Two weeks that's how long it took them to reach Mount Fuji, Kagome flopped down against the side of the moment her body covered in a thin sheen of sweat, Sesshomaru hadn't gone easy on them that was for certain.
She dug through her pack for a water canister and brought it to her lips tipping her head back and taking a swallow, Kagome sighed in relief as the cool water soothed her dry throat, when she was finished she stowed the canister away again.
Sesshomaru eyed the little miko with an apathetic gaze, she was untrained and it showed, if only his ignorant half brother had seen the talents that Kagome could possess perhaps he wouldn't have left her to be with that half demoness.
'No matter foolish little brother by the time you realize what you've lost it will be far to late, I'm certain the miko will be mated to our father' Sesshomaru chuckled darkly in his thoughts, yes this was going to be amusing, he was going along only to see the look on Inuyasha's face.
Now was the right time though to show the miko what the fates had assigned as her first task "Miko" he rumbled, Kagome was on her feet in a flash, bowing her head like always making him rumble in pleasure like usual whenever she deferred to him.
"Yes Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome called softly, her voice was filled with curiosity and Sesshomaru's golden eyes lifted to the mountain, she followed his line of sight and spotted what he was looking at a silvery dome that couldn't be anything but a barrier and it was strong.
"There is you're first task, every day from here on you are to work on it until you can break it, of course you'll be given breaks to feed, drink and bathe but nothing else" Sesshomaru announced and Kagome swallowed thickly but she nodded in understanding.
Kagome took a deep breath and flashing little Rin a reassuring smile, she began the daunting task of climbing to the ledge, she slipped a few times cutting her palms on the sharp rock of the volcanic mountain until she was able to grasp onto the edge and heave herself onto it.
Then she was faced with a new challenge, Sesshomaru had said she had to break the barrier with her own, the only thing, Kagome had never raised a barrier in all her time in the past, so to say she was lost was a bit of an understatement.
Sesshomaru narrowed his golden eyes when all the miko did was stare at the silver barrier in confusion "Reach within yourself, close you're eyes if you must, imagine a barrier around you and force you're powers into action" he growled drawing her gaze.
Kagome shook lightly hearing that dark voice, then she calmed herself down and closed her eyes, imagining a shiny pink barrier like he had said, her eyes snapped open and her first barrier rose around her like an oval, it wavered and then collapsed.
She went down as well, that had been exhausting no wonder they were called perilous tasks, but Kagome wasn't one to lay down and take it, no she was going to push herself to the very brink and then some, she was going to complete this task no matter what.
Sesshomaru watched as Kagome pushed herself to her feet and tried again to raise a barrier, it shimmered before shattering again, she tried again, and several more times after that until it was obvious she couldn't go on any longer, she had exhausted her spiritual powers past their limit.
So he leaped onto the ledge and gathered the tired human into his arms and jumped to the ground again "Rin" Sesshomaru rumbled, the little girl lifted her head a bright smile on her lips as she knew what her Lord was asking and nodded.
"Good eat Miko, then bathe in the stream, then you will rest until tomorrow, this one will make sure no one is around" Sesshomaru murmured in the silence before turning on his heels and heading into the forest to circle around the clearing.
"Here you go Kagome-chan" Rin placed a speared fish in the older girls hands and Kagome nibbled on it, after that strenuous exercise it was better to eat slow, if she didn't she ran the risk of getting sick and Kagome was certain that Sesshomaru wouldn't appreciate the smell.
"Thank you Rin" Kagome patted the tiny child on the head before rising to her diminutive height heading for the stream they had passed on their way to the mountain, she dipped her finger into the slow moving water and shivered lightly, the cool water would be wonderful on her heated skin.
She stripped cautiously and stepped into the stream hiding her bare body from sight and washed until all the sweat was gone, then Kagome hurriedly climbed out of the water and dressed in the clean kimono and hakama she had brought along.
When she returned Sesshomaru was situated against a tree like usual looking over the camp from a distance, Kagome paid him no mind as she slid into her sleeping bag and zipped up the side, her head touched the pillow and she was out like a light snoozing the night away.
The next morning a foot nudged her in the side "Girl wake up" Jaken's irritating screeches filtered into her ears and Kagome sat up peering around blearily and feeling groggy, not to mention sore as well "It's about damn time stupid human" Jaken grumbled as he stomped back to his previous spot.
"Sorry Jaken-sama" Kagome dipped her head apologetically as she woke completely, her senses on high alert, it was like after yesterday they were sharper, perhaps it had been because she had worked with her spiritual powers and they had grown stronger already.
Her eyes flew to where Sesshomaru was previously spotted but he wasn't there "Milord's gone to deal with something, he leaves often" Rin's voice filled the air and Kagome turned her attention on the little girl worry in her chocolate brown eyes.
She squeezed her hands together heart rate increasing "I see and when will Lord Sesshomaru return" Kagome asked holding her breath as tendrils of fear reached her heart now, her skin breaking out in goosebumps, this had the potential to get bad, whenever Inuyasha had gone off, something always happened.
"A few days or so" Rin smiled poking the fire with a stick before deeming their breakfast ready "So eat up Kagome-chan, Milord's left me in charge of you're training" she giggled childishly and Kagome couldn't help but wrap her arms around the tiny girl and crush her against her chest.
"Oh you are just so cute" Kagome squealed softly, in the case anyone that wasn't supposed to be there was hanging around, it never hurt to be to careful, it certainly wasn't going to be easy going unnoticed especially when she started working with her spiritual powers again.
Rin giggled happily and Kagome finally set the little girl down so that they could eat the fish that had been cooked, once the raven haired girl was finished, she sighed and climbed the side of the mountain again until she was once again on the ledge.
This time she had brought along a few canisters of water and a small bag filled with some snacks, Kagome was prepared this time and she wasn't going to leave that ledge for anything other than bathing or using the restroom, or sleeping she couldn't forget that.
Rin plopped down next to Jaken and both of them watched Kagome work tirelessly throughout the day hardly leaving that ledge for anything and taking few breaks, the sun went down and the moon returned to the sky and finally Kagome clambered down the mountain side to their camp again.
Even though she was utterly exhausted, she felt accomplished, she was able to keep her barrier raised for five minutes now and that was more than before, Kagome sat down and ate the rabbit that had been cooked for dinner then trudged off to bathe again.
Two days later, Sesshomaru returned to his pack, he thought it was going to be a peaceful return but how wrong he was, the minute he stepped into the clearing, everything went dead silent, the demon that had dared touched what belonged to him disintegrated in a blinding flash of pink light.
Kagome dropped to her knee's "Lord Sesshomaru" she sighed rubbing her eyes tiredly, that morning had been awful, it had all started the moment she had gone to the river to refill her water canisters, that demon had been there and began pestering her.
Of course when she rose to head back to camp and start her task, he had followed, Kagome had quickly spun and told him to leave "Don't play coy, I know you want me" the demon had said in a very cocky tone of voice.
That had pissed her off to no end "Stupid" she spat and stomped off, him on her heels again, he didn't notice her growing agitation until she swung around and pinned angry chocolate brown eyes on him "Get Away From Here Now" she growled in a move reminiscent of Sesshomaru's.
He had blinked dumbly at her before gliding even closer, that was until her hands were pressed to his chest and the smell of his burnt flesh reached his nose, she was a miko he realized belatedly and it made him pissed.
Kagome threw her hands in the air before gathering her fallen water canisters and stormed towards camp, the demon slinking sneakily behind her, it wasn't until she had bent to grab up her bag filled with snacks and Rin's gasp filled the air that Kagome realized he had followed her to her camp.
Her eyes flashed and she struck out with a fist, the demon had been shocked at first then he had attacked, by that she meant he had tackled her and they tousled around on the ground for several long minutes until she had him pinned down to the ground.
Years of running around feudal japan and the last few weeks had strengthened her muscles, but Kagome knew it would only be a matter of time until he broke free of her grasp and sure enough five minutes later he was up off the ground.
Kagome didn't waste a single moment and snatched up her bow and arrows, the ones she hadn't wielded in months due to very few demons actually coming after them now that the jewel no longer existed, and Inuyasha had taken care of the few that had easily with a simple swing of his tetsusaiga.
"You bitch, how dare you touch me with you're filthy hands" the demon snarled growing angry when all he got was a blank eyed stare from the raven haired human, Kagome's jaw locked and her irritation sky rocketed to new heights.
Then the demons attention had shifted and Kagome took her chance to fire her arrow, she turned and spotted the reason for the demons distraction, "You are unharmed" Sesshomaru strode forward and Kagome nodded her head.
"I'm fine, all he did was pester me really, though that last little bit was probably my fault I singed him with my reiki" she elaborated when all she got was a silver brow raised in her direction "Really" Kagome huffed when Sesshomaru continued to stare at her.
Then "This one didn't realize how his absence might be perceived to other demons, you are a magnet for trouble miko and this one will take this example into account and be better prepared next time" Sesshomaru rumbled, Kagome squeaked and scrambled up the side of the mountain to work on her task.
Kagome's mind was a flurry of activity as she stood before that silver barrier, it wasn't her fault that demons all found her fascination and liked to come after her, but at least with Sesshomaru she knew where she stood with the daiyoukai, a ningen that had been assigned to revive his father that's it.
In her distracted state, Kagome didn't realize she had unconsciously raised her barrier and it had expanded to become more rounded like a true miko's, below Sesshomaru nodded in satisfaction, it proved to him that she had continued working on her task even in his absence.
When Kagome focused, she was surprised, her barrier was now pressing against the silver barrier weakly but it was more, she could have cheered but concentrated harder strengthening her own barrier as much as she could.
For half an hour, Kagome kept her barrier raised pushing insistently against the silver one, she grit her teeth forcing her powers outward until she couldn't take it any longer, the strain had got to her and her pink barrier shattered into a million pieces.
Sesshomaru was right there as she toppled off the ledge and caught her deftly in his arms, her chest was heaving with exertion and her eyes were dulled in exhaustion, he knew she wouldn't be ready for a couple hours at most to try again, so he settled her on the ground in front of the fire.
"Rest" he ordered and Kagome's eyes fluttered close, she was to tired to argue like usual, when her breathing evened out, Sesshomaru lifted his eyes to the silver barrier and a small smirk tilted the corners of his lips upwards, there was a crack in the silver barrier now due to Kagome.
Jaken about had a heart attack when he saw that smirk on his lord's face, and he wondered why, what was it about the human girl that brought such an expression onto the usually stoic daiyoukai, while he pondered, Sesshomaru settled himself against a tree to keep watch over his pack.
A few hours later, Kagome sat up with a little yawn slipping through her lips, she was thirsty, so she reached for a water canister, when she was finished she closed the cap and peered around, Kagome sighed but tensed when something brushed against her hair.
"This Sesshomaru commends you miko, you've cracked the silver barrier with you're own, your task should be easier now, finish off the barrier and travel within the mountain to gather what has been required of you" Sesshomaru was behind her speaking in low dulcet tones again.
Kagome's chocolate brown eyes widened and they flew to the ledge, sure enough though it was barely noticeable a crack had indeed formed on the silver barrier like Sesshomaru had said, this time Kagome couldn't stop herself as she jumped to her feet a cheer falling from her pale pink lips.
"Oh yeah in you're face Bakayasha, not so useless now am I" she did a little dance to Sesshomaru's hidden amusement, he would never let it be known of course and really the miko did deserve a little happiness since she had managed so much in just a few days time.
"Enough" Sesshomaru interrupted her little victory cheer "I expect to see that barrier down in three more days, and you'll take the last day to gather the ash and rock" he rumbled and Kagome calmed immediately at his words a determined look filling her chocolate brown eyes.
"I promise Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome bowed her head before raising her eyes to the silver barrier, three days later, the silver barrier collapsed before the might of Kagome's pink one, her eyes were lit up with happiness and her barrier stayed strong.
A week that's all it took for the miko to realize her true capabilities, she wasn't even half way done with the long list of tasks the fates had assigned her, but it was enough for Sesshomaru to understand why Kagome was the only one capable of reviving Inutaisho.
The extent of her abilities ranged from more than just raising a barrier, that was something all miko should learn, and Kagome had done it by herself without any teacher, sure he had given her instructions the first day the rest she had figured out day by day until she had perfected it.
And the barrier, it had grown massively to cover the entire ledge she stood upon and even more, Sesshomaru was certain that if the girl kept practicing then she would be able to cover their entire camp it was breathtaking and once again he chuckled inwardly, his half brother was a little fool.
"Well done Miko but you're task is only half finished travel within the mountain and return before nightfall or you'll be left behind" Sesshomaru threatened lightly just to see how the raven haired girl would react and it was a marvelous reaction.
Kagome scurried to the entrance of the cave and disappeared from view, her aura flared in panic, 'Right ash and rock, ash and rock, ash and rock' she chanted as she ventured deeper into the inactive volcano, the path was treacherous and she almost fell to her doom a couple times.
The heat was nearly unbearable as well, even though it was inactive, the inside of Mount Fuji was blistering hot, Kagome swiped her inky black tresses over her shoulder flinging some sweat that had clung to her brow away, it sizzled and evaporated in just a second.
'This isn't fun' Kagome sulked as she knelt down and her knee's were scorched, she winced and began gathering what was needed, when she felt she had enough, Kagome stood and trudged wearily to the entrance again and emerged just before the sun disappeared.
Sesshomaru growled pleased the girl had heeded his warning, he wouldn't have left her behind sure but she didn't need to know that "I made it" Kagome collapsed to her knee's and gave a cry of pain, her knee's were blistered.
"Good, we'll head back to you're well and you can rest for the rest of the night" Sesshomaru commented and Kagome struggled to her feet, he saw the problem and leaped onto the ledge gathering her into his arms and set her gently on the ground.
Kagome lay flat on her back in exhaustion then her eyes wandered to the side "Lord Sesshomaru, do you think I got enough" she pointed sluggishly at the containers filled with ash and the many rocks she had picked up along the way.
His eyebrows shot up, that was more than what was required, no wonder it had taken her so long, she had only needed two rocks at the most and one container of ash "It's plenty" Sesshomaru nodded not telling Kagome that she had gone overboard.
"Oh good" she sighed closing her eyes ignoring the pain in her gut as it rumbled in hunger and fell asleep, what could she say she was tired after all that work, Sesshomaru smirked and stuffed the rocks and containers in her yellow monstrosity before settling against a tree to rest for the night.
The next morning, they packed up and headed back towards bone eaters well, by the time they returned, it had become an absolute necessity for Kagome to return to her era and stock up on supplies again, so with a farewell and a small smile, she leaped over the ledge and into the dark.
Sesshomaru grit his teeth, he was going to have to find some way to follow her one of these days, it bugged him immensely that her scent just disappeared as if it had never been there, for now though he would be patient.
When Kagome returned, her second task had been set "This one has been contacted by the fates again, Miko you're second task is to gain three scales from a dragon demon, you're task is to defeat him and make him submit" Sesshomaru stated.
Her chocolate brown eyes widened before she stuttered "Does that mean I have to train" Kagome questioned, it had been hell working her spiritual powers, but now she had to work on her physical strength it was going to be a bitch.
"No, you'll face this demon with nothing but what you've learned so far, every day you'll face him until you can overcome his strength with you're own" Sesshomaru smirked lightly and turned his back on the miko leading his pack forward to their new destination.