InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bleed and Breathe ❯ Duties ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

“Sesshomaru-sama?”

“What?”
< br> “What does a Lady of the House have to do?” If Kagome had really thought he would answer her she was crazy.

“Do I look like a lady?” Kagome was sooooo tempted to say sometimes. “Yuri will fill you in on your duties as they come about. I suggest you get some rest, your days will be beginning quite early.”

She already hated him. Not really hated, but when he is so damn suggestive of thing but vague at the same time. That’s something she is going to have to work on. Kagome walked out of the study and found Yuri waiting for her. The two walked down the hall in silence before Yuri just had to ask, “So, how did it go. I was a little worried when I heard something hit the wall.”

“Hehe, yea um, that would have been my body hitting the wall when he threw me up against it.” Kagome put her hand to her throat. Yep, that was going to bruise. Yuri was staring at her like Kagome had lied to her. “I kind of deserved it. I was pretty disrespectful.” She smiled despite herself. Any other tai-youkai would have killed her without a second thought. Sesshomaru on the other hand, well something was going on. He never did anything without a motive, she was no exception.

“Anyways, he gave me the duties of Lady of the House, whatever that means. He said you would fill me in.”

“He gave you the duties as Lady of the House? Do you even know what that means?” Kagome shook her head in the negative. “Lady Kagome, you now have the same responsibilities that his mate would have should he decide to take one. Other than being his mate, Lady of the House is the highest position a woman can hold.”

“You can’t be serious. He gave me that kind of a position?” Kagome was in shock.

“Lady Kagome, the only way to relinquish these responsibilities is if Lord Sesshomaru takes a mate and they become the new Lady of the West.” They walked into Kagome’s room and sat on the bed.

“What have I gotten myself into Yuri?”

“I don’t know my Lady, but things are going to be quite interesting around here.” Kagome had her head in her hands. “Why don’t you get some rest, I heard him say your day starts early so it seems your duties begin tomorrow. I will come and wake you in the morning.”

Kagome climbed under the covers and got comfy. “Thanks Yuri, I’ll se you in the morning. Oh and Yuri, just call me Kagome ok, the whole Lady thing is kinda weird.”

Yuri smiled. “Ok Kagome, get some rest.” Yuri closed the door and Kagome tried to relax. She was nervous about tomorrow. If she was going to sleep it was going to be restless.

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“Anari.” Sesshomaru called to the guard stationed outside the study.

“Yes my Lord?”

“Go and get Ronin, I need to see him immediately.”

“Yes sir.” Anari turned and jogged down the hall to get Ronin. Ronin is the main guard, and Sesshomaru’s closest actual friend.

Sesshomaru walked over to the balcony and leaned against the railing. He looked out around the vast expanse of gardens and small forest. There were no guards on this side of the wall. No one had actually been foolish enough to try and get into the castle for years, and all the ones who had tried before had perished. He let himself drift into his thoughts which mainly consisted of the miko living with him. There was something about her that intrigued him. Her spirit seemed to call to his no matter how much he tried to tell himself it wasn’t true. Truth be told, he wasn’t going to give her those duties. He sure as hell had no intentions of training her. That all changed though when he had her against the wall. She didn’t notice it, and he barely did, but there was a slight increase in her power when that moment happened. He had seen her fight and that power was never there before when she was really truly threatened. Sesshomaru wanted to see what this new power was; once again his curiosity got the better of him. He walked over to one of the shelves and grabbed a beautifully carved box. He walked over to his desk and sat back down as he opened the box. Inside was a beautiful necklace with a blue diamond shaped jewel at the center. Silver leaves interlocked to form the chain and the centerpiece behind the jewel was also a leaf. It was a beautiful necklace given to him by a once beautiful woman.

He looked up just as Ronin entered the room. “You summoned me my Lord?”

“Ronin, you know of the miko that is staying here?”

“Yes, I have heard of her.”

“I leave in two days. You will find the monk Nobuto. Give him this box and this letter and bring him here. He will train her for a month, and then you will join him and train her until I return.”

“My Lord, you want me to train a human?”

“She has requested to be trained. She needs spiritual and physical training. She has also been given the responsibilities as Lady of the House; make sure she is treated as such.”

“Sesshomaru-sama, I am not questioning what you have just told me, but I wonder why? Who is this human that you would treat her in this manner?”

Sesshomaru looked at Ronin. “I am your friend as well as your guard my Lord. I will do what you tell me. You know I am loyal to you.”

“I know Ronin. For now let it be. I want to see her abilities, that is all. She has immense spiritual powers that were not there before; keep that in mind when training her.”

“Yes my Lord. I shall leave immediately.” Ronin grabbed the box and letter from Sesshomaru and left to find the monk.

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Kagome woke up bright and early, even before Yuri came to get her. She sat up and it didn’t hurt this time. She had healed completely almost; she thought it was because of the sword. She stretched and walked over to the balcony. It was a crisp morning and the mist hanging over the gardens made her think she was still dreaming. It was so beautiful it took her breath away. Yuri walked in to find Kagome outside.

“Lady Kagome? Are you alright?”

“Hmm? Oh yes Yuri, I’m fine. Actually I’m great. I don’t hurt really at all, just feels kind of like a bruise. Please just call me Kagome remember?”

“Well Kagome, that’s great that you healed that much overnight. I hope you are feeling rested too, because I get to fill you in on all the things the Lady of the House gets to do. Let’s get you dressed.”

Kagome walked back inside while Yuri picked out a kimono for her to wear. She chose a plain forest green kimono with a gold obi. She helped Kagome get dressed since Kagome had never worn an actual kimono before. Yuri put her hair in a high bun again with some loose pieces hanging around her face. In one of the drawers was a forest green jeweled comb that was put in the top of he bun. Kagome looked at herself in the mirror and didn’t recognize herself.

“This is so weird.” Kagome said staring at herself.

“What is?” Yuri gave her a weird look. “Does it not look right?”

“No, no, it’s beautiful. I just have never been one to wear these kinds of things. Guess ill just have to get used to it.”

“What are you used to wearing? Perhaps I could find something you would be more comfortable in.”

“I don’t think you will be able to find anything around here like what I am used to Yuri, but thanks anyways. Besides, I always wanted to be a princess, now I get to dress like one!” Kagome smiled at Yuri reassuring her that everything was alright. Yuri sat her down at the vanity and opened up the jewelry box that she saw yesterday. She pulled out some dangling earrings that had green jewels at the bottom. Underneath the jewelry was some makeup.

“I don’t have to get my face all white do I?”

Yuri giggled. “No you don’t, I personally don’t care for that either. Just some normal makeup.” Yuri pulled out green eyeliner and put it on Kagome. The grey in her eyes really stood out and looked sultry. A neutral lip gloss and a pink blush finished the look. Kagome looked at herself in the mirror and touched her face. She had never looked so beautiful.

“Yuri. I don’t think I have ever looked like this. I just, wow.”

Yuri was pleased with her work as well. “You are a natural beauty Kagome. The makeup just helped define it.”

They looked in the mirror for a while before Yuri snapped out of it. “Kagome we need to go. There are a lot of people to meet and a lot for you to learn”

“Oh yes.” Kagome got up and they started walking towards the door. “I almost forgot. So what’s first?”

“Breakfast. Lord Sesshomaru is still here and will be joining you. Shippo and Rin will be there too.”

As the two walked down the hall towards the stairs Shippo and Rin came out of their room.

“You two share a room?” Kagome asked Shippo.

“Yeah. Sesshomaru-sama had them move a bed in with Rin. I was a little scared in my other room. He said I kept waking him up with my ‘incessant’ whining and crying.” Shippo said trying to mimic Sesshomaru’s voice while everyone giggled at the attempt. “You look really beautiful mama. Why are you dressed like that?”

“Yeah Kagaome-chan, why are you dressed like that?” Rin chimed in. she had been quiet for quite sometime now.

Kagome looked at the little girl. She was something different. The first human Sesshomaru revived and took in. Rin reminded her a lot of herself at that age with the missing teeth and messy hair. “Well Rin-chan, Sesshomaru-sama gave me some responsibilities and I kind of have to dress like this.”

“Well you do look really beautiful. I bet Sesshomaru-sama will think so too.” Kagome’s face turned about ten shades of red. Luckily the kids didn’t see since they ran into the dining room to wait for breakfast.

Kagome knew that Yuri had seen it though, and turned to look at her. Yuri was just staring at her with this grin on her face (you know those kinds of grins). “What!”

“Nothing Kagome, I was just wondering how you get that beautiful shade of pink all over your face?”

“You would have blushed too at a random comment like that, especially from a child.” Yuri didn’t say anything as they walked into the dining room. Sesshomaru was already seated at the head of the enormous table. Rin sat on one side of him while Shippo sat on the other side saving a spot for Kagome between him and Sesshomaru. Speaking of Sesshomaru, he couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off of Kagome.

“Good morning Sesshomaru-sama.” Kagome smiled at him while a slight blush graced her cheeks for the second time this morning. His eyes made her nervous. “Do I look ok for the duties I have to learn today?”

Sesshomaru looked her up and down. She did look quite beautiful for a human naturally, but this was different. She was stunning and this was just a normal kimono. My god what was he thinking. He mentally reprimanded himself before answering her question. “Your attire is acceptable for your duties.” Of course this came out cold and somewhat condescending.

‘Acceptable!’ she thought. ‘I look amazing and to him it is just acceptable.’ she took a deep breath to calm her rising frustration. “Thank you.” she said as polite as she could.

He had felt her frustration and it amused him. ‘So she wants my approval on her attire? I wonder what else she will want my approval on.’ Things could get very interesting.

Kagome sat down just as breakfast was being served. They all ate and talked about meaningless things to keep he silence from being unbearable, all except Sesshomaru. No one knew it but he was studying Kagome. He saw the way she treated Shippo whom she had adopted and how she treated Rin. It seemed as if she had already attached herself to the girl. Time would tell how much. That’s when Sesshomaru got an idea.

“Most women are not educated, but you seem to be, somewhat.” Everyone grew quiet when he spoke.

“I am educated enough. Kagome said. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You will teach Rin. Reading and writing. I believe it will be good for her to know these things though most women do not.”

Kagome stared at him. “You want me to tutor her?”

“That is what I just said, or was I wrong believing that you would understand me?”

Kagome narrowed her eyes. “I understood you just fine thank you very much. And I will tutor her and Shippo.”

“Good you begin tomorrow and will work it into your schedule everyday. Between training, your normal duties and this, you should stay busy enough to stay out of trouble.”

“There are only so many hours in a day, and I don’t even know what my duties are yet.”

“You’re smart, I am sure you will find a way to make everything work.” Sesshomaru was such a smart ass. Kagome knew he was testing her. There was no way she was going to fail on this; she would never let him win on such a challenge.

“I suggest you hurry and eat miko, there is much for you to learn with only so many hours in a day.” With that he got up and left.

Yep, she was really going to dislike him. It was ok though. He was going to push her buttons and she could push his too. Everyone has a breaking point and she would find his if it killed her. ‘He won’t get the best of me’

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Ronin had traveled most of the night after he talked to Sesshomaru. He had heard of this monk, this Nobuto. Supposedly this monk possessed great spiritual power, one of the strongest these parts had ever seen. Nobuto was not well known however, since he was a recluse, only coming out when there was a great crisis. The only reason Ronin knew of him was because he had come asking for the Lord of the West’s assistance years ago. Ronin could only assume that this was the favor that the monk owed his master. It was well into the morning when Ronin arrived at the place he was told the monk stayed. It was like something you would see in a storybook. Deep in the forest was a cliff side waterfall complete with a clear sparkling pool. It was covered by shrubs and trees but he could make it out with his powerful eyes. There was a path leading into the waterfall on the side of the cliff. He started his way up the path and looked out towards the forest. Ronin understood what would make the monk want to live here. It was beautiful and peaceful, something that this warrior had always appreciated. He was born into a world of fighting, death and destruction, but even with the way he was raised he still saw the beauty in everything. Taking a deep breath he made his way to where the waterfall covered the path to outsiders. He could see the cave entrance the closer he got but was abruptly stopped by an energy field that launched him back into the lake.

‘Well isn’t that a nice welcoming.’ he thought as he swam back to shore and attempted the climb again. Not wanting to have another run in with this energy field he stopped when he could see the entrance. “Nobuto! The Lord of the West sends a message!” he called into the cave. He could hear his echoes off the walls so he damn sure knew that this monk would hear them. He waited for a good five minutes until he heard shuffling inside. When the man finally came into the light Ronin could hardly believe his eyes. This man had to be one hundred years old at least.

“Actually I am one hundred and nineteen if I can recall right.” the old man said.

“You can read minds?”

“I have the ability, yes. Now state your business and go.” This one had some balls if he really knew who Ronin was.

“I am looking for the monk Nobuto.”

“I am who you seek.” Ronin wanted to think something really awful right now but restrained himself.

“I am the head guard for the great Lord Sesshomaru. He has sent me to give you this message and bring you to the palace.” The old man studied this demon before him for a few seconds as if looking for any lie or danger. He waved his hand in front of him once.

“Come in.” Ronin carefully stepped forward expecting to be thrown into the water but was pleasantly surprised when he just stepped into the cave. The two walked down a narrow path for a few minutes before coming to a big opening. It wasn’t much, but the monk had made this his home. There was a real bed to sleep in with big blankets to keep warm. There was a large fire pit in the middle with pots and pans against the far wall. There were some clothes stacked by his bed.

“What is it that Lord Sesshomaru wants from an old monk?” Nobuto was sitting on his bed looking at the guard sent to retrieve him.

“If you can read minds wouldn’t you already know that?” Ronin eyed the monk.

“Haha!” Nobuto laughed. “You know, when I first figured out how to read minds I did it all the time. I started going crazy with other people’s thoughts in my head. All the worries and fears and bad thoughts stood out above all the rest. I tried to help people get over these things, but they became paranoid and defensive, not wanting to except help from another. People are so insecure in their own skin. So I stopped reading minds all the time. When I first meet someone, like I did you, I will read their mind to see if they are a danger to me. You do not seem to be a threat, so I do not feel I should meddle in your mind. Was I mistaken?”

Ronin was taken aback. He has this power but does not use it? “I have no intentions of harming you unless you refuse to come with me.”

“Well, now that we are in agreement, what is it that your Lord Master wants?”

Ronin approached the bed and handed the man the letter. Nobuto read the letter slowly, absorbing each word. “So, he is calling in his favor,” Nobuto said to himself. “It is a miko I am to train right? She has had no pervious training?”

“That is correct. As for her training I don’t know she was brought to the castle a few days ago unconscious. You are to train her for a month and then I am to begin physical training along with your spiritual.”

“Ah, I see. Where is this necklace?” Ronin handed him the box. He opened it and gazed at the beautiful jewel in the middle. Now he understood why he didn’t know this guard was coming. “Beautiful.” he looked at Ronin as he shut the box. “When do we leave?”

“Now if you are ready. It will take us all day and part of tomorrow to get back if we make minimal stops.”

“Do you doubt my abilities boy?”

“No offense, but you are an old man, much older than any human I have ever met.” Nobuto was gathering the belongings he would need; clothes, herbs and other things to help train Kagome. He also grabbed an old mat that he used to meditate on.

“Grab these for me and set them outside. I will meet you in five minutes.” Ronin did as he was asked and waited outside. Nobuto looked around the place he had called his home for many years. He wasn’t sure if he would make it back. He was getting to be an old man, and if this was the last time he would see his little piece of earth he would remember it for the rest of his days. He walked outside and put the barrier back up. He looked at Ronin and smiled. “Just in case I do come back. Don’t want anyone else living here.”

Nobuto unrolled his mat and sat the rest of his belongings on it. He sat down on the mat and looked at Ronin. “You wouldn’t happen to have anything to eat would you? I haven’t eaten yet and this will be a long trip.”

“Um sure.” Ronin pulled out a couple pieces of jerky. “It’s not much, but we can eat when we make camp. Would you mind eating while we walk?” Ronin was wondering what the hell this guy was doing like they had all day to sit and chit chat.

“I’m waiting for you to lead the way boy; I plan on eating while we head back.”

“Right, it’s this way.” Ronin pointed in the direction of the castle.

“Well let’s go then” Nobuto closed his eyes and the mat began to levitate. Ronin about shit his pants. “Come on boy lead the way, we don’t have all day.”

Ronin started walking and Nobuto followed him on the mat. He started running and the monk was right behind him. Ronin was impressed. ‘I wonder how the ningen will handle training with this character.

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Kagome was tired and it was only mid-afternoon. She really had to do all this? The kids had been outside playing for most of the day while Kagome was being introduced to the staff and the heads of each section. Kagome herself did not have to do anything, but if there was a problem that the heads of staff could not solve then that became her responsibility. Any large decisions were now to be made by her, some with Sesshomaru’s approval of course. If any guests were to arrive she was to have their quarters ready and arrangements all worked out. She did have quite a bit of responsibility, but at the same time she didn’t. By the time lunch came up she had only been halfway through the castle.

She met the kids in the dining room and had lunch with them. Yuri went to leave but Kagome asked her to stay.

“Kagome, servants are not supposed to eat here, this is for you.”

“Yuri, you are my friend and when Sesshomaru is not around you are more than welcome to have lunch with me. Besides, we can still talk and you can fill me in on some other things.”

“Mama?”

“Yes Shippo?”

“Am I ever going to spend anytime with you?”

“Yes honey, I will have all day with you tomorrow and you can show me around the gardens. Actually, I will be teaching you and Rin everyday how to read and write.”

“Really!” they both said.

“Yep. We’ll start tomorrow.”

Lunch ended and the kids went to take their naps. Kagome went with Yuri and saw the rest of the castle. The rest of the day was pretty eventless and Sesshomaru was not there for dinner. Kagome decided to eat in the kitchen with some of the other servants so she could get to know them. They were all kind of quiet since they had never eaten with someone of importance, but Kagome was very kind and they warmed up quickly to her. They liked how she was very down to earth and how she didn’t order them around. If anything she seemed to be like them and they liked that about her. It had been a long day and Kagome and the kids went off to bed.

The next day Kagome woke up and went down to breakfast with Yuri. She was dressed just like she was yesterday, except it was a deep purple kimono. Sesshomaru was present and she sat next to him again.

“Good morning Lord Sesshomaru.” He nodded his head at her. “Your home is very beautiful; I can’t wait for the kids to show me around the gardens before we have our class.” She smiled at the kids. They were excited about spending the day with her, especially Shippo.

“Do you understand your duties? You will be in charge while I am gone, I would like my home to still be in one piece when I get back.”

“Very funny.” she glared at him. “I think I get it for the most part. The people you have working for you know what they are doing, they don’t need me ordering them around but if there is a problem I am sure I can handle it. Anything that I don’t know I can ask Yuri for help.”

“I was told she had lunch in here with you and that you ate in the kitchens with the rest of the servants. Why? They are not allowed in here and it is unheard of for someone of status to eat with them.”

“I asked Yuri to eat with me. She is my friend and she told me more of things I needed to know. I didn’t think it would hurt anything. As for me eating in the kitchens, if I am going to be working with them at different times I would like to get to know them. I really am not anyone of great stature, and I see no harm in getting to know them. Don’t you know any of them?” She looked at him and he just stared at her. He didn’t say anything so she took that as a no. Breakfast ended and she told the kids she would meet them outside. She ran to Sesshomaru as he was leaving.

“Lord Sesshomaru!” He stopped as she approached him. He turned to look at her. “If there are things that are really not allowed now would be the time to tell me. Otherwise please trust me. You put me in a position and I am doing what I think is right.”

He thought about what she had said for a few seconds before answering her. “If you do something wrong you will know it. Do what you want as long as everything is taken care of.”

“Thanks.” He turned to leave but stopped again when she spoke. “Um, I have one more question.”

“You talk too much. What is it?” He was beginning to get annoyed.

‘I talk too much? You talk too little.’ she thought. “While you are gone, you…you aren’t going to look for Inuyasha are you?”

“Girl I have no desire to look for the hanyou. He is a waste of my time and I have other important things to worry about.”

“It’s just; I thought you wanted to kill him.”

“We made a deal. How are you to save him if I kill him?”

That made sense. She smiled at him “Thank you Sesshomaru-sama. If I don’t see you again before you leave I hope that you return safely.” She bowed and went to go find the children.

‘Did she just wish for my safety?’ he thought to himself. He didn’t like how he was beginning to feel around her. He wanted to be around her, and even though she annoyed him, a lot, he still wanted to hear her voice. He was very curious as to how her training would go while he was gone, but he would have to wait and see. There were pressing matters that had to be taken care of. “Jaken.” The toad demon ran into the room. He was never far from his master.

“Yes Milord?”

“Prepare things for us to go, we leave late tonight.”

“Yes Milord.”

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Kagome met Shippo, Rin and Yuri outside. It was the first time she had been out of the castle since she arrived. She looked up and couldn’t believe the beauty and color that surrounded her. Right when she walked out the door she stepped onto a stone path surrounded by all kinds of flowers. There were small trees sporadically mixed in shaped in circles with flowers blooming. The path split off into three different ones that eventually all joined in the massive forest that was covered in green cut grass and random flowers that surrounded some of the trees. They decided to take the path that went to the right. It all circled the forest and Kagome discovered that there were many more paths. She could get lost in this forest and she would love it. It was protected and she felt safe. There were some clearings here and there that the kids played tag in. Kagome lay down in the tall grass and just relaxed. She felt at peace. She didn’t realize how much she had missed being outside. Yuri had left her with Rin and Shippo to go and get them some lunch. They were all excited for a picnic, Rin had never had one.

“Kagome, how would you like to teach the children outside today? You look so much better being out here and I think they would enjoy it too.”

“That sounds great Yuri. I feel so much better being out here, its like nature feeds me you know.”

“Yes I get that. You seem so much stronger. They are getting things set up right now in the gazebo. There are a couple of desks with paper and writing utensils. We don’t have much here for kids, but I am sure we could go to one of the nearby villages one day and get some things.”

After lunch they all headed to the gazebo so Kagome could begin their lessons. One of the servants had found a book that Kagome could use to read to them.
“Lady Kagome,” the servant approached her with the book, “this was given to me by my sister when I had my pups. They loved it when they were young and I thought you might be able to use it with them.”

Kagome smiled and took the book. “Thank you! I’m sure this will work great for them. I’ll take really good care of it. What is your name?”

“Keely My Lady.”

“Thank you Keely.”

“You’re welcome My Lady.” She bowed and went back to the castle to finish her duties for the day.

Yuri looked at Kagome. “Many of the servants have already heard of your kindness and how down to earth you are. There will be many of them that will like to meet you, but also understand that there are some that simply do not like humans. If any of them are rude to you or threaten you, you need to tell someone. You are in a position that deserves respect, and since Lord Sesshomaru put you in that position he will not tolerate disrespect towards you.”

“I understand Yuri. If anything happens I would like to try and handle it myself. You never know, things change and maybe I can help make that happen. If it gets too bad I will tell someone though.”

Kagome spent the rest of the afternoon working with Rin and Shippo. They didn’t even realize what time it was until they were called in for dinner. They decided to eat in the kitchen for dinner again. Kagome said the dining was too big and formal for just three of them to eat in and they would much rather have company. The kitchen staff was quickly beginning to really like Kagome. She was rather humorous too. Everyone was rather tired; it had been a long day.

“You should get some rest Kagome, you have to teach them again tomorrow and your training begins as well” Yuri told her as she was taking her bath. Sesshomaru had already left, so they decided to sneak into his hot spring.

“I know. I’m really excited to be trained. I have never had any formal teaching on my miko skills, so it will be a new experience.”

“You have never been trained? Isn’t that kind of protocol for anyone with those abilities to start training at a young age?”

“Yes, I guess it is.” Kagome didn’t know how to explain why she wasn’t trained. How do you tell someone you are from five hundred years in the future? Yuri just let it drop. They finished up the bath and Kagome went off to bed.

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Ronin and Nobuto were nearing he castle at about the time everyone was going down for the night.

‘This spiritual energy, it is massive. There is no way this girl could have this kind of energy and no be trained, let alone not know it. This necklace will have to be used.’ Nobuto thought. He knew this might be difficult to train a grown woman, but it might also be a bit easier since she might grasp on to the concepts easier as well. He would just have to wait and find out. They arrived at the castle and Nobuto was shown to his room to rest for the night. Tomorrow would be a long day.