Had this fic sitting around...figured I'd post it. Hope you guys enjoy it. xoxo
-VQ
Kagome lied in her hut waiting for Inuyasha to come home. Musouka, their beautiful baby girl with pewter hair, cute black ears, brown eyes and a little fang showing over her bottom lip, laid peacefully staring lovingly into her mother's eyes. As Kagome smiled at Musouka, her eyes widened.
'It's been 3 years since I've come back to the Feudal Era…' She thought, reflecting on how much her life has changed since she settled down with her one true love and had a beautiful child. They had been trying for some time to have a child and she was sure she couldn't have one. Musouka was surely a blessing. She sighed in happiness at the thought as Inuyasha came back into the hut. The baby's ears wiggled on her head as the scent of her father approached. Kagome turned to look at her dear husband, who had just returned from an exorcism with Miroku, carrying a bale of rice.
"Inuyasha, welcome home!" She smiled.
He kissed his wife and went over to his daughter who was reaching out for him, happy her father was home. "Did you miss me too?" He whispered to her as she grabbed his face, lightly scratching him with her little claws.
"What have you two been doing?" Inuyasha asked as he turned to Kagome.
"Oh, this and that. I did some laundry, caught up with Sango and Musouka cried so much while you were gone."
"Hmm." He turned to his baby and her eyes glowed in fascination as he looked at her. "So you did miss me…" He gently poked her belly and she let out a giggle.
"Papa" she cooed.
His ears wiggled at the sound. He looked at her in shock as she muttered her first word. "Kagome, you hear that? She said papa! Did you hear it?"
Kagome rubbed Inuyasha's shoulder and kissed his cheek. "Yes, I heard. This is a great milestone in our lives…and hers."
The two looked at the baby who tried to look at both her parents who she loved dearly at the same time, starting to make her eyes cross. She closed her eyes and let out a low growl, then yawned, showing the little fangs growing in her mouth.
"I guess she's tired from all that talking." Kagome jested.
Inuyasha set her down on the futon to sleep and kissed her on her forehead. "Goodnight, my little angel." He heard her breathing slowly even out to let him know she was asleep.
He turned to Kagome who was smiling sweetly. He let out a wistful sigh and smiled back. He opened his arms to her and she accepted his embrace and sat in his lap.
"Kagome," He began while playing with her hair. "I found out something really interesting back in that village I slayed that demon in. I'm not sure how interested you'll be, but I think you should hear me out."
Kagome looked at him confused but didn't interrupt.
"When I was in that village, the headman recognized me…"
"Y-You're the same monk and half demon who defeated the evil Naraku!" Said the headman of the village, astonished to come across the men.
The other villagers began to murmur amongst themselves before everyone bowed their heads in respect. Inuyasha wasn't used to being respected, or even accepted by humans so it made him a bit uneasy.
"Master Inuyasha, you have married the Priestess Lady Kagome, yes?" He nodded. Kagome was training with Kaede and her powers had surpassed those of even Kikyo. She was deemed the most powerful priestess alive.
"It is such an honor to meet you here in our village! We have heard many stories about you. You are a pair with incredible power!"
Inuyasha became a bit weirded out by the worship and forced the headman to stand. "Keh! Yeah we're pretty powerful, I guess. But stop with all the bowing! I'm not a lord or nothin'. Now stand back so I can rid your village of this annoying demon."
Miroku placed sutras on the headman's door as a Racoon demon was forced out of the house. Inuyasha drew his sword and struck the demon with his Wind Scar, causing it to vanish into thin air. Miroku prayed at the headman's home as the villagers stood in shock witnessing their immeasurable power.
"You should be safe now. We will kindly take our payment for our services." Miroku stated proudly.
"Oh of course, Master Monk!" The headman said happily. "Right this way!"
The two followed the headman into his home and he handed them three bales of rice.
"Master Inuyasha." The headman's wife approached slowly. "I was wondering if your Lady was aware of the task of all tasks, a path of enlightenment for powerful priestesses."
"Task of all tasks? Never heard of it."
"If you'll stay for a quick spell, I'll tell you about this legend."
Miroku took a seat first without giving Inuyasha a moment to think it over. "This sounds interesting. Let's stay, Inuyasha."
Inuyasha sat down as the woman continued her tale.
"A few miles east of where Mt. Hakurei used to stand, was a hideout for a secret society of powerful priestesses. For women whose purpose was to help and heal others, they were quite selfish and only interested in becoming more powerful. The group had caught wind of an old tale about the Katana No Kami, the blade of Midoriko's mother, Maru. She placed the blade in a cave behind the mountains to the north, guarding it with trials that would be simple for a strong and pure Priestess. However, these tasks tested the heart of the Priestess. If she were self-absorbed, she would fail to complete the tasks and retrieve the sword. If she was kind, yet only interested in increasing her power, she may be able to complete the tasks, but she would not be able to bypass the barrier around the sword. These priestesses were kind people, yet only interested in power and none were able to wield it. There was one priestess of the group, who came close but craved the power so much, the sword rejected her. She renounced her priestess abilities and decided to live as a common woman. She told this story to her predecessors, but none were brave enough to embark on the journey. I was able to learn this story from my dear friend, Kanzen, the last living descendent of the secret society of priestesses. He lives to the east of here. People were told this story was a fable because the rest of those selfish priestesses coveted the sword so much, even on their deathbed they muttered about it. They didn't want anyone to go after that sword. But I assure you, this legend is very real, but none have been able to complete this task."
Miroku was fascinated with the legend. "Why didn't Midoriko herself go after the blade?" He asked.
"She probably would have." The woman said. "Had she not died. Her duty kept her far too distracted to seek out the sword her mother hid. Even if it meant protecting the ones she wanted to protect. I have told you this tale because I believe Lady Kagome is beyond capable of wielding that sword. You should share this story with her."
Inuyasha nodded in agreement as he stood up. "I'll tell her. Miroku we should be going. I want to get back to my daughter."
"Oh, you and the Lady Priestess have a daughter?" The woman asked.
"Yeah, Her name is Musouka." He responded with a smile on his face as he walked out the Headman's home.
"So you see? There's a priestess sword out there that has your name written all over it. And your desire to protect others will help you wield that sword, just like I wield my Tetsusaiga. I don't know, Kagome. I just feel like that sword sorta belongs to you and you should go get it."
Kagome looked up at Inuyasha and smiled. "You think I can do that? I can go get that sword?"
"Keh! Of course you can! My wife is strong. Even though you can't defeat me, you're still pretty awesome." He said jokingly.
Kagome couldn't help but laugh and be flattered by her husband's kind appraisal. "We should talk to Kaede about it in the morning." She said.
Inuyasha nodded. Kagome got out of his arms and got the futon ready for them to sleep.
"Come on, let's get some rest."
He stood up, stretched and laid his sword down at the head of the futon. He took one last look at his daughter before lying down with his wife.
Kagome thought hard about this Katana No Kami as she fell asleep in Inuyasha's protective arms.
