Rated: M

This story is rated M for violence, language and sexual themes.

I do not own the shows or the characters.

Chapter 3

Come forth! Ifrit the Condemned!

2 weeks later

Kagome couldn't believe how hard it was to find one fucking demon. They had been searching for Sesshomaru for two weeks straight with nothing to show for it. Well ok they did get seven jewel shards which forced her to rely on both Kilala and A.C. but still how can a demon that powerful be so unnoticeable? They were currently taking a break in a small clearing. Kilala was resting in the sun and she was trying to meditate in hopes of honing her reiki enough for her to actually control her powers.

It wasn't until Kilala shot up and transformed that the young woman even noticed the demon charging at them. Quickly jumping out of the way she went to summon A.C. only to get knocked down by a second demon she hadn't seen. Kilala was trying her best to fight but they were both exhausted from searching. It was as she got thrown into a tree that Kagome started to really get scared. Then realizing she was scared and about to die she got angry. The young miko was furious at herself for being so weak, she couldn't even protect Kilala! That's when she heard his voice, it was strong and commanding. It was a voice that made her feel strong just from hearing it. Without further hesitation Kagome let her body move itself and called out the name resounding in her head.

"Come forth! Ifrit, the Condemned!" Her voice rang clear throughout the open space before a large crest appeared in the air and a giant wolf-like creature with thick gazelle-like horns landed in front of her. It had gold gauntlets with red tassels in both arms and a fiery mane running down its back and on its legs with piercing yellow eyes. Everything about this creature screamed power. Without any questions the beast charged and killed to two demons like they were nothing making Kagome realize she couldn't control him.

Once the two demons were gone Kilala came over to her side to ensure she was alright. It was then that Ifrit noticed them. At first he just starred as if unsure of what they were but slowly he approached them. Kilala stilled as if getting ready for the fight of her life but his voice shook both of them.

"Are you the one who called upon me? If so state your name little one." His voice was just as strong now as it was in her head and sent shivers down her spine. It was deep and rich, like the earth itself had spoken, yet there was a fierce fire to his eyes that declared him a warrior. Stepping forward the young miko spoke with confidence.

"Yes I am the one who called to you and I thank you for aiding us. My name is Kagome Okamoto and I am a fledgling duelist. This is my companion Kilala. How did I know your name Ifrit? How did I hear your voice and know that I could call on you, trust you to save us?" Even she thought she sounded pathetic. This Kaiju screamed power so how could she summon hi when she hadn't even seen his name or stance? It was his laughter that snapped her out of her self-pitying thoughts.

"You heard my voice?! In all the ages I never thought I would actually find you. Fledgling did your Masters not tell you that for every duelist there is a Kaiju, a partner, a comrade that will stand by your side as you stand by theirs? For you to have heard my voice, to know my name and be able to call upon me means only one thing. I am your partner as you are mine." There was shock and disbelief in his voice but also happiness like he had found something he lost a long time ago.

"I don't have Masters to teach me only scrolls and tablets. I know very little about the Kaiju or ways of Kaijudo. I was angry at myself for being too weak to protect my friends and then I heard your voice and I felt like I could be strong, I wanted to be strong just to speak to you. I am sorry you do not have a partner worthy of your strength." She wouldn't lie to herself. There was no way someone so strong and powerful would want to be stuck with someone like her. She hadn't learnt enough yet.

"Do not ever speak of yourself like that again little one. I am yours as you are mine. You may not be the strongest yet but you will be with my aid and the aid of the friends you will make. We will become the mightiest warriors together. I will teach you all I know and you will teach me of your world. I can never have another partner you are the one the gods sent to me, you are the one I want." Ifrit's words touched her heart. If he wanted to stay by her side then he would. He was right, she may not be the strongest right now, but she would be, for him.

"Very well Ifrit. I will be your partner, and I will become strong enough to be worthy of that title." The young miko spoke with confidence and pride the promise in her words making itself clear for all who were listening. Ifrit nodded his head before leaning one of his horns towards her. It was then that she noticed the multiple rings that pierced through them. Grabbing onto one she let out a surprised squeak when he tossed her up having her land on his shoulders.

"I will carry you just tell me where we are going. Also you may want to hold on to the rings, I'm quite fast." Picking up the now small Kilala and placing her beside Kagome he waited for his directions. Personally he was very content to have his partner touch him and ride him, so few duelists touched their partners now days.

"We're heading west in search of Lord Sesshomaru. I request his training so that I can become strong enough to not only protect the ones I love but so that I can also defeat my enemy; Naraku." Kagome spoke calmly while running her fingers through his fiery mane she just couldn't get over how soft it was or the fact that it was actually warm.

"Very well, west it is. So tell me Kagome, who is this Naraku and why do we hunt him?" Ifrit was running swiftly enjoy the attention his human was giving him. He wanted to know more about her but as a warrior knew that it was best to ask about the enemy first. It was his duty to protect his partner and her companions and he couldn't do that without knowing who Naraku was and what he did.

"Naraku is an evil half-demon who seeks the power of the Shikon jewel. The jewel itself was shattered and it's shards offer immense power to whoever holds them. Naraku wishes to gather all the shards and return the Shikon to its true form, in doing so he will use its power to become a full-blooded demon and destroy all human life as we know it. He wants to rule the world and is hurting thousands of innocent people to do it." The young duelist explained once she got over the shock of how fast he was running. What really surprised her was it didn't feel like they were moving at all. Her new friend was so agile, swift and graceful that it felt like they were standing still instead of doing mock forty in the forest.

"I see. Well we will defeat him and any who follow his will. This Shikon sounds far too powerful to remain in this realm so I suggest that once destroy him we take the shards over to my lands where they cannot be completed." The fire Kaiju stated calmly. If this Naraku was as malicious as he sounded he did not want his little human anywhere near him. However if this jewel was the main cause of all this suffering then he wanted it out of the realm in which she lived altogether.

"I wish it was that simple Ifrit but unfortunately it isn't. You see the Shikon jewel came from my within my body where it remained pure. As long as there are shards in this world people demon and human alike will seek their power. I have the ability to keep them pure so I must complete the jewel and keep it with me so no one can abuse it's power ever again. I will always be targeted because of it but as long as I can protect the innocent then I don't care." The miko always felt cheated when it came to her fate but she knew there was no other way.

All the legends said that the only way to destroy the jewel was to make an unselfish wish upon it yet she knew there was no such thing. The very words "I wish" were selfish because it meant you were unwilling to work for what you desired. It was because of this that even though she was young she came to begrudgingly except her destiny. She didn't know what she would do after words though. If she carried the jewel with her back to her own era would people there attack her for it as well? Did that mean that she would be endangering her lost family by seeking them? As if sensing her emotions and inner turmoil her large companion spoke up.

"I know not what ails you little one but if you are concerned with the jewel putting your loved ones in danger fear not. For no matter where you are I will always answer your call. You claim that the jewel cannot remain pure without you and that you must protect it but you forget that I protect you. We will look for a way to seal this stone and perhaps allow you to live the life you seek. If we do seal it I will take it with me to my realm and guard it myself. So please little one do not worry, such emotions do not suit one such as yourself." Hearing his words Kagome almost cried. She had known him for less than a day and yet he was willing to do so much for her.

It was when she heard Ifrit's suggestion on sealing the jewel that she got an idea. She was a miko and therefore she could with practise seal items and creatures, the jewel should be no different. If she sealed it then no one would be able to sense it and therefore have no reason to challenge them. The thought of sending the Shikon to the Kaiju realm also sounded appealing though she didn't want Ifrit to force himself to guard it. Perhaps she would go with him and they could find a hiding place for it together. After all A.C. said she could open portals to go in between both worlds.

"I think that is a great idea, sealing the jewel I mean. If we did that no one could sense it and then we could hide it in your world. we could bury it somewhere so that no one would fall prey to its power ever again. What do you think, want to help me kill the bad guy and save the day?" The young woman asked playfully already knowing the answer.

"It would be my pleasure to crush your foes little one." If she wasn't so sure he was canine she would've thought he purred at the very thought.

"Not my foes Ifrit our foes. We are in this together now which means my enemies are your enemies just as yours are mine. Don't think this bond is only one way, you can call on me to yeah know." Ok this time she was certain he purred. It seemed like he was happy with her answer if his running faster was anything to go by. They travelled in comfortable silence for awhile before Ifrit slid to a stop. The sudden movement

"Ifrit what is it, a demon?" Kagome was certain that had it been a weak one he simply would have cut through them and kept going but the fact that he stopped concerned her.

"Yes but this one is not like the others I fought earlier, he is stronger and approaching fast. I want you go get ready for battle little one. Ready your bow and should you see an opening fire, we will have our first fight together soon." His tone held pride and excitement. It was clear that he was ready to face a challenge.

"You can say that but the fact is I'm not really good with the bow, I barely know any actual technique." The miko whispered to herself. Still she readied herself and got ready for a fast pace fight. It wasn't until a figure emerged from the trees that she paled. After two weeks there he was; Sesshomaru. Unfortunately she forgot her place and instantly shouted out his name which resulted in Jaken running out after him screaming at her about knowing her place and how a wench such as herself shouldn't even be talking to his precious lord to begin with.

Of course the second he insulted her Ifrit all but ate him. Instead the giant Kaiju opted for lowering his head to the imp's level and glaring while delivering a fierce warning which made her smile and Sesshomaru raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"You would do well to not insult this one's little one. She is my partner, comrade and friend. Use such foul words with her again and I will eat you. Kagome is one who deserves respect for she is my duelist." Once he finished he snorted what looked like stream and blew the old imp right over. It was at that moment that Kagome did laugh. It was just too funny to not to. Sesshomaru however seemed to take in the situation and wanted answers and as everyone knows what Sesshomaru wants Sesshomaru gets.

"Miko explain why you are not with the half-breed and your normal companions. Who is this creature and what are you doing on these Sesshomaru's lands." His voice was cold and she was certain this was the most she had ever heard him speak to her. Still just because he was a lord didn't mean he had to be such an asshole.

"My name is Kagome so use it. As to why I'm not with InuYasha and the others is simple, I left. I shouldn't have to stay with someone who doesn't treat me with respect and always insults and belittles me. Oh and Jaken this is Ifrit and he will carry out that threat so I suggest you keep your beak shut from now on if you can say anything nice. We are here because I was looking for you. I came to ask for you to train me." The miko almost laughed at the look on Jaken's face when she told him Ifrit was serious in his claim however the look Sesshomaru was giving her stopped her from doing so. He didn't look happy at all and considering the fact that she wasn't being very polite she couldn't really say she was surprised.

"Why would this Sesshomaru train you miko? As for using your name, one must earn this one's respect to earn such an honor." The stotic demon lord stated calmly. It made her blood boil but she knew that she had a trump card that not even the great Sesshomaru could refuse.

"Well you don't have to train me, I mean if you're ok with letting an untrained and defenceless miko be the deciding factor in the final battle with Naraku then I guess that's that. I just thought you would like to be able to tell the other lords that it was you who trained the one who delivered the final blow to the vile half-breed because it will be me who does it; it has to be because of the jewel shards. I thought you'd like to be able to say it was your miko who slayed him but hey guess I was wrong. Don't worry I'm sure I can find some other person to train me, I mean they won't be as good as you but they'll have to do whoever they are." She finished her speech with a light hearted shrug before telling Ifrit they should just leave and get off his lands. It was as they were turning that Sesshomaru ordered them to stop.

"Hook, line and sinker." Kagome thought to herself. Sesshomaru was all about power and showing he was stronger than anyone one else so of course the idea of being able to rube it was he who trained her into the other lords faces would be too much for him to pass up. Still she thought for a second he wouldn't take the bait.

"This Sesshomaru will train you but only if certain standards are met. You will not complain, you will use my title and show me the respect I deserve and you will tell me what that creature is." Again his voice was stotic but this time there was a bit of agitation in his tone. He knew he was being played and he didn't like it.

"Deal and Ifrit is a Kaiju from the Fire civilization I believe." Kagome stated calmly. She knew she was in for a world of hurt but she needed to do this, not only for the battle against Naraku but also for Ifrit. Still she knew that she would most likely die more than a few times within the next couple of months.

"I do not know what a Kaiju is nor have a heard of this fire civilization but I detect no deceit in your sent so I will leave it be for now. Come we will return to the palace and begin your training. Your companions will be trained as well since they are your pack now." Without another word the demon lord turned and walked away leaving them to follow. Sharing a quick look with Kilala, Kagome nodded and with one final growl at Jaken on Ifrit's part the trio left after their new lord.

~A.N.~

And chapter 3 is up! Kagome now has some strong friends and a lot of learning to do. Will she survive Sesshomaru's training without mental scarring we'll see...please rate and review! *Smiles and bows*