Author's Note: To be honest, I really loved this chapter! Get ready for an unexpected surprise! Enjoy chapter 8 and as always, thanks for the reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to or affiliated with Inuyasha, however this particular story is M-I-N-E! :)

Swords and Sake

"Ugh! This stuff is disgusting!" Kagome gagged at the muck that covered her from head to toe.

Ew,ew,ew,EW!

"Maybe using your whip on a slime youkai was not the best idea after all, Sesshomaru," Kikyou said with a wrinkled up nose, as she attempted to remove the sludge without touching it.

"Well at least we obtained a new shard!" Miroku tried to liven up the situation. "My dear Sango, let me help you clean up!" he reached for the young woman who was busy brushing off the slime that coated her arms. A loud bang turned everyone's attention to the unconscious taijya on the ground as Sango held the butt of her sword over his head. "Try that again and I'll make sure you get buried alive in this stuff."

Kagome only shook her head and looked over at Sesshomaru. Not a speck of dirt graced his beautiful white kimono, and the rest of his person was just as clean. She eyed him suspiciously and asked, "How in the world do you manage to keep yourself so clean?"

Sesshomaru shrugged and simply said, "I am careful."

Apparently not careful enough! She was sorely tempted to say that, though apparently Koga had a similar thought in mind.

"Keh! Your claws must be gettin dull, mutt cuz that didn't look careful to me!" The poor kid didn't even have a chance to run before the back of his head collided with Sesshomaru's foot.

"I don't think I quite heard you right, pup. Would you mind repeating yourself?"

"Ouch! Ok, ok, you're really cool and too awesome to make mistakes! Now let me up!"

"Hmph," Sesshomaru said with a final kick before stalking off.

"You know, Sesshomaru, what you need is a sword!" Kagome nodded as if this was the simplest solution in the world. "Maybe we could find Tetsusaiga or something?"

Sesshomaru furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "You know of my father's fang?"

"Sure I do! Hell, if Inuyasha didn't have that sword we'd all be dead by now! Poor guy can't do much without it." Kagome said shrugging.

"I see…I wish it were that simple. My father's swords disappeared with him after the battle with Ryukotsusei. It is believed he died in battle," Sesshomaru said solemnly.

"Well that's a bummer. Um…what about Totosai? Maybe he could make you a sword!" Kagome said excitedly.

"Totosai?" Before Sesshomaru could say more, his eyes slightly widened, before slapping his cheek and glaring at the thing that landed in his palm.

"Myoga, why are you here?" he asked, his eyes darkening.

"Ah ha…H-hello Sesshomaru-sama…it's good to see you…too?" the small flea said shrinking back.

"Myoga!" Kagome exclaimed clapping her hands together. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Um…Hai?" the flea said, looking confused.

"Explain. Now." Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed

"R-right! I couldn't help but hear your conversation and agreed with the young miss over there. I still know the sword smith that forged your father's fang and thought to introduce you, mi-lord!"

Sesshomaru closed his eyes and pondered before finally answering, "That would be acceptable."

Myoga led the group to a wooded marsh, where an old skull in the shape of a bird sat covered in different colors of paint. Dying flowers surrounded its base, and the entrance was covered by a lovely floral length of cloth.

Myoga hopped down from Sesshomaru's shoulder. "Let me tell her you're here. She doesn't really appreciate surprise guests," he said before bounding into the skull.

She?

From within the skull came a very loud, and very feminine screech, "WHAT?!" A moment later, the curtain was thrown back to reveal a woman with messy black hair loosely pulled up and red glazed eyes. She wore a pink and white striped Kimono that was loosely wrapped around her and covered in wrinkles. In one hand she held a bottle of sake as she leaned heavily against the wall.

Kagome did a double-take, and choked back a laugh.

Alright universe, this has got to be the best joke so far! Kagura's a sword smith?! Hahaha! Who'd have thunk it?!

"What do ya-hiccup-kids want?" she snarled swaying. "This is-hiccup-private property, ya know!" She stared at Sesshomaru for a moment, then a goofy grin spread across her face. "Well if it ain't-hiccup-ole' Inu! Ya come here-hiccup-ta share a drink with me?"

Kagura suddenly threw her arms around Sesshomaru before he could protest. "Ya look skinny. Did ya-hiccup-lose some weight doggy?" she asked groggily.

The group watched in a mixture of shock and horror as Sesshomaru turned stiff and his face twisted in disgust. Kagome was about to intervene until Myoga stepped in for her.

"Lady Kagura, please wake up!" Myoga jumped up and down frantically. "This is Sesshomaru, the first born son of the Inu no Taisho! He's here to request a sword!"

Kagura stared at Sesshomaru and squinted. "Whadda ya talkin-hiccup-bout Myoga? This 'ere's ole' Inu," she said while pinching Sesshomaru's cheeks. Meanwhile, Sesshomaru looked as if he was about to snap.

"Remove your hands from me this instant, woman," he said, his voice dark and dangerous.

Kagura eyed him for a moment before backing off. "So you wanna a sword aye?" She drawled, studing him for a moment before saying, "Aight then, get'n here. I'll see-hiccup-wha I can do." She took a quick swig from her bottle, then slowly lumbered back inside.

The group followed her, admiring the intricate old paintings of long ago battles hanging on the walls. Many showed the Inu no Taisho in his glory days.

Well, she might not be friendly, and maybe a little drunk…Ok, a lot drunk, but at least she's a better decorator than Totosai!

Kagura gestured for Sesshomaru to sit on a small round stool, then unceremoniously yanked his mouth open. With a sneer, she turned to Myoga and said, "Why tha hell-hiccup-did ya bring this brat 'ere?! He's obviously-hiccup-not ready!"

"No, Lady Kagura! We are not here for him to claim his right! What he needs is a temporary sword before he's ready!"

Kagura glanced at him warily, then snorted. "Tch. You shoulda-hiccup-said that earlier!"

The group looked at each other confused, while Kagura marched towards the back, of the cave, nearly tripping over her own feet, and began sorting through random remains of various demons. The sight of it made Kagome queasy. Kagura finally held up a large skull with two horns and said, "Aha! This'll be perfect! Ya just-hiccup-might be tha only one who could wield-hiccup-a sword made from this guy!"

She headed towards one of the large melting pots next to the remains and threw the bone in, starring at it for a few minutes before reaching her hand in and pulling out a sword. She placed it on a long smooth table, then took a hammer and started smoothing it out, while making it sharp. After she was finished, she picked up the sword, admired her handiwork, then handed it to Sesshomaru.

"That should do tha-hiccup- trick. Its name is Tokijin, and it's gota-hiccup-bit of a temper, but if ya take good care of it-hiccup-it'll be a formidable weapon. Now get outa here before I-hiccup-chase ya out myself!" she said while slipping her hand in her kimono, pulling out a fan.

"Oh Lady Kagura, how can we ever thank—" a large boom cut Myoga short as maniacal laughter filled the marsh.

"HAHAHA! I'VE GO YOU NOW, YOU BASTARD!" a very familiar voice yelled.

Kagome groaned. Here comes problem maker number two.

Other Author Note: Hehe, I thought the last few chapters were too serious, so the next few are sure to liven things up a bit!