Kagome's Training Begins by Doki Higashi

A Request

A young woman with pitch-black hair, which shined cobalt, rocked a child in her arms. Her white shirt contrasting with the child's bright orange hair, she walked around, humming a lullaby. Her cobalt orbs danced with thoughtfulness as she continued to rock the child. The fire crackled and danced against the seemingly never-ending night, highlighting her four other companions. The child whimpered softly in her arms and she whispered. "Shhhh-shhh."

The other woman in the group, with brown hair and glittering near-dark black eyes watched in fascination as the child quieted. The first woman walked over to her sleeping bag and placed the kit softly on it. She stood and put her index finger to her mouth in a quieting motion.

"You know we are near Sesshomaru's territory." The man with a red haori on spoke, his gruff voice breaking the peaceful silence. He had a far away look to his eyes, though not a normal man he was. He had two little triangular shape ears atop his head, his eyes were deep amber and he had claws. There was a sword located on the left hip.

"I know that Inuyasha, his aura still lingers within the forest, though he is not present." Spoke the first woman, her cobalt eyes sparkling with concern. "I do feel traces of Rin and Jaken lingering also."

"Why Kagome-sama, I did not know your holy powers grew!" Exclaimed the other male in her group, playfully joking. His violet orbs dancing with awe while his dark purple robes glittered against the fire light.

"The reason they have grown is during my bathing I meditate, which introduced me to the aura tracing, when I practice with my bow and arrows, I have learned to also transfer into whatever object I decide. Also, I have learned to heal wounds." Explained Kagome, the first woman, already stating what the man with violet orbs knew. "Sango, I have a favor to ask."

The other woman's face lifted and their eyes met. "What is the favor, Kagome?" The question lingered as the woman felt her sisterly-bond rose.

Kagome smiled at her foster-sister. "I would like you to teach me the way of the blade in this era." Sango began grinning as, the red clothed male made a gasp of shock.

"Kagome! You have your style!" Exclaimed the male. His eyes dancing in hurt because he was proud of her individual style, Kagome moved over to him and hugged him.

"Look, Inuyasha, I will keep my individual style, but I need to know how to properly defend myself against this era's style. Besides I've always wanted to learn how to more advantage my style against this era's." Kagome explained to Inuyasha, the red clothed male. Inuyasha returned the hug before giving a grunt in reply.

"Miroku, I would also ask you to teach me to use a staff." Kagome said as she sat next to Inuyasha. Her eyes sparkling in hope, waiting for both Sango and Miroku to answer, she leaned onto Inuyasha's shoulder.

Sango replied gleefully, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "I've been waiting for you to ask!" Through their slightly excited voices, a kitten type cat leapt onto Kagome's lap. The little cat purred approvingly as she rubbed her head against Kagome's stomach. Kagome smiled as she used her left hand to pet the cat. "Kirara even approves!"

Miroku smiled softly, almost enigmatically, it seemed as if he were the one to have helped her. "I would love to teach you how to use a staff." Their eyes met and there was a mischief gleam to both shades of eyes.

"Oh really? I would love to learn how, it would be exciting to see shock at the erotic dances." Kagome replied, giggling. Miroku laughed voraciously, but low enough to not disturb the child. Sango and Inuyasha also laughed with glee as the two joked.

"I shall train you as well Kagome." Inuyasha said, averting the noise to a serious conversation. "Since, you seem to be agile on your feet, you will need to be, so when you learn how to use our style, then I shall work on your speed."

"I shall help your reflexes with how fast I swing my staff." Offered Miroku, the previous enigmatic expression returning.

"I shall hone and direct your muscles." Sango said as all four began to smile. Kirara mewed, as if saying, I shall help with your aim.

Kagome began to smile. "I wonder should we train Shippou as well?" She was greeted with enthusiastic nods from Sango and Miroku, while Inuyasha smiled softly. "We all need to learn how to free ourselves from illusions and in doing so, Shippou's endurance will grow."

"I shall take first shift," Sango said. "I have had more rest than every one else." Kagome smiled at her sisterly-figure.

"I shall help, then we can begin the training." Kagome offered. Sango nodded. "So that means, every one else, get some rest." Kagome ordered softly. Miroku stood and walked to the edge of the firelight and leaned against a large boulder, Inuyasha leapt to the lowest branch and Kirara curled up next to Shippou. Kagome stood, as did Sango. The black haired woman stepped to her bag and pulled out a velvet bag. It came to her hip.

"What are those Kagome?" Sango questioned softly as she watched. Kagome merely smiled as she removed the velvet bagging.

"These are my great-uncle's twin blades, they were won in a duel against a lord, I believe in this era." Kagome explained. "One is short and extremely thin, it has a white hilt, while the other a normal sized blade, though curved has the black hilt." Sango questioned Kagome with her near-black eyes. "One is for defense and quick strikes, while the other is for longer range attacks."

Sango smiled. "So you have some experience with blades." Kagome nodded as Sango placed her hands on her hips. "We have to get you a different set of clothes, because your attire would not do!" Sango's voice joking and warm, she thought for a brief moment. Kagome watched puzzled as Sango dashed for the little pack, Kagome gave on Sango's birthday. Sango dug viciously, looking for whatever was out of Kagome's sight. Sango gave a small victorious "Aha!" before turning to Kagome. There in Sango's hands was a silk dress. It buttoned in a diagonal line across the chest; the dress went down to the ankles and had splits, up to the hips. Kagome raised an eyebrow as if saying, "Are you sure?"

Sango explained, excitedly, "This is from my home, at my last visit, I dug through some old clothing and found my mother's fighting suit. She got it as a gift from a traveler from the continent!" Sango shyly handed it over. "I would be honored if you were to use it as your own fighting suit."

Kagome flung herself at Sango and hugged her tightly. "I shall wear it with pride and flaunt!" Both girls began to giggle. Kagome went behind a tree near them and began to change. She tore her shirt off and pulled off her skirt, only wearing her bra and panties. She unbuttoned the buttons and slid her legs in and pulled the top up. She slid her arms in and found how comfortable it truly was. The coloring was deep blue with twin dragons winding around her body, like her blades black and white. The white dragonhead pattern came to her left shoulder while the black dragonhead pattern ended between her breasts and collarbone, coming from the right. She buttoned the suit and stepped from behind the tree. Sango grinned and turned again to her packsack. Sango dug out two chopsticks and smiled.

"That seems to suit you and your blades!" Sango exclaimed before questioning. "Where's your brush?" The older woman did a sort of excited dance. Kagome stepped back towards her huge packsack, which color had changed to a deep brown. She pulled it out and handed it to Sango. "Sit!" Commanded Sango as she followed Kagome to a log. When Kagome sat, Sango brushed Kagome's hair carefully. When she finished, Sango began wrapping her long hair into a bun, leaving two slightly thin long bangs out, because Kagome's hair had grown. Sango smiled when she stepped around to face Kagome. "Beautiful!" Kagome blushed as she stood again to pick her blades up.

"Lets begin." Kagome said seriously as she lifted the blades, the curve of each facing outwards. The shorter blade in her left hand, while the black blade on the other.

Though the scenario was serious, Sango whispered. "You know you could have probably come from a line of Slayers!" Sango was shocked as Kagome went into an odd battle stance; she was low to the ground. Sango placed her hands on her hilt before drawing the sword.

The two women faced each other, both going into a mock battle scenario. Kagome leapt towards Sango, spinning around to swing with the black hilted blade. Sango blocked the strike, quicker than Kagome leapt. She went back into a defensive stance, her eyes trained on Kagome' s obvious body language. Kagome shifted her weight to the right before striking out with her left blade. Sango had knocked that strike away as well, then knocked Kagome to the ground. "That is an impressive stance, but you have to not move your body. Drain your emotions and do not give away you plan of attack with your body movements." Kagome nodded before standing. She faced Sango again, this time her eyes draining all emotion away, to leave cold cerulean orbs staring at Sango. Sango nodded her approval, though Kagome's body language told her she was going to attack again.

Sango growled out, as if she were training her brother. "You need to keep her body language to yourself!" Sango shook her head and moved towards Kagome. She stilled Kagome's lifted heal with her boots. She stepped back and nodded, "A bit better." Sango faced Kagome again, this time striking quickly. Kagome, barely having enough time to dodge, leapt to the left and struck out with her longer blade. Sango leapt to the right and faced Kagome again. Sango's near-black eyes focused on Kagome's body language, before striking again.

This time, expecting a sudden attack, Kagome used her left blade and blocked the attack, using her free blade she slashed towards Sango's middle. Sango reacted faster than Kagome and used her sheath to block the attack. Both women faced each other; both were glaring into each other's eyes. Kagome, being the slightly smaller one, her defense began to give slowly. Sango leapt back and held both blade and sheath in her hands, causing Kagome to nearly fall forward. Kagome used her knuckles to have her body swerve to the right. Her right foot came upwards to strike Sango's chest. Sango used her elbow to throw Kagome off balance. She leapt towards the younger and was shocked when Kagome did a back flip away from her. Kagome used the velocity to leap forward and used the longer blade to strike again. When Sango guarded with the sheath and both used the free hand's weapons to clash.

Miroku, Inuyasha and Kirara woke when the blades made a shrieking noise. The three companions leapt towards Sango and Kagome's training area to find the women locked in the battle stalemate. Both Sango and Kagome used each other's weight to do a back flip away from each other. Kagome landing as if a cat would while Sango landed with her knees slightly bent. The older woman leapt again to shock the three companions when Kagome leapt to the side. She rolled off her back and faced Sango's right side. Kagome leapt again, using Sango's slight hesitance as her advantage. The older woman once again blocked as she her body slid to the left.

Miroku was shocked at Kagome's unnatural cunning expression as the younger woman did another back flip, knocking Sango to her side. Sango pushed herself up and leapt towards their direction only to have Kagome's longer blade to meet the dirt in her previous position.

Sango faced Kagome, her blade and sheath lifted above shoulder level. She leapt into the air and dove towards Kagome. The younger woman, could not escape, her protective side coming into play. She lifted her blades and when Sango came diving down. Kagome leapt and both met in the air. The two women once again used each other's weights to push themselves back. They both grinned, breathing heavily, at each other and stood straight. "I assume you would like your shift, Miroku." Kagome offered, though he knew it was a command. "Sango and I are going to the spring nearby to rid ourselves of sweat." Kagome used the thin belt on the suit to place her blades there, in their respective sheathes.

"As you wish Kagome-sama." Miroku spoke softly. He observed Kagome as the emotions came flooding back into her eyes.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said as she turned back to face him. "Would you like me to scout the area around the spring?"

"I believe that would be sufficient." Kagome replied softly as her and Sango walked back towards the camp. The half moon was high in the sky. Kagome, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku and Kirara knew in two weeks time, Inuyasha would revert to human form. Inuyasha sped off in the direction of the spring. Kagome knelt in front of her bag and began pulling out her bathing supplies, while Sango did the same with her own bag. Kagome stood first and faced the direction in which Inuyasha sped off moments before. She allowed her aura tracing to follow Inuyasha, to see if there was any trouble. Through the link, Inuyasha indicated it was safe. She willed her talent to reduce to nothing. It was best if no one else knew of her escalating holy powers. Kagome nodded to Sango and both walked in the direction of the spring with their weapons resting on their hips. As they followed the trail, Inuyasha sped past them in the direction of the camp.

Reaching the spring, both women placed their weapons and bathing supplies near the spring, in arm's reach before walking towards the bushes. When both were done stripping themselves, they wrapped towels around their bodies. Sango stepped into the spring first, while Kagome did another scan of the forest. Her eyes flickered with relief as she stepped into the spring. Kagome reached for her supplies, the shampoo smelling like roses, conditioner with the same scent, and her body wash with the scent of cinnamon. Sango's on the other hand, shampoo was a sweet lilac as is her conditioner, while her body-wash scent was black berry. "How far in your training are you? It took me years to perfect my mask." Sango asked and said at the same time.

Kagome shrugged. "I'm stronger and faster than everyone else that have been training longer than me in my era." The younger woman paused for a brief moment. "Those times I used to go home for at least a week, was spent training. I would wake up at the start of dawn to learn everything. From dog/wolf society to dominance, indifferent masks to battle stances." Sango nodded as she began to wash her hair.

"I-I" Sango stuttered as she ran her fingers through her shoulder-blade length hair. Kagome's cobalt eyes focused on Sango, urging her to continue. "Need some help."

"Help, as in how?" Kagome questioned as she pulled her hair out of the bun and placed the chopsticks next to her shampoos.

"Well.. I want help in learning how to flirt with Miroku." Sango said as she blushed furiously. Kagome looked thoughtful for a moment. "You seem to know how, you and Inuyasha have done it a lot."

Kagome laughed softly. "I know, we enjoy each other's companionship, and Kikyo has accepted the fact that we play court each other." She paused for a brief second. "Well you and Miroku flirt in your own ways. When Miroku gropes you, you end up hitting him over the head with your fist." She grinned deviously. "He seems to enjoy it, but don't hit him too hard." She tapped her chin with her soapy finger. "Also since you two flirt physically most of the time, you rub against him every so often. Hmmm.... You could also playfully shove him and say something like 'Not in public Miroku!' after he gropes you. That could work, then whenever you get comfortable doing that, come back to me." Sango cheeks instantly became a deep red. Kagome dipped her head back and rinsed out the shampoo. When Kagome lifted her head again she noticed that Sango too had done the same.

Kagome instantly became alert, sensing dragon aura near, with subtle hints of a child. Her lively cobalt eyes became a cold cerulean once again. The older woman lifted her head and noticed the abrupt change in her adopted sister's expression. "I shall return in a moment." Kagome spoke quietly. "Return to camp and alert Inuyasha and Miroku that I have gone to see what has intruded in my territory." Her voice coming out cold as she quickly dressed and strapped her blades to their rightful places. The white hilted sword strapped to her left shoulder while the black hilted sword strapped to her right. She quickly vanished into the direction of the intruders, knowing Sango would do as she had said.

The young woman raced in the direction of the dragon's aura and child's. She was silent, as if a cat would be. Her bright cerulean orbs flickered around her. As her power grew, her senses heightened, she became more animalistic. She leapt a top a branch, concealing herself, visually.

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Doki: I had to redo some things.

Inuyasha rolls his eyes: Perfectionist!

Sesshomaru and Doki narrow their eyes: What was that? -Sesshomaru adds.- Halfbreed.

Sango: Demons, demons. -She half placated.- We all are grown adults!

Rin and Shippou grin at the irritated hanyou: Yeah that means all of us and not you!

Miroku: Settle down children.

Everyone glares at Miroku.

Doki: Anways, hope this isn't as confusing.