Meeting the Lord of the Western Lands

[LadySesshy]

"Are you offering to help me?" Sakura asked him. She was actually very kind now. Guess once she liked someone she settled down and was very sweet to that person. It showed she was a rough and tough girl on the outside, but inside she was a kind and caring person. It probably somewhat reminded Sesshomaru of the woman Inuyasha used to be in love with, Kikyo. Kikyo acted tough but deep down she really cared.

[Remus]

"I don't think there would be another capable of giving you such training. Other demons would be devoured by the power of your sword and most humans would be incapable of countering it's power, or even understanding it at all." His eyes lingered on the sheathed blade. It alone might prove to be Naraku's demise. "Such training will not be easy though. I won't do anything unless you commit yourself fully to it. Fighting with a weapon is always a game of life or death. Your training will be the same."

[LadySesshy]

"Yes, I understand fully. And am willing to go as far as I need to. Did you know, the name of the demon that Midoriko fought when she was turned to stone was a shadow demon called Orpheus. There's a legend that says he isn't really dead and the next Priestess to master the sword is destined to destroy him," Sakura explained. That was an interesting story that Sakura told him. Would make a lot of sense if it were true in how and why Midoriko turned to stone.

[Remus]

"Orpheus...." Sesshomaru pondered. "I have heard the name before. It is a legend amongst us demons of high birth. He was extremely powerful and almost had taken control of the entire world had he not been brought down." He nodded towards Sakura's sword. "Whether or not he still lives is unknown to me. Perhaps I could have one of my servants peruse the libraries on his history. If legend proves true as they usually do, knowledge would be just as powerful as brute strength."

[LadySesshy]

"Yes, you're right," Sakura told him. The two made plans and the next morning Sakura was going down to start her training. She had already spoken with Rin and calmed her down.

She ran into Usha. "I need to talk to you. I'm impressed by your powers. You're strong for a human. You may call me by my name if you've wish."

"Wow, thanks Usha," Sakura grinned. Wow! Sesshomaru's mother was impressed by a human. This was a first. "Now I have to go. Sesshomaru's helping me learn to control my sword."

"Mind if I come?"

"No problem." Sakura turned and walked away, Usha following her. The two entered the room. Usha went to sit down and watch. Sesshomaru was probably shocked to see the girl hanging out with his mother, which meant she'd earned his mother's respect.

[Remus]

Sesshomaru was indeed surprised that his mother's attitude had changed so quickly. At the very least Sakura had gained her respect-for now. He paced about the training room. This area was different from where the western army trained. It was reserved strictly for the demon lord himself. The room was open to the elements, for he needed the immense space back when he still had the ability to retain his full demonic form. Now however it provided a source to hone his skills and further master his blade.

"Human's do not contain youkai." he began. "Thus it is unnatural for a human to wield a youkai's sword, but I am beginning to believe it may not be impossible. If midoriko could channel her power as a priestess to use it, perhaps you could channel the same energy." He moved quickly into a fighting stance, one hand placed firmly on Tokijin's hilt. "We're going to begin now. I want you to attack me solely with your spiritual energy. Build it within yourself and release it with all your might!"

[LadySesshy]

Sakura nodded her head. She focused on her spiritual energy. She knew before trying to train with the actual sword she needed to raise her spiritual energy. Even though she's a Priestess, Sakura had always had trouble releasing her spirit energy for battle like this. She closed her eyes and focused hard. Still nothing. She felt like a fool just standing there with her eyes closed like that.

OOC: What is this?! Bleach! 

[Remus]

Sesshomaru knew little of miko power beyond that of the stories of the great priestesses and of course the human girl his hanyou brother kept around. Both of them used arrows to attack demons with. Arrows.... Sesshomaru pondered for a moment. Perhaps that would work.

"Your arrows are just arrows are they not? It is your focus that makes them what they are. Direct that focus now, instead the arrow point is in here." Sesshomaru tapped his forehead. "Imagine if you did not have a weapon, how would you defend yourself when you are surrounded."


OoC: Actually I never saw bleach. Got too many mixed reviews on it. Sesshomaru is going to attack her soon. Hoping that fear might draw out priestess power. He just first wants to gauge if shes able to use it at all in a normal situation. Like how one would conserve energy in order to build on it.

[LadySesshy]

"Okay, you're right. I need to focus harder." Sakura focused as hard as she could. So hard in fact that she felt dizzy and fell over, knocking herself out. Woah! For being a strong woman she sure had trouble focusing her spiritual energy. Then what was she doing all this time? Just what came naturally?

[Remus]

Sesshomaru nodded and drew Tokijin. "Perhaps all you need is a little motivation. The last time that you used your power, it was to save your sister. I'll attack to the point where you have to defend yourself. Now show me what Midoriko passed on to her descendants!" Sesshomaru leapt into the air and gave a broad slash forcing a bolt of youkai arching through the air towards Sakura.

[LadySesshy]

Right away Sakura drew her sword. And right away it took over her again. Her eyes turned red and she started attacking Sesshomaru like a maniac. She paid no attention to the fact she was getting hurt either. She wasn't even trying to dodge his attacks, just pushing straight through them while attacking in a rage. This was bad! If he didn't stop she'd bleed to death.

[Remus]

"Enough" Sesshomaru admonished. He deflected her attack with his sword and moved to knock hers out of her reach. "Call upon the power, let it flow through you. If you don't you will succumb to your injuries before the blade even has a chance to take over your body." It seemed to Sesshomaru though, that the latter was an even greater possibility. Did Sakura really draw the sword of her own will or did the sword itself already have full command of her?

[LadySesshy]

Unknown to him, it was only when she tried using the sword that it took over her. But the moment it was out of her hands is when she returned to normal. Sakura leaned down onto the floor coughing blood. "I... I can still go on." Even though she said that her body wasn't listening to her as she collapsed onto the floor.

[Remus]

"Sakura!" Sesshomaru stopped mid attack, and returned Tokijin to it's sheath. He kicked her sword away from her. She wouldn't be able to properly train if the urge to draw it was unstoppable. Sesshomaru called for a servant and ordered that they bring a healer to treat her wounds. "Your letting it control you Sakura. Your mind and body had completely surrendered itself. Had your body not given out, it would have surely forced you to fight with to the death." The healer would arrive shortly with bandages and medical salves. Although Sesshomaru was powerful enough that he did not need such things, those that served him and trained in the western army were less fortunate. For a human like Sakura, it would be necessary.

[LadySesshy]

The healer came and healed the woman. Even though Sesshomaru could of easily healed her very quickly with that move he'd learned with Tenseiga.

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"I don't accept failures Kagura," said Naraku as Kagura came back in defeat. "I guess if I want something done right I have to do it myself."