Kagura sent a ripple across the pond. She watched with boredom as it bounced off the rocks until it finally dissipated and left the mirror like surface.

She sat on a large boulder on the edge of the water, staring at her own reflection. This spot had become hers in the last three days, not many of the servants bothered her here. The small courtyard in a far corner. The space had one large tree that threatened to crack the foundation of the castle wall. Kagura sat beneath the cool shade of the tree, letting her own winds ruffle her bangs. She let out a sigh.

It had been three days and she hadn't seen Sesshoumaru once. When her wounds had healed enough that they no longer threatened to bleed through her kimono she had gone looking for him, but when she asked the servants they would avoid the question and carry on. Their aversion irked her, and she wished she had better ears so she could hear what they whispered behind her back.

But she liked it here. It was like nothing compared to any of the castles and palaces Naraku had occupied. This one was larger, for one thing, a stronghold for demons, not built by human hands, it was surrounded by magic. If she tried hard enough she could faintly see the barrier that surrounded it in the sky. It had been built into the side of a mountain, and often was surrounded by clouds and white mist. But it was warm, the halls were not gloomy, the gardens were alive, everything was open and airy. She did not feel cramped, even in the small room she had been given, she could easily open the window and flow out into the garden it overlooked. Those that worked here were happy, she could often hear the servant girls that passed her screen giggling about something or another.

But she was growing restless nonetheless, with no one to talk to and the monotony of it. For the past three years she hadn't spent much time in one place, she and Kize had held the same mindset and had traveled for quite a while across the island. They had even gone so far as the mainland. She had loved the feeling as they crossed the sea, flying for days, she on her feather and he becoming the wind. Kize, though, had begun to want something more from their relationship, she had not, and they parted ways.

Kagura was grateful to him, of course, but not that grateful.

Pressing a hand to her chest, she flinched. Her wounds had closed but were still tender, thick pink lines left across her skin. She let out a sigh and reclined on the rock, turning her eyes to the sky.

She heard a rustle in the grass and opened her eyes to see Sesshoumaru standing before her. She narrowed her eyes at him. He was armor less again; she noted it didn't make him look any smaller.

"I've been looking for you."

"I know." He turned his golden eyes to the sky.

Kagura sighed again. "You knew, and you just decided to ignore me?" she slid off the boulder.

"I had matters to attend to."

"Oh right, I forgot, because the great Sesshoumaru-sama has a busy schedule. Should I have made an appointment?" she smirked when his gaze turned to her.

"Do not mock me, witch." His eyes had narrowed into slits, causing her smirk to only widen.

"Who said I was mocking? It was only a question." She chuckled at his annoyance.

He let out a growl. "What business did you have?"

Kagura shrugged, turning away from him. "It's been so boring here. And all your little maids are avoiding me like a plague."

"Then leave."

She turned back to him with a pout. "So quick to be rid of me?" she brought the fan to her chin. "I said it was boring, not that I wanted to leave. They're two very different things." He turned away from her gaze. "Besides, I've nowhere to go."

"Hn," He paused, keeping his eyes on the water. "What of Kize?"

"Tch." Her eyes were wide. "I'm surprised you remember him..." she shrugged again. "He was looking for a little more than I was willing to give. We split up a few months ago."

She didn't notice the uncontrolled flash of anger in his eyes.

"And what of you? I haven't seen the little toad around." She glanced behind him as she approached. "And I forgot to mention the last time I saw you." When she was close enough she tapped his left arm with the tip of her fan. "New arm?"

He nodded, trying to ignore her proximity, but it was not news to him. He almost forgot at times that he had gone almost a year without the limb.

"I wasn't around for that, regaining a body and all." She took a step away from him and went to lean against the boulder again, crossing her arms over her chest. "Heard about it from Kohaku, though. Must have been quite impressive."

Sesshoumaru fought the urge to bring her close to him once again. He remained silent. He had finished all he had needed to the last three days, now he was merely content with staying with her in the courtyard.

She watched him curiously, he had not left yet, which surprised her, nor had he thrown her out, even though she was mostly healed. Kagura stared at his still form. He looked… strange in this small space. Even with his regal attitude and dress, Sesshoumaru didn't seem to fit in the atmosphere of the palace. His figure was too imposing here, he was meant to be in the wilds, surrounded by the greens of the forest. Not in the confines of a castle where the winds couldn't reach that long silver hair of his…

A smirk played across her lips as she brought up her fan and began to twirl it in her fingers, raising a breeze around him. Sesshoumaru must have realized it was her doing as he turned to her with a raised brow.

"Kagura, what do you think you are doing?"

"Hn." She strengthened her winds around him, delighting in the way his hair was brought up above his head and the way it ruffled his fur. "You looked too serious."

"Stop this." He glared at her.

She chuckled. "Why?"

He took a step forward, in a way that she assumed was meant to be threatening. Her smirk widened. "Can't handle a little wind, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

She managed to jump away just in time to not have the fan snatched from her hands.

"Temper, temper." She chided from her position on the top of the wall. "You are so like your brother in so many ways." She avoided his lunge with a chuckle.

"That hanyou is not my brother." He now stood feet from her, where she had just been.

She shrugged, several feet away from him. "I don't consider Naraku my father but he is the one who spawned me."

His lip curled into a sneer even before she sent a gust of wind toward him, he tensed so as not to be pushed back by the assault. He jumped for her, so quickly she had no time to avoid it. She let out a gasp as he appeared before her, regaining herself just in time to vanish into the wind as he made to grab the fan.

The sound of her laughter surrounded him. Sesshoumaru tried to focus on her scent. Even if she was the wind, her scent was generally concentrated in one spot. He felt it stop over the roof of the building across from him. He jumped for it, hoping that she would materialize. He was not disappointed as she reappeared seconds before he landed.

"Shit!" she shrieked and jumped back again, sending another gust towards him, it did nothing.

"Did you think your tricks and a little wind would stop me?" he couldn't help but let a smirk grace his lips as he lunged for her again. This was proving to be amusing.

"Ha!" she swung her fan down, sending a wind blade in his direction. "Don't underestimate me!" she was grinning even as she twirled and twisted to avoid his lunges and claws. She was almost glad that he did not have his swords, even though she doubted he would have used them here.

They continued like that, jumping between the tops of the buildings, roof tiles sliding and cracking beneath their feet. Every so often Sesshoumaru's claws would make contact with a portion of them and leave a fair sized dent, she was glad she was quick enough to avoid those.

Their little fight was attracting quite the audience, servants and guards had begun to gather on the outer deck's and in the gardens to watch. Kagura thought she could hear Jaken's squabbling about how disrespectful it was for her to challenge his lord, that she was no match and all sorts of praises. She wanted to hit the stupid imp and found herself looking down for the little thing instead of paying attention to the youkai still coming for her.

She yelped as she felt something wrap around her ankle and pull her down. She slammed into the ground. Her eyes were shut tight as she tried to regain her breath, she felt a pressure on her chest. Opening her eyes she was met with gold.

"Are you done playing?" he was still smirking.

"Tch." She squirmed underneath him, realizing he had both hands pinned above her head and her fan pointed at her neck. She glared up at his smug face. "Bastard."

Sesshoumaru couldn't hide his amusement as he released her hands and stood, leaving her still glaring up at him.

"You would do well not to tempt me in the future, witch."

She opened her mouth to reply but was stopped by the sound of clapping. She turned to see a blonde woman watching them from the deck. The woman was obviously not a servant, dressed more formally than the rest, a violet robe with sakura blossoms embroidered on the hems over a light pink kimono. The color of the robe matched her eyes, and instead of the common striped cheeks of inu-youkai she only had a light blue coloring rimming her lashes.

"That was quite impressive, Sesshoumaru-sama." The woman stepped down from the deck onto the ground. "tell me, who is this woman?"

"She is a guest here." The woman nodded, turning her gaze to Kagura who remained seated on the ground.

"Girl, your fighting style is based on dance, is it not? Have you had formal training?"

Kagura stood, confused. "I suppose it is, but no, I haven't been taught…"

The woman nodded again. "Sesshoumaru-sama, what do you think of allowing her to perform for the banquet? The other dancers are not as intriguing, and I would love to have a kaze-youkai as a student." She cocked her head to the side. "Your kind are just lovely to watch."

Kagura was taken aback. She had never really thought of dancing for others, it was only a way to control the winds. It came naturally.

"It is not this Sesshoumaru's concern." He said and began to leave.

The woman nodded again. "And what of you, girl? Would you be willing to perform?"

Kagura thought it over as she stood and dusted herself off. "I suppose, it shouldn't be too difficult." It was something to do, something to keep her here.

"Good." The woman smiled, "I am Kamiko. And you are?"

"Kagura."

Kamiko's smile widened. "Even the name suites you." She turned to go back to the deck. "Come along, Kagura, the banquet is in only a months time, we have much to go over."

Kagura nodded and followed, taking one last glance at Sesshoumaru's absent form.

So this chapter is a lot longer than the last two. Sorry if their little playfight scene isn't that great, kind of awkward to write. I feel like it's a must in any Sess/Kagu story, though. xD

Is Sesshoumaru acting a little OOC? I'm just curious, trying to keep it canon.

Also, I don't know what to call those paths on the outside of Japanese homes/buildings, so I'm just calling them the decks. Hopefully everyone understood that. :P

Also, I noticed some typos in the last chapter, so sorry about that but I don't feel like going back and changing it.