[Guys: important stuff: This is my last update this week. Today is the last day of school and my family has vacation until Sunday. Arizona! Billion degree weather! Fun! Anyway, I'll try to post an update on Monday, but there may not be another one for a while.]
The next day, Kagome was released from her normal duties, with the exception of meals with the family and a short lesson in the morning. Sesshomaru had arranged a private sensei for her, and training would take up most of that day. As she ate with the family, annoyance and nervousness settled over her. She hadn't wanted to learn to fight. She didn't want to be weak, but she had enough on her mind.
"If I may, Daughter of Higurashi?"
She glanced up at the Inu no Taisho, "Hmm?"
"You seem pensive," he pointed out, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
"Ah. I suppose I am, my lord. Sesshomaru-sama arranged lessons for me, but to be honest, I'm not the best at fighting."
"Then you have only to learn, my dear," Izayoi said.
"Thank you. I feel much better now."
The young girl's smile was convincing, though forced. She hadn't been nervous about the lessons. The only thing she'd been nervous about was how much she wanted them. She had been taught that men were to fight, and women to bear sons, no more, no less. For someone, especially a man, to tell her to fight, seemed odd, and out of place. But she had to, she wanted it, more than her own life, and that frightened her even more than the belittling she'd face as she trained.
She finished her meal quickly, then hurried to the dojo. When she arrived, she took in her surroundings. It was a plain room, wide and open. The sun shone in through open windows, and the smooth wood floor made her feel unusually steady on her feet.
"Hello?" she called, unsure if she was alone, or if her sensei was just out of the room.
"Hello princess," said a voice from next to her ear. She flinched but stayed silent.
"Ah. You aren't a coward. That's good."
She turned around to see a tall man with long black hair.
"My name is Naraku. I will warn you now, I am not a good person. I was picked based on skill, and I hope that you won't disappoint me."
She hated him instantly.
"What do you know?"
"I was trained to be flexible, and I have been told that I am well balanced. Other than that, I have no skill."
He huffed, "This will be more difficult than I thought. Alright. We'll start off with basic training. Running, weightlifting, basic kicks and so on. Be warned: this will not be easy."
She rolled her eyes and did as she was told.
As she trudged back to her room, her entire body was sore. Naraku had worked her to the bone, using punishments instead of rewards. If a kick missed the target, he grabbed her leg, twisting it viciously and knocking her to the ground. She purposely took the blows with her shoulders, protecting her head, but now she was in pain, and his insults rang in her head.
'You'll never earn your way to milord's side like that! How weak!'
He did love the insults.
Forcing the lesson out of her mind, she managed to get to her room. Naraku had dismissed Miroku, so she had no one to walk with. Pushing open the door, she winced at the pain it induced upon her sore muscles. She stiffly walked across the room, sitting down on the bed and groaning as she did.
"Kagome-sama? Have you returned my lady?"
"Yes, Sango-chan."
The girl entered from the balcony.
"What is wrong my lady?"
"Huh? Oh. I'm just sore is all."
"Who is your sensei?"
"Naraku," she said, purposefully dropping the honorific.
"Oh, I see. I've never liked that man either. Whenever I had to serve him..." she trailed off, shuddering.
"I'm sorry to inform you that it is time for your meal, my lady. You may rest when you return."
She nodded, getting up stiffly.
"Alright. Is Miroku-kun back yet."
"Yes, my lady."
"Okay. Bye Sango-chan."
She opened the door, and walked out, Miroku following behind her.
"How was your lesson, my lady?"
"Good. Though my sensei is a tad..."
"Naraku-san?"
"How did you know?"
"He trained me as well. I was sore for weeks."
She groaned, "I just hope I'll get the hang of it soon, that way he'll stop insulting me!"
Miroku laughed without humor, "He never stops my lady. He's most likely insulted the entire staff."
She sighed, "Fantastic."
He opened the door to the dining room for her, noting her stiffness. She took her seat between the Western Lordlings, and gasped softly as pain shot up her spine.
"Higurashi-san? May I ask what is troubling you?"
She glanced up.
"I'm a little sore is all, Izayoi-sama," she said, sending a silent glare toward Sesshomaru.
The Western Lady chuckled, "I'm sure he only has your best interests at heart."
She shrugged, immediately regretting it, "I'm sure the soreness will go away as I get stronger."
"That's the spirit, my girl," the Inu no Taisho put in, smiling warmly at her.
The conversation ended abruptly as the food was brought in, and Kagome realised she was starving.
Miroku carried her back to her room. She had nearly fallen asleep at the table and had been dismissed early. She had made it a few steps out the door, then had fallen right into his arms. He was strong, and she had fallen asleep immediately in the relaxing sway of his steps. The life of a Lady was vied for, but if anyone truly knew how much work was involved, Kagome doubted they would want it.
She woke up a little bit as she was slipped into bed.
"Sleep well, my lady," Sango murmured, and the young girl happily obeyed.
[Let me know what you thought! Byeee!]