Chapter 2

The battlefield stretched out before Kagome like a chaotic sea of steel and blood. The sky was painted a murky red as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting an eerie glow over the clash of warriors. The Tashio clan, renowned for their unyielding ferocity, was locked in a brutal campaign against a horde that threatened the peace of the western lands. Kagome, clad in dark armor etched with the intricate markings of her lineage, wielded her bow with deadly precision. Each arrow she loosed cut through the din of battle, finding its mark as if guided by fate itself.

Suddenly, a bellowing roar rolled over the chaos, louder than the clamor of steel on steel. Kagome's keen eyes caught sight of a massive figure barreling through enemy lines, wielding an axe that seemed more like a slab of sharpened iron than a weapon. He was taller and broader than any man she had ever seen, muscles straining beneath the blood-slicked leather of his armor. He fought with a savage joy that bordered on reckless, a feral grin splitting his blood-smeared face.

"Who is that?" she muttered, half to herself, her arrow pausing on the string.

The warrior, with a battle cry that shook the ground, cleaved through a line of foes as if they were nothing more than reeds. It was only when he spun, eyes catching hers across the field, that she saw them—bright, wild, and filled with a kind of primal warmth that contrasted starkly with the carnage surrounding him. He was a Goliath, a creature of myth and legend, standing out like a god of war among mortals.

For a moment, the world around them seemed to slow, the chaos muffled by the drumbeat of her heart. Kagome's sharp senses picked up the thrum of power radiating from him. There was more to this warrior than raw strength; he carried himself with a kind of defiant spirit that resonated with her own.

He stomped forward, boots sinking into the mud as he cut down another foe, then shouted in a voice that carried above the din, "Oi, lass! You fight like you've got fire in your veins!"

Kagome's eyes narrowed, a smirk curving her lips despite the battle raging around them. "And you fight like a madman who forgot to duck!"

The Goliath let out a booming laugh, the sound so unexpected that it made her heart thrum harder. He stepped closer, a ferocious grin still lighting his face even as he stood amidst the fallen. "Name's Grog Strongjaw! Let's see if you can keep up, little flower!"

With that, he turned and launched himself back into the fray, clearing a path through the enemy forces with such force that Kagome could only watch in awe. But the fire he'd sparked in her chest blazed brighter, and she followed, bow at the ready, determination in her stride.

That night, when the battle was won and the stars hung heavy above them, Kagome found herself sitting beside Grog by the fire, their exhaustion laced with unspoken understanding.

"Never seen anyone fight like you," Grog said, his voice lower, softer than before. His eyes, though fierce, held a spark of admiration.

Kagome met his gaze, feeling the first stirrings of something she hadn't expected. "And I've never seen a Goliath laugh in the face of death."

He smirked, a roguish tilt to his lips. "There's a first time for everything, aye?"

In that moment, surrounded by the scent of smoke and victory, Kagome knew she'd found a kindred spirit—a warrior who, like her, carried both a burden and a fire that refused to be extinguished.

As the laughter and camaraderie filled the tavern, Scanlan's eyes sparkled with mischief as he sidled over to Kagome. He couldn't resist the intrigue of Grog's former flame, especially one as striking and enigmatic as Kagome. Her presence was as warm as it was fierce, her demeanor both calm and commanding. Scanlan saw the perfect opportunity for some entertainment—and perhaps, a bit of gossip.

"Well, well, what have we here? Lady Kagome of the Tashio clan, a legend herself," he said, bowing flamboyantly. "Mind if I join you for a drink, milady?" His grin widened as he took her hand in his, placing a quick, daring kiss on her knuckles. "And perhaps you'd indulge me in some… stories about a certain ogre-ish friend of mine?"

Kagome raised a brow, her lips curving into an amused smile. She glanced at Grog, who looked torn between embarrassment and pride, and then back at Scanlan, playing along. "Oh, I have a few tales about him… though I'd hate to embarrass him too much."

Grog let out a loud, nervous laugh, scratching the back of his head as he tried to deflect. "Hey now, Kagome, no need to bring up… you know… any of that stuff!"

Koji's eyes gleamed with curiosity, practically leaning forward to catch every word. "Please, Mother, I'd love to hear about his… antics."

Scanlan clapped his hands together, his enthusiasm practically bubbling over. "That's the spirit, Koji! A mother's stories about an old love—that's gold, my friend."

Kagome chuckled, a mischievous spark in her eye. "Well… there was the time Grog accidentally mistook a washtub for a battlefield." She paused for effect, raising a hand to her lips to stifle a laugh. "He had apparently been knocked over the head by a rival and stumbled into the camp, mistaking every bucket, washtub, and crate for an enemy soldier."

Grog groaned, but couldn't help but grin, memories flooding back. "I told ya, I was dazed. Could've happened to anyone."

Koji covered his mouth, trying to suppress a laugh, but his eyes sparkled with admiration for his mother, clearly a mama's boy through and through. Seeing his mother relaxed and laughing with these people, even with Grog, softened him a little.

Kagome turned to Scanlan, her tone a mix of warmth and humor. "But that's not all. Once, in the middle of a skirmish, he insisted on calling out his attacks by name, as if his enemies should be honored to know what was about to flatten them." She gave Grog a playful glance. "It was both endearing and, admittedly, rather effective."

"Ah-ha! A man after my own heart," Scanlan proclaimed, giving Grog a hearty clap on the back. "Nothing like a little flare to keep your enemies on their toes, am I right?"

Grog just shook his head, looking at Kagome with that same look he'd had back then. Memories surfaced, each one clearer and more intense than the last. He remembered her on the battlefield, like a delicate flower blossoming in the harshest soil, a vivid contrast to the blood and destruction around them. She had shone brighter than the chaos, the one beautiful, fearless constant in the carnage.

As Grog looked at her now, the years seemed to fall away, and he saw her as he had back then, a fierce beauty amidst a storm of ruin. His heart softened, and for a moment, he was just the young warrior who had fallen for a woman who seemed beyond his world.

Koji noticed his father's gaze and stiffened slightly, protective of his mother as always. But Kagome placed a gentle hand on Koji's shoulder, and he relaxed, comforted by her presence. Kagome caught Grog's eye, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

But of course, Scanlan had no intention of letting the moment get too sentimental. "So, Kagome," he began with a wink, "what exactly made you fall for our big lug over here?"

Kagome's eyes sparkled with fondness. "He was… kind, in his own way. Strong, too—he was someone I knew I could count on in battle and in peace." She gave Grog a soft smile, one that spoke of the many memories they shared.

Grog's cheeks turned pink, which was quite a feat for the usually tough barbarian. "Aw, Kagome, y'don't have to go makin' me blush in front of everyone now…"

Koji, watching the exchange, leaned closer to Scanlan. "I… I never knew he could be like that. I suppose… I have something to learn."

Scanlan leaned in with a wink. "Kid, stick around. You're about to see a side of your dad no one else does. Just try to keep him from wrestling any more washtubs."