Author's Note: So I've been bored today, this will probably be the quickest I ever update! I hope you all enjoy, please review!
Kagome and Miroku reach Koga's den in 4 days. They only had one minor issue along the way. Kagome scrambles up the mountain path, smiling at the memory.
Flash Back-
"You hear that?" Kagome asks, turning to Miroku.
"Hm, yes." He says, staring behind her, over her shoulder.
Kagome whips around, arrow ready, string pulled taut. Miroku grips his prayer beads, crinkling his eyebrows together. Whatever it is, it sounds huge. Its' footsteps shattering trees and shaking the earth. They both stand, shoulder to shoulder, ready to fight. At that moment, the monster enters the clearing, chattering and moving it antennas.
It looks like a giant...ladybug.
Kagome chokes back a laugh and Miroku's shoulders droop.
"Well, I was hoping for more of a challenge that this." Miroku says, sounding sullen.
"You wanna take care of it?" Kagome asks, putting her arrow back, stretching and yawning.
"Sure." Miroku says, sighing and unleashing his wind tunnel.
Present Time-
Kagome giggles again at the thought of how lame that demon was. Miroku looks back at her, giving her a knowing grin, and helps her up over a particularly large boulder. Just as Kagome's foot touches the ground on the other side of the rock, they spy a large wind funnel moving their way. Kagome sighs and squeezes her eyes shut, praying to the Gods that this goes well.
"No worries, Kagome, everything will go smoothly." Miroku says, patting her on the back.
Kagome nods, clenching her jaw and standing up straighter. Just then, the wind funnel stops in front of her with a handsome wolf demon standing in front of her, his bright blue eyes sparkling.
"Ey, Kagome." Koga says, smiling widely at her.
"Hello Koga, how are-!"
Kagome voice gets cut off by a crushing hug from Koga. Her entire body goes rigid as she feels him sniffing the crook of her neck. Anger flushes her cheeks and she is about to tell him off when Miroku steps in.
"Hello, Koga, I see you are well." He says, stepping toward the young man.
"Oh, didn't see ya there, monk. How's it hangin'?" He says, stepping forward to shake hands with him, stepping away from Kagome.
Kagome sucks in a huge gasp of air after finally being released. She put her hand on her chest, giving Miroku a grateful smile. He winks discreetly at her and turns his attention back to Koga.
"What're you two doin' here anyways?" Koga asks, hands on his hips.
"Well-" Miroku begins but is promptly cut off by Koga.
"Finally made the wise choice to leave that mutt for me, huh? Bet you gave my marriage proposal more thought and now you're here to take me up on it." Koga says, beaming.
"Uh...well...um..." Kagome stutters out, cheeks burning, not knowing how to let the man down easy.
"Actually we're here to form a treaty. Our groups joining to track down Naraku and defeat him." Miroku says, sliding up next to Kagome.
"Oh. Hm. That what you want, Kagome?" Koga asks, eyes twinkling at her.
"Oh, well, I figured it would be best if your pack, our group and Sesshomaru's group gets together. We're all working for the same goal, why not join forces, you know?" She says, laughing awkwardly.
"I see. You just want to keep me close, dontcha Kagome? I get it, don't worry. I'll gather my pack up and we'll set out tomorrow morning. I'll pick up your scent to follow back to your group. See ya!" Koga says, immediately taking off.
Kagome watches the tornado move off, jaw dropped, eyes wide. Did he really just say that? He can't possibly think that. Either he's dull or delusional...or both! She turns her eyes to Miroku, jaw still dropped, tears now forming in her eyes. This can't be happening! It's too uncomfortable and awkward. Miroku sighs, putting his arm around his friends' shoulders.
"It's ok, Kagome. It could have been have been worse, no?" He says, laughing lightly.
"I don't know how." She grumbles, stomping away with him. "Oh man, Inuyasha is going to flip out." She says, sighing.
"I'm not one to intrude in people's private affairs, but why would he?" Miroku asks, testing the waters.
"Because he's a selfish jerk. He thinks he can run off to see Kikyo and do Gods know what for hours, then come back to me. And he can do that, because I allow it, and I always allow him back into my heart." Kagome says, shoulders hanging, stumbling along the path back down the mountain.
"But why do you allow it, hm?" Miroku asks gently.
Kagome bite her lip, thinking. She feels angst rising up in her chest. It's not that she feels uncomfortable or awkward talking with Miroku. She and Miroku have had some very deep, personal one-on-one conversations in the past. She has come to depend on him for advice and has already had conversations with him about what to do with Inuyasha.
"Because. I told him I would stay by his side...no matter what." She says, miserably.
"Even though it's hurting you?"
"Yes. I promised, Miroku. I don't take that lightly."
"I know that, and you are very strong and possess a good and loving heart. But that doesn't mean you need to let him walk all over you, Kagome."
"I know, I know. I just don't...know." She says, exasperated, throwing her hands up in the air and walking faster. She always speed walks when she gets upset but Miroku has no trouble keeping up with her.
"What do you plan to do if he chooses to stay with her, mate her, spend the rest of his life with her?"
Kagome pinches her eyebrows together, pressing her lips into a thin line. Thoughts of their wedding, their children, sharing open kisses and holding hands flash in her mind. All the while, poor little, stupid Kagome standing in the background. Ever the loyal, stupid, love-sick little girl. She shakes the thoughts away, angrily.
"I won't be pushed aside anymore. If he wants her, he can have her, but I want nothing from him anymore. Nothing but friendship. I'm done being pushed around! I can't imagine how many times his lips have touched hers and then, rarely though, touched mine. It makes me ill! He has to know this is coming. I promised to stay by his side when I was 15 years old. I'm 20! I have no one! No boyfriend, no fiance, nothing! What am I to do? What, would he want me to babysit their children? Oh my GOD!" Kagome rants, her cheeks turning beet red as tears spill down them.
"Now, now Kagome let's not get ahead of ourselves. I am sorry to have brought this up, seeing how much pain you are in. I just think it's time you let go." Miroku says, catching her in a hug.
Kagome lets out a sob into his shoulder, finally crying about it all. She has held it in for so long, been the brave and strong girl everyone expects. All the while, dying inside because her childhood love has picked another. And that's just it, she realizes. He was a childhood crush. She is a woman now. She has matured. Her hair has grown longer, almost reaching her waist. Her waist itself, curvier, her chest supple. She has grown into a woman. And Inuyasha has had nothing to do with it, has had no part of her love life for years now. She always thought he had loved her, and maybe he had when she was younger, but it's clear now who he wants and who he doesn't. She wasn't chosen. And it hurts like hell. It has hurt for a long time, she just didn't let herself believe it. And now, she finally has, and she begin to lick her wounds and move on.
After a while they resume their trek toward the Western Fortress where Sesshomaru resides. They make camp the night before they'll reach his lands and Kagome sits opposite Miroku, quietly sipping at her Ramen. She's done nothing but think about Inuyasha, how he has used her, and how much she despises herself for letting him do this to her. She hadn't even seen it, though apparently Miroku has. And Sango has brought it up in the past as well. Clearly, everyone can see just how pathetic poor Kagome is. And yet she is the last to know. She feels stupid, childish, and heartbroken. How can she meet the great and powerful Lord Sesshomaru to speak about a treaty when she's like a wounded puppy? It seems she won't have much time ponder that as a familiar aura descends upon their small camp. Miroku's head pops up, sensing it as well.
He enters the clearing, looking ethereal, like one of the Gods. His silver hair shining in the moonlight, his eyes reflecting the shimmer as well. His markings stand out even more on his pale skin. His armor and swords gleam menacingly, his face cold and stoic. Completely unreadable. Is he mad that they're here? Annoyed? Definitely not happy, Kagome thinks. The only thrill he gets is when he's killing someone or something. He stares directly at Kagome, his eyes boring into hers. She can feel something stir inside her, as if her Miko powers just had a fire lit under them.
"Calm yourself, Miko, before you force me to react." Sesshomaru snarls.
"Huh?" Kagome's eyes widen, staring at Miroku, who is gaping at her.
Kagome looks down at herself and doesn't notice anything at first. Then, she see's it. It's as if every inch of her skin is shimmering, almost glowing. Besides that, the palms of her hands are glowing pink. It seems the Lord has kick started her Miko powers without her even realizing.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize..." Kagome says, clearing her throat and closing her eyes, willing the energy zipping around inside of her to calm down.
"Of course you didn't. You are not trained enough." Sesshomaru states blandly.
"As if you would know anything about priestess training?" Kagome says back, eyes snapping open.
"Now, now, we have not come here to fight. Quite the contrary, actually."
"State what your intentions are immediately, I have no time for this nonsense." Sesshomaru states, inclining his head.
"Well, we came here hoping to have a civilized conversation about forming a sort of treaty to take out Naraku." Kagome says, forcing a normal and level tone of voice.
"I have no need to assistance to kill Naraku. I can accomplish that on my own." Sesshomaru says, almost scoffing, though he'd never even show that much emotion.
"Then why is he still alive?" Kagome asks, her normally warm chocolate eyes near a fierce, almost black.
"He is a coward and has eluded me each time I get close."
"That doesn't really answer my question. If you don't require assistance, he would be dead by now." Kagome says, cocking her head to the side.
"The audacity of this woman is astounding...yet brave." Sesshomaru thinks, eying her.
"Listen, we just made a treaty with the southern wolf pack and they're willing to join us. If you don't want to that's fine, but don't be angry that you're not there when we finally defeat him." Kagome says, getting up to walk away.
"Miko. You will not leave, I have not dismissed you." Sesshomaru growls out.
"Oh really, Sesshomaru, and what makes you think that I need to listen to you? I'm not on your land just yet. Don't bark out orders to me. I'll converse with you when I want to, and right now, I'm done." She says, and to her amazement sounds fierce and brave, not at all how she is actually feeling at that moment.
She gets up and walks past Miroku, who is frozen in shock, and ducks under a branch and into the dense forest.
"The nerve of that guy! I don't care who you are, having a polite conversation with someone isn't rocket science! Especially with a lady! Didn't his mother ever teach him that?" Kagome thinks, her fear quickly turning into anger as walks blindly through the woods.
Sesshomaru stares at the woman's back as she leaves, stunned, though his face doesn't show it. Who does this woman think she is? And exactly who does she think she's talking to? He is not that half-breed brother of is, he is Sesshomaru, Lord of the Western Lands.
But, he thinks, she is correct...they are not on my lands yet...though that doesn't mean she can speak in such a way to me. I must teach her a lesson.
He is about to walk after her when the monk stands up, smiling genially, holding his hands up.
"Please, Lord Sesshomaru, she does not mean any disrespect. She is merely trying to stand her ground, though she may not realize how far she is taking it. But you must admit, she is quite brave." Miroku says calmly and steadily, trying to begin a conversation with the icy Lord.
"Brave is not the same as foolish, monk. And clearly, she needs to be taught that lesson." He says, his words sounding venomous, and takes off after the Miko.
Miroku sighs and squeezes his eyes shut, rubbing his forehead. He grabs his staff and turns to run after them only to find that toad that follows Sesshomaru standing in front of him, The Staff of Two Heads facing him. What was his name again?
"And where do you think you're going, monk?" The toad squeaks out, grinning.
Miroku sighs and rolls his eyes, taking up his staff, ready for a fight.
Kagome stalks off into the forest, clumsily stepping over fallen branches, fuming to herself.
"What a jerk! What an ass! He talks to me as if I'm a child! I'm not a child anymore, doesn't he see that! I'm a woman now and I deserve respect! THE NERVE!" Kagome fumes silently, hands balled into fists.
If she hadn't been seeing red and so lost in her anger, she would have felt the huge aura brushing up against her. If she had turned at that moment, she would have been able to avoid the collision. But clearly, she did have much to learn about being a priestess. And, she would make damn sure she went straight back to Kaede for more lessons. She didn't care if she had to work day and night on it. She would train as hard as she could. That is, if she lived through this.