InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Cloak and Dagger ❯ The Offer ( Chapter 2 )

She had decided not to tell her friends about the “Day of Weird” as she was now deeming the Sesshomaru archery incident in her head. What would telling them accomplish? Nothing. Inuyasha would freak out about her being alone with “the bastard,” Sango would worry that she had lost her mind, and Miroku would surely be full of lecherous thoughts pertaining to their activities.

Nope, better to keep silent about this.

But she couldn't keep her mind quiet. Oh no, not HER brain. Her brain didn't even begin to grasp the definition of “silence.” Her mind was lost to memories of the recent past.

“Your technique is sorely lacking, but you have potential woman.” Sesshomaru had appeared to study her like a Biology specimen as he informed her of this.

Okay, it was sort of a compliment right? So it was totally backhanded, but it was a start wasn't it? “Ummm... thanks I guess” she had told him. He had narrowed his golden eyes at her response, but really what was she supposed to say? `Oh thank you great Sesshomaru-sama for your infinite wisdom and high praise of this lowly mortal girl!' Kagome snorted. That would be the day.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow at her unladylike snort, but continued as though it did not deserve a response. “This Sesshomaru will train you.”

“Wait! What?” Kagome had managed to squeak out. Had he just been in a battle? Did he have some kind of serious head damage?

The taiyoukai rolled his eyes. “You should be honored that this Sesshomaru would even contemplate the idea of training you, miko. You are, after all, but a weak mortal woman.”

“Hey! If I'm so weak, then why would you want to tutor me?” Hands on her hips, Kagome was getting a little peeved. She'd had just about enough of stupid conceited dogs for one day.

Sesshomaru merely looked at the strange woman before him before shrugging his broad shoulders. “Entertainment.”

Okay. Now she was thoroughly insulted. So she wasn't graceful or well spoken or demure, and sure, she did get herself into a lot of strange predicaments, but still! How could one creature be so unfailingly rude? She opened her mouth to tell Sesshomaru just where he could stick it, but he interrupted her.

With a knowing look he told her, “Think well before you speak miko. Would you not like to be a great warrior? Do you not long to be able to protect yourself and defend those you care about? This Sesshomaru will not make the offer again.”

Kagome snapped her jaws tightly together with an audible click. He was right, damn him. That was exactly what she wanted. But how was she going to put up with his attitude? And how would her friends react to the fact that she was spending time with an “enemy?”

“Fine” she huffed.

Sesshomaru did that eyebrow thing again. He couldn't believe that he had actually offered to help this insolent woman. But, he was quite old, and nothing seemed to amuse him any more. He had watched the insane exploits of the little miko, and was sure that she would be able to amuse him. He also knew that the final battle with Naraku was drawing near and that if she was not well prepared they might well all fail in their endeavors to rid the world of his vile existence. She was the only one who would be able to purify the Shikon no Tama and without her assistance, the hanyou would most likely resurface. Best then, if she didn't perish before the battle.

And he had not lied when he had informed her that her technique was severely lacking. He had been surprised that she had even managed to hit the tree with her first attempt. But she seemed to be a quick learner, and perhaps she would do his training justice.

“Then you will meet with me nightly and we will begin your training.” He had turned to walk away from her, not sure he could handle any more of her inane statements.

“Hey wait!” Kagome called out to the taiyoukai's retreating form. He turned around, confusion evident on his visage. “How do I know where to meet you?”

Shooting her a look that implied she had just confirmed his suspicions about her being mentally challenged, he told her “You will remove yourself from your traveling companions. This Sesshomaru will find you.” And then he was gone in a little green burst of light.

“Great. Just freaking great.” Kagome muttered to herself while shaking her head.

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So she had gathered her things together and headed back to the camp. She had passed a hot spring on the way, and never being one to disregard fate, she had stopped for a quick bath. She did her best to not think about what she had just agreed to. Being trained by Sesshomaru. Okay, it did have it's general appeal; after all, there really wasn't anyone more suited to the task. If you had to get trained by someone, why shouldn't it be the most powerful person........ errrrrr.... demon in the country?

But how was she going to get away on a nightly basis? Inuyasha trailed her every move these days, and it was only with an extreme “osuwari” that he let her alone. Like today. She was pretty sure that if she were to go to where they had been fighting today in her own time, there would still be a huge hanyou hole in the ground. And, she felt bad about it. Not for this afternoon, he had deserved that one, but she couldn't exactly sit him into oblivion every night. Could she?

She pictured the angry face of Inuyasha yelling at her and thought that maybe she could. And then she saw the cute little koinu ears twitching in her direction as he carried her and she knew that she couldn't.

With a sigh, Kagome got out of the water, toweled off, gathered her things, and headed back to the camp.

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Hehehe. Well that's it. All four of my current stories have now had new chapters posted today. I'm plum tuckered, I must admit.

And hungry. Well, I'm off to make some ramen. I do so enjoy ramen. (Please refrain from silly hanyou jokes at my expense.)

~omizumaru