The next morning after breakfast like he thought she would, Kagome headed to the medical ward and once again began purifying the darkness from Nagemasu, Ayumi sighed she hoped the bird youkai was savable or Kagome was going to hate herself.
Seeing as she didn't have anything to do, she herself left the dining hall and wandered the estate grounds looking for potential youkai to help her out at the school, no one since she'd come here had even accepted her offer.
It just so happened that, that morning Naraku was taking pleasure in his new found freedom, being cooped up within his rooms had sucked, and walking through the Southern Wing in the estate unafraid, he always had to be careful.
Otherwise he'd end up facing down an angry youkai that he'd unintentionally or intentionally pissed off during his reign of evil, in fact it had been him who had placed Yaramaru in the Southern Region just before Inuyasha and his group had ended his life.
Ayumi sighed and turned the corner just as Naraku did and they both slammed into each other, he was the first to regain his bearings and he stood holding out his hand "Oh thank you" the obviously ningen girl smiled brightly drawing a chuckle from between his lips.
"We, I believe have never met" Naraku frowned trying to recall this particular ningen, he would have known and she bore eerie resemblance "Are you related to Lady Kagome" he questioned peering into her eyes curiously, they were a dark brown.
The girl before him blinked before breaking down in soft giggles "No, though I am a friend of hers, my name is Ayumi" she held out her hand for him to shake, but what Ayumi got was totally different what she thought was going to be something normal.
Naraku took her hand in his and lifted it to his lips, pressing the gentlest of kisses to her knuckles "You may call me Naraku, Ayumi-san" he graced her with a simple smirk and predictably the girl blushed, he was rather handsome considering.
"Well Naraku-san if you don't mind I have a few questions for you" Ayumi narrowed her eyes in determination, she was going to find someone even if it killed her, Naraku gestured for her to walk with him and Ayumi nodded.
Curious about what this girl wanted with him, he led Ayumi back to his rooms, just realizing how close he'd come to wandering into the rest of the estate and that he'd been treading very dangerous waters "Alright Ayumi-san what kind of questions" he sat down on his pillow waiting.
He watched her take a deep breath and lower herself into a sitting position as well "See Kagome-chan is making this school, and I've been selected as the Head with the ability to choose whoever I want to help me out, but I don't like forcing people" she began.
"Anyway and I know you youkai don't do things the same way we ningen do, but if you had to choose a subject history, which is learning about the past, math, which is numbers, or science, figuring out what happened in the world, which one would you choose" Ayumi folded her hands into her lap.
Surprised that this ningen seemed to be very educated, Naraku tapped his knee with a finger as he thought, it certainly was interesting "I'm a strategist so I'd have to go with that math thing you mentioned" he finally answered.
Her eyes lit up "Second question, how good are you at manipulating you're youkai" Ayumi smiled sheepishly, as she'd come to find out that question could be very personal to a youkai and more often than not she didn't even get to finish her questions because they left.
Once again, even though it was a personal question, Naraku was surprised, Ayumi was asking all the right questions and he wondered why no one had "I'm very good, I gave you're friend Kagome and her little group quite a bit of trouble a few years ago" he threw out there.
A sharp gasp came from Ayumi and he knew instantly that Kagome had told this girl what he'd done "So you're The Naraku the one Kagome-chan had to fight off" Ayumi inquired gently, she didn't want to ruin her chances to acquire this guy for the school after all.
He turned fully towards her "Yes, but I've long since come to terms with this new life and I'm settling in well, now as for that last question" Naraku prodded, as interesting as this was, he'd like to be left alone for awhile so he could think over everything he'd learned in the last half hour.
Ayumi righted herself and squared her shoulders "How good do you think you'd be teaching youkai/hanyou children at using their youkai abilities" she asked her final question staring at the spider hanyou with intense eyes.
Naraku tilted his head to the side "Probably terrible, most hate me upon seeing me, and most would like to kill me as well, but if I were to try, then who knows" he stated wondering what she'd asked next or if she was done.
She released the breath she'd been holding "How would you like to come teach human/youkai/hanyou children at this school" Ayumi breathed out, if he rejected the offer then she was all out of options and then she'd have to start forcing people.
Having known where the girl would lead to in her questioning all along, Naraku pondered his options closing his red eyes as he thought "What would I be getting out of this" he finally asked, hoping she would disappoint him, Ayumi as far as ningen's went, was very interesting.
With a smirk that would make Yuka proud, Ayumi raised her head "You're freedom to come and go as you please, not to mention it would make Kagome happy to see you trying you're best, also a three gold coin pay for a salary every day" she ticked off her fingers.
"Then..." Naraku paused for dramatic effect "My answer is I'd gladly help out in this school of yours and Lady Kagome's, when do we start" he rubbed his hands, any chance to redeem himself in the eyes of the fates was perfect and this was the best idea he'd ever heard.
At that Ayumi smiled sheepishly "The school isn't done yet, probably won't be for another month, I went down a few days ago, with a heavy escort and it was only half finished, not to mention Kagome wants Akuto taken down before the school is started" she explained.
Understanding instantly, Naraku nodded "How many others have you procured for this school" he couldn't help but ask, during her questioning, he couldn't help but note how desperate she had sounded and her eyes had pleaded with him not to reject the offer.
Ayumi slumped her shoulders "Just one, you Naraku-san, but I'm going to keep trying" she perked back up a moment later "Well I shan't bother you any longer, thank you for you're time and may the rest of you're day be pleasant" she bowed before leaving.
On the other side of the estate in the medical ward, Kagome was purging as much of the darkness from Nagemasu as she could, only problem, it kept coming back every time she took a break, and there was no one else who could help her with this, it was like multiple dark miko had done this purposefully.
It pissed her off and made her try all the harder, she was certain that if she could get rid of the darkness permanently that it would no longer come back, Kaede eyed her step granddaughter as it had been explained to her "Kagome" she called worrying about the girl.
Kagome lifted her head but didn't stop using her purifying reiki on Nagemasu "His family is counting on me Granny, I can't let them down" she cried softly as tears filled her eyes "But, I don't think I'm going to be able to do this by myself" Kagome raised her other arm and wiped at her eyes.
Kaede smiled sadly as Kagome stopped using her reiki and wrapped her arms around the girl she'd always cared for since she'd come to this era "There, there child, not all is lost, have you asked Miroku for help" she suggested, to much pressure on a person and they broke down.
"No, I don't want to disturb him and Sango-chan, after everything they went through they deserve to be undisturbed" she mumbled into Kaede's shoulder, since becoming a kitsune and young again, Kaede had grown a few inches to fit her young adult body.
'That's just like her not to want to bother anyone' Kaede thought patting Kagome on the back and making the girl sit down in a chair that had been put there for visitors, "Just stay right there Kagome" she ordered gently, the kitsune didn't even move a muscle.
Then she stepped out of the curtained off area "Someone go get Miroku from the little village outside the estate" Kaede commanded taking over for her step-granddaughter, anything to make it easier on the girl so that Kagome didn't bare the weight of all that pressure herself.
At least she thought Kagome had even admitted that she wouldn't be able to save Nagemasu by herself, it proved to her that the girl had grown since becoming the Lady of the Eastern Lands, Kaede smiled softly and waited patiently.
Ten minutes later Miroku tugging along Sango skidded to a halt before the doors "What do you have need of me for Lady Kaede" he panted and his wife sent him a glare as she sat down in one of the chairs that was offered to her by Hojo.
"It's Kagome, the darkness that Akuto placed in Nagemasu is impossible to remove on her own, she's going to need your help Miroku-san" Kaede sighed and rubbed her temples, this was proving to be a headache that nobody needed.
Miroku frowned, "Surely Lady Kagome can handle this..." he trailed off when Kaede gestured for him to follow her, she led him to the curtained off section of the room and lifted the curtain to peer within, then he saw her.
Kagome was sitting in the chair staring blankly around, her hands were burned because of constant use of her purifying reiki and tear tracks were drying on her face "How long has she been trying to purify the taint from him" Miroku asked feeling anger bubble within him.
He couldn't stand to see his friends, family, or anything in such a state and to know that Kagome was as run down as she currently was made him truly angry with himself "Since yesterday and after breakfast this morning, so a total of eight hours" Kaede dropped the curtain back into place.
Miroku glanced at his wife and she nodded "Go on Miroku, Kagome-chan, Lady Kagome needs our, you're help" Sango motioned for him to go ahead, he sighed softly in relief rolled up his sleeves and stepped beneath the curtain.
"Kagome" he knelt before the kitsune that was his friend, her eyes focused on him and she leaped from her chair in a panic "I'm here to help what do you need me to do" Miroku asked as despair spread across her face.
Before she could even begin to complain, Kaede stepped beneath the curtain herself "We are going to help you Kagome" she said and the kitsune deflated healing her hands with little thought, then she truly thought about her situation.
And finally Kagome nodded "Thank you Granny, Miroku-san, we need purifying energy and a lot of it, but we have to be careful not to use to much or we end up killing him" she explained sitting back down in her chair to rest for a moment.
"Also every time I purify just a little bit, it comes back in even larger quantities than before, if we could just get rid of it all together, then I'm certain it will be gone for good" Kagome bit her lip, Miroku and Kaede shared a look and nodded.
Glad that she wasn't alone in this anymore, Kagome stepped up to Nagemasu's side again and filled her hands with the purifying reiki she'd been using all morning, Miroku and Kaede did the same and soon the three of them were hard at work.
Touga was angry, she'd skipped lunch to heal that damn Nagemasu, and he was going to drag her out by force if he had to, "Father" Sesshomaru's voice cut through his thoughts as he charged through the dining room doors.
"What Sesshomaru" he spun youkai sparking angrily in the air, why the hell did his chosen soul mate have to go all noble on everyone and help them, protect them, it was ridiculous, he cursed the fates for a moment, if they hadn't ordered her to become the Lady of the Eastern Lands, then perhaps he'd already be mated to the girl.
Sesshomaru lifted a silver brow "If you go charging into that medical wing, Kagome's going to rip you a new one Father, you do remember her threat about if you caused anymore damaged to her estate you'll be banished for a few days right" he questioned.
Eye twitching in pure frustration, Touga pivoted on his heels and stalked down the halls towards his own rooms, servants and maids and some guards jumping out of his way as he passed them, none of them wanted to get on the wrong side of his currently bad attitude.
Three hours after lunch when it was nearing dinner, thanks to their help, Kagome, Miroku and Kaede pulled away from Nagemasu as the last of the darkness was purified from him, "Hojo" Kagome called and the brown haired male entered the curtained off area.
"I want him watched constantly and we want to be alerted instantly if he wakes even if it's in the middle of the night" Kagome ordered, Hojo nodded knowing now wasn't the time to joke about how it was the first order he'd received from her.
Kaede wiped her brow "Let's go to the kitchens and see if Zengo saved us any food" she suggested, eyeing the empty chair that had previously occupied Sango, "And where did she go" Kaede pointed at the chair and Hojo blinked.
"I believe she said she was going back to you're house Miroku-san to eat, about an hour ago" Hojo tapped his chin before nodding "Yeah" he grinned, the monk he was learning under sped down the halls causing most everyone to chuckle.
Kagome was to tired to even muster up the energy to laugh, but she knew that if she didn't eat she'd regret it later and she wouldn't heal as quickly as she was able, so with Kaede's help the two females walked down the kitchens where Sesshomaru was waiting.
"Father was most furious that you skipped lunch Kagome" he spoke, it wasn't a scolding tone, he'd long since gotten past the fact that Kagome was a martyr and would do anything for someone including getting hurt herself.
She flinched but sat down as Zengo went about heating the leftovers from lunch that Sesshomaru had requested to be saved back for not only Kaede, but Kagome as well, and who was he to disregard such an order especially if it was for his Lady.
"He'll just have to be angry then, cause I'm not going to suddenly change myself for him" Kagome snorted and Sesshomaru cracked a smile, even half asleep the kitsune was still a little spitfire and it proved that she wouldn't be submissive to Touga no matter what.
Kaede hid her own laughter, oh it was proving to be quite the merry chase Kagome was leading the older inudaiyoukai on, with the ending possibly going up in fireworks, no one spoke though as Kagome and she dug into their late meals until nothing was left.
"You should go find you're mate Kaede-san" Sesshomaru pressed his hand down on the former elderly woman's shoulder briefly before taking the already asleep Kagome into his arms, it was his fathers fault for throwing a fit that he wasn't able to do this for her right now after all.
She nodded and watched Sesshomaru carry Kagome from the kitchens presumably down the halls to her rooms to put her to bed, "Good day" she bowed to Zengo before searching for her own mate, he was in the labyrinth that Kagome had showed him.
Toya jumped up when he saw her "So how is everything" he asked pulling the woman to his side as they sat down on the bench together, Kaede leaned against him and he knew instantly that not everything was right as rain.
"It was a difficult process getting rid of the taint in Nagemasu, but we managed it between Kagome, Miroku and myself" Kaede closed her eyes to rest for a bit, it had been awhile since she'd used that much of her own reiki, no wonder Kagome could do all those things.
She constantly worked with her reiki, but also her youkai and was able to combine the two effortlessly Toya frowned "How is Kagome, don't tell me she's still up running around, she'll make herself sick" he asked worriedly.
Thankfully Kaede shook her head "No, in fact she was asleep before she ever even left the kitchens, Sesshomaru took her to her rooms" she sighed and Toya relaxed as relief flooded through him, then he had another worry.
"What about you my dear aren't you tired as well" he questioned leaning forward to peer into her hazel eyes, it had been of course only thanks to Kagome that any of this had been possible and if he hadn't come to the past, he never would have met the woman and fallen in love with her.
Kaede got a little more comfortable "I am, but not as tired as Kagome, that poor child had a breakdown in the medical wards, it had been awhile since I'd seen her cry" she growled, Akuto needed to be taken down and fast so Kagome could be happy.
Toya sighed and leaned his head atop Kaede's as they closed their eyes and took a nap right there in the center of the hedge maze labyrinth, no one would bother them of that they were certain, so when it turned night, they quietly snuck back to their rooms to sleep on their bed instead.
As for Kagome she slept through the rest of the day and partially into the night until one of the youkai from the medic ward came pounding on her door, she jumped out of her bed with a screech and hurriedly pulled on her sleeping yukata.
"Lady Kagome, Hojo-sama said to wake you once Lord Nagemasu comes to" greeted her ears when she slid the door open, eyes wide, Kagome nodded and closed the door quickly got dressed in a yukata, not wanting to bother with a kimono then exited her room.
Before she could ask "Kaede-san and Miroku-sama are there already" the youkai explained as they ran down the halls to the medical ward, Kagome was worried, would the same thing that had happened to Inuyasha happen to Nagemasu.
"Wait, you go get Lord Nagemasu's family from the North East Wing" she ordered suddenly, he nodded veering to the right as she continued to the medical ward, Hojo met her at the door "Does he have, has he lost his memories" Kagome asked.
Hojo gave a sigh confirming her suspicions "He says the last thing he remembers is traveling to meet the new Lady of the East, you, for her coronation, then nothing" he explained stepping to the side to let Kagome enter the room.
Carefully so as not to spook the bird youkai she'd hated with a passion up until recently, Kagome walked beneath the curtains where Kaede and Miroku were already standing "Who are you, and where's my son" Nagemasu demanded immediately.
Kagome let out her own version of a sigh this one filled with aggravation "Lord Nagemasu, I am Kagome, the Lady of the East, and you're son is fine, in fact he should be on his way here this very minute" she began carefully.
Nagemasu frowned "Wait you're the Lady I was traveling to meet, no one said you'd be so young" he stated sitting up in the bed, "Where exactly am I at" he questioned looking around him curiously, the set up of the room was strange for lack of a better term.
"Before I answer you're question Lord Nagemasu, do you remember any strange encounters with a youkai named Akuto perchance" Kagome bit her lip hoping that her hunch was correct so that she'd be able to prepare Nagemasu for the shocks that were soon coming.
He nodded almost immediately "Yes, we were half way to the East, my son and I, when he approached and shook my hand after introducing himself, then after that nothing" Nagemasu struggled to dredge the memory up as if it had been forever ago.
Rubbing her forehead and healing the headache that was forming between her eyes, Kagome sat down in a chair Hojo put there for her suddenly "Well you've been under his control for about probably five to six months now" she started.
Before he could complain she held up her hand "He, Akuto, I mean had you come here and try to get rid of me through various dark items and plots, after my coronation you left and this is the first time I've seen you since then" Kagome continued.
"You can't remember anything that happened while under Akuto's control because of how long you've been under, my friend Inuyasha is the same way" she wrung her hands, now came the hard part telling the bird youkai he was no longer the Lord of the South.
"And just last week, under Akuto's control, you helped him take over you're own Lands, right now you aren't the Lord of the South, and you and you're entire family came here to ask me for help in saving you" she finished standing as feet pounding on stone flooring sounded.
Kyasuto was the first one to appear, followed by his mate, and the rest of his family, "Let's go back to bed, let them talk things out" Kagome ordered heading the way out of the medical ward, it was going to be a rough night for the bird youkai after all.
The next morning Kagome headed to the dining hall to eat breakfast with everyone else but she was immediately approached by Nagemasu "I, Nagemasu, thank you for saving my life Lady Kagome of the East" he bowed low though his movements were stiff indicating that he was still sore.
"Nonsense, it's my duty as the Lady of the East to protect my people, and take requests that save lives" she patted him on the shoulder discretely healing whatever residual aches he had then continued on her way into the dining hall.
After breakfast Touga was at her side "What are you doing Touga" Kagome growled already feeling very irritated with the dai, he was hovering over her and she didn't really like it, after the last couple of days what she really wanted was her space.
Touga's hackles raised hearing the anger in the kitsune's tone of voice and carefully took a few steps back "You purposefully endangered yourself yesterday Kagome" his golden eyes flashed to red as his own anger grew.
Seeing the expected blow up Sesshomaru ushered everyone out of the dining hall even though they weren't finished and blocked the doors so that no one could get in, at the tone Kagome whirled on his Father and narrowed her brown eyes on him.
"I did what I had to Touga to save someones life and it wasn't like I was doing it by myself" Kagome snapped irately crossing her arms over her chest, if he made even one move, she was going to throw him out for a few days.
Clenching his jaw together, Touga squeezed his hands into fists "Kagome, you can't just put yourself in harms way for one youkai, you have the East to rule over, so what a few ningen or youkai are going to die, you aren't responsible for them" he started.
Sesshomaru's eyes widened 'Oh Father what a fool you are' he shook his head already seeing the complete disbelief on Kagome's face, her jaw hanging agape and her eyes were quickly filling with anger and just as he'd thought she would.
"THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY TOUGA, I CAN"T BELIEVE YOU WOULD EVEN URGH" Kagome shouted her voice gaining in volume as her youkai exploded from her body as her anger reached new heights.
She took as calming a breath as she could which didn't really do any good and pinned hardened brown eyes on the dai she was somewhat coming to like, "Listen here Lord Inutaisho" Kagome spat not even bothering calling Touga by his true name at the moment.
Knowing he was in big trouble, Touga gulped, he'd done it now pissed Kagome off beyond what he thought was possible "You may have been the Former Lord of the West, but don't presume you can order me around like one of you're bitches" Kagome started hair crackling with her reiki.
Even Sesshomaru couldn't help but wince as the girl he saw as family jabbed a reiki filled finger in his father's chest and zapped him sending him flying backwards "The East Is This Kagome's Territory" she snarled advancing on his idiotic Father.
"Now be a good dog and get the hell out of here" Kagome lifted Touga on his feet healed him "And don't come back for a few days" she gave him a sugary sweet smile that was filled with promise, Touga wasted no time in getting the hell out of the dining hall as Kagome slumped in her seat.
It was silent for a moment and Sesshomaru carefully sat next to Kagome "Well that went well, how long do you think it takes for him to realize that you aren't half as angry as you seemed" he snorted and she flung her head up to stare at him in surprise.
"I'm not even going to bother asking how you knew that, but no matter how much I like him, he needs to learn he can't interfere with how I run things in the East, these aren't his lands, they are mine" Kagome shrugged.
A smirk formed on his lips "I must say Kagome, you truly are one of a kind" Sesshomaru chuckled and rose from his chair as she did the same, the dining hall doors were opened again and everyone flooded back in to finish their meal.
"Okay you guys time to go out and practice" Kagome ordered the seven children she'd taken to teaching, this time though Mikaku, Keshi, and little Kaen joined them and she remembered that she still had to get some of their youkai powers.
Souta turned when Kagome stopped walking "What is it sis" he asked hand on Inazuma's sheath, he'd gotten really attached to the sword over the week since they'd been back in the Aoiro Estate and everyone thought it was absolutely adorable.
Even the three elemental youkai paused "Just go on ahead you guys, I have to get Eri, Ayumi, Yuka and Hojo for a bit of practice" she waved them off and Souta shrugged, leading everyone to the training grounds for a bit of practice.
Since this was the first time they'd been outside in the estate since they'd come there, Mikaku's jaw dropped "You have three training grounds" she asked looking across the grounds, Shippou nodded "Wow" Mikaku whistled.
"Yep, one for us here, the ningen on training field two, and the guard on training field three, Kaa-chan says that the reason we aren't on the larger training field is because of all the reiki/spiritual power we use and it puts the guards on edge" Shippou grinned glad he could do his part in the Estate for once.
Keshi leaned down to be eye level with the little kit "Are you the one Lady Kagome adopted as her own kit" he asked just to be sure, Shippou nodded "She's raising you right then, to be a polite, knowledgeable heir of the East" he patted the kit on the head before rising to his feet.
A moment later Kagome herself came barreling through the doors causing the guards posted by them to chuckle, on her heels were her four friends from the future, not that many of them knew that and led them forward to stand next to the children.
She took a moment to swipe through her long hair and pull it back as far as it would go "Okay today I thought we'd do something a bit different" Kagome clapped her hands addressing the children before her first her eyes trailing over them and noticing how much they'd changed since coming here.
"Before that though you seven begin you're laps" she ordered kindly before turning to face her friends and the elemental youkai, and before their eyes out of her own reiki forged a ring "Mikaku-san would you imbue this ring with you're wind abilities" Kagome asked holding the ring out.
Excited, the gray haired pale eyed elemental female passed her own adopted child over to Keshi and skipped forward "Certainly Lady Kagome" Mikaku smiled and took the ring forcing her youkai to add wind abilities to the ring as she'd been requested to do.
When she was done she handed it back to the kitsune female and it lit up a brilliant pink "Here you go Ayumi" Kagome passed the ring over to the girl "Now to see if it works" she grinned and shot a blast of healing reiki at Ayumi.
Automatically a barrier raised and when she got to close, cutting wind blasted her backwards "Oh my god Kagome-chan I'm sorry" Ayumi leaped to Kagome's side, but her concern was unfounded as she was already healing rapidly, do to her youkai abilities.
"It's okay, in fact I expected that to happen, it proves it works and unless someone finds a way to break my barrier that isn't Inuyasha, then you're about as protected as possible" Kagome stood brushing her kimono off eyeing the children for a moment who were still doing laps.
Next she created a few daggers out of her reiki that were imbued with immobilizing qualities "Alright all that's left is practice right Kagome-chan" Ayumi quipped in an upbeat voice, though it was scary her handling weapons, she knew that it was for her own protection.
Kagome nodded then turned to Hojo "I managed to find a scalpel in that village, I bought it while no one was looking" she held out the medical tool plus a quiver full of arrows and a bow created out of strong wood that was most befitting of the brown haired monk in training.
Like Ayumi, Hojo moved over to one of the targets and started learning how to shoot an arrow, it was going to take a lot of work "As for you two girls" Kagome once again used her reiki to create two short swords that would be perfect for Yuka and Eri.
And because they'd watched all the little lessons she'd given the children while they were out traveling, Yuka and Eri went a fair distance away to try their own hand at wielding blades "Now" Kagome turned facing Keshi.
"Would you add you're flowers to these ten daggers" she sighed peering over her shoulder to see her little apprentices, Shippou, Rin, Souta and Soten practicing with their abilities now, a fond smile spread across her lips, all of this was to protect them.
Keshi added the strongest smelling flowers he could grow, which was as followed, Wisteria, Frangipani, Sweet Alyssum, Sweet Pea, Four O'clock, Chocolate Cosmos, Gardenia, Lily of the Valley, Jasmine and Rose, to all ten daggers.
Once he was finished, since Sesshomaru had already added his poison, Kagome put a scale from Hakari on each dagger and that finished off Rin's daggers, then she formed one more dagger and imbued with with protective and healing abilities and put them through the loops of a belt.
The last one was fitted to a chain and miniaturized "Rin-chan" she turned calling the little girl over to her "Here are the daggers you requested" Kagome smiled helping Rin situate her belt of daggers around her waist and tying the chain around her neck.
"There so pretty Kagome-nee-chan" Rin oohed and awed over the daggers that were a light green/blue color "Thank you very much" she bowed towards Keshi then ran off to practice with her new daggers glad that she was able to now.
Keshi chuckled "You know if I didn't see it for myself I'd think she was yours as well Lady Kagome, but to see Sesshomaru actually good at raising a child" he shook his head, it was bizarre to say the least but at least there was no more animosity between them and him.
The kitsune female smiled sheepishly before moving towards the children "Okay then time for that new training, Souta with Rin, Shippou with Soten, Natti with Me, Choko and Kokoa together" Kagome paired the seven children up with someone.
"You'll practice sparring against an opponent, hand to hand only for now" she warned when they looked at her with large wide trusting eyes, but Kagome caught the silent question in Kokoa's blue eyes that had a green tint to them "Anyone have any questions" she asked knowingly.
Kokoa jumped forward hand in the air and Kagome nodded at her to go ahead "What's the purpose of this new hand to hand combat training, I thought with our swords and priestess abilities we were protected" she chattered a mile a minute.
A wry smile spread across her lips "Well there will come a time when an opponent, ningen or otherwise will be able to over power you, in which case you lose you're sword, your bow and arrows and are unable to use you're reiki" Kagome began sucking the seven children in to her explanation.
"In that moment in time all you'll be able to rely on are you're physical strength and stamina, thus hand to hand combat" she finished patting the little girl on the head, they were extremely innocent of the dangers of this world, and she could only hope that she was able to prepare them for that.
Kokoa stepped back in line between her two sisters blue/green eyes wider than before, then "Can I spar with Rin-chan, I don't really fancy the thought of even if accidentally, my sister" she inquired shyly but Kagome shook her head.
Even Keshi and Mikaku looked curious "No even if you don't like the thought of harming someone important to you, there is always the chance those most precious to you will be used against you" Kagome started again hoping to drive this point into their heads.
"You need to be prepared for anything, the world out there isn't all sunshine and rainbows" she scolded gently "Now start sparring, and remember nothing but you're hands are allowed" Kagome reminded pulling Natti to the side.
Though as hesitate as they were both Choko and Kokoa faced each other and began their new training, sure they didn't understand half the things their sensei was telling them, but with the threat of Akuto, they had taken to paying more attention to everything going on around them lately.
A few minutes into the new training she was conducting a bunch of giggles came from the left side of the field and Kagome became distracted her brown eyes flew towards the culprit and couldn't help but start laughing herself even if Natti landed a particularly harsh blow to her stomach.
Rin had managed to pin Souta to the ground and her little brother was struggling to get out from beneath her, it was an amusing sight but Kagome didn't dare laugh, it would just cause him to pout, instead she returned to her own sparring partner and gently deflected Natti's next hit.
Natti was on her feet in a matter of seconds and charging her head on again "Halt" Kagome ordered and she froze only to get smacked on the forehead "You don't stop in the middle of a fight Natti-chan" her sensei raised an ebony brow and her cheeks flared in embarrassment.
"Sorry Kagome-sensei, I promise I won't get distracted next time" Natti narrowed her green eyes in determination jumping forward palm raised high side stepping the fist coming at her arm and leaping over the foot aimed to trip her only to get sent backwards anyway.
Kagome sighed "Don't focus on just getting a hit in, you'll become blinded and end up either dead or captured" she scolded once again and Natti trying her best to accommodate all the new commands being placed on her.
By the time Kagome called their training session over for the day, all seven children slumped to the ground tired, hungry and sweaty "Yuck" Choko grimaced hurrying off with her sisters at her sides so they could take a bath and change out of their workout clothes.
"Kaa-san that was awesome, where did you learn that cause I don't remember Lord Sesshomaru teaching you that" Shippou bounded over to her as Rin and Soten sneaked off to take their own baths and Souta continued practicing with his sword.
She plopped down on her butt and leaned back on her hands as her little kit scrambled into her lap "Well Shippou-kun, I read it in a book, thought I'd implement it into today's and possibly the next few weeks training sessions" Kagome tweaked his nose causing him to giggle at her antics.
"Lady Kagome I heard a few rumors pertaining you care to confirm or deny them for me" Mikaku sat next to the kitsune female with Kaen in her arms and Keshi sat next to her, Kagome turned her head in their direction and motioned for her to go ahead.
Across the field, Yuka, Eri, Ayumi and Hojo were still hard at work, even though they were covered in sweat and the sun was blaring down on them, if they could just get better then it might make Kagome's life a bit easier so she didn't have to worry about them all the time.
"I heard that you are the Shikon Miko is that true" Mikaku's voice filtered into their ears and they stopped their training to listen in, Kagome most likely knew they were already eavesdropping, but she probably didn't care about them doing it.
Kagome nodded and Shippou cuddled into her side "Yeah I'm the one who took down Naraku and got rid of the Jewel of Four Souls, it was ripped out of my side here" she placed her hand over the spot, it always felt empty now but she knew how to deal with it.
Mikaku's eyes widened "Why did you get rid of the little trinket, I heard it grants wishes" she asked instead of asking another one of her questions, she'd get back to them in a moment but for now she was more curious about the Jewel of Four Souls.
A snort then "That's a bit of a stretch, see whenever someone made a wish on the jewel, it tainted the wish resulting in several peoples deaths, there was only one pure wish, to have the jewel disappear forever" Kagome shook her head.
"Oh, well back to my other questions, when we first heard rumors about you, it was about the ningen Kagome Higurashi, so how did the youkai bit come about" Mikaku questioned rocking Kaen in her arms as he became a little fussy.
Another nod "I was ningen up until several months ago, when I performed the claiming ritual with my Shippou-kun, the fates intervened and turned me into a kitsune, thus making our bond all the more precious to us" Kagome smiled brightly hugging her kit to her in a show of affection.
By her side Keshi chuckled "You'll make a most excellent mother to any future kits you have, now I do believe our son needs to be cleaned up" he stood helping Mikaku up as he went and soon the trio of elemental youkai were out of sight.
Ayumi chose her chance to sit down next to Kagome seeing as she had a chance to tell her about the youkai she'd found so far to help her out at the school "So I found someone who would like to work at the school teaching youkai/hanyou children" she started.
Kagome raised an ebony brow and nodded "His name is Naraku" Ayumi admitted her cheeks turning a brilliant shade of red, Kagome nearly choked on her tongue and her brown eyes widened so wide you could see the whites.
"How the hell did that happen, don't tell me he left the Southern Wing" Kagome spluttered before groaning, Ayumi blinked her brown eyes before shaking her head "Okay so how exactly did you meet Naraku then" she asked.
The girl at her side took a deep breath "Well I turned the corner that led to the South Wing and we rammed into each other, he helped me up and then we talked and he agreed to help out in the school" Ayumi explained as quickly as possible.
Surprised that something had managed to capture Naraku's attention, Kagome tapped her chin "Okay then I'm releasing him into you're custody Ayumi-chan, but be very, very careful around him please" she stressed forehead creased in concern.
"I promise Kagome-chan but I don't think you have to worry about him, he really wants to try, in fact the minute he realized he was close to leaving the South Wing, he fled back to his rooms" she added in for effect so that the kitsune would understand.
Kagome blinked 'How about that, guess he really does want to change himself for the greater good, not to mention it seems like Ayumi-chan has a bit of a crush on him, I wonder if it's the same' she thought with an inward eye roll.
"Right then I'll leave you four to you're practice, go on and play Shippou-kun" she jumped to her feet and headed inside flying down the winding halls of the estate to the Southern Wing until she was before his door, Kagome knew he was within because his youkai brushed across hers in acceptance.
She slid the door open "Ayumi-chan just told me all about you're meeting Naraku" Kagome started closing the door behind her and sitting down on the pillow that had been placed there upon her arrival, Naraku turned towards her fully and raised a brow.
"I wondered when she would, and how long it would take for you to come here to speak with me about that" Naraku chuckled leaning back against the wall in the window nook "Does she have a suitor of any kind" he couldn't stop himself.
Kagome pointed an accusing finger at him and he thought she was going to hit him for a moment "Aha, I knew it, Ayumi-chan is perfect for you, where you're all dark, or were, she's light in all sense of the word, if anyone can get you settle down it's her" she cheered.
Silently he wondered if the girl had gone insane with everything that's happened to her in recent months, a moment later Kagome was seated again "As for her having a suitor, she does not, also you're restriction to the Southern Wing has been lifted" she began.
"You are free to wander the estate, I'll warn everyone to leave you alone unless they can be kind" Kagome sighed, glad she didn't have to worry about the spider hanyou anymore, all it had taken was beating him to a bloody pulp and making him submit, it sounded to easy.
Naraku stared at his Alpha weirdly "Can I also go outside as well" he inquired wondering how far his new freedom extended" Kagome paused in opening the door and spun around to face him, then she took a deep breath.
"Let's keep you're revival from outside influences for now and just stay inside though you may wander the gardens still" she relented to at least partially of his inquiry and Naraku nodded, her business finished, Kagome left and went to speak with her two military advisors.
Kozui spotted her first "Oh Lady Kagome, we've come up with a plan that you'd be extremely interested in" she called gesturing for the kitsune to walk between her and Ramei, everything had to go according to plan.
"So we've been searching for other priestesses around the Eastern Region that have no quarrel with youkai, and they should be arriving in a week" Ramei began looking around warily, they all had become cautious around the Estate, they never knew if Akuto had planted a spy after all.
Kagome's eyes widened "In all fifteen priestesses will be here, and we thought you could send five to each village to protect the ningen, have them set up a barrier and tend to it until the danger passed" Kozui suggested and Kagome nodded, it was a good idea.
"Now for actually facing Akuto, we have no doubt that his intentions are to come here, so instead of letting him trample upon Eastern Lands, we meet him" Ramei started again bringing a smile to Kagome's lips, she'd just been about to suggest that herself but it seems she didn't need to.
"Have a set amount of warriors with you plus seventy of the guard, while the rest patrol the lands around each village, in all directions as well, three to a squad" Kozui continued pausing for just a moment and then Ramei took over again.
"And we highly doubt that bastard will show himself at first, he'll wait to the last minute, the children will stay with Totosai a heavy protection will be placed over the mountain he's taken up home in" Ramei breathed.
Kagome sighed in relief, that way she'd be able to concentrate "Now there will probably be some casualties, but with as many healers as we have, then the damage will be minimal" Kozui frowned not relishing in the thought of losing some of their precious comrades, but it was inevitable after all.
"Yes, we'll have a tent set up far from the main battle behind an invisible barrier that those fighting can go to, to get healed by Hojo and his staff" Ramei offered and Kagome's eyes lit up, it was a perfect idea, that way less would actually die.
Kozui and Ramei shared a look "Also we want you to stay out of the fight until Akuto shows himself, then we'll get out of the way and let you two fight, is there anything else you'd like to add to our plan" Kozui asked hoping they'd done a good enough job.
Immediately they could tell that their Lady did indeed have something to add "I've been informed by a valuable source that he's amassing power through the means of dark miko, they won't be easy to take down" Kagome warned.
Horror filled them, "We understand Lady Kagome, we'll see if we can't come up with another plan to add to the one that we told you so that we may put protection in place against the dark miko" Ramei bowed and then he and Kozui left.
Glad that was over and that she'd warned her two military advisors about the danger of the dark miko, Kagome headed to the dining hall where everyone was already eating lunch and sat down herself, once she was done, she headed to her rooms and stared out over her garden.