Chapter 18

That night Kagome had been visited by Sango, Miroku, and Emeri as she and Shippo brought in her room. She had no idea why Inuyasha had not returned but she figured it was for the best, it would be better if she didn't see him or that they would spend their last night together in each others arms. 'That can't happen again, I can't let him get to close, not when I have to leave.' Kagome thought sadly as she turned to face Shippo and said, "Thank you honey."

"You're welcome Oka." Shippo replied.

"How are you feeling?" Sango asked.

"Much better actually, I'm going back to work tomorrow." Kagome answered.

"That's good, at least you'll be able to see every one again." Miroku stated with a grin on his face.

"Yes, Emeri did you bring what I asked for." Kagome asked.

"Yes, I brought more than needed so that if you needed them you would be able to recognized the herbs yourself." Emeri answered.

"Thank you." Kagome stated.

"Well that's enough of that, we'll see you in the morning Kagome." Miroku stated as he led Sango out of the room.

"Yes, you need your rest so when you start work tomorrow." Sango added.

"I know, can you let Kaede know that I'm going to start tomorrow and that I will go straight to her when I'm done with the King and Queen." Kagome replied.

"I will, good night Kagome, good night Shippo." Miroku stated.

"May you both have pleasant dreams." Emeri stated as she closed the door behind her.

Once everyone was out of the room, Kagome rocked Shippo to sleep before she got out of bed and out into the balcony. Once she had felt the fresh air she knew that she would soon be back with her dragons and her family. After walking back into the room and reaching for the right herbs, Kagome removed the top of her clothing and began to remove the wraps that were covering her wounds. Just as she had finished cleaning and added the last healing herbs she needed, Kagome turned her back to the door as Inuyasha stormed in. Before he could ask what she was doing, Kagome hissed out, "Be very quiet, Shippo is asleep and I'm cleaning my wounds, Kaede wasn't able to come and clean my wounds so I have to do it myself."

"Feh, you should have waited for me, I would have helped you." Inuyasha growled as he closed his eyes and approached her so that he could help her finish wrapping her wounds.

"I'm fine, I'm almost done." Kagome whispered as she tried to tie the fabric that covered her wounds on her back.

"Don't look like you can finish up." Inuyasha whispered into her ear as he took over and finished the wrapping.

"Yes well, where will you sleep tonight Prince Inuyasha?" Kagome asked in a royal like tone, "You do know that it would be inappropriate if we continue to sleep in the same bed?"

"Feh, like if I care but I don't need the runt waking up, I'll be back in the morning to take you and the runt to breakfast so get your rest wench." Inuyasha growled as he waited for her to get her clothing back on.

"I understand, however I must ask you that you do not over react should you not like what your parents have to say. I do not need you losing it in front of my son for a second time." Kagome requested.

"Feh, I won't be losing it anymore." Inuyasha growled before he stormed out.

Once he was out of the room, Kagome walked over to his desk and began to write him a letter that he would read when she was gone and working again. Once she was done, Kagome joined her son in a peaceful sleep. That morning, Kagome woke up, got into her usual clothing that she wore so that she could work in the stables and woke Shippo up. Just as she had gotten Shippo to completely wake up, there was a knock at the door before Inuyasha walked in and said, "Are you ready for breakfast?"

"I'm hungry!" Shippo cried.

"Does that answer your question?" Kagome asked as she lifted Shippo into her arms and walked up to Inuyasha.

"Feh, that's not going to happen so don't worry about it." Inuyasha growled as he began to lead the way.

Once in the dining hall, Kagome was not surprised when she found Miroku and Sango waiting for her to take her seat with once she and Shippo had token their seat, Inuyasha sat down next to his brother and Miroku while Kagome sat in between Sango and Rin. Once they were all seated, Izayoi turned to Kagome and said, "I am very glad to see that you are doing better."

"Thank you for worrying but I am quiet alright now." Kagome replied.

"However there is still a matter that we must all talk about with calm heads." Inutaisho stated.

"Oh, and what would that be?" Kagome asked.

"I have not heard anything, just what exactly did you plan behind my back." A very upset Sango was heard.

"Now, we were really upset that we put you sister in such danger." Rin began.

"We are also aware that since you have proclaimed her that she is your sister she is also a royal." Izayoi added.

Catching up to what this was leading up to, Kagome dropped her chop sticks and looked up to face the King to say, "I do not care that I am part royal, I am a royal sully by name and nothing more, I wish to continue to work in the stables."

"That is no longer your choice." Inutaisho stated. "We have already found a miko that will take over your duties with Lady Kaede. You may continue to work with the dragons and you will be paid however should you ever fell that you no longer want to work, we will maintained you and your new son."

"How dare you!" Sango yelled as she stood up.

"What are you saying?" Kagome asked in an unsure voice. 'If they are telling me to leave the dragons then I will have no choice.'

"What the hell is going on?!" Inuyasha growled. "When did you all deicide this?"

"Please don't be upset dear but because of the new miko that appeared we will have you marry the new miko, she is stronger and able to fight." Izayoi stated.

"Like I care." Inuyasha growled as he turned to leave.

"Not even if she looks more like Kikiyo." Sesshomaru growled in a low tone so that only Inuyasha would hear him.

As Inuyasha turned around to face his brother, he was stopped when Kagome stood up and faced the King, "If I prove that I can fight, use miko power properly and ride once again will you allow me to stay and send the other miko away?"

"If you can prove to us then we shall allow it however my son will marry this miko." Inutaisho answered.

"How long would you give me to train and master what I need to know?" Kagome asked in a serious tone.

"Kagome don't even think about it." Sango warned. "I will not have you passing out on me again."

"Sango, I am no longer a child that need protecting." Kagome stated in a cold voice as she stood up to leave with Shippo in her arms.

"Where do you think you are going, we have not finished discussing this matter." Inutaisho growled as he ordered guards to hold her back.

"This is over for me." Kagome hissed as she threw Shippo up into the air and easily knocked the two guards out before catching her son. "I will not be forced out of a job that I have done for you since I was found and how dare you try to force me out of it. If this is what you truly wish than I will leave this lands and I will go home."

"Does that mean that you do remember your parents?" Sesshomaru asked as he ignored his brother's glare.

"I remember them but that doesn't mean that I will talk about them." Kagome hissed as she locked eyes with Sango for a brief moment. "If you will excuse me I will be leaving now, I will continue under Kaede and I will continue to work with the dragons."

Before anyone could say or do anything, Inuyasha slammed his fist on the table and allowed Kagome to take her leave. Once he had done so, he turned to Miroku and Sango and nodded his head before he turned blood red eyes at his father and growled out, "How dare you try to control me. How dare you try to force me to mate with a woman I do not know and have no feelings for."

"Inutaisho, that is your sons answer, I will not allow you to what you wish with my son." Izayoi spoke up as she stood up. "Further more, if you even try anything like this behind my back again I will leave you."

"Inuyasha go with your friends." Rin hissed as she turned to her mate. "I hope you will take care of everything while Izayoi and I go and have a talk with the three miko's."

"I will, now go." Sesshomaru growled.

"Feh." Was all Inuyasha said as he turned and left.

"Do you have any idea what you have done?" Inutaisho growled as his son took his leave.

Once she had arrived to her room, Kagome had told Shippo to stay with Dante and Helios until she went to go get him. If he got hungry all he had to do was tell the two dragons and she would come to him. Once she was ready, Kagome walked out of her room and pass her two friends so that she could go and meet with Kaede. Just as she was about to storm into Kaede's hut, Kagome froze when she heard Helios's voice say, 'Don't go, you must get to us…before she gets to us and the others, you must cast the spell of protection over all the dragons.'

'Just what is going on?' Kagome replied as she turned around and began to make her way to Helios and Dante's pen.

"Kagome! Are ye alright?" Kaede asked as she tried to get to the young girl.

"I am fine, I'm going to go get my son, Kaede I'll be training myself from now on, I'm sure that Prince Inuyasha or Prince Sesshomaru will stop by later to inform you of what will happen later on, please just trust me and have faith that everything will be alright." Kagome stated in a calm voice before she ran off.

Before Kaede could say or do anything, Kagome ran off and into the stable with her two dragons waiting. As soon as she head heard the warning growls of the two dragons, Kaede knew that this was not a time to go after her. After taking a deep breath, Kaede turned around to leave only to come face to face with her new student. Before Kaede could say a word, Kikiyo looked at Kaede and asked, "Who were that girl? Is she allowed to run in as if she were the one to own them?"

"She is allowed and the only one as of this day that will be working with the dragons. Unless she has passed the word that she will allow someone else other then the trainer or the master of each dragon to see them you may not go near the stables." Sesshomaru's cold growl was heard as Rin appeared at Kaede's side.

"Furthermore, I would to inform you that she will not be giving up her place so easily so she will be fighting for her spot against you in a month's time." Rin added.

"Prince Sesshomaru, Princess Rin, what has happened?" Kaede asked in a confused voice.

"Perhaps we should go inside and talk this over." Sesshomaru growled.

"For there is much to be said." Rin added.

"If my staying will pose a problem I will be happy to be moved to a different village." Kikiyo stated in a respectful tone.

"There will be no need for that." Rin stated. "However if you are willing giving up then you shall work in one of the outer villagers for much longer and without training."

"Then I will accept this, I know that I do need more training, please forgive me for accepting this Lady Kaede." Kikiyo stated.

"It is alright child, come let us go and talk." Kaede spoke as she opened the reed door so that they could all enter her hut.

Meanwhile, Emeri while into the forest hoping that she wouldn't be seen or heard. She had to go and meet with the one person she had to protect no matter what. As she entered the clearing, Emeri froze and quickly bowed down to what she saw. There before her in the bright moon light, stood her princess in her full glory. She had bright, blue dragon like eyes as she held onto both fans that she had made. At her right was the dragon of ice baring his fans while the dragon of fire placed a barrier of pure flames around them in a protective manner. Once she had realized who it was, Kagome closed her eyes as she said, "Stand down, this is my old nanny."

"Princess, just what do you think you are doing so close to the castle?" Emeri asked.

"Just what do you think you are doing here? I did not call for you nor did I say that you can come into my and Prince Inuyasha's secret place." Kagome replied.

"forgive me but I just heard what you agreed to, you do realize that the curse that was placed on you long ago will not allow you to fight without being found out." Emeri answered.

"I know and I fully accept it however I will not allow them to see me as some weak child, in one month time I will fully has mastered my true powers." Kagome explained. "And once I have proven myself I shall return to my kingdom and take it back."

"What of Princess Sango?" Emeri asked.

"I don't want her to go to war in her condition, I will leave it to you to make sure that her and her husband do not go anywhere near the battle field, I know that you were properly training and therefore I have the up most faith in you to do so." Kagome answered.

"Very well then, what of your son?" Emeri asked.

"He will be going with me, I want to make sure that he is safe and I do not want him to feel as if I've left him." Kagome answered.

"Very well then, I shall take my leave for now Princess, however you must know that it will not be easy to fight the new miko, please be careful and should you need any of the herbs that work better with your body please just let me know." Emeri stated as she turned to leave.

"I will, however I'm going to need the herbs that will give me and the dragons power so that the curse doesn't weaken me too much, I will only have one month to learn everything that I need to know." Kagome whispered as she turned to lock eyes with her dragons. "And I don't want either one of my protectors getting hurt."

"I understand, good night, Princess of dragons." Emeri whispered as she took her leave.

Once she was left alone with her two protectors, Kagome closed her eyes as she closed her fan weapons and said, "May what have I done, what do you two think I should do? Should I just leave these lands without finding my one true mate or should I wait for him to help me break free of this curse."

'He is the key to set you free.' Dante answered.

'You will not be able to defeat Naraku if you go in now as you are.' Helios added.

"I know, but for now I have no other choice…uh…I'm tried…you two go back to the stables and make sure that you use your dragons eyes to make it seem as if I've returned with you…I need to fix my fan weapons so that they are easier to control." Kagome stated.

'Surely you won't be tested on weapon training.' Dante stated.

"I'm sure I won't now go…I'll follow shortly." Kagome ordered. "And make sure you do not wake my son."

Drained and wanting nothing more than to sleep, Kagome striped down to her bar and underwear and slowly walked into the water to hide her weapons where she kept them when she didn't need to use them. Little did she know, a pair of gold eyes watched her with an open mouth as he tried to understand what he had heard and seen? Not only had he found the person he was looking for to talk to, he was now unsure as to how he should face her now that he knew who she really was. Would he tell the one he loved or would he keep it a secret so that he could use this to his advantage?