InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Secrets of the Shinju (Part I): Sesshoumaru's Stolen Memories ❯ The Training Begins ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Five

The Training Begins

Kagome and Sesshoumaru traveled on for several hours until once again dusk was upon them. As she readied camp she began to describe to him his powers and abilities that she was aware of. She watched him study his claws and made what looked like an attempt to use his poison. However, it did not work. He looked frustrated and walked away from her. Kilala was about to follow when she called to the cat. "Let's give him a little time alone, girl. He probably needs some time to think about things." The animal looked at Kagome, and then curled up on the ground for a nap.

A short while later he appeared again, but said nothing. After a few moments of silence Kagome told him of her plans. "Since you are no longer able to wield your Tokijin, we should start working on your other powers. I will help you, if you will let me." He turned to her and stared into her eyes. "The man at the village referred to you as a priestess; do you not have abilities of your own that can protect you?" Kagome looked down, "I am a reincarnation of a priestess, I have not yet learned how to use my own powers." He continued to study her then spoke, "Very well, if we are going to train my powers, we will train yours as well." She looked up sharply, not sure what he had in mind. "We will wake at dawn and spend some time training before we begin to travel." He informed her, and then moved to lie down. She handed him her bag again and went to Kilala.

She felt herself being nudged and woke. Sesshoumaru stood over her, and apparently Kilala had nudged her so she would wake. "We will begin training soon." She sat up and looked around. It was still dark, but the sun would rise soon. She stood and retrieved her bag. She rushed to the nearest water and cleaned up. Since she didn't know what exactly they would be doing, she put on her sweat pants and a tank top. She shoved her uniform into the bag. She would need to wash it next time they stopped. When she returned he was waiting for her.

She could again sense something different about him. "Did you sleep well, Sesshoumaru?" He had a more innocent look in his eyes this morning, almost happy. "Yes, I slept fine. I had another dream last night. More memories have appeared. I will tell you of them once we begin our travels. First we will begin our training." He motioned her to come close to him. Again he had her describe his flying ability in as much detail as she could. He stepped away from her and this time actually began to make the earth beneath him move. She could tell he was trying to summons the dust cloud that he used. After a while, she could tell his energy was draining. He was making progress, but still did not know exactly how to focus his power. She went to him and complimented his progress. He stopped and looked at her, seeming to be searching for truth in her comment. He turned and said that they would begin her training next.

Kagome stood listening to him describe the necessity of her being able to protect herself. It was decided that the first thing she would learn was how to put up a spirit barrier. She was about to begin when she noticed the beautiful sunrise. She directed his attention to it, and they both stood there for a few moments while the sun rose into the sky. "It is so beautiful" Kagome said in awe. Sesshoumaru too, stood and watched the stunning scene unfold before him. Finally, he turned his attention back to her. "Since I am a demon, you should learn to put up a barrier that can keep me out. You will stand here and concentrate, trying to erect a barrier. I will slowly approach you. I believe you should be able to feel my presence and use that as a focal point." With that he walked away from her and she closed her eyes. She could, as he said, feel his presence. Her powers seemed to be pushing against him. She could literally feel her energy swirling around her.

A moment later she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Sesshoumaru. "I could feel your power, and it did want to keep me out. You need to learn to harness your abilities. If it were another demon, they would have killed you just now." She glanced at him, knowing that had he had his memories, he too would have killed her just now. They tried several more times, and Kagome could feel her energy draining. The final time he placed his hand on her shoulder, he didn't let go. "I will stand here like this until you use your powers to push me away. You need to understand how it is you direct them." She closed her eyes and focused solely on his hand, her powers were trying to push him away.

Nothing happened for a few moments. Then he surprised her by removing his hand from her shoulder and roughly grabbing the back of her neck. "You must learn to control your power, make me release you!" Though he was not hurting her, it was very uncomfortable. She was growing fatigued and becoming angry. Suddenly she released a huge amount of energy into him. He was knocked backwards, and lie on the ground for a moment. Kagome too, fell to the ground having used such power. When she struggled to her feet, she noticed that he was sitting there with a shocked look on his face. He broke out into a smile, which nearly sent her running in the other direction. Never had she seen him smile.

He then held up his left arm. She didn't think anything of it, until he used his right to push himself up from the ground. "Your arm! What happened?" He looked at her with some amusement. "I was hoping you could tell me. Whatever that blast of energy you used on me, it was powerful enough to heal my arm instantly. Apparently we will work on your healing abilities first." He then announced that they would begin traveling. As they walked, he continued to study his new arm.

Finally Kagome asked him about the dream he had the night before. His face again took a soft expression as he began. "The first memory that came to me was simply a time my mother and I were walking through a field. She held my hand and laughed as I asked her incessant questions about everything around us. She humored me and spoke to me like I were an intelligent being, and not as some parents talk to their offspring. I then broke free of her hand and ran. She laughed and chased me. When she caught me, she lifted me in her arms and embraced me." Kagome looked at him, she could swear that he had tears in his eyes, but of course none fell.

"The next memory was of myself and my friend Sakura. We were both young and were simply running through the forest chasing one another. When we returned home my mother was waiting for us. She again embraced me and then Sakura. She brought us inside and offered us a snack. She spoke to both of us with love. Sakura then had to leave and I and my mother sat and watched the sunset together. She took me to bed and told me that she loved me before she left the room."

This time Kagome was positive she could see tears in his eyes, though once again he did not allow them to fall. She did not ask any more questions of him. Seeing Sesshoumaru with tears in his eyes unnerved Kagome. He was not himself. He had become a blank slate, which was reliving his life again. It was as though he were becoming a child once more. The thought that something in his life turned him into a heartless killer made her nervous, because surely he would relive that too.

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InuYasha could sense a demon nearby. He looked at Sango, then to Miroku. The monk had appeared to be ill the last day or so. Though he made no complaints, he had a constant look of pain on his face. He did not talk much either, even when asked questions. InuYasha drew his sword. Both humans looked at him in surprise. "There's a demon near by, I can feel it." The group continued to walk, though stayed alert. Suddenly a monstrous demon came at them. It was huge and had almost dragon like features, though it was clearly not a dragon. InuYasha immediately attacked with his Tetsusaiga, leaving the demon wounded. However, it healed itself within seconds and came in for an attack. InuYasha jumped out of its way, and again laid attack on the monster. This time Sango too, got in a good assault. Again the demon was healed within seconds. It then turned on Miroku who, for some reason, had not attempted to use his wind tunnel. Sango could immediately tell something was wrong with him, and was at his side. She again attacked with her weapon forcing the demon away from the monk. InuYasha was on it, before it was able to heal. Miroku quickly told Sango that the demon must have a piece of the jewel, and that he could not use his wind tunnel.

She joined InuYasha and the two battled the demon for nearly an hour, before by chance they hit the spot on its back where the jewel was imbedded. Finally the enormous creature dropped to the ground and InuYasha grabbed the jewel shard. "If Kagome were here, that thing would have been dead in minutes." He fumed. Miroku joined his friend and congratulated them. They both looked at him with suspicious eyes, but continued on their way. Clearly Naraku was trying to slow them down.