"I don't need a babysitter."

Kagura rolled her eyes. "The threats that have come in against your family say otherwise."

The pompous prince crossed his arms, silver ears twitching as he glared at her. "It's not like I can't use a sword."

She took a calming breath. Kagome had warned her how difficult the younger brother would be, though she'd taken the crown prince for herself, so Kagura knew she wasn't faring any better.

The royals had known their announcement about a peace treaty was not going to be well-received, especially with how bitter the last battle had been. But an attempted assassination had happened within the first fortnight, and the king had wasted no time in hiring a band of tajiya to protect his family.

Kagura had been surprised when Sango had brought her and Kagome in on the assignment, but using women was by far the smartest move.

No one would suspect a counter-attack from someone in a silk kimono and ornate headpiece.

"A sword won't protect you from poison. Or gas. Or a youkai hallucinogen that makes you jump from your balcony," she said, ruby eyes narrowing.

"Keh, I can smell that stuff a mile away."

Fed up with his callous attitude, Kagura pulled a fan from her sleeve. "I'll make you a deal. If you can beat me, I'll leave you alone." The prince's eyes lit up, shoulders straightening. "But if you don't, you shut your trap until the rebels behind the attacks are found. No matter how long it takes."

"Fine. But don't go crying to your boss when—" She didn't wait for him to finish, slashing her fan across one shoulder, cutting off a lock of silver hair in the process. "Oi! Ya didn't even gimme a chance to—"

"Do you think your enemies will give you fair warning?" she bit out, slashing at his head again, forcing him to duck before knocking him off his feet. "Do you think they will fight fair? They will use any tricks they can, including betrayal, to win."

She kicked his hand away from the hilt of his sword as he rolled, his curses muffled against the lush carpet. Grabbing a fistful of his hair, she yanked backwards, disorienting him long enough to pin him to the floor, not a fold of her kimono out of place as she held her fan against his neck.

"The only way to win is to be on alert at all times," she said, leaning closer. "Anything and everything is a weapon. And they will wait until you are most vulnerable to strike."

Golden eyes blazed up at her as he grabbed her wrist, trying to shove her away, but Kagura was immovable. "Do you yield?"

The prince lifted his chin, muscles working in his jaw, then sighed, leaning back against the floor. "Yeah, you made your point."

She held her position, leaning closer. "Trust no one, your highness. You'll live longer." Tucking her fan back into her sleeve, she got to her feet, offering a hand to help him do the same.

"Not even you?" he asked.

Kagura snorted. "Especially not me."

He gave her a considering look, then rubbed the back of his head. "That seems kinda dumb. You should be the one person I can trust."

She raised an eyebrow at him, their gazes lingering on each other for a moment before his cheeks turned red, and he turned away. "I can see why Dad hired ya."