A Sister's Gift

Chapter 8 – The Training Continues

All week Sesshomaru spent half a day, every day with the miko in training. Going over the same things until he preformed to the satisfaction of Sango, the Demon Exterminator. At the end of the week, Sesshomaru began the next phase. Defense and offense. He listened to the instructions intently as they were given. From various moves designed to throw off the enemy, giving him time to see to the miko’s safety, to techniques used to hide and confuse the enemy. He had to give the woman credit. She knew a great deal about being a warrior. His father’s training had been more than sufficient to protect the miko, but he still did not feel the need to disclose all of his abilities to this slayer. Besides, she had much good advice to offer which he was unaware of. A fool is one who turns a deaf ear when knowledge speaks.

Sango was indeed impressed at the taiyoukai’s powerful youki. The power pulsing in his veins could be used for slashing an enemy to bits. He demonstrated, with a proud haughtiness, the precision of his youki whip. The women were in awe of his abilities, and in some way it seemed to please the taiyoukai. He released his acid onto a gourd used in practice, melting it into the floor. Kagome’s tiny hand flew to her chest in surprise.

Sango looked to the demon, “What of your true form?”

Sesshomaru smirked at the wench. “Would that you be willing to lose your home and this building I will be happy to transform for you. I am a dog of huge stature.”

Sango immediately held up her hands, “No... no that will be unnecessary.”

Kagome spent the training time with mixed emotions. She found that her feelings towards her Protector were a little disturbing. She could not understand this unusual feeling in the pit of her stomach when he was near. Was she perhaps, feeling such pains of guilt that her body actually felt sick? Maybe it was fear. Did she fear this taiyoukai, who has sworn to protect her from harm?

Thoughts of her minds unrelenting attempts to discover the root of these strange feelings raged through her mind each day and night. She chastised herself for looking forward to the training sessions. As a good miko, she should not derive happiness from another’s pain... should she?

Kagome tried to discuss these feelings with Sango, and walked away from that conversation feeling like a child who was too naive to understand the complexities of such situations. Sango’s final words were pretty blunt. ‘Kagome, she said, You are the Mistress, and he is the Slave. Do not waste time trying to change the ways of the world.’ Kagome left that evening feeling less than human for some strange reason. Sango could be such a kind and caring person, but there was a hardness in her that she, herself was lacking.

The years she spent with Sango gave her a very close look into her friends life. Sango had faced much heartache. Death of kin. Death of friends. Death of the one she loved. These things were what molded Sango into the independent and strong woman she was today, but a piece of her humanity was perhaps lost with her loved ones. Kagome held no ill towards her sister, for no one except her mother, had ever cared for her as Sango had. She had taken care of her needs since she found her that day. After her family... was slaughtered.

The day her village was attacked was a blur in her mind. The moments leading up to the atrocity were nothing but black nothingness. Kagome could only remember bits and pieces, and knew deep inside that perhaps it was best that way. The images ingrained in her mind were more than enough to haunt her. The nightmare of her mother lying there. Bloody. Her clothing ripped away by the soldiers who took pleasure from her body before leaving her to bleed to death. She barely managed to shove Kagome into the small space hidden underneath the wooden floor, before the evil bastards burst into the room. Her mom’s cries still filled her ears in the dead of night. Her mother sent her to Kaede with her dying breath.

Kagome’s father and brother, Souta were out in the fields when the attack rained down. The sight would never leave her mind. Her brother floated in a pool of red just on the edge of the rice field. She found her father’s body near the field, beheaded. Only a handful of villagers survived the attack. Most were young women like herself, hidden by loving parents who sacrificed themselves so that they might live.

Kagome had no idea how she survived the trip until Sango found her. She could not remember much of it. She had one thought in her mind, and that was to get to Kaede’s village. That was what pushed her to live. Her dying mother’s last command of her. Kagome would not fail her.

Sango found her carrying a bow and quiver with two arrows. Nothing more, except the clothes on her back. The soldiers killed every cow, chicken and horse. They set fires to most of the homes as well as the shrine. Kagome remembered running from the nightmare. Running and not looking back. Sango was a kind soul in a harsh world, and Kagome latched on to her friendship like a starving thing. The days went by painfully for such a long time, but Sango never gave up on her. She never let Kagome slip into that black abyss that called to her.

After so very much time went by, Kagome began to find a small amount of pleasure in life once more. With the help of Sango, Kaede, Kohaku and the kind hearted villagers, Kagome slowly moved out of the darkness. Sango was always there for her. They talked and shared thoughts. From silly girl things, to deep concerns, all were shared openly between the two. Sango taught her things about being a warrior, and she in turn taught Sango things about spells, healing and purity. Soon they called each other ‘sister’, and Kagome felt a little less lost.

Today Kagome stood panting from the maneuvers that her sister had been driving her to learn. Sango said, ‘Kagome, your body must react as if these moves were second nature.’ Second nature to Kagome was kindness and healing. It was not to drop, roll, kick an enemy in the ‘personal area’ and then neatly come to their knees to lop off the enemies head. It was a frightening image indeed. Kagome pushed the vision of blood from her mind and once again assaulted FiChun with her wooden blade.

“Very good Kagome!” Sango called. “You looked as if you’ve done this your whole life.”

Kagome giggled, “Only for the last three years Sango.”

Sango smiled broadly. “You certainly have improved since the first day you came here, my sister.”

Kagome bowed playfully, “Arigato, Sensei.”

At that moment young Paylae came bounding into the dojo. “Mistress Sango! A message has come for you!”

Sango placed her sword back into the sheath and took the message. “Thank you Paylae, you may return to your mother.” She smiled at the child as he bowed before departing. She opened it a read. It was from a headmaster in a village South of here. They were being attacked periodically by rat youkai and had lost at least one small child. The man requested that she cleanse the village of the demons. Sango looked up to her training party. “Well folks, duty calls. It appears that these fine folks are in need of a demon exterminator. I will prepare to leave immediately, and should be back in... oh say... four days or so.”

Sango turned to FiChun, “Gather our weapons, FiChun. I will have Sheora pack us a few supplies. We leave in one hour.” Sango looked to Kohaku, who appeared to be unsure if she required his assistance. “Kohaku, you will come with us. This will be an excellent training exercise for you. I will leave Sirme to oversee the estate until our return.” Kohaku beamed widely and ran off to the main house.

Kagome looked a little lost. Suddenly she felt a strange lump in her throat. She looked to Sesshomaru, who was simply gazing around nonchalantly. Would she not be able to see him during Sango’s absence? Four days! She had fallen into this routine so easily, seeing him everyday. She caught Sango’s eye, and immediately her friend was by her side. “Don’t worry about me Kagome, it’s just some vermin. I can handle them in my sleep.”

Kagome smiled and shook her head, “I have no doubt about that sister. I was just wondering what Sesshomaru and I should do in your absence.”

Sango could have sworn she had detected panic in Kagome’s features. Why would she panic over the postponement of the training? How strange, but there was no time to think on that at the present, so Sango just laughed, “My, Kagome, you are taking this training very seriously. I’m so proud. You may come to the estate anytime you wish. Sesshomaru is now completely under your control. You may take him out for a bit, and if you wish to train in my absence then Sirme will be here to attend to your needs. Sesshomaru has accomplished more these weeks than I ever dreamed.” She looked to the stoic taiyoukai slyly. “If I didn’t know better, I would be tempted to say that he has been trained in the art of battle before.”

Sesshomaru made no reply to the slayer. He still had no intention of revealing all of his talents to the wench. He was relieved to hear that she was being called away on business, and more relieved when she told the miko she could still come to him. For some reason he found the strength to move through each day with the thought of seeing the little miko each afternoon.

Sesshomaru watched indifferently as the two women said their good-bye’s. He replaced the sword he was using, and turned to leave.

“Uh... Sesshomaru?” Kagome said shyly.

“Yes Mistress?” Sesshomaru turned obediently and looked down to his feet. The training had become second nature, and the movements were made without much thought.

Kagome smiled at the majestic taiyoukia, who was now her Protector. “Would you like it if I came back later? I could pack us a meal and we could eat in the clearing behind the estate.”

Sesshomaru was a little surprised at his mistress. She seemed to truly care about his happiness, which was an unusual occurrence, where humans were concerned. Not raising his eyes, he replied, “Yes Mistress, that would be welcomed by this Sesshomaru.”