Chapter Seven
The time spent with Rin and Jaken in Sesshomaru's absence had been surprisingly relaxing. Kagome had taken Rin upstream to bath in the cool waters and she washed the young girls black strands. Rin was ecstatic with the feel of her freshly shampooed and conditioned threads and revelled in how Kagome combed through all the knots, giving the young girl a sense of nostalgia. Rin could only vaguely remember what her parents looked like, but she would always remember how her mother used to comb her hair when she was younger.
Jaken and Rin bickered frequently, or more Jaken would consistently scold the small girl while she remained seemingly oblivious to his jabs. Kagome took it upon herself to defend her by throwing small pebbles at the little green Kappa when her tolerance level reached its peak, or shouting back at the Kappa herself. It had been an interesting experience to say the least, and it felt like Kagome was gaining a miniscule bond with the pair.
Sesshomaru didn't return until the following night after his sudden leave and Kagome was sleeping soundly when the demon Lord re-entered the camp. Rin was in a deep slumber and nestled up beside her when Kagome blinked cobalt eyes open to discover who the intruder was. Since travelling in the feudal era, she had learned to sleep lightly in case any danger arose in the night. Her vision cleared to find the inudaiyokai standing above her, golden gaze starring down. She was unprepared and only just managed to hold back a shriek.
"Sesshomaru? What is it?" she sat up gently as to avoid waking Rin, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"I acquired these for you." he told her simply as he dropped a parcel roughly into her lap that she hadn't noticed was nestled in his arm.
"Er…what is it?"
"Some gratification would not harm you, Miko."
"Eheh…Thanks?" she smiled at him apologetically. She had to admit she was incredibly stunned he'd brought something back for her. Wait…did Sesshomaru just bring her a gift? Without further hesitation, the Miko unwrapped the beige cloth to find new garments inside. A small gasp escaped her lips as she lifted a hand to cover them in shock. There was a beautiful royal blue silk kimono which adorned an assorted range of floral decals that varied in colours of pinks, greens and whites. The wide seams of the large ocular flowing sleeves and the collar were a bright rose red. There was an obi of the same material which adorned a smaller sewn on bow at the front which was garnet red. Kagome opened her mouth to speak only to close it again. She had been rendered speechless. Beneath the kimono was a plain black hakama and a dark grey shorter silk kimono with gold and pink leaf patterns along it with the necessary undergarments and a plain gold obi to match. Kagome starred up at Sesshomaru utterly speechless. She must have opened and closed her mouth several times before she finally found her voice.
"I don't know what to say." she smiled with a warm brightness. "Thank you."
"Your excitement is misplaced, Miko. These are not gifts. They are practical requirements." He told her flatly.
Recognizing her confused expression he continued on. "The dress kimono is for your everyday wear. Your current choice of attire irritates me and draws far too much attention."
Kagome scowled. "There is nothing wrongwith my current clothes!"
"The other outfit," he continued as if she hadn't spoken. "Is for training."
Kagome's jaw dropped. "Training…?"
"Indeed."
"You're going to have to explain, Sesshomaru." She bit impatiently.
"You are weak. You lack adequate control of your abilities and you stumble over your own feet. You are a hindrance and a liability." Sesshomaru listed off. "My refusal to protect you stands Miko, and therefore you must learn to take such provisions for yourself."
"Hey! I'll have you know, I've become quite good with a bow!"
"Your archery, whilst not entirely tragic, leaves much to be desired."
Kagome was furious. First he up and leaves, and then he returns just to wake and insult her. His audacity was unbelievable.
"Your bedside manner leaves much to be desired!" she retorted childishly folding her arms and thrusting her nose to the sky.
"Do not insult me, Miko." He snarled angrily. "I do not know, neither do I care for how things operated with my brother, but I am not him. He did you no favours by leaving you without the ability to protect yourself, and this consequently left you vulnerable. Vulnerability will only lead to death, as you very well now know. I am offering you an opportunity to rectify that, and it is not an offer I extend lightly."
This was true. The idea had come to mind following the incident with the snake demon and as much as it highly insulted the demon Lord to train a mere mortal, it was the only solution. Tenseiga may have wished her alive but that left him no obligation to be her personal body guard. He refused to protect the Miko and thus she presented a problem. A weak companion meant a weakness as a whole and this, Sesshomaru would not tolerate. There was also that other kneading suspicion that intruded his thoughts and he had deduced that there was something much more sinister afoot. There was a larger threat at hand and unfortunately it seemed the Miko's fate was entwined with it, and therefore she required to be adequately prepared.
Insult him? Well wasn't that just the pot calling the kettle black. Honestly, Kagome was happy about the prospect of training. She had always wanted to learn to fight more. In all the battles with her previous companions she had always been off to the side, only vaguely being able to offer any assistance. An arrow here, a purification there, and the progressively elusive shard sensing. In the end, she had always been left feeling helpless and useless. So it wasn't the offer of training that she didn't appreciate, it was Sesshomaru's insulting attitude.
"It's not your offer than offends me, it's your derogative approach!"
Sesshomaru growled threateningly. His tolerance towards her insolence was at breaking point. He detested the idea of training her but it was logical and practical and Sesshomaru prided himself on his logic and practicality. This bickering between them had ensued long enough.
"This discussion is over. You can accept my offer or you can take your chances, but take heed Miko, I will not intervene if you foolishly risk your life again, neither will I resurrect you a second time."
Kagome wanted to punch the daiyokai in the face, but instead she just glared. Not that her fist would actually make contact with the Western Lord. As angry as she was, the opportunity was beneficial and she would need all the help she could get if she was going to stand against Naraku. Sesshomaru may be arrogant and insensitive but he was right, she couldn't rely on anyone to save or protect her anymore. So she submitted.
"I want the training."
Sesshomaru nodded. "Now sleep."
He turned and walked away, supressing the urge to rub his temples as he reached his chosen tree and lowered himself down at the base, expanding his mokomoko out behind him for comfort. The daiyokai didn't get headaches often but he could certainly feel one approaching now. It had taken a significant amount of energy to refrain from clenching his hand around her throat in that moment and he despised it. She continued to challenge him in almost every way and yet she remained alive. This was new territory for him and it made him uneasy.
…
The early morning sun was shining brightly through the trees, a light beam hitting Kagome directly in the face and Rin's happy giggling greeted her ears from not too far away. The young Miko sat up and stretched her arms with a large yawn. Kagome loved the mornings. There was something fresh and new to them that wiped away all the negative elements of yesterdays. As if a fresh day meant a fresh mind and a fresh start. She peered around the small camp to learn what her new companions were up to. Rin was skipping about by the water playing her own invented game and Jaken was scampering about behind her, worried that she may fall and hurt herself for fear of the repercussions if she did. His Lord would blame him and therefore it would be he who would be maimed. Kagome's eyes found Sesshomaru who was nestled on a large rock in the centre of the river with his legs crossed and his hand laid gently in his lap. His eyes were closed and his long silver tresses gently swayed with the breeze behind him, the overall semblance giving him an ethereal appearance. Was he meditating? Kagome got to her feet and wondered over to the water's edge to wash her face of sleep.
"Miko," the demon Lord spoke without opening his eyes or moving. "You are to eat and change into your training attire." Kagome idiotically nodded at the demon Lord who would not witness her gesture.
"OK."
It didn't take long for Kagome to devour her ramen and change before she found herself standing in front of the demon Lord by the river a little further up from the camp. There was a larger opening before it clashed with the forest thus allowing the pair a slightly larger and more decent training area. The hakama fit nicely and the dark grey kimono felt smooth against her skin, the colour causing her to look a shade paler than what she was. The outfit although not entirely dissimilar, proved to be much comfier than the traditional Miko garb. Kagome had bound her dark locks in a ponytail as to prevent the strands from being a nuisance and the curls draped gently down her back.
"You will not be needing your bow today." He told her as she collected her weapon from her back, ready for use.
"What will we be doing then?" she inquired curiously, now placing them aside.
"We will work on your form. You are much too lax. Your posture is atrocious."
And so the insults began. Kagome scowled. "Fine." She accented through gritted teeth.
Sesshomaru moved forward so he stood roughly two paces in front of her, his usual white kimono was in perfect condition leading Kagome to wonder how he kept it so pristine.
"Straighten your back." He commanded and Kagome complied. "Do not be so stiff."
"How can I not be when I'm so…straight?!"
"You need to maintain a strict posture with ease for you to appropriate your movements. Not having the ability to do so would make quick work of your defeat." He sneered. "Do you slouch when you strike with your bow?"
"No, but I act in the moment."
"You cannot rely entirely on your instincts. One's ability is determined on the balance they exude between both instincts and strategy."
Kagome relented and did her best to loosen herself whilst remaining straight.
"How much do you know of hand to hand combat?" he queried nonchalantly.
"Er…nothing?" she grinned sheepishly. Sesshomaru had to fight the urge to roll his eyes, but he did release a sigh. "Well it's not exactly necessary to practice these things in my time!"
"We will start with the basics."
Thus, the training began.
It was nearing midday and the tension between the daiyokai and the Miko was becoming palpable. He displayed several stances and basic defensive and offensive movements for Kagome to practice, harmlessly whipping her with his youki when he was not satisfied with her positions, which was most of the time. The whips weren't offensive enough to break flesh but they stung nevertheless.
"What now?!" she yelled at the demon lord as another flash of green bit her ankle and she pulled her foot inwards.
"Your feet are too far apart." He informed her casually.
Kagome groaned at him. "You can't just tell me that, instead of constantly whipping me!"
"That would be less effective."
Kagome re-assumed her position begrudgingly, demonstrating her movements to the exceptionally critical inudaiyokai. The lack of emerald fluorescence indicated she was on the right path. They continued this routine for a little bit longer before Sesshomaru's voice broke her concentration.
"You will recess for refreshments. We will recommence at the sun's peak."
Kagome sighed with relief. Her energy levels had been depleting for some time and she needed to have a rest and eat something. Her muscles were burning and her body groaned at her when she sat down at a tree near Rin who was colouring another page in the Disney book Kagome had brought her.
"What are you colouring, Rin?" the Miko inquired. Rin held up the page to show a young girl lying dormant in a glass casket. Thus far, she had only coloured the surrounds.
"Who is she?"
"That is Snow White. She was a princess with an evil step mother that hated her. She had been banished from the castle and so she found refuge with seven dwarfs at a cottage in the woods but the step mother was so jealous of her that she wanted her dead. So she tried many ways to kill the princess but nothing worked. One day, she poisoned an apple and disguised herself as an old lady and visited the cottage, offering it to the princess. Snow white, being so pure of heart and trusting, accepted the apple from the evil queen, but when she bit into it, a curse took hold of her and she fell into an eternal sleep. Her dwarfs found her and crafted a beautiful glass casket for her." Kagome relayed to her, unaware that Sesshomaru was once again tuned into her story whilst pretending to stare off into the sky.
"What's glass, Lady Kagome?"
"Um, well, glass is kind of like a rock but clear and much more fragile. Many things are made from glass where I come from." Kagome explained in the simplest way she knew how.
"It sounds beautiful." Rin smiled.
"So, when the casket was finished, they laid the Princess to rest." Kagome continued. "They were mourning over Snow White when a Prince happened by. He was so captivated by her beauty that he fell in love. He opened the casket to her dormant figure and laid a kiss upon her lips, and with true loves kiss, the curse was broken and the princess awoke and they lived happily ever after." Kagome finished, clapping her hands together with a gush. Snow White had always been one of her particular favourites.
"Oh what a wonderful story!" Rim beamed excitedly.
"Hn. Kissing a dead body? Yet humans believe demons to be the vile ones." Kagome almost jumped at Sesshomaru's sudden unexpected input.
"It's a fairy-tale Sesshomaru. It's supposed to be romantic!" she defended.
"Human's deem it romantic to kiss a corpse?" he said as if he were tasting something unpleasant in his mouth. Hearing Sesshomaru speak the word 'romantic' sounded foreign within itself.
"Oh Lord Sesshomaru! It's kind of like when you rescued Lady Kagome!" Rin had clapped her hands together and her eyes shone brightly. "So romantic!"
Both Kagome and Sesshomaru stiffened immediately, the demon Lord releasing a savage growl. His eyes bulged wide for but a moment before he composed himself, choosing to overlook the insinuation.
"What?! Eheh…No Rin, completely different." Kagome waved her hands about frantically, completely mortified. Not to mention fearing for the young girls safety to even remotely relate their situation to one of a romantic nature.
'I, Sesshomaru, rescuing a human and falling in love. It is utterly repugnant!'he scowled to himself. He was not so weak, he was not his father. He silently agreed with the Miko. Their predicament was much, much different.
"Okay, so what colour do I colour her hair and clothes?" Rin asked, discarding her trail of thought, much to the relief of both Kagome and Sesshomaru.
"Well, she got her name from her appearance. Her skin was white as snow, her hair black as night and her lips red as cherries and…I think she had brown eyes…I can't remember, you colour them how you want. And her dress was…" Kagome tried to remember back. Honestly she hadn't delved into the fairy tales for quite some time so she honestly couldn't remember. "Well whatever you wish it to be."
Sesshomaru turned his gaze to Kagome and Rin by the tree as they hovered over this colouringbook. His instincts told him to claw the book to shreds and melt any evidence of its remains. Golden hues settled upon the Miko and he took a moment to analyse her features. She indeed had hair as black as night, and her skin was rather pale, but her eyes unlike the Hime in the story were blue. He shrugged his gaze away like a disobedient child. If he were that way inclined, he would pout and grunt while folding his arms defiantly, but he most certainly was not.
"How dare you expose Rin to such an atrocity!" Jaken squawked.
"I like the stories master Jaken!" Rin defended. Jaken merely walked away to be nearer to Sesshomaru as if to prove his opinions were equal to his Lords.
"Why do you not destroy this colouring book, Milord?" he asked absently. This proved to be the wrong thing to say as he was within reaching distant of the daiyokai. Sesshomaru reached out with his only arm and picked Jaken up by the scruff of the neck, throwing him with force into a nearby tree. It reminded Kagome of the way Inuyasha would take his frustrations out on Shippo.
Rin returned her concentration back to the book and stuck her tongue out the side of her mouth again as if this aided her in remaining between the lines. Kagome thought she was doing a fantastic job for someone who had not coloured before.
"Recess is over, Miko." Sesshomaru informed, his tone still adorning intense irritation. Kagome sighed as she stood up to return to training. Rin's comment had deeply bothered the Inudaiyokai and Kagome was bound to pay the price.
XX
A/N: So Sesshomaru is going to be training Kagome. That should be interesting. I always wanted Kagome to be stronger and I feel she has the potential. I also think Sesshy would bring the best out in her battle abilities, even if it does send him insane in the process :P
Hope you guys enjoyed this Chapter. Let me know what you think. And now for the habitual thanks to all you lovely people who follow, review and read my story. THANK YOU SO MUCH! xx