Getting to know you: Sesshomaru's POV

The Miko, and her sister, Have been training really hard for the past few weeks. They both have shown great improvement and Kagome has been most impressive….and amusing. I have decided to give them a well deserved day off that they could do as they pleased. I for one, need to speak with those closest to Kagome, to learn more about her. Sure I know she is strong, in heart, mind and body, but I wish to know of her past. I wish to know what has made her feel she needs to protect all.

"Since everyone is here, I wish to let you all know, today is a mandatory day of rest. There will be no training, and no lessons." I watched as the faces around the table lit up and some even relaxed, but there was one that puzzled me. Kagome looked confused by my news, and even spoke to question me.

"May I ask, what are we going to do? I am rather enjoying my lessons and training." She asked with a slight blush, her embarrassment quick to show herself.

"You may do whatever you like today. Spend time with your kin, play in the gardens, enjoy the peace and quiet you have earned from all your hard training miko." I said, trying my best not to let on that I had other motives for this. "Just know, this is a one day reprieve. Training is to resume tomorrow at the same pace as we have been going. I want all to be ready when the time is right." I looked and saw determination on all faces around me. The miko seemed to be the most determined of them all.

The rest of breakfast was spent in silence but once we were all done eating I looked to my half-brother and when I had his attention, "Inuyasha, I wish to speak with you in my study."

"Feh." Was his only reply. I didn't want to resort to this, but my brother knows more about their upbringing than anyone else here, and I need to know what he knows. Once we were alone I felt I couldn't wait any longer. "You will tell me what you know about you're intended and her sister. Who is older? Why Kagome seems to be protective and what exactly happened to them."

"Why would you care about all that? My intended is none of your business and I don't owe you nothin." He spat back at me. I could sense an uneasiness coming from him and this only spiked my curiosity. Sighing, I realized the only way to get the answers I desired, I had to tell him of my true intentions. "If you really must know, Inuyasha, I plan on convincing Kagome to let me court her. I need to know all I can about her in order to understand the ways in which I must go about this." The shock on the half-breed's face was amusing. He probably never thought I would openly tell him of my intentions which almost made me smirk….almost.

"I can tell you that Kikyo is older by about three minutes, though in raw power, one would think Kagome to be older, as the oldest is usually stronger. Also that both of their parents died when they were very young. Kikyo tried to rebel and fight their 'father' and Kagome stepped up to protect her. Kagome did all she could to keep Kikyo safe from harm as Kikyo hated her life there and wanted nothing to do with the bastard who was raising them. He brought harlots to the house frequently and abused Kikyo and Kagome. He was trying to break their spirits, for what, I do not know. Kagome is strong, because she has always had to be. She loves with no limits. She is a good friend and I will always be indebted to her for making sure my Kikyo stayed alive."

I took in everything he had told me and wondered how she could be so loving after loosing almost everything and seeing all the horrors she has. I also felt myself getting angry with this Onigumo. What kind of man would abuse his own kin, blood or not. I found that her forgiving nature could be her downfall with this man. I would see to it that he never harm her again. The rest of the day I spent thinking over what Inuyasha had told me and getting more information from the slayer and monk as she seemed to have gotten close to them. Though I did not have to share my intentions to get the information I was seeking.

It was about an hour away from dinner when I decided to call a meeting between my family (including Izayoi) as well as the monk and slayer. I had an important announcement to make, as well as seeing how the training has been going for both of the mikos. Kagome's grandmother was even present for this meeting. I had no idea that the miko in question had been doing something very similar to me the whole day.

Kagome's POV:

I had figured the after Sesshomaru left with Inuyasha, that now would be as good a time as any to spend some time with my sister, as well as maybe get some advice about how to talk to Sesshomaru about the feelings I was starting to have for him. I don't know if her ever knew, but sometimes, I would wake early and would watch from my balcony as he trained outside in the early morning. His movements were so graceful, it was almost like watching a dance. A very deadly dance. Once Kikyo and I were in the gardens we sat below a sakura tree. It was very beautiful and it was just starting to blossom. "Kikyo, I was wondering, how do you approach someone to tell them how you feel? What if they don't feel the same way?"

Kikyo seemed to think for a while before she spoke. "If you want to know if Lord Sesshomaru feels the same for you as you do him, then I suggest that you spend time with him outside of training. Tell him about yourself. Let him see how fiercely loyal and caring you are. Let him see the real you."

"How….How did you know I was talking about Lord Sesshomaru?" I asked, not sure what gave away the whom to which I was speaking of. Kikyo laughed then, it was the first time I had heard a joyful laugh leave her lips since we were still really young. "Kagome, it is written all over you. You train so hard so that he can see how strong you are. You make yourself learn as much as you can about his culture. You even spend much of your free time in the library doing unnecessary studying. I can see it when you look at him. Maybe….maybe you should test him." She said as though I would know exactly what she was talking about.

Confusion took over quickly as I was trying to figure out what she meant by testing him. "Dear sister, how do you test someone such as he? He is a great protector and has kept me from feeling lonely since we arrived here. What more could he possibly do for me?" At this Kikyo stared at me as if she was trying to figure out my methods. "Kagome, do you not remember Shippo? The little orphaned that you took care of in Edo?" I gasped as I realized that he was there, with no one to help him. At that Kikyo took the chance to continue. "Ask his lordship to take you to the village to find and retrieve the kit. Explain to him that you have been the only one there for him since his parents were slaughtered by rouge demons. Surely, if his lordship harbors feelings for you, he would not deny you this one request. Especially since you have done all that he has asked of you and more." I knew she was right. There was just one more thing that I felt I just had to know. "Kikyo….How did you and Inuyasha meet? I know it was when you had run away, but I feel like I missed out on something really important."

She looked at me with a little sorrow in her eyes. It took her a few minutes but she finally opened up to me about her long hidden secret. "To be honest, I had met him shortly before I ran. I ran away to be with him. I was lonely, and you were doing all you could to keep….him from hurting me again. I had taken the time to go to town for 'provisions'. Inuyasha was there trying to see what the village needed and trying to convince the town headsman to allow him to find a suitable miko for Edo. I was so pissed that I charged right forward and went to confront him. When he turned to look at me…. Well, it was love at first sight. I wasn't all that angry when I saw those molten Amber eyes for the first time. I felt a sense of calm wash over me. It was then that I knew. I knew that I had to run away and be with this man, no matter what the cost. I am only sorry that I couldn't take you with me. I will always be sorry for that."

As she finished recollecting her first encounter with Inuyasha, I stood and went to embrace my sister. We both had our struggles and wanted nothing more than to get away from that place. Only one question remained. "Why did you ever come back?" I asked as tears streamed down my face and I held on to my sister as though we would die if separated.

She shook as she cried in my arms. When she replied, her voice was barely above a whisper. "I came back to get you. We were supposed to leave and never return. I came back to save you, as I had been saved."

A/n: I know, a small cliffy! LOL. Anywho, wanted to apologize for taking so long to update. I had a small case of writers block and was trying to figure out this chapter. I am doing all that I can to keep the creative juices flowing so that anyone who is really interested in this story can truly enjoy it. Also, I know I usually don't do more than one POV per chapter, but I felt like this one needed to be two. It was easier than writing two smaller chapters. More chapters coming! Just, please be patient with me!