In the shadows and dim light of the flickering candle lighting his tent, Sesshoumaru eyed the armor laid out next to his. He'd cleaned it that night three months ago, after he'd rid himself of the shame and lust. He'd planned to return the armor to her, but each morning as he dressed his gaze lingered on the red tassel she'd woven into the straps after he'd gifted it to her years ago.

If she'd been wearing her armor earlier today, she might have stepped away from the skirmish unfazed. If she'd stepped away unfazed, the scent of her blood would not be clouding his senses and driving him to the brink of lust. If lust wasn't clawing at his mind to drag him under, he would be in his father's war tent relaying the information he'd been sent to gather from the militia.

Instead, he stood in the center of his too-large tent and stared at the armor of the girl he desperately wanted to forget. Had she sought a healer yet?

His darkest desire had always been to hold her in his arms and lay claim to her, but he'd worked frantically to rid himself of such weakness, to remain stoic and unmoved by such yearnings. Never again would an inability to control his emotions result in the horrors of slaughter and death. He'd had enough dishonor to last him a lifetime that night.

Yet he could not take his eyes off her discarded armor.

A gust of wet, rainy wind burst through his tent and though the fire flickered merrily in the brazier and heat suffused the small space, he could not stop the shiver of cold rushing over him.

o.O.o

The drizzle earlier in the evening slowly evolved into a screaming, rending storm. Sesshoumaru stepped past the whipping flaps of the tent entrance soaked to the skin and found the Eastern Lord Guo and Horuto lounging near his father on a pile of furs and pillows surrounding a brazier towards the back. Stepping around the massive, map-covered table in the center of the large tent, he claimed a seat beside his father and warmed his hands over the fire.

"The second-in-command said they've had difficulties recruiting civilians to join their ranks and requested a more competent commander to help lead them," Guo said. He took a sip of tea from the cups Horuto had prepared for them and nodded in greeting to Sesshoumaru.

Sparing Kagome's bodyguard a glance, Sesshoumaru took the cup set aside for him. "The second-in-command would make a fine leader. The current commander has no sense of strategy or leadership. The time spent with them today demonstrated his complete lack of ability to communicate and earn trust." Remembering the comment the commander had made about Kagome after she left, he sneered. "He also disregards and disrespects women, refusing to allow them to join his militia."

Tōga, writing a letter as he listened, paused and gave them his full attention. "There are still many who believe our female counterparts should remain behind and warm beds and fires. Surely you noticed the sparse number of them amongst our ranks. Why are you surprised?"

Sesshoumaru set his cup down and rested his hands on the damp fabric of his hakama. "How many females have we found raped and murdered in our border villages? How many could have been prevented if they had been allowed to train and fight, to learn to protect themselves?"

Lord Guo eyed him from across the fire and frowned. "You think now, in the midst of a brewing war, is the time to train them?"

Ignoring the derisive raised brow from Horuto, Sesshoumaru shrugged. "They are wasted potential and easy targets for our enemies. If they were to be trained, they would at least buy themselves time until help arrived." He focused on his father again and lifted his chin in defiance. "Look at mother's personal guard. They are fiercer and more deadly than most of the soldiers in your ranks and all of them female. You have two female generals out of four, as well. Their potential speaks for itself."

Tōga turned to his spy turned bodyguard. "Your thoughts on this matter?"

Horuto knew what had happened in that tent. He had heard every word and witnessed the devastation on his bright, young charge's face. Knowing what he did, he did not understand the prince's motives. "Kagome and Izayoi have both shown immense improvement in the past several months. Her foolhardy decision today notwithstanding, she impressed me today. In addition, your units with female soldiers and spies have the highest success and survival rates."

Years ago, at his mate's behest, Tōga had opened his gates to all warriors regardless of gender. As Horuto said, they often proved themselves more than capable. His decision aside, he hasn't forced it outside of the official Western military—which meant most of the militia's now guarding his borders were devoid of women, and their views on women becoming warriors antiquated and outdated. "Fine. Send soldiers to each of the militia outposts and begin training the women. At the very least, they can protect their villages while their men protect the borders. Any who are deemed capable can be sent to the militias to assist where needed. They will likely need the support of an army commander. See to it."

Sesshoumaru nodded. He would see the command sent himself. "Perhaps Kagome could join them? She would prove a capable teacher for younger students."

Horuto snorted. "Kagome is as much a child as you. Don't attempt to manipulate the situation to serve your own needs. You've done enough damage pushing her away."

Gritting his teeth, Sesshoumaru snarled. "You dare-

"Enough. Kagome remains. She has her own training to see to." Ignoring the bitter stares from both and his own curiosity about what Horuto knew, Tōga returned to his letter. "This message is for the miko Midoriko. It is past time Kagome had an official teacher for her spiritual powers. While her powers today no doubt were of great use, clearly she still struggles to control them. The risk to my men is too great should she lose control."

Guo, silent throughout most of the previous debate, poured himself another cup of tea. "They say she is still a child herself and hatred for youkai is well known. She spares none."

"Age and control do not go hand in hand. She does not need to teach Kagome how to be a miko, only to control her abilities." Signing his name at the bottom of the page and sealing it closed with the wax seal of the West, he set the scroll aside. "As for her hatred, rumor has it she now travels with a youkai and has for quite some time. Perhaps her sentiments have matured."

o.O.o

Word count - 1140