Hey guys, I was going through my old stories and I found this gem. In my excitement I ended writing a few chapters. It'll be slow going though as I'm giving preference to my Naruto fic 'Of Crimson Memories'.

Some background: I began writing this story before the series of Inuyasha finished so Naraku had not been defeated and Sesshoumaru had not received the Bakusaiga. So in my story while Naraku had been defeated (in a different way), Sesshoumaru still only has one arm and a massive chip on the shoulder. Kagome fully intended to be with Inuyasha but well... things didn't go to plan. This is where the story picks up.

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Prologue:

She was running. Her plan was to run far and for as long as she could. How could she be so stupid thinking that everything was going to be fine now that Naraku was defeated? She was still a second rate miko with nothing to offer this time.

Why on earth did she seal the well!? Now she couldn't even go home.

A sudden thought crossed here mind… Could she possibly? Well, its not like anyone would notice. A smile peeked out through her tears. A new destination in mind- she was going to Totosai's.

Chapter One:

Living in the skull of a giant salamander demon in the centre of an active volcano was not on her top 10 most preferred housing destinations but she would rather be here than- well… than anywhere else. If only the other residents thought so as well.

'You have spindly little arms, hair that gets everywhere and a pesky knack for purifying essential demon parts. I swear half my stock is missing! Why again did I agree to let you on as my apprentice?'

… I didn't really give you the option.

'Totosai I didn't mean to purify your… demon parts… I was only up last night looking for a glass of water and I swear they jumped out at me!'

Totosai didn't seem to be listening to her though as he kept rambling.

'-What was I thinking… letting a miko run rampant in my workshop… I must be losing my mind!'

'Totosai!'

'-I'm too old. I should be retired. I tried the apprentice thing before and what I learnt was they are far too trouble than they're worth! Why just look how Kaijinbo turned out!'

'TOTOSAI!'

'Eh!?'

Kagome took a deep breath. She knew this wasn't turning out perfectly as she had wanted but she was desperate to learn. She knew she could learn.

'I'm so sorry shisho!' she said and knelt on the filthy steaming floor, 'I swear I will be a better apprentice from now on. Please don't fire me!'

'Eh? Well… well. No need to bow so deeply child. I'm not going to fire you. You may be a bother but that's no excuse to burn someone to death.'

Burn to death? Ah. Modern idiom. Should watch that around a fire breathing geriatric.

'So you'll still teach me?' she pleaded with hearts in her eyes.

'Hell no! You're a menace!' Totosai exclaimed crossing his arms in front of him as if to ward her off. Kagome's hopes fell to floor again.

'Totosai! Please you promised you'd teach me how to forge demon weapons!'

'I don't even know why I did. You can't bleed rocks and much the same you can't find talent where there is none! When it comes to swordsmithing… you suck! What have you even learnt in the time you've been here?'

To tell the truth… in the six months of being here she hadn't learnt a whole heap. But that's because Totosai wont let her touch the forge.

'I know I can do better!'

'No way!'

Kagome couldn't help it, the tears just began streaming down her face. When Totosai spotted them he immediately began to panic.

'Now now child. No need for that. I'm not kicking you out. There is plenty of room and you can still bunk with Momo. She doesn't mind- DO YA GIRL?' he called out and a plaintive 'moo' resounded from the back room, 'see you can stay little miko… please don't purify me.'

'Oh Totosai. Its not that I needed the place to stay despite how… lovely it is to room with Momo in this… lovely volcano, but I had my heart set on learning how to make swords.'

'…how about you find some nice human weapon smith?'

'No I want to make demon swords! I want to make the best demon swords!'

'...you do realise you're a miko? Best give up that dream. Go back to that brat Inuyasha. Have a couple of bratlings. I know there was a little something between you. A demon nose is wily,' he said tapping his long pointed nose.

If he was attempting to cheer me up he failed miserably.

'There is no chance of that.' she whispered pitifully. Even if there was a chance… she wouldn't take him up on it. Not since Kikyo was still kicking about the place flipping her hair and sending him chasing after her whenever she pleased.

'Hmm? What was that? Speak up if you want me to hear? I 'aint getting any younger and my ears aren't what they used to be.'

'I said I don't want to go! I want to stay and learn!'

'-and I said it's impossible!'

'Let me try again! There could be endless potential in using miko powers in a sword! Like Midoriko's!'

'You used that argument last time!'

'Now you remember that argument!' Kagome cried out scandalised. She had tried for weeks to get him to admit that he said that a miko's purity infused in a sword would be useful but he denied every saying it claiming forgetfulness.

'What argument?'

'Aaargh! Baka!'

'Hey hey that is no way to speak to your master.'

'I thought you weren't my master anymore!'

'I'll be your master as long as you live. Which mind you isn't long human!'

'Ooooh… Don't you go there… I can make sure your lifespan matches my own if you'd like.'

Both were arguing too much that the faint increase in youki was ignored by the two. Only Momo the three eyed ox who had placidly wandered out to watch the fight noticed and began to desperately moo. She was ignored wholly and fully.

When Sesshoumaru landed at the entrance of the salamanders skull which stood as Totosai's abode he was pleased to note that Totosai had not made one of his usual escape attempts. He was less pleased to note the decibel of the raised voices in the old demons workshop. His displeasure turned to suspicion when the voices inside were suddenly cut off. Taking this as his presence was finally noticed he streaked inside to catch Totosai before the wily old fire demon disappeared on him- again. Within seconds the old coot was held up by his neck, his satchel dropping from his now limp fingers.

'Ah! Sesshoumaru… what brings you here,' the miserable fool rasped.

'A sword Totosai. What I have asked now for a year.'

'…the first time me hearing it- wait wait! Stop choking! Let me down and we'll talk!'

'Silence! I have had enough of your delays! If you have any ounce of loyalty left for the West you will forge a sword fit for its lord.'

'I already did! It's an honour for one to wield Tenseiga!'

Sesshoumaru growled deeply. There may be honour in wielding a sword with power over death but it does not mean it is capable of fighting battles- of which there were plenty. Demons of all shapes and sizes rushed to fill the void of power that the filth Naraku had left. While capable of defeating them with little effort and a simple blade they were rampaging the countryside in hoards. If left to continue there would not be much left of the Western Lands to rule.

A shrill voice interrupted his inner contemplation.

'Let him go!'

Turning his head minutely to the left he noted that the human female that followed his half-brother stood before him with sweat dripping from her forehead as she aimed her arrow at his heart.

'Miko.'

'Youkai,' She replied tartly, 'let him go.'

'Miko, if you plan to keep your life I suggest you point that arrow away.'

'If you plan to keep your life I suggest you put Totosai down.'

'Now now children, lets all talk about this like civilised folk,' Totosai begged from his hold.

'Shut up shisho. You're not helping.'

Sesshoumaru turned to the girl more fully. She… an apprentice? The old fool has truly lost his mind. So long as he makes a new blade though he had no care for the details of her appointment as a student.

'I require a blade Totosai. I will not yield my stance this time.'

'When have you ever… wait, wait! No choking! Think of my poor apprentice. It would be cruel to strip her of her master!'

'Now it suits you to call me your apprentice!'

'Silence female,' Sesshoumaru cautioned.

'Female! Why you…'

'This is escalating terribly!' Totosai cried out in panic. He didn't want to do this but he had no other choice, 'I'll take your commission Sesshoumaru!'

'What!? You can't be serious. Don't give in to him Totosai!'

Sesshoumaru on the other hand nodded tightly as if this is what he had expected to happen all along. Complete acquiescence. He set Totosai on the ground and the old yokai rubbed at his throat.

'ill-mannered ruffian…'

'Watch your tongue smith or I'll remove it. You need not your tongue to forge a sword.'

Totosai started sweating and rubbed at his balding head. Kagome was gobsmacked. She still had the arrow pointed at Sesshoumaru but he was completely ignoring her like she wasn't even considered a threat.

'Totosai I shall give you my requirements of my blade.'

'Eh? Oh yes your blade,' Totosai muttered, 'my lovely apprentice here will make sure you'll have the sword you want.'

'Eh? Me make a sword?' Kagome questioned and she lowered her arrow in amazement. However, her voice was drowned out by a menacing snarl.

'Explain yourself.'

'Wait wait wait! Lets be reasonable here. I have duties too… as a master. It is up to me to make sure to give my apprentice a proper training you see.'

'An inept miko forge my blade? Old man you go too far…'

'You questioning my honour as a master smith?' Totosai asked as if scandalised. Kagome looked at her master with adoring dewy eyes apparently not hearing Sesshoumaru's less than flattering words about her skills.

'What of my own honour? Give her another commission to undertake.'

'Oh… because they're flying about? No. This is my clause to having your sword made.'

'Let me edit your clause for you.' Sesshoumaru threatened and the hiss of poison was heard making it quite clear how he was going to do it.

'Ah… wait you brute! Is this the honour you spoke of? All I see is a petulant whelp.' Totosai said scathingly as he backed away slowly.

'Honour or not your terms are unacceptable. What if she is incapable of forging a suitable blade? What of your honour not as a master but as a swordsmith?' Sesshoumaru growled lowly.

"Well!... Umm… you got me there… Surely! Ah… no that won't work… Oh! A time limit! 10 years!' Totosai compromised.

'What do you mean shisho?' Kagome asked.

'If you cant forge a blade in 10 years then I'll take the commission myself.'

'Unacceptable.' Sesshoumaru hissed.

'Hate to say it shisho… Sesshoumaru is right. Humans age differently… to use 10 years is a long time for just one sword.'

'Oh… 5 years?' Totosai questioned puzzled looking to Kagome as if to see if it suited human lifespan parameters.

'No,' Sesshoumaru said bluntly.

'You have already waited a year for a sword. What is another couple to you? You're not on human time restraints.'

'I will wait no more than the year I've already spent. This is the only compromise I'll accept.

'Fine… impertinent youth…'

'Swear you will honour your end of the agreement smith. If the human fails you shall make me a sword that will rival the Tessaiga.'

'Yeah, yeah. I swear that in a year if she cannot make an acceptable sword then I will make it myself.' Totosai swore grudgingly.

Had my fingers crossed… No way am I making that brat another sword especially when he already has an excellent one.

'Hnn…' Sesshoumaru intoned as he turned to leave the filthy workshop.

'Shisho do you mean it? Can I really make a sword?' Kagome asked her voice filled with happiness. This is what she'd been longing for. A chance!

'Eh… yes. I suppose.'

'Yatta!'

Sesshoumaru was thoroughly disgusted with the entire set of events. Although, having to wait a year for a master blade was likely to be the best offer the senile blacksmith would offer. He didn't expect the miko to succeed at all in her commission and its highly unlikely the old smith did either. She was simply a pawn used as a delay tactic. He would hold Totosai to his word though or the smith would suffer the consequences.

'I will return with written instructions for the sword,' he informed and left the cesspool of filth and decay that Totosai called home without further hesitation.