AN: Well I'm getting a great response to the story so far! Thank you to all my reviewers for the great encouragement. I was originally planning on skipping over most of the training and just somewhat mentioning it but anotherthinline has requested that I go into some detail about the training and the ceremony. If anyone else has a request let me know and I will try to cater to your wishes. BTW does anyone really bother to read my little notes up here? I feel like I am just being used for my story :(

anotherthinline- this chapter is dedicated to you

Chapter 3

Sesshomaru's training was as different from Kaede's as night and day. While Kaede had conducted training in a peaceful meadow with lots of meditation, Sesshomaru trained Kagome by engaging her in screaming bloody combat. He ordered that the battles be fight to kill. If Kagome was killed he could always resurrect her using Tenseiga, if one of his demons were purified there were always more where they came from.

Kagome ducked as Sesshomaru's soldier threw a ball of fire at her. She used her momentum to perform a James Bond style roll on the ground, popping up at the end into a crouched position and firing a purification ball at the demon. The soldiers eyes widened as he suddenly realized that this bolt he would be unable to dodge in time. At the last second Kagome called the ball back and reabsorbed it into her body.

"That is enough training for today." Sesshomaru declared before turning and walking away into his castle.

The demon bowed gratefully to Kagome, "Lady Miko, your strength amazes me. I thank you for sparing my life. Should you ever be in dire need, call for Repon and I shall come to your aid."

Kagome gave the demon a smile and a nod, "Thank you Repon, I will keep that in mind."

She had learned much that day. Though she had only spent one day training with Sesshomaru, she knew she had learned more than She could have learned in 7 years with Kaede. She was proud of herself and extremely grateful for Sesshomaru's unlocking.

Sesshomaru had informed Kagome that the reason most humanoid demons were so much stronger was simply the fact that they had their demon strength unlocked. Kagome was beginning to understand why most of the monstrous demons fell so easily before Inuyasha, he had his power unlocked and it was more easily accessible. Of course, he was just a pup at the time so he had no recollection or knowledge of it. She wondered if Shippo was still locked? Maybe she would just see into that later today…..

Kagome sank down into a bath and relaxed. She was supposed to meet Sesshomaru in his office once she was bathed and "dressed decently". She snorted at the implication that her normal clothes were indecent.

'Damn cocky dog demons thinking they are so much better than everyone else! Although….I suppose that by feudal standards my school uniform is rather revealing….It's not my fault that a pervert made our school uniforms so short! Damn modern age perverted old men…'

Kagome continued to grumble until she emerged from the bath and saw the clothes laid out for her on a bench. Her breath caught in amazement at the sheer beauty of the kimono before her. It was a deep purple color, almost black, with gold koi. The obi was the same golden color as the koi, golden cloth slippers finished the outfit off nicely.

Sesshomaru glanced up as Kagome entered his study and his breathing stopped. The kimono was his mother's. His eyes narrowed in slight anger and he vowed to find the servant who had decided to hand it over for the human's use.

Ignoring that for the moment, he kept his face impassive as he gestured to a chair in front of the desk he was seated at. Kagome took her seat as she waited for him to explain why she had been called here.

After a few minutes Sesshomaru pushed the papers he had been working on to the side and looked up at Kagome.

"You will need a deeper explanation of the ceremony if you are to complete it without embarrassing this Sesshomaru."

Kagome bristled at the hidden message that she would be an embarrassment but waited in silence for Sesshomaru to continue. In truth she was curious.

When it became clear that she was not going to interrupt, Sesshomaru went on to tell the ancient tale.

In the beginning of time there was chaos. Demons ran wild killing animals and each other. As mankind emerged, they began to hunt the demons in large groups. Due to the humans sheer numbers, they were beginning to win the battle against the demons.

As a last resort, the higher demons began to work together. Overtime four great leaders emerged and took over as the Lords of North, South, East, and West. Under them, they placed many lesser lords to rule different areas of their lands.

Under the great lords the demons began to flourish. Time went by and the demon race began to live in luxury and populated the earth.

It was then that disaster struck. One of the great lords was killed in an accident while on a hunting trip. His sons vied among themselves for the right to succeed their father.

All the other great lords expected the middle of the three sons to take over his father's throne. The eldest son realized that the middle son was in fact the greatest leader and stepped down. However, the youngest rose up against his brother, struck him down, and claimed the lands as his own.

This youngest son was a bad leader and his lands began to fall to ruin. The other lords pleaded with him to step down but madness overtook him and he refused.

It is unclear who declared war first, but the war was devastating. In the end, only a fourth of the demon race was left standing.

The eldest son stepped forward to take over his father's lands. In a show of faith, he called all the lords to his home for a great celebration. He took the lords and lined them up side-by-side with a pathway in-between them. He then transferred all of his youki to his mate. Defenseless, he walked down the line between the lords. In this way, they were free to challenge his reign without risking the extinction of their dwindling race.

Kagome sat in shock, unshed tears in her eyes. The youngest son had slain his own brother and crippled his own race. The senselessness of it all pulled on her heart.

Sesshomaru paused after the story before adding, "Since then humans have began to overrun the earth but the demon race is still only around half of what it was before. Demons mate for life and some take hundred of years before they settle down with a mate. The ceremony that the eldest performed continues to be performed at each take over."

When Kagome finally spoke again it was only to ask a final question, "What was the eldest son's name?"

Sesshomaru hesitated only a moment before answering, "Inutaisho."