InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ Downfall- part 1 ( Chapter 10 )

A/N~ I'm going to write this in two parts.

 

Chapter 10 - Downfall part 1

 

Sesshomaru's long fingers drummed lightly against the wooden top of the desk in a display of impatience. Ozeki and Kagome had entered the castle some time ago, yet neither had showed up at his study like commanded. He detested being kept waiting and it only added to the building pressure of an oncoming headache. A small worry at the back of his mind began to take shape as a vision of Kagome purifying the bear somewhere between the castle gates and his study door in a fit of anger began to slowly form.

 

Sending Ozeki after the miko had been against his better judgment, but Tatsu had insisted that he do so. There had been the faintest trace of amusement in those crimson eyes as the minor lord spoke and it surprised Sesshomaru to realize that the old lord had taken an interest of some sort in the human woman. That was something that never happened where the dragon was concerned, he was a reclusive creature wishing to stay as far away from humans and demons as he could get. But still he stood fast in his believe that Ozeki needed to be the messenger and Sesshomaru had allowed it, trusting in the ancient's wisdom.

 

Now as he thought about it he stifled the groan that was threatening only to be ripped away from his musings as two angry voices echoed through the halls of his home. They were coming up the stairs, arguing as if they had grown up with one another and Sesshomaru had to suppress the urge to laugh at them.

 

“Well, if you would of asked someone we wouldn't have gotten lost!” That was Kagome's voice and Sesshomaru could hear the biting anger that simmered just below that soft voice. Irritation slowly began to set in with each of their approaching footsteps.

 

“Woman,” Ozeki's growl was filled with his anger and a trace of something darker that Sesshomaru could not define. “I was not lost.”

 

“Really? Then why did it take so long to find his study?” Kagome demanded just outside the sliding doors and Sesshomaru could imagine her standing there; her arms crossed over her chest and staring down the general in anger and open defiance.

 

“Perhaps if you had held that tongue of yours, wench, I would have been able to collect my thoughts!” Ozeki's angry shouting caused Sesshomaru to sigh deeply. He believed it would be wise to put an end to this quarrel now, before they came to blows inside the castle walls. Sesshomaru wasn't sure which he felt sorrier for, Kagome for riling the bear up or Ozeki who was bound to find out she wasn't as weak as she appeared.

 

“Enter!” he barked out the order sharply causing the two quarrelers to fall quiet in a stunned silence that offered him a brief moment of peace. Quickly, he schooled his features into the emotionless mask just a split second before the doors slid open to admit the troublesome pair. He noticed the scathing glare Kagome shot at Ozeki and suppressed the urge to rub away some of the building pressure behind his eyes.

 

Quietly, he motioned for them to take a seat across from him and both complied trying to keep as much distance between them as possible. It would have been amusing to watch the two act in such a childish manner if there were not more important issues at hand.

 

The recent border disputes had kept him and his men away from the castle for a month. Whenever they would put an end to one raid, another would spring up farther along the borders. It had been as if the usurper were testing the strength of his boundaries, a thought Sesshomaru did not relish. The raids had stopped as suddenly as they had started, leaving him to believe the enemy had either gotten what he wanted or just tired of whatever game he was playing at.

 

Sesshomaru looked between the two, their anger as visible as waves of heat on a scorching summer day and he found himself wishing he were back at the borders. At least there he knew what to expect, it was far easier to fight than it was to play peacemaker between two fiery tempers.

 

“It has come to my attention that there was a challenge placed between the two of you.” He pinned them in his cold gaze, almost daring them to deny it. Ozeki shifted nervously, his eyes lowering to the floor, but Kagome stared back, her eyes darkened with anger. “Is this true?”

 

“Yes, M'lord.” Ozeki mumbled, “but surely you do not wish me to go through with such a ridiculous notion? After all she is only a weak, human woman who could not possible hold any hope of standing against one of M'lord's generals.”

 

Kagome opened her mouth to protest but fell silent when Sesshomaru raised his hand. He was grateful that the woman gave in to his unspoken request for her to remain quiet.

 

“If this is the case, I perceive nothing for you to fear,” his voice hardened, a clear note of displeasure in the velvety tone.

 

“I fear only M'lord's wrath should the woman suffer injury at my hands,” Ozeki responded after a moment of thought.

 

Once again, Kagome was about to protest when Sesshomaru motioned for her to remain silent. He had felt an uncertainty around the bear that whispered of begrudged respect toward the miko even though the demon general tried hard to hide it.

 

Sesshomaru turned to look at Kagome, her deep blue eyes held a small trace of amusement along with the undercurrents of imprisoned anger. Unknown to him, his voice softened slightly as he spoke, “Miko Kagome, do you wish to proceed with this challenge?”

 

Golden pools of sunlight stared deep into shining midnight orbs trying to decipher some of the emotions playing out in their depths. He saw a glimmer of mischief pass in the dark depths and felt a brief sense of pity for the bear. If Kagome somehow managed to win over Ozeki, Sesshomaru was sure the girl would drive the bear insane. The young lord found he was in fact hoping Kagome would win because the situation would be amusing to watch. On the other hand, if the bear won it could almost have the same effect and Sesshomaru was going to make sure it was as fair as a match between a human and youkai could be.

 

“I do,” She gave him a half smile in a poor attempt to hide the anger she was feeling, but Sesshomaru saw right through it. The young miko was never good at hiding what she felt from him and as he looked at her, Sesshomaru could see she fully intended to go through with it. He knew that Kagome was never one to back down from a challenge of any sort especially when she was this mad.

 

Sesshomaru barely nodded as he turned back to Ozeki. A look of disbelief flickered across the general's face before fading away. The young lord's gaze became harder as he fixed the bear in his cold glare. “Than I will allow this challenge to take place, but there will be conditions set. If you adhere to these strict rules then you will have nothing to fear.”

 

“Yes M'lord,” Ozeki obediently replied again, while Kagome remained strangely quiet. The bear looked down at the floor, keeping his emotions hidden behind the unruly bangs that refused to be tamed by the black headband.

 

“Good,” Sesshomaru continued looking from one to the other. “The training grounds shall be prepared. This challenge will take place tomorrow. It shall be the evening entertainment for the festival that is being thrown in celebration of our border victory.”

 

“Yes M'lord,” once again only Ozeki answered him and Sesshomaru cast a glance toward the miko only to find her looking back at him with barely veiled curiosity.

 

“The conditions will be announced at the time of the event,” Sesshomaru replied, his eyes trained on Kagome. A momentary flicker of confusion had been in her eyes before they darkened back into the semblance of anger and he found himself wondering what had caused it.

 

Kagome felt like rubbing her eyes, she couldn't believe what she'd seen and she wondered if perhaps her precarious grasp on reality was finally starting to waver. For a brief second, when she'd looked deep into Sesshomaru's eyes, she could have almost sworn she saw the same golden eyes that haunted her dreams. It had to be impossible though because she believed that Sesshomaru was incapable of showing that much depth of emotion.

 

All thoughts of the challenge fled under the confusion she felt as memories of those dreams surfaced. She would be more apt to believe Iyashii was the man in her dreams before even daring to suggest that Sesshomaru was really the one. Iyashii at least showed some of his feelings, even if they sometimes seemed false, but not Sesshomaru. He was as closed off from the world as he could get, letting no one past his cold mask. Only Rin would know for certain if the demon lord were even capable of feeling emotions that strongly.

 

After all he had allowed Rin to call him father, protected her as if she truly were his own pup, and even had been sent into a deep rage when he had learned the conditions of the peace treaty. All the strong reactions a true father would have when his only daughter's life was at stake. Kagome had felt that same sense of anger when Rin told her what the treaty demanded and that was because she had grown close to the young girl during the time they traveled together in search of Naraku all those years ago. Rin had become like a daughter, just like Shippo was her son. Of course Kagome would never tell anyone how she felt about Sesshomaru's ward, but she believed they already knew. At least her closest friends did.

 

Maybe Sesshomaru showed Rin those kinds of emotions but he would never lower himself to showing someone other than his own child. He was a Taiyoukai after all, one who strictly controlled each and every emotion as though they did not exist. The one in her dream allowed everything to show through those golden orbs, each emotion shown with depth and warmth that even on waking made her skin tingle. In her dreams she was loved, not looked up as nothing more than a filthy human miko to be tolerated in times of great need.

 

Kagome lowered her eyes to the floor, wanting only to escape the cold golden gaze that was staring intently back at her. She did not understand why she'd impressed those dream eyes upon his but she knew she must get back to the task at hand. Ozeki was shifting beside her nervously and Kagome concentrated on the soft noise to clear her mind of the startling vision. There were bigger things at stake right now than her love life and she knew she had better get a grip on reality.

 

“Leave us now,” Sesshomaru's velvety voice broke the eerie silence that taken over in the wake of their staring contest. Startled, Kagome looked as Sesshomaru spoke with Ozeki. “The Miko and I have much to discuss.”

 

Ozeki mumbled and rose to leave the two behind. Kagome could almost feel the relief wash over the bear as he slid the door open. A small grin pulled at one corner of her lips as she wondered if the general was on his way to train for their duel tomorrow or if he was going to celebrate his pending victory in advance. Either way she knew she'd have to be ready to put him in his place tomorrow, a task that was going to help her assess where she stood in her own training.

 

“Are you certain of your actions, Kagome?” Sesshomaru asked pulling the woman's attention back to him. Her quiet nod was the only answer he received and he found it irritated him. Where was her defiance, the fiery temper that surfaced whenever someone questioned her ability to do anything? What was wrong with her, he wondered as his eyes scanned her for any signs of illness. “Do you still intend on demanding his servitude for two weeks should you win?”

 

“I do,” She replied quietly. She thought for a moment before going on, midnight clashing with golden sunlight, “I really can't explain it, Sesshomaru, but I feel like I have to get through to him somehow. Some instinct is telling me I have to get Ozeki on my side even if I have to chain him to my side to do it. I don't like the idea of forcing someone into servitude but it was the only thing I could think of that will force him to be around me.”

 

“Then I will allow your request as unusual as it is, Kagome,” Sesshomaru relied, his voice as softening once again. There was something about this whole situation that did not sit right with him and if her instincts were driving her to go through with it than he would just have to watch from the sidelines and make sure that she was around for whatever the future held. It surprised him to find he did not wish harm on her instead his own instincts were demanding he protect the woman before him.

 

Even the threat of the border disputes had not driven her from his mind, the memory of her in the dining hall haunted his ever step. Sesshomaru could not deny he had found the human woman alluring in the kimono she had worn that day nor could he forget the looks that some of his allies had cast in her direction.

 

With clarity he remembered the way she had been nervous, shifting in her seat beside him while she scanned the gathered crowd. He had not been able to find out what had made her so uncomfortable and only guessed that perhaps it was the looks the men were giving her, but then her eyes had focused on the inu-youkai at the back of the room and lingered there. Apparently, it had been something else that had attracted her attention toward the demon because upon his return Sesshomaru had received reports that the inu-youkai had accompanied the miko on several trips outside the castle.

 

Sesshomaru had learned this demon's name was Iyashii. He had found it odd that she had taken so quickly to letting the stranger accompany her. The Lord of the Western Land couldn't help but wonder if perhaps she had also felt drawn to him.

 

“Ozeki was not the only reason I summoned you here, Kagome,” Sesshomaru said after a few moments of silence had passed between them. He pushed his errant thoughts away with as much venom as he had fought his enemies. “Reports have come to my attention that nothing has occurred in my absence except for a small skirmish on the outskirts of Inuyasha's Forest. My brother and his friends have reacted swiftly enough to push it back and is at the moment taking care of the injured.”

 

Kagome listened quietly; she had wondered why Inuyasha and the others had not accompanied her, Sango and Kikyo to Kaede's village. Now she knew and it irked her slightly to find that they had not told her. Maybe she could have helped out some how, but now she would never know for sure. There were other things that she needed to do though and the first one would be to take care of Ozeki.

 

“The raids against my borders ended as suddenly as they started and I believe these were used as some sort of diversionary tactic.” Sesshomaru's voice rose and fell in the velvety tone that Kagome found soothing and startling all at the same time. “I do not know what was accomplished by these small raids but I am certain that something took place.”

 

Sesshomaru looked down at the pile of paperwork on his desk as he continued speaking in the softened tones. “I called you here to decide on a course of action concerning the tainted auras you talked of.”

 

Kagome sighed, she knew this was coming and she really didn't know what to tell him. Unless she was allowed to be in the same area as those that bore the taint she wouldn't be able to detect it. It was almost as if some outside force was trying to hide it from her and only being in close quarters allowed her to see through the deception.

 

“Under my instructions, the castle is going to be transformed for the festival, in hopes that it will alleviate some of the stress my people are feeling under the constant assault of the enemy. The challenge will be one of many and most all of those within the Council Hall will be in attendance. Those that are not will be the ones that are still out on patrol or doing other duties. The absent ones will be presented to you at another time.”

 

Kagome could feel a tight knot beginning to form in the pit of her stomach as he spoke. How was she going to concentrate on her match and be able to effectively detect the tainted auras? The confusion was evident in her eyes as she stared at him in disbelief. Kagome doubted she could pull off what he was asking her too. She let him continue wanting to know what fully lay in store for her.

 

“Once you have completed your set task you will become my escort for the evening. That way it ensures your presence as these men approach me.” Sesshomaru was watching her for any signs of her fiery temper, only to be slightly disappointed when she looked at him with deepening confusion. He fell silent waiting for her to speak whatever it was she had on her mind.

 

It took Kagome several moments to realize he was waiting for her to say something and yet when she tried she found she was having a hard time forming the words she wished to say. Taking a deep breath helped to clear away the fog that seemed to have secretly invaded her mind.

 

“What if I can't do all this after the challenge? What if Ozeki beats me to a bloody pulp?” Kagome asked, anger was slowly beginning to seep through the remaining tendrils of fog, darkening her eyes in the process. “What if I do not wish to be your date for the evening?”

 

Sesshomaru looked at her for several moments, thrilling in the glare of those midnight eyes. It amused him that she never understood how much danger her temper placed her in whenever she chose to use it against him. He only allowed her to live because it amused him to. Besides it was rare to actually find someone other than his own brother that did not fear him. In fact if he didn't know better Sesshomaru could almost find the whole situation entertaining.

 

“If this is the case than you will have to find another way to discover the auras. I cannot allow the traitors to linger in my walls longer than necessary.” Sesshomaru allowed a look of boredom dominate his features while inside a small worry began to form that the miko might be right. The longer these beings were in his castle the longer his daughter would be in danger and that was something he could not tolerate.

 

“Look, Sesshomaru,” Kagome sighed allowing her anger to fade away even before it could spill over into her actions. “I understand that you're worried about Rin, I am too and will do all I can to help you protect her, but you must understand that I could very well deplete my energy tomorrow trying to get a stubborn bear on my side.”

 

Sesshomaru listened quietly and felt the first stirrings of something inside him that he could not put a name too. How was it possible that this woman knew his darkest thought, surely he did not allow the emotion to be displayed on his features, yet she had picked up on his thoughts as easily as one would pick up a flower from his daughter's garden.

 

“I'll stay as close to you tomorrow as I can, do all I can to get these men pinpointed for you but I cannot guarantee that I'll be able to do anything after battling Ozeki.” Kagome went on oblivious to the inner turmoil the Western Lord was experiencing. “Don't expect miracles though, there are too many people gathered here to try and create one. Besides without proof, I cannot say for certain these men have been tainted by your enemy, it may very well be that they work for someone else that is in your service.”

 

“This possibility has come to my attention and I have decided that these youkai will be kept under close observation until the origin can be determined.” He replied smoothly, already having foreseen her answer.

 

They spoke at length about what could be done and how to determine where the taint could have come from in the first place. He told her what he had seen at the borders and she explained what sort of training she had done to prepare for the upcoming battle. They touched on various subjects that pertained to the usurper and he explained all that had taken place to lead up to the point they were at now.

 

When Sesshomaru dismissed her, the moon had already climbed high in the night sky. Unable to sleep, Kagome wandered out into the inner gardens. The full moon shone brightly down on the white flowers in full bloom creating an almost ethereal vision. Swept up in the beauty before her, Kagome sat on one of the stone benches and allowed her mind to drift.

 

“Kagome,” a soft voice came from behind her startling the woman. She cast a glance over her shoulder only to find that it was Iyashii who had spoken. A small smile tugged at the corner of her mouth as she shifted her position to face him. “What are you doing out here so late.”

 

“Good evening Iyashii, how are you doing?” Kagome asked scooting over so he could sit down beside her.

 

“I am well,” Iyashii replied taking the offered seat. “I did wish to ask you something though and am glad to have seen you seated out here.”

 

“Oh? What did you need, Iyashii?” Kagome trained her eyes on the large white flowers of the garden. She wished she had been left to her privacy a little longer but she could not turn him away. She waited quietly amused as he took on a nervous aura while he shifted in his seat.

 

“I have heard that the lord was permitting his people to hold a festival tomorrow in celebration of their border victory.” Iyashii pushed the heavy mass of his hair over his shoulder and Kagome could not help but catch the gleam of moonlight shining off the platinum tresses. The mass shone silver in the pale light and Kagome found herself thinking about another different silver haired youkai than the one sitting next to her.

 

“I was kind of wondering,” Iyashii caught up one of Kagome's hands, drawing her attention from whatever dream she had slipped into. He looked deep into her eyes and Kagome was once more surprised to see the level of emotion in the inu-youkai's eyes. “If you would be so kind as to allow me to be your escort to the festivities?”

 

“I'm sorry Iyashii,” Kagome smiled; gently she pulled her hand from his grasp and stood. She looked down at him and he noticed that there was a certain sad tint to her eyes. “Lord Sesshomaru has already commanded that I should be by his side for several important events tomorrow. Maybe next time?”

 

“Perhaps,” Iyashii stood as well. Gently he reached out to grasp her elbow and turn her toward the castle door. “Then permit me to escort you to your room.”

 

“I would like that.” Kagome said though she really just wanted to be left alone. There was something about him that was almost too unreal and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She could detect no taint that would lead her to believe he was an enemy plant; yet small warning bells went off inside her head every time she was alone with him.

 

They talked as he walked with her of mundane things, the goings on of the war and a possible hope for the future. Kagome steered clear from any deeply personal questions and allowed him to do most of the talking. He left her at her door than, giving her a good-natured smile as he left.

 

Kagome slide the door closed behind her yet she could still feel his lingering presence just beyond the doorway. He stayed there for some time before she felt him leave. There was definitely something that the demon was hiding and Kagome thought of telling Sesshomaru before something could happen.

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Tanaka crouched low before her seated master waiting for him to call her forward so that she could make the long awaited report. When his deep voice called for her to do so, she slunk forward will all the feline grace of her kind. She was panther youkai, a proud creature of the shadows and she served her master faithfully.

 

“I bring word from Iyashii and the others master,” her head brushed along her master's leg a deep purr rumbling in her chest as the large hand descended to caress her back. “He informed me that he will remain at the Western Lord's castle in an attempt to discover the reasons behind the destruction of so many of our men. He also wished to let you know he discovered something that maybe of deep interest to you.”

 

“What would that be my dear?” her master's voice was always like a balm to her dark soul, a promise of things to come. His hand never ceased his soothing caresses and her purr deepened of its own accord.

 

“Iyashii has apparently made friends with an exceptionally strong miko,” Tanaka's lithe form curled up at her master's feet enjoying his fingers running through her dark fur. “He wishes to study her farther in hopes of being able to use her against our enemies.”

 

“I see,” her master's deep voice sounded through the shadows that blanketed the room. “I hope for his sake his plan works to our advantage or else he will suffer the consequences.”

 

“Master?” Tanaka knew better than to question her master. His wrath frightened even her and she barely ever took the brunt of it.

 

“Speak,” He commanded, his hand stilling until he knew what she would ask.

 

“Why do you allow him to live after last time?” Tanaka steeled herself for anything, her body stilling completely under his hand. She expected to be struck for lack of faith in her master yet when the heavy blow did not come she allowed herself to look up at him.

 

“Because dear,” he smiled at her, exposing two sharp canines that held the promise of pending death. “He would never be able to live with himself should he betray me once more.”

 

“Yes master,” Tanaka lowered her head, a chill went down her spine in the light of that smile. There was insanity in that malicious grin; an evil that would be unleashed upon the world slowly till the life was drained from it. Happily, Tanaka set about licking the blood from her paws the only thing that remained of the hapless messenger Iyashii had sent to them.

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Kagome wove her way through the festival crowd in search of Sesshomaru. He had been by her side most of the day yet had been drawn away as a group of his men requested his immediate attention to some detail or another. He had left her to wander the grounds than, telling her he would return shortly.

 

It had not been long after his departure that a demon had roughly pulled her into a dark alley, the promise of her impending death on its dark lips. Believing that they were alone, the creature had attacked her full force and only her quick thinking had allowed her to live through the experience.

 

The creature had been able to vanish into the surrounding darkness, coming at her from several directions even before the urgency of the situation sunk in. Her powers had immediately flared to life, as she dodged each new attack. She believed it was some sort of shadow demon the way it flowed around the darkened corners of the alley.

 

Instinct had taken over and she had been able to dodge most of the demon's attacks. He had been able to get a few good strikes in that left her right arm bleeding from a large gash. A second deep cut had formed across her shoulder as if by magic when she'd been backed into one of the dark corners and Kagome knew she had to get out of that alley immediately.

 

The creature had slunk back into the shadows to hide as a young couple sought the refuge of the alley trying to escape from the prying eyes of their families. They had laughed, clinging to one another as only desperate lovers would before slinking away to their own private heaven. Kagome had taken the opportunity and pushed her way past the startled pair, leaving the creature behind to sulk in the shadows.

 

Finally, she spotted Sesshomaru talking to Tatsu and a small group of demons near the outside of the village temple. His back was to her, yet he turned to face her before she was more than a few steps a way.

 

“I thought I told you to wait for me.” His cold voice displayed his displeasure at being disobeyed before his delicate nose scented the air around her.

 

“Sorry but I really need you to come with me.” Before she even thought about what she was doing, Kagome grabbed a hold of his hand with her good one and started to pull him back the way she had come.

 

“Why do you smell of blood?” He allowed her to pull him along, knowing the woman was not acting normal. Her grip was surprisingly strong, even to him, but she held a sense of urgency that kept him from pulling away.

 

“Because I was just attacked by something that bore the same taint, only it wasn't a taint at all but its own aura.” Kagome babbled on, her anger the only thing that was allowing her to function. If she'd stopped to think about it then the pain would set in. Right now she needed him to know what had happened and maybe be able to find out what kind of demon had attacked her.

 

“Let me see,” Sesshomaru demanded, pulling her toward him effortlessly. She stumbled falling back toward him and he swiftly reached out to steady the woman. The moment she stopped moving, Sesshomaru had no problem locating the wounds the creature had left on her. The one on her arm did not look that bad, but the one on her shoulder was very deep the blood soaking through the flimsy silk of her torn kimono.

 

“There's no time for this,” She yelled angrily pushing him away. Instantly she started toward the alleyway only to slump against the wall when she found the alley empty of anything. No trace of the creature nor the young couple that had unknowingly saved her life. Kagome sighed, hoping that they two had not been hurt in her hasty retreat.

 

“It was here,” She looked up at Sesshomaru with glazed eyes, the pain of the wounds finally beginning to break through the euphoric cloud of rage. She told him everything that happened and watched quietly as he searched the entire alley, her left hand pressed hard against the gash in her shoulder.

 

“It would seem the creature has fled,” Sesshomaru told her gently taking her elbow and directing her toward a healer's tent. They had been erected due to the various challenges that would be taking place later in the evening, with Ozeki and Kagome's being one of the last three to take place.

 

The healer clucked and cooed over Kagome as she carefully sewed the shoulder wound shut, her white head bent to the task while her ancient hands showed the work of a master. A bitter tea filled with some unknown concoction had taken the biting edge of the pain away and Kagome was grateful the woman took care to bring a plentiful supply of the herbs.

 

The entire time the healer worked on her, Sesshomaru argued that she was in no shape to participate in the challenge and that he would call it off immediately. Kagome, not one to be ordered around, told him in no certain words that she had to go through with it whether he liked it or not. In the end, Kagome's stubbornness won out and the healer was hard pressed to keep the smile from her ancient lips at the way the two were acting. In all her years, the old woman had never seen a woman capable of changing her lord's mind once he had it set on something.

 

Sesshomaru spent the rest of the day beside Kagome, his men searching the entire area for any trace of the creature who had attacked the young miko. Tatsu and a few of the others that had accompanied Kagome on the rescue mission trailed after the two just in case of another attempt on the woman's life.

 

A high dais had been erected at one end of the training ground for Lord Sesshomaru to watch over the proceedings. On each side of the dais guards were carefully positioned in two straight lines. A large crowd gathered around the outer perimeter eager to see who would come out the victor amongst the six challenges that were to take place.

 

Beside Sesshomaru sat his daughter, Rin, on one side and on the other Kagome had been made to sit until it was her turn in the make shift arena. It was the only way to ensure that he be able to watch over her and Rin at the same time and act as overseer to the combatants.

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The next chapter will deal with her challenge and a few other things. I've done it in two parts because the challenge in itself is giving me a difficult time in writing.

 

Once again, Thanks for all yer reviews! I appreciate the time you take out to let me know exactly what you thing. Till next time, Much Love~ DJ