InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Desert Rose ❯ Jordan's Training ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

By: ji-an

Title is self-explanatory. Kagome is taken to meet Lady Jordan where she learns that the job she volenteered to do, is more than she bargened for.�

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha, it's the sole property of Romiko Takahashi, and I cannot take credit for her genius.

Anime/Manga: InuYasha Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Mystery / Hentai / Drama / Adventure / Action | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 07.03.2006 | Updated On: 03.19.2007 | Pages: 10 | Words: 12.4K | Visits: 2.4K | Status: Work In Progress

I really have no comment.

Chapter 10: Lady Jordan's Training

The day they had arrived in Lunar Oasis, it was a full moon; a full moon either indicating good or looming things to come. Whether it was going to be a simple journey or a complex one, Kagome didn't know. All she did know was that this place that didn't have a certain feeling like the others did. It was a strange yet beautiful surrounding: an ivory palace that glowed under the moonlight with the reflection of the water on the lake right next to it.

Though arriving, she was still dazed from the induced sleep that Inuyasha had put her into and she didn't feel quite ready to meet Lady Jordan. It was really odd: this was the only place in the desert that was warm but with a cool breeze. Finally being able to stand on her two feet, after Inuyasha placed her off the camel, she stared wide-eyed at Lady Jordan's home.

“Well, shall we go in?” Said a masculine voice next to her ear that caused her to jump back in surprise before Inuyasha erupted laughing. She glared at him and answered through gritted teeth, “Don't sneak up on me like that! And stop teasing me!”

“Okay, I'll stop…when it stops being so much fun.” He mumbled to himself.

“What was that?”

He chuckled. “Nothing.”

Walking past her till all she could see was his back, he startled her at how fast his voice became serious. “I still have my doubts. I would've preferred…not to have you as my host.”

“Why? Is it because I'm not good enough?” She retorted angrily at him.

“No, but I have my reasons.”

With that said, he walked up to the gates, entering the courtyard, pushing the large door open and entering the palace as Kagome followed suit. Entering onto the marble coated floors of the main hall, the two of them were greeted by Sango and Miroku. “Took you long enough.” The female had said before gesturing the three of them to follow her into the library where an old woman and a much younger lady were talking to one another.

The younger woman, upon seeing her guests, had, for an unnerving instant, locked her eyes with Kagome before turning her attention to the elderly lady. “Mother, we'll continue our conversation later, I seem to have guests.” The elderly woman had nodded before a servant was called to escort her out. Once the older woman was gone, it was then that the young lady turned her attention to Inuyasha and his group.

“How long has it been; twenty, maybe thirty years? It's truly great to see you again, Inuyasha.” Greeted the younger woman.

“It's great to see you too, Jordan. Still look the same, huh?”

Kagome mentally jumped. THIS was Jordan? The breathtaking woman, with grey eyes and long silken, black, wavy, hair was the renowned sorceress? Her title as a noble, and the fact that she was claimed to be more than sixty years old, had Kagome thinking that the elderly lady she had seen was the real Lady Jordan.

“And you still look like a pup.” She remarked. Though her face remained expressionless, Lady Jordan's eyes twinkled whenever she felt a strong pang of emotion.

“I see you haven't changed,” Inuyasha stated, his tone also serious, “still as sarcastic as ever.”

“Well, to get to the point, where is your host-to-be?” Jordan asked as curiosity shimmered in her eyes to see what Inuyasha's new host looked like.

Sango pushed Kagome into Jordan's view, encouraging her to introduce herself. Once she was in Lady Jordan's eyesight, she fidgeted to introduce herself under the sorceress' knowing gaze. “I-I I'm Kagome. Pleased to meet you Lady Jordan, I am Inuyasha's new host.” She stated rather nervously. It was then that Kagome had seen the first emotion to come across Lady Jordan's face: surprise.

The woman walked up to Kagome, her long blue robes and shawls fluttering as she did so, circling and watching the younger girl. “Hmmm. Inuyasha, I think you have made a grave mistake.”

“Why's that?”

“This girl is so…for lack of a better word, pure. Are you sure,” she looked at Kagome with an intense eye, “that you want to be his host, Kagome? I'm sure you don't know what the position truly is. Otherwise, you would have never agreed to take the job. Are you ready for whatever lies ahead.” The woman's voice was full of clouded concern.

“I took this position ready for anything that may come with it and I don't think I want to turn back now.”

Lady Jordan looked at her with an unreadable expression. “Very well, I shall train you. You may leave her here with me, Inuyasha. I'm sure you have more pressing matters to attend to.”

“Wait, your going?” Kagome said before Inuyasha could turn his heel to leave.

“Yeah, I have to. There is a war that needs my attention. Don't worry; Jordan will take good care of you. She doesn't bite.” Inuyasha said

“Yes, but you do, Inuyasha” Lady Jordan replied as the hanyou turned to exit the library.

“Try not to rough her up too much, Jordan.” He said over his shoulder.

“You're one to talk.” She chuckled before turning her attention to Kagome again. “I'll start training you tomorrow. As for now, say goodbye and I'll have Koharu guide you to your room.” Lady Jordan left the library without a word, but not before saying her brief farewell to Inuyasha and telling Kagome to get a good night's sleep.

00000000000

After the young girl, whom Lady Jordan had deemed Koharu, took Kagome to her “room,” (which Kagome would really call an audience chamber) she had laid in her bed for hours. The air of the room was comfortable but the decorations felt so…fancy? The center was a large canopy bed made of oak wood. There was a window with glass doors. Walls were painted a light almost white, blue, a wooden bookshelf, and there was a large walk-in closet where Kagome's new host-clothes were supposed to be.

She wasn't able to sleep no matter how comfortable she tried to be, tossing and turning in her large canopy bed. It was the anxiety. She was even more nervous now that her sorcerer was gone. She had thought that Inuyasha was going to stay with her during training, but, then again, a war needed its generals. Her mind drifted from idea to idea, thought-to-thought, open to closed.

“Miss Kagome. Ms. Kagome, wake up. Lady Jordan hates it when people are late.” She ignored the worried, feminine voice and, grumbling, replied, “No, I don't want to go, it's way to early.”

“But it's noon. You were due an hour ago.” The voice replied.

“Oomph, no, go away.”

“This is not a good way to start your training. What would your sorcerer say?”

“He'd laugh and then get mad and most likely drag me out of bed. Good night!”

“Well, then, problem solved.” Suddenly, a grip enveloped around her ankle and the next thing she knew, she was feeling the knot in her stomach from the pulling feeling. The knot soon changed to pain when she collided with the floor in a split second after being pulled from her sheets.

Kagome glared, her eyebrows coming together in annoyance, at Koharu. The smaller girl shook her head saying, “You'll thank me later. No get dressed. Lady Jordan must be very angry at you for being so late.”

Grumbling, Kagome pulled herself off the marble ground and walked across the room to her closet but when she walked into the wardrobe, she suddenly felt as though she were stepping into a pile of hung clothing. Shawls, tunics, robes, simple white and blue dresses, and veils hung on the walls in different levels of height.

“Umm, Koharu?” Kagome called from the closet.

“Hmm?”

“I don't know what I'm supposed to-”

She heard a sigh and then Koharu appeared in the doorway. She pulled a simple white dress with slits from the hips to the hem, a blue shawl, and simple turquoise tunic. Pulling Kagome's nightgown off, she slid the white dress over her head, then the shorter tunic and then the dark blue shawl around her waist.

“If your are in training, you wear the simple outfits. However, once you have learned most of the things you need, then Lady Jordan will give you your full, host, gown.” Koharu said once she was done dressing Kagome. “Now, we have to hurry to the garden, otherwise you will have a very difficult first training day.” She smiled to reassure Kagome, knowing how Lady Jordan was going to be upset.

Exiting the room, Kagome followed Koharu across the marble floors to the garden. Koharu led her through a few corridors and across a bridge to the green and pink garden. There were flowers there that Kagome hadn't seen in her whole life. Giant blue and white roses, black tulips, and pink flowers that looked like stars surrounded the small clearing where Lady Jordan sat next to a small glass table.

“You're late.” The sorceress called out when she saw Kagome being pushed in by Koharu. “One would question your upbringing.” She said, placing her ivory teacup on the table. She rose from her seat, making her way across the small clearing to where Kagome was standing, and dismissing Koharu. Once the servant had left, Lady Jordan turned her attention to Kagome saying, “I'll let it off this time as a warning. I don't expect you to be late next time. If you're really serious about being a host, then you had better take this seriously.” With that said, Lady Jordan turned to sit back on her seat, signaling for Kagome to follow and sit on the empty seat across the table.

“Um, I'm sorry, Ms. Jordan.” Kagome stated, her irritation changing into nervousness from Lady Jordan's serious scolding.

“'Miss?' Don't call me that. It makes me feel old. Just Jordan is fine.” It seemed that surprise was the only emotion that flickered across Jordan's face.

Kagome blushed from the embarrassment. Jordan really did have the air of a teacher.

“So, um, where do we start?” Kagome asked, trying to get to the point.

“Well, first off, I'll have to ask you a few questions.”

“Okay.”

“How old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“That's very young. You'd still be considered a child.” Kagome stared at the woman before her. Was she insulting her?

“Next question: Are you a virgin?”

“W-what?” Kagome's face became so crimson, that if someone looked at her they would've though she were a giant talking tomato.

“Answer the question. Are you or aren't you?”

“Yes, I am.” Her face became even redder.

“I'm just going to say this right now, before you land yourself in a promising situation. Being a host, there will be some intimacy between you and your sorcerer and it's unavoidable.”

Kagome's heart jumped. `Intimacy? Like sex?' She gulped, fidgeting in her chair. Somehow Jordan caught her nervousness. “Don't worry, things may not go too far. It all depends on the host and the sorcerer.” After hearing this, Kagome finally got the strength to ask the question that has been plaguing her mind since Inuyasha agreed to let her be his partner.

“Jordan, what is a host?”

The noble's eyes, though her face remained serious, softened. “I was wondering when you would ask that question. First off, all hosts are always female. Males do not have the capacity to hold onto another's power, they are not the ones that give life. In short, a host would be called a power bank. When a sorcerer has energy to spare, they give their energy to the host to hold on to until they need their strength, and then they take it back. It's all a matter of power withdrawals and deposits.”

“Is that all?”

“Far from it. That's only part of what you have to do. Not only do you have to learn to hold on to someone else's power, you also have to perform spells with them. Miroku told me you performed a goddess summoning with Inuyasha. That spell is so powerful that it takes two to perform it. You see, that much power is far too much for one to handle. Spells that require a host are like that. The sorcerer will tie their power to their host, give them the spell, and the host will perform the spell according to the sorcerer's will.”

“So that was why the red ribbon from Inuyasha appeared and tied itself around my wrist?”

“Yes, that was how he tied his magic to yours. When he gives his power to you in a spell, you will feel empowered. However, too much a blow of power can kill you. Don't worry about that because a sorcerer knows how much or how less power to give you. I thought you should know the dangers first before the benefits, am I right.”

“Yes, I want to know.”

“First, whenever you are given energy, you will feel strengthened. Often when this happens, a host feels so healthy that they avoid eating, sleeping, or even drinking. They thrive on borrowed energy. However, that energy will be taken back, and when that happens, the host will be so tired and weak, unable to perform their takes. So don't you dare forget to take care of yourself. Secondly, You have to spend your nights with you sorcerer. This was the intimacy part. It doesn't matter if your sorcerer is male or female, you have to rest with them, close to them, at night. Because a sorcerer's magical energy is most active at night, being near their host helps them create more energy or heal up faster from the amount of strength used. Thirdly, you are able to use the energy given to you to perform spells. However, though the borrowed strength will do you no harm, you'd be taking a massive risk if you decide to use a power that is not yours. What would happen if your sorcerer needed that power? And lastly, since I thought you should know this because you look like a person who has never killed someone before, you will have to fight and people will die from the spells you use. Are you prepared for that?”

“I don't know…” Kagome had her eyes downcast. “I will try to find a way not to kill anyone.” She whispered to herself. This was so complicated. She had no idea, that this was everything she had to do and, since this was only the danger, there had to be more on her new job. She reviewed the information in her head, then looked up at Jordan, nodding to tell her to continue.

“On to the benefits. Whenever you are given energy, you create your own magical power. It's a strange magical reaction. Since you are a miko, your power will be really strong.”

“I'm a miko?”

“Yes, I could sense it from the moment I met you. That is why you have such a powerful purity. If you have sex, your miko powers will be gone. However, if you create your own magical powers, you will be able to have the powers of a sorceress. Another benefit, is that over time you will be physically empowered. That means, you might be able to run faster, see better, hear better, look younger for a long time, etc. Because, you are magically tied to your sorcerer, you will be able to spiritually form a bond with him or her. You will be able to communicate through distances, feel if one of you is hurt, and sometimes be able to enter each other's dreams.”

“How will I be able to do all this?”

“I'll help you there. First, you'll have to get used to carrying another person's energy. I want you to hold onto my power for the rest of the day. Don't forget: take care of yourself no matter how energized you feel.”

She took a deep breath to prepare for new task but before Jordan could give her power to her, Kagome asked. “How does a sorcerer give his or her energy to their host?”

Jordan stood from her seat. “Energy is given through various openings in the body. It can be given trough the eyes, mouth, ears, and some others, but I'll speak of that later.”

Jordan walked across the table to where Kagome was seated and bent down so that she was eye level to the host. For a moment, her grey eyes glowed blue. Kagome felt as though she were light as a feather when the eyes stared into hers, still glowing a light blue. When Jordan pulled back, Kagome could tell what she had meant when she said a sorcerer's energy makes you feel powerful.

For the rest of the day, Kagome had to resist the urge not to run about and try her hardest to eat, drink and relax. She felt as though she had a sugar rush and all she wanted to do was run a marathon. It was hard and she could tell what Jordan meant about how hosts ignore their daily needs.

After the sun went down, Jordan took her energy back the same way she gave it, relieving Kagome of her burden. Once the energy was taken away, Kagome felt a little dazed but otherwise in the calm mood she had been in that morning. Lady Jordan told her that it was normal for her to feel a little dazed. She also told her, once Kagome had noticed the change in herself, that it was also normal to feel better than one did before they were given they energy.

For the first time another emotion flickered across Jordan's face. She smiled and said how impressed she was that Kagome had gotten the hang of holding onto someone else's energy on her first try. She told her to go to sleep. Kagome didn't complain, she was tired after having the extra energy taken away and fell asleep as soon as the pillow hit her head.

In the morning, Koharu woke Kagome up, dressed her, and told her to be ready for her new tasks.

00000000000

Kouga was tired. Running about all day, making sure his comrades were fine. Fighting, planning and dealing with the mutt had exhausted him to no end. And now, as if he wasn't tired enough, some annoying flea demon had come to camp asking where the hanyou was. Grumbling he had led the flea to Inuyasha's tent, hoping it would keep the dog out of his hair for a while.

The small demon, a bit larger than the normal size flea, scurried to the bed in the middle of the tent. The young hanyou was resting, his face and arms smeared again with the blood of his enemies.

Inuyasha was torn from his dream from a tiny pain on his shoulder. On impulse he stuck his hand in the direction of the irksome pain, slapping his hand on his shoulder and sitting up to look at the flattened demon in his hand. “Myoga, what are you doing here?”

The flea un-flattened itself and looked up at the hanyou. “Greetings, Master Inuyasha. I heard the news. You have taken a new host. Where is she?”

“She's in training and has been so for two and a half months. What's it to you anyway? You're supposed to be at father's tomb with Totosai and Jaken.”

“There are things you should know. It's something your father wanted you to know and-”

“Like I care what the old man has to say.”

“Please master, it's important.”

“I'm listening.”

()()()()()()()()()

Kagome shifted in the cold water. This was among the oddest training she had yet to endure. What did a change in body temperature have to do with being a host anyway? The lake glowed in the moonlight. Despite the fact that the water was so freezing and there was a waterfall thundering over her head, this would've been quite relaxing. She looked to her right, where Jordan was sitting next to her, easily relaxing under the fall.

“I still don't get how this will help me be a host.”

“There are a lot of spells that will make you feel cold. This will help you learn to adapt to those changes.” Jordan stated.

Trying to ignore the cold water hitting her shoulders, Kagome's mind drifted to her past training lessons. The first couple of weeks had consisted of learning to carry another's power and learning to give it back. Once she had mastered that, Jordan had taught her how to tap into the power as well as fight with it. There were many times where she had to spar with the sorceress, though each time Jordan had won. Learning to control the energy was the hard part. It was difficult to keep the power under control at times of emotional chaos. Jordan would purposely insult Kagome to get her angry. The unsuspecting miko had to try to keep her temper and the power under her control. Once she was able to handle carrying, fighting, and controlling another's magical power, Jordan had started teaching Kagome some miko spells as well as some sorcery spells.

Though there were many things she had mastered, Kagome knew there were things that Jordan was keeping from her.

“I heard the news.”

“What news?” Kagome asked, straining to turn her head under the pounding water.

“Apparently, things aren't going to well with Inuyasha's side of the war. All the camps except for Base-point have been wiped out. Hiroshi is dead. Not to mention that the spell in spreading at a faster rate now. The only sure thing standing between their victory is Inuyasha and his brother. I know that Lord Sesshoumaru would be more than happy to go into battle but, without him at Western Domain, there's no one to protect that area from the spell. Kagome,” Jordan's tone became forgoing, “you have to have you debut in three days. As far as I'm concerned, you are more than ready to be a host. If there is anything you don't still understand, then tell me now.”

“Well, I wanted to know what other ways can a sorcerer give his powers to a host.”

For the first time she saw Jordan blush. “Besides all the openings I told you about, a host can also get energy through mating. This is only used for immense power. Should something happen that puts the host's life in danger, then the sorcerer has all rights to perform the `matting gift,' as it is called, to permanently give his or her power to them so they could heal. Anything else you would want to know?”

“No, that's all.”

“If you have any other questions, ask Inuyasha. I have taught you all I know. The rest is up to you. Now all that's left, Kagome, is planning your debut.”

“What's my debut?”

“Remember when I taught you to dance and sing?”

“Yes.”

“You will have to dance at your debut as well as tie your mortal powers to Inuyasha.”

“How?”

“ There will be six dancers, all of them masked. You will be one of them. After the dance, each of the dancers will leave out into the garden. If you're host power is able to call out to Inuyasha, he will be able to find you among the dancers. He won't be able to catch your scent, so this is all about being able to find your host energy. Consider this a test for both of you. Once he finds you, you will tie your mortal powers to his by having him give you your first jolt of energy. Once that is done, you will be his full-time host.”

Jordan jumped into the lake of water from the fall and rose from the water to go gather her clothing. She motioned for Kagome to follow. “I'll send word to Inuyasha and his friends to come get you and I shall prepare for your debut. You just take this time to go over all you've learned. You are the fasted and strongest host I've ever trained Kagome.”

“Thank you.” Kagome replied.

She dressed and followed her former teacher into the house. When they walked through the corridors, Jordan asked Kagome to go to sleep and let her plan her debut. Kagome nodded for she was too tired from training to argue. Walking to her room, her thoughts drifted back to her friends in the war. She wondered whether Sango and Miroku were okay. Upon reaching her room, she wondered whether…

She signed, fumbling with the fabric around her skin and pulling it from her shoulders. Changing into her nightwear, she crawled under the sheets of the bed. She was staring at the ceiling for a long time, her mind whirling with thoughts, making it impossible to even consider sleep.

She raised herself to sit, gripping the sheets and thinking about what was to come.

“Inuyasha…”

Kagome?

()()()()()()()()()()

The hanyou stopped dead in his tracks. Was it her voice he just heard? His comrades stopped to stare at him.

“Inuyasha-sama?” One of the solders was brave enough to speak.

He turned and stared at their eyes, telling them all to continue on ahead and that he'll catch up soon. He stared up into the atmosphere, where the girl's voice had come from. How was he able to hear her voice from such a distance? They had yet to even tie their powers together.

Inuyasha smirked to himself. Of course…the goddess summoning. He mustn't of broken all of the ties that connected his power to hers.

Inuyasha? Is that you?

“Yeah.”

How come I can hear you?

“Because I didn't separate my powers from yours when you acted as my host for the goddess summoning.”

Oh. Where are you?

“Fighting.”

I heard things aren't going too well.

“Well, we haven't lost yet. How are things with you?”

Jordan says I'm done. She's planning my debut already.

“Already? You finished a month early.”

Not bad, huh?

“Keh.”

Hey! I worked really hard! Don't I deserve some credit?

“Whatever, bitch.”

JERK!

“I'll come get you in three days. Till then, try and calm down.”

No, don't disconnect! I really missed you, and I don't want to wait three more days to see you again! It's been two crazy months!

“I miss you too. Wait for me.”

He broke whatever tie there was between then and Kagome's voice faded into the atmosphere along with her complaints. It wasn't good for her to be able to tie her powers with his just yet, especially when her debut was coming up.

He turned to catch up with his comrades.

()()()()()()()()()()

Morning had come, but her thoughts kept wandering back to the moment at night where she heard Inuyasha's voice in the air. No matter what she tried to do to make the day go by faster, time seemed to move as slow as a snail. Even with preparations for her debut, everything seemed leisurely go forward.

Jordan had already given her the blue and white host gown and shawl that was to be her uniform after she officially becomes Inuyasha's host. Until then, though, she was supposed to wear a green robe that showed she wasn't claimed yet as anyone's host.

Three days sluggishly moved by and lady Jordan told Kagome to go prepare with the other dancers. She was also told that she couldn't see her sorcerer until after the ceremony. So Kagome prepared with the other dancers, wearing the same green robe, placing the mask over her face, and tying her black hair up into a tail.

Her heart banged against her ribcage. She had learned many dances from Jordan, but she never performed in front of, dare she say, people. She felt so apprehensive and doubtful it was ridiculous. What if she missed a step or worse: what if Inuyasha was unable to recognize her and she failed to connect her mortal powers with his?

Nightfall had come with the rising of a full moon. It was almost time for her and the other five dancers to enter the ballroom. She took a deep breath, and then followed the other dancers out into the garden where she stood again taking in deep breaths, waiting for the servant to call them to dance.

()()()()()()()()()()()

Upon entering Lunar Oasis, Inuyasha was greeted by Lady Jordan. Tradition demanded that he was supposed to come alone. Never one to follow anyone else's rules, he had asked Sango and Miroku to come with him to the ceremony. He didn't even care that he wasn't allowed to see his host until after the dance. All he wanted to make sure she was alright and it took every shred of self-control to follow Jordan into the ballroom instead of rush to the garden, where he knew she was, and find her.

Somehow Jordan had sensed his uneasiness, sitting him and his comrades on the pillows in the ballroom. His face was as expressionless as Jordan's as she sat him down on the pillow at the edge of the round, marble designs on the floor next to a small table. She knew that he knew there was far more to being a host then what Jordan had explained to Kagome. They both knew that they would keep the those dark secrets to themselves.

“So, Lady Jordan,” Miroku stated, breaking the looming silence that had plagued the ballroom, “What do think of Inuyasha taking a new host after so long?”

Sango looked up from the tea she was drinking to look at the expression on the hanyou's face. Jordan turned her attention to Miroku before answering. “I think,” she began, “that it's finally time for him to get a new host as well as open his heart to someone for the first time in a long time.” She stated before taking her seat on a pillow next to the small table.

The hanyou growled at her statement, resisting the urge to curse at her for speaking what she should not. He hated it when others spoke on his behalf. Just when he was about to smugly reply at her speech, the musicians started to play the “Music Carrier,” the song that was used for an emerging host. He stared as the dancers entered the room through the pillars that led to the outside garden. Each woman wearing the same mask and green gown. The gowns' bottoms were long, green skirts that had slashes from the hips to the ankles in the front, sides, and back. The tops of the gowns were sleeveless and stopped midway on the belly.

The bangles on the dancers' ankles and wrists making jingling sounds as they swirled and shook their hips while swaying their hands to and fro like leave in the wind. Matching their movements with the pounding of the drums the girls circled, kicking a foot into the air while still mesmerizing the audience with their hand movements.

Sango had kept her eyes on Inuyasha, watching him as his expressionlessly darted from dancer to dancer. His gaze kept shifted from person to person, often resting for a while on the more petite girls. At one point, Sango couldn't even tell if he were looking at the girls anymore. He seemed to be staring off into the distance. She watched him in his daze, when his eyes suddenly came back into a focus, narrowing. He sat back, no longer tense on his pillow as the dance continued.

Inuyasha was torn from his thoughts, when he heard someone near him shift. When he turned his head, he saw a weeping Miroku being dragged out by his wife. He couldn't tell whether she was being amorous, jealous or just following the rules that a host and her sorcerer had to be alone. He smirked, knowing something was coming to the monk. He turned his attention back to the dance as it began to end and each girl left between the different pillars that led outside to the garden. As the music stopped, the musicians left the room to leave Jordan and Inuyasha alone in the ballroom.

“ You only have one chance to choose.” Jordan stated.

“I know.” Inuyasha answered.

“I only taught her the basic facts. She doesn't know the harsher secrets. I still don't agree with taking someone so pure as your host but I guess neither of you have a choice now.”

“Thanks for the update, Jordan.”

“I leave her in your hands.” Jordan's footsteps echoed across the marble as she exited the room, leaving Inuyasha to stare at the open space between the pillars to decide which one to go through to find his host.

0000000000000

Kagome waited near the garden. She looked to her right and then her left at the dancers waiting in different parts of the garden. She was hoping Inuyasha could find her, because he and she were only given one shot. If he didn't find her then it meant she was an unsuitable host and she couldn't become his partner.

She breathed in. During the dance, she was nervous when his eyes darted from person to person, never stopping on her, not even once. For a moment he had turned his head away, making her heart pound in annoyance. When she learned that he was not ignoring the dance and looking at Sango dragging out Miroku, she calmed down. Now was the moment where she would see if she was good enough or not.

She looked again to see if Inuyasha had emerged and wrongfully picked someone else. To her amazement, there was no one there. All the dancers had left.

“Boo.” A voice huffed in her ear. She shrieked and jumped back, turning around to see her assaulter, only to be surprised that there was no one behind her. Again a voice huffed against the back of her neck. “You are defiantly Kagome.” When she turned this time, she was greeted with that same, familiar smirk.

He unhooked the ties that held the mask up and pulled the disguise off. “I was right.” Inuyasha said when he saw Kagome's blushed face.

“How did you know it was me?” She asked.

“No one else gets as surprised as you do.” He said and laughed when he narrow her eyes at him. “I'm kidding. I've done this twice, you know. I will be able to tell a host's energy apart from everyone else's”

“So,” Kagome untied the band that held her hair up, letting the tuffs fall onto her shoulders, “what do I do now?”

Before she could realize what was happening, the hanyou had captured her chin between his forefinger and thumb and locked her mouth with his. Her eyes drifted closed and she felt as though her center would stop beating. Being this close to him, she could smell the familiar, intoxicating scent of a pine forest that coated him.

He parted her lips with his tongue, running it over her teeth, then pushing past into her mouth and surging his tongue with hers. Still too shy to respond, her felt her tentatively push back with her own tongue.

So caught up in what he was doing, Kagome hadn't noticed the red light passing from him to her. Eyes closed, she felt something pass into her from him. Her body felt light. Before she couldn't stand it anymore, she broke away from him to try and catch her breath. She panted for air, still a little light-headed, but otherwise she felt fine. So, that was how Inuyasha gave his energy. She blushed when she realized that they would be doing this so often.

Finally getting the courage to look at him, she brought her eyes to his face. He was calm and as nonchalant as he's always been. She supposed he wasn't one to get easily flushed. She saw him smirk at her and was just about to yell at him for being so cocky when he suddenly turned.

“Come on, Kagome.” He said.

She walked next to him as they re-entered the ballroom and then, passed into a corridor where Jordan stood, apparently, waiting for them.

“So you found her.” She said when she noticed the two of them together.

“Where's Miroku and Sango?” Kagome asked.

“When I left, the woman asked me where the guest room was. Afterward, she left muttering something about punishment and dragging the begging monk with her.” Jordan stated, amusement twinkling in her eyes. Inuyasha rolled his eyes while Kagome giggled, oblivious to what Sango had really meant.

“Well, Inuyasha, you know where your room is. I'll see you off in the morning. And Kagome, your nightgown is in the room as well as your new host robes.” With that said, Jordan made her exit.

Kagome gulped. It was time to sleep, which meant she would be spending her nights with Inuyasha from now on. If she though her heart was hammering then, it was nothing compared to the drums in her chest now. She didn't say anything when Inuyasha toke hold of her hand and guided her to the room. She tried to keep her breathing steady, so he wouldn't notice her unease, but it was no use. She felt as though she would hyperventilate though, thankfully, she didn't.

Upon entering their room, Kagome had noticed the tray of food that the servants had left for Inuyasha and his new host. Her hand flitted to her stomach. She wasn't hungry, but Jordan's advise to always eat when you are given energy drifted to her mind.

“Looks like they left us some dinner.” Inuyasha stated. He didn't get an answer.

Despite Kagome's constant attention to keep herself calm and expressionless, Inuyasha could tell she was uneasy. He watched as she walked up to the bed, picked up her nightgown, and then looked around helplessly to see where she would change, away from his eyes. He chuckled, then stood and looked at her.

“It's not like I'm gonna bite you. Change, I'll turn.”

He caught her glare in the corner of his eye as he turned around. Soon he heard the fumbling of fabric and turned to see Kagome in her nightgown, removing her bangles. Even after they ate, she still hadn't said a word to him, only nodded whenever he spoke to her. Finishing their food, he stood and walked across the room. When he began to remove his clothes, he heard her squeak and saw her turn her head in the corner of his eye. He chuckled, removing his robe and placing the night robe on his back.

He sat on the bed when finished and stretched out his hand to her. “Come here.”

Face reddening, she stood from her chair and walked toward him. When she was close enough, his hand shot out in one fluent motion, seized her arm, pulled her into the bed on top of him, and covered the both of them with the bed sheets. He hadn't even given her time to gasp.

She laid there, her fist pressed against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat and it was something she dearly missed.

“Get used to it, Kagome. It's going to be like this for the rest of the war. Now go to sleep.”

She wasn't tired, just dazed but, soon she fell into a doze, listening to Inuyasha's heartbeat.

I tried to make this chapter more than just explanations, but it was nearly impossible to include a fight scene. Not to mention, the random Innuendo here and there. Don't laugh!! I really didn't know how to write this chapter, so it ended up taking me a week to finish. XD please review!!! I worked REAAAALLY hard for this one!!! What with graduation and college coming up, I deserve some reviews…PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAASSSSSSEEEE!!!! ^_^ thank you!