MC: Hey guys! I very much apologize for the lack of updating these past few…has it really been months? I don't know. I've been so busy with school and work, it's been pretty hectic. I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

Chapter Eight

The next few weeks of training were brutal, and Kagome sadly found herself in Sango's medical tent more than anyone else there.

"It'll get better," Sango had told her, her cinnamon-brown eyes shining with sympathy as she gently wrapped Kagome's sprained wrist. "Just give it some time."

But Sango knew, just as well as Kagome and the other soldiers, that time was a major issue. Sesshoumaru was starting to go harder and harder on them, claiming that the war was getting closer to the point to where they were going to be needed, and that they needed to be as prepared as they can be.

After a full month of being in the army, Kagome sighed wearily as she plopped down in her tent, her blue eyes glazed over. Just think, Kagome, if you hadn't taken Souta's place, he probably would've been dead by now…

"Souta…"

Kagome blinked away tears, her heart aching as she thought of her family. Feelings of longing, hopelessness, and anger suddenly clouded her thoughts, and she sat up, her eyes wide. Myoga, who was busy writing on a small piece of paper, looked up, blinking. "Kagome, what's wrong?"

"I…I don't know." Kagome hissed through clenched teeth, her hands balling up into fists. "I just feel so…angry."

She was suddenly on her feet, going outside the tent, Myoga hot on her heels. "Kagome, wait! It's past curfew!"

"I don't care." Kagome growled out, stomping around tents towards the training arena. She snatched up a bow and a quiver of arrows before heading over towards the makeshift targets. Her blue eyes narrowed at the farthest one, and as the mounted an arrow on the bow, she noted how cool and smooth the wood of the bow felt on her hot, boiling skin. She drew the arrow back slowly, hearing the string bend against its will, as far back as it could go.

Pushing all her anger into the arrow, she let it fly, watching in sudden fascination as it descended, landing with a loud thump against the target, right in the middle of the bulls-eye.

"Where did you learn to wield a bow like that?"

Kagome squeaked, turning and wielding the bow like a sword as her wide blue eyes met the amused gold ones of Sesshoumaru. "S-Sesshoumaru-sama!"

"Forgive me if I startled you." Sesshoumaru watched in silent mirth as the puny Higurashi boy slowly lowered the bow, eyes wide and mouth hanging open. "Who taught you to wield a bow like that?" he asked again, and Kagome blinked, standing straight as she glanced down at the bow. "My father taught me."

"I thought so." Sesshoumaru extended a hand, and Kagome handed him the bow, watching with curiosity as he examined the bow. "Higurashi-sama was a highly skilled archer. I used to watch him train others, and it was always fascinating, the way he wielded it." He glanced back up at Kagome, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "For a moment, you looked like him."

Kagome felt the stinging of tears, but quickly blinked them back, looking away from Sesshoumaru as she glanced nonchalantly up at the sky. "I get told that a lot."

"Hn." Sesshoumaru glanced away, looking out towards the target, deep in thought. "I believe, Higurashi," he looked back at Kagome, gold meeting blue, "we've found your skill."

The next day, Kagome noticed something strange. First, she wasn't teased at breakfast for being shorter or skinnier or girlier looking that everyone else. Secondly, some of the soldiers actually asked her to sit with them. Then, during warm-ups, one of the soldiers named Hojo actually passed her a staff instead of tripping her with it.

During lunch, Kagome quickly avoided the others as she snuck to Sango's medical tent. Sango was inside, writing in her medical journal when Kagome slid in through the flap. She glanced up, first surprise then worry crossing her features. "Kagome, what –"

"What the hell is going on?" Kagome asked frantically, causing Sango stare at her with a blank face. "What are you talking about?"

"The others! They're being…nice to me." Kagome shuddered, wrapping her arms around herself. Sango just shook her head, giggling as she guided Kagome to a nearby stool. "Isn't that what you wanted?"

"Yeah, but…I mean, just yesterday, Takemaru was smacking me in the head during training, and Hojo was tripping me with staffs, but now…it's like, they know."

Sango's expression turned seriously, her eyes widening slightly. "But how?"

"I don't know." Kagome sighed, her head in her hands. "I don't think that's it, but that's how they're treating me."

"I doubt it, or I would've heard something from – Lord Sesshoumaru!"

Kagome's head jerked up, her eyes wide as Sango made a squeaking noise. Sesshoumaru was standing in the entrance of the tent, his eyes slightly narrowed as his gaze went between Sango and Kagome. "Higurashi, Taijyai. I'm sure this isn't a social call, correct?"

"N-No, milord." Sango nearly whispered, quickly hurrying over to the medicine cabinet. "S-Souta-san just came in t-to get some-"

"Headache medicine!" Kagome exclaimed, causing Sango and Sesshoumaru to look at her. "Y-Yeah, headache medicine." She said, her voice low as she ducked her head slightly with embarrassment. "F-For a headache…"

"I'm well aware what headache medicine does, Higurashi." Sesshoumaru said blankly, once more glancing at Sango. "Taijyai, fix Higurashi up and get out here. We have new arrivals."

"Y-Yessir." Sango gulped, and as the tent flapped shut behind Sesshoumaru, she sighed heavily before sinking down into her chair. "That man scares me."

"Sango, I think I'm going to need that headache medicine." Kagome groaned, her head once more in her hands. "Or a reality check. This place is going to be the death of me."

"Come on." Sango sighed, leading Kagome outside the tent. In the middle of the area was a group of imperial soldiers, all looking towards Sesshoumaru as he addressed them in a low voice. He nodded, and the group began to move, some taking their helmets off, some climbing down from their horses as they chatted among one another.

The head guard took his helmet off, his bright purple eyes looking around the campsite before settling on Sango. Smiling brightly, he began to move his horse towards her, and Sango, Kagome noticed, was staring at him in shock.

"Miroku…" Sango whispered, her eyes wide as the horse slowed to a stop in front of her. As soon as he was off his horse, Sango leapt into his arms, giggling happily as the man swung her around. "My dearest Sango! How I've missed you so!"

"Oh, Miroku!" Sango squealed happily as he set her down, only to launch herself at him again, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I've got so much to tell you!"

"As do I,koi." Miroku said sweetly, kissing her forehead when she finally released him. His gaze suddenly flickered to Kagome. "Who are you?"

"Huh?" she replied intelligently, grateful when Sango suddenly spoke. "This is Souta Higurashi. Souta-san, this is Miroku."

"Higurashi?" Miroku's interest piqued at he took a few steps towards Kagome, studying her carefully. Kagome tried hard not to squirm under his calculating gaze, hoping that he couldn't see through her disguise. After what felt like an eternity, Miroku finally looked back down at Sango, smiling sweetly as he pulled her into another hug. "I'm going to go mingle with Sesshoumaru-sama for a little bit. I'll be back by shortly."

Sango nodded, smiling brightly as Miroku headed towards Sesshoumaru's tent.

Kagome watched him walk off, turning back to Sango when he disappeared. "So I guess I'll head back to my tent then."

"Hmm…" Sango sighed happily, still staring after Miroku. Kagome just rolled her eyes, shaking her head before leaving the love-stricken nurse to her own devices.

"Any news?"

Dark eyes glinted in the firelight. "Everything is going according to plan, Sir. All we need is a small push, and they'll head straight into the fray."

"Perfect." The dark voice purred, the man's gaze flickering to a groaning Ginta. "What is his situation?"

"I believe he's still in pain, milord." The tall figure next to him grunted, aiming a kick at Ginta's side. Ginta howled in pain, causing the tall figure to chuckle darkly. "Yep, still in pain."

"Make sure you keep him alive, Christian. We need him for later." The man chastised gently, smiling at Christian's grin.

"Yes, Naraku-sama."

MC: I know I said I would start writing longer chapters, but I kind of had a brain fart with this one. I hope you enjoyed, and please, R&R!