end only to begin again

‘…’Thoughts
“…” Speaking
*actions/sounds*
Italics and bold - Writings
Italics - flashbacks
Baka - Stupid/Fool
Onna - Woman
Ningen - Human
Youkai - Demon
Youki - Demon energy
Houshi - Monk
Taijiya - Demon Slayer
Kitsune - Fox
Inu - Dog
Ookami - Wolf
InuYoukai - Dog Demon
Kaze no Kizu ~ Wind Scar
Nekomata ~ mythical two-tailed monster cat
Neko ~ cat
Hakama - pants
Haori - Shirt
:: Tessaiga Sword talk::
Gaishou – prostitute, whore, streetwalker

Chapter 16
Patrolling


When the sun broke through the horizon, Kagome had awoken ready for the new day. Her chambers where completed by the time she went to bed. The bed was surprisingly comfortable considering the era she was in; apparently youkai lords get the best things first. Stretching her muscles, she began to get up and out of bed. She gathered a new kimono and headed towards the spring intent on getting a bath before she went anywhere. She also realized she had one thing to do before she left the palace; she needed to inform the minor lords of the Eastern Lands about the change in rule before a riot could form. 'I will take care of that before I leave, AFTER my bath.' she thought longingly about a nice bath.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Asiko had arrived at the castle when her mistress had bid. She began to ready the nekomata and traveling supplies for the short leave they will be taking. She was well aware that the travel would most likely take three days if they did not encounter any problems on the way.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Kagome quickly bathed not really having time to enjoy it because she did have a few things to do before she could hope to leave. Walking through the halls towards her study, she watched all the servants as they rushed about cleaning. They scurried out of her way bowing in apology while Kagome walked past them silently. 'I really hate this front I have to put on!' she thought while the feeling of guilt grew in her heart. She hated acting that way; it was not in her character to act above anyone. She did not feel superior to anyone and it was hard to act as such. But she would do what needed to be done to accomplish her goals. She hated the fact that she is in the feudal era again and she couldn't even search out her friends. She felt alone in the world.

Arriving at her study, she sat behind her desk and gathered a few pieces of parchment paper and brush to begin her letter to the minor lords.

Minor Lords of the Eastern Lands,


You are cordially invited to attend the festivities, which will be held at the Eastern Palace two days after the second full moon. This shall allow ample time for your arrival to the Palace. The festivities will start the around noon. The festivities are to introduce to the major and minor Lords to the new ruler of the Eastern Lands.


May all the Kami be with you, Lady Kagome of the Eastern Lands

'Short but to the point.' she thought while writing up five more for the six minor lords of the land. It took her twenty minutes to complete the task when she smelt Asiko coming towards the study. Smelling her scent coming reminded her of two things she needed to do. One of them before she left and the other she needed to visit a village.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Once Asiko finished with getting everything ready to go she headed towards her mistresses aura. She wanted to let her mistress know that all was in order for the trip. Coming up to the study door, she knocked lightly.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

*Knock Knock*

Taking a calming breath to get ready for her new acting job, "Enter." she said coolly doing her best impersonation of Sesshomaru.

She watched Asiko enter the study and bow low to her "Milady your neko and our supplies are ready for our departure." Asiko said while still in a low bow.

Kagome looked at Asiko, "We have something to do before we can leave." she said while looking at her vassal gathering the parchments into her hand. "I need to have these delivered to the minor lords," Kagome said while handing the letters to Asiko

Taking the letters from Kagome Asiko bowed. "Right away Milady." she said while turning to the door she paused when she heard Kagome's voice.

"Meet me in the dojo when you have given the letters to the messengers" Kagome said while Asiko was walking out the door.

"Yes Milady." Asiko replied while exiting the room.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Arriving at the dojo Kagome looked at all the different weapons hoping there was one in here that would fit Asiko. While she was surveying, the room Asiko had walked in and was now standing by the door looking nervous.

"Asiko come here please," Kagome said while looking over her shoulder to Asiko.

She walked across the room to where Kagome was standing.

"Asiko have you handle any weapons before?" Kagome asked wondering if maybe she had a little experience, that maybe her husband had taught her some form of defense.

"No milady I have had no weapons training." Asiko replied honestly while looking at Kagome in the eyes so she can see the truth for herself.

Kagome nodded in understanding 'Hm, lets see here what would be good for a complete beginner?' she thought while looking at all the different weapons on display. "AH Hah!" she exclaimed happily while walking towards the wall. Reaching up she grabbed the bow and quiver. "This will be perfect for you to start. You don't have to be close to use this weapon. You can be a distance away and still help in battle. This was my first weapon of choice." Kagome said while handing the bow and quiver to Asiko.

Asiko accepted the gift graciously and was surprised that a bow used to be her mistress weapon of choice. She found it strange because a bow was a weapon of choice for miko.

"Fill the quiver with arrows before we depart. You will be trained as we travel." Kagome said while turning to exit the dojo.

Asiko nodded in understanding and looked down at the bow. It had carvings on the polished wood, 'I wonder what it means?' she thought while following her mistress out of the dojo.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

In the courtyard stood Kagome next to her nekomata transformed into her battle form patting it lovingly, "How have you been Lasair? I see you had a nice trim. You look good." she said while scratching her companion's ear as she mewled in response.

Lasair was packed with all the supplies they would need for the travel. Kagome looked at the neko and her load. "Are you going to be able to carry all this?" she asked concerned for her friend. The neko mewled and nodded affirmatively. "Ok but if you get tired let me know. I don't want my friend to run herself to exhaustion okay." she said with a smile still paying attention to her ears.

Asiko walked into the courtyard and saw her mistress talking with her neko. She could tell she cared for her pet just by watching their interaction. Again, she found herself wondering who Lady Kagome was. Walking up to her mistress she bowed low. "I have filled the quiver Milady," she said while getting up from her bow to show her mistress the quiver full of arrows.

Kagome looked at the now full quiver. "Good, now we can go. Once outside you will show me what you know about the bow and I will correct you if needed." she said while signaling the doors to open for her then exiting the palace grounds.

Once they were outside the gates Kagome turned to Asiko who was a few steps behind her. "That tree, shoot it." she said while pointing to a tree far off to the right.

Asiko nodded and hoped she would not embarrass herself too badly. She took the bow from its resting place on her shoulder and held it in front of her. She then reached behind her to get an arrow out of the quiver. Taking the arrow, she fumbled a bit before taking aim at the tree.

"Okay, hold your position right there." Kagome said while stepping to the side of her. She fixed her shoulders and elbow. "Better, now take aim and shoot." she said while taking a step back to allow Asiko room to shoot.

Doing as she was told she took aim pulled the string taunt and released the arrow towards the tree. It missed by inches. Dropping her head in shame she was about to cry.

"That was good! You almost hit it! You should have seen my first shot," she said laughing trying to cheer up Asiko. "I missed by feet not just inches. You will get better with practice don't worry. Now let's go I must stop at the village first." Kagome said while she resumed her walking.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

A few hours later, they came up on the village. It must have been about nine a. m. judging by the position of the sun. Kagome and Asiko walked through the town; people were whispering and sending lusty glances at Kagome. She paid them no heed and headed towards the jewelers. She needed to get something she could enchant for Asiko to wear as protection until she could protect herself.

Walking into the village jewelers the youkai clerk approached them. "Hello may I help you with something?" he asked them while sending lusty looks to Kagome, she sighed, 'Really men!' she thought rolling her eyes.

Asiko could not believe this youkai. 'How dare he think to talk and look at the Lady of these lands like she was a common gaishou!' she thought outraged. "When you speak to the Lady of the Eastern Lands you are to speak respectfully or you will forfeit your life youkai!" Asiko spat in her mistress' defense while glaring daggers at the now sputtering youkai.

Kagome couldn't believe it. 'I have never seen this side of her. It suits her.' she thought while watching the youkai bow and beg for her pardon.

"L-Lady o-of the Eastern L-Lands?" he asked sputtering when he saw the affirmative nods he threw himself on the ground. "I am so sorry Milady I had no idea! Please forgive this lowly youkai," he begged from his place on the ground.

Kagome looked down to him. "Stand." she said voice iced over and facial expression schooled. "I need a necklace with a pendant." she stated coolly while watching the youkai scramble to get what she needed.

When he came back, he brought a few different pieces. Kagome looked at them and picked the one she wanted. "I will be taking this and you will keep your life." she said coolly then turned her heel and walked away.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Once they left the village, Kagome stopped in a small clearing and called for a short break so she could enchant the necklace she had just gotten.

"Asiko stay next to Lasair she will protect you." Kagome said while walking a short distance away to meditate and enchant the spell.

Asiko walked to Lasair and sat down next her. Lasair transformed into her smaller state and climbed into her lap while Asiko petted her.

*~~~~~~~~~~~*

A short distance from them Kagome sat and erected a barrier so she would not be disturbed while she performed the enchantment. She took the necklace out of her kimono and laid it down in front of her. She closed her eyes to concentrate on her powers. She started to glow a mixture of deadly red and purity pink, the bright lights mixed and mingled. Taking her right palm, she used her left index finger to cut a clean line in her palm. Her blood pooled in her palm and the cut closed instantly. Picking up the necklace and placing it in her bloodied palm, she began to chant.

She closed her hand around the necklace as it began to glow infusing with her powers. She could feel the tingle of the necklace against her now clean palm. The necklace absorbed her blood signaling the success in the spell she just performed. Opening her eyes, she brought down her barrier then moved to stand.

Walking back to the group with the necklace in hand, she handed it to Asiko who looked hesitantly at it. "Here, this will protect you until you are able to protect yourself."

Asiko saw Kagome walking towards her and when she held out the necklace for her to take she was a bit hesitant to accept it. 'That is far too extravagant for a servant to wear.' she thought longingly. It really was a beautiful piece of jewelry. "Milady I cannot it is far too extravagant." she said with sadness in her tone because she did want it but could not take it.

Kagome looked at Asiko then to the necklace. "Asiko, this is a protection piece. Besides, it was free! It didn't cost me anything to get it. This necklace will insure you are safe during your travels with me. If someone approaches you even if you do not see him or her with intent to harm a barrier will be erected to protect you. Just do not tell anyone about the necklace, lest they try to take it from you." Kagome stated while taking the female's hand placing the necklace in it.

Accepting the necklace, the female quickly got to her knees, "Thank You Lady Kagome this means so much to this lowly servant."

"Asiko Rise. There are a few things you need to know. One, no more of that." she said while pointing to where she just was. "Two, while out on the road alone as we are now you may just call me Kagome." she stated while waving a hand to silence the objection she knew was coming. "I know calling me Lady is a form of respect and as my servant you must show this. Now we are on the road, though you still are my vassal you are also my friend. If only in private, you will call me just by my given name. Three, never take that necklace off not even to bathe," she commanded looking pointedly at the necklace Asiko had put around her neck. "Four, every night after we setup up camp you are to practice shooting. If you need arrows then you take Lasair to the nearest village after your practice. And five, this is important, there maybe people we come in contact with that I will not want my name known to them. I have come here in the first place for a mission and this still has not changed despite my new position as Lady of the East." she finished while looking into Asiko's eyes to make sure she will comply.

Asiko could not believe her mistress bid her to talk to her so informally. The biggest shock was when she called me her friend. Then she said something weird about not telling people her name 'I don't get the point in that but if it is what she wants then so be it.' she thought while nodding her head in agreement. "Okay Kagome I understand and will do as you bid." Asiko stated with a smile.

"Good. Now let's cover some ground before we must stop for the night.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Somewhere in the middle of the Eastern Lands not downwind from Kagome, traveled a small group. This group was a strange mix indeed, one hanyou, two youkai, a taijiya, and a houshi. This group was traveling towards the western border; they were hired by a neighboring village to 'take care' of the problem.

Ever since Naraku's demise, they had all become Taijiya of sorts. People would hire them to kill youkai plaguing their lands and destroying their livestock or crop. If the village could not pay, they would do it for a sort of a trade. The group had taken it upon themselves to travel Japan and protect those who could not protect themselves.

The hanyou wearing red haori and hamaka was leading the group down the trail when he froze. He lifted his head up and his nostrils flared. His friends knew that action and readied for battle.

"What is it Inuyasha?" Sango asked while looking nervously at the hanyou and cautiously at her surroundings.

"I am not sure but it smells…familiar," he said vaguely while looking in the direction he had smelt the scent coming from.

Miroku watched and listened to his friend and ladylove's conversation. He allowed his powers to perform a 'sweep' of the area when he noticed three distinct youki aura not far from here, and one of them was extremely strong. Stepping forward Miroku looked at Sango then to Inuyasha. "I sense three youkai and one of them judging by the aura is extremely strong. It may not be a good idea to continue this way," the houshi stated clearly, he was not interested in facing the youkai that aura was attached to.

Inuyasha on the other hand had been itching for a good fight. 'It had been so long since I got a good workout' he thought while flexing his claws. If there was a truly powerful youkai not far from here then he should go and see them. 'Maybe I should show them what my Tessaiga can do.' he thought while his hand subconsciously moved to his Tessaiga. "Hell no! We aint going to be runnin' away from some youkai. If the youkai wants a fight then I'll shove my Tessaiga up their ass!" he said with a cocky smirk grasping the hilt of Tessaiga.

Sango, Miroku, and Shippo all rolled their eyes following after the hanyou who was a little too eager for a fight.

*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*

Walking down a dirt path with her companions Kagome stopped suddenly and tensed. She lifted her head in the air nostrils slightly flared to inhale the scents of those she knew were coming. 'SHIT! I know that smell!!!' she thought as she inhaled the combined scents of dirt, pine needles, grass, sweat, roses, and alter incense. She could sense a hanyou, two humans and two youkai coming in her direction. Judging the distance she would come in contact with them would be about twenty minutes. Cursing the direction of the wind in her mind she debated whether or not to continue going the same way, no doubt Inuyasha had smelled them.

Asiko was walking behind her mistress when she stopped so suddenly, she almost knocked right into her. She looked at Kagome and saw her body was tensed telling Asiko that someone was coming. She grasped her bow to be ready for the threat to her lady.