InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ For The Last Time ❯ Chapter 12 ( Chapter 12 )

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

You wanted an update? Well here you go!!

Chapter Dedication: To all those who review my story. Thank you.

I am going to try to update as often as possible on this story for the next few days. I want to get this complete so I can start on my next story which is previewed in my new "collection" Random Scenes. Hate the muse not me!

Explanation: single quotes (‘’) are Beast talk, double quotes (“”) are normal speech.

Disclaimer: I don't own this show. But I do own this story line, what I am going to do to Hojo, and the new characters I have introduced.

Previously in For The Last Time...

The Taiyoukai gave a laughing growl and stood to his feet, turning on a dime and taking off a fast sprint to the area where Jaken was currently being used as a play toy. Right now, the green kappa was flying through the air. Apparently, Obsydian had placed him on Kyra's rump and the filly had given one good buck to send the toad flying all over again.

The rest of the morning continued in that manner. The members of the group took turns playing with Jaken. Each one invented a new way of torturing the diminutive demon.

Around noon the group stopped their torture and relaxed for a little rest. The Taiyoukai remained in their true forms, each resting in their own way. Obsydian lay on her side, dozing lightly while Sesshomaru rested on his stomach, Kagome curled into his chest. Kyra was grazing on a few trees, munching happily on their leafy parts. Rin and Shippou were napping against Ah and Un's side while Jaken, who was currently hanging from a tree, was tied up and muffled so he couldn't disrupt the peace that had fallen.

However, it would not be him that disrupted the peace. Another had plans in mind for the young miko.

oOoOoOoOo

The figure watched with a scowl on his face at the interactions of the lounging group. His tail lashed angrily as he watched how comfortably the miko lounged against the soft white fur of the Western Taiyoukai's chest. This simply would not do. There was simply no reason for Kagome to be so comfortable in such a deadly and threatening presence. She actually seemed to be enjoying his company!

He growled under his breath again, taking care to keep it below the hearing level of the great white dog in the clearing. He paced slightly, walking to and fro between the wooded brush. The being's mind raced as he tried to come up with a way to separate the two, without losing his life of course. He thought as he walked, moving his lips to the course of his thoughts.

"Let's see now, I could use the two idiots for a distraction then snatch her away. Nah, he'd probably snap me up in his jaws and, munch!, I'd be gone." He shuddered visibly at that thought. That would be counter-productive to his plans. After all, he'd have to live to love the miko.

"Hm, I could snatch the kit and...no, wait, he's laying beside that pesky little girl. If she saw me, and with my luck she would, she would scream bloody murder. Then either one of the giant mutts or the or the overgrown piece of rump roast would come after me. Fat chance I have of escaping any one of them." He mused again for another few minutes, pacing back and forth and wearing a path in the dense grass.

oOoOoOo

Sesshomaru leaned his head down slightly, making sure to make it look natural. He kept his eyes at half-mast while staying focused on one particular spot in the trees.

"Kagome," he whispered softly, well, as softly as he could, "the wolf-cub has come to pay a visit. I do not believe his intentions are for a mere chat, if his mutterings and musings have any clues. What is it you wish done?"

The young miko leaned back into the soft, warm fur of the Taiyoukai's chest. She sighed slightly, doing her best to relax her suddenly tense body. And she was having such a good time, too! Kouga had to go and ruin it all. It seemed he had done that alot over the course of her time in the Sengouku Jidai. She scowled. Then, an evil smile spread upon her face.

"Do as you wish," she replied flippantly. "I have no personal care or preference. So long as he is not killed or permanently, physically maimed then I don't care." That said, she relaxed and closed her eyes, humming softly beneath her breath in a soothing manner.

Sesshomaru eyed his little female from the corner of his eye. He really did like this more sadistic side of Kagome. He wondered if that side would appear in bed... Whoa! Where did that thought come from?! He heard his beast's smug growling in the background as more images, sounds and thoughts flooded his mind. The white dog shook his head roughly to clear it. There was no sense in going down that path. At least, not yet anyway. The miko still had to be presented to the court before any ceremonies could take place. All bets were off on how that particular event would go.

The white Taiyoukai reached his head over to his cousin's back end, which was within easy reach of his jaws, and gave it a sharp nip.

Obsydian yelped and stumbled to her feet, her teeth bared and fur bristling. "What was that for?!" she snarled. When he didn't answer her question, she lay back down, turning to lick the stinging area. The female whimpered and whined, making a pathetic show for those who cared to watch.

"Obsydian!" Kyra called in a sharp voice. "Stop acting like a puppy. And quit that whimpering or I'll make you quit!" She stomped her foot to add emphasis before returning to her foraging. However, Kagome noticed that she had one ear tuned to the direction Sesshomaru had pointed out where Kouga was hiding.

I wonder if she knows... Probably, she is a lot brighter than Obsydian in many cases. The young miko stood, stretched, walked over to her fiance's shoulder and climbed up to his back. She promptly settled herself between his massive shoulder blades, nestling into the thick, warm fur. She sighed in delight as the soft, white hairs surrounded her, covering her in a warmth the likes of which she had never known.

"Alright, Sesshomaru," she said, a broad smile covering her lips, "you can do what you want with Kouga as long as you follow the aforementioned conditions and so long as I can come with you." The petite miko crossed her arms over her chest, displaying that there would be no arguing this point.

"Deal," Sesshomaru smirked. "Kyra, Obsydian, remain here and do not let Rin--"

"Or Shippou!" Kagome interrupted.

"--leave the camp. Be sure they remain in your sight at all times. Jaken, no harm is to come to Rin--

"Or Shippou!"

"--while I am gone. Should she--"

"Or he!"

"--be harmed, your life will be forfeit," the white dog finished in a growl, glaring at his mate-to-be and her beaming smile.

"What?" she asked all too innocently. "It's not like I would let you forget Shippou. After all, if you want me, he comes too."

"So be it. Let us continue our fun from this morning."

Kagome, and everyone else, sat, shell-shocked, simply gaping at the Taiyoukai. "Did he--?"

"I think he did..." Obsydian whispered in awe.

"Sesshomaru just said the word 'fun'!" Kyra laughed. "Well, I knew it would happen sometime, I just didn't know when!"

With an indignant huff, the white dog and miko left the clearing. They took a direct route to where Kouga was "hiding". Apparently, he was still too busy plotting to notice their approach.

oOoOoOoOo

"Well, I could always... Nah, too risky. How about... now that might work. Wait, I need more than just one person for that... Huh? What the--" The ookami never got to finish his exclamation, though. For at that moment, he was snatched up into the air. He looked around to find himself hanging from Sesshomaru's jaws by his tail. Oi, this wasn't going to be good.

Kouga let out a screeching yelp and twisted around to claw madly at the jaws that held him captive. It was not to be, though. The skin was too tough for his claws to cut through. He ceased his actions immediately when a vicious growl erupted from the massive maw of the giant canine that held him. Just when all hope seemed lost, though, he picked up on a scent that placated his fears of death. He could just barely smell it, the beautiful fragrance was buried beneath the thick musk of the white dog.

"Kagome!" he yelled joyously. "Kagome my woman! Tell this overgrown mutt to put me down and release you so we may be together!" He yelped again when he was shaken roughly by the massive jaws. The wolf prince was nearing the point of tears from the pain and humiliation when a soft voice he knew too well called out. Only, it didn't seem so soft.

"Alright, Sesshomaru, stop shaking him. I want to talk to him," Kagome laughed. "Help me out here, will you? I want to get to where I can see him."

Sesshoumaru growled low in his chest in an irritated yet compliant manner. Slowly, he lowered his head to where it was level with his back, his neck creating a walkway for the young miko. The priestess stood to her feet and gingerly made her way across the thick, living bridge to the head of the great animal. She crossed to her fiance's forehead and sat down in the valley between his eyes and slid down to the bridge of his thick muzzle. Kagome waited until he had raised his head before tentatively standing once more, her arms out to keep her balance as she walked down to the end of his muzzle, close to where her would-be suitor was being held.

Seating herself astride his nose, much to the white dog's hidden delight, she leaned down, pressing her chest against his skin and fur as she propped her chin in her palms. "Okay, Kouga, you have about thirty seconds to tell me what you're doing here before I let Sesshomaru have his way with you. I've already given him the go-ahead to do anything he wants with you so long as it doesn't kill you or permanently, physically maim you. So, Wolfie, why are you here?"

The captured wolf gulped hard, parying that his poor tail was included on the deal. "I came to see you, Kagome. I heard that you had been captured by Lord Sesshomaru here and came to rescue you. But when I show up, you're lounging against his chest, looking all lovey-dovey. What the heck was that all about anyway?!" he nearly screeched. "He's deadly you know!"

"Oh, I know that quite well, Kouga-kun," Kagome replied, a snarky tone to her voice. "For you see, when I first met him, he tried to kill me, as have all my friends. Everyone I have become friends with has either stolen from me, kidnapped me or tried to kill me the first time we've met. My betrothed here is no different. He failed just as spectacularly at that feat as he succeeds in everything else. I have no qualms against his actions, though. For that would make me a hypocrite if I were to forgive others and not him. Besides, I really like him. I like him just the way he is," she finished, stroking the soft fur beneath her.

Kouga was left spluttering in disbelief as she planted a soft kiss on the silken muzzle. "You're betrothed?!" This time, his voice was a high-pitched squeak.

"Betrothed, affianced, intended, chosen, future mate...the list goes on but they're all basically the same. Do I need to spell it out some more for you? Or are you going to go on and leave us alone?" She kicked her feet up into the air behind her, crossing her legs at the ankles while lazily drawing patterns in her partner's fur.

"I'll leave! I'll leave!" the humiliated prince cried out, once more clawing at the white muzzle that held him captive.

"Good, Sesshomaru, you can put him down now." Kagome pulled herself to where she was looking over the edge of the white muzzle at Kouga's red, frightened face. She giggled as her hair fell past her face, tickling her cheeks on its way. Now she had the perfect view of the wolf, she giggled again at his gaping expression.

"But, Kagome, why are you doing this?" he yelped. The poor lupine was truly confused over this latest turn of events. He didn't even know Kagome could possess a sadistic side!!

The priestess frowned a little at this. The answer was so obvious! "Because, Kouga-kun, you have annoyed me since we met. Every time you see me, you have to get Inuyasha all worked up to where he's nearly foaming at the mouth! Then I have to deal with it for the next week until he finally calms down enough to talk some sense into! That's why, because you've been nothing but a big annoyance. I understand and am thankful for all the times you've helped me out but it doesn't quite balance out that truly annoying bit of you that is way too possessive. Understand?"

At his gulping nod, Kagome smiled and lifted her hand before letting it drop. On cue, Sesshomaru opened his great maw, allowing the smaller demon to fall from the extreme height. The priestess smirked when she heard the wolf's outcry, although she felt slightly guilty about the whole thing. After all, she had given her dog the go-ahead to torture the wolf. Oh well, she thought as she saw him spin just in time to land on his feet and take off at a fast-paced run, it's done and over with now. Nothing can be taken back or redone.

oOoOoOoOo

Kagome stood in her room in the Western Citadel, peeling off layer after layer of the royal blue kimono with deep purple accents. The five female demons did whatever they could to assist her. One took down her hair while another undid her obis, a third gently cleansed the make-up from her face while a fourth hung the discarded kimono and the fifth prepared a simple night shift for the evening. When she was finally down to her bra and panties, she sighed wearily, glad to be rid of the heavy and formal attire. She didn't wholly understand what had happened earlier this evening, but she had the gist of it. She, Kyra and Obsydian had been presented at court that evening. Of course, being the future mate of the Western Lord made her the main event of the evening. The females of the court glared hatefully at her while the males whispered in rapt wonder at her beauty. Apparently she was pretty, who knew?

Anyway, after the presentations and formal announcements, she was led by Sesshomaru to a private room where five male and five female demons waited. An eleventh demon waited at the far end of the room, a book in its hands as it stood patiently. There was something strange about the youkai and it took Kagome a few minutes to decipher what it was. There were no definitive signs to place the eleventh character in either gender category. Even when they spoke, there was still the question. The voice was deep enough to be a high male yet high enough to be a low female.

The five females at the back of the room were dressed in white and the males where dressed in black. The eleventh demon was dressed in grey, another marker for its gender status.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome whispered softly as she was led into the room. "Why are the females dressed in white and the males in black?"

"The white is to symbolize the purity of the female being married. Traditionally, the female would choose five pure, unmatched females to be her escorts for the evening. However, since it would be impossible for you to choose, they have been chosen for you," Sesshomaru replied just as softly.

"Oh, and the males?"

"Black is to symbolize the power of the male," he explained as they made their way to the demon in grey. "The escorts for the female typically choose the males for the witnesses. However, the males do not escort the male being paired. Instead, they are to stand guard to ensure there is no interruption during the first night. After that, they are free to return to normal. In many cases, the males and female escorts pair off and court for a while before either going separate ways or continuing into a deeper relationship. A female is free to pleasure herself in any manner she chooses until her one-hundredth year. After that time, they are to remain apart from male company unless under strict supervision from an older, matched female."

"Oh, that kind of sounds like Europe during their medival times."

"Hn. Quiet now, little miko, it is disrespectful to speak in this presence until prompted."

Kagome looked up with fire in her eyes, ready to give him what-for for ordering her around like that. However, she noticed that he had closed his mouth as well. His lips were compressed into a thin line as he lead her to the alter-like stage where the gender indifferent demon waited. Seeing how respectful, and quiet, Sesshomaru was being prompted her to do the same.

"We are gathered here today in the presence of the Witnesses and the Mother to join these two in matrimony so they may seek out their lives as mates. It was brought to our attention by the late miko Midoriko, who was sent by the Mother to bring peace to these lands, that the late fathers of these two wished for their union. Who are we to deny the will of the passed souls? Is it not our duty to guard their remains that are entombed within the earth we live upon? If not, then let us fling aside our garments and desecrate the body of our Mother." The demon waited for a moment, waiting to see if anyone would move. Kagome guessed this was like a "speak now or forever hold your peace" kind of thing. When no motion was made to accept the sacrilegious offer, the youkai continued. "The souls of those long since passed have made a request and it is our duty to fulfill it. On this day, Kagome is to be bound in matrimony to Sesshomaru, The Lord of the Western Lands of Japan and Eastern Provinces of China. May your days be filled with love and your nights with passion. By the powers given to me by the Mother, I bind you, Kagome, and you, Sesshomaru, for eternity."

That said, he clapped his hands together and gave a slight bow to them. Sesshomaru returned the bow, only deeper. He motioned for Kagome to mimic him, smiling to himself as she did so. The fact that she had bowed before an unknown demon at his behest proved to the white Taiyoukai just how much she trusted him. Then, as quickly as the ceremony had begun, it ended.

Kagome was led by her escorts from the dark room to the richly adorned room she now resided in. As she slipped into the night shift being held open for her, gently tying the knot, a knock came from a door in the far corner of the room. The door was positioned to where it opened up onto a direct view of the bed that was shielded by gossamer curtains.

The bed was large and luxurious, covered in silks of a rich purple. The pillows, and there were many of them, were overstuffed with some sort of feathering. Kagome could only guess the feathering was goose down. They must have been really expensive, Kagome thought almost absently. I mean, they're pricey in the future when this stuff can be shipped overnight but this is the Feudal Era! Everything takes days to weeks to months to years to get anywhere! As she set down on the bed, she knew it must have been feather-stuffed too; at the very least it wasn't the typical straw-tick mattress of the day. The little priestess immediately sank into the mattress, reveling in the softness beneath her.

Kagome watched as her escorts tied back the curtains on her bed, each one drawn back and tied to one of the four cherry wood posts. The young woman positioned herself on the bed in a comfortable manner, at the same time hoping it looked at least somewhat alluring. She had come to know the white dog fairly well over the past few weeks but this was a different ballgame altogether. When they were traveling, the rest of the pack was there, preventing anything more than simple kisses and tender touches. Now, though, it was a whole different story.

She knew she was about to be alone with Sesshomaru. In his room no less! The young woman could only hope he wouldn't force himself on her, because, frankly, she didn't feel ready to take the leap of faith and have sex with the Killing Perfection. Rubbing her arm self-consciously, she called out tentatively at the second knock on the door.

"You may enter." The words she spoke had been the ones taught to her by her escorts. They meant so much more than their simple surface. They were supposed to say that she was ready for him to enter her, to show her the world of pleasures that were possible between mates and lovers. For now, though, she hoped her new husband wouldn't take the words beyond face value.

Sesshomaru entered her room, looking for all the world like he owned it (even though he practically did). However, it had been explained to her by one of her escorts that the room was hers and her lord was denied access unless she granted it to him. That made the young priestess feel somewhat better, knowing there was a place in this enormous castle that was hers and hers alone. Her husband, and quite possibly soon to be mate, walked in. He was dressed in a pair simple white haori and hakama. There was no insignia on his clothing and his normally booted feet were bare. Kagome was surprised, but she told herself she shouldn't have been, when she saw that his toes were clawed.

After all, Inuyasha's are clawed as well. That's why he doesn't like wearing shoes. So it makes sense that his older brother would have them as well. Upon closer inspection, the young woman saw the bottom of one magenta stripe wrapping around each of his ankles.

"Come, Kagome. Let us retire in my room," Sesshomaru said, extending his hand to his new wife. The words were ceremonial as well, sending shivers down the miko's spine.

"Hai, My Lord, let us retire," Kagome whispered the words she was coached to as she stood and took his hand. His skin was warm against hers as his claws enveloped her own. The weight was solid and comforting as he gently lead her back through the door. He didn't yank or haul her, didn't throw her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes; he merely showed her into his room, allowing her to set the pace.

The room was enormous. A fire roared in the marble hearth and two comfortable looking seats were positioned in front of it, facing each other. The room was a bit cool, despite the fire and Kagome hugged her shift closer to herself.

Sesshomaru noticed and immediately drew her to his side, wrapping her in his embrace. The door was shut behind him by one of the escorts and the couple heard the rustle of fabric signaling the motion of the males taking their places at the outside door. Kagome relaxed in her husband's gentle hold, soothed by the growl that rumbled in his chest. However, she was still tentative about what the night might hold.

The Western Lord had become her friend and love, but she still wasn't ready to make love to him. If she was going to speak, she needed to do it now. "Sesshomaru?" she began tentatively.

"Hn?" he responded, dipping his head to gently nuzzle her temple.

"Do we?...you know...have to...tonight...?" a bright blush stained her cheeks as she fumbled on her question.

"No, we do not," he replied smoothly, not at all phased by her question. "That can wait until you are ready. Tonight we can do whatever you wish. However, I advise it would be best for you to sleep in here with me. While you are used to sleeping in proximity of me and by my side when I am in my true form, you need to get used to sleeping by my side when I am like this." He gave her a minute to respond, expecting one of her usual rants or for her to fly off the handle.

"Promise?" Kagome asked quietly, her heart was pounding in her chest and she didn't know if she could stand the tension.

Sesshomaru gently turned her around to where she faced him. One arm slid down to hold her close to him while the other gently tilted her chin to meet his eyes. "This Sesshomaru honors his word. I promise no harm will come to you and nothing more will be done until you wish it so." Sealing his vow with a light kiss on her lips, he scooped her up into his arms and brought them both to his large bed.

He gently laid her down before crawling behind her and laying down, pulling the covers over both of them. He pulled her to him and they spent the night in each other's embrace, talking until she fell asleep.

The Taiyoukai lowered his head to her dark crown and took a deep pull of her scent, reveling in it like there was no tomorrow. He drifted to sleep like that, his nose buried in her hair and his arm wrapped about her waist.

oOoOoOoOo

"Come on, Kagome! Concentrate!" Obsydian whined, tapping her foot against the ground. "It's not that hard to draw out your true form without getting angry and losing control!" She crossed her arms with a huff and glared at the petite miko who more than willingly returned it.

It was hot and stuffy in the dojo and there was no natural light due to its location in the center of the Citadel's main building. Kagome's temper, which had been rather short to begin with this morning, was severely strained with the heat. She had woken up with a splitting headache and nothing seemed to be able to help it. Sesshomaru had suggested that it may have been due to her training with Obsydian in the past few weeks.

It had been nearly a month since her marriage to Sesshomaru and they had done nothing more than talk and sleep in the same bed at night. On rare occasions, such as after a major fight between them, she slept in her own room, but for the most part they slept in his suite. A week after spending all day every day by her side, the Taiyoukai knew it was time to return to his role as leader of the Western Lands and Eastern Provinces. Grudgingly, he told Kagome that he had to return to work and she would return to training, only, not with him. Obsydian was to be her new teacher.

At first, things had gone well enough. But when Obsydian's perfectionist nature began to show through, Kagome missed Sesshomaru's more gentle way of teaching. Where Obsydian was pushy, rude and demanding, Sesshomaru was gentle and understanding, showing and explaining what he wanted her to do without making her feel incompetent.

Today marked the end of the inu-miko's patience with the other female. As she started to open her mouth again, Kagome snapped. "I don't care how 'easy' it was for you! You're a freaking natural because you were born to this crap! Me? I was forced into it! It wasn't my choice to became a youkai or an inu! I wanted to protect my friends but the jewel turned me into this! So don't carp at me about how 'easy' or 'not difficult' this is. Because you know what? It's not easy for me!" The little miko's face was brick red, a mixture of the heat and her anger towards Obsydian.

"Hmph, well then. Be that way, but I'm telling you--"

"Obsydian," a cold voice rang out from the doorway, "do not antagonize her further. You are relieved of your position. Kyra and Rin are waiting for you in the gardens."

"Hai, Ito-" Obsydian stopped when she saw the look he was giving her. "I mean, Hai, Lord Sesshomaru. If you need my help, thou-"

"We won't," Kagome hurriedly interrupted, wishing that her cousin-in-law would move faster. Obsydian, red with indignation, stomped out of the room, grumbling all the way down the hallway. The priestess sighed, slumping against the wall with exhaustion. Her headache had only gotten worse as the morning progressed and the hot, stuffy air of the dojo hadn't made it any better. "Thanks, Sesshomaru, but who's going to teach me now?" she asked, eyes closed as she fanned herself with her hand.

"I will. You're progress has slowed since Obsydian took over your training and I do not like the fact that she may be undoing what I have taught you," he said, frowning slightly. "I also do not like the fact that she chooses to work in here rather than the arena or the gardens. I believe she likes it here because if a male were to work in here, he would remove his shirt, thus granting her with a view she really liked." He gave a light shrug. "However, I do not use the dojo unless absolutely necessary. Follow me; we will move to the arena for the duration of your training."

"Is it outdoors or at least somewhere with a window?" Kagome asked as she picked herself up.

Sesshomaru gave the small smile he reserved only for her before leading her down the hall. "Hai, little miko, it is outdoors. There are no walls to it and the air flows freely throughout."

"Good," she sighed. Her whole body was tired and, if it wasn't so hot, she would have draped herself across her husband, allowing him to take the both of them outside. As it was, it was too hot for that kind of contact, so the little miko merely dragged herself along behind him, grateful for the breeze that was now blowing.

Eventually, the came to the outdoor arena, and Kagome relished the dramatically cooler air. Her head, however, was still pounding and she didn't know what she was going to do about it. She'd used up all of her pain killers already and it would be another week before she was able to go home. (Sesshomaru really didn't want her travelling the land by herself. He preferred she travel with him but would consent to Kyra and Obsydian escorting her.)

They seated themselves upon the hard packed floor in a lotus position.

"Kagome, close your eyes. Meditation is a good way to connect with your beast. Eventually, you won't have to meditate, but for now it is a step in the right direction. Now, close your eyes. Breathe deeply, hold it, and release. Continue that pattern until your mind is clear." Both of them continued the breathing cycle for a few minutes before their minds were sufficiently clear.

"Now," Sesshoumaru began again. "Look into yourself and find your core, the center of your power. Once found, look inside of it and you will find the subconscious that is your beast."

A few minutes later Kagome nodded. "I think I found it. It's a ball, bright blue, almost luminescent." She furrowed her eyebrows for a moment, though. "But how do I look inside? It's almost like a wall has been placed around the core."

"That is normal," he replied. "You must test the strength of the wall and find a way inside. Once inside, you can connect with your subconscious."

"Okay." Kagome's eyebrows furrowed again, deeper this time. Sweat began to form at her temples and she bit her lip in concentration. She had to do this! She pushed on the wall, but it pushed back. Her mind walked around the wall, pushing and poking in different places, judging its strengths and weaknesses. The young woman eventually found a spout that gave more than the others and began to push on it. She pushed and pushed, and pushed some more.

Tired and frustrated, Kagome backed up before taking off at an all-out run and ramming into the weak spot in the wall. To her surprise and dismay, the wall threw her back and she landed back in her mind. The shock of it all knocked her out, sending her flying a few feet to land on her back. She lay there, hair and clothes soaked with sweat and caked in dirt, completely unconscious.

Sesshomaru sighed slightly as he stood. She most likely tried to ram the wall. That is not the way to get through. Each person is different and she must find a way to do it that is her own. He walked over to her prone body, kneeling down and gently picking her up. The white dog carried her back to his room, gently placing her in the bed. That is enough training for today. We will pick up tomorrow. He knew his wife well enough to where she would want a bath before she went to bed so he ordered some female servants to change her clothes and clean her up somewhat.

While they were doing that, Sesshomaru returned to his office, putting the papers in stacks according to importance before blowing out the braziers and closing the door for the day.

oOoOoOo

None can escape the evil, twisted mind of FL!! oh, I guess this story is good enough that people want to plagiarize it. You see, I recently dealt with a kid (and I'm going to call her kid because I don't think of her as anything but) on A Single Spark (sesskag dot com) for stealing this fic, right down to the very in-text a/n I had in here before I re-wrote it. The little twit even left my "initials" (FL) in the notes and muses! Not very bright, hu? Well, her account got deleted and the fic taken down so I'm happy that it all worked out (for me). :D Now, to your muse...

oOoOoOoOo

FL: laughing triumphantly Hahaha!! You see, Jaken, I told you they liked what I did to you! And as for you, Sesshomaru, they found it pretty funny. I even had one reviewer continue the fun in his review! He punted Jaken like a football and watched him soar! laughs heartily

Jaken: tears well up in his eyes But...but...I thought that the readers and reviewers liked me!

FL: Honey, I seriously doubt it. Alot of authors don't even like you! Quite a few (the vast majority probably) put you as the, or one of the, main bad guys in the story! Some even have you abuse Rin, purposefully put her in danger then have Sesshomaru, or Kagome, kill you for it.

Jaken: goes white as a sheet Uh...

Sess: Why would I kill him other than that? He's too useful as a football. Watch. punts Jaken like a football, watches as he soars over the village and lands in the grass on the other side Touch down!!

FL: rolls eyes Oh please!

Inu: is tired of being pinned down, bites FL's paw

FL: yelps in pain, quickly jerks her paw back Why you--!!

Inu: cowers and whines Don't hurt me!! I know where Dreamish is!

Sesshomaru and FL look at Inuyasha curiously

FL: Oh yeah? Where is she?