By: TrueLoverKagome
The next morning the group started to wake, while Taikan and Tokija had stayed up most the night to plan out the way things would be worked around. He had been told of how Sesshoumaru was teaching Kagome swordplay with twin swords, he hadn't realized just how much Sesshoumaru had been doing before she was brought to him but he was well aware of it now. So he decided that during the time that Kagome would be working with Sesshoumaru, he'll take over for training Inuyasha in swordplay. It would allow him to watch the pair along with making sure that his best friend's son would truly do the honored sword justice. It was the least he could do to help the young Prince when things hadn't gone his way earlier in life.
While Kagome herself would be taking on multiple training all at once, he didn't like it but with the dream she had it was very clear to them that things needed to be added on for her. The training though would give them something to strive towards, he could already see how Kagome wasn't liking how they seemed to stay still for so long. He began to figure out how she had enjoyed the traveling about the country side with Inuyasha more than she realized. He was glad though that she understood many things without heavy explanation or complaint, he was grateful for his daughter, it hurt him at the idea she would already be mating soon even after just getting her back.
While across the castle two brothers stood facing one another, it was very tense within the room but things were usually like that so nothing new right? Yeah, except now the reason for one to hate the other was gone, both knew it yet still it felt strange hence both being rather on edge. Sesshoumaru though would stare his brother down watching while he kept fidgeting with the armor and sashes. Honestly, Inuyasha looked more like their father standing there, hair pulled up in that same fashion and the armor making him puff up with pride only for it to deflate the moment Inuyasha would pull at the silk and armor.
"Honestly after the years of that robe you'd be grateful for fine silks" he scolded only to earn a glare from the younger brother. "You can't just go off running around in clothes below your standing now" he added on before Inuyasha's mouth came to answer back.
"Those robes have saved my life and even Kagome's plenty of times there is no reason to talk like its trash!" he'd shout before throwing off the armor and moving to change out of the silks. Sure they felt nice and all, even the design was nice not like Sesshoumaru's white but a black with the inverted design of his. Looked great but he wasn't like Sesshoumaru, he was still Inuyasha and so just didn't feel right. He'd step back out in that fire rat robes earning a glare before he'd scoff and put on the armor along with the sashes of his father. "I will not pretend to be some Royal prick like you" he'd sneer before stomping off.
Sesshoumaru was hard pressed not to growl at his brother still he'd keep a bit of pride after all, Inuyasha might not be in the silk robes he wanted him in, those robes were still of their father. It was well known for that much, still that orange sash would have to go, while it worked with the black it didn't so much with the red. Making their way to the dining room he'd see Hoshi rushing down the other wing towards him, that curled tail and pointed ears of the noble Akita inu had him once more feeling pride when Hoshi came to sit at his heels. Those ears erect ready for a command making him reach down to give the young inu a scratch behind the ears before Kagome stepped behind the two.
"He likes you" she said with a smile happy to see that tail wagging, she had never seen such a pure Akita before after all in her time they were in such decline and cross breed that it was rare to see one pure and so large at that. The way Hoshi looked up to her that star giving off just a perfect look made her smile down to the dog before kneeling to pet the pup. The little licks and nuzzles from him had her laughing a little before she heard Noriko walk up.
"Careful Kagome you might make Sesshoumaru jealous giving Hoshi so much attention" making Kagome blush before Shippo jumped up on her shoulder to pet the dog as well. Kagome found herself standing before soon, her face a little red just making Noriko chuckle a little more to her. "Come breakfast then training" Noriko would say gaining a nod from the group before Shippo looked to Noriko excited. He wanted to learn more how to fight so he could stay closer to his mother, true she was a demon now but he didn't care, he still wanted to protect her just like everyone else did!
Sight of Inuyasha already getting scolded a little by Taikan was first brought to their attention, seemed Inuyasha had came in rather rudely towards the two lords there. If one looked close enough it wouldn't be hard pressed to image that he'd have his ears flat against his head if the dog ears were still there. The imagery in Kagome's head still came to mind though making her give a giggle causing the scene to stop while Taikan came to give his daughter a hug and brought her to seat by his right side. Noriko came to sit next to her with Shippo coming next then Tokija. While Sesshoumaru sat down it was pointed out to Inuyasha how he was sit next to his brother causing a little scowl to come before he moved to take the seat.
Once Miroku, Sango and Kouga joined everyone would start to be served once again Inuyasha's manners were lacking when he started to eat without waiting for Taikan to start. This time it was Sesshoumaru to stop him, taking his brother's hand earning a glare before he just simply shook his head. Inuyasha would look around before realizing the mistake and putting it back down to wait. He'd keep his eyes on Sesshoumaru a little more just waiting for him to eat to figure out when he should. Strange how just looking to Sesshoumaru would usually piss him off but it didn't so much right now, he'd take a bite of the food and even with the good taste of the meat in his mouth his mind wandered. True, him and his brother didn't have the greatest life with one another but he had saved Kagome. Protected her when he had betrayed her, even helped her in teaching her to fight so maybe he was wrong? Inuyasha almost choked when he thought that, his hand coming up to beat at his chest a little before he'd calm down and just go back to eating.
Kagome looked across from her to Sesshoumaru then to Inuyasha beside him, strange seeing them like this but it brought a smile to her face. Her best friend would finally get a chance in this world that he deserved and she was glad she'd get to see it. She knew that things were gonna take some getting use to sure, that was to be expected yet the look she saw from Inuyasha was hopeful in her mind. If the two brothers worked to get over the past and themselves things would go smoother.
Still breakfast would be quick before Rin was taken to begin her lessons in reading, while the group moved their way towards the open field outside. She could see her father walking ahead with a soft smile on her face, this was going to be something she could just see the gleam in his eyes at how he looked towards the new Prince.
"Alright we'll be working quickly for all of us to begin. Sesshoumaru you will be picking up where you left off with Kagome along with a few more additions. First we'll start with swords, Kagome with Sesshoumaru and myself with Inuyasha. Tokija and the others are free to do any training they wish with one another during the first part. After the first break Tokija and myself will take over training Kagome. After lunch Kagome will work with Sango and Miroku with slayer techniques and control of her purification powers." he looked to see that Kouga was fuming how he was completely left out making Tokija huff. Taikan quickly realized how he would need to bring this up. "Sesshoumaru you will be teaching Inuyasha the traditions and responsibilities that come with his new title." Taikan stated with a hard glare to give a warning how he meant it for them to work together. "Kouga I will talk to you at lunch" he stated quickly putting out the fire with the wolf.
No one dared to disagree with the lord before everyone started to move into their places, Kagome was at least happy there was a plan on how everything was going to go down for them. She'd move towards her 'teacher' for the moment before she gave a smile to him. Pulling out each sword she felt a new sensation causing her to look down to black crystal while it gave a glow much like how the pink crystal gave a glow from her Miko powers. "You really did know" she said the moment it occurred to her what this meant. Yami the sword of Darkness pulled on her demon powers while Akuria the sword of Light pulled on her Miko powers.
Sesshoumaru watched when the realization came over her before the grip on the hilts tightened. "The letter from your mother informed me but you were the one to choose them." he gave her that, it was her that felt the pull from the swords that honestly were practically made for her. "Let us begin" he said before they started up the usual paces they had back at the castle. It was something they both new but now it meant she would soon learn the full extent of her swords powers and attacks.
Taikan moved over towards Inuyasha while he gave a smile towards the pup he moved to pull his own sword. "Well lets see how you do" he said seeing Inuyasha scoff he'd smirk. "Attack and I'll defend" he said figuring it would be the best place to start. Still Inuyasha though stood there still, making Taikan quirk an eyebrow before he spoke again. "Don't tell me you're scared of a old man" he taunted and sure enough that had Inuyasha pulling out Tetsusaiga, the wild attack came for the lord. It was easily dodge making the attacks come faster. "Your wasting your strength with such attacks, too wild and unfocused" he corrected him only Inuyasha would find himself glaring at the man. "You'll never hit me at this point" he taunted again trying to push the buttons others could easily use against the young prince.
Inuyasha though was struggling to truly listen to what he was being told, wild and unfocused? Was that really how he was righting, yet while he heard another comment that clear thinking became harder to have, it'd make him struggle yet soon he pushed it back to look at his attacks. Soon those wild arcs became tighter and sharper, watching how Taikan now had to block instead of just dodge. "Good, now stop holding back pup" he'd hear Taikan say making his eyes widen, was it that obvious he was holding back? Wasn't long though he started to push the full force and speed into his attacks, Taikan gave a smile before he started to attack back causing Inuyasha to falter a little. "Don't leave so many openings" he'd be scolded before the first sting of Taikan's sword would hit him. He'd go to attack and another sting would be felt, none would deep but more like just love taps to tell him where the openings were. He'd quickly adjust trying hard to not get another cut in the same place, the two kept going at this Inuyasha having yet to even land a blow on the lord.
Noriko gave a smile moving with Shippo a little further away from the sword clashing that was going on, she looked to her new pupil, he was very much excited and she could tell. "Alright lets start on what you already know how to do" she said watching when he gave a nod moving to show her her different illusions and then finished off with his fire fox. She'd smile at the show he gave her, the illusions with the spinning top was pretty good but she was sure he could do more. "Lets try a few more illusions and then we'll move onto your fire control" she said with a soft smile moving towards him to create the illusion of snow falling around them. He's eyes would widen in shock while looking up to see the snow falling yet no clouds. It even felt colder around the two while he'd reach out to touch the snowflakes that fell into his palm. "Its just an illusion, you have the power to trick the mind into more than just seeing things but feeling and smelling things too" she explained to him before giving a smile. "Lets work on smaller things to start with though, concealing yourself" she said with a smile. "You need to concentrate on whats around you and erasing your scent from it. Along with your form." she'd then back up to watch.
Shippo would stand there for a little his eyes looking around before he'd close them, taking in what it would look like if he wasn't standing there, soon the illusion would come over him like a dust. His form disappearing making him smile when he head Noriko speak up. "Very good but your scent gives you away" she said to remind him of the second part of the task. He'd quickly sniff the air taking in what everything smelled like around him. Picking it apart he'd finally settle on what was clearly just pure nature and not the scents of those in the area, masking his own scent with that he'd open his eyes too look at Noriko seeing the smile from her. "Very good, you'll need to be able to do this when you truly need to run but you must remember one last thing sometimes its best to distract people from the fact you done it" she said making him remove the illusion to tilt his head. "Well think about it, if an attack comes to you and you need to hide you'll need all the time to get away right?" he'd nod but before he could ask a question she went on. "So if you use this along with a second image of yourself running away from you then you've gained even more time to get away to safety" it was then a light bulb went off for him. "So now your gonna teach me to do that!" he said very excited with the idea of doing that, sure he could change himself into someone else, had done it to tease Inuyasha a few times but he hadn't done it as an separate image and person from himself.
Noriko was proud how quickly he seemed to come up with the idea, she figured giving him defense in this would aid them faster than down right showing him how to attack. He was still just a kit so defense was most important for him. "That's right, have you done such things before?" she'd ask and would earn a shake of his head. "I've impersonated others before but never a clone image" he answered making her smile. "Show me what you do" she said figuring it'd help her see how good he was. The fact that he turned into Kagome's human form with a tail had her chuckling a little. "Well that's rather good I think you put too much force into it, hence your tail. You don't need to force the illusions just slow practiced concentration will do, its why you meditate" she told him making him smile before turning back into himself.
While back with the adults they were coming to the first break, Kagome and Inuyasha seemed to be sweating a little at this point while all the others were merely warmed up. Truly seemed like Kagome would be pushed to her limit here but she was smiling all the while cause it meant she'd become stronger and would truly be able to protect everyone. Seeing how Inuyasha was fairing a little like her made her smile, seems they were both pushed hard and that was great. Getting some water and looking to her father and Tokija she'd smile happy to know that now she'd be learning proper long range now, sure she had gotten better with a bow but she was still untrained in it.
"We have some targets set up for you over here" Taikan would give a smile knowing that the first thing they'd work on would be her normal bow but Tokija was going to be teaching her how to use her energy on making a bow and arrow with just pure power. It wasn't something everyone could do but seemed Tokija was certain she'd hold enough power to do it. Moving with her father she'd move to pick up the bow and quiver putting it on before started to take her stance. Her father would quickly move to correct her stance hands moving her footing a little and waist was pushed out of place. "Your stance counts from the hips up for this you must remember this" she'd hear from her father before she'd remember the stance best she could before aiming and letting the string go watching while the arrow flew through the air. The purifying power wild and raw before she'd look to her father when she saw it hit the bulls eye. "Good now to control your power, right now you are just letting it go free but its still weak, you can put more into it but you must have it completely controlled" he'd warn her gaining a nod from her she'd turn to draw another arrow back on the string pushing more power into it trying to channel all she could yet when she let it go it veered off.
"Why?" she'd ask her father looking to see a smile. "The more power you place into the arrow you then must control the arrow all the way through, while it means paying a little more attention it does mean you can curve the shot and give the enemy a surprise when they are using a shield" Taikan would say with a smile that was quickly mirrored by his daughter. Truly seemed that things were much more complicated than she thought, still she'd give a smile quickly taking to the new knowledge trying to repeat the process of pushing more power into her bow only this time she concentrated on the path the arrow would take the moment she released it. The strong glow of her arrow streaked through the air to hit dead center this time though she was sweating a little from the concentration that it took but still she gave a smile. She knew that it would come to being easier for her though looking to do it over and over again before Tokija came to stop her.
"Give me your bow and arrows" he said confusing her before she'd give a nod and hand over the requested items to Tokija. "Good now I want to look down at your hands, picture your bow" she'd follow the instructions before giving a nod making him smile. "Keep that in your mind and think of creating it, a bow of just your energy, just like your whip" he told her. That completely threw her off yet she'd close her eyes none the less, he was trying to teach her so she needed to learn. She'd try and just think of the image of her bow forming and the weight it'd feel in her hands, only no weight came to her. She'd open her eyes thinking she failed only to see a glowing jagged form of a bow there in her hands. "Good now smooth it out, remember this part of you, there will be no weight of it but the strength of it will come from your power alone" he spoke making her nod her head. Again she was sweating with the force it was taking to just keep her power pushed out like this, she didn't even know if she could really do it but she had to try! It'd take a good couple of tries with the bow faltering out and her having to restart before she got a good strong bow. "Very good now use it, draw back the string and picture an arrow" he said making her inwardly groan, honestly she was growing tired at this point but she'd push through. Taking up the position like before she'd draw back the string, at first nothing happened so she'd draw it again focusing on how she was drawing back an arrow and sure enough it came. "Fire" she did and the bow shattered but the arrow flew going right through the target board to lodge itself in a tree before disappearing. She was panting at this point though and the two would give knowing nods. "I think lunch is due"
A/N: Alright guys I'm finished with this chapter, I wanted to do the whole day but wow so much to set into place for this chapter I'm going to stop here. Its 2 am so I'm going to upload and hit the sack. Thank you for a lovely reviewer who honestly helped me a lot with my writers block with this chapter. Its hard to get back into the swing of things after not doing it for so long. Please review I really would love to hear if you guys are enjoying where I'm taking this cause honestly I can't even remember where I originally was going to take it xD