InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Nothing Left to Lose ❯ The First Attempt ( Chapter 19 )

A/N: Thanks for the review Vulcana! While I have read Mercedes Lackey the change for Kagome has more to do with some other influences. I've kind of gotten carried away explaining myself, so I'm sticking a note on the end of this chapter for anyone who is curious on why I chose some of the stuff I did. It'll be kind of long, so skip at your pleasure. Anyways, on with the three ring circus. I don't own anything. If anyone has any good plots to take over the world and are looking for a sidekick, give me a ring.

 

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“What part of `going to die' do you not understand?!”

 

The Captain was glaring at Kagome who was flat out on the floor, again. Kagome glared up at him, her temper just about at the breaking point.

 

“I understand just fine! Understanding it doesn't mean my body is going to get any faster!” Slowly, painfully, the miko climbed back to her feet. “You can bellow till your head explodes, I'm trying as hard as I can!”

 

“It is not good enough. Sooner or later an assassin is going to make it through the guards and you will have to deal with it yourself. If this is all you've got, you'll be heading off to the next life well ahead of schedule.”

 

`This has been going on for a week. Everytime I think I have something figured out he changes and I'm back to square one. I would really like to hurt him right about now.' Kagome brought her breathing under control, forcing her aching body to begin the dance again. “You have no idea how much I'd love to get my hands on you right now.”

 

“Good. Quit threatening and do it, then. Unless you would like me to show you a few more ways you can hit the floor.”

 

The aura around the miko snapped to life. She shifted her grip on her small dagger, completely ticked off. “Fine. This is your fault.” She feinted to the right, then dove straight in. The dagger was not her attacking weapon, though. She reached out with her left hand, grabbing his sword arm with her bare hand. She intended to burn him, but the attack knocked him off his feet, tossing him back and sprawling him out on the floor. The smell of burning cloth filled the room as the Captain let out a groan.

 

`Oh, Kami, I killed him!' Kagome ran to her instructor, checking his injuries. Sure enough, he had a burn on his arm, but no worse than the ones that Sesshomaru had received in her early bouts with him. It seemed as if the energy had been spent throwing him rather than burning him. `How did I do that one?'

 

“Much better, miko.” The Captain was slowly picking himself up from the floor. “It's about time you did something other than stand there looking decorative.”

 

Relief was quickly replaced by annoyance. “Next time I'll knock you through a wall instead.”

 

“Good plan, twice the damage that way. Those burns do sting though.” A grimace flashed across his expression as he investigated the damage. “If I was a real attacker, the next action would have been to slit my throat, not check and see if I was hurt. Don't check them, just kill them. You can never kill them too much. Don't get any pretty ideas about saving them for information, so many times some idiot gets that idea and ends up dead.”

 

The instructor was climbing to his feet, eyeballing his student as they started to circle again. “And while we're on the subject, there is something else I want you to remember. Scream. A lot. Make a huge awful racket if you are attacked. I don't care what you say, just keep making noise. Explosions are good, too, or breaking down a door.”

 

“Why would I want to make a huge racket and blow stuff up?”

 

“Because your attackers are going to want to stay quiet, and you are going to want everyone to hear. The guards, myself, Sesshomaru-sama, if any of us hear you we will come running to help you.”

 

`Ah, good point. I'm good at screaming, at least I can use that strength.' Keeping her aura at the snapping point, the miko watched her instructor, looking for anyway to get in a hit. Her instructor was not giving anything away, though. He wanted to see what she could do after a week of intensive work. He came at her using all of his speed, looking to close before she could even react.

 

Kagome fell back when he attacked, giving herself that extra fraction of a second to react. A barrier snapped up right in front of the Captain. He slammed into it at full force and was stunned, staggering backwards. While he was distracted Kagome closed and brought the dagger to his throat. “I believe that is a kill, instructor.”

 

“Hai.” The Captain lowered his hands in surrender. `She's finally starting to get it. Her lack of skills is minor enough, as long as she remembers the rest of her weapons. That barrier stings, too.'

 

Rubbing his burnt nose, the Captain eyeballed his student. “Out. Go and bathe. Even a ningen could track you by scent right now.”

 

The aura snapped again, then faded away. The dagger went into it's sheath at her waist as Kagome took a deep breath and forced her annoyance away. She bowed low to her instructor, then left the hall. Once outside the door her two personal guards fell in behind her, escorting her back to her room. `I already miss Sango and Mirokou. They only left yesterday, and I already want to see them again. It was a little awkward for Mirokou, so I know why they left. But I still miss them. At least I know where they are so I can reach them. Maybe I'll go visit them.'

 

He followed his student as she went out the door and into the hallway. `It is a relief to know that she will be able to hold them off long enough for help to arrive. She is getting stronger, she can hold a barrier for many minutes now. It will have to be enough.' The Captain took himself to the west wing of the palace where there was a new healer installed. His burns would need to be looked at. `Well, you keep poking at a sleeping animal and eventually you are going to get bit.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

“My lord.”

 

Sesshomaru looked up to see an unfamiliar messenger, flanked by two of his guards. “Yes.”

 

“Sesshomaru-sama, I bring a message from the Lord of the Southern Lands.” A small scroll was set on his desk. The inu-youkai unrolled it and started to read.

 

Sesshomaru-sama,

 

Word has reached me of your decision to take a mate. Felicitations. I have been meaning to come and renew our relationship, we have not spoken in over 100 years, and now would seem to be a perfect opportunity. I look forward to meeting with you and seeing your female.

 

Merkamou

 

`That would actually mean that he is coming to see if my mate is acceptable and whether or not he needs to kill her. Delightful.' Sesshomaru's eyes pinned the messenger to the floor. “How far away is he?”

 

“He is approximately four days behind me, my lord.”

 

`And he would never travel alone. He always insists on traveling with a retinue. I am about to be invaded by youkai that will be looking to kill my mate. I suppose that I cannot kill this messenger, I need to send him back with my reply. Pity.' “You may return to your master and tell him that this Sesshomaru will meet with him in four days when he arrives.” Sesshomaru looked back to his papers, clearly dismissing the servant.

 

`I have a large group coming as honored guests, but they will need to be watched constantly. At least one attempt will be made on her, that much is certain. If Merkamou can be convinced to accept her then he will remain a strong ally. His vassals and servants, though, they may be trouble no matter what their lord decides. He does not have the most obedient of servants.' A soft groan escaped the youkai, now that he was alone. `A retinue means that I will have to host some sort of celebration while they are here. Not only must we watch for assassins, we must entertain them. Kagome needs to be warned about what is coming.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

At first she had resented the two guards that followed her everywhere, but now Kagome was used to it. The taller of the guards had been burnt by her the morning that Sesshomaru and Sango had fought. Since that morning she had received no dark looks from the guards. These two would follow her all day, and would be replaced by a different pair at night. At least she was allowed outside now. Takanou was the least of their concerns, especially since he had not been spotted in the weeks since his disappearance. Even having them escort her to her bath and back did not upset her anymore. Anything was allowed as long as there was a hot spring on the other side.

 

`A long hot soak is the cure to any problem in the world.' Kagome was clean and dressed, her long hair drying in the breeze. She was sitting by the window while Kumo worked through her hair.

 

“Since you are done practicing, perhaps you would like your hair to be dressed for the evening?” Kumo was hopeful, since her lady was sitting still and she would have time.

 

`I am such a softie.' “Sure, Kumo, you can do my hair up.” Kagome shifted on the cushion so that she was more comfortable. She knew she would not be allowed to move for the next half hour or so. Kumo was humming softly as she gathered up some combs and set to work. The miko shut her eyes and relaxed, Kumo humming softly behind her and the breeze blowing against her skin. `Finally, relaxation.'

 

Pain exploded through her arm as an arrow embedded itself into her flesh. She looked at the arrow in shock before throwing herself into Kumo, knocking them both away from the window. A second arrow quivered in the door jam, just barely missing the two females. Before either could realize what was happening a figure was coming through her window, sword out and looking for her.

 

The pain disappeared as the adrenaline kicked in. The intruder actually moved past her, not seeing her ducked against the wall by the mirror. Without thinking Kagome flung herself at him, both hands grabbing his back.

 

The intruder howled as Kagome's aura flared. Her purifying power surged through him, leaving nothing but some dust and bones behind. Kagome's guards burst through the door, swords drawn and looking for the attacker. A third arrow whistled through the room, hitting one of the guards in the leg and sending him down.

 

Kagome threw a barrier over her window, stopping any further attacks from the archer outside. A final arrow hit the barrier and exploded in a burst of light. Kumo was on her feet, running to the hallway. “Guards, outside! Someone is trying to kill Kagome-sama! In the garden, quickly!”

 

`Okay, now this hurts.' Kagome swayed on her feet. The blood loss and the wild use of the power were making it hard to concentrate. She stared at the arrow sticking out of her arm, rather shocked to see it. `Oh, that's what hurts.' Her guard was hustling her into the corner, his back to her, looking for any other attacks. More guards were coming into the room, pulling out their injured comrade and surrounding the dazed miko. A ball of rage was coming towards her room. `Ah, that will be Sesshomaru.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

“Guards, outside! Someone is trying to kill Kagome-sama! In the garden, quickly!”

 

`What?' Sesshomaru flew through the palace, following the scent of his mate. He could smell blood and the burning smell that came with Kagome's attacks. She was still alive, he could tell that much, but she was injured. Her room was swarmed with guards, four of which had surrounded her in the corner. She had thrown a barrier over the window, stopping any other attacks. He could not see her, but the arrow in the wall and the pile of ash gave him excellent clues as to what had happened.

 

Guards were knocked aside as he moved to Kagome's side. She looked dazed, and still had an arrow in her arm, but she was standing on her own. “Sesshomaru.”

 

Careful of her arm, Sesshomaru lifted her and carried her out of the room, flanked by her guard. He moved through the palace to the dining hall. It was a large interior room, a more secure place to wait while the attacker was found. “You. Find the healer, bring him here.” The low growl in his voice inspired the chosen guard to put on an incredible burst of speed as he went for the healer.

 

“Yeah, this stings.” Kagome was trying not to look at the arrow in her arm, trying to focus anywhere else. “Could've done without this experience. Nice to see that my guards are fast though. They destroyed my door.”

 

“We will get you a new one.” Sesshomaru smoothed her hair back, relieved that she was going to be okay, but furious that this had happened. “Did you recognize your attacker, the one that was in your room?”

 

“No, I'd never seen him before. I didn't even look for the archer. He got me on the first hit. It's a good thing we were off to the side, or he could have made a clean shot. Never thought of that. Never occurred to me to not sit in the window like a big target.” She groaned, shifting around. “I'm still not used to being a target.”

 

“They will pay, Kagome. One has already, I will deal with the second one.”

 

Kagome looked up into his eyes, feeling his frustration and concern. `I feel . . . special. Cherished. Wow. And ouch.'

 

The new healer was another inu-youkai, and a rather cranky one. “So, the miko has gotten hit with an arrow. Is she still conscious, or was the pain too much.”

 

“I'm right here, you jerk.” Sesshomaru set Kagome on her feet, letting her deal with the pompous old man. “Now get over here and get this thing out of my arm!”

 

The healer's eyebrows just about disappeared in his hair. “Of course, my lady.” He marched over, grabbed the arrow, and pulled it straight out. The miko went white and swayed, but stayed on her feet. Reluctant respect started to eat at the edges of the healer's mind as he pulled her sleeve up and started to clean and bandage her wound.

 

Convinced that his mate had the healer in hand, Sesshomaru moved out to the courtyard, meeting with the Captain who was organizing the search. The Captain bowed to him, then gave him the latest news. “They have a trail, moving through the garden and into the forests to the north. They are tracking him and should be able to catch him before full darkness falls.”

 

Sesshomaru called his youkai cloud, lifting up and over his home and heading in the direction that the Captain had indicated. `I will finish this myself.'

 

Sweeping the tops of the trees, Sesshomaru could see his troops tracking the attacker through the trees. He could smell an unfamiliar trail, moving quickly through the forest. He left the guards behind, flying ahead and tracking the survivor. As he closed her could hear him, struggling through the underbrush as he tried to flee the guards behind him. He never heard or saw the youkai lord, he was simply knocking to the ground, a deep slash across his chest and poison burning into his body. Looking up from the forest floor he found a red eyed youkai glaring at him, cracking his claws.

 

“Who sent you.”

 

Hissing with pain, the attacker tried to back away, but Sesshomaru stepped on his arm, pinning him down. He howled as the poison worked into his body.

 

“You can die slowly, or quickly. Who sent you.”

 

“No one. No one sent us. We will not bow to that stinking ningen. Your female is weak, and the offspring will be filthy half-breeds. She does not deserve to live.”

 

A quick strike removed the attacker's head from the rest of his body, silencing his voice. Sesshomaru glared at the mess in front of him. The guards were closing in, very surprised to see that their prey was already dead, and at the hands of their lord. Sesshomaru said nothing, but called his cloud and returned to the palace. The guards could deal with the mess.

 

At the palace he found Kagome sitting in the dinning hall with Rin, her arm neatly bandaged and her person surrounded by guards.

 

“The attacker is gone.”

 

Kagome looked up, a smile of relief spreading across her expression. “Sesshomaru, I'm glad that you're back. See, Rin, he's fine.”

 

Rin let out a sigh of her own. “Rin was worried, Sesshomaru-sama.”

 

Sesshomaru raised his eyebrow. “We should return you to your room.”

 

“Um, are you sure about that? I was just shot there, you know.”

 

“We will close the window. You are as safe there as anywhere else, and you will rest easier in your own room. Come, you should change out of that robe.” Sesshomaru moved into the hall, waiting for them.

 

`Arrogant.' Kagome took Rin's hand and led her out, following the youkai lord and followed by her guards. Sesshomaru took Rin, letting Kagome go into her room to clean up. Kumo was waiting for her in her room. The servants had already cleaned up the mess and barred her window shut. Kumo hustled her into a new robe and went back to working on her hair. “We can still get this finished before you need to go to dinner.”

 

`Well, she certainly does not seem to be rattled by this.' Kagome shut her eyes and tried to recapture her relaxation, but it would not come. `Great, sleep is going to be hard to come by tonight.'

 

*~*~*~*

 

It took a very long time and some teamwork to get Rin into bed and asleep. She did not want to leave Kagome, and had begged to sleep in Kagome's room. Persistence had paid off and the little girl was asleep in her own room.

 

Sesshomaru did not want to let Kagome out of his sight, either. He followed her to her room, then brought her to his own room. The pot of tea was waiting, and he needed to tell her about the unwelcome visitor. He did not want to bring more stress on her, but there was no choice. Merkamou would meet her sooner or later, and they should just get it over with.

 

Kagome poured tea for both of them, and they settled in to a comfortable silence. Sesshomaru did not want to break it, and was hoping that she would. As expected, Kagome would be the first to speak.

 

“Well, that would be my first assassination attempt. Didn't go too badly. It's nice to get that first one out of the way, gets rid of some of the tension.”

 

“Unfortunately, that is not the last one.”

 

“I know, I know, but maybe I'll get a break before the next one. You can never tell.”

 

“Four days.”

 

“Huh?” Kagome choked on her tea. “Four days? How do you know?”

 

Sesshomaru took a deep breath. “The Lord of the Southern Lands is coming here for a visit.”

 

“I thought he was an ally of yours. If he's coming to kill me, then why aren't you stopping him?”

 

“Technically, he is not coming here to kill you. Technically he is just coming to meet you. And if he approves of you, then he will remain an ally. His vassals and servants, though. They may do something drastic on their own.”

 

“So this powerful lord is coming, and I have to show that I'm acceptable, and his people may try to kill me. Great. This sounds like fun.”

 

“Of course, with a powerful ally and his retinue coming, we will need to house, feed, and entertain them. A celebration should be planned for our honored guest.”

 

Kagome gaped at him. “We have to feed and entertain them? And I have to be approved? Does this mean I have to act like a lady?”

 

“Hai. I am sure that we can teach you the basics in the next four days.” Sesshomaru had his best deadpan expression on, but his eyes were practically glowing with laughter.

 

“This is going to be worse than any attempt on my life.”

 

*~*~*~*

 

A/N: This is extremely optional. Proceed at your own risk (of a nap).

 

Once upon a time (code for get comfy, this is a long one) I was a rapier fighter in medieval recreation (yes, SCA). I had two instructors. One was a large man, fast, strong, and very talented, the Princess's Champion. My other instructor was a tiny woman, not particularly strong or fast, but feared. The man taught me the different styles and we spent a lot of time on form. He believed in honor above all else, and using a historically correct style. Of course, when you are that fast, over six feet tall, and fighting with an extra long blade, you can concentrate on correct style. With the woman I learned how to be sneaky. She barely topped five foot, but she made up for it by using any advantage she could get against her opponents, who were usually much larger men. She fought using a small rapier and a dagger, getting in close to stick you, then getting away. She was the opponent that would move as little as possible, then let you run yourself onto her blade. Since I am also a tiny female you can guess which training stuck. When learning formal styles I spent a lot of time standing there trying to remember what to do. `Ok, he's in this stance, so I need to be in this stance, and then he lunges this way, and I block like this, oh, wait, I'm already dead.' People like the Princess's Champion and my brother are amazing to watch, kicking your butt without putting a foot out of place. I, on the other hand, try to look small and defenseless until I can sneak that dagger between your ribs. That is why I have Kagome stopping and turning herself into a target. It seems like the response she would have. Fighting just doesn't come naturally to her, and she needs a less structured style.

 

Rin can learn that fancy stuff, she has the talent. Having taught several youth combatants, I know that it's always the polite, quiet ones you have to watch. They will hold the door for you, bring you flowers, and then wipe the floor with you. Embarrassing. Rin is based (for fighting purposes) on a kid I taught. He was so sweet, quiet, a little sliver of a thing. He loved to paint and dance at events. Put a sword in his hand and you better get out of the way. He was quiet, careful, honorable, and fast! You never saw it coming. In melee combat he would just slide through the other fighters. I was always so proud of him. I can see Rin bringing flowers to the Captain, listening sweetly and running through her drills, then being unleashed on some unsuspecting opponent. She is honorable, kind, and she is going to be dangerous. It's the least the fates could do for her at this point, poor thing.