently informed her that her baby would be alright, they just needed to see how he dodged and ran. Surprisingly enough, she rather trusted this group of men.
Kagome distractedly looked back down at her handiwork. She had become very good at patching up clothes over the past two years and was happy to say that the first pile was almost done.
"Kagome!" yelled Sango as she ran towards her friend.
Kagome looked up from her shaded perch under a tree as her best female friend huffed while sitting down next to her, "Hi Kagome."
Kagome giggled as Sango took a bite of the treats she had made for the garrison. Ever since her previous night of sleep she had felt oh so much better and way more tolerable, "Hi Sango, how's the dungeon?"
Sango just smiled, "The same, I feel like I am getting rusty on my skills though."
"Maybe you could find a group here to practice with?" tried Kagome.
Sango looked skeptical, "I don't know, they are demons."
"Please Sango, we of all people should know that not all demons are bad. I'm sure Hiko and his friends know someone who would be willing to learn and train with a demon slayer," argued Kagome with a smile on her face.
"Maybe…"
"Maybe nothing, we'll ask him now. Hiko! Hiko!" waved Kagome frantically at her new found friend.
The demon was immediately by her side, "Yes Lady Kagome?"
"My friend Sango is a demon slayer and has been feeling a little rusty lately. I figured since you were willing to break your schema of a priestess maybe you would try for her?" asked Kagome as sweetly as possible. No matter the face she put on she knew she was asking two natural born enemies to play nice. This would be a big step for both races.
Hiko seemed hesitant but in the end could not resist anything Kagome could ask of him, "There actually has been a squadron asking about you."
"How many on the team?" asked Sango swiftly.
Kagome smiled as Sango went into slayer mode. While Kagome had her mother mode Sango defiantly had her slayer mode. She was all about the fight, the battle tactics and possible unexplored maneuvers.
Hiko immediately caught onto the warrior in her eyes and latched on, the two now having something to bond over, "Twelve."
"Type?"
"Four air demons, one underground and the rest being land."
Sango smiled, "Maybe you can show me them?"
Hiko smiled awkwardly and led her towards an opposite field, though Kagome did notice that he did not hold onto Sango's arm like he did hers, or do the impromptu bow.
"Wenc- Priestess Kagome?" asked a voice from behind her.
Kagome briefly sighed and wonder what the toad could possibly want, "Yes Jaken?"
He slowly hobbled in front of her, "I need to…explain something to you."
Well that caught her attention. Kagome reluctantly, because the two of them did have a past, patted the blanket she was sitting on as a peace offering. He hesitantly took a step forward and sat down, though noticeably a few feet away.
"We-Priestess Kagome, my great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru is…overworked. You see, there are two parts to ruling a vast land like his. The part as a Lord and the part at the Lady. Sesshomaru can take care of the duties of a Lord just fine. He manages everything outside of the estate, handles treaties, officials, the troops, patrols and the like. He has a harder time with the other part."
Kagome blinked, "The domestic part right? Everything that happens at home. The schedules, the food servings, the cleaning, the animals and gardens?"
"Yes, though it is understandably so. By all means his Lady of the West should be taking care of such matters. Sesshomaru has yet to find a suitable mate though. Normally his mother would just handle those duties but she has long been gone from this castle and cannot take the burden off of her son's shoulders. I have tried to take over the position but…it is not what I am good at."
Kagome nodded. Though it was understandable. The only reason she knew how to do these things were because of her grandparents from her father's side. They were extremely well off and had made Kagome visit every summer up until the year she fell in the well. They had put her in every etiquette, and lady of whatever class they could find.
"Perhaps…you could take over it?" he asked quietly.
Kagome legitimately felt her lungs as they refused to take in any more air once they heard his request, "Did you just ask me to be Sesshomaru's Lady of the West?"
Jaken continued to look down towards the ground, "Yes, yes I did. You know how to read, which most demons have a hard time with, you are good with the staff for some unknown reason and all the soldiers love you, again for some unfeasible reason. Please, I cannot bare to be anymore of a disappointment to my Lord."
Kagome suddenly felt a weird feeling of…pity for the stupid toad. "I don't know, Sesshomaru and I don't really get along. I doubt he'd work with me. I really want to help, even I can see how stressed he is."
Jaken finally looked up at her. His eyes were big and almost glossy from the unshed tears.
She just couldn't help herself, "But maybe we don't have to tell him for now? Our little secret?"
It was as if Jaken was a whole new demon. He disbelievingly nodded his head in amazement that she had agreed, "I'll leave them in your room?"
Kagome smiled at the toad, "Just promise me the wench stuff stops?"
He stood up and nodded his staff once again in hand, "My Lady, I promise."
Firevixen73- I liked writing this chapter. I am happy to say that Kagome and Sesshomaru will begin to see a lot more of each other now. I have always thought that Sesshomaru and Kagome would never immediately spend a great amount of time together at first, at least until there was a reason for them to put up with each other, and now that they do there will be way more interaction.