InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Bleed and Breathe ❯ Training Begins ( Chapter 6 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: aikidogirl 
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Supernatural / Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.21.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.7K | Visits: 505 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Suspense / Supernatural / Romance / Drama / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 09.21.2006 | Pages: 3 | Words: 5.7K | Visits: 505 | Status: Work In Progress
Begins
“Kagome.”
“Yes Yuri?” She was getting ready for the day when Yuri walked in her room.
“The ones that will train you are here. They would like to meet you at breakfast. Your miko training begins today doesn’t it?”
“Yes it does. I would love to meet them. Better hurry to breakfast then. Are the children awake?” Kagome was excited to begin her training.
“They are already downstairs. I believe they are being kept quite entertained.”
As Kagome and Yuri walked into the kitchen she saw a very lean and muscular fox demon. Body clinging armor, short brown hair, long fluffy tail. He was tan and his face was chiseled. All Kagome could think was yum. The children were sitting in front of a man that looked older than time. He was playing with them, causing his aura and powers to take shape and float around them teasing and tickling. Then he raised them up, he actually made them float in the air.
“You will be able to do this too Kagome, if you put your mind to it and really train hard.” the old man told her. That is amazing, but how will I be able to do any of that. I don’t have that kind of power”
“Oh I don’t know about that. I think you have more power than you think, but you don’t know it yet.”
They all sat down for breakfast. Nobuto told her about himself, about parts of his life and training. He told what he wanted to teach her, only if she was willing to learn. She was willing to learn, she was tired of being weak.
“And what about you?” Kagome looked at the fox demon sitting across from Nobuto. “I haven’t seen you around here.”
“My name is Ronin Lady Kagome. Excuse my rudeness for not introducing myself earlier. You haven’t seen me because I was sent to get him. I am the commanding officer in Lord Sesshomaru’s army and his personal guard. He has asked me to train you on a more physical level.”
“Oh.” Kagome smiled at him. “Well I can tell you that the only thing I am even accustomed to using is the bow and arrows, and I am not even very good at that.”
“You need to have more confidence in yourself my Lady, anyone can learn who has the want, but confidence is the key. The training will be intense, but it will also be one on one training. I think you will do well.”
Kagome gave him a little smirk; I guess they would see how they would do. She didn’t have to worry about that part though, today began her miko training.
“So Kagome,” Nobuto said.
“You will address her as Lady Kagome monk.” Ronin said.
“Oh no, it’s ok. I would like to be called just Kagome; the whole Lady thing is just weird.”
“And I just want to be Nobuto. I agree with you Kagome, I do not like titles either. This one here is a little uptight. Anyways, what is your favorite time of day?” Ronin just shook his head. He wasn’t uptight, he was a soldier. This is how he was trained was to be respectable.
“Um I guess mid-afternoon, right around dusk.”
“Ah yes, that is a great time. That is when we shall begin training. I suggest you take care of any duties you have before then. The initial training will be hard on your energy. It will drain you more than likely.”
‘Great, I am already weak enough with out being trained. What did I get myself into?’ Kagome thought to herself.
“Kagome, stop with the negativity. You will become stronger. It’s just like the uptight one here said,” Ronin glared at the monk who once again called him uptight. “It’s all about confidence. Give yourself a chance and I think you will catch on very quickly.”
“What are you talking about, negativity? I didn’t say anything.”
“The monk reads minds. It confused me too. He chooses when he will or won’t.” Ronin told her.
“It is true, I do have that ability. And I think I can help you Kagome, give me that chance.” Kagome just nodded her head as she got up from her chair.
“I guess I will see you later then, where do you want to meet?”
“We will meet in the gardens and pick a spot that you would like to meet everyday. See you then.”
Kagome went about the rest of her day. She taught the kids before lunch. They worked on learning their letters and practiced writing. She was excited for later, but the confidence they said she needed is what she was lacking. She asked Yuri if there was anything that she needed to do after lunch around the castle, but there was nothing. She went outside to play with Shippo and Rin. Yuri stayed with her and played with them too. She liked being around Kagome and the kids, but today something was off.
“Kagome, are you ok? If you are nervous about today don’t be. I am sure you will do fine. I have heard of this Nobuto you are training with. He is the most powerful monk in the area. Give yourself a chance.”
“I will Yuri, I am just nervous. I don’t have any training and all of a sudden I have three months to learn my spiritual powers and physical strength. I think more than anything I want to prove to myself that I am not weak. That when I see my friends again I can actually contribute something instead of always having to be rescued. I want to show Sesshomaru that I am not just a weak human, though I know his perception of me will never change.”
“Why are you so concerned about what my Lord thinks of you?” They were sitting now, watching Shippo and Rin play in the fields.
“I don’t know. Maybe because he saved me and is letting me stay here. I just want to show him I am not a waste of time or space.”
Yuri smiled she knew that was not all it. Kagome was very confused with her feelings too. How could she not like someone that had given her so much? Yuri knew that even though Sesshomaru put on the mask of indifference, he did have feelings that he showed through actions.
“Yuri, are there any other kids? I mean, where are they all at?”
“There are others, but they play on the other side of the castle. Most of them spend their days training and learning the way of the castle so they can work here later. All of us that work here are either the last of out tribes or were lost and alone. Lord Sesshomaru has given us all a place to live and something to do. We have family in each other now. I think it is because Lord Sesshomaru is one of the last of his kind too.”
Kagome had no idea. She had wondered why there were so many different demons here. Now it kind of makes sense. “Well, all kids need time to play. Why don’t we see if some of them would like to come out tomorrow?”
“We could ask, but I think a lot of them will be afraid of what the Master will say.”
“Let me take care of him. Shippo and Rin need some other kids to play with. Maybe I can even teach some of them too.”
So they had a mission for tomorrow. By this time it was getting to where Kagome had to meet Nobuto, but since she was already in the gardens she would just wait for him. He came out a short time later and they walked into the woods to find a spot to train.
“Kagome, I want you to feel this out. You will find the right spot; your senses will know it. Take it slow. You will feel a pull, almost a calling.” Kagome nodded her head. Taking a deep breath she tried to focus on finding the spot. She did feel a pull, but she didn’t know where it was coming from.
“What do you feel? “
“It’s, it’s almost as if… I don’t know. I feel the pull you were talking about, but it’s like everything is calling to me. I have never felt anything like this before.” Kagome was starting to worry herself. These feeling were new. She felt life everywhere, the grass, the trees, the animals. Everything was all around her and she couldn’t separate what was what.
Nobuto grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards him. “Kagome, look at me. This is all new right?” Kagome nodded. “Ok, we will breathe for a minute. Take deep breaths and let your mind clear.”
Kagome did as she was told, but she was having trouble clearing everything out. Nobuto sensed this and started guiding her.
“Everything has a life force to it.” he spoke gently so as not to frighten her out of her focus. “We shall take it one step at a time. In your minds eye picture what it is you are feeling. Picture what the energy is saying to you. Acknowledge it and let it go to focus on the next one.”
She took another breath. “It is not a strong energy, but it feels strong, almost sturdy. Grounded, but also free.” She thought for a moment on what she felt. She opened her eyes to look at what she thought it was. “It’s the trees.” She smiled at herself, proud that she had figured it out. Breathing again she let the energy of the trees drift away and focused on a new one. “This one, this one feels…soft, but hard at the same time. Comforting and playful, like it could live forever.” Again, she opened her eyes and looked at what she thought it might be. She looked at Nobuto, “It’s the grass.”
“Good Kagome, very good. Go ahead and go through the rest.” Kagome did as she was told until all energies no longer swirled around her. Now there was only the pull of the place she would train. It called to her as if it knew she was supposed to be there. As if this place was meant just for her. They walked the path that ran along the spring water creek. They came to a clearing where the water had built up into a small pond with a small waterfall. It was just enough for the water to pool before heading back down its path. There was tall grass that went up to Kagome’s mid-calf and wildflowers of every color.
“This is it.” she said, a slight smile on her face.
“What is so special about this place? Why did it call to you?” Nobuto looked at the young woman before him. She was a beautiful woman, but in this field, in this space she was different. She had a glow, and her aura shined and danced into the field.
“I don’t know. It’s just different. There is something here. It’s almost like this place is pure and untouched. It’s natural. No one has been here, it’s just free.” She looked at the old monk hoping he would understand.
He nodded his head in approval of her description. “It is like you Kagome. Your aura dances here. You are a free spirit therefore you need to train in a place that is free. Free from boundaries and restrictions of the people and things around it.”
They walked over close to the miniature pool and sat down. The sun was low in the sky; it would begin its final decent to the other side of the earth in a bit.
“You have already begun your training you know. You used your energy to decipher the other energies that wanted to mingle with yours. You found this place that called to you. You say you had never felt anything like that before?”
Kagome shook her head. “No, the only real thing I could really ever feel was the Shikon and greater demons, but only when they were nearby. Why am I all of a sudden feeling these things?”
“I don’t know my dear. Maybe something happened when Sesshomaru revived you. It is quite possible that reviving you also revived your dormant powers. That could be a good thing though. You caught on quickly on how to separate auras and figure out what they were. Have you ever meditated before?”
“Not really. I tried a couple of times back home but my mind went crazy in the silence.”
“Ah, but there are so many different kinds of meditation. I think being here will help you more, being as you are supposed to be here. Let us try shall we?”
They got into comfortable sitting positions as Nobuto started to lead her though the meditation. “First calm your breathing. You don’t have to focus on it, find a sound or the feeling of the breeze to focus on. Your breathing should calm on its own.” He listened to her for a bit and when he heard her breathing stabilize he moved on. “Now we will clear out minds. Stay focused on whatever you did before. If a stray thought comes into your head acknowledge it and let it go, just like the energies from earlier. This is not the time to be mad, rather the time to forgive. If anything comes to you that needs to be forgiven or for you to forgive yourself do it before letting it go.”
Kagome went thought what she thought were a million different thoughts. There was home with mama and Souta and grandpa. There was school and everything she would have to make up (bummer). Then there was Shippo and Rin, and her new friend Yuri. A very difficult thing came to her mind just then, it was very difficult to dismiss. Sesshomaru. His beautiful long, moon blue hair. Those piercing golden eyes that showed a little more than he wanted them to. The blue crescent moon and his rock hard features. Kagome felt herself starting to blush thinking about him, and hoped to whatever god was out there that Nobuto didn’t feel like reading her mind about that time. Finally after quite a while Kagome was able to free herself of her the taiyoukai that had also plagued some of her dreams. Finally her thoughts drifted to the hanyou she had known for almost three years now. He was one of her closest friends and her first love. It was true that she didn’t hold and contempt towards his for what happened, but it still hurt that someone would want to do that to her and to make him do it was worse. Her mind drifted back to that day…
--She was in the meadow heading towards the well. She stopped to look around her before leaving. The well was overshadowed by a beautiful cherry-blossom tree. ‘What? Since when?’ She looked around her more. There was a small village. Her hair blew in her face with the breeze as a red ribbon kept it somewhat maintained in a low ponytail. ‘This is so not right’ looking down at her clothes she was in miko garb but it was more form fitting and had some armor on her chest. One thing was for sure, she did not like it what so ever. ‘Where the hell am I? Why aren’t I at the well? What happened to Inuyasha?’
That’s when she saw it, or rather him. A full demon in a human like body running at her with two swords. Her instincts kicked in and everything felt natural. She pulled the bo she was carrying into a fighting stance as the demon attacked. She matched him strike for strike, fighting and defending. She twisted and twirled herself and the bo in the air, making him miss his target. She was just as fast as he was, and very strong. Suddenly he stopped, so she did too.
“Kina, your bojutsu is improving greatly.” The demon walked towards her but she wasn’t afraid. “Possibly because you had such a great teacher?” He smiled at her and she couldn’t resist smiling back. Then he took her head in his hand and pulled her to him, kissing her on the mouth in the most passionate way. It took her breath away.
--When she finally heaved in a breath and opened her eyes she was lying on the ground and Nobuto was above her. “Kagome? Kagome are you alright? What happened child? I tried to read your mind but it was like you weren’t even here.”
“I…I don’t know. I was doing what you said, acknowledging the thoughts and sending them away. Then I thought about when I died, when Inuyasha killed me.”
“Inuyasha? As in Sesshomaru’s brother?”
“Yes. He and I and a few others travel around the country looking for the jewel shards. I am the one that broke the jewel. That’s a story for another time though. Anyways I went back to that day, and everything was as it was supposed to be. Then I looked around again and there was a tree over the well that wasn’t there before. Then the whole scene changed and I wasn’t me anymore, but I felt like me. There was a demon there, and he charged me with two swords. Its like everything kicked in and I pulled out my bo and fought him. I don’t know how to use a bo, I don’t even know what that is, but it felt so natural. Then he called me Kina and said that I have improved in my skills.” She wasn’t about to tell him the part about him kissing her. “It all felt so real, like I was really there.” She was sitting with her head in her hands now. She was very confused.
“Kagome, have you had any other experiences like this? Maybe they were dreams during the night?” Nobuto thought maybe he knew what was going on, but he wasn’t sure quite yet.
“How, how did you know that? Ever since I was revived I have been having dreams like this. They have all felt very real, and I was a different person every time. Nobuto what’s going on?” Kagome looked at him pleading with her eyes for him to explain it to her.
“I am not sure right now, but if I figure it out I will fill you in on it. Tell me, do you think you could use the weapons you dreamed about?”
“Actually I think I could. It’s like I remember how to use them, like I remember parts about the girls, their lives and everything. I don’t know what is going on.”
“Don’t worry Kagome, I am sure it is nothing bad, we will figure it out. That little dream you had took quite a while, I think we should call it quits for today.” Kagome nodded her head and they walked back to the castle. Nobuto stopped her before they walked into the castle.
“Kagome, I need to give you something, would you mind coming to my room with me?”
“Sure, what is it?” Was it a gift; was it something to help her train?
“You will see, lets head up there.”
Nobuto lived at the far end of her hallway, right by the stairs. His room wasn’t as big as hers. It was a beautiful forest green though, and had many more plants in it.
“I requested the plants to be in here. I am like you in that respect, I need nature around me.” He walked over to the desk by his bed. “Come sit over here” Kagome did as she was asked. Nobuto handed her the box. She opened it and gasped at the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. She looked at him questioningly. “This was given to me by Sesshomaru. He told me to give it to you if I thought you should have it. It is very old and very powerful. The crystal at the center, it hides a persons aura and masks their power. If you wear it no one will be able to sense you at all. You have a lot of power inside of you child, and I think our training will release it. If that happens demons from all around will seek you out. I think its best if you wear it.”
Kagome agreed with that. If demons would feel her then so would Inuyasha and Kikyo, and she just didn’t want that to happen. She pulled out the necklace and it immediately felt like she had been confined. “I feel restricted.”
“The necklace is measuring your power, how much it will have to contain. The feeling will subside soon.” The crystal started to glow and the feeling started to fade. Gradually the crystal went back to its original color. Kagome looked at the monk, he was smiling. “It worked, I cont feel your power at all.”
Kagome put the necklace around her neck and fastened it. As soon as she did that something happened. The necklace actually embedded itself in her skin. The silver and intricacy of it was still the same and it actually rose above her skin. It was smooth in her skin and the crystal was only halfway in her skin, but it was also smooth. It was as if someone had laminated it to her. She looked at Nobuto the expression of fear on her face. He on the other hand looked puzzled.
“What the hell just happened?”
“That my dear, is a very good question. I didn’t expect that. Does it hurt?”
“No, but it is embedded in my skin!”
“Well, if it doesn’t hurt then just go with it. I don’t know what to tell you Kagome. I guess your power was too much for it to just rest on your skin, or maybe it didn’t want to get ripped off somehow. Whatever the reason its there, and my I say it suites you.”
She reached up and touched the necklace. She would just have to deal with it. It wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I guess I will see you tomorrow, good night Nobuto.” she walked out of the room and down to her own. She would see if Yuri would bring her dinner tonight, she needed some time to think. Nobuto on the other hand walked down to the study once he saw her walk in her room. He had lied to the girl, he did have a good suspicion of what was going on, but she was not ready to hear it yet. He grabbed books off the shelf to do some research. He had to be absolutely sure of this before anything was said and before they continued their training. He had to know what he was working with. After many hours he had found all that he was looking for. His assumption had been correct, now the question was when would he tell her what was going on with her?
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The next few days of training were pretty basic, though it seemed to all come naturally to the girl who used to know very little. None of these powers were here before and it almost frightened her. Where were they coming from? What were these dreams? Every night it was something different, though she had gotten used to seeing the same five girls. There were bits and pieces of different girls, but she didn’t see their faces and the dreams didn’t last long. Nobuto told her that the girls were not meant to be seen right now. Just to let it go and remember the dreams she was having now. They practiced seeing and manipulating auras. They began meditating with a candle, focusing on just that. She was eventually able to manipulate the fire making it dance or go out. Over the weeks she learned much more about her powers and just what she was capable of. She also learned much about herself. That she wasn’t weak spiritually like she had previously thought. All of this was inside her all along and now it was coming out. She was proud of herself and was gaining confidence.
Over the weeks her skills improved remarkably. She knew how to do things Nobuto had spent his entire life learning and even knew some skills he didn’t. She still continued to teach the children. They had learned their alphabet and knew how to read and write a bit. She had gone around and talked to the parents of the other children in the castle. They had heard of her kindness and agreed that Rin and Shippo needed more playmates. Kagome had promised them that if Sesshomaru had a problem with it then she would tell him it was her idea and she had ordered that the children come and play. Being the Lady of the House they had to obey. They all laughed at her for that. ‘Like Lord Sesshomaru would buy that,’ they had said to her. She knew they were right but it was something at least. Almost all the staff knew her now, though there were some that did not like her since she was a ningen. All but a couple showed her the respect for her position, and the couple that didn’t threaten her. They said she would disappear and followed her. One had even shoved her to the ground. She merely got up and shook her head while she walked off. Ronin had seen all of this. The ones that disrespected her were taken to the dungeon and beaten then placed back in their positions with the warning of death if it happened again. The one that had shoved her however was left in the dungeon. He was beaten every day and denied food and water. His punishment would be decided when Sesshomaru returned.
Finally it was time to begin her physical training. Yuri had brought her some fighting clothes. They were form fitting with armor on the outside. Kagome put one on for her first day. It was heavy and uncomfortable and she wasn’t sure how she would move in it. Her physical training was right after lunch and before her training with Nobuto. She met Ronin in the outside training grounds. It had three large walls around it and was covered in different kinds of weapons.
“Lady Kagome.” Ronin said to her as he bowed.
“Hello Ronin sensei. Please don’t be so formal with me.” He smiled at her. They had gotten to know each other during meals and she would see him around the castle. They would walk and talk sometimes in the hallways. They had become quite fond of each other, and became friends quickly.
“You know I will not be informal with you, I have told you that before.”
She huffed at him. “Fine fine. At least here please. I should be the one calling you by a title.”
“That I will agree with. Are you ready to begin?”
“Yes, though I don’t know how I am to move in this armor. Plus I look quite ridiculous in it.”
He laughed at her. “It doesn’t really suit you. But you will get used to it. You should probably put your hair up so it isn’t in your face.” She had brought a tie with her so she pulled it up. “I think we should start with some karate and get you used to hand to hand combat. Do you know anything about that?”
“No, at least I don’t think so.” She had told him of the dreams she had been having and the new powers she had some to master in a short amount of time. “I don’t know how I will do, maybe I will learn quickly.”
“Ok, well let’s begin. We will start with a basic horse stance.” They went through a lot of moves and she was right, she did learn them quickly. She would watch him and something would click inside of her and she would mimic him. Her stance was perfect and she mastered some basic fighting skills in a short time. They didn’t even realize what time it was when she sensed Nobuto approaching.
“Oh shit, I am late for Nobuto. Can we end this for today Ronin sensei?”
“Of course Kagome, I will see you at dinner.”
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--Almost three months since Sesshomaru left--
Kagome was sitting with Yuri, Nobuto and Ronin out in the gardens. It had become their ritual thing to meet there and watch all the kids play. They would talk about her training and just the gossip around the castle. They would laugh at the kids as they ran around. Eventually some of the parents and some of the cooks would come out and bring lunch. They would all sit outside and have one big group picnic, and if it was raining they would simply move inside. There was always somewhere to go and somewhere for the kids to play. Sometimes they would play hide and seek in the abandoned hallway that no one ever went into. Everyone knew the playing inside like that would have to end when Lord Sesshomaru returned, but for now it was ok. Kagome had become a friend to everyone almost. She had a pull to her as the servants would describe it. She was warm and inviting. Kagome had taken on quite a few of the kids and taught them all.
They were all talking and laughing when Kagome suddenly went rigid.
“Kagome, what wrong?” Yuri asked concerned.
“Something is coming, and it’s powerful.” She said standing up scanning the skies trying to identify the source.
“Kagome child, I don’t feel anything, not even a chill.” Nobuto was one of the strongest and if he didn’t feel it then either Kagome was crazy or she had surpassed him completely.
“No Nobuto, its there. I know this feeling. I know this aura; I just don’t know who it is yet.” Where in the hell had she felt this before? This fire on her skin and this heat in her body? Then it hit her. She had felt it in the study, in the bath house. She knew who it was. “It is Sesshomaru.”
“WHAT!” they all said in unison. “Lady Kagome, there is no way it could be my Lord. I would have known his presence anywhere.” Ronin chimed in.
“I know Ronin, you of all people would know he was coming, but I tell you it’s him. He is still a great distance away. I would say at least a day and a half if he doesn’t stop.”
“You can feel him that far away?” Yuri was looking at her in awe. She had seen her training and was in awe of that too. Never had she met a human so powerful.
“Yes Yuri, I can. Would you do something for me?”
“Anything my Lady.” she said reverting back to formalities.
“Would you inform everyone of his impending arrival? The castle is always in perfect condition but maybe they might want to know.” She really meant what she said, but she was nervous that Sesshomaru would find something wrong. That is one thing she did not want.
“Of course Kagome, I am sure they would all like to know.” Yuri got up to gather all the children to go back to their parents and she would inform the staff. Kagome and Ronin prepared for her training. It was a show for the servants that were outside at the time, and many of them came to watch Kagome do her thing. Even Shippo and Rin came and they stayed for all of it, sometimes they even joined in on a light day. Kagome didn’t mind people watching her, she was confident in her skills now although she still didn’t know were they came from all of a sudden. The only real private time she had was when she was with Nobuto and they meditated. The change of times had stopped, at least while she was meditating. She still had her dreams but she was used to them. She figured she was just picking up someone else’s energy or something. She was proud of herself, and she hoped Sesshomaru would be proud of her as well.
“Kagome.”
“Yes Yuri?” She was getting ready for the day when Yuri walked in her room.
“The ones that will train you are here. They would like to meet you at breakfast. Your miko training begins today doesn’t it?”
“Yes it does. I would love to meet them. Better hurry to breakfast then. Are the children awake?” Kagome was excited to begin her training.
“They are already downstairs. I believe they are being kept quite entertained.”
As Kagome and Yuri walked into the kitchen she saw a very lean and muscular fox demon. Body clinging armor, short brown hair, long fluffy tail. He was tan and his face was chiseled. All Kagome could think was yum. The children were sitting in front of a man that looked older than time. He was playing with them, causing his aura and powers to take shape and float around them teasing and tickling. Then he raised them up, he actually made them float in the air.
“You will be able to do this too Kagome, if you put your mind to it and really train hard.” the old man told her. That is amazing, but how will I be able to do any of that. I don’t have that kind of power”
“Oh I don’t know about that. I think you have more power than you think, but you don’t know it yet.”
They all sat down for breakfast. Nobuto told her about himself, about parts of his life and training. He told what he wanted to teach her, only if she was willing to learn. She was willing to learn, she was tired of being weak.
“And what about you?” Kagome looked at the fox demon sitting across from Nobuto. “I haven’t seen you around here.”
“My name is Ronin Lady Kagome. Excuse my rudeness for not introducing myself earlier. You haven’t seen me because I was sent to get him. I am the commanding officer in Lord Sesshomaru’s army and his personal guard. He has asked me to train you on a more physical level.”
“Oh.” Kagome smiled at him. “Well I can tell you that the only thing I am even accustomed to using is the bow and arrows, and I am not even very good at that.”
“You need to have more confidence in yourself my Lady, anyone can learn who has the want, but confidence is the key. The training will be intense, but it will also be one on one training. I think you will do well.”
Kagome gave him a little smirk; I guess they would see how they would do. She didn’t have to worry about that part though, today began her miko training.
“So Kagome,” Nobuto said.
“You will address her as Lady Kagome monk.” Ronin said.
“Oh no, it’s ok. I would like to be called just Kagome; the whole Lady thing is just weird.”
“And I just want to be Nobuto. I agree with you Kagome, I do not like titles either. This one here is a little uptight. Anyways, what is your favorite time of day?” Ronin just shook his head. He wasn’t uptight, he was a soldier. This is how he was trained was to be respectable.
“Um I guess mid-afternoon, right around dusk.”
“Ah yes, that is a great time. That is when we shall begin training. I suggest you take care of any duties you have before then. The initial training will be hard on your energy. It will drain you more than likely.”
‘Great, I am already weak enough with out being trained. What did I get myself into?’ Kagome thought to herself.
“Kagome, stop with the negativity. You will become stronger. It’s just like the uptight one here said,” Ronin glared at the monk who once again called him uptight. “It’s all about confidence. Give yourself a chance and I think you will catch on very quickly.”
“What are you talking about, negativity? I didn’t say anything.”
“The monk reads minds. It confused me too. He chooses when he will or won’t.” Ronin told her.
“It is true, I do have that ability. And I think I can help you Kagome, give me that chance.” Kagome just nodded her head as she got up from her chair.
“I guess I will see you later then, where do you want to meet?”
“We will meet in the gardens and pick a spot that you would like to meet everyday. See you then.”
Kagome went about the rest of her day. She taught the kids before lunch. They worked on learning their letters and practiced writing. She was excited for later, but the confidence they said she needed is what she was lacking. She asked Yuri if there was anything that she needed to do after lunch around the castle, but there was nothing. She went outside to play with Shippo and Rin. Yuri stayed with her and played with them too. She liked being around Kagome and the kids, but today something was off.
“Kagome, are you ok? If you are nervous about today don’t be. I am sure you will do fine. I have heard of this Nobuto you are training with. He is the most powerful monk in the area. Give yourself a chance.”
“I will Yuri, I am just nervous. I don’t have any training and all of a sudden I have three months to learn my spiritual powers and physical strength. I think more than anything I want to prove to myself that I am not weak. That when I see my friends again I can actually contribute something instead of always having to be rescued. I want to show Sesshomaru that I am not just a weak human, though I know his perception of me will never change.”
“Why are you so concerned about what my Lord thinks of you?” They were sitting now, watching Shippo and Rin play in the fields.
“I don’t know. Maybe because he saved me and is letting me stay here. I just want to show him I am not a waste of time or space.”
Yuri smiled she knew that was not all it. Kagome was very confused with her feelings too. How could she not like someone that had given her so much? Yuri knew that even though Sesshomaru put on the mask of indifference, he did have feelings that he showed through actions.
“Yuri, are there any other kids? I mean, where are they all at?”
“There are others, but they play on the other side of the castle. Most of them spend their days training and learning the way of the castle so they can work here later. All of us that work here are either the last of out tribes or were lost and alone. Lord Sesshomaru has given us all a place to live and something to do. We have family in each other now. I think it is because Lord Sesshomaru is one of the last of his kind too.”
Kagome had no idea. She had wondered why there were so many different demons here. Now it kind of makes sense. “Well, all kids need time to play. Why don’t we see if some of them would like to come out tomorrow?”
“We could ask, but I think a lot of them will be afraid of what the Master will say.”
“Let me take care of him. Shippo and Rin need some other kids to play with. Maybe I can even teach some of them too.”
So they had a mission for tomorrow. By this time it was getting to where Kagome had to meet Nobuto, but since she was already in the gardens she would just wait for him. He came out a short time later and they walked into the woods to find a spot to train.
“Kagome, I want you to feel this out. You will find the right spot; your senses will know it. Take it slow. You will feel a pull, almost a calling.” Kagome nodded her head. Taking a deep breath she tried to focus on finding the spot. She did feel a pull, but she didn’t know where it was coming from.
“What do you feel? “
“It’s, it’s almost as if… I don’t know. I feel the pull you were talking about, but it’s like everything is calling to me. I have never felt anything like this before.” Kagome was starting to worry herself. These feeling were new. She felt life everywhere, the grass, the trees, the animals. Everything was all around her and she couldn’t separate what was what.
Nobuto grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards him. “Kagome, look at me. This is all new right?” Kagome nodded. “Ok, we will breathe for a minute. Take deep breaths and let your mind clear.”
Kagome did as she was told, but she was having trouble clearing everything out. Nobuto sensed this and started guiding her.
“Everything has a life force to it.” he spoke gently so as not to frighten her out of her focus. “We shall take it one step at a time. In your minds eye picture what it is you are feeling. Picture what the energy is saying to you. Acknowledge it and let it go to focus on the next one.”
She took another breath. “It is not a strong energy, but it feels strong, almost sturdy. Grounded, but also free.” She thought for a moment on what she felt. She opened her eyes to look at what she thought it was. “It’s the trees.” She smiled at herself, proud that she had figured it out. Breathing again she let the energy of the trees drift away and focused on a new one. “This one, this one feels…soft, but hard at the same time. Comforting and playful, like it could live forever.” Again, she opened her eyes and looked at what she thought it might be. She looked at Nobuto, “It’s the grass.”
“Good Kagome, very good. Go ahead and go through the rest.” Kagome did as she was told until all energies no longer swirled around her. Now there was only the pull of the place she would train. It called to her as if it knew she was supposed to be there. As if this place was meant just for her. They walked the path that ran along the spring water creek. They came to a clearing where the water had built up into a small pond with a small waterfall. It was just enough for the water to pool before heading back down its path. There was tall grass that went up to Kagome’s mid-calf and wildflowers of every color.
“This is it.” she said, a slight smile on her face.
“What is so special about this place? Why did it call to you?” Nobuto looked at the young woman before him. She was a beautiful woman, but in this field, in this space she was different. She had a glow, and her aura shined and danced into the field.
“I don’t know. It’s just different. There is something here. It’s almost like this place is pure and untouched. It’s natural. No one has been here, it’s just free.” She looked at the old monk hoping he would understand.
He nodded his head in approval of her description. “It is like you Kagome. Your aura dances here. You are a free spirit therefore you need to train in a place that is free. Free from boundaries and restrictions of the people and things around it.”
They walked over close to the miniature pool and sat down. The sun was low in the sky; it would begin its final decent to the other side of the earth in a bit.
“You have already begun your training you know. You used your energy to decipher the other energies that wanted to mingle with yours. You found this place that called to you. You say you had never felt anything like that before?”
Kagome shook her head. “No, the only real thing I could really ever feel was the Shikon and greater demons, but only when they were nearby. Why am I all of a sudden feeling these things?”
“I don’t know my dear. Maybe something happened when Sesshomaru revived you. It is quite possible that reviving you also revived your dormant powers. That could be a good thing though. You caught on quickly on how to separate auras and figure out what they were. Have you ever meditated before?”
“Not really. I tried a couple of times back home but my mind went crazy in the silence.”
“Ah, but there are so many different kinds of meditation. I think being here will help you more, being as you are supposed to be here. Let us try shall we?”
They got into comfortable sitting positions as Nobuto started to lead her though the meditation. “First calm your breathing. You don’t have to focus on it, find a sound or the feeling of the breeze to focus on. Your breathing should calm on its own.” He listened to her for a bit and when he heard her breathing stabilize he moved on. “Now we will clear out minds. Stay focused on whatever you did before. If a stray thought comes into your head acknowledge it and let it go, just like the energies from earlier. This is not the time to be mad, rather the time to forgive. If anything comes to you that needs to be forgiven or for you to forgive yourself do it before letting it go.”
Kagome went thought what she thought were a million different thoughts. There was home with mama and Souta and grandpa. There was school and everything she would have to make up (bummer). Then there was Shippo and Rin, and her new friend Yuri. A very difficult thing came to her mind just then, it was very difficult to dismiss. Sesshomaru. His beautiful long, moon blue hair. Those piercing golden eyes that showed a little more than he wanted them to. The blue crescent moon and his rock hard features. Kagome felt herself starting to blush thinking about him, and hoped to whatever god was out there that Nobuto didn’t feel like reading her mind about that time. Finally after quite a while Kagome was able to free herself of her the taiyoukai that had also plagued some of her dreams. Finally her thoughts drifted to the hanyou she had known for almost three years now. He was one of her closest friends and her first love. It was true that she didn’t hold and contempt towards his for what happened, but it still hurt that someone would want to do that to her and to make him do it was worse. Her mind drifted back to that day…
--She was in the meadow heading towards the well. She stopped to look around her before leaving. The well was overshadowed by a beautiful cherry-blossom tree. ‘What? Since when?’ She looked around her more. There was a small village. Her hair blew in her face with the breeze as a red ribbon kept it somewhat maintained in a low ponytail. ‘This is so not right’ looking down at her clothes she was in miko garb but it was more form fitting and had some armor on her chest. One thing was for sure, she did not like it what so ever. ‘Where the hell am I? Why aren’t I at the well? What happened to Inuyasha?’
That’s when she saw it, or rather him. A full demon in a human like body running at her with two swords. Her instincts kicked in and everything felt natural. She pulled the bo she was carrying into a fighting stance as the demon attacked. She matched him strike for strike, fighting and defending. She twisted and twirled herself and the bo in the air, making him miss his target. She was just as fast as he was, and very strong. Suddenly he stopped, so she did too.
“Kina, your bojutsu is improving greatly.” The demon walked towards her but she wasn’t afraid. “Possibly because you had such a great teacher?” He smiled at her and she couldn’t resist smiling back. Then he took her head in his hand and pulled her to him, kissing her on the mouth in the most passionate way. It took her breath away.
--When she finally heaved in a breath and opened her eyes she was lying on the ground and Nobuto was above her. “Kagome? Kagome are you alright? What happened child? I tried to read your mind but it was like you weren’t even here.”
“I…I don’t know. I was doing what you said, acknowledging the thoughts and sending them away. Then I thought about when I died, when Inuyasha killed me.”
“Inuyasha? As in Sesshomaru’s brother?”
“Yes. He and I and a few others travel around the country looking for the jewel shards. I am the one that broke the jewel. That’s a story for another time though. Anyways I went back to that day, and everything was as it was supposed to be. Then I looked around again and there was a tree over the well that wasn’t there before. Then the whole scene changed and I wasn’t me anymore, but I felt like me. There was a demon there, and he charged me with two swords. Its like everything kicked in and I pulled out my bo and fought him. I don’t know how to use a bo, I don’t even know what that is, but it felt so natural. Then he called me Kina and said that I have improved in my skills.” She wasn’t about to tell him the part about him kissing her. “It all felt so real, like I was really there.” She was sitting with her head in her hands now. She was very confused.
“Kagome, have you had any other experiences like this? Maybe they were dreams during the night?” Nobuto thought maybe he knew what was going on, but he wasn’t sure quite yet.
“How, how did you know that? Ever since I was revived I have been having dreams like this. They have all felt very real, and I was a different person every time. Nobuto what’s going on?” Kagome looked at him pleading with her eyes for him to explain it to her.
“I am not sure right now, but if I figure it out I will fill you in on it. Tell me, do you think you could use the weapons you dreamed about?”
“Actually I think I could. It’s like I remember how to use them, like I remember parts about the girls, their lives and everything. I don’t know what is going on.”
“Don’t worry Kagome, I am sure it is nothing bad, we will figure it out. That little dream you had took quite a while, I think we should call it quits for today.” Kagome nodded her head and they walked back to the castle. Nobuto stopped her before they walked into the castle.
“Kagome, I need to give you something, would you mind coming to my room with me?”
“Sure, what is it?” Was it a gift; was it something to help her train?
“You will see, lets head up there.”
Nobuto lived at the far end of her hallway, right by the stairs. His room wasn’t as big as hers. It was a beautiful forest green though, and had many more plants in it.
“I requested the plants to be in here. I am like you in that respect, I need nature around me.” He walked over to the desk by his bed. “Come sit over here” Kagome did as she was asked. Nobuto handed her the box. She opened it and gasped at the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. She looked at him questioningly. “This was given to me by Sesshomaru. He told me to give it to you if I thought you should have it. It is very old and very powerful. The crystal at the center, it hides a persons aura and masks their power. If you wear it no one will be able to sense you at all. You have a lot of power inside of you child, and I think our training will release it. If that happens demons from all around will seek you out. I think its best if you wear it.”
Kagome agreed with that. If demons would feel her then so would Inuyasha and Kikyo, and she just didn’t want that to happen. She pulled out the necklace and it immediately felt like she had been confined. “I feel restricted.”
“The necklace is measuring your power, how much it will have to contain. The feeling will subside soon.” The crystal started to glow and the feeling started to fade. Gradually the crystal went back to its original color. Kagome looked at the monk, he was smiling. “It worked, I cont feel your power at all.”
Kagome put the necklace around her neck and fastened it. As soon as she did that something happened. The necklace actually embedded itself in her skin. The silver and intricacy of it was still the same and it actually rose above her skin. It was smooth in her skin and the crystal was only halfway in her skin, but it was also smooth. It was as if someone had laminated it to her. She looked at Nobuto the expression of fear on her face. He on the other hand looked puzzled.
“What the hell just happened?”
“That my dear, is a very good question. I didn’t expect that. Does it hurt?”
“No, but it is embedded in my skin!”
“Well, if it doesn’t hurt then just go with it. I don’t know what to tell you Kagome. I guess your power was too much for it to just rest on your skin, or maybe it didn’t want to get ripped off somehow. Whatever the reason its there, and my I say it suites you.”
She reached up and touched the necklace. She would just have to deal with it. It wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. “I guess I will see you tomorrow, good night Nobuto.” she walked out of the room and down to her own. She would see if Yuri would bring her dinner tonight, she needed some time to think. Nobuto on the other hand walked down to the study once he saw her walk in her room. He had lied to the girl, he did have a good suspicion of what was going on, but she was not ready to hear it yet. He grabbed books off the shelf to do some research. He had to be absolutely sure of this before anything was said and before they continued their training. He had to know what he was working with. After many hours he had found all that he was looking for. His assumption had been correct, now the question was when would he tell her what was going on with her?
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The next few days of training were pretty basic, though it seemed to all come naturally to the girl who used to know very little. None of these powers were here before and it almost frightened her. Where were they coming from? What were these dreams? Every night it was something different, though she had gotten used to seeing the same five girls. There were bits and pieces of different girls, but she didn’t see their faces and the dreams didn’t last long. Nobuto told her that the girls were not meant to be seen right now. Just to let it go and remember the dreams she was having now. They practiced seeing and manipulating auras. They began meditating with a candle, focusing on just that. She was eventually able to manipulate the fire making it dance or go out. Over the weeks she learned much more about her powers and just what she was capable of. She also learned much about herself. That she wasn’t weak spiritually like she had previously thought. All of this was inside her all along and now it was coming out. She was proud of herself and was gaining confidence.
Over the weeks her skills improved remarkably. She knew how to do things Nobuto had spent his entire life learning and even knew some skills he didn’t. She still continued to teach the children. They had learned their alphabet and knew how to read and write a bit. She had gone around and talked to the parents of the other children in the castle. They had heard of her kindness and agreed that Rin and Shippo needed more playmates. Kagome had promised them that if Sesshomaru had a problem with it then she would tell him it was her idea and she had ordered that the children come and play. Being the Lady of the House they had to obey. They all laughed at her for that. ‘Like Lord Sesshomaru would buy that,’ they had said to her. She knew they were right but it was something at least. Almost all the staff knew her now, though there were some that did not like her since she was a ningen. All but a couple showed her the respect for her position, and the couple that didn’t threaten her. They said she would disappear and followed her. One had even shoved her to the ground. She merely got up and shook her head while she walked off. Ronin had seen all of this. The ones that disrespected her were taken to the dungeon and beaten then placed back in their positions with the warning of death if it happened again. The one that had shoved her however was left in the dungeon. He was beaten every day and denied food and water. His punishment would be decided when Sesshomaru returned.
Finally it was time to begin her physical training. Yuri had brought her some fighting clothes. They were form fitting with armor on the outside. Kagome put one on for her first day. It was heavy and uncomfortable and she wasn’t sure how she would move in it. Her physical training was right after lunch and before her training with Nobuto. She met Ronin in the outside training grounds. It had three large walls around it and was covered in different kinds of weapons.
“Lady Kagome.” Ronin said to her as he bowed.
“Hello Ronin sensei. Please don’t be so formal with me.” He smiled at her. They had gotten to know each other during meals and she would see him around the castle. They would walk and talk sometimes in the hallways. They had become quite fond of each other, and became friends quickly.
“You know I will not be informal with you, I have told you that before.”
She huffed at him. “Fine fine. At least here please. I should be the one calling you by a title.”
“That I will agree with. Are you ready to begin?”
“Yes, though I don’t know how I am to move in this armor. Plus I look quite ridiculous in it.”
He laughed at her. “It doesn’t really suit you. But you will get used to it. You should probably put your hair up so it isn’t in your face.” She had brought a tie with her so she pulled it up. “I think we should start with some karate and get you used to hand to hand combat. Do you know anything about that?”
“No, at least I don’t think so.” She had told him of the dreams she had been having and the new powers she had some to master in a short amount of time. “I don’t know how I will do, maybe I will learn quickly.”
“Ok, well let’s begin. We will start with a basic horse stance.” They went through a lot of moves and she was right, she did learn them quickly. She would watch him and something would click inside of her and she would mimic him. Her stance was perfect and she mastered some basic fighting skills in a short time. They didn’t even realize what time it was when she sensed Nobuto approaching.
“Oh shit, I am late for Nobuto. Can we end this for today Ronin sensei?”
“Of course Kagome, I will see you at dinner.”
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--Almost three months since Sesshomaru left--
Kagome was sitting with Yuri, Nobuto and Ronin out in the gardens. It had become their ritual thing to meet there and watch all the kids play. They would talk about her training and just the gossip around the castle. They would laugh at the kids as they ran around. Eventually some of the parents and some of the cooks would come out and bring lunch. They would all sit outside and have one big group picnic, and if it was raining they would simply move inside. There was always somewhere to go and somewhere for the kids to play. Sometimes they would play hide and seek in the abandoned hallway that no one ever went into. Everyone knew the playing inside like that would have to end when Lord Sesshomaru returned, but for now it was ok. Kagome had become a friend to everyone almost. She had a pull to her as the servants would describe it. She was warm and inviting. Kagome had taken on quite a few of the kids and taught them all.
They were all talking and laughing when Kagome suddenly went rigid.
“Kagome, what wrong?” Yuri asked concerned.
“Something is coming, and it’s powerful.” She said standing up scanning the skies trying to identify the source.
“Kagome child, I don’t feel anything, not even a chill.” Nobuto was one of the strongest and if he didn’t feel it then either Kagome was crazy or she had surpassed him completely.
“No Nobuto, its there. I know this feeling. I know this aura; I just don’t know who it is yet.” Where in the hell had she felt this before? This fire on her skin and this heat in her body? Then it hit her. She had felt it in the study, in the bath house. She knew who it was. “It is Sesshomaru.”
“WHAT!” they all said in unison. “Lady Kagome, there is no way it could be my Lord. I would have known his presence anywhere.” Ronin chimed in.
“I know Ronin, you of all people would know he was coming, but I tell you it’s him. He is still a great distance away. I would say at least a day and a half if he doesn’t stop.”
“You can feel him that far away?” Yuri was looking at her in awe. She had seen her training and was in awe of that too. Never had she met a human so powerful.
“Yes Yuri, I can. Would you do something for me?”
“Anything my Lady.” she said reverting back to formalities.
“Would you inform everyone of his impending arrival? The castle is always in perfect condition but maybe they might want to know.” She really meant what she said, but she was nervous that Sesshomaru would find something wrong. That is one thing she did not want.
“Of course Kagome, I am sure they would all like to know.” Yuri got up to gather all the children to go back to their parents and she would inform the staff. Kagome and Ronin prepared for her training. It was a show for the servants that were outside at the time, and many of them came to watch Kagome do her thing. Even Shippo and Rin came and they stayed for all of it, sometimes they even joined in on a light day. Kagome didn’t mind people watching her, she was confident in her skills now although she still didn’t know were they came from all of a sudden. The only real private time she had was when she was with Nobuto and they meditated. The change of times had stopped, at least while she was meditating. She still had her dreams but she was used to them. She figured she was just picking up someone else’s energy or something. She was proud of herself, and she hoped Sesshomaru would be proud of her as well.