Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Inu Yasha characters…well except for my villain Maeko so you can't take that from me ha ha ha
Chapter 4
''It's you. You're the four women that Master Toutousai told me to find.'' Hearing the name of Master Toutousai, the four of them turned around to see who was there. They got a big shock when they saw who was standing behind them. The little girl that that Kagome had saved from the fruit vender was right before them.
''Were did you come from?'' Ayame exclaimed. ''I thought that you left to find more venders to rob.''
''Ayame don't be so rude.'' Kagome whispered to her. ''Excuse me little girl but may I ask who you are and how do you know of Master Toutousai?''
''Oh… my name is Shiori the apprentice of Master Toutousai. I would have told you who I was before, but I wasn't sure if you were the girls that needed to see him. But when I saw you fighting those wolves and dogs, I knew it was you.'' She replied.
The four of them couldn't believe that this girl who was seen stealing apples was the apprentice of the great sword smith Toutousai. Noticing that they didn't believe her she said… ''You are Kagome, Sango, Ayame, and Kikyo. Aren't you?'' After hearing their names they knew she couldn't be lying. But since they were still kind of shocked they all just nodded their heads. Taking this as a yes, Shiori told them to follow her and then they started to walk to Master Toutousai's house.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Maeko watched the whole battle through his mirror. He couldn't believe that his warriors sent such weak creatures to fight the four women. He would have to punish them for not taking the girls seriously. He then turned his attention back to the mirror and saw that they were talking to a little girl. He was pondering why they were talking to her when he heard the girl say… ''My name is Shiori, the apprentice of Master Toutousai''
''WHAT!'' He screamed. ''Those incompetent fools were supposed to stop the girls from finding Shiori. If they make it to Toutousai, and get the jewel compass, I won't have a chance of getting to freeze and rule the world.'' He started pacing around the room like a mouse trapped in his cage, when suddenly an idea hit him. He raced over to his mirror. ''Find Inu Yasha.'' He said. A flash of light appeared and made him vanish.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Miroku and Sesshomaru were sitting by the fire waiting for Inu Yasha and Kouga to return. A rustling of leaves made them get into a fighting position. But it was only Inu Yasha and Kouga. ''So… how strong are they?'' Miroku asked.
''They're actually pretty strong for girls'.'' Kouga answered. ''They killed our comrades and were merciless about it.''
''Did they really Inu Yasha?'' Sesshomaru questioned.
''They were…but then again we didn't send our strongest warriors to fight them.''
''You better hope that Lord Maeko doesn't find out. He hates it when we don't take our enemies seriously.'' Said Miroku. They all shuddered at the thought of the last time they didn't take their enemies seriously and were punished for it. None of them wanted to go through that again. They all sat down and were talking about their next course of action when a flash of purple light appeared and out of it came Maeko. All four of them kneeled before his greatness and bowed their heads.
''Stand up.'' He ordered, when they were all standing he continued. ''I saw your failure, and I am disappointed. But I am not here to punish you (They all sighed in relief) I came to strengthen you and your warriors. Because thanks to you failing the mission, they were able to find Shiori.''
''But sir, you did not tell us to…''
''DO NOT INTTERUPT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!'' He yelled, ''Now like I was saying, they found Shiori and are now making their way to Master Toutousai's. if they get there, they will be given the jewel compass.''
''What is the jewel compass my lord?'' Kouga asked.
''The jewel compass will help them find the Shikon No Tama. So that is why you four must help them on their way to finding it.''
''Excuse me master. But did you just say you wanted us to help them find the Jewel?'' Sesshomaru asked.
''Yes, I did.''
''Why sir?'' (still Sesshomaru talking)
''Don't you see what master Maeko wants us to do?'' Inu Yasha asked. They all shooked their heads. ''Do I have to tell you everything? Master Maeko wants us to help and make them find the jewel. Once they get it will take it from them.''
''That is correct Inu Yasha.'' He turned his attention to the others. ''Do you understand the plan now, or do I have to spell it out for you?''
'It's okay master Maeko, we understand now.'' Miroku answered. ''But how should we get the girls to let us help them?''
''That is something you will have to figure out on your own.'' Another light appeared but this time it made Maeko disappear.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
''Were here.'' Shiori announced as the five of them arrived at a magnificent house made of stone.
''This is where he lives?'' Sango asked.
''Of course it is. A man like Master Toutousai deserves a house this great... don't you think?'''
''I guess.'' Ayame answered for Sango. Shiori ran up to the door, opened it and then walked inside. She turned to the others and motioned them to come inside with her. When they were all inside Shiori yelled…
''Master Toutousai I'm back!''
''Is that you Shiori?'' A voice said from the basement.
''Of course…who else would it be?'' She answered. ''I also brought the four women.'' An old man came out of the basement. He was wearing a green and black stripped kimono. He had white hair and was wrinkled like a prune. But the girls paid their respects to the old man by bowing, all except Kagome.
''This is Master Toutousai?'' She asked. ''I thought he would be a little taller and a lot more handsome.''
''Kagome! Don't say that about Toutousai.'' Kikyo warned. Kagome wasn't in the mood for a fight so she also bowed for Toutousai.
''It's okay girls. No need to be so polite, and yes I am the great sword smith Toutousai. So why are you here?'' He asked. Shiori sweat dropped, while the four of them stood there looking confused.
''Um, Shiori said you asked her to bring us here…you did didn't you?'' Sango asked. The old man stood there for a second in deep thought. He suddenly slapped his fist into his palm and said...
''Oh yeah…I told Shiori to bring you here so I could give you the jewel compass.''
''I've heard of the jewel compass form Mistress Kaede.'' Kikyo said, ''she told me before we left that we would need the jewel compass to help us find the Shikon Jewel.''
''That is correct Miss…''
''Kikyo. My name is Kikyo and these are my partners Kagome, Sango, and Ayame.''
''you four wait here while I go get the compass.'' The girls waited for about thirty five minutes before Toutousai appeared again with the compass.
''Did you get lost down there?'' Kagome asked.
''No, while I was down there I started to make some new swords for you. They will be a lot better then the weapons you have now.'' He answered.
''So where are these new swords?'' Ayame asked.
''There not finished yet.'' He said, ''it will take about three days for your swords to be finished completely. So I suggests that in the meantime you four start looking for that jewel.''
''Thank you Master Toutousai for being so good to us.'' Kagome said, ''we won't let you down.'' Kagome took the compass from master Toutousai and then they left. On the way back to the city the four of them started talking about where they should start their search first when a bunch of raccoons, weird looking green men, wolves and dogs came out of the bushes and started to attack.