InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Battle of Heart and Land ❯ You're an Ass! ( Chapter 8 )

A/N: This idiot *points to herself* did not know of the AWESOMENESS of Dokuga[dot]com. Uh yea, instant member. If you don't know this amazing website, GO TO IT NOW. (well…after you read and review :P) and bask in its glory. Also, if anyone wants to draw pics for the fanfic, I would love you forever! :)

-MissKatt

DISCLAIMER: All Inuyasha goodness belongs to the amazing Takahashi-san!

The Battle of Heart and Land

By: MissKatt

Chapter Eight: You're an ass!

Kagome shifted in her bed, tossing around until her mind finally made it clear it was time to wake up. She slowly opened her eyes and peered around the room. She sat up in her bed and stretched out her arms. It was then she realized she was wearing the same clothes as yesterday. She blinked and looked around the room once more.

When did she get back to her room?

She quickly thought back to her most recent memory. Stopping the brother's fight. From there it spiraled downwards. Words kept flying by her eyes, reminding her of what had happened on the training field.

Inuyasha

Mean

Rage

Power

Shadow Lights

Darkness.

“Inuyasha,” She breathed the first word again. Her rage had finally calmed down, but now she was filled with dread. What had she done? She had gone way too far. Yes, it was true that he kept leading her on and hurting her, but she didn't have to display her emotions in such a way. Actually, she didn't know what had happened. She simply…snapped. Something in her had just switched into high gear and took over. It was something she wasn't used to. Yes, she would get upset with him, but never to the extent she had gone. She felt like one of those crazy wives on TV in Tokyo that suddenly snapped and killed her spouse.

“Kagome-sama?” A voice came after a series of knocks at the door.

“Yes, Rin-chan, come in,” She called and swung her legs over the side of the bed as the girl came in. Rin closed the door behind her and walked over to the bed, sitting down on it.

“Are you alright, Kagome-sama?” She asked, her brown eyes filled with worry. Her friend has been sleeping for far too long.

“Yes, I'm fine, Rin-chan. Thank you for worrying,” She said and smiled happily at the girl. The girl's face lifted.

“Ah! Thank goodness. I was so worried you hurt yourself with your power.” She said, smiling. Kagome shook her head, a smile still on her face.

“No, I'm alright. No pain. I think I just exhausted myself.” The miko replied and looked at the door when another knock was heard. “Yes?”

“I am happy to see you are awake, Kagome-sama,” Yune said, carrying a tray into the room and setting it down on the small table. “I brought you some food to get your strength back up.”

“Arigato, Yune-san.” The priestess said sweetly. She was very surprised how kind everyone was being to her, especially the servants. Didn't all youkai pretty much hate humans? The servant bowed to Kagome and Rin before leaving the room.

“Shall we eat?” Rin asked, getting off the bed and walking towards the small table and kneeling down at it. Kagome soon joined her and the two began to eat the rice and fish provided for them. They both seemed to get lost in their own thoughts as they ate in silence. Kagome glanced over at the younger girl. Today she had tied all her hair up into a ponytail, exposing her neck, and was clad in a dark green kimono. Again, the miko couldn't help but notice the girl looked much older than the little girl she remembered.

“Rin-chan,” Kagome began and when the girl raised her brown eyes to her in question, she continued. “Have you made a lot of friends here?” The girl chewed on the inside of her lip in contemplation.

“Yes, and no,” She replied and then set her bowl down on the table. “I do not know, Kagome-sama. I cannot help but feel they are not true to as they say.”

“What do you mean?” Kagome watched her as she spoke. The girl's face seemed to contort with several different emotions she couldn't quite place.

“When we go to the villages in the kingdom, I think they are only `friends' with me because it is convenient for them and their families; to get into good graces with the castle. Do you think I am being too paranoid, Kagome-sama?” The girl looked up at her seriously.

Kagome was taken back. She seriously couldn't blame the girl for thinking such negative thoughts, but at the same time maybe she wasn't imagining things. She had read books about how villagers would try and please the King and Queen in anyway just to get remembered or get admitted into the Kingdom's court. Did they even have a court here in the Western Lands? Like King Henry VIII?

“I don't know, Rin-chan. I'm not going to lie to you, they might have ulterior motives,” The girl's face fell again, but Kagome couldn't lie to her. “But, you have me.” Super corny, but the girl beamed up at her.

“Thank you, Kagome-sama. I hope that means you will be around a while.” Rin said with a smile and then placed her chopsticks over the bowl and stood up. “Now make sure you hurry and do not leave Sesshoumaru-sama waiting. He gets mad when he has to wait.” Kagome nodded and tied her hair up into a ponytail as well, glad she had remembered to bring a hair tie to Feudal Japan. She placed her chopsticks on top of her bowl as well and stood up.

“Thank you, Rin-chan. I'll see you later!” She said and walked out of her room after pulling on her boots. She walked down the hall to the dojo and stepped into the large room. Of course, Sesshoumaru was already there, leaning against the wall. He raised his head when she walked in, amber eyes landing on her.

“Ah, sorry I'm late.” She said, fidgeting under his gaze. Man, was he intimidating. But then again, she wasn't sure when exactly she was supposed to get here in the morning so he couldn't really blame her.

“Hm,” He walked over to the wall and grabbed two bokkens and gently tossed one at her. She fumbled with it miserably before dropping it. She felt embarrassment fill her before she bent down and picked up the bokken. “I want to see your power.”

“Huh? But, I thought I already demonstrated it for you guys.” She said, fidgeting with the bokken in her hands, trying to place them correctly on it like he had shown her.

“Apparently, you have a new one.” He replied. She bit her lip and looked down. The miko knew he was talking about yesterday on the field. She felt embarrassed again that she had lost control of herself and got all crazy with Inukimi and Sesshoumaru there. But that had only been the second time she had used her new power. She didn't even know how to control it. The last two times it had just happened.

“I don't know how to control it,” She admitted, looking up at him. “Both times happened on accident.”

“Both times you were upset.” He countered and then looked at the bokken in her hands. “You need to focus your energy into your weapon. Much like your arrow.”

“My arrow?” She asked and thought back to when she would fire her purifying arrows at demons, or even stupid inuyoukai who fight for no reason. “But that just…happens.”

“It happens because you are used to it.” Sesshoumaru replied, getting slightly annoyed. He loathed explaining himself. He remembered when he was but a child and mastered his light whip. Now, he could control it and used it whenever he pleased, but as a child took a little to concentrate on.

“What do you mean?” Kagome asked, confused. What did he mean `used to it'?

“Did you not concentrate on it before firing?” He had her thinking about when she had first fired her arrow. Kaede had coaxed her through it, teaching her how to channel her aura.

“Yes,” She realized. “I actually struggled a few times after that. So, I have to concentrate for this new stuff.” He nodded and then held out his bokken in front of himself.

“Focus it onto the bokken.” He focused his own energy and channeled it into the bokken. Slowly, his light whip emerged from the base of the bokken, wrapping itself around the wooden sword, making a glowing green spiral around it.

“Ah, that looks so pretty!” She said, smiling, but immediately dropped her face at his glare. She realized he probably didn't want anything regarding him to be considered `cute'.

“Okay, I'm going to try it now.” She wanted to change the subject as soon as possible. She held out the bokken in front of her and tried to focus her energy into it. How hard could it be?

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

A womanly shaped shadow shimmied her way into the dark room. Candle lanterns were lit on the walls, but not all over them, leaving the room with a dim glow. She walked up to the pile of cushions and fell to one knee, placing her opposite hand on the floor.

“My Lord,” She began and looked up when she heard a hiss.

“You have finally awoken,” A deep, masculine voice said. The shadow on the cushions raised his head, emerald green eyes shining in the dim light.

“Yes, thank you for giving me life.” She replied, looking at him, her black hair falling over her slender shoulder.

“But of course. We greatly need you for this war. I am confident my numbers are enough to destroy the Western Lands; but now they have recruited another demon sword, the Tessaiga. With Bakusaiga and Tessaiga, my numbers may not mean much. That is why,” He stood up from the couch and walked over to her. She stood up as he did and looked up into his bright green eyes. He cupped her check with a little smirk. “I need you. You will ensure that we will win this.”

“Does that mean I can kill him?” She asked, putting her hand on his.

“You will kill everyone I want you to.” He replied, his claws slightly digging into her face. She refused to wince and he liked that. He wanted someone who wasn't going to show the pain they felt. Someone who was tough and could kill without fear.

“Juto, I will kill whomever you desire,” She replied, locking eyes with the nekoyoukai.

“You better.” he said roughly and rose his hand into her hair before pulling it tightly, causing her to crank her head back from the force. Her pale lips parts and he attacked them with his own, his tongue running across her bottom lip.

“I will,” She repeated breathlessly and the let out a small gasp as he pulled away.

“I know you will. But, you will only kill him after I serve my purpose with him.” He replied and then pushed her away, causing her to stumble back but remain on her feet.

“Of course, Juto, just tell me when.” She replied, putting her hands on her hips.

“We will formulate the plan. It will happen soon enough. I will inform you when we will strike.” He said and then waved his hand at her. “You are dismissed.” She bowed before leaving the room. He watched her leave before walking over to the balcony. He slid it open and walked onto the patio. It had begun to rain and he enjoyed it. The dark, gloomy weather made the perfect mood for what was going to happen soon.

“Juto-sama,” A voice spoke up from behind him. He turned around and saw his general standing there in a bow.

“Hekai, how are our preparations going?” He asked, looking at his strongest fighter. The nekoyoukai had fought by his side for hundreds of years and was the only person he trusted with his plans.

“Well, Juto-sama. We are ready to attack whenever you are ready. Just give me the word and we shall carryout the first attack.” Hekai said and looked at his lord. The nekoyoukai had bright green eyes and very light brown hair, almost a dark blonde color. He was glad that his lord had finally stood up against the Western Lands and had declared war against them. They had to prove once and for all that nekos were better than inus and that they would triumph over all.

“A week from today, Hekai. That shall be our first battle.” He replied and turned back towards his lands. Hekai nodded and bowed again before taking his leave from the room. The lord narrowed his eyes at the West.

“Beware, Sesshoumaru. I will have your lands.” Juto said and clenched the railing with his hands.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

A week later, the two were in the dojo once more. For a while, Sesshoumaru watched as Kagome stood there glaring at the bokken. Nothing had happened, nor was happening. She had managed to get a faint pink glow during the past week, but that was it.

“I grow tired of this, Miko. You should have it down by now.” Sesshoumaru spoke coolly. He lifted a brow at her when she turned her head to look at him, brows furrowed.

“I'm trying!” Kagome said stubbornly. “It's not that easy, you know!” She felt stupid enough that she had only managed to illuminate the bokken faintly. She knew she was frustrating him, but what could she do? She couldn't just make it happen.

“It is simple, Miko. It is your power, control it. Even pups could maser something as easy as this by now.” He replied and crossed his arms over his chest. This woman was pointlessly arguing with him again. “Or do you not possess the mentality of a mere child?”

“Hey! Don't insult me!” She snapped and pointed the bokken at him. As she did, the bokken flared brighter with her pink aura. She blinked at it in surprise. “Huh?” He had to resist the urge to roll his eyes.

“At least that is some progress.” The dark lord said. “I suppose we just have to keep you angry to use your new found powers.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” She asked, lowering her bokken, the aura disappearing from it. She had the sneaky suspicion he was insulting her again.

“You cannot control you emotions; therefore you cannot control your powers. It will be difficult for you to focus on your power without feeling anything. You feel too much and are irrational.” He spoke coldly and put his bokken on the wall. She felt herself become more vehement and her bokken glowed again with her aura. The light was brighter and stronger than it had been, but still did not have any of the purple lightening.

“I'm sorry that I actually have emotion and can express it. Not all of us are as cold as you! People have emotions, Sesshoumaru, its normal! You are just an ass who thinks you're better than everyone else!”

She had a split second in her mind that screamed she had made a very, very bad mistake until it was confirmed as she was quickly pinned to the ground by him. She didn't even have time to scream. He was hovering over her, his hand on her neck. He wasn't pressing very hard, but still, there was enough pressure there to make his point.

“I grow tired of you insulting me, Miko. It seems you have grown a habit of doing so ever since you arrived.” He leaned his head in closer to her, his silky, silver-white hair falling over his shoulder to pool around them. His golden eyes bore down into hers, anger clearly displayed in them. “I am not teaching you for my own pleasure. I was requested to do so. I suggest you learn to be grateful that I agreed to do such a thing.”

Sesshoumaru could not believe this human. The audacity and boldness of her had gone too far. It was true, what he said, she had insulted him again and he did not find it funny. His mother had ordered him to teach her the sword and how to use her powers. She should be honored to have the prince of the Western Lands guiding her in the way of the sword. She should be pleased that she was being taught how to control her powers by the most powerful youkai. Yes, he would teach her a lesson. She was the only female that had not obeyed him; the only female who wasn't eager to please him. He was not used to it and he was not sure he liked it.

Kagome stared up at him with her blue eyes, fear mixed with anger radiating from them. She understood that she upset him, but really! Attacking her again? She was really getting tired of it. She knew her back would be sore, and would perhaps get a few finger-shaped bruises on her neck from when he had first pinned her down. She felt her power pulsate in her veins again, dying to claw its way out. Every fiber in her body begged for her to fight back and win. Before she could tell her body `no', it had already taken over. Her body flared in her pink aura and purple lightening began to crackle and snap around her, the force pushing him off.

Sesshoumaru let out a soft grunt as he felt his chest tingle from the shocks. So, she was going to fight him? This shall be interesting. He would gladly put the human in her place. He leapt back and grabbed a bokken off the wall again. He watched her jump up off the wooden ground and stare at him, her eyes flashing once again from blue to purple. She clenched the bokken in her hands and her aura swam around her body in circles before transferring itself to the bokken. The wooden sword lit up powerfully with the pink light, purple sparks glowing around it.

“Come,” Sesshoumaru ordered and held up his bokken, his light whip once more encircling around it. She wasted no time before charging at him. The two bokkens clashed loudly and sparks flew as the purple lightening and green poison mixed together. He used his other hand to try and slash at her, but the purple lightening came out and zapped it away, very aware he was going to try and go for her vulnerable spots. So she was learning.

She pulled away to swing the bokken at him again, making sure to protect her vulnerable spots. If there was something she learned this past week, it was to block to open spots while fighting; especially with Sesshoumaru. Her skin was still back and blue from him hitting her when she forgot to guard herself. Even though he was completely unbearable, she had to admit that she really had learned a lot from him. Now, it was time to put those skills to use. In reality, she knew she could never beat him. But the power surging through her dared to challenge him.

Their weapons clashed again, but this time both of wooden swords split apart and shattered from the force. She was taken off guard by it; the sudden lack of pressure from the two swords caused her to stumble towards him. She knew she was done for. The dark lord pushed her back and sent her reeling back a few feet on her ass. Once again, he was on her, his poison claws glowing above her face. Their hair meshed together on the cold, wood floor, their powers sparking together.

“Do you accept your defeat?” Sesshoumaru asked coolly, a small smirk on his face. This human did not pose a threat to him; she would never even come close to defeating him. However, she had been closer than other humans. Plus, she was learning. At least his wasted time wasn't in vain.

“I suppose,” Kagome huffed annoyingly before tearing her eyes away from him. She couldn't believe she hadn't even scathed him. She didn't touch him; not once. He `hm'ed in success and lowered his glowing hand, the poison disappearing.

As he went to move off of her, she swung her pink and purple sparked hand at him. He reacted just in time to move back, but still, her finger tips managed to graze his face again. He put his hand back on her throat to pin her down once again, applying pressure he let out a low growl. His face tingled familiarly from when she hit him last week.

Really. This wench and slapping him had to cease.

She looked up at him with a wide grin on her face, her sapphire eyes staring into his amber ones. “Protect you open spots.” She quoted him and then began to laugh, despite the pressure on her neck. Her power disappeared with her giggles.

“What, may I ask, is so funny?” He didn't understand why the human was laughing. He had her pinned to the ground again. He could snap her neck like a twig without a second thought; did she not realize this?

“Nothing, I just didn't think it would actually work! You had burned it into my brain and bruise it into my body that I should always guard my open spots, and yet you didn't follow your own advice.” Her voice held a tone of teasing, but he didn't find it amusing. He had nothing to say to her because technically, she was correct. Would he admit it? Of course not.

Both of their heads snapped up when the doors slammed open. Yune stood there, but her face turned bright red when she saw the two.

“Ah! My apologies, Sesshoumaru-sama, Kagome-sama, I did not mean to interrupt!” She watched as Sesshoumaru quickly removed himself from the priestess. Kagome quickly stood up as well and brushed herself off. She looked at Yune with a shocked look. Surely the inuyoukai didn't think they were doing something, right?

`I mean, this is Sesshoumaru. He would never be involved with a human like that. And I would never be involved with him like that! He was the cold hearted killer!' She thought and rubbed her neck as she felt the bruises forming.

“What is it?” Sesshoumaru asked coldly, clearly mad that the servant had thought such a ridiculous thing. He would not be like his father.

“Oh! Sesshoumaru-sama, you must come quick, the nekoyoukai have begun to strike! They are here!” She furrowed her brows as she spoke, clenching the fabric of her kimono.

“What?!” Kagome asked incredulously. So soon? The reality of the war had struck her then and she began to panic. She had only been here a week. She barely had any training and she still couldn't control her new powers. What use was she going to be?

No. She couldn't think like that. She still had her usual powers. She would do what she could. She glanced at Sesshoumaru who had his eyes narrowed at the servant, but she knew it wasn't directed at her.

“Hurry and bring me Bakusaiga.” He commanded.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .