InuTaishou's Third Lover

There was a woman, strong willed, and so sure of herself.

Carried a bow and arrows, to fend the demons from her village.

So grateful were her people, so proud of their priestess.

Maybe it was because she took care of them, and saw them through even the worst of times.

But maybe it was because she was so strong, and spiritually gifted.

She had been given the Shikon no Tama to protect.

But soon, there would be more than that.

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Kikyou sat in the forest. A girl of only 16 years old. She had trained to become a Shinto Priestess at an
early age, always wondering what her life might be like if she didn't have to hide her true identity. She got
up and left the beautiful sights of the forest and river. She would always tell her meaningless thoughts to
the trees and birds that lived in the forest.

Trudging back to her hut it began to rain. She took shelter in the shrine where it was warmer and closer
than the home she stayed in. She sat by the fire drying herself. She was alone and would often come to
pray and purify herself. She took off her wet things and wrapped herself in a small blue kimono. She
heard a bit of commotion outside. She quickly got dressed again and peered outside before jumping out
from the shrine, arrow ready.

She stopped, and looked up at a tall demon. He bowed to her and she set her arrow back in her quiver.
She lowered her bow and gave a short bow back.

"Priestess Kikyou."

"Yes, how may I help you?"

"I have been searching for you. I heard that you protected the Shikon Jewel from it's evil seekers."

"Why would you want to know me?"

"I have a favor to ask of the priestess."

Kikyou clutched the jewel tighter, behind her kimono. Her heart beating faster, hoping she would not
have to fight against this tall, stronger man.

"Come inside. We will talk."

She led him into the shrine. She bid him to sit in front of the fire. He did, she set her bow and arrows in
the corner. Her eyes looked over him. Strong nature, seemingly emotionless. Long silver hair slicked
back into a high pony tail. Red markings over his eyes and two long, jagged blue striped ran down the
side of his face. He was dressed in heavy white armor. It had small spikes on it and covered most of his
white kimono. She noticed he carried three swords. One was blue on the handle, one looking old and
ragged, like it was a family heirloom. And one that caught her senses more. She could sense the power
that each one held. She was guessing each one had a purpose. But the one that caught her eye, one that
was larger than the rest. It had a gold band around it, but the rest of it was silver.

"Please, tell me why you have come."

"I have come to ask a favor of you."

He took the swords from his belt. Holding them out to her.

"I wish you to guard these. Their power is too strong to carry with me and risk losing them in battle."

"Then they are not used for fighting?"

"Two of these swords were made for war. One was made for life."

"Life?"

"Yes, Tenseiga can bring back the dead. It can heal fatal wounds."

"I see why you would not want to lose it."

"Yes, all three have become a burden. But the one I ask most of all is this."

He held up the one sword that had caught her attention. He took it from it's sheath and held it out to her.
She slowly and clumsily held it in her hands, it was heavy and yet it lightened.

"This is Sounnga. It is the most powerful of all three. It has more power than Tetsusaiga and Tenseiga
combined. But I warn you, it has it's own mind. It may try to do things on it's own. That is why I need you
to seal the power of them all."

"I will do as you say."

"I need you to hold them until the day when my sons are ready to wield them."

"Your sons?"

"Yes, my son Sesshoumaru will be given Tenseiga. And Inuyasha will be given Tetsusaiga."

"And what is to become of Sounnga?"

"Sounnga is too powerful for them to use yet. As soon as they find a way to get along, then they will be
strong enough to contain the power."

"Tell me..."

"InuTaishou, I am the Lord of the Western Lands."

"Lord InuTaishou, I am glad to have spoken with you."

"Yes, and for doing this. I want you to consider the Western Lands an ally. If you should ever need help in
battle, you can rely on me and my men."

"Arigatou Lord InuTaishou. I am most grateful."

"As am I."

"Wouldn't you stay for a while? Get to know the village you defend?"

"If I may, I do have some time to spare."

"Kaede will show you to your room."

Kikyou smiled and called to her younger sister Kaede, who she knew was watching.

"Kaede will you please show Lord InuTaishou to a spare room?"

"Yes Kikyou-onee-sama! Right away!"

Kaede showed InuTaishou out and they both left Kikyou in the shrine.

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Kikyou took her time examining each of the three swords. It took some time for her to look at each one.
She set them down at an altar and sealed them with a paper scription. Saying a prayer she headed to her
hut to go to bed. Kaede joined her a minute later. Hearing her sister crawl beneath the cool sheets. Kikyou turned over to watch her sister through the fire.

"Kikyou-onee-sama? Who was that inu-demon today? Isn't he going to attack us?"

"No Kaede. He had asked me to protect three powerful swords. And in return he has agreed to help
protect the village."

"Kikyou-sama?"

"Yes Kaede?"

"Kikyou-sama. Do you trust him?"

"Well Kaede, I do. I have a feeling that he won't go back on his promise."

"Goodnight Kikyou-sama."

"Goodnight Kaede."


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ON TO THE NEXT CHAPTER!!! xx Akira Kikyou Kanawa xx