AN: This is the last chapter for the week. I've still got a pretty good ways to go on this sucker, so expect more updates soon! Also, when I get back on Tuesday, I should have two chapters to put up. OK? Good. Now, on with the story.

The Three Swords of Takahashi

Kagome woke to an odd feeling: warmth on both sides of her, like she had fallen asleep in between two people. For one disorienting moment, she couldn't remember what had happened. Then the events of the night before came flooding back, as did all the aches and pains her mother's beating had left on her.

Silently, she thanked the gods for sending Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. If they hadn't arrived, she'd be waking up in heaven.

In fact, she was pretty sure the two Takahashi brothers were the ones she was sleeping in between. They must've stayed with her the whole night. She smiled sleepily.

"Kagome? You awake?"

"You're already awake?" she asked, surprised. On her left, Sesshoumaru chuckled.

"We've been awake for at least half an hour, little sister." he teased. "We just didn't want to wake you up before you were ready."

"Did you know you sleep like the dead?" Inuyasha asked from her right. Kagome giggled.

"Not always. Just after little scenarios like that." she corrected. "Normally I'm a very light sleeper. I think."

Sesshoumaru chuckled again and stood up, grabbing his shirt from the floor and pulling it on. "I think its past time to get up. I can hear Dad pacing downstairs."

Inuyasha sniffed the air and sat up suddenly, a look of disgust on his face. "Souta's here." he snarled.

"You're just now picking up on that?" Sesshoumaru faked a surprised tone. "You're skills are slacking, brother."

"Oh, shut up." the hanyou growled. He stood up as well and pulled on his own shirt. Kagome forced herself to sit up, wincing in pain.

"Who's Souta?" she asked.

"He's our uncle." Sesshoumaru said, distain thick in his voice. "He's our mother's brother, but we all barely tolerate him."

"Even Mom doesn't like him that much." Inuyasha added, helping Kagome get to her feet. "He pretty much disowned her when she married Dad, and yet every now and again he has to come by and rub his distain of her 'filthy youkai family' in her face."

"I wonder how long Dad will take it this time before he throws his sorry hide out the door." Sesshoumaru wondered darkly. "He's only tolerated because he's technically blood."

"By marriage alone." Inuyasha said. "We'd better get downstairs before anything happens that might cost us money. Kagome, there's a shower right through there and some clothes on the back of the toilet. You can clean up if you want. When you get done, come on downstairs. At the very least you'll be able to see why most demons don't mess with our father." He added that last part with a proud gleam in his eyes. Kagome nodded and headed through the indicated door.

Like most of the Takahashi house, it wasn't much. As far as she could tell, the entire house consisted of two bedrooms, this guestroom, two bathrooms, and the living room/kitchen/dining room area. All the bedrooms and bathrooms were up the stairs. The rest of it was downstairs. It was a pretty small house, smaller than Kagome's, but it suited the family just fine.

She took a quick shower, getting most of the dried blood off of her and soothing her abused muscles. The clothes she had been given were obviously the boys; the shirt was twice her size and the pants were a size too big. Still, they fit just fine for temporary use. She quickly toweled off and got dressed, giving her teeth a quick brushing with the fresh toothbrush she found while she was at it. Wow, it looks like Izayoi thought of everything. I wonder how often Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha bring home guests like this.

It didn't take long for sounds of a verbal fight to come to her ears. "Izayoi, you are a disgrace to this family." The voice was masculine, snooty, and very unfamiliar. That must be Souta.

"Watch how you talk to my mate, Souta." Taisho growled. "Her life is no longer your concern."

"She is my sister, youkai. I can talk to her however I please."

It was clear this fight had been going on for some time now. Taisho had his fists clenched, barely keeping himself in check. Izayoi looked on the verge of tears, and Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru were standing defensively between Taisho and Souta, more keeping their father from attacking than keeping Souta in check.

Kagome figured this would be a good time to make her presence known. She calmly stepped out of the shadows, not saying anything. Izayoi saw her and smiled, all traces of sadness gone.

"Kagome!" she exclaimed, coming to stand in front of the young miko. "How are you this morning? Did you sleep well?"

"Hai, I did." Kagome said. "Arigato, Mrs. Takahashi, for letting me stay."

"Oh, no problem." the woman said, waving off Kagome's thanks. "And please, just call me Izayoi. Mrs. Takahashi makes me feel old."

Taisho snorted, a hint of humor glinting in his eyes. "Woman, you will probably live a good five hundred years. You're only forty. How can you feel old?"

"Technical age has nothing to do with it." Izayoi shot back. Taisho merely rolled his eyes. Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha exchanged looks and gave Kagome a thumbs-up. Apparently she had done just the thing to diffuse the situation.

Fuming, Souta left. He had gotten what he needed to know from the family, anyway. Now he had to report back to Naraku.

OOOOO

"Why are we coming down here, Dad?" Inuyasha asked. He kept a firm grip on Kagome's shoulder as they made their way down the rickety stairs to the basement.

Taisho simply gestured for the children to come forward. "This is our family's legacy." he said, opening a dust-covered old chest. "The Takahashi family has kept strict guard over the demons of Edo, and now Tokyo. With things the way they are, it's time I showed you your inheritance." He lifted a katana from the chest, handing it to Inuyasha.

"The Tetsusaiga." he said softly. "With the proper use, it can kill a hundred enemies with a single swing. It relies heavily on its magickal weapons, the Wind Scar and the Backlash Wave. This will be yours to use, when the time comes." With that he turned and took another katana from the chest and handed it to Sesshoumaru.

"The Tokijin." he said. "It isn't in the same class as the Tetsusaiga is, but it makes up for it with its strength. No blade alive can shatter it, and it can pierce even the toughest armor. It's only attack is the Dragon Strike, but trust me, that's more than enough if used properly." He then turned to Kagome, and took out the last katana.

"I have often wondered why there were three swords forged, when none of the Takahashi clan has had more than two sons. Now I know." He handed the last katana to Kagome. "This is the Tenseiga. It isn't much in battle, but it has a shield that will protect its bearer from any and all harm. It can also bring the dead to life. It is a sword of healing. Use it well, Kagome."

Kagome bowed to him, still holding the katana. "Hai, I will."

With that Taisho bowed to all of them and left the three of them in the basement to puzzle things out for themselves. Sesshoumaru turned to Inuyasha, confusion plain on his face. "Why would he show us this now?" he asked.

"It's because of Naraku, isn't it?" Kagome asked suddenly. "He's planning something big, and I've got a really bad feeling we're gonna wind up in the middle of it."

Inuyasha nodded. "That was my first thought." he admitted. He turned to Kagome, a thoughtful look in his eyes. "And yet, why would he give you a sword?" he questioned, not really expecting an answer. "It doesn't make sense."

"Actually, it does." Sesshoumaru said. "I just really hope he's wrong."