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Disclaimer: Je ne possède pas Inuyasha.

Clash of the Demonic Blades

Once the light lunch was finished, Kagome sent the three children outside to play. At the moment, she needed to train. The familiar and comforting weight of the Faia Enko patted the back of her thigh. She hadn't been using it all that often as of late, and she felt as though she might need some more practice.

The dojo was easy enough to find, considering the majority of youkai she could sense were gathered there. The cluster of energy was impossible to miss, its size and the magnitude of power that radiated from it nearly overwhelming. The entirety of the building glowed with a mystic light before her very eyes. The many different aura's and emotions created what appeared to be an enormous, writhing, rainbow cloud around the structure. 'Like Aurora Borealis in the middle of the day,' she mused.

Amongst the several individual auras she could sense, one stood out in particular. It did not change color, as the rest did, nor did it swell or shrink. It simply remained as it was; powerful, controlled, and nearly three times the size of any other aura in the edifice. She smiled. Sesshomaru certainly was hard to miss.

From all the way across the vast lawn she could hear the men training, their strained cries and the hiss of metal against metal filled her sensitive ears. As she grew nearer, the metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils. 'Holy smokes, Sesshomaru,' she mused idly, 'make sure you have don't kill all of your men before they have a chance to fight.'

Reaching the massive, lacquered doors, she placed both hands on one and pushed it open, only succeeding in getting it to move a foot or so. Slipping silently through the crack, she heaved the door shut, sighing when it closed as soundlessly as it had opened.

Eyes swiveling from the surface of the polished door, she shifted her gaze to the pairs of soldiers fighting amongst themselves. Never before had she found herself in the midst of so many attractive men. Dazzled blue orbs flowed over the tight, muscled bodies of the warriors, moving from one to another until she spotted a rather large group of people near the far corner.

Curiosity getting the best of her, she made her way toward the mass of men. Whatever was going on at the center of the huddle was certainly catching the attention of many.

Worming her way through the crowd of soldiers, Kagome got to the middle just in time to witness General Meiyo being thrown back ten or so feet, landing with a hard thud on the polished stone floor. In an instant Sesshomaru was upon him, Toukijin poised at his throat.

"Submit," the inu suggested firmly.

Finding there was nothing further he could do; Meiyo nodded once and sucked in a quick breath when the demonic blade was removed from his neck.

Helping his General up, Sesshomaru sheathed his weapon and stated, "You have improved vastly, Meiyo. I am impressed."

Rubbing his throat, the blonde demon retorted, "You have been improving as well my Lord. Nothing less than the best from you, I suppose."

Snorting lightly, the silver haired demon remarked idly, "Of course."

"Wow."

The quiet, feminine voice drew the attention of every being in the huddle. When Sesshomaru's eyes befell the young miko standing at the front of the mass, he inquired tersely, "Kagome, for what purposes are you here?"

Chuckling to her self, the young miko took a step forward and commented, "You certainly know how to keep your men on their toes, Sesshomaru."

"Indeed," he mused while approaching her, stopping once he was within two feet of her. Brushing a strand of her hair from her eyes, he asked again, "Koi, what is it you need of me?"

Several of the men began eyeing the pair, amazed that their Lord was not only conversing with a human, but caressing her as well. Though none could deny she was a sight to behold, they had never seen Sesshomaru act in this manner before, especially not to one of ningen blood. Was it possible that their great leader had feelings for this woman? Though the idea alone seemed absurd, it became all the more evident as the moments passed by. The way he looked at her could only mean one thing.

Placing her hand over his as it cupped her cheek, Kagome answered, "I came to train. I'm not just going to sit around in the palace and let you do all the work. I'm a part of this war too, in case you forgot. Naraku is going to come for me, and I have to be prepared."

Fixing her with a serious look, Sesshomaru queried, "You do realize that this is not sparring. People get injured here, Kagome."

Huffing, Kagome reached over her shoulder and unlatched Faia Enko, twirling it once in her hand before remarking smartly, "Did you think I carry this around for show? I'm a warrior too, Sesshomaru."

A single brow tilted upward, and Toukijin was drawn. "Care to put your words to the test, little miko?"

Smiling devilishly, Kagome whispered, "Bring it on, Sparky."

Disappearing in what seemed to be a blur of color, Kagome turned just in time to block a fierce attack from behind, her arced blade screeching as it scraped against the cold metal of Toukijin. Both hands clutching the hilt, she pressed forward, attempting to push him back. When he didn't budge, however, she frowned.

He had a smug little smile plastered on his lips, and she remembered something. 'This is a youkai you're up against, Kagome. You can't beat him when it comes to brute force. Come to think about it, you can't beat him when it comes to speed or wit either. Damn him and his intellect and demon heritage. It looks like I'll have to beat him using some good old fashion unpredictability.'

Leaping backward, Kagome drew herself into a ready stance and awaited his next attack. He had the most indiscernible features, and so it would be a difficult task to predict his next moves. When she sensed a shift in his aura, she blocked, swerving to the side and taking her stance once again.

'Shit,' she cussed inwardly, 'this isn't going to work.' After a moment of thought, she deduced that she would more than likely have to use her flexibility and balance against him. She might not have been as strong as he was or as quick, but she could bend like no ones business.

Then, another tasty thought occurred to her. 'Sesshomaru has never been exposed to the style of fighting I've seen.' I sly grin spread across her lips as she mused silently, 'Perhaps I should get a little futuristic up in here.'

She needed to be unpredictable, agile, and fresh. With that in mind, she focused in on the demon's aura once more, sword lifting when she sensed it shift yet again. This time, when she blocked, she left herself enough of an opening to release the hilt with one hand to crack Sesshomaru square in the nose.

Snickering evilly to herself, she looked on in amusement as a small stream of blood trailed form the taiyoukai's left nostril. "Bet you didn't expect that, huh?"

"No," he answered honestly before sweeping his blade in an arc toward her.

Eyes going wide, Kagome spread her feet and bent her knees, leaning backward at an abnormal angle so that the blade passed over her, missing her by inches. 'Kick ass!' she shouted to herself as she executed the move, 'Just like that movie, 'The Matrix'. I'd like to see him try that!'

Recovering instantly, he took another swing at her, the graceful arc aimed at her feet.

Seeing the menacing demon blade coming at her yet again, she used the angle she was at to lift her feet off of the ground and twist in mid air, once again avoiding the deadly sword. Landing gracefully in a crouching position on her hands and the balls of her feet, Kagome sprung up and launched herself at the golden eyed youkai.

Lifting a brow in surprise, Sesshomaru raised his sword and batted her aside. He had not expected her to be so versatile. She was defiantly one of the best human warriors he had ever seen, but she still needed a little work.

Back bowing in mid air, Kagome landed on her hands and vaulted into a handspring. Almost the instant she landed, the searing heat of Sesshomaru's acid whip whizzed by her face, knocking her on her back.

Bending her self in half, the miko balanced herself on her hands; waiting until the tinsel haired demon came at her. Then, as he neared, using the strength of her arms and the momentum of her legs she sprung back up and kicked him in the jaw.

Stumbling back slightly, Sesshomaru grabbed hold of her ankle and threw her across the room, teeth grating as he tried to ignore the thrumming ache in his skull.

To avoid slamming painfully into the wall, the miko drove her blade into the floor, swinging her self around it to land fluidly a few feet away. Slinging the giant blade over her shoulder, she taunted, "Come on, Sesshomaru, I thought you weren't going to go easy on me."

Humming to him self in an amused fashion, the taiyoukai sped forward and lashed out with his whip, not giving her any time to recover before swinging his blade at her head.

Just managing to duck out of the way of Toukijin's deadly edge, Kagome swung her own sword in retaliation, growling when the western Lord caught it with his bare hand.

Smirking, Sesshomaru teased playfully, "You'll have to do better than that, Kagome. It seems as though you need more practice. Your movements are slow and predictable."

Huffing, she leapt forward and landed a kick square to his chest. Though it didn't seem to affect him much, it gave her the opening she needed to plant another kick to his groin.

Groaning in pain, the taiyoukai doubled over; one hand gripping the hilt of his sword while the other cupped his abused member. When a dainty foot swung at his head, he snarled and caught it, dropping into a crouch and kicking the saucy little miko's foot out from under her.

Falling on her rump with a pained 'oomph', Kagome squeaked when she saw Toukijin coming at her yet again. Sliding lithely between the youkai's legs, she used the weight of the blade to swing herself around in a circle, hoping to give the snarky taiyoukai a good deep gash across the calf.

Instead of catching his leg, as she had hoped, the aristocratic assassin simply stepped on the tip of the blade, grounding it. Instants later he had her in the air, dangling by her throat.

"What now, little one?" he chided, taking a step away from the discarded weapon.

Lifting and spreading her legs, Kagome arched her spine and latched them around the demon's neck.

Gasping as the miko's tantalizing scent drifted across his senses, the demon Lord could only gawk as the brazen miko practically shoved her self in his face.

Wrenching her neck free from his slackened grip, Kagome bent backward in a semi-back flip and released Sesshomaru's head from her leg lock, snatching up her sword from the ground and thrusting it at his gut.

Dodging, the amber eyed noble raked his claws across her exposed shoulder, wincing when she shrieked in pain.

Eyeing the four, bloody gashes across her arm, the young miko hissed and leapt at her opponent, eager to get him back. Blade swinging this way and that in precise, graceful sweeps, she attacked relentlessly, never once letting up as she pushed the dog demon back.

Much to her chagrin, he simply leapt over her and landed soundlessly behind her. Twirling around and slashing, she growled angrily when he caught her blade yet again. Swiftly removing one of her daggers, she sliced a deep cut into his side, smirking when the pristine white of his haori stained red.

Snarling, the inu youkai launched an all out attack on the fiery little woman, to which she gladly struck back. The pair continued fighting for several minutes, by which time their wounds had healed.

Kagome, much to her disappointment, was losing. It was understandable, since he was a born warrior, and possibly the most powerful youkai in Japan, yet she was still rather disappointed with herself. She had wanted to impress the great inu Lord, now it seemed that all she had done was make a fool of her self.

What the young priestess did not know was that every set of eyes in the dojo were currently on the two of them. In every mind the same thoughts were brewing. Few had ever lasted so long against their Lord, and seeing it done by a human female led them to ponder just how powerful this ningen girl was.

Grunting, Kagome suggested, "Why don't we end this?"

Nodding, Sesshomaru readied himself. He had seen the attacks her sword could produce, and he wasn't about to take one of them lightly. When she drew back her blade to unleash its awesome force, he initiated his own assault. "Souryuuha!" he roared, an invisible wind sweeping his silver tresses into a flurry.

Funnel of smoke and flame billowing around the arced blade, Kagome watched the blue, electrifying attack speed toward her, like a great, serpentine dragon that spewed lightning from its mouth. Massive blade slicing through the air, she retaliated with her own fearsome attack, "Kaen Tosshin!"

Honeyed depths watched as a tunnel of churning fire swept in his direction, ash and cinders disgorging in all directions.

All eyes watched as the two mighty assaults collided with an awesome force, seemingly freezing for a second before releasing a monstrous wave of hot air. Sizzling purple motes of smoke filled the dojo as a final explosion shook the structure, knocking most to their backs.

Squinting, Kagome peered through the violet mist, trying to spot the inu demon before he struck. A small flash of light was all that caught her eyes before she was on her back, the demon Lord pinning her to the ground, claws biting the skin of her neck.

"Submit," he hissed, ocher orbs boring down demandingly into her determined blue ones.

Growling, she tried prying his hand from her throat, quickly finding her efforts were ineffective. Feeling that her legs were efficiently pinned by his knees, she sighed and groused, "Fine, I submit."

Righting him self, the inu youkai helped the shaky miko to her feet, cradling her chin with his index finger and planting a soft kiss on her lips. "You did well, koi. I am thoroughly pleased with your skills."

Frowning, she grumped, "But I lost."

Lifting a finely arched brow, Sesshomaru reminded her ingenuously, "When facing the Lord of the west, losing is unavoidable. I am the most powerful force in the land, Kagome, keep that in mind."

Pouting, the tiny priestess mumbled, "Careful, Sesshomaru, or that over inflated head of yours might burst."

"Milord," Meiyo interrupted while approaching the couple. Coming to a stop next to the silver haired taiyoukai, he looked quickly to the young miko before questioning, "If I may be so bold, sire, are the two of you an item?"

"Bold indeed, Meiyo," Sesshomaru grunted while holding the woman closer. "You are, however, accurate in your postulation. The Lady Kagome is to be my mate."

Small smile cracking the corners of his lips, the golden haired General announced merrily, "Praise the gods, our Lord has found a mate!"

Turning to Kagome, he added casually, "And a human one at that. Milady, you must be a very special woman to have broken through Sesshomaru's icy barricade."

"Watch your words, General;" Sesshomaru commented in a teasing manner, "need I remind you that I am standing here?"

Laughing whole heartedly, Meiyo bowed low to his Lord and stood. Smiling widely at the small, raven haired woman, he slowly grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. "Long life to you, Lady Kagome, the support of the Western Army is now at your back. I am at your service."

"My thanks, General," Kagome rejoined lightly, extracting her hand from his. Looking lovingly up at Sesshomaru, she kissed him lightly on the chin and inquired, "Will you train all day?"

He nodded, tracing the outline of her lips with a single claw as he answered, "For the majority. Naraku will arrive tomorrow. I wish to meet him away from the castle, so we will need to rise early. Are you certain you wish to fight, Kagome?"

Scowling, she whacked him and queried tersely, "Yes I'm certain! What, you think I can't?"

Sighing, Sesshomaru clarified, "I know you are very capable, koi, but I do not want to see you hurt."

Smiling, she gave his cheek a reassuring pat. "Don't you worry about me, love, I can hold my own. Besides, I'm with you to the end, no matter where you go."

Nodding, he kissed her knuckles and suggested, "Perhaps you should go back to the palace. You need to meditate and focus your holy powers. And I'm sure the children would like to spend more time with you. After all, there is the possibility that we may die in this battle."

Gasping, Kagome teased, "Did I just hear Sesshomaru say it's possible that he can be defeated?"

Lips tilting down somewhat, he chastised, "This is no joke, Kagome. Even I have my limits. I may be powerful, but I am not immortal. The same goes for you, koi. Surely you realize this?"

Sighing in a melancholy tone, Kagome informed him, "I know. I just don't want to think about that. If it happens then it is destined to be, but until it does, I like to look at the lighter side of things."

Stroking her hair, the young noble notified her, "I will be in for supper. Now go and ready yourself, my dearest."

Sharing one last kiss, the couple parted, reluctant to leave one another's company.

Watching as she exited the building, the tall, golden eyed demon turned to his men, intent on seeing to their training for the remainder of the day. Chances were he would need Kagome's assistance in the healing the soldiers later on. He didn't plan on going easy today. This was their last chance to prepare before Naraku arrived, and playing around was not an option.

Though it is quite obvious that no one could stand up to Sesshomaru, I'd say she did a darn good job at holding her own. Honestly, I wasn't going to let her win. Hah! She's good… but not that good.

Donnez-moi votre avis, Ô merveilleux lecteurs.

Meaning, 'Please review, you wonderful people.'