Chie: Warning in advance! A filler-chapter written in haste so that you won't have to wait awfully long for an update since I'm leaving to another scout camp very soon.

Oh. And bold text is something written down. Like... a letter, perhaps? ;P

Chapter four – The cat and the mouse

I shuddered as the ice water hit me. My knees nearly gave in from the shock of the sudden impact. Soon I was soaked all through, the chilly water trickling down on my bare pale skin. I simply hated taking a cold shower but I was left with no other option. The water wasn't too warm to begin with and after all the cadets had showered, the little warmth was pretty much faded away. In other words for me to get a warm shower would only be possible if I took a shower among other cadets – which was so not going to happen! I preferred warm shower to a cold one, but I didn't prefer it that much.

I stepped out of the stream of water and switched off the shower. Grabbing the towel I started to dry myself off.

The last few days had been relaxing and peaceful. I had been looking after Rin. She was a sweet child, cheery, energetic and funny. She also was nimble-witted, had a sharp ability of observation and acted older to her actual age. She was a good company and her loving behaviour answered well to my silent call to be accepted. But today had been my first day back in practise after I had sprained my wrist. It was very hard to try and catch up with all the guys. It was simply astonishing how much progress could be gained in such a short time. Naturally, I screwed up big time and got scolded several times by the colonel, but I hadn't really expected it to be any otherwise.

I reached for the pile on the stool next to me and started to dress myself.

Maybe it would be better if I'd start from the beginning...

I knocked on the door carefully. It was early in the morning, before the awakening of the cadets but I knew she would be up already. And as I had expected, a moment later she came to answer the door.

"You. To what do I own the honour of seeing you so early in the morning?"

"Kikyo, please. Just let me in."

"Why?"

"Aren't you acting a bit childish now", I said sharply. "Or do you just refuse to let your every patient in?"

"My, aren't you touchy, cousin dear."

I ignored her comment and stepped in.

"So, what gives me the pleasure?"

"I came here so that you could check on my wrist. It should be okay now."

"I will decide that", Kikyo retorted. "Sit down."

Once again I witnessed the change of Kikyo, how she became a calm, collected, seemingly emotionless doctor instead of the woman she truly was. Kikyo was the same as me. On the exception that she was truly stronger than me. I knew the harsh, sarcastic behaviour was her own way to protect herself. We had been very close and only I knew how deeply the death of her parents had wounded her. Deep inside she still carried the grief with her.

Yes, we were more alike than we even realised.

"It has healed well", Kikyo announced. "You may proceed with your training from now on."

"Thank you", I said, truly meaning the words.

"There's still time before the awakening of the cadets. Go to rest."

I nodded. On that moment I felt that there still was hope... That despite all the mental wounds we had involuntarily or purposefully caused to one another, we could overcome the negative feelings between us and once again become close friends like way back then.

That trail of my thought however vanished as I noticed the door which lead into Kikyo's private quarters. The door was ajar and I saw the room wasn't empty.

I bit my lip not to let a sound out and turned to leave. It seemed that I had failed to notice that Inuyasha's bed had been empty as I left.

"You call that a shot, Higurashi? Just where are you aiming at? When I granted you the little "sick leave" I told you that you have quite a job to try and catch up with the other cadets and guess what? You're doing a poor job in that. So now you better show me what you got until I get bored at your lame attempts and kick you outta my troops. We'll be working your pretty ass off, maybe then your tries will be at least sufficient."

I could have gotten the point even if he had used less insults. However, I was getting used to colonel Hidaka's style and in my head toned out the insults, focusing on the thing he truly meant behind his words. I can not explain how I knew what he wanted to say to me, but somehow, I just understood. I was thinking too much. I should concentrate and make sure my aim was accurate and correct. I inhaled deep and raised the assault rifle to the correct position again.

'Aim', I told to myself and then pulled the trigger.

Bull's eye.

I suppressed my childish whim of screaming "Yattaaa!" Aloud and jumping in the air. In stead I glanced at the colonel. His face was blank as always but I saw the corner of his mouth twitch as he glanced back at me.

"Better."

My rosy lips melted into a bright smile.

Back then, I didn't feel a stare boring into my form.

The blue eyes keenly followed the girl sitting with the pervert and the red-head. The eyes followed her pale hands as they picked up the chopsticks. The eyes followed the chopsticks as their heads disappeared into that sensual mouth among with the rice.

'Hmmh, what uses for that mouth I could come up with', the young man mused to himself.

He couldn't really help himself. Since the moment of the young woman's arrival his eyes had been glued in her. She intrigued his mind. It wasn't like he only had romantic interest in her, no. She was his amusement, the thing which helped him to endure the dull, difficult training. Her inner strength also gave strength to him. It was amazing how well she was putting up with the colonel's constant insults and pushing around. Of course, the word had spread and now everyone was aware of the whole Kagome – Inuyasha – Kikyo situation. There was a bet among the cadets. Whether Higurashi would be able to take all the pressure from seeing her cheating ex and the third wheel as well as the training itself plus colonel Hidaka's oppressing behaviour towards her – or whether, would cadet Higurashi crack. Yes, it was very curious indeed, to watch how it all would change and into what it would all end up to. The sum of he bet was already quite big and he votes had divided surprisingly evenly. Now all that was left to do for everyone in the bet was to wait.

"The lunch is over! Get your lazy asses off from the seats and back to practise! You too, Higurashi!"

He glanced at the sight of the colonel standing in the doorway and smirked to himself. Curious indeed.

I stood next to my bed, the clothes clinging to my damp skin, my hair dripping droplets of water and tried my best to be oblivious to the stares of the men in the room. I had not even asked colonel Hidaka to give me a private room for I very well knew he's only tell me 'We can't afford such a luxuries just because Miss Higurashi's feeling picky' or something along those lines. Absently I smirked at the thought as I was drying my hair with the towel.

Wait, what?

I just smirked at a mental image of colonel Hidaka?

I shook my head violently. What the hell was going on?

'You hate him, Kagome. You. Hate. Him.'

But a little seed of doubt resided in my thoughts. Did I really hate him?

Utterly sank into my own world I did not notice how quiet the room had suddenly gotten.

"Higurashi."

"Kyaa!"

I clutched the white fabric just above my heart and panted. My God why did he have to sneak up on me like that!

"Follow me. Now."

Mutely I walked out of the barracks watching idly as his silver hair swung from side to side as I pondered on what was going on.

"Umm, colonel Hidaka, sir?"

He didn't acknowledge me.

"Colonel Hidaka, why did you call me out this late?"

"There is someone who wishes to see you", he replied blankly and kept on walking.

I frowned and followed him. His answer had just stirred more questions in me. Now what was going on?

We stopped at the door of his residence. he opened the door, gesturing me to get in. I hesitantly stepped in and nearly fell onto the floor on the sudden impact.

I glanced down and saw a top of a head covered with black hair. The little creature was hugging my knees.

"Kagome-nee-chan!"

"Why hello Rin", I greeted the child as a smile lit up my face.

I felt like smiling every time I saw the little fellow. Idly I wondered whether she had the same effect on her father too. Colonel Hidaka smiling? Unlikely. But, I couldn't help thinking how he would look like while smiling. I shook my head. Bad Kagome! Not time to be thinking stuff like that!

"You're all wet, nee-chan!"

"That's because I just took a shower. How was your day, Rin-chan?"

"I had fun! Although Jaken-sama is very boring. You were a much better baby-sitter, Kagome-nee-chan!"

"Aww, thank you. Now, why did you want to see me this late? You should be in the bed already!"

"That's what daddy said too but I said no!"

I tried my best to suppress a giggle. Colonel Hidaka not able to order his kid to go to bed? Come on!

"Now why did you do that", I asked, trying to keep my voice from wavering and my face straight. Colonel Hidaka was still in the very room.

"I refused to go to bed before you could come to tell me a bed-time story", the kid piped out.

I just melted at her response. She was so sweet!

I hugged her fiercely and picked her up.

"Then if I tell you a bed-time story you'll be a good girl and go to bed, right?"

"Right."

"Good."

I carried her to her bedroom and set her on the bed. She snuggled into a comfortable position and I pulled the pink blankets over her. I seated myself to the edge of her bed next to her pillow and leaned my back against the wall.

"Now let's see", I said softly. "Once upon a time there was a princess who..."

He stood in the doorway, quietly staring at the pair. Idly his gaze wondered from the one face to the other, noting the similarities between the two females. How curious. By the scene before him, one not aware of the true state of affairs might actually mistake the cadet for Rin's mother. Sesshoumaru snorted to himself. Well, By the scene before him he might say that Higurashi was more of a mother than Kagura had been. Kagura had never agreed to read a bed-time story for Rin.

And now he was on the same subject again. Kagura. He sighed in his mind. She had been a mistake. Looking back at the things now, he couldn't bring himself to see why he had married her in the first place. Seeing back from now... It had been a doomed relationship from the start.

He really should stop thinking about it. It was done anyway and already in the past. That's all there was to it.

Idly he began to wonder Rin's behaviour around Higurashi. Although the little girl was cheery and friendly, she rarely was this clingy to another people. And she had only looked after the kid for a two days. How remarkable.

Sesshoumaru kept on studying the two with his gaze. It was a bit distracting to see Higurashi with her hair freely flowing down her back. It quickly made her look more beautiful. No. Feminine. Yes, feminine was the word he had been meaning to think, where that 'beautiful' had come from? Hidaka shook his head. He had been clearly up for too long or then, his celibate had gone on for too long. It had to be either of those if he was even for a second thinking along those lines about his subordinate.

Yes. Maybe he ought to go to sleep now too.

He turned his head to see cadet Higurashi standing right before him.

"She fell asleep", she whispered softly.

He nodded.

"Am I free to leave now?"

He nodded again.

She flashed a quick smile.

"Good night, colonel Hidaka."

Somehow, he was not able to tear his eyes off from her retreating form.

"Inuyasha's in the SAF? Katsuo, my old friend, have you finally gone senile?"

"Is that a way to talk to your friend", Katsuo replied, acting hurt.

The old man shook his head.

"Are you sure that was wise, Katsuo? After all, Sesshoumaru is the leader and trainer of the SAF."

"I am aware of my son's occupation, thank you very much Kenji."

"Then, are you aware that Sesshoumaru might take advantage of his position to bully Inuyasha?"

"Oh please, Kenji. I know my son. Sesshoumaru is too honour bound to do such a thing. He is raised better than that."

"Is he invited to the gala?"

"Of course. After all the Minister of Defence is hosting, so it's only natural that he is invited too, as the leader of special troops."

"Ahh, so I shall meet him there then."

"What about your daughter? Is she invited too?"

"Ayame, you mean? Yes, she is invited, though more because of her relation to me than from her position in the military..."

"I heard an interesting rumour the other day", Katsuo said, bending closer to his old friend. "The guinea pig will be there too."

"Whom are you speaking of?"

"The girl who's undergoing the SAF's training because the senate requested it."

"Oh, that one. Well this is interesting. Do you know how Sesshoumaru's been taking it?"

"I haven't heard from him for awhile, save when he called me the other day to call that the court made its decision and he gained Rin's custody... But I can only guess and my guess is that he's none too happy."

"My Ayame was actually one of those who recommended the girl, so she told me."

"Oh?"

"Ayame says that she's a very sweet girl, not at all the type that would go into the army. She had this sad history or something... A story about a cheating husband but I'm not sure whether it was true or just made up for sympathy points.."

"You wouldn't happen to remember the girl's name?" Katsuo frowned. Something in this kept bothering him.

"I suppose it was Higurashi… Higurashi Kagome."

"Oh how cruel the fates are…" Katsuo muttered to himself.

"Hmmmh, what is it now, Katsuo?"

"That Kagome… She's the ex-wife of Inuyasha."
"Oh dear."

"Oh dear indeed."

A maid walked into the room after a knock on the door.

"Hidaka-sama, Miyagi-sama", she said and bowed. "The ladies are asking for you."

"Ahh, I guess it is our time to leave. It seems to be late already."

"If the ladies are asking for us, we better go down, don't you think, Kenji."

"Indeed. Shall we, now?"

"Yes?" I asked, turning around.

"For you", he said nonchalantly and gave me the two envelopes.

Now who actually knew to write me to here?

I frowned and started to walk back to the barracks, staring at the two envelopes.

Finally getting in I walked over to my bed and threw the enveloped on the blankets.

Most of the cadets had collapsed into their beds, exhausted from a hard day of training. One guy was snoring. There was however, a group of about eight cadets sitting in a circle on the floor, playing poker. I scoffed at them and then changed into the clothes I slept in. then I climbed into my bed, pulled the blankets over me and opened the first envelope.

"Heya Kags!" read in the beginning of the page. I smiled to myself. Sango.

"How's it going over there? I hope you're still alive. I pestered Captain Miyagi so long until she finally gave in and gave me this address... So, anyway. I've been all fine. I'm getting out of here soon, as my service is ending. Then I suppose I'll get back to work. How boring! Maybe they let me to stay longer in the army if I ask them nicely?

Greetings from your former troop-mates. They're missing you. Ain't that just sweet? -

Oh. I heard some gossip about the guy who's the trainer over there. They say he's pretty stuck up, tough as hell and the hottest guy on Earth. They also say that his last name is Hidaka. Please tell me that he's of no relation to Inuyasha! Otherwise I would pity you way too much to your own good, you know!

Oh. Kohaku called the other day. Souta had told him to tell me to tell you that he said hi. Umm yeah, I suppose it was something like that anyway. -;

Unfortunately I gotta go now. Please write back, okay?

Take care!

Sango"

I smiled to myself. I should have seen this coming. Trust Sango to find some way to contact me. As I tried to put the letter back into the envelope something fell off. It was a photo of us two, taken the one day before going into the army. We had gone shopping and into the movies, that day had been a blast... I smiled to my memories and absently read what Sango had written in the back of the photo.

"Just to cheer you up if needed. And in case you will forget what we look like when you're rotting over there. Love! Sango"

I put the photo and the letter into the envelope and then grasped the other one. Perhaps it was from mom?

I opened it. A neat card fell out.

"Dear Miss Higurashi Kagome,

You have been invited to the Shikon Gala held September 1st starting at 6 pm at the Yamada Mansion (9 Peach street, Osaka)

The dress is formal

Please inform before hand should you not attend.

Looking forward to see You at the gala.

Yamada Toutousai, Minister of Defence"

"What the – "

Yes. There it was. Black on white. My own name.

Still. This has to be a mistake.

Oh, but how cool nonetheless! A real formal gala! Hosted by a minister...! What I ever had managed in order to get invited? Despite my current tomboyish behaviour, I still was the girly girl inside. That's why I immediately started my delighted planning. I should get a dress... and appoint a time for a hairdresser and...

Wait. I shouldn't get all enthusiastic about this. I was in the SAF. There was no way colonel Hidaka would let me go. I sighed and put away the letters. Might as well try to sleep.

"But of course you can go, Higurashi! In fact, take the whole week off!" He beamed at me.

"Gee thanks, colonel sir!"

"Oh, don't mention... and please, just call me Sesshoumaru."

"GOOD MORNING, CADETS! I EXPECT TO SEE YOU ALL STANDING IN A ROW OUTSIDETHE BARRACKS FULLY DRESSED! YOU HAVE EXACTLY THREE MINUTES!"

I groaned and cracked my eyes open. Should have known it was only a dream... I glanced at my alarm clock.

4 o'clock? He called this a morning? It was still a friggin' night and I wanted to sleep... Yes... Sleep.. Good.. Sl –

"Kagome? Kagome, you're dozing off! Up now, before colonel Hidaka'll – "

I groaned again and reluctantly got up.

I have no clue how did I manage to get dressed and stagger in my place in the row outside. But the point is that I managed to do just that.

"Today, my dear maggots, we have a little walk. Yes, that's right! 60 kilometres walk with your proper full uniform on, carrying all the equipments necessary. You have twenty minutes to eat breakfast and pack everything you find necessary with. Keep in mind that with the equipment you pack with you're supposed to be able to survive out there for at least a week. That's all."

We cadets saluted, swallowing our groans and were off to eat and pack.

"Oh…(pant)… Kami…(pant)… I'm… dying!"

"Quit the dramatics, Miroku", Shippo huffed.

"Yeah, big men don't whine", I sneered.

"That is (pant) not funny", he pouted.

"It's only a walk", Shippo huffed.

I kept to myself. Shippo wanted to act all tough, maybe, but the weight of the rucksack strapped to my back was really weighing me down. 'Just a walk' Shippo might say. 'Just plain torture' was however my opinion about this. But I did not like whining, so I kept my opinions to myself.

"How (pant) much we've (pant) walked already now?"

"20 kilometres", Shippo calmly replied. One third behind!"

"I'm (pant) SO going to (pant) die."

I rolled my eyes. To my surprise I didn't feel so tired I had supposed I would. Life's full of surprises. Yet, my mood sank as I glanced at colonel Hidaka who was leading in the front. It seemed that he hadn't even broke sweat yet. Just what was that guy made of? I huffed to myself. But still, I felt a bit victorious inside. Maybe, if I still had this much energy left I'd get through this torture alive. Maybe.

Then Hidaka calmly lead us into the forest, not uttering a word.

Or then maybe I might not survive.

I got all mixed up with my legs as I stumbled trying my best not to fall over and get stuck in the little twigs, tree-roots and all the damn underbrush. What had possessed Hidaka to drag us to here? What was wrong with the road.

"Oh Kami, I'm being eaten alive", Miroku wailed, waving his hands frantically to keep the gnats away.

"Oh grow up already", Shippo retorted.

I squinted my eyes shut. I hated bugs. Hated. It clearly wasn't enough that the little gnats were eating me while annoying the hell out of me, no. The rucksack seemed to get heavier with every step I took. Once again I stumbled on the tree-roots and little low bushes. A silent curse escaped from my lips as I fell forward.

Strong arms grabbed me before I hit the ground. They lifted me up.

"Are you okay, Higurashi?"

I looked up to his blue eyes. Now what was this guy's name? He had spiky black hair and he was quite short for a guy but yet strong.

"Yea – Yeah, I'm okay", I stammered.

"Arai Bankotsu", he introduced himself with a grin.

"Umm thanks."

"No problem", he chuckled.

I felt a bit uneasy, not knowing what to say to him. I kept on walking as I idly scratched my temple, side glancing at him every once in a while.

"Why are you scratching yourself so feverishly", Bankotsu asked sounding curious.

"Because all these gnat bites are so damn itchy", I replied.

He chuckled in a low tone.

"They'll just itch more if you scratch them. It's not working, you know."

"I know", I replied.

"Then, why do you keep on scratching them?"

"Because when you itch, scratching is the natural reaction", I retorted.

"It just gives a frail peace of mind for a few seconds until they start itching twice as badly as before", he insisted.

"Well, in that case I'm one to appreciate frail peace of mind for a few seconds", I replied somewhat arrogantly.

He shook his head, smiling.

I couldn't help but smile too.

Shippo watched the pair walking side by side, scowling.

"He's hitting on her, isn't he", the red-head growled.

Miroku did not know what his friend meant for he was too busy trying to keep the gnats away.

"I don't like this one bit..."

"What are you muttering all about, Shippo?"

"That", the youngster spat out, pointing at Kagome and Bankotsu.

Miroku raised his eyebrow.

"Don't tell me, Shippo, that you're jealous."

"I'm not jealous. I just don't like that guy…"

"STOP!"

All cadets froze in the middle of their steps.

"Put down your rucksacks."

Everyone obeyed and looked around at their surroundings. There was crossroads ahead.

"I will now check whether you have managed to pack properly. If I find your packing lacking of something, you will follow the road going to left. That route is exactly 20 kilometres longer."

I swallowed. So that in the end it was possible to be forced to walk 80 kilometres? Oh Kami...

I prayed in my mind that this once Hidaka wouldn't be the asshole-trainer as usually and wouldn't make me go the further way.

One by one he came and checked up what we had in our rucksacks.

Miroku was one of the unfortunate ones. As I saw the hopeless expression on his face as Hidaka told him to go the longer route I felt a sting of sympathy in my heart.

"Cadet Arai, take the left road."

"It seems our journey together ends now", Bankotsu whispered to me on a low mocking tone and got up, walking up to where the rest of the unfortunate ones were waiting.

I stood at my place trying not to avert my eyes from colonel's as we kept on staring at each other for a moment or two. He then check my rucksack too. I gulped nervously as I waited for his decision.

The amber eyes slowly rose from the rucksack on the ground before me to bore into my blue ones.

"Pass", he muttered moving onto the next cadet and his rucksack.

I stared at his back and the mass of silver hair in a total loss of words.