InuYasha

Future Heirs

Chapter Nine

Kagome woke up the next morning and stretched out her arms and legs to get the stiffness out. At first, she didn't remember where she was until she realized that they were all in Sesshoumaru's castle, healing from the battle that they all had with Naraku yesterday morning. Yawning, she sat up and looked out the window and noticed that the sun had risen an hour or two ago. She threw back the covers and slid to the floor and stumbled a little. A mild shot of pain reminded her that she was still healing. Carefully changing in to a clean outfit of a pair of black jeans and a light grey t-shirt that had a simple design of sakura blossoms around the neck, she opened the door just as a middle aged demon maid appeared; startling her a little.

"My apologies lady kagome. I did not mean to startle you. I was sent to see if I could help you in any way." the maid replied softly.

"That's alright, I know you didn't mean any harm. I would like to know where Kimiko and Ichiro are though." Kagome replied.

"They are in the dojo training. They shoud be nearly finished as they have been sparring for about two hours already. I will take you to the doorway, closest to the dojo if you would like." the maid offered.

"That would be lovely thank you. They get up that early in the morning?!" Kagome asked, a bit surprised. She had never gotten up at "the crack of dawn" herself. She had tried a few times, but...let's just say it was a little painful.

"If they are anything like their father, then yes. As a young lord and lady of the western lands, they must be well trained in all areas of their royal heritage. Here we are lady Kagome. Just go through that gate and to your right for a yard or two. You should hear them sparring." the kindly maid replied bowing before she left.

Sure enough when Kagome had gone through the gate and turned to turned to the right, she heard the sounds of different weapons clashing together. Peaking through the door, she watched the twins finish off their combined routine of hand to hand combat with use of a weapon of their choice. Putting away their "manual" weapons, they stood in the center of the sparring ring on either side. At a signal that Kagome didn't notice, the twins began to run and jump around each other for a moment. The school wasn't surprised when Kimiko and Ichiro cracked their knuckles and brought forth a poison whip like Sesshoumaru's. But what did surprise her was that they each combined the whips with spiritual powers.

'They both have spiritual powers?! That must mean their mother is a miko or priestess. I can see Kimiko using her powers like that; but Ichiro? Then again priests do have their powers. I'll have to talk to either Kikyou or Miroku.' Kagome thought to herself. She sighed as she continued to watch the twins. She cringed as she noticed the twins ears swivel in her direction. She had sighed a little too loudly.

"I think someone is watching us." Ichiro replied as he stopped and pulled his whip back in to his hand.

"It's probably just someone walking by. I think we have practiced enough for today. We should wash up before we head to the dining hall for breakfast. I'm sure the others are up and ready to start the day." Kimiko stated.

As quickly as she could on her injured leg, Kagome made it over to a bench near a pond full of beautiful koi fish that was under a sakura tree and sat down. Just as she gazed down at the fish, Ichiro and Kimiko came out of the dojo. They had to smirk as they could hear her slightly racing heart beat. They figured that she was the one they had heard, but decided to not to let on. They knew their that their mother had always been very curious about things.

"Good morning Kagome." the twins said together.

"Good morning Kimiko, Ichiro. Did you have a good work out?" Kagome answered.

"It was good; although I believe I did a little better." Ichiro replied, teasing his sister a little.

"It was an even match brother, and you know it." Kimiko answered back in mock gruffness.; giving him a swat on the arm.

"Yes, well anyways, I need to go in. Father wanted to talk to me for a moment before I freshen up. If someone is practicing their archery, don't get in the way. You'll just get in the end anyways." Ichiro taunted before taking off.

"Ichiro!" Kimiko gasped and took off after her brother with an embarrassed growl.

A moment later, she heard a slight crash and sounds of the two grappling a short distance away. Kagome hadn't missed the blush that had started to appeared on Kimiko's face before she had taken off after her brother. Yep, those two may be twins and very close, but they still obviously had their moments of teasing and fighting, like she and Sota had at times.

"Enough you two. Ichiro, come in to my office now." Sesshoumaru's called out as he stepped out of the room he had been in.

"Yes father. Ichiro replied, getting up. "Sorry, Kimiko."

"Hmph." Kimiko groused as she stood up and dusted herself off. The incident in the past hadn't happened on purpose, but she still got in to plenty of trouble. The young girl noticed Kagome approaching and hid her face for a moment as she waited until the school girl approached her.

"Kimiko, do you mind if I come with you to your chambers? I would like to see what it looks like." Kagome asked, wondering why the girl looked a little uneasy at her approach. She decided to dismiss it for now.

"Of course Kagome. I wouldn't mind the company while I get cleaned up. I don't know what the others have planned for the day, but if you want, I can show you around the palace. I don't think it would have changed much from the future." Kimiko answered cheerfully.

"Do you mind if I ask what that little...wrestling match with Ichiro was all about?" Kagome asked after a few moments of silence.

"Let's just say, I had a little accident in the future and it I'm reminded of it at times." Kimiko replied a bit gruffly, causing her ears to droop a little.

They stepped through the garden doorway and started down the hallway to the left. It didn't take long for them to get to the door of Kimiko's room and when the girl opened the door, it wasn't what Kagome had expected. Instead the walls being a pink color, they were warm tones of brown and amber on the walls and the carpet was an interesting shade of green that complimented the walls. A battle fan and a katana with an intricate design on it were on the far wall.

"I won't belong Kagome. There's fruit and drink by the window, if you can't hold off until breakfast." Kimiko replied as she headed for her bathroom for a quick shower.

"Okay Kimiko. Thank you." Kagome answered and went over to the window.

As she had stated, Kimiko came out of the bathroom, partly dressed. She quickly put on a short, light weight kimono that was comfortable, easy to move in and perfect for the warm weather. Just as she finished brushing out her hair, a knock came at her door.

"Come in." Kimiko called out.

"Kimiko, Kagome; if you are ready, father wants us all down in the dining hall as soon as possible. He has some important information to tell us all. It appears as if we have a new enemy.

AN: Okay, people, I'm going to stop this here, as I'm sure you have been waiting for it. I know this is a slow chapter, but consider it a filler; time given for everyone to heal and rest. I'm kinda hitting the preverbal writer's block a bit here. So I need some help with suggestions. I have the name for the new villian, but the fight scene is alluding me at the moment. The villain's name is going to be a cross between Naraku and Vampeal from Sailor Moon. Got any suggestions for that two. I'll chose the best one from mine and yours. Mention your penname please.