Ok well as I sit here and listen to my friend write his own story I've decided to update my own. So here's yet another update.

"Oh, hello Sesshoumaru." Kagome's voice was calm and even, her fear fleeting from her person, nearly vanishing as soon as her sapphire eyes had made contact with amber. His demeanor was unaffected by her unusual calmness in the situation, as both were accustomed to such situations between themselves.

"You left yourself vulnerable" It was cold and callous but true. The girl would have to be taught to better protect herself. These mistakes would not be tolerated if she were to make it through the final battle. His information had come through the council when the council had called a meeting under the most enigmatic nature. The information had led him to his circumstances today.

Instead of taking offence to the tai-youkai she instead gave him a bright smile before standing up to face him. With liquid motion Sesshoumaru threw Kagome a sword that he had brought with him concealed in his robes. She easily caught the sword and inspected it before drawing it from it's sheath with well practiced motions. After she inspected the blade with a sort of awe, she melded into a fighting stance and waited.

Sesshoumaru smirked at the girl and her confidant nature. They had only trained for but a few days with swords and it would seem she thought herself confidant to take him on. Sesshoumaru started his attack with one thing in mind…'Bad move little girl'

Hidden Paradise

Miyo had awoken about an hour ago and had gratefully accepted water and food. Her body was close to being fully healed though she was still sore. After a brief conversation they had fallen into a tense silence. Miyo sat at the base of a near-by tree while Gin sat perched on the top branch of a tree opposite the clearing.

Gin sat and watched her... friend and noted any changes that had occurred over the years. Her face had slimed into one of a young woman and she was slightly taller. She didn't seem to be the buoyant awkward teen she had left her. Though her body had matured the look in her eyes still looked as they had. Her recent trauma had apparently had some effect as she was still silent but her eyes told of a prior life that was sheltered.

Her life was sheltered, that didn't mean she was an ignorant fool. This girl had seen her share of battles. Gin was positive that she'd been through more emotional battles than physical though. Barely noticeable to the eye Gin cringed, much to her regret she had only added to the numerous battles that she had fallen in to.

Her gaze softened and to the trained eye remorse was seen, the pair hadn't always been as they were. The were at one time inseparable and that was their down fall, though she had the feeling that Miyo still blamed her for the entire thing. The entire thing being their friend ship and the people they had become as a result.

She remembered that before they had met she had been fearful of any wrong doings but over the next few years her inner self merged with her outer self. To her Miyo had been the spunk and the ambition, she had been the wit and the courage with the proper encouragement. Miyo like wise had acted as though she could be a bad girl, Gin was the opposite she merely thought of such things but had not let on of her private thoughts.

Together they had been the undoing of each other; Miyo was the inspiration she the wit to make the right moves to get away with everything. She herself had been mature when they met and constantly matured after Miyo though was not the same she had dealt with things in an adolescent fashion, so in the end they had went their separate ways in a clash of their differences they had not had the time to mend what had always been.

Gin scented the air to find a welcome distraction, and another scent that was almost a solid confirmation. She stood atop her tree but hesitated before leaving to taunt her dear friend.

"Miyo, will you be ok for a bit?" her head tuned to her friend but was surprised to see Miyo's fiery eyes already directed at her. Miyo nodded her head and with that she was off. Leaving the still meditative Miyo to contemplative what had happened all those years ago.

Back with Sesshoumaru and Kagome

Two urethral figures sat crouched on opposite sides of the field. The moon's rays making each of the figures looking as though they themselves glowed of their own lights. Both figures were panting heavily, and finding a grudging respect for the other. The one with shining silvery white hair because the other had lasted so long, and grudgingly noting their skills had improved much. The other ebony haired figure that the tai-youkai before her hadn't fallen to her ever growing miko powers and that the hanyou she traveled with hadn't fallen to his hand yet.

Their weapons up in defense should the other suddenly attack. Kagome was barely holding out against Sesshoumaru but she managed, her heart beat was going a mile a minute and she knew that she if she were to win she'd have to do it soon or she'd collapse from shear exhaustion. Sapphire locked with Amber and the battle continued. The second Kagome blinked Sesshoumaru had launched, and as all youkai seem to have the ability to float long distances at any speed the next time he landed was after their swords had met.

Kagome could feel her mussels weakening and her reflex's slowing, digging deep she pulled her miko powers forth and fuelled them into her sword. The next hit that Tokijin made with her sword lit the area with sparks of the energy that clashed. Forming a disk and sending it at Sesshoumaru she watched as he easily dodged the spherical object.

Sesshoumaru sensed Kagome's distressed condition and made a lunge at her once again miko and youkai energy clashed in a blinding light, both opponents were locked neither being pushed away. Kagome summoned forth the last of her miko energy to send Sesshoumaru back only a few steps. Sesshoumaru was surprised to say the least but he went back into a stance only to be blown backwards by Kagome's trap. His eyes widened in realization, Kagome's orb was never meant to hit him, it had been a mine. Kagome watched as Sesshoumaru fell into her trap with perfect grace. In movements to fast for the human eye Kagome had Sesshoumaru pinned against a tree with the tip of her sword at his neck.

"I win." Her voice was dry and course due to her previous exertions. Sesshoumaru gave a 'hump' in grudging agreement. Kagome sheathed her sword and gave Sesshoumaru a wiry grin. "Not bad for a ningen, ne?"

"Indeed…" Sesshoumaru noted that while Kagome was exhausted she was not so far gone as not to engage in harmless banter. He noted her rapidly growing skills and the advantages of InuYasha being an inadequate protector. As such she would be forced to practice the skills he taught her nightly, thanks to his dim-witted brother.

The second after he had replied to Kagome's banter the clearing was filled with sparks as his sword made contact with an unknown opponent. Sesshoumaru had not sensed the intruder till milliseconds before their swords had met. Exchanging blows with the unknown attacker he sniffed the air for a scent and was inwardly shocked to find none. While still keeping up his attacks he studied the figure before him. The race and sex of the attacker was unknown concealed by a cape and hood that seemed to never unveil the attacker's physical appearance.

Sesshoumaru let out an almost undetectable growl deciding it was time to stop this unknown attacker, with a quick mumble of words the attacker was encased in a barrier. Assured that this unknown being could no longer pose a threat he approached said barrier. The figure stood still, still concealed in perfect enigmatic concealment, though the figures gaze seemed to be fixed on him.

He carefully watched as a gloved hand drew a sword, a thought crossed his mind, was it not plausible that this was an assassin sent to kill him? The thought though was quickly dismissed, he was the ruler of the lands through power and fear he had maintained his stature. He once read in a book that these means of reigning would ensure an empire that would last eternity and that had yet to be proven wrong. His kingdom still stood after many centuries in all it's glory.

His thoughts were quickly put back into focus on the cloaked figure, as he raised his sword up and slashed at a precise and unwavering angle as though they had done it many times over. Sesshoumaru at first scoffed at the though of his barrier being brought down by a single blow, his thoughts were put to a grinding halt as he watched his barrier crumble. His momentary hesitation in going to a defensive stance was more than enough time for the cloaked figure to spring.

Sesshoumaru let out a reluctant 'oof' as he felt the bark of a tree grind in to his back for the second time this evening. The figure had one hand holding him in place by his collar bone and the other held their sword, whose tip rested lightly against his neck.

"Sesshoumaru !" The young miko who had watched all that transpired now choose to call out to her friend and instructor. His gaze briefly flicked to the miko before gazing at the hooded figure. A light chuckle reached his ears ad his eyes widened their fraction in recognition.

The hooded figure seeing Sesshoumaru's eyes widen gave a small laugh before shaking off their hood. Where the blackness of the hood once existed was now illuminated by pristine silver, glowing in the moon's rays. Liquid Silver eyes held tints of amusements as Gin addressed her old childhood friend. "Surprised to see me Sesshoumaru?"

Gin stepped back and sheathed her sword, allowing Sesshoumaru movement as the young miko came running towards the pair. As she reached the pair she was panting still tired from her previous activities. Kagome gained her breath before looking at the mysterious figure that attacked Sesshoumaru.

Kagome straitened her posture and looked at the stranger only to have her breath hitch in her throat. "It's you..." Her voice was soft but held a great deal of surprise. Sesshoumaru's eyebrow raised in suspicion, and his focus was once again directed at his old friend with a questioning air.

"We've met on a few occasions due to those infernal Shikon fragments. Once in exchange for information, Another when Miyo went into transformation," Where she had bee staring at the forest her eyes flicked to Sesshoumaru, only to see the faintest surprise in his eyes." The first time after a rouge youkai attacked me thinking I had fragments of the jewel, where I left the vanquished youkai's shards in your young miko's hands."

Sesshoumaru nodded in acceptance and turned to said miko. "You're free to go back to your companions now, our training for tonight is finished." With that he turned to Gin and thought the matter of Kagome was finished. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don't I even get an explanation!" Kagome's indignant cry made each of the stoic youkai want to cringe but both refrained.

Sesshoumaru stood profile to both females though his eyes were trained on Kagome, you've met her before what else need to be explained?" His annoyance was growing but perhaps for once there really was some reason for her agitation. "Well I'd like to know how you two know each other, hell even her name would be nice!" Sesshoumaru once again gave Gin a questioning stare.

"I'm not what I used to be, I had no obligation to introduce myself. I no longer refer to myself in third person as you seem to be so fond of doing." With a dismissive glance she looked back at the stars before letting a small sigh escape her lips. Leveling her head to the ground she crossed the space of the clearing of half it's distance so as to give the miko a better view of herself. "Watashi wa name gin desu" Kagome surprised at the formality of her words thought it only right she do the same. "Watashi wa name Kagome desu". Glancing back at Sesshoumaru, silver sparked with amber in a familiar stare. "We will talk later." With that Gin gave a small nod to Kagome before leaping up into the tree's.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome both watched as Gin disappeared in the midst of the forestry. "So how do you know each other?" Sesshoumaru glanced at the miko, her question was innocent enough yet, some things could not be reviled. "It is not of importance." Turning his back to her he was prepared to leave her to her friends care.

To say Kagome was absolutely baffled was an understatement. These two beings seemed so a like but at the same time they didn't. She couldn't put her finger on it but something told her that their was something beneath the surface that needed to be brought to light. She watched as Sesshoumaru melded into the shadows and let out a sigh, she knew that figuring out exactly what they were hiding was going to be hard, but somehow she'd do it. With a final glance at the seemingly enchanted clearing she turned and melted into the forest like the two before her to head back for a few meager hours of sleep before the dawn.