AUTHOR'S CORNER:

Oh, my faithful reviewers and readers! Fear not! The night club scene is coming, but a few things have to happen before then! Just a side note, my email account crashed and I had to get a new one, so my single-spark account hasn't been updated. They should be sending me the account confirmation code any day now and when I have access to it again, I will update that one with this new chapter.

Review with your thoughts and enjoy!

Chapter 11

Sweat ran freely down Kagome's face and arms as she parried yet another thrust from the deadly demon across from her. They had been practicing for an hour already and Kagome was ready to drop. Gritting her teeth in annoyance she deflected another blow and attempted a thrust which was neatly and effortlessly parried by the lord.

Kagome felt like she was ready to scream. Not only was Sesshomaru pushing her to her utmost limits, but the sword was pissing her off. The pulsing feeling through the hilt she had felt the day before had magnified ten times over and she could feel it reverberating up her arm and into her head. The blade made singing sounds that she was sure only she could hear, as if it was trying to find its tune but lacked someone to help it.

Sesshomaru kept snapping at her for her inattention and would nick and cut her when he felt she wasn't paying enough attention. She couldn't help it, the stupid sword kept distracting her! As their practice continued, the pulsing got stronger until she felt she could hear it in her head. It felt like her head was going to explode, her arms were practically going numb with the force of the vibrations. Then suddenly the pulsing in her head took actual shape and became more insistent. Fubuki it practically screamed, Fubuki, Fubuki, Fubuki, in time to the pulsing through her hand.

Beginning to get really angry, she felt power rising within her, starting as a warm feeling in her stomach and clashing wildly with a wave of intense cold shooting up her arm and meeting somewhere in her chest.

Sesshomaru had stopped giving instruction completely for a few minutes now and just stood there with sword arm slightly lax as he watched something going on in her head. He had known she was slightly distracted from the moment she picked the sword up that day, but this was something completely different. The miko didn't even hear him anymore, she simply stood there, almost a desperate and wild expression in her eyes as she stared at the bared blade before her.

Kagome felt like she would explode or her head would crack, the pressure was too great and the insistent voice was pissing the living hell out of her. Her eyes clenched shut tightly as she tried to block it out. Gritting her teeth in anger she gripped the sword tightly in desperation, finally something in her snapped.

"Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UP!" she screamed at the sword raising it high over her head and slamming the blade hard onto the ground. Unbeknownst to her since her eyes were shut, the blade had begun to glow bright white. Frost shot down the blade from the hilt to the tip just as she raised the sword over her head, tendrils of smoke trailed like streamers created from intense cold.

The demon lord recognized what was happening and leapt to the side just before she swung the sword down releasing a massive and very powerful wave of cold energy blasting from the blade. Kagome's eyes snapped open as she felt a tidal surge of energy release from her in a wave and saw a path of icy destruction left by the flood of power she unwittingly unleashed.

Looking around frantically she finally saw Sesshomaru off to the side watching her with interest. Sighing in relief she glanced back down at the sword. The blade had returned to its normal silver luster, no sign of the white glow or frost remained save for the melting ice in front of her. Studying the blade for a moment, she let it fall to her side and turned to Sesshomaru who approached and stood off to her side.

"What happened?" she asked, looking up at him in confusion. He studied the blade himself for a moment before responding.

"I did not actually remove the sword from its sheath before giving it to you, so I must not have felt the sentient spirit sleeping within it," he said more to himself than to her, Kagome stared at him in surprise.

"It's sentient?" she asked receiving a nod.

"What did it say to you?" he glanced up to the girl's face. Kagome stared at her sword, how did he know it had spoken?

"Well, it just pulsed weirdly for most of our session, but then the pulse became more insistent and it started saying 'Fubuki' over and over again. Sesshomaru nodded, now understanding a little better.

"The sword was trying to tell you its name. Apparently it has been asleep for a long time and your handling it woke it up," he considered the blade for a moment. "Fubuki," he paused, "snowstorm." Kagome looked up at him. "The name is fitting."

"So, what now?" Sesshomaru shrugged elegantly.

"Now that you know its name, you learn to communicate with it and learn its secrets. It obviously has at least one," he said turning to look at the path of broken stone that had now almost completely melted in the light of the setting sun.

"Fubuki…" she paused trying the name out, "so… how do I communicate with it?" she asked staring at the shiny blade.

"Telepathically," he answered, "most swords can hear projected thoughts, though some you have to speak to. You will need to learn which your sword requires, and that will take some meditation with it," he mulled over the situation briefly. "Considering it is no longer a plain sword we should cease practice for the day and you should take that time to begin learning about Fubuki so that tomorrow you can bring what you have learned to practice." Kagome nodded and sheathed the sword slowly. "One of the better ways to commune with a sword is to find a quiet place where you will not be disturbed, sit cross legged, place the sword across your knees as if meditating and then project to the sword," Kagome looked up at him and nodded once. "If you have trouble with it and cannot seem to communicate, then call me and I will see what I can do to help." With that he turned and disappeared inside.

Kagome took a considering look around before deciding to settle beneath the god tree to communicate with the sword. Sitting down cross legged as Sesshomaru had ordered, she unsheathed the katana and lay the naked blade across her bare knees. Placing a palm on the hilt and a palm on the flat of the blade she closed her eyes and asked a question.

Fubuki? A few moments passed.

Mistress? A clear male voice sounded in her head startling her a little.

Kagome if you please.

As you wish, Lady Kagome. What is it you wish of this Fubuki?

I would like to get to know you better, Fubuki. Can you tell me about yourself?

There is some I can tell you and there is some you must learn.

Well, let's begin with what you can tell me.

Yes, Lady Kagome. I am Fubuki, child of the icy north. I was forged to lie in the hands of the holy priestess, Lady Yukiko of the North. In the days following my lady's unfortunate demise, I was sealed away and became dormant. I have not awoken until my Lady Kagome unsheathed my blade.

What are you exactly, Fubuki?

I am a winter spirit. Some would call me an ice elemental. I have gone by many names.

Were you always a sword?

No, my lady. Once I was a free spirit and roamed the mountains of the north. I willingly placed myself into the service of my lady. It was an honor to become her right arm. You have much to learn if I am to become yours, my lady. Kagome sweat dropped.

Yes, I know, Fubuki. Can you give me a mental picture of what you looked like before?

Silence for a few moments.

I can show you one of my forms, which will actually become one of the powers of the sword you will learn to use. However that will not be for a while. Please make your mind blank. Kagome did as she was told. Momentarily a beautiful snow white panther appeared in her mind's eye. The panther was lithe and graceful with piercing light blue eyes and long protruding fangs.

Beautiful!

Thank you, my lady.

How is that form a power that I'll be able to use?

Once you learn to wield me properly, you will be able to call upon my power and make it so that I can alter my appearance in order to materialize in that form. I will be capable of fighting for you or taking you on my back. Kagome thought this information over carefully.

Fubuki, how do I begin to learn to use you? Please tell me how I may gain more knowledge on how to wield you properly?

This has been a good start, my lady. The accident we had earlier, though potentially deadly, was also a good start. That is just one of many powers you will begin to learn. It is also one of the more basic. Kagome's eyebrows shot up.

Their conversation continued for quite a while longer, each asking questions and answering one another, learning more about each other and their personalities. Sesshomaru stood in Kagome's window looking down at her progress. She appeared calm and serene. The sword didn't seem to have malicious intent, so he left them be. Tomorrow he would test her knowledge of the sword and see what it was capable of. For now, he would let them get to know one another better. A sentient sword can be a two edged weapon. He cast a glare down at Tenseiga.

Kagome came to dinner that night mentally drained but over all pleased with her results with Fubuki. The sword was not mentioned at all during the meal and her family chatted on happily about their goings on.

Later that night as Kagome was preparing for bed, her eyes fell on the sword sheathed by her bed. On a whim, she picked it up and held onto the hilt with both hands and closed her eyes.

Fubuki?

Yes, my lady?

Do you have a human appearance as well? Silence stretched on for a few moments.

Yes, my lady.

Can you show it to me? More silence.

Not yet, my lady.

Why not?

It is not a good time to reveal that yet, my lady. Concentrate instead on everything we have talked about and on your upcoming sparring session with Sesshomaru-sama tomorrow afternoon. Kagome nodded disappointedly.

Goodnight, Fubuki.

Goodnight, my lady.

The next afternoon found Kagome across from Sesshomaru again, though this time the location was different. Sesshomaru had decided that since they might possibly be destroying some landscape that he would take them to a location better suited to their purposes. Surprising and embarrassing Kagome completely, he had scooped her up bridal style, despite her protestations and raced off on foot to a place he had discovered while wandering during the hours Kagome was at school. When he had finally touched down, she looked around to find herself deep in the woods somewhere in a small clearing.

A silky voice broke her internal contemplation of her surroundings.

"I take it you have discussed things with Fubuki?" Kagome whipped around to give Sesshomaru her undivided attention, unconsciously settling a light hand on Fubuki's hilt.

"Yes, I think I'm ready to begin learning from you both how to wield him properly," she responded nodding. Sesshomaru raised one elegant eyebrow, him? Interesting. Kagome unsheathed the sentient sword and dropped into a defensive stance. Sesshomaru followed suit with Tōkijin and elegantly dropped the tip of his sword, raising the hilt higher.

He attacked her a few times using techniques he had taught her on previous days, warming her up a bit and reacquainting her with some of the movements before moving onto harder things. Now that she had better communication with her sword, he decided to change things up a little and see what the sword itself would do to try to teach Kagome.

Kagome concentrated on the demon before her, falling back on the basic swordsmanship skills Sesshomaru had taught her before, but was still aware of the being she was utilizing. Suddenly, she felt Sesshomaru's aura change slightly and Fubuki pulsed to life in her hand.

Lady Kagome, he has tapped into the power of his evil sword. The sword does not like my holy presence and will use that evil energy to weaken me. Connect your holy power with my own. He is heat, we are cold. Natural enemies. Remember cold. Kagome concentrated on Fubuki's words in her head and defended against Tōkijin and Sesshomaru's next attack. She could feel the energy of Tōkijin when the two swords collided, metal sliding against metal, aura battling aura.

Sesshomaru was lightly surprised to feel the cold holy energy of Fubuki rise up to combat the hot energy of his own Tōkijin and decided then to really see what the sword was capable of teaching her.

Blending his own youki with the energy of Tōkijin, but keeping keenly aware of the sword's overwhelming desire, well… overwhelming for anyone else, to take over his body and soul and control him, he extended their combined fire in silent challenge to the holy powers before him.

My lady, do you feel the increase in power emanating from the demon and his sword? Kagome gave a silent nod, the demon is extending a silent challenge. Take our blended auras and think of it as a tangible essence that you can control with your will, almost like a mist rising off my blade. Now take that essence and extend it toward the demon, but do not attack him with it. Kagome concentrated and did as instructed, feeling the heat of the powerful aura, but not shrinking away from it. She began to understand the boundaries of the energy and now manipulated it to caress the edges of Sesshomaru's. Kagome struggled not to falter. Kami they were hot… no pun intended.

Sesshomaru almost smiled to himself. Interesting. She was picking up on battling auras quickly, reveling in the feeling of opposing auras. This was a nuance few enemies ever excelled at, especially not InuYasha. The miko could become very strong indeed with time and practice. Dropping into an offensive stance, he summoned the power of his Kenatsu. Wrapping the power of his youkai around him like a comforting blanket, he prepared to send a fraction of his normal Kenatsu at the girl and her blade.

Kagome felt the energy of the blade beneath her hands tense even as she herself felt the shift in Sesshomaru and Tōkijin's energy. My lady, he is preparing an offensive energy attack. From my brief interactions with his demon sword, Tōkijin, I've glimpsed the name of the attack as being Kenatsu. Kagome tensed, she had seen the attack before, only then it was directed at InuYasha and she was a safe distance away. She had also seen it rip large portions of Naraku's body to shreds.

What do I do against something so powerful? she demanded of the sword beginning to panic. Did Sesshomaru truly believe she could defend against something like that? Was the demon insane?

Calm, my lady. I believe the power he is extracting from the sword is not at its full potential. He is simply testing us. Do as I say. Kagome calmed and listened carefully. Do you remember the feeling of our power colliding that first time you used the Kaze no Kori? Kagome nodded mutely. Control it this time. Suddenly she felt overwhelming cold shoot up her arm and into her chest cavity. Inhaling sharply she closed her eyes, expecting to feel pain, but when it didn't come, she opened her eyes again. Exhaling, she saw puffs of steam leave her mouth, her breath itself felt cold. Tentatively, she accepted the cold energy entering her body, connected it with the healing cool of her holy powers, increasing those powers tenfold. Instead of feeling as if she was about to crack this time, she felt it languorously stretching within her, much like the cat form he had shown her.

Very good, my lady, yes bring to mind my cat form. Now mold that form into a crouching position in your sword arm. Kagome obeyed. He is about to release his energy, we are lucky he is waiting until we are ready. Pull the image of that cat back hard, as you raise your arm to defend us. Kagome raised her sword arm high above her head, guiding it with her left hand on the pommel. Now slash downward at Sesshomaru and release the energy, letting it flow in water-like energy down your arm, along the blade and exiting the point.

Kagome concentrated for a moment on the intense cold in her arm at the joint of the shoulder then slashed her sword down just as she felt Sesshomaru unleash his Kenatsu. A surge similar to the one she released the day before rushed out of her, but it was controlled and more powerful this time.

The little miko watched in amazement as the blade frosted over completely during her down swing, the metal glowed bright white and when the energy reached the tip, a wall of icy wind leapt from the tip in a blinding arch. Snow crystals and ice materialized out of the power released and created a wind of pure blizzard force that rushed at Sesshomaru's blue Kenatsu. The opposing forces of fire and ice collided in the center of the field, creating an explosive sound. Blue and white intertwined with ferocious intensity as they battled one another. Within moments, the basic properties of the attacks neutralized each other and left very wet and singed grass in the middle of the now steaming field.

Sesshomaru had waited patiently while she conversed with her sword on how to defend themselves and ticked off the seconds slowly in his head. He had determined that by the time she was finally ready to attack that he could have killed her thousands of times over and in many different creative ways. Measuring the amount of power the miko was about to unleash using his youki, he matched the energy with his Kenatsu to make sure they canceled themselves out.

Sesshomaru glanced at the miko who was standing as if frozen in place, still staring at the spot where the energy had collided. He was decidedly unimpressed so far, though she had done better than he had expected.

"What was that called?" he questioned in a bored voice. Kagome snapped out of her daze and looked at the demon, ignoring his bored tone in her elation of having been able to produce such an attack.

"Fubuki called it Kaze no Koori." Sesshomaru nodded, resisting the urge to yawn.

"That was passable for a first try, but I expected more," Kagome's mouth dropped open in acute shock at his declaration. The demon just stared at her blandly.

For the entire rest of their practice session, Sesshomaru and Fubuki worked on unleashing the Kaze no Kori whenever Kagome demanded it. Relentlessly he had her use it again and again, draining the poor girl until she was exhausted and the field looked like Christmas.

When the sun finally set below the horizon and it became difficult for Kagome to see in the waning light, Sesshomaru decided to end their training session and bring her home. The girl didn't even protest this time as he scooped her up and sped back to her house. Halfway there she fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. His first reaction was to rudely awaken the girl and force her to remain awake, but he changed his mind and let the battered woman sleep. Glancing down at her peaceful face he knew he had been hard on her that day, so he decided to let her have a small break.

Reaching their destination, he set her down, wakening her immediately as her feet touched solid ground again. Wobbling slightly, she silently made her way into the house, leaving the demon to stand outside staring at the sky in contemplation. After a few moments he nodded to himself, satisfied and followed the miko indoors.

The Higurashi family had already eaten and left an evening out leaving a note for Kagome to help herself to the leftovers in the oven. Kagome ate alone in the kitchen before heading upstairs to relax in the bathtub. Kagome slipped into the steaming liquid and sighed in contentment, sinking down to her chin. Closing her eyes, she thought over the day. Sesshomaru was a hard teacher, but she knew it was all for the better. The harder he was on her, the faster and more efficiently she would learn. She also realized that he was a full demon and was not used to ningen weaknesses, she was sure he would be much harder on a demon pupil.

Her thoughts traced over all the training they had done that day and one thought keep reoccurring to her which she couldn't seem to push to the side. He lacked his arm because of her. Well, her and InuYasha. The demon didn't seem particularly hampered by the loss, he was still extraordinarily deadly, but it had become a definite hindrance when he was teaching her how to hold her sword properly during attacks and when tapping into the power of a sentient sword.

He couldn't demonstrate how to hold the sword. Though he was powerful enough not to need the elementary way of controlling the weapon, he still was incapable of showing her the basics because of a foolish act on hers and InuYasha's part. She couldn't seem to shake the guilt.

A clenching pain shot through her chest. InuYasha. Biting back a sob she leaned her head back against the tub and let the tears squeeze themselves between her closed lids to run unheeded down her cheeks to mingle with the bathwater. Kami, she missed him so much! As far as she was concerned she had dealt with his and the deaths of her friends very well, but in the dark of the night, she could still smell the blood, see their mangled bodies and all she could do was weep. Not out of guilt but out of simple loss. What she wouldn't give to be able to sit up in a hot spring and chat excitedly with Sango who was like her sister about everything she'd been doing with Sesshomaru lately. Oh boy! She could just imagine the response she would get from that one!

Choking back a sob that seemed to come from the depths of her soul, she forced herself not to remember the feeling of a tiny fox kit body colliding excitedly with her own when she would return with all sorts of sweet treats from her own time. Smiling through her tears she recalled with affection even the times when Miroku, supposedly a righteous monk had tried to grope her derriere and had asked her to bear his children.

Then there was InuYasha, all twitching ears and sarcastic attitude. But he had a good heart. Before the final battle he had reconciled with Kikyou and had put her to rest with her own consent. She had been tired of wandering the earth as a non-living creature, condemned to watch those around her live and love but feeling none of it herself. They had wandered off hand in hand and for once Kagome had not felt the familiar twinge of jealousy in her chest. She and the older miko had reconciled as well and had become friendly with one another. InuYasha had returned alone that night, Kikyou had been put to rest and their journey continued. Kagome and InuYasha had been free to love each other.

But it was not meant to be.

Shortly thereafter the final battle occurred. Sobs wrenched themselves free of the cage she had kept them in and she finally broke down, just letting herself pour it all out. It wasn't healthy to keep it all in, so she let herself sob while she had her own private eulogy for each member of their little team.

Sesshomaru smelled the salty sting of tears and had followed the scent to the bathroom. Inhaling deeply several times he determined the miko was not wallowing in despair nor was she angry at him for his treatment of her earlier. The scent of her mood was more contemplative and he guessed correctly that she had finally broken down and was saying good bye. Good, he thought to himself, she had it bottled up too long. Humans do not have a very high level of control over their emotions, but she did a fairly good job of not letting her grief overtake her life. Turning away from the door he silently padded to his borrowed room and settled down to meditate and rest, though he really didn't need it.

Kagome finished her time of reflection and got out of the bathtub. Slowly she dried off, brushed her hair and teeth, dressed and padded to her room. The hour wasn't terribly late, but the next day was Saturday and the night of the night club's opening. She wanted to be fully rested for that and decided to go to bed early. Curling up in bed she sighed quietly to herself. She felt much better having cried herself out, but one thing kept coming up as having been unresolved. Sesshomaru's arm, or lack thereof. It bothered her greatly, but she wasn't entirely sure what to do about it. Tossing and turning slightly, she finally managed to fall into a restless sleep.

Kenatsu - Sword Pressure, Tōkijin's power to cut an enemy without physical contact. Most of the time appearing light blue in color and has been known to push back InuYasha's Kaze No Kizu.

Kaze no Koori - Ice wind, Fubuki's attack that releases a wall of blizzard energy at his target. More advanced levels of Kaze no Koori is capable of freezing an adversary within seconds and creating a real blizzard on the target's location.