AN: Alrighty then! I'm doing this thing where I make an outline and actually attempt to follow it instead of just opening my browser and saying… hmmm what next. Lol. I still have to map out the route, but it's good having a bit of direction, so….. here we go!

Incrementum (Growth)

Kaede calmly walked to and fro in the quaint room with her arms folded behind her back as she instructed the younger raven headed miko. She could sense Kagome's agitation and as seconds turned into minutes and minutes turned into hours the young woman began to fidget and her breathing became random.

"Focus young one. Clear your mind of all distractions and concentrate on evening out your breathing."

The younger of the two huffed in irritation before saying, "I've been focusing for two hours! What's the point of this exercise again?" Shouldn't I be trying to channel my reiki and shooting arrows or something?"

"Mastery of self is the key to the mastery of all challenges. If you cannot overcome your own mind and cease your idle thoughts for extended periods, how can you expect to achieve knowledge of your inner power?"

"But isn't that what you're supposed to be teaching me? How to channel my-"

"I can only guide you to the stream. I cannot force you to drink of it." Kaede interrupted.

"What does that even mean?" Kagome asked in an annoyed tone.

"It means 'focus' young one. How can you expect to hear if you don't listen?"

"Hear wha-" She started.

"Listen! In silence and clear your mind." Kaede spoke with finality leaving no room for argument.

Begrudgingly Kagome did as the older woman commanded and sat in silence in an attempt to listen… to Kami knows what.

…1 Week Later…

"Can we move on to something else now?" Kagome asked while peeking through a half closed eye lid.

"No child. Though I am slightly impressed that you lasted as long as you did before asking that." Kaede half laughed from her crossed leg position across from the easily distracted miko.

….1 Month Later…

Darkness… silence… warmth.

The slight frame of a lone figure stood in solitude partially submerged in a steady stream of water. A cool gust of wind caused ripples to form and currents to rapidly rush pass her. Raven tresses whipped and whirled in the breeze yet silence permeated the atmosphere.

Kagome…

The whispered echo of her name resonated throughout the atmosphere when suddenly a solitary light emitted from what seemed to be the center of the warm, dark place.

Remember… Kagome….

Memories flashed though her mind's eye. A slide… a swing set and a small boy in tears clutching his singed hand to his chest as shock and fear clouded his eyes.

"Stay away! Don't come near me!"

Stay away… stay away… stay away….

"What did you do to him?!"

What did you do…

The small trembling voice of a woman child stuttered forth, "I-I-I didn't! I didn't mean to! Please! I'm sorry!"

Kaede took in the constant stream of tears flowing down her student's face as she sat in isolation. In spite of the tears her breathing was even and her heart rate was steady. It seemed as though the younger woman finally had a break through.

Kagome's eyes abruptly snapped open. "I remembered something old lady."

The older woman ignored the younger's cutting retort. "So you finally listened, and heard hn?"

Nodding in confirmation Kagome began describing what happened during her meditation. "I was a small child and I hurt a friend by accident. Then I didn't understand what happened but it's become clear that the boy had youkai blood and I purified him. It may seem petty-" she laughed humorlessly, "but it was a traumatic experience for me. I did everything in my power to suppress that memory. I didn't understand my powers and they frightened me." She said full of emotion. " I-I… I thought I was a monster."

A few moments of silence passed as the two women regarded each other.

"You've progressed girl. As I told you, you are your own worst enemy." Kaede smiled reassuringly at the blue eyed beauty. "Now we can move on to teaching you to harness your power as a defense mechanism."

Kagome grinned triumphantly.

….…Another month later…..

Kagome's reiki swirled around her as she focused on directing the flow of the massive energy. Closing her eyes, she willed the power to expand in front of her before pulling it back and forcing it to change direction. She then withdrew her powers and focused her ki to her fingertips with ease. Before Kaede could blink, Kagome sent a wave of energy across the room and a string of wooden mannequins violently went tumbling down.

The older miko crossed the room slowly to observe the fallen target dummies. There was a small hole the size of a golf ball in each of the targets. She didn't allow the shock to show on her face but Kaede was thoroughly impressed. In such a short amount of time Kagome was able to conquer self and utilize her reiki with unheard of precision.

As Kagome gathered her things and prepared to depart as she usually did after training Kaede stopped her at the large portal leading to the exit of the temple.

"It seems I have taught you all that I can child. You have made me proud."

Kagome's eyes widened to the size of saucers as she registered the words of her mentor. "Are you serious!?"

Kaede only nodded as laugh lines creased to allow a genuine smile to brighten her face.

….

"Are you ready Kagome?" Came the smooth baritone of the handsome youkai before her.

"The test? No problem I've been preparing for this thing for months now. I'm more worried about what happens after the exam."

"You're referring to the oath and meeting my father?" Sesshoumaru queried.

Kagome nodded once while biting her lip. I still haven't told my dad about us. If inu youkai's noses are as sensitive as you say-"

"They are." He interrupted."

"Then he's bound to know our relationship without us having to say much." She finished.

"Would you like to inform your father of our relationship?" He asked.

"No time is ever a good time. We've waited so long to tell him, and now when we do we'll be making the announcement that we're leaving the firm. I mean, I'm sure he won't have an issue with 'us…' and it's kinda hard for me to believe Mom's kept totally silent about everything considering the strange looks he's been giving us during our monthly meetings lately…" She sighed while brushing her hair behind her ear, "He's going to accuse me of stealing you from him-"

"Didn't you though?" He laughed in an attempt to make light of her worry.

Instead of laughing she rolled her eyes, "If I recall It didn't take much persuading."

"Well who can resist a beautiful woman?" He teased before leaning down to capture her lips. "Cease you're worrying woman. What will be shall be. Now focus on the task at hand. I'll see you on the other side." He finished while shooing her behind the examination door.

…

"Well?" He asked.

"I told you before I wasn't worried… but we'll find out in a week."

….

A human shaped torpedo with black hair raced through the law firm causing multiple sets of eyes to look on in curiosity. Rushing pass and ignoring Sesshoumaru's new secretary as her voice called out, "-Ms. Higura Ma'am! He's on the phone with a cli" She burst through the disguised inu's office door and paused a moment to catch her breath while holding up a sealed white envelope.

Sesshoumaru regarded her curiously, placing his hand over the receiver of the phone urging her to calm down.

"Yes Mr. Clarkson. How about we meet over coffee to iron out the details of the contract. That way We can make sure we address everything. We want to be sure to dot all of our 'I's' and cross all of our 'T's' when dealing with a merger of this magnitude." After a few short nods and an abrupt salutation, Sesshoumaru shifted his focus to the rocking and fidgety woman opposite him.

"I would have thought Kaede's training taught you patience woman."

"Oh hush! My results came back!" She exclaimed.

"Weren't you overly confident on the day of the exam? Why so excited all of a sudden?"

"Would you just open it!" She said handing him the envelope.

Removing the letter opener from his desk he gracefully used said tool to pry the glued paper apart and removed its contents. His eyes roved the paper inside before he said, "Congratulations onna. 'The Western Cardinal Lord of the 7 Youkai Cardinals would like to extend the honor of participating in the youkai law commissioning ceremony where you will take your oath and vow to uphold justice within the youkai community.'" He quoted.

Kagome let out a breath of air she didn't know she was holding as she plopped down in the chair across from his desk. Well, now that that's over, I suppose it's time to tell Mr. Higurashi that his daughter is leaving the nest and taking his perspective new partner with her."

"Indeed…" Sesshoumaru laughed.

….

AN: Eh… I thought this chapter was a little boring but it's needed for character depth/growth as well as transitioning into the next arc of the story. Please let me know what you think. Review please! I get giddy and excited when you do :)