When Kagome returned four days later, the fates had yet again contacted Sesshomaru and had assigned her third task, this time he didn't even need to say it "What is it this time Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome asked brushing off her hakama.
Sesshomaru eyed the raven haired teen for several long minutes, this next task was going to be next to impossible "You must forge a sword with you're own reiki and make it permanently tangible, also you must add youkai properties to it" he explained waiting for the realization to set it.
Her ebony brows creased and those chocolate brown eyes filled with confusion "They want me to what now" Kagome nearly shrieked, but she managed to keep her voice at a moderate volume so that she didn't hurt Sesshomaru's sensitive ears.
"Of course this Sesshomaru intends to help you by adding some of his own youkai, but the rest is up to you miko, also this one has been informed that you only have a month to form you're sword" Sesshomaru added even more to his previous statement.
Kagome hung her head a sigh falling from her lips and tugged on her long inky blue/black tresses, this was so frustrating, those fates were trying to kill her she was certain of it "And did they happen to tell you Lord Sesshomaru where I am to perform this task" Kagome sulked.
Golden eyes trained on the miko, one corner of his lips tilted upwards in amusement "Yes, we'll go to Totosai's" Sesshomaru rumbled, Kagome's chocolate brown eyes lit up and he knew instantly what the young girl was thinking.
"Rin, we are going to travel via cloud" Sesshomaru ordered and the little girl climbed onto Ah Un, before Kagome could react, he had wrapped his arm around the girls tiny waist and formed his cloud beneath his feet taking to the skies.
For her part, Kagome thought she had managed her shock well, though for obvious reasons she didn't look down and kept her gaze focused on the silver part of Sesshomaru's armor "How long will this take Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome whispered knowing full well he could hear her at this distance.
"Not but a few more moments miko" Sesshomaru chuckled, the second he said that, they touched ground and he set Kagome properly on her feet right outside the entrance of Totosai's cave, Kagome clapped her hands and darted forward in excitement.
"Totosai" she called cupping her hands around her mouth to make her voice louder and for it to echo off the walls of cave, the old demon came forward eyes large in his face, but it wasn't Kagome he was looking at, it was Sesshomaru.
"EEHH, no get away from here" Totosai brandished his hammer and prepared to knock Sesshomaru out of his home, but a fist slamming down on top of his head had him swiveling around "Uh who are you" he asked blinking in confusion.
Face settled into one of anger now, she should have expected this "Damn it Totosai, don't you remember me, It's Kagome, you know the girl that use to travel with Inuyasha" Kagome tapped her foot angrily as she waited for recognition to click in the old demon's brain.
"Oh, Master Inuyasha said that ye were dead Lady Kagome" Totosai scratched his head in confusion, Kagome snorted and rolled her brown eyes, Sesshomaru watched her with some amusement in his golden eyes as she rapped Totosai over the head again giving him another lump.
"Well clearly he was wrong because as you can see I'm right here and alive" Kagome huffed, the next time she saw that idiot hanyou, she was definitely going to be giving him a piece of her freaking mind, dead her ass, just because she had vanished without a trace didn't mean she had kicked the bucket.
Having given the miko plenty of time to reacquaint herself with the old demon that was his fathers vassal, Sesshomaru came forward "Totosai, this one requests permission to stay here for a month, while the miko performs a task given to her by the fates" he spoke in that smooth baritone.
The group was quickly given permission after that and Sesshomaru led his pack to the far wall and ordered them to set up camp "After lunch is when you start, this one suggests working on making you're sword tangible first" he offered some advice before falling silent.
Kagome nodded committing his words to memory and stoked the fire to get it going properly, she was surprised that Totosai had agreed so easily, to them staying in his home, it was risky because they ran the risk of meeting Inuyasha if he ever came by to get Tetsusaiga sharpened or worked on.
A tugging on her sleeve had Kagome focusing her attention outwardly again "Yes Rin-chan" Kagome smiled at the little girl, Rin's eyes sparkled in childish wonder before she pointed at the tea pot that was whistling softly signaling the water was ready "Here you go Rin" she grinned.
"Milord, Rin has brought you, you're tea" Rin bustled over to the daiyoukai and presented the little tea cup to Sesshomaru, the dai took it and brought it to his lips taking a careful sip of the hot beverage, his golden eyes shot to Kagome a moment later.
"Very good Rin" Sesshomaru patted the child on the head and sent her scurrying back to the miko's side, it's where the girl stayed most days now, Kagome was nurturing and Rin was blossoming under the older girls subtle teachings.
Once the fish were finished and eaten, Kagome stood brushing the dirt from her hakama "Alright Lord Sesshomaru, I'm ready" she smiled nervously before hiding the scent behind a barrier so that it didn't upset the daiyoukai.
Sesshomaru's golden eyes shot to the miko in surprise, so she wasn't going to forget about everything she had learned, good "Very well then miko come along" he turned and stalked over to an unused anvil and gestured for Kagome to stand before it.
"Form a sword, not a dagger" he ordered and watched as Kagome forced her reiki into both of her hands, eyes closed in concentration, slowly but surely a sword as forming, it was an agonizing process since this was her first attempt at forming such a weapon, daggers were more her thing.
Kagome bit her lip and pushed more reiki into the semi tangible weapon she could feel forming in her hands, beads of sweat slid down her face as she worked, even Totosai was eyeing her curiously from his spot far, far away from Sesshomaru.
When she felt she had accomplished her first task, Kagome's chocolate brown eyes snapped open and her they went impossibly wide, there in her hands was the worst sword imaginable, it was only fourteen inches in length and it was wavering.
Sesshomaru sighed, perhaps he should have had her forming swords not daggers during her second task, then this one would be much easier "Add more reiki to it and shape it properly" he instructed, he was the only one allowed to help her after all.
Kagome released a long suffering sigh before she narrowed her eyes and did as Sesshomaru had ordered by forcing more of her reiki into the blade and forming it into a proper shape and length, slowly it stopped wavering and became tangible and the length increased to thirty two inches.
She relaxed then after making sure that the sword wouldn't blink out of existence, Kagome was certain that the more she practiced this particular aspect, the easier it would be to create swords, and at least with this she'd have another weapon to use in case she ran out of arrows.
An idea came to her then, Kagome's brown eyes widened and a small smile lifted her lips upwards, yes the next time they came across a demon she would try her theory out, but for now, Kagome's smile faded from her lips and she looked at her reiki sword.
Golden eyes roved over the blade before nodding "Well done, you've accomplished the first part of the task, though you're struggles aren't over yet, you must learn how to make it permanently tangible" Sesshomaru spoke spooking Kagome slightly.
Her reiki sword wavered until Kagome got a handle on her concentration again and calmed her erratic heart down "Lord Sesshomaru" she pouted and got a silver brow raised at her "Right" Kagome sulked and eyed her sword again with another sigh.
Several hours later, Kagome collapsed in her bed roll after eating dinner, so far she had only managed to make the hilt real "Night Rin-chan" she murmured into the child's hair and got a little giggle from Rin and a kiss on the cheek.
"Night Kagome-chan, Milord, Jaken-sama" Rin's sweet voice filled the air a moment later as she told everyone goodnight, except for Totosai, he had left earlier to gather some materials to work on new swords while Kagome was working on making a tangible one.
A few days later, on her fourth day, trying the third task, Kagome managed to make another part of her sword permanently tangible, her chest was heaving with the exertion from forcing her reiki into the blade and making it always usable.
"Not surprising miko, you've done exceptionally well since the start" Sesshomaru praised lightly from his spot against the wall, he had to applaud the girl and give her some major credit, at first he hadn't been to sure, but now Sesshomaru was one hundred percent certain, Kagome was the only one that could handle the tasks set before her.
Kagome's cheek turned red and she tossed the dai a grin "Thank you Lord Sesshomaru" she quipped sweetly before turning back around to work some more on her sword, she was going to complete this task to no matter how much she had to do.
Two days later, Kagome managed to make the rest of her reiki sword permanently tangible, the amount of power she had poured into the blade made her collapse and Sesshomaru caught her again as was the habit they had formed.
"Go rest Miko, then we'll work on adding youkai abilities to it" Sesshomaru murmured as he set the girl on her bed roll, Kagome was quick to climb in and easily fall asleep, Totosai in his distracted state had moved towards the sword the miko had created and reached out to touch it.
His hand was repelled and the sword glowed bright pink, but Totosai pressed on until his hand was burned beyond recognition "Lady Kagome really must not want anyone but her touching this sword, it's gonna be a beauty when it's done" Totosai whistled as his wounds healed.
Sesshomaru smirked at the accurate description of Kagome's sword, already one could tell that the hilt was going to be a deep blue color and the blade itself aquamarine, Hakari must have influenced Kagome's thoughts somewhat hence the colors.
"Would you want someone to touch a sword you've created with you're own two hands Totosai" Kagome's voice grumbled from her bed roll, she couldn't sleep with that demon yacking away at such a loud volume, and it had pulled her from her rest.
Totosai scratched the back of his head "No I suppose not Lady Kagome" he muttered as he headed over to the spot he had chosen to stay in during the entirety of Sesshomaru and his packs stay in his home, it sucked that he couldn't kick the dai out, but even he knew not to mess with the fates.
Once silence returned to the blistering hot cave, Kagome snuggled down in her bed roll and closed her eyes to get a little sleep before Sesshomaru had Jaken wake her as was per the norm and she was ordered to get back to work.
Four hours later when she woke, Kagome had a stick shoved in her hand, on the end was cooked venison, Sesshomaru must have gone hunting for them since he refused to even get into her yellow monstrosity without her permission, something about not being a nosy pack member if she recalled correctly.
She shook her head and ate quickly taking a few sips of her water before she deemed herself finished "Good bring the ash, rocks and scales you acquired" Sesshomaru's tone brooked no arguments and Kagome jumped to her feet grabbing up two of the rocks, one container of ash and the three scales.
"Okay so how are we going to do this Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome asked baffled over what to do next, with her reiki she somewhat understood, but she had no idea what the three items she had gathered were for, though she supposed she could stop rambling in her mind and listen to Sesshomaru.
Sesshomaru waited patiently for Kagome's attention to be focused on him once more and once it had he spoke "Use your reiki and merge the powers of each item into you're sword, then my youkai will be added afterwards" he explained.
Kagome grimaced and held one of the rocks to her reiki sword, holding her breath as she focused reiki into her hands, the blade absorbed the rock and her chocolate brown eyes widened, the other rock was then added in much the same way leaving her with the scales and ash.
"So what kind of power do you think my sword will have Lord Sesshomaru" Kagome questioned as she worked on adding the ash next and soon it was absorbed like the rocks had been, Sesshomaru cocked his head to the side and she had to fight with herself not to squeal at how adorable the sight was.
"Lava to be certain, possibly water, healing if you so choose, and maybe this one's poison" Sesshomaru listed the possibilities and Kagome's brown eyes glanced at him in disbelief, but ultimately she would end up finding out herself.
At the possible abilities, Kagome tilted her head to the side mimicking Sesshomaru's previous actions "You mean that if I want I can add my healing reiki to the sword and thus it would have healing properties as well" she asked lightly and Sesshomaru nodded his head silently.
'Interesting, I wonder how that would work though' Kagome carried on the conversation in her head as she held each of Hakari's scales to her sword and they were soon gone giving the sword a pink and blue hue before the sword changed color to a dark blue, but she wasn't done yet.
Sesshomaru stepped forward his youkai gathered into his hand and pressed it over the sword, because Kagome willed it, he was only able to touch it then and possibly never again, the sword changed colors again this time to the previously thought aquamarine.
When Sesshomaru stepped back, Kagome's hand was filled with her healing reiki and she held her hand to her sword filling it the sword was illuminated a bright pink and then the sword absorbed the reiki, giving the blade healing properties like she had wanted.
"Yes, I did it and in only a week" Kagome began to cheer, but one look at Sesshomaru's expression she deflated "What now Lord Sesshomaru" she sighed feeling exhausted all of a sudden, creating a sword from her own powers was a lot of work after all.
"In order to complete the task you've been assigned, you must now give you're sword a name and it must be an appropriate one that the sword will accept, the only way you'll know is when she vibrates in approval" Sesshomaru announced and Kagome's shoulders dropped in defeat.
Sesshomaru didn't speak instead he moved to the wall and slid down into a sitting position, this next part was all on Kagome, he couldn't help her no matter what, Kagome slumped even further and she gazed at her sword in complete and utter confusion.
So it began, everyday Kagome would attempt to name her sword and she would get no reaction from it whatsoever, it was frustrating and beginning to grate on her nerves, but Kagome knew that this was something she had to do on her own.
A week passed and still nothing, Kagome was about ready to give up and say screw it, this was turning out to be an impossible task, she just couldn't do it, Sesshomaru refused to talk to her and even Rin had been quietly lately.
Totosai had made himself scarce during the days and only came back during the nights, long after she had gone to sleep, Kagome swiped at her eyes, "Damn it" she cried lightly and though she was extremely frustrated she set her sword down with a gentleness that didn't escape Sesshomaru.
He knew how frustrating such a daunting task could be, he had been in her shoes once, but Sesshomaru was so certain that Kagome would be able to name her sword correctly even if it took her the rest of the month to do so.
Another week went by, and she was no closer to naming her sword, but that morning Kagome hopped up and grabbed her blade from the ground heading outside protecting her feet with her reiki, it was something she had been practicing, she almost floated off the ground.
Sesshomaru followed his charge after ordering Rin and Jaken to stay put, he was curious what was she going to try today, by the time he reached Kagome, she was already spinning mimicking a few moves she had seen him and Inuyasha use time after time.
A blast of water shot through the air, when Kagome swung her sword down, chocolate brown eyes wide in surprise, what followed the water was lava, then a stream of pink and of course poison, now that she had figured out all her sword could do, Kagome could name the blade.
"You're name will be.." Kagome trailed off loosing her confidence somewhat, she looked to Sesshomaru and he gestured with his hands to say what she had chosen as her blades name "Mizubyokiyogan-chiryo-ho" she stated softly.
At the name, the sword began to vibrate and almost hum, Kagome's eyes softened and she clutched the blade to her chest gently being mindful of it's sharp edges to avoid being cut "Congratulations miko" Sesshomaru's voice interrupted her internal happiness.
"While you've been trying to name you're blade, the fates have been in contact again, once you've stopped up on supplies, we'll go to Bokuseno the magnolia tree demon and consult with him" Sesshomaru commented easily.
Kagome took a deep breath "Lord Sesshomaru do you think we could walk and possibly seek out a few lesser demons so that I may test a couple of theories out when I return from my era" she twiddled her thumbs, she had no idea if he would say yes or not but she had to try.
Sesshomaru blinked his golden eyes in confusion, then her words sunk in and he smirked, who was he to deny the miko a little bit of fun, if she wanted to test her strengths against demons then he wouldn't be the one to stop her "Of course Miko" he dipped his head in acquiesce.
Soon the quartet was on their way back to the bone eaters well and when she was on her feet, Kagome jumped into the depths arriving in her era again "Mama" she called drawing the older woman from the shed a happy smile spreading across her lips.
"Yes Kagome dear" Satomi asked softly eyeing her daughter, or rather the sword that rested about her waist it was beautiful and she wondered how Kagome had acquired such a blade, or how it had come to be in her possession in the first place.
Kagome's eyes followed her mothers line of sight "Isn't chiryo-ho beautiful, I made her all by myself" she quipped in a pride filled voice "But that's not what I want to talk about, do you think we can stop by the book store after we finish shopping for supplies" she wrung her hands nervously.
Satomi blinked, her daughter had made that sword "Why do you call it chiryo-ho, as if the sword was alive" she tilted her head in confusion as she made her way to Kagome's side, her daughter pulled the sword from her obi and stroked the blade with a gentle hand making it hum.
"That's why Mama, because she is alive and her full name is Mizubyokiyogan-chiryo-ho, but I call her chiryo-ho for short, she loves it" Kagome chattered as they walked into the house so Satomi could grab her keeps and so that she could put her sword somewhere safe.
"As for you're question, yes we can stop by the book store, tell me how is Lord Sesshomaru faring" Satomi asked as she started up the car and backed out of the driveway to begin the start of their supply run, she always went with Kagome now seeing as she didn't have to much to do.
Kagome took a deep breath "He's doing well, in fact I catch Lord Sesshomaru using the gift I bought him every night, he's like an older brother if you know what I mean, he's always there giving me advice, but mostly letting me figure things out on my own" she jabbered the entire way to the store.
"That's nice, come to think of it, you never did tell me what you got him" Satomi slanted a look at her teenage daughter, Kagome grinned innocently before pouting realizing she wouldn't be able to get away without telling her.
"I got him a comb mama, his had broken and to avoid the stress of going to a ningen village I got him a new one" Kagome smiled sheepishly, Satomi nodded and parked the car, the two got out and so began the monthly gather supplies.
When Kagome had gotten everything she needed, Satomi drove them to the bookstore and gave her daughter some money "Just hurry back, we don't want to be gone for to much longer" Satomi called after Kagome when she darted into the bookstore waving.
Kagome knew right where she was going and grabbed up a couple of books on herbs and headed to the counter to by them, ten minutes later she emerged from the store and soon she and her mother were on their way back to the shrine.
"Well then I guess I'll be going" Kagome smiled, she didn't really like to linger to long in her era, she always ran the risk of being caught by her three friends who were always trying to set her up with Hoji, of course she hadn't seen any of them for months, so maybe they were in college that was out of town.
"Be safe" Satomi called heading in after helping Kagome situate her yellow pack onto her back, the raven haired teen headed for the well and like always disappeared out of sight, the doors slide close and she assumed her daughter had jumped into the well like she did and gone back in time.
On the other side again, Kagome prepared to climb the vines, but Sesshomaru was right there lifting her from the ground and leaping outside the well, only this time Kagome came face to face with people she hadn't expected to see for a long time.
"Miroku, Sango, Shippou" Kagome gulped feeling faint, their eyes were wide but only two of them were crying, upon hearing their names slip through her lips, Sango rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Kagome.
"Oh Kagome-chan, we feared the worst, Inuyasha said that you were dead" Sango sobbed squeezing the girl to her, when she pulled back, Sango found Kagome had passed out in her arms, Sesshomaru sighed, he had expected this to be her reaction after all.