InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Sunset Love ❯ A Warning ( Chapter 14 )

A/N~ Well it's been longer then I thought since submitting a chapter. Sorry guys real life's kind of bogging me down at the moment. Anyhow here's the long awaited chapter and I hope it holds up to your expectations. Its sort of filler so be warned.. <Grins evilly>

 

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Inuyasha characters they belong to their creator.

 

 

Chapter 14 - A warning.

 

Kisho sat staring into the flames, his golden eyes held a far off look that many of those around him had gotten use to in the past few weeks. They had been left behind to safe guard and help rebuild several of the border villages that had suffered under the assaults. Now the task had been completed and Kisho had felt the urge to return to the Western Castle. The feeling had nagged at him for over a week now and was only gaining in strength with each passing day.

 

Taking only the kitsune twins and General Kuro, Kisho had set out from the borders two days earlier. He had kept the pace easy, letting his tired men have the chance to rest before returning to whatever might be occurring at his friend's castle. He knew that it had to be something of importance yet he could not allow himself to hurry. Something was holding him back even as the sensation of being needed plagued his every waking moment.

 

Around him the others spoke in low tones now wanting to disturb the inu-youkai who had been in deep thought. The kitsune twins had been with him for many years and knew that look to be a sign of things to come. They knew it was never very good but hoped this time it might prove different.

 

Kuro just followed the twins' lead, never questioning them for a moment. If his superiors held some type of premonitions it was not for him to do anything other than follow. Besides, returning to the castle meant being reunited with his family for a brief respite and to check up on the strange human who had risked it all to save his only son.

 

On many occasions over the past several weeks he and the twins had talked about the miko and Kuro found the hatred he felt in general towards humans no longer included the one who he should in fact hate the most. She was his sworn enemy, yet she'd done all she could to save his son. Miko or not, she had won his respect. Kuro now understood why Tatsu had shown such respect toward the ancient miko on the night he told them about the Shikon's creation. If Midoriko was anything like Kagome, than one could not help but respect the love of life the young woman held in her eyes.

 

Each held their own thoughts as they tried to keep the conversation light. They were only a half-day's easy march from the Western Castle, yet their leader had chosen to rest here. It was almost as if he were waiting for something, something Kisho himself might not be aware of.

 

The sounds of horse's hooves pounding hard against the earth brought the group to their feet, weapons at the ready in case the intruder would prove to be hostile. Moments ticked by seeming to last forever before the blurred image of a speeding white horse broke from the encroaching forest and headed toward the waiting youkai.

 

Instantly recognition reflected in the four pairs of eyes that watched the horse once blamed of being hell born skid to a halt in front of them. Goma-suri's amused whinny only confirmed it to be the horse that had tormented the young miko on their first trip home.

 

Almost unnoticed by the demons a small inu youkai child slid from her perch on the white stallion's back and slow began her approach toward the waiting males. Her short golden hair was tucked back behind slightly pointed ears while short unruly bangs hung in the child's golden eyes. Silently she knelt before Kisho, her head bowed reverently as she waited for the Northern Lord to acknowledge her presence.

 

His emotions hidden behind the stoic mask, Kisho studied the child intently before him. She wore only the simple peasant clothing of his land, yet no bore no mark on her clothing that would proclaim her as a servant to his household. It was odd to him because the small inu child looked to be familiar but Kisho could not say from where.

 

“Speak.” Kisho commanded the child his eyes never leaving her mop of golden hair.

 

“Great Lord,” the child's soft voice seemed to feel the clearing. “My mistress bid me bring a message to the Northern Taiyoukai, but requires that I be certain it is he that I speak with.”

 

“Ask your question,” Kisho growled out the command causing an involuntary shiver to pass through the child's tiny frame. He did not like how his authority was being questioned but held his anger at bay knowing that it was often required in times of war.

 

“My mistress asks this question, my lord.” The child took a deep breath as they watched her calm her fears before her voice broke through the stillness once more. “The true lord would know of the well of whom legends can pass through.”

 

“I know this well and have seen those who may pass freely.” Kisho replied not even taking a moment to think through the cryptic question that left his companions in a state of confusion.

 

Hearing his answer the girl nodded, pleased with what he had replied. Her small head tilted to one side though she kept her golden eyes locked on the ground in front of her. Another deep shiver passed through her frame as the combined youkai of the others around her settled in her tiny bones. These demons were powerful and it was a bit unsettling for one so young.

 

“My mistress has instructed me to inform the lord that in his absence from the Western Lands a great evil has been invited into the stately halls.” A small strand of the golden hair fell in front of her face and she batted it away unthinkingly as the child tried to remember word for word the message that had been entrusted to her. “My mistress also bid me inform you that a great army is gathering in one of the Northern providences closest to the Western Boundary. The lady believes they will attack before the new moon rises.”

 

Kisho listened intently as the small girl paused to take a deep breath before continuing. The longer he listened to her the more Kisho realized that her speech was that of a royal servant then of the lowly peasants who farmed the land.

 

“The lady wishes that I beg the lord to watch over the young miko housed within Lord Sesshomaru's castle and aid the lady miko in all that lay ahead of her.”

 

The child sighed deeply relieved to remember everything her mistress had instructed her with, her child's mind replaying everything she just relayed making certain she'd left nothing out.

 

“Who is your mistress child?” Kisho demanded his arms crossing over his chest as he caught the girl peeking up at him with childish wonder through the curtain of her bangs.

 

“The lady Kana, my lord.” The girl replied again her eyes snapping back to the ground at his feet afraid that he would punish her for daring to look upon his person.

 

Kisho nodded then turned to look at the others who had gathered around to hear what the child would say. Both the kitsune twins looked at the girl with mild curiosity while Kuro began to get a look of agitation. Kisho too felt agitation at not knowing who this strange woman was that commanded inu-youkai servants.

 

“Was there anything else?” Kisho looked back to the kneeling child in front of him in time to catch her retreating eyes once more. He held back the chuckle he felt at her antics being reminded of something he would have done at her age.

 

“No, my lord,” The child nodded her tiny fingers rapping around the coarse material of her clothing in a worried gesture.

 

“Then you are free to return to your mistress,” Kisho dismissed her easily and had to suppress the chuckle as he watched her nod and scamper quickly onto the waiting horse's back. In a flash the pair was gone swallowed by the night.

 

“Come,” was all he said to the others as he turned to break camp. The need was urgent and he had to inform his friend immediately. The sooner Sesshomaru knew of the impending danger the quicker they could deal with it.

 

That one word was enough to send the other three into a flurry of activity that had them ready and racing toward the distant castle.

 

They reached the gates during the predawn hours, their arrival setting the guards into motion as they passed through the gates and sent a messenger to awaken the Western Taiyoukai.

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Kagome shot from the futon as the sounds of what she believed to be battle rattled the walls around her, her hand instinctively clutching the sword she had taken to sleeping with since the shadow youkai had attacked her. Fear and concern reflected in her midnight eyes as she searched the room for any signs that Ozeki was battling the youkai he was suppose to protect her from.

 

To her surprise and confusion nothing in the room seemed to be disturbed and as her sleep filled eyes alighted on Ozeki's sleeping form the confusion grew deeper. He lay in a sound sleep; curled on the makeshift futon the servants had provided him with the evening before.

 

The sound came again, the walls rattling under the loud assault and Kagome's eyes once again scanned the room for any signs of an intruder before coming to land on Ozeki a second time.

 

His head was thrown back, his mouth hanging slightly open and it took a minute before Kagome realized that the sound was coming from him. He was snoring, the sound more like a freight train ripping through her room than anything else.

 

A grin formed on Kagome's face even as her painful ribs reminded her that she was still hurting from the serpentine hug two days before. Now that the adrenalin that had rushed through her body at an imagined attack was fading away the pain returned swiftly though without the intensity she'd dealt with yesterday.

 

Once again Ozeki's loud snore shattered the peace of her room and rolling her eyes in exasperation Kagome flung the rolled pillow across the room with all her strength at the sleeping bear.

 

The pillow landed with a soft thud across Ozeki's nose causing the snore to turn into a snort that brought the bear instantly awake. Quickly he sat up his ebony eyes scanning the room for whoever dared strike out at him while he slept only to see the miko he'd sworn to protect holding her sides as she tried hard to hold back the laughter.

 

Kagome failed miserably when she saw the comical look on Ozeki's face and burst into fits of laughter that had her ribs aching badly. Her laughter deepened when the bear snorted his disgust and raised his nose higher into the air.

 

“What is so funny, Miko?” Ozeki demanded as he stood and stretched out his muscular form, his eyes glaring down at Kagome as he waited for her to stop laughing long enough to answer him.

 

“You w...w…were snoring,” She finally got as the laughter faded away only to return when her companion snorted again in total denial of the fact.

 

“I do not snore, human.” He grunted as he reached for his haori. He had taken it off during the night and laid it at the foot of the futon. Quickly he dressed as her laughter filled the room mingling with his sigh of tolerance.

 

“Hurry and dress,” Ozeki growled before stalking from the room to give her the privacy the human woman always required. He did not travel far from the door, stopping to lean against the wooden wall a few feet from her door.

 

Ozeki couldn't wait until his servitude to the woman was over so he could once more challenge the woman. He had to admit he actually liked battling the miko who bore the spirit of a youkai warrior. Perhaps, next time he would be able to repay her for the lump that had caused his head to ache for a full day. A grin spread across his lips revealing sharp white teeth that would cause any lesser youkai to tremble in fear.

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Sesshomaru had been ripped from his deep slumber when the urgent message arrived at his door. His actions were swift, calling for those in his castle to gather in the Council Hall.

 

He had waited there, having gone over the information with Kisho and the others before the first of his allies arrived. Now the room was filled with the sounds of arguments and complaints as the gathered assembly tried to come up with a course of action concerning the upcoming battle.

 

Kisho had relayed only the parts about a gathered army on the borders of his lands, keeping his source and other news between themselves as Sesshomaru had requested. It would do no good if any of the youkai or humans gathered in the Council Hall knew of the supposed evil that lurked within the castle walls.

 

Golden eyes scanned the gathering, searching for the young miko he knew to be in the room. He had hoped that sometime during this meeting she would be able to detect the presence of those tainted as she had in the last meeting.

 

He found her, sitting between Ozeki and Tatsu; her small hands clasped tightly together in her lap while a nervousness Sesshomaru could almost taste tainted her normally pleasant scent. Sesshomaru found this sensation unpleasant, as he'd never truly seen the woman like this unless she was in over her head. He could find nothing in the room that would warrant such a strained look on her face unless she was indeed feeling the aura of the others. Every once in a while, Kagome would lean over and whisper something to Lord Tatsu her voice so low that even his enhanced hearing could not it up. The dragon would then nod and glance around for whatever she had told him about.

 

Normally, the human woman would be resigned to the back of the hall where none of the ruling allies could see her, if she was even permitted to be in the room at all, but being Tatsu's student had elevated her status and required that Kagome stay with the dragon lord during all such meetings. Sesshomaru still wondered how the slip of a girl could actually convince the dragon lord to be her teacher where so many youkai had failed before her.

 

To his surprise Sesshomaru watched as Tatsu reached over and patted her hands and whispered to her with what appeared to be encouragement. The woman's ability to make friends with the most unlikely of people confused him but at the same time he felt at ease whenever she was present. He couldn't help but wonder if that is how the others felt and why she'd been able to make friends quickly among those that he knew for a fact hated the majority of humankind.

 

On the other side of the Council Halls, Kisho and the twins sat listening as the latest general spoke about how he'd like to gather a small number of soldiers for a scouting expedition to investigate Kisho's news. Kisho held a completely emotionless look on his face but Sesshomaru could tell by the slightest darkening of his friend's eyes that something about the situation was bothering him.

 

General Kuro sat several yards behind the twins, his gaze constantly drifting to where Kagome sat. Sesshomaru recognized the look his general help as the same Kuro had the day before his son had been captured. It was one that spoke of worry and protectiveness yet the knowledge that he could do nothing and Sesshomaru understood instantly what held the lion's concern. He had been present when Kana's messenger told them to protect the young miko.

 

It did not surprise Sesshomaru when said miko glanced back and gave the worried lion one of her reassuring smiles, while hiding her own worry. Kagome had somehow known the lion was looking at her and she'd greeted him warmly through that single smile.

 

Letting his gaze travel over the rest of the humans and youkai gathered in the walls, Sesshomaru spotted Sora leaning against a wall with her brother standing by her side. As their gazes locked, for this was the only place anyone dared look at the lord without fear of punishment, Sora let her tongue delicately wet her bottom lip. The action was meant as a clear invitation and Sesshomaru recognized it as such. His eyes narrowed slightly at her brazen attempt at gaining his attention before he looked back to the general speaking to the assembly, his mind far from what was being said.

 

Kagome felt it again, the same feeling of being watched by a vile creature, that she had felt over a month ago when she'd first dinned with Sesshomaru and Kisho. The knuckles of her hands turned white from clasping them tightly together as she tried to ignore whatever it was. It was stronger now then that first time and she knew it was not because she was dressed in a breathtaking kimono as she had been on that morning. Instead she'd elected to wear the traditional miko's garb, her long ebony hair braided in a single braid down her back. She looked as plain as she could just for the purpose of trying not to attract the attention of any youkai there. Several of the demons gathered after all had been present for her battle with Ozeki and still probably held ill will against her.

 

Gentle clawed finger tips patted at the top of her tightly clenched hands and she looked up with a start at Tatsu only to see the comforting look reflected in those deep red eyes. He had sensed her distress and leaned over to whisper words of encouragement hoping to ease the tension that he'd felt radiating off her.

 

She smiled up gratefully at him and nodded in acknowledgement of his words. Tatsu had been the one to collect Ozeki and herself from the dinning hall where they had been eating breakfast and still arguing over whether or not the bear snored. It was he who had informed them of the meeting being called concerning the usurper and had suggested she dress in the miko garments. It had been Tatsu also that had allowed her the chance to sit with him and Ozeki in the Council Hall instead of being banished to the back of the hall like she'd been the last time. It was her place as his student, Tatsu informed her with a trace of amusement in his voice at her excited gasp. Ozeki, also being under Tatsu's tutelage had been allowed to sit on the other side of her. Since Tatsu was considered a minor lord instead of a general he had the right to sit toward the front of the room giving Kagome a chance to scan those around them with a skeptical eye in search of those who threatened Rin's safety.

 

During the course of the meeting, Kagome had described to Tatsu the ones she was able to detect the tainted aura around and he would glance toward them and tell her their names if he knew. Now he was sitting here trying to comfort her as Kagome began to feel overwhelmed by a feeling she could not describe.

 

Another feeling nagged at her, one of a familiar aura and she glanced back in time to catch Kuro's worried stare. She smiled at him in greeting and reassurance hoping that it would ease the lion's mind. Kagome could see that something was worrying him but she didn't know what it could be since his son was safely at home with Kuro's wife. The young cub had healed perfectly but because of his capture Sesshomaru had allowed the gentle lion cub to stay home instead of ordering him out with the rest of them. It had surprised Kagome at first but she was grateful to the Western Lord for his concern for his people. She had talked with Yasuo from time to time whenever she'd not been training with the others and it had been he who'd told her all about his retirement from the armies.

 

The cub was now considered among her closest friends and she wanted Kuro to know that she would watch over him as such. To Kagome the boy's gentle nature was one to be preserved not crushed and had went so far as to tell Yasuo that.

 

Kuro did not return the smile, but she could see in his amber gaze that he was grateful for what she'd done. She smiled one last time and looked away only to notice that Sesshomaru seemed to be distracted by something toward the back of the room. His eyes lingering on whatever it was for an indefinite amount of time that made the young miko wonder if he was even listening to the old general who had been talking.

 

Curious, Kagome followed his gaze back and when she saw Sora her eyes narrowed slightly in irritation. The woman was clearly an inu youkai, looking almost identical to Iyashii who stood beside her with a look of disgust on his handsome features, apparently some sort of family that Iyashii could barely tolerate. She was clad in indecent attire causing Kagome to think back to when she'd first come across the demoness called Yura of the Demon Hair. The inu demoness' skirt was slightly shorter barely covering her womanly assets and Kagome fought down the disgust she was sure was written all over her face.

 

Kagome watched with slowly building anger at the open invitation the youkai clearly was giving to Sesshomaru and she snapped her head back to look at the demon lord. His eyes had grown slightly darker and Kagome could almost detect the slight build in his aura that did not whisper of anger but of possible arousal. It would have been funny to see the great Sesshomaru affected by such a demoness if it wasn't for the fact that there was something evil about the woman.

 

Glancing back toward the demoness, Kagome took the time to study her from an objective point of view. There was something about her appearance that seemed unreal and Kagome couldn't quite put a finger on it.

 

With a sigh she let her gaze travel over the rest of the room as she thought about what she was sensing from the female inu youkai. Only when Kagome spotted Inuyasha, Miroku and Shippo at the back of the room did she suddenly realize what it was.

 

Instantly, dark sapphire eyes turned back to the inu youkai with shock a pink tinge flashing momentarily across her eyes as she searched for the telltale signs of what she was looking for. Shippo had been teaching her about illusionary spells, explained how he was able to transform into others and had even felt it when she'd been in the kitsune twins' presence. Kagome felt a momentary lurch to her heart as she spotted what she was looking for and turned back to look at Tatsu with wide eyes and a noticeable paler appearance.

 

Tatsu looked down with concern at his student when he felt her slender fingers wrap themselves tightly into the loose folds of his hakama just under the ties. Her dark eyes looked up at him with a trace of fear and her paler complexion had him wishing this meeting would hurry and come to an end. Leaning over as she whispered something to him and Tatsu glanced back toward Sora.

 

He too felt that something was not quite right with her and he shook his head at Kagome's softly whispered question before patting the hand she still had resting in her lap in a reassuring manner. If it comforted the miko to hold onto his clothing in the same manner a small child would cling to her father than Tatsu would allow her to hold on until she felt safe enough to let go.

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Lord Sesshomaru called for a break in the meeting so that his human allies might seek the nourishment that their fragile bodies required. They had gotten nowhere in their attempts to find a solution to the pending battle. Plans and strategies had been tossed around but none seemed the proper course of action.

 

On top of that he had seen the miko look between himself and the female inu youkai, had seen her tense in barely concealed anger and had felt the sudden fear that had engulfed her the second time she had looked back to the demoness. This had caused his slight arousal at Sora's open invitation to instantly disappear, his attention settling back on the miko in question.

 

She must have sensed something coming from the inu youkai that had her clinging tightly to Tatsu's clothing like a small child even though she was trying hard to hide it from the others around her. It had been his daughter Rin that had directed his attention to the fear in the miko's usually bright eyes. Rin's soft voice questioning him as to why she sensed fear in Kagome even though Sesshomaru had warned his daughter to remain silent during the meeting.

 

He had seated Rin beside him in the rightful place his children would normally occupy, letting everyone there know that he valued the human child he'd raised as his own. It was rare to allow a human be placed in a pup's position but none dared complain about the implications.

 

Everyone that knew him knew Rin was his adopted daughter and hoped that one day Sesshomaru would produce a rightful heir to the Western Lands, one that did not include the tainted blood of human kind. Those who had not yet accepted the child as such knew better than to talk about against it because they valued their lives too much.

 

It was how she'd seen the distress in her friend's eyes and asked Sesshomaru about it. His only answer had been to narrow his eyes at Rin. His look had effectively silenced the girl the way Sesshomaru had intended and he went back to listening to the general, occasionally casting a glance toward Kagome whenever he could tear it away from the droning old demon that was demanding they send a messenger to the usurper to demand he stand down.

 

As everyone started out of the room Kagome hurried forward to talk with Kisho, moving to where they were just out of reach of the doorway. Sesshomaru instantly recognized what the woman was up too and watched as each of the youkai passed her by. A quick glance back from the woman toward him only confirmed Sesshomaru's suspicions and when Tatsu need his lord as though wanting to speak with him, he allowed it.

 

Even though it does done in secretive glances that would throw the others off, Tatsu and Sesshomaru took turns in watching Kagome's actions. She was more animated then usual, letting everyone around her believe she was excited about something but her quick nods or the slightest shake of her head told those watching her volumes of what she was doing. There were other actions, a pointed finger seemingly meant for something outside the castle or a wave of her hand held a double meaning one, which the lord intended on finding out once everyone was out of the room.

 

Lord Kisho played along marvelously, his emotionless mask only slightly slipping when the miko started rambling on about her training sessions with her old group or how she'd beaten the bear general in the challenge arena. Anyone listening would assume that she was highly upset when she relayed to him the events concerning the shadow youkai and that the Northern Lord was taking it seriously when a low growl of displeasure escaped him.

 

From the corner of her eye, Kagome saw that the female inu youkai was approaching Sesshomaru with a seductive sway to her hips and a promising smile on her face. It sickened her to think that he could be aroused by the demoness' open display of desire and Kagome's aura spiked with anger.

 

To her relief, Tatsu quickly intervened as he caught Sesshomaru's attention by some question or another and the Taiyoukai swiftly dismissed the demoness. Kagome did not fail to notice the slightly angry sensation radiating off the demoness and the amused smirk that Iyashii held he followed the fuming demoness out of the council hall. Kagome was pleased with the fact that Tatsu had caught on to what had distressed her earlier, though none of her thoughts were relayed in the excited chatter she was directing at Kisho.

 

Kisho watched the entire goings on with amusement, the girl was animated more then usual but he understood quickly enough what the miko was getting at the first time she'd motioned toward one of the passing demons while saying something to the effects of where the shadow demon had attacked her. He was unable to stop the growl that escaped when she'd explained what happened his protective instincts rising to the foremost part of his mind. He had been told to watch out for her and he sensed more then saw how her other friends who had gathered around Sesshomaru kept watch over her.

 

It surprised him though when he felt her anger spike and scent the area around them with thunderstorms. Something had her even more upset then Kagome was letting on and only her scent gave her away. He quickly glanced out at the passing crowd and knew that they believed it to be because of what she was saying. The thought of no one other then her friends suspecting what she was really doing comforted him slightly.

 

The woman was sure a handful and Kisho wondered exactly how he was going to handle taking care of her and being involved in the coming battle. He also felt the relief Kagome held when a very attractive inu youkai stormed from the room after being halted in her progress toward the Western Lord. Even Kisho knew what the look on the demoness' face meant but he could not understand why Kagome was upset by the fact.

 

Soon everyone was out of the room and Kagome held Kisho's attention just a little longer while she made certain the tainted auras were far enough from the room to not over hear what she had to say to those that were left behind.

 

Turning she was surprised to see that everyone she considered to be a true friends stood waiting for her to finish whatever game she was playing at. A small grin pulled at her lips when she heard Inuyasha's faint “Keh!” come from where he and Shippo were leaning against the wall behind Sesshomaru.

 

Her eyes lighted on Sesshomaru and narrowed as she felt anger once again build inside her. She felt like yelling at him but her pride would not allow Kagome to confront him in front of everyone else. It was really not her place to say who he wanted but she'd be damned if she wasn't going to tell that arrogant demon a thing or two about the woman he so obviously desired. Besides she did have Rin to look after and there's no telling what that vile woman would do to the innocent young woman.

 

Forcing back the biting words she desired to scream at Sesshomaru, Kagome directed her attention to Tatsu and Kuro who were seated at the same table as Sesshomaru.

 

“Did you get all of them?” She asked patiently trying to keep her voice calmer then she felt.

 

“Ten in all, by my count.” Ozeki put in walking to stand in front of the woman he had come to admire in so short a time. He felt her anger and he wanted to block the other's view of her effectively giving her time to calm down though he did not understand why she was so irritated.

 

“Aye, that be what I got from ye as well,” Tatsu added before listing the names he knew from long years of experience around the castle.

 

The others listened intently to the names each recognized as someone they never would have believed would dare betray the Western Lord. Only Sesshomaru and Kisho remained calmly listening while the other's anger was evitable in the way they spoke. Kagome on the other hand was ticking the names off in her mind but felt that there was one more missing.

 

Sure of this she asked what their descriptions were only to be stumped farther, confusion shining in her deep blue eyes. Kagome was certain that there was one other that was mission and she didn't understand why she couldn't figure it out. Surely she wasn't imagining things, was she?

 

“There was a human too,” Kagome suddenly blurted out as she looked toward Miroku. His appearance had aged in the ten years she'd traveled with the group and it was that appearance that triggered the memory of seeing a balding gentleman with tattered lord robes seated toward the back of the room. She had glanced him while trying to figure out what was wrong with the inu female. An involuntary shudder ran through her at the thought of Sora.

 

“A human?” Several sets of surprised voices chimed in as all eyes focused on the girl. Ozeki had moved to sit down pulling the reluctant miko with him when he felt a slight tremble run through her frame. He thought it was fatigue because of using her powers to detect the taint and wanted to make sure she didn't pass out from weakness.

“Yes a human,” Kagome described him and was upset to find out that no one knew who he was.

 

“Perhaps this man was one of the newer arrivals and no one has taken to asking his name?” Miroku asked in that thoughtful voice Kagome remembered from their past adventures.

 

“Perhaps,” Sesshomaru replied his eyes falling on the miko who was refusing to look at him. Beside him Rin shifted uncomfortable feeling the tension between the two and Sesshomaru couldn't help but wonder what had brought about the miko's ire.

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For two days passed while the gathered lords, generals and allies tried to come up with a plan of action concerning the forming army in the northern lands. Each day that passed, Kagome diligently observed everyone in the room in hopes that she did not miss any of the tainted auras that could bring harm to those she loved.

 

She also avoided Sesshomaru whenever possible. Kagome did not want a confrontation with the emotionless lord if she could help it but each day her anger grew slightly worse as she watched the interactions between him and the demoness.

 

The demoness would openly flirt with the Taiyoukai and though he did not act upon the flirtations, remaining as distant as ever, Kagome noticed the way his aura changed with each meeting and how his eyes darkened slightly whenever he looked at her.

 

Soon Kagome knew she would have to tell Sesshomaru just what she thought about the demoness that was clearly using some sort of illusion spell around her as easily as the twins had covered up their appearances the night of the rescue mission. The only question that nagged at Kagome was whether the demoness was actually using a spell or if she were able to contort her body enough to appear as something she clearly was not.

 

It was this question alone that held Kagome's tongue still even though she would like to give a piece of her mind to the lord who remained blind to the whole thing. She needed to know more about the demoness before she confronted her.

 

During the two days, Kagome was able to learn from Iyashii that the woman's name was Sora and she was supposed to be his elder sister. Something didn't sound right about that and when questioned Iyashii would give vague answers. The whole thing was irritating her to no end, especially since Ozeki followed after them wherever they went and Kagome knew this was the reason that Iyashii was being elusive in his answers.

 

She couldn't just order the bear to leave her alone in the gardens either knowing that any minute the shadow demon could return and Kagome seriously doubted that Iyashii would protect her.

 

It was on the dawn of the third day that Kagome couldn't stand it any longer; her ribs had healed enough for her to begin practicing again. She knew she'd grown rusty in the past few days and she was up and dressed before the bear could even stir on his futon

 

“Ozeki!” Kagome yelled out his name bringing to snoring bear wide-awake in an instant. What he saw had him looking at her in disbelief. The young miko stood with her sword strapped to her side and looked as though she were preparing to enter into some sort of battle.

 

“What's wrong?” He was instantly on his feet fearing the worse. His discarded haori was yanked from its resting place and on him even before the miko had a chance to reply.

 

“I need to train,” She replied pacing slightly about the room, her eyes trained on the ground as she fought down the irritable feeling of being tapped. “I need some place big where I can practice my sword skills, some place that will hold up under miko powers.”

 

“The general training dojo would work perfectly,” Ozeki told her as he settled his own weapon on his sash. “It should allow your practice because it holds up well under youkai powers.”

 

“Lead the way!” Kagome barked out the order harsher then she had intended to and Ozeki scrambled to carry out her wish. He had never seen her so irritated before, not even when they'd fought side by side in the usurpers dungeon. It was a bit unsettling and he didn't want to take the brunt of the wrath he could see simmering in those dark pools of midnight.

 

It took only a short time to reach the training dojo where Sesshomaru's soldiers practiced when not on duty. Several of the youkai present glared at the miko when she entered with Ozeki but none dared speak out against it in the great bear's presence. They made way for her as Kagome made her way to a spot where she would not damage anyone present if her powers lashed out in her angry state.

 

“Don't come to close, I don't want to fry you.” Kagome ordered her companion before proceeding to go through the motions of the sword techniques she had learned in her own time.

 

Ozeki took her words to heart as he watched the angry pink glow begin to radiate from her sword. Backing up where he could watch her from a safe distance, he found that he was not alone. Several of the other youkai present had gathered around to watch the slender young human dressed in the garbs of a miko go through a training that was certain to aid in a battle against their own kind.

 

He could hear several of the soldiers whisper about her, some were awe held conversations, others were speculations of what she was doing, and still others were out and out rude remarks flung at her from several different higher standing soldiers.

 

A young bull youkai with a ring in his nose snorted in disgust and proudly proclaimed to all who could hear him that he could easily beat the weak woman with little to no effort. Hearing what the bull had said, Kagome rounded on him with a snarl that had her lips pulled back in anger.

 

“Well if you think you can take me on then lets put your theory to the test, shall we?” Kagome's eyes narrowed with anger and her grip tightened on the sword until her knuckles turned white.

 

“Like I would lower myself enough to soil my claws with your impure blood,” the bull snorted.

 

“Don't do it Shuri,” A young hawk demon said beside the bull, her eyes racking over Kagome's body with something akin to wonder. “She's the one that beat General Ozeki and is rumored to have been the miko who destroyed Naraku ten years ago.”

 

“That skinny little wench?” Shuri snorted again only this time with disbelief. “ There's no way she's too young to have been there. It was just a fluke she won over the general.”

 

Shuri was well aware of Ozeki's eyes boring into the side of his head as he added the last part, more afraid of the superior power the bear presented than he was any lowly human.

 

“Are you gonna stand there all day and make excuses or are we gonna settle who's the stronger here?” Kagome demanded glaring at the bull.

 

“If you pose a challenge then it is not polite to keep the lady miko waiting,” another youkai told Shuri and Kagome had to wonder just what kind of demon he was.

 

Shuri snorted again and glanced at Ozeki who grinned at him and motioned him forward. If the young bull believed he could take on the young miko then he was in for a shock Ozeki knew having experienced the woman's fighting prowess first hand.

 

With a roar, Shuri charged forward to attack the waiting miko. His sword swung down toward her only to bite through thin air and Shuri heard Ozeki's amused chuckle taunt him. Enraged he twisted around and spotted the human several feet away from him covering her mouth with one hand as she tried to suppress a yawn.

 

Kagome was taunting the bull something she knew she really shouldn't do but his aura told her he wasn't half as powerful as Ozeki was. In fact she could finish this fight within a few minutes if she decided to get serious. She was stalling for time, hoping that this Shuri would give her the distraction she needed to get her mind of Sora.

 

A string of curses and foul names reached her ears and she glared at the bull as he came at her again. This time her anger got the better of her and she raised her sword to quickly dispatch of the irritated male.

 

The ringing of steel striking steel echoed through the dojo as the two glared at each other over the crossed blades. Everyone seemed to hold their breath in awe as the slender miko's muscles trembled from the effort of holding off the larger and heavier youkai. Her strength had taken them all by surprise and even Shuri's eyes widened as he felt her power lick across his arms.

 

“I could kill you in an instant,” Kagome hissed between clenched teeth as she glared up at the bull. “Do not judge your opponent by appearance alone, it will be your down fall.”

 

Her words rung through the silence as everyone waited to see what the young miko would do. To everyone's amazement, one of her hands released the hilt of the sword and a balled up fist crashed into Shuri's nose with a force that literally knocked him away from her. As he stumbled back from the unexpected blow, Kagome pounced forward her sword coming to rest against the demon's neck.

 

“Expect the unexpected.” She told him as her blade bit into the tender flesh just under his chin until a tiny trickle of blood ran down the shining blade.

 

Shuri's eyes lowered as the young woman drew away, he waited for what he assumed to be a killing blow but when it didn't come he looked up in surprise and confusion.

 

“I do not kill unless left with no other choice,” the young woman told him wiping the blood from her sword and placing it in it's sheath. “I only sought to teach you something you can carry with you in battle.”

 

“Are you alright lady Kagome?” Ozeki asked moving to her side as he glared at the bull in displeasure. If the worthless demon had caused her to injure her healing ribs farther, then Ozeki would not be as forgiving as she was.

 

“I'm fine,” Kagome smiled up at him then turned her attention back to the waiting bull. “So your name's Shuri?”

 

“Yes M'lady,” Shuri's voice held a new respect to it that amused Ozeki to no end. After all it wasn't too long ago when he had also disbelieved the strength of the woman. Now the other youkai in the dojo gathered around as Shuri talk to the miko who seemed to have the strength of a youkai.

 

“Thank you,” Kagome bowed respectfully an action that sent a murmur of disbelief through the gathered crowd. “It was just what I needed and I would be honored if you would spar with me again at some other time.”

 

“I would be honored,” Shuri bowed back, his eyes widening at her simple request. Soon several other youkai stepped up to volunteer for sparing with the young miko. They were requests that the miko accepted happily as she spent the rest of the early morning sparing with various other types of youkai before she had to be back at the Council Hall where the ongoing arguments would continue late in the day.

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Mysticalflame ~ to answer yer question about youkai, I am using the word in the context of meaning both demon and demon power. In all honesty I do not know if it is the proper use as I am following the examples of other authors. This is why she tells him his youkai is different. Here are a few other examples:

Examples~
1. The youkai (demon) slunk from the darkness to sniff at the old well.

2. His youkai (demon power) swelled around him darkening the miasma until none could see beyond it's dark rolling clouds.

 

Hope this helps a little bit in understanding what I mean.

 

 

Ok guys I hope this was good enough to hold you over until the next chapter. Sorry its slow going for me but real life is being extremely difficult at the moment.

 

Also if anyone else would like to be added to my update list please feel free to let me know.

 

Much love ~ DJ