At What Price

SUMMARY: “No. We train first.” He whispered in her ear. Kagome in reaction titled her head to the side as if on instinct to give him better access to her neck. Sesshoumaru smiled at her action.

Author's Note: Okay I know! This isn't much of a chapter. But, I am building up for the lime stuff that leads into the lemon that is to come. And according to my calendar that would be.... Hmm... I'll let you all figure it out.... LOL!!!

CHATPER 48: TRAINING FOR A HONEYMOON
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“Well Sesshoumaru, I must say that you’re cooking was almost adequate.” Kagome teased.

Sesshoumaru gave her a ‘I’m not amused look,’ before responding to his bride. “I cook a delicious breakfast and all you can say it that it is ‘adequate.’” He about choked on that last word.

He was so serious that Kagome had to fight to keep a straight face. “Well I’m sure with practice that you will get better… with time… and practice.” Kagome said the statement in an even tone much to her delight. Not only did she keep a straight face but she didn't reveal that she was teasing him with her body language. However, Kagome on the inside was roaring with laughter at the look that was coming upon his handsome face. It looked as if no one had ever used the word ‘adequate,’ with him in his entire life when describing his many attributes. Kagome thought that, that would have humbled him but, oh no!

Sesshoumaru was so disgruntled with Kagome that he got up from the table with his dishes in tow. “If you think that my culinary skills are so lacking bride, you can cook dinner night.”

Kagome got up from the table and walked over to where Sesshoumaru stood. “Sesshoumaru, you really are too easy to tease. I was only joking. Breakfast was marvelous.” Her hand went to his shoulder and rested there. “Please. Don’t be mad.”

“I’m not mad bride.” But the pout on his face told her otherwise.

Kagome eyes narrowed in frustration as she turned and went back to the table to retrieve her plate and cup then deposited them into the sink. Kagome rinsed them off and opened the dishwasher to place them inside. “There is an old saying Sesshoumaru that applies here. If you can stand the heat get out of the kitchen.” Kagome walked away from the sink and brushed passed him in an attempt to give him a rude dismissal.

‘AND WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN KAGOME!!!’ The small voice asked in exasperation. She chose to ignore the voice within. “I think I’m going to take a bath.” Kagome said, but it was more for herself. Yet, as she was leaving Sesshoumaru to pout in the kitchen, Kagome felt his hand snake around her waist and hauled her backwards. She felt her backside contact with a warm lean flesh.

“No. We train first.” He whispered in her ear. Kagome, in reaction titled her head to the side as if on instinct to give him better access to her neck. Sesshoumaru smiled at her action. “As for standing the heat in the kitchen… that is why I have you.” Sesshoumaru then nuzzled his neck into her face, and began to kiss her neck.

‘Uh?’ Kagome was still. ‘Did he just say training? For what? What is he talking about? And what is this that is why I have you?’ Her thoughts then became very fuzzy when she felt Sesshoumaru trail kisses down her neck and stopped at one spot in particular on her neck. It was like Sesshoumaru wanted to pay reverence to the sweet tasting skin, as Kagome felt his lips pull at her flesh in a lapping motion.

Sesshoumaru finished nipping at her neck and looked down at the now swelling piece of skin he lavished. He smiled at the thought of the hickie that would form in a few minutes.

Kagome turned around to face him, and locked her arms around his waist and stared at him. ‘Be brave Kags.’ The voice said. ‘You can do it.’ Kagome leaned into kiss him with a boldness that was all to new to her.

Sesshoumaru breathed in her scent. It was intoxicating. He was just a little curious at Kagome’s daring behavior, and he was secretly pleased. Her lips were sweet against his as she explored the perimeter of his mouth. Sesshoumaru picked her up in his arms.

“Where are we going?”

“The dojo.”

“What are we going to do there?”

“You, bride, are going to learn how to defend yourself that way I don’t have to be concerned every time you are not in my sight.” Sesshoumaru gave her the gentle rebuke, as he felt Kagome stiffened in his arm.

Sesshoumaru turned a corner which led them through a long winding corridor that immerged to the outside. There, in one of the gardens, was an old traditional training station that one would only imagine seeing in pictures of the past or drawing of long ago.

“That’s funny,” Kagome said aloud, “ I don’t remember seeing that when I went exploring.”

“That is because it was concealed with a spell that only the Lords’ of the Western Lands know and are able to pass through. This is where I will personally train, and from now on, you shall start training with me.”

“Hum.” Was Kagome’s only come back. She wasn’t opposed to the idea of learning the art of self defense, but she sure couldn’t start training right now! Not with what she was wearing…. Kagome need the proper apparel, not Sesshoumaru’s white dress shirt. “Sesshoumaru? You don’t expect me to train wearing your shirt do you?”

This was his chance to get her back for teasing him earlier. “You will wear whatever you have on when I order you to train with me, bride.” Sesshoumaru set Kagome down on the ground and opened the door to the dojo.

He said it so matter of factly that Kagome didn’t think he was joking. ‘Jerk!’ She spared him a seething look. ‘Fine! Be that way. I’m just glad I have my board short panties on… Speaking of which, I should talk to him about the ‘how,’ and ‘why’ I’m not wearing my own clothes…’

They entered into a clean well lit traditional Japanese dojo.

“First, we will work on your poorly lacking self- defense skills which will consist of a simple Shotokan Karate kata. But, before we start, we will stretch and warm up.”

Kagome just huffed at him.

Sesshoumaru ordered Kagome to watch him as he went through the first five stances of the kata. Kagome eyes widened as she watched as Sesshoumaru’s well toned body glided around on the dojo. His body moved in a well precision choreographed motion that reminded her of dancing. Her gray blue eyes watched as he blocked, kicked, and side stepped when the thought, ‘A deadly dance,’ hit her.

Sesshoumaru seemed to be an invincible warrior in which Kagome could almost envision someone attacking Sesshoumaru. His hands were in a fist moved in determination and confidence blocking an unknown attack aimed at his head. He then shot a punch out with ungodly speed that could have only been meant for the unseen opponent’s neck. Kagome swallowed hard at the lump in her throat when she swore she heard a crackle in the air at just that punch.

Another image came to Kagome; it was like a flash back of ancient times, of a primeval warrior, whose commanding stature intimidated all those that were in his presence. Hard golden eyes that seemed frozen, as the demonic warrior looked over his keep. One could almost see a defiant smirk on his lips and an imposing stance as the demon towered over his land; daring anyone to come and try to attack what was rightfully his. Kagome thought him an avenging angel.

‘He’s the devil’s reincarnate!’ Kagome fumed. It seemed that the moment they stepped through the dojo, Sesshoumaru was no longer his semi- lukewarm self with her, like she had experienced him to be, on occasion. Nope, he reverted back to a heartless, demanding, and not to forget menacing sensei. If she thought he was frigid and standoffish the times before, now she certainly thought that he was a condescending, dictator of a drill sergeant during there their ‘training.’

“Again! You will repeat this until I say stop.” Sesshoumaru demanded his order! “I will have nothing but your absolute best.”

Kags swore he gave new meaning to the word perfection. She shoved the black silk sleeve up her arm because the bothersome material was restricting her movement, but then again like clock work, in one movement the stubborn sleeve would fall right back down her arm again. Her body seemed to be memorizing the movements that she was forever repeating. Rising block, punch, step out into a fighting stance…

Yet, if her legs weren’t in the correct position Sesshoumaru would stalk over to her and push against small her frame to knock her off balance. That happened more the Kagome cared for and she whined, she pleaded, but Sesshoumaru would pierce her with a glare that asked her, ‘Do I care?’ In fact, Kagome swore he would press her hard, so after a while she tested this theory and didn’t complain verbally at all. Not one damn word. However mentally she was silently cursing Sesshoumaru for his work ethics. It was grueling.

“Kagome, your arms not up and if they aren’t up in a ready position you are giving your opponent the upper hand.” He again was critiquing her, and Kagome was trying to correct her error while staying on her guard. As if to prove his point, Sesshoumaru threw a punch aim for her. She stepped back in reaction and raised her arm to block him.

“To slow!” he barked, “I would have knocked you unconscious.” Sesshoumaru continued to throw another punch forcing Kagome’s body to response.

They had been practicing for what seemed an eternity, and Kagome’s muscles were fatiguing and beginning to shake violently. She stepped out into the fighting stance upon Sesshoumaru relentless commanding, but her legs gave out causing her to fall to the ground.

Kagome groaned as she huffed, “I can’t move.” Sweat trickled down her brow as she lay there on the mat. Kagome was miserable. She felt hot and sticky! And, on top of that, she was so tired that her body wouldn’t move no matter how much she willed it to. Kagome’s eyes raked over her so called husband and noticed that he didn’t even look winded. Nor, did he even break a sweat during their rigorous training. ‘Damn him!’

Sesshoumaru walked over to his bride and loomed over her head. He bent down and grabbed her arm to haul her up. She was dead weight, and if it wasn’t for him holding her up she surly would have fallen down again. Sesshoumaru leaned his head to her ear and whispered. “You were almost adequate in your training.”

If Kagome could have, she would have kicked his butt. Who ever heard of training on your honeymoon??
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