InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Change, the Only Constant ❯ To Battle ( Chapter 16 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha Rumiko Takahashi does.

“Blah”= Talking

`Blah'= Thinking

*Blah*= InuDemon

After washing the dust from traveling away they gathered in the sitting room to wait for word that dinner was ready. Miroku was dressed in a new set of silk robes. Inuyasha wore something like what his brother normally did. The differences were that the base colour was red with black where the red designs were tied by a red and blue sash. Sango picked a black kimono, to help disguise that she had her slayer suit underneath, with cream coloured cats around the bottom and tied with a magenta obi. Kagome had a sky blue kimono with pale purple chrysanthemums and a matching obi. Shippo fidgeted next to his mother partly because of his new clothes, forest green haori and hakama with a cream coloured under shirt, and partly because of the nervous tension filling the room. It became almost too much for the kit and he was about to pick a fight with Inuyasha just to relieve some tension when a knock came at the door. Kagome got up and opened the door to see a demoness. She bowed and gestured for them to follow.

They were announced by the demoness who led them as they walked in. The whole room became silent. The small group got a little nervous at all the unknown youkai in the room. Sesshomaru sat at a table with the other lords and their mates situated horizontal to the two of tables where the majority of people sat.

The walk to Sesshomaru's table was like running a gauntlet. With hostility and curiosity that was so tangible it could almost reach out and touch the small group. Upon reaching the head table they bowed.

“Welcome little brother. You may sit here.” Sesshomaru gestured to his left where Rin was. On his right sat Kin, his mate, Akiyama, his mate and Kin.

The vast dinning hall had white walls with several tapestries featuring various inu youkai, two chandeliers hanging fro the ceiling, mahogany furniture and base board. The elegant room provided an interesting back drop for the charged atmosphere of the meal.

When dinner was finished Sesshomaru stood and everyone turned to look at him.

“This Sesshomaru has chosen his second in command. Lord Kin expressed his concern,” There was murmur of agreement from some in the room which Sesshomaru ignored. “So my brother and his pack will be tested tomorrow. This Sesshomaru has seen the pack marks and the adoption mark and deems them legitimate. They will be known as the Shikon pack.

“Their tests have already been determined by Lord Kiyoshi and Lord Kin. Lord Kiyoshi's test will take place in my study and only my self, Lord Kiyoshi, Lord Akiyama and Lord Kin will be present. Lord Kin's test, however, will take place at noon in the training area and observers are welcome to watch.”

Once finished his speech he motioned for the lords and Inuyasha's pack to follow him. Kagome guided Rin and Shippo by the hand because they were having a hard time staying awake.

Judging by the massive oak desk with neat stacks of parchment and scrolls and the bookshelves lining two walls the room they entered was Sesshomaru's study. Sesshomaru moved to one of the stuffed chairs by the deep fireplace. Kiyoshi sat in the other one; Kagome, Sango and the children took the settee. Miroku, from his position from behind Sango asked,

“Why did you call us that? And what is involved with these tests we are going to take?”

From Kin's direction came an irritated noise followed by an answer.

“You'll all have to prove you have basic intelligence.” The fact that he did not believe they could do this coloured his voice. “Then you must prove your strength.”

“Mind telling us something specific, ass?” Kagome glared at Inuyasha briefly for his language in front of the children, even though they were both mostly asleep.

“You can not know any specifics until the test happens little brother. I brought you here to explain a few things. As to why I called you that it is up to the Lord of the lands you belong to name any new packs that form. I chose that because it is you who searched for and guard it. It is even your mark.” They looked at the marks on their hands in amazement, they hadn't realized it before.

“Tomorrow someone will come and bring you to this room. If you finish the first test quickly you will wait in your room until someone gets you around noon for the second test.” He turned to Kagome. “Everyone but you is able to wear their regular clothing. You must wear something more appropriate.” The girl frowned but nodded. “In addition do not worry for the Kitsune. He will be with Rin near me.”

Her expression brightened considerably and she cradled the sleeping kit closer before bowing slightly.

“As much as I love these after dinner chats I've had a long journey and am going to retire for the night.” Kiyoshi said after several minutes of silence before he left the room.

Sango suddenly thought of something,

“What happens if we fail?”

Kin grinned maliciously, “You are banished never to set foot on these lands again.” With that sobering pronouncement Kin bowed to Sesshomaru

“I think perhaps we should go to our rooms as well don't you Inuyasha?” Miroku looked at the hanyou who nodded.

When they were alone in the study Akiyama looked at his lord.

“Do you think they will pass?”

“Yes.”

“You think they are worthy?”

“Yes.”

“Then I shall not judge them yet.”

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When they arrived in the study early the next morning everyone else was already there. Kiyoshi stood and began to explain how the test would work.

“All of you will begin by reading a paragraph from this book.” He held up an large leather bound book. “Then you will write what I dictate.”

Everyone seemed relieved until Kiyoshi motioned for Inuyasha to go first. They all looked at him worriedly but he didn't seem concerned so they relaxed.

When the adults of the group all passed Kin looked a bit disgruntled.

“The kitsune should have to take the test as well to see if they are teaching him right.”

Kin was frustrated when even the youngest member of the group completed the task. On the other hand Shippo looked quite proud of himself.

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Noon saw a crowd gathered around the training area. There was a fence surrounding the battlefield and a box at one end for the lords and ladies. In the arena on one side were five youkai who had the same insignia as the ones that attacked them the day before, their leader was a large male with a scar going across his forehead. On the other side was a red clad hanyou, a dark haired monk, a female demon slayer and a miko.

“This match is to prove or disprove the worth of my brother and his pack. There shall be as little killing as possible. Start.”

At the signal the youkai charged. The one that charged Miroku had a spear and they began to trade blows, neither being clearly better than the other. Kagome shot a normal arrow at the one who had deemed her an easy target. Too bad it didn't slow the scared youkai down. Sango defeated her enemy and went to help Miroku because Inuyasha had already finished one careless opponent and was working on the other.

The scared youkai grabbed Kagome's arm, chucked and drew his arm back to strike her. The others didn't notice because the other youkai were doing their best to distract them.

Suddenly a small body used her shoulder as a spring board to launch an attack. He yelled “Fox fire” and felt pride flow through him as his mother's assailant halted his attack to bring both hands to his burnt face. No one in the battle noticed the silence that settled over the audience.

The others had finished their opponents quickly when Shippo's shout called there attention to Kagome's danger. Inuyasha, in demon form, was the first to arrive. He grabbed the youkai's neck and tossed him into a boulder rendering him unconscious.

“Good job runt.” He said affectionately to the kit that was being fussed over by his mother.

“You were very brave.” Sango told him and Miroku nodded his agreement.

“It can't be!” Those words came ringing across the field from where the nobles were.

A/N: I figure it is reasonable that they can all read even if it wasn't common back then. Miroku is a monk and he that was most likely part of his training. Kagome goes to school. Inuyasha's father and mother were both noble so he was probably taught at least the basics. Sango's father was the headman (I think) and he probably taught his kids how. As for Shippo lets say Kagome teaches him.

IRISH CORNER

May the sun shine, all day long,
everything go right, and nothing wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you,
and may all the wishes you wish come true!

When we drink, we get drunk.
When we get drunk, we fall asleep.
When we fall asleep, we commit no sin.
When we commit no sin, we go to heaven.
So, let's all get drunk, and go to heaven!

I have known many, liked not a few, loved only one, I drink to you.