Inuyasha:The third sword

The cool breeze stirs the rice crops, while the movement of the rice crops causes the surrounding waters to create small ripples in the cultivation area. 

Crossing through this extensive cultivation area, there are dirt roads that lead directly to different parts of the village. Walking along while letting the afternoon sun bathe their bodies are four people and a small boy/fox. 

"Here we are at last!"

Leaning on the arms of the young woman with black hair and high school girl's clothes, Shippo points to where the scattered houses and tall watchtower can already be seen. 

"Yay, we made it to the main base which isn't a main base since they don't even have a house."

"Who cares, we'll stay with old lady Kaede."

"Shameful, really shameful."

Shaking her head full of blonde hair sideways, Asahiko fixes her blue eyes full of pity on Inuyasha's body. 

"Shut up, you have nowhere to live either!"

Growling like a rabid animal, Inuyasha's white dog ears perk up, as if ready to attack. 

"Good point, but at least when we stay with Kikyo somewhere we ask for a separate room from the rest. We don't stay with everyone in the same place."

"Asahiko, I understand that you want to annoy Inuyasha, but isn't it more correct to say two separate rooms?"

Intervening in the conversation with a gentle smile, but with a look that wants to see the world burn, Miroku tastefully points out something that went missing and is very important. 

"Why two rooms? It's just the two of us, one is plenty and enough for us to sleep in."

"Inuyasha, downstairs!"

"Ahgg, let me kill him, Kagome!"

Squirming in the newly created gap from his impact against the ground, Inuyasha gets another "Down" and finally releases Steel Fang. 

"You seem to be getting along well with Kikyo, huh, Asahiko?"

"Sure, we literally kill yokai together, sleep together and travel together. I think we're good friends... Or at least acquaintances."

Hesitating a bit as she finishes her words in front of Kagome's look that looks like that of a gossipy old woman, Asahiko gives a little explanation as to why she thinks they are friends or acquaintances. 

"Just friends, Asahiko... Come on, come on, isn't there something else you want to confess."

"Stop hitting me with your elbow, we are just friends and nothing more. So don't get careless otherwise she's going to steal Inuyasha from you."

Pushing away Kagome's elbow that was embedded in her rib, Asahiko places a dark smile and strikes where it hurts Kagome the most. 

"Looks like we have another Inuyasha, Miroku."

"That's right, Shippo. Too bad, I saw in him a voracious predator, but it seems he's also a herbivore."

"Mirokuuu!" x2

Silly Inuyasha and Asahiko realized it was an attack towards them, so they quickly teamed up against the other two, leaving Kagome with no more gossip. 

...Christopher/Asahiko pov.... 

"Elder Kaede, we've arrived!"

Slapping my forehead and watching out of the corner of his eye as Kagome does the same, he watched without any intention of interfering as Inuyasha kicked the shutter that serves as a door. 

"Have a little more respect, Inuyasha."

"You expect too much of him, Miroku. How long have you known him, ah, there, ah, get off me you flea!"

Good grief is that you only know how to go from trouble to other trouble, at least that they remain for a few minutes without fighting each other.. Shaking his head both internally and externally, he looked to the side and managed to see a young girl walking by. 

"Tss, Kagome, go and ask about where Kaede is."

"Why don't you ignore that, I'm already becoming more of an idiot for being with them. Sayumi, have you seen Kaede?"

Sounding defeated by the harsh reality she is forced to live in, Kagome turns around with a defeated expression and begins to speak to the young villager. 

"Miss Kagome, the last time I saw you you were at the temple."

"Thank you, Sayumi."

"No, no, don't thank me, it's an honor to be able to help you after all you did for us, Miss Kagome"

"It really wasn't me, all the work was done by Inuyasha. Without his help it would have been impossible to defeat that hundred foot woman and save you all."

How much longer are you going to keep ruffling each other's feathers, it was just asking for directions, not going to ask for your parents, children and previous generations. 

Internally scoffing and seeing that it already seems like a vicious cycle of I flatter you, you flatter me, I flatter you again and all like that, he tapped Kagome's shoulder to break that perpetual motion machine. 

"Kagome, don't you think it's time to go and see Kaede? She just said so, at least then she'll know it wasn't thieves, but her guests that did that."

"Asahiko of what... Inuyasha, down, down, down, down!"

Under the hysterical screams of Kagome who saw the mess made by Inuyasha and Shippo, I quietly covered my ears to let the storm pass. It's not a joke to say they made a mess, added to the hole created by Inuyasha's crushed body... Let's just say the house was left in a bad state. 

"I'm off to find Kaede, it better be fixed by the time I get back or else..."

"Yes not what, Kagome?"

"Inuyasha..."

Glup, it wasn't me, I'm not scared by Kagome, I'm a powerful demon, I wasn't scared by...by...by...by that cold, murderous stare. Kikyo, help. 

"Asahiko, with me... Now!"

"¡Yes ma'am!"

Ignoring the taunts coming from those three idiots, I start walking two steps behind Kagome who is furious, more accurately would be to say extremely furious. 

Climbing the stone stairs was quite a challenge, not because of the physical exercise of it, but because of Kagome's aura. She certainly doesn't have Kikyo's spiritual power, but the dangerous atmosphere when she is angry she has certainly inherited.

"Kagome? Haa, what has Inuyasha done this time, and who is our guest?"

Stopping sweeping up the fallen leaves in the surroundings, Kaede who is dressed as a priestess turns to us and without much thought discovers the reason for Kagome's mood. 

"Ahem, let me introduce myself. I am Asahiko, self-certified Onmyōji master, legally certified demon and Kikyo's traveling companion... Pending to be certified."

"So you're why Inuyasha was so furious last time, so I guess what you say is true?"

Our conversation seemed most normal on the surface, I might even go out on a limb and say it was a very standard conversation. On the other hand, under that scenario another conversation is going on. 

"What's wrong with Kagome?"

"Nothing too serious, she only just realized that it was a bad idea to poke Inuyasha's top eye out."

"Haa... Not again. Just tell me the damage was minor."

"They are recoverable."

Leaving the answer I gave Kaede wide open, she finally ended the surface conversation at the same time as she pushed me out of her way and gently changed the subject. 

"So this is where the pearl of shikon was kept? I was expecting more, something like lots of barriers and special protections."

"In my sister's time it was like that, but as you might notice... I don't have the same talent. I don't know if it was a blessing or a curse."

"Not having it has left you at the mercy of danger, but it has also saved you from many others... I'm sure Kikyo would agree with me."

The conversation with Kaede went incredibly smoothly, she didn't convey any sort of insecurity or fear. Not to be aggrandizing, but I am a pure demon, anyone who knew that and had me by their side would be filled with fear. 

"Maybe you're right, I could clearly see how much that blessing weighed on her... Whether it was with herself or others."

"It's surprising that you still have this care for her, I know she came to visit you before and considering her style, she will have worn that mask of a cold and crazy lady"

"Hahaha, yes she did, but I'm her sister, how could I not see through that disguise. Young, I see you understand my sister quite well."

Phew, what's this weight I feel on my shoulders? Oh, no, it's the weight of family and their scrutiny... Wait, because I'm interested in looking good in front of their family, um, um, good point. 

"Ahem, I'm here too."

"Sorry, Kagome, it's just weird to be able to talk about my sister so freely these days."

"N, n, no, please excuse me that I acted without thinking."

Laughing softly at Kagome's flushed face swaying like a rattle, I give them both a thumbs up and walk out of here. Yes, leave the time bomb to Kaede, I'm sure Kikyo will forgive me for that.